8 Family-Friendly Attractions in Australia That Offer Bonding Time

Australia is a land of dazzling beaches, ancient wonders, and unique wildlife, brimming with adventures perfect for creating memories with your family. Read on to explore the family-friendly attractions in Australia designed to spark curiosity, evoke adventure and create quality time to bond with your loved ones.

Also read: Sydney or Melbourne: Which Aussie City Should You See First?

Most exciting family-friendly attractions across Australia

1. Treetops Adventure Park — Australian Capital Territory

Image credit: Treetops Adventure Park, Canberra © VisitCanberra

Scale the majestic woods of Majura Pines in Canberra’s new Treetops Adventure Park, featuring over 100 different activities like walking across swaying wooden bridges, balancing on tightropes, and dropping down onto cargo nets. You'll find various courses for all ages and abilities, welcoming adventurers as young as three years old. Those up for a challenge can take on the tree rope courses, designed to test your agility, balance, and problem-solving skills. You'll need to communicate and cooperate to help each other out, and you'll all have a lot of fun along the way.

Still wishing for greater heights? Soar through the air on some of Australia's longest and highest ziplines — a great way to get your adrenaline pumping and enjoy some stunning views of the Majura Pines. What’s more, Majura Pines is one of Canberra’s best mountain bike trails where you can find plenty of mountain biking loops, tracks, descents, and dirt jumps suitable for riders of all abilities. After a fruitful day of adventure, you can pack lunch and enjoy a meal outdoors at any of the picnic areas located throughout the park or cook up a feast with their BBQ facilities.

Other family-friendly attractions in Australian Capital Territory

Image credit (L-R): Capital Brewing Co., Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Tourism Australia; National Arboretum, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

If you’re interested to learn more about Australian breweries, Capital Brewing Co. will do you justice. While the adults go for a wine-tasting experience and learn about the brewing process, the kids can have fun at a dedicated play area with a cubby house and games.

Afterwards, feed your children’s imagination (and your inner child, too) with an unusual encounter with a giant 20-metre-long T-Rex animatronic that moves and roars at the National Dinosaur Museum! To get close to nature, go for a hike or a bike ride at the National Arboretum while the little ones have fun at the unique Pod Playground.

2. Centennial Parklands — New South Wales

Image credit: East Side Riding Academy, Centennial Park, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Centennial Parklands in New South Wales offers a vast array of family activities you don’t want to miss! Choosing from an extensive network of shared and dedicated cycling paths, you can rent bikes and explore the area to your heart’s content with your family. There’s even a learner path for little ones who are just starting out. Want something more unique? Explore the park on horseback at the parkland’s Sydney Polo Club!

Another must-visit attraction here is the Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden. This isn't your average playground. Here, your little ones can dodge blasts of water jets from the ground, crawl through the tunnels in a bamboo forest, climb a treehouse, gather sticks, and build a secret hideaway in a dedicated play area.

Other family-friendly attractions in New South Wales

Image credit (L-R): The Playground Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour, New South Wales © Destination New South Wales; Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Destination NSW

For younger families, we recommend going to the Darling Quarter, one of the country's top playgrounds. The Playground at Darling Quarter is a free wonderland for all ages, featuring a colourful play structure with slides, climbing nets, water features, and more. Beyond these, you can also take a break and enjoy a game of table tennis or giant chess on the Village Green.

For families with older children seeking a more adrenaline-filled experience, a thrilling adventure awaits when you take the whole fam on an exciting jet boat ride from Circular Quay! The heart-pumping cruise passes by iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, allowing you and your family to view them from a different perspective.

TripZilla Tip: Take note that certain attractions have an age limit, where children need to be 13 years old or older while others have a height restriction.

3. Crocodylus Park — Northern Territory

Image credit: Crocodylus Park, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia

When visiting the Northern Territory with your family, a stop at Crocodylus Park, 15 minutes from Darwin is a must. The park houses over a thousand crocodiles, ranging from freshwater to saltwater crocs, from hatchlings to massive adults. You can even hold a baby croc in your hands and join crocodile feeding tours here!

Alternatively, you can visit the Crocodile Museum to find out more about how crocodiles coexist with the natural ecosystems around them in Australia. For the daredevils, we recommend visiting Crocosaurus Cove, where you can feed the baby crocs using a fishing rod and admire these massive creatures up close in the Cage of Death.

Other family-friendly attractions in the Northern Territory

Image credit (L-R): Earth Sanctuary, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught; Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia

Aside from crocodile encounters, an outback adventure in the Northern Territory is another incredible way to bond with your family in Australia. Alice Springs, the gateway to explore the Red Centre, is the perfect place for that. Here, you get to discover desert wildlife, from thorny reptiles to cute quolls, on a nocturnal night tour and peek at the vibrant Milky Way through a telescope at the Earth Sanctuary.

During the day, mingle with some cute joeys at The Kangaroo Sanctuary or ride on the back of a camel as you stroll along the Pyndan Camel Tracks. BTW, Alice Springs has a desert climate, so be sure to pack sun protection, hats, and comfortable shoes for all the exploring.

4. Kangaroo Point Cliffs Drive — Queensland

Image credit: Riverlife, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Drive, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Kangaroo Point Cliffs Drive in Queensland isn't exactly for a typical "drive" with the family, but it's a fantastic spot for an outdoor adventure! There's something for everyone at Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park. Kids will love exploring the playground, climbing the rocks (with supervision for younger ones), or riding bikes along the Kangaroo Point Bikeway. Adults can enjoy jogging, rock climbing, or simply relaxing and taking in the scenery.

Thrill-seeking families can ascend the legendary Story Bridge, a Brisbane landmark completed in 1940, which soars 80 metres over the river or take the plunge from the top of the well-known cliffs and abseil down to the riverside.

What’s more, you can embark on a kayak tour that caters to visitors of all ages. This is your chance to paddle on the Brisbane River and take in the magical views of the city at sunrise. You can also enjoy the city sights from various lookout points or have a picnic lunch with your loved ones on the lush green lawns.

TripZilla Tip: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park is conveniently located close to other family-friendly attractions in Brisbane, such as the South Bank Parklands and the Queensland Museum.

Other family-friendly attractions in Queensland

Image credit (L-R): Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves; Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Looking for a truly unique experience in Queensland? How about a glow worm cave tour? This one-of-a-kind adventure takes you into the heart of a rainforest, where you can witness the bioluminescent magic of these fascinating creatures. Did you know that glow worms are actually fly larvae that glow in the dark to attract small insects? And the best part? You can even choose to embark on this tour during the daytime!

Plus, you can combine your glow worm experience with other activities in the Gold Coast hinterland, such as bushwalking and waterfall chasing. Noice!

5. Beerenberg Farm — South Australia

Image credit: Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, Adelaide, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Nestled on South Australia’s Adelaide Hills is another haven for quality time with the family — Beerenberg Farm. The place offers a delightful combination of fun activities, delicious food, and a touch of education for visitors of all ages. The best thing to do here is picking your own strawberries. Send the kids on a search for the ripest berries and fill a basket together with your loved ones!

Take your harvest back with you, or you can also make your own strawberry jam at the farm’s on-site jam kitchen. Afterwards, take an afternoon break at the Farm Cafe, where you get to indulge in their freshly made ice cream with over ten different flavours to choose from. Also, don’t forget to sample the cafe’s signature fluffy scones with their famous jams, as well as tasty gourmet sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

TripZilla Tip: The strawberry picking season runs from November to April, so plan your visit accordingly.

Other family-friendly attractions in South Australia

Image credit (L-R): MOD., Adelaide, South Australia © MOD./ UniSA; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

For families with teenage kids of 15 years and above, MOD. in Adelaide City Centre is the best place for hands-on learning of art, science and everything in between. Their exhibits are designed to be interactive and engaging. Think: crawling through giant hearts, climbing volcanoes, and even exploring the inside of a giant head!

Another must-visit museum is the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA). The AGSA's vast collection spans Australian, European, Asian, and North American art. Parents who love European masters can point out details in a Monet, while kids might be drawn to the vibrant colours of Aboriginal art.

6. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Tasmania

Image credit: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Tasmania © Tourism Australia

If you still can't get enough of Tasmania and its wonders, we recommend bringing the whole family to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton. The sanctuary houses various unique animals that can't be found anywhere else, including the Tasmanian devil, wombat, echidna, pademelon, quoll, and more. Plus, it's located in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by Tasmanian bushland, making it a great place to spend a day outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

The kids, especially, will have fun seeing these adorable creatures up close and watching them being fed their daily snacks. Families can also hand-feed the kangaroos, which is a fun and memorable experience for children. Not only that, but visitors can also learn about the sanctuary's conservation effort to rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals and release them back into the wild.

Other family-friendly attractions in Tasmania

Image credit (L-R): Mt Wellington, Tasmania © Emilie Ristevski; West Coast Wilderness Railway, Strahan, Tasmania © Tourism Australia

Embarking on a hiking adventure with your family at Mount Wellington is a sure way to be awestruck by the beauty of Tasmania from a unique perspective. Choose a family-friendly walking path, like the one-hour Organ Pipes Track, and get ready to be mesmerised by the stunning panoramic views that await you at the top!

Afterwards, hop aboard a historic steam train or heritage diesel locomotive from West Coast Wilderness Railway through towering rainforests and dramatic gorges. The ride is a cool way for families to spot native wildlife such as wombats, pademelons, and Tasmanian devils while listening to stories about the railway’s past from the rangers onboard.

7. Luna Park — Victoria

Image credit: Luna Park, Melbourne, Victoria © Craig Sillitoe Photography

Luna Park is an iconic landmark in Melbourne, with a rich history dating back to 1912. From thrilling rides to carnival games and delectable treats, there's something for everyone here. Little ones will love the carousel, the Road Runner, and the Ghost Train, while older kids and parents can brave the exhilarating Power Surge and the classic wooden roller coaster, the Great Scenic Railway.

Beyond the rides, you can test your skills and win prizes at classic carnival games and indulge in classic amusement park fare like fairy floss and hot dogs. Also, don't forget to capture fun family photos at Luna Park's iconic entrance and historic facade before heading out. FYI, the park is situated on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda, a popular beachside suburb of Melbourne, offering stunning views and a refreshing escape from the city centre! Or, visit the infamous colourful Brighton bathing boxes lined alongside beaches just about 7km away for more laid-back charm.

Other family-friendly attractions in Victoria

Image credit (L-R): Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria; Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria

If you and your family happen to be in the heart of Melbourne, visiting Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria will be a delightful experience! The gardens boast over 38 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, from the Australian Garden with its iconic red sand and wildflowers to the tranquil Fern Gully.

Bring your kids to The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden and let them discover a miniaturised city with cubby houses and a giant spider web for climbing. Psst, keep an eye out for the park's resident kookaburras, black swans, and other wildlife!

8. Fremantle Markets — Western Australia

Image credit: Fremantle Markets, Perth, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

Families should definitely include Fremantle Markets on their itinerary when visiting Fremantle in Western Australia. The place is a haven for fresh, local produce. Kids can wander through stalls overflowing with seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts and honey, fresh seafood, and all sorts of delicious treats. You will also be amazed by the variety of handmade jewellery, woodwork, paintings, pottery, and Aboriginal art sold here.

Besides, travellers with families can pamper their palates thanks to the many stalls serving up delicious food from all over the world, from fresh fish and chips and Indian curries to Italian pasta and Chinese dumplings. Not to mention, the lively atmosphere at Fremantle Markets is fun and engaging for all ages as visitors can enjoy live music and street performances and even go for face painting for children!

Other family-friendly attractions in Western Australia

Image credit (L-R): The Aquarium of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia © AQWA; Rottnest Island, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

Want to check out the underwater world of Western Australia? Head to the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) in Perth. This is your chance to get up close with fascinating sea creatures at the touch pool, where you can gently interact with starfish, sea cucumbers, and other marine life.

Plus, the mesmerising underwater tunnel allows you to walk beneath the massive tank, surrounded by sharks, stingrays, and countless fish swimming overhead. For the little ones, the Digital Ocean Play Room provides a dedicated space for imaginative play and exploration!

Another must-visit site for families is Rottnest Island, just a boat ride away from Perth. The island is world-famous for its adorable quokkas, a highlight for any visit, and kids will love spotting them in the wild. Additionally, you can hire bikes for the whole family and enjoy a leisurely ride along the scenic coastal trails — a fun way to soak in the unbeatable vistas of the island.

Also read: 16 Things to Do in Perth All Year ‘Round

That concludes our top picks for the best family-friendly attractions in Australia for the ultimate bonding time. Gather your crew and book those tickets for an unforgettable holiday in the land Down Under!

Brought to you by Tourism Australia.