Best Beach Holiday For Families

There's a reason so many favourite childhood memories are of lazy days at the beach with family. Leisure time spent in, on and around the ocean benefits us on so many levels. A chance to slow down and be in the moment. Stare at the horizon for a while. Play and swim for hours unbothered by school hours or schedules. Endless days of sunshine, saltwater and sand everywhere. 

When the sun starts to set, end your day with the perfect beach picnic. Fish and chips - hot and crispy, straight from the paper package with ocean views. You know you're on holiday when no-one has to wash up! 

Planning the Best Beach Holiday As a Parent

As a parent, you get to create that magic for your own family.  But planning the perfect family holiday comes with its fair share of logistics. What’s our budget? Where’s the best place to stay? How do you cater for older kids and littlies? Should we pack the pram? 

Don’t overthink it. A Gold Coast getaway by the beach will be universally loved by everyone from toddlers to teens - and importantly, parents! Taking your kids on a beach holiday provides them with time in nature, good old fashioned fun and tech-free family bonding. As a very kid-friendly destination, this is a city where convenience and accessibility makes it smooth sailing for families with plenty of playgrounds, safe swimming spots and a variety of accommodation options along the stunning coastline. 

To make it simpler, we’ve covered the typical dilemmas and questions that come up in the planning stages of a family holiday… and why the Gold Coast is the answer to them all.

FAQ: We have toddlers and teenagers in our family - how do we cater for both?

Answer: The Gold Coast is the ideal destination for families who have a big age gap between their kids. The beach is the easiest solution to the dilemma of how to keep everyone happy. Toddlers can paddle in the shallows and play in the sand for hours, enjoying the sensory stimulation provided by sand and water. Big kids can learn to surf, go for a paddle or muck around with body boards. 

Families flock to the calm, clear waters of Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek, and there are plenty of Gold Coast beaches with sandy shores and sheltered bays that are perfect for kids to surf, swim and play. 

FAQ: A day at the beach with kids involves a lot of gear - boards, towels, bucket and spade, shade tent, snacks. How do we manage the logistics

Answer: Simple - stay at the beach! The Gold Coast has a huge variety of family friendly accommodation within steps of the sand which keeps things simple for families, from caravan parks to highrise holiday apartments and luxury hotels. No car required, no parking hassles, no travel time. Just pack a beach bag or a cart with the essentials and you can be splashing around in the ocean within minutes. Bonus: you can bring little ones back for nap time while one parent stays at the beach with big kids.

FAQ: How can I get my kids off their screens and engaged once we’re there?

Answer: Since sand and salt water don’t mix with devices, the beach is a screen-free zone! Winning! Kids will be having way too much fun rolling in sand and washing it off, or riding boogie boards to worry about what’s happening on Tik Tik or Youtube. The heady mix of sun, sand and saltwater plus does great things to your nervous system. Unscheduled time in nature helps your kids to be happy little humans. Bonus: bed time won’t be a problem - they’ll be wrecked from all the fresh air and physical activity.

FAQ: What if it rains? 

Answer: Look, it happens. That subtropical sunshine comes with its share of stormy weather but it won’t ruin your holiday. On rainy days, there’s a long list of indoor activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained from indoor skydiving, escape rooms and games arcades, to kid-friendly shopping malls and an incredible art gallery with interactive exhibitions just for children.

When you think about it, Gold Coast beach break is basically an investment in your family’s well-being - and what’s more important than that? Explore places to stay for your next visit.