The 10 best family-friendly resorts in Australia

If your cheeky little monkeys have been on their best behaviour lately, reward them with a holiday at RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. Located in the stunning Shark Bay World Heritage Area – home to the famous Monkey Mia dolphins – this family-friendly resort is just steps from the sand. There is a mix of beachfront rooms and villas, along with caravan and camping sites (plus a camp kitchen for easy feeds). Don't worry about packing activities – your young adventurers will be entertained for hours with beach volleyball, giant chess, mini golf, a playground, fishing jetty, go-kart hire, kayaks and magical morning dolphin interactions. Bonus points – dogs are welcome too!  

Best for: A chill family holiday by the beach. 

Queensland is the true monarch when it comes to family-friendly resorts Down Under. With its eternal sunshine, tropical hues and general laidback deliciousness, you'll be hard-pressed to find a bad option. This being said, we reckon Turtle Beach Resort on the Gold Coast stands out as a particularly strong kid utopia. Bordering peaceful Mermaid Beach, but also a stone's throw from the country's wildest theme parks, this waterpark-meets-hotel situation is for all those kids who have a lot of energy. With kids clubs galore, mini-golf, cinema rooms, a water play area for toddlers, a giant pool and a loopy waterslide all onsite – plus a whole lot of 'adults only' zones, you can rest assured knowing that you and your family are all in for a good time.

Best for: A quintessential Aussie beach holiday. 

Shaped like a gigantic saltwater crocodile, this wild hotel in Kakadu National Park embodies the Northern Territory’s irreverently irresistible spirit. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this croc-shaped paradise (spoiler: there are no real crocs here) is an excellent base from which to explore Kakadu. All rooms have big white beds and easy pool and courtyard access. With an on-site restaurant, shaded seating areas and lovely bright rooms, this (slightly) wacky accom is a comfortable place to retreat to after a day of adventuring in one of the most amazing national parks in the world. Plus, kids will enjoy identifying which part of the giant croc they're sleeping in. 

Best for: A classic Aussie outback experience.

This one's a little more bougie, but if you've got some cash to splash while you're in Sydney and want a child-friendly city trip with a twist, staying overnight at Taronga Zoo could be exactly that. Having a sleepover at the zoo is the stuff that most kid's (and adult's) dreams are made of, and at Wildlife Retreat, it all comes true. From hearing lions roar at dawn, to waking up to curious kangaroos sniffing outside your giant glass wall, this experience is a once-in-a-lifetime delight for the whole family.

Best for: Little ones who love wildlife encounters.

Kangaroo Island is an animal-loving kid's paradise enough – never mind adding this luxe, family-friendly resort into the mix. With a huge saltwater pool, oodles of kid-friendly activities and proximity to some of the most special nature and wildlife experiences on the planet (dolphins, seal colonies and koalas, anyone?), this resort is perfect for the smallest members of your family, while still being a genuinely delightful place to stay for the big ones too. 

Best for: Families who love getting back to nature.

If the thought of exploring a magical castle sings to you or your kids, look no further. Dragons, knights, archery and a mystical labyrinth are all on the cards at this wild castle experience in Victoria. With hundreds of epic experiences (including a Unicorn Festival) on offer, this is the perfect one-stop holiday for all kids obsessed with magic. You can stay in tents, cabins or luxe castle-themed suites at the Big 4 Caravan Park on-site, take a dip in the pool, and then spend a day pretending you're an extra in Merlin, The Lord of the Rings and pretty much every Medieval fantasy movie ever made. 

Best for: Little dreamers who think their life is a magical fantasy.

Does walking through the treetops of an ancient forest canopy, hang-gliding and getting off-grid in Tasmania's Huon Valley sound like a good time to you and your family? This adventure experience meets luxe cabin accommodation could be just the thing for you. Tahune Airwalk Cabin and Lodge is all about the serenity of the wilderness – plus Champagne, comfy beds and plenty of room for kids to run wild. Affordable cabins and a mind-bogglingly cool 'Air Walk' bridge through the sky are definitely the highlights.

Best for: Brave kids who like being in nature.

If you're headed to WA, you're going to want to put Ningaloo Reef on your list of things to do. This resort is the only one of its kind in this neck of the woods, and is perfect for those who want to snorkel in one of the world's wildest and most magnificent places – but without having to rough it accommodation-wise. Expect resort-style accommodation, a kids' swimming area, an adults' pool, direct beach access, an onsite restaurant and bar, and a free shuttle bus into town. Getting to see the sunrise over the ocean from your bedroom window is a pretty fantastic highlight, too.

Best for: A bucket-list family holiday.

Phillip Island is a pretty special place. Perfect for a weekend getaway from Melbourne, this gorgeous island is full of little penguin colonies, beautiful beaches and plentiful adventure activities. If you're after an affordable resort that's built on being family-friendly, Silverwater should be high on your list. With heated indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a kids' playground, an arcade games room, games courts and very exciting rainbow 'jumping pillows', there's a boredom buster for pretty much everyone. Plus, you're in a prime location to explore the countless wonders of this tiny Southern gem. How's that for a good time? 

What is it? A humble holiday far from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Whether you want to take your teens on a super ’grammable stroll around Dove Lake or send the little ones on a wombat-spotting mission, World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain is the ultimate playground for adventurous kids. You and your fam can stay near the start of all the wilderness action at Cradle Mountain Lodge in one of two dedicated Pencil Pine Cabins that sleep up to five. You only have to walk five minutes from the lodge to arrive at a shuttle bus stop, which takes you to the start of multiple trails. The lodge’s scenery is enchanting, too – full of wombats, pademelons and even a little family of Tassie devils hiding under the main building when we visited. Tell the little ones to stay on the lookout! 

Best for: Animal spotting adventures in the wilderness.