Top Family Activities in Australia: Safari Sleepovers & Waterfront Theme Parks

1. Australia: A Land of Adventure

Australia is an immense and diverse country with endless possibilities. You can go from marveling at the dazzling coastline to exploring the Outback to hanging with some of the world’s most fascinating animals without leaving the country.

2. Kid-Friendly Experiences in Australia

If you’re headed to Oz with kids, you’re in luck: there are countless experiences that take advantage of the best Australia has to offer while remaining accessible for the smallest of travelers. You can meet real-life Tasmanian devils on the island of Tasmania, and young children can explore the Great Barrier Reef without even getting wet thanks to an underwater observatory. Traveling with kids can bring the whole family together, and arguably no destination does it better than the hands-on friendly land Down Under.

3. Nine Must-Try Experiences

These nine kid-friendly experiences will allow you to combine educational opportunities with straight-up fun on your next trip to Australia.

Snooze With Animals

Head out on a night safari to see some of Taronga Zoo Sydney’s 4,000 animals from more than 350 species during their Roar and Snore program. You’ll help out during feeding time, get some up-close-and-personal encounters with the zoo’s animals, and enjoy incredible harbor views from the safari-style campsite (talk about glamping!). The next day, you can see some of the zoo’s cutest furry residents by daylight, like the red kangaroos and koalas, with complimentary admission.

Find it: Roar and Snore at the Taronga Zoo Sydney; Sydney, New South Wales

See the Little Penguin Parade

Phillip Island is home to tiny penguins (known as Little Penguins) who take part in a nightly penguin parade when they waddle up the beach and back to their burrows at sunset after a day of fishing. Kids can watch these little penguins from eye-level when you book an underground viewing experience.

Find it: Phillip Island Nature Parks; Phillip Island, Victoria

Feed Wild Dolphins

You don’t often get the chance to be close to wild animals, let alone feed them. The Monkey Mia Reserve offers a program that allows visitors to get up close while ensuring the area’s bottlenose dolphins stay wild. The dolphins at the reserve are free to come and go as they please (more than 3,000 live in the bay) and are offered food three times a day between 7:45 a.m. and noon. A limited number of fish are handed out to visitors standing in the shallow water, as staff still want the dolphins to forage for a large amount of their food.

Find it: Monkey Mia Reserve; Denham, Western Australia

Hang Out at Bondi Beach

Heading to the beach is one Australian experience that’s hard to miss. However, for younger swimmers, rip currents are a legitimate fear. Thanks to Bondi Icebergs Club—featuring two pools (one for adults and one for kids)—you can prioritize safe swimming without sacrificing great views of one of Australia’s most popular beaches. When you’re done swimming, head down to the beach for some people watching on this iconic stretch of sand.

Find it: Bondi Icebergs Club; Sydney, New South Wales

Cuddle a Koala

There’s nothing as iconic as cuddling a cute koala in Australia— and there’s no better place to do it than the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which opened in 1927 as a refuge for orphaned, sick, and injured koalas. Kids can pet or hold the fuzzy animals, or check out one of the other 70-plus animal species living at the sanctuary. Plan your visit around one of the hand-feeding times for kangaroos, wallabies, and lorikeets for an extra dose of fun.

Find it: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary; Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland

Get Up Close and Personal With Tasmanian Devils

Kids may know of the Tasmanian devil from the Looney Tunes cartoon, but the real-life version is so much cooler (and cuter too). There are no cages and barriers at this “unzoo” which is focused on saving the devil, offering visitors “nose-to-nose” encounters, and the chance to feed wallabies and kangaroos. After spending time with the animals, kids can play on the Little Devil’s Playground, which includes an interactive display about Tasmanian devils.

Find it: Tasmanian Devil Unzoo; Taranna, Tasmania

Experience Vintage Thrills

Modeled after Luna Park in Coney Island, this theme park first opened in 1935 and features vintage styling from the era. Kids will love a spin around the hand-painted carousel that features 1,640 lights or the challenge of balancing their way through the Barrels of Fun feature. Later, take in the view of the harbor from the top of the ferris wheel and play some classic carnival games.

Find it: Luna Park Sydney; Sydney, New South Wales

Go Underwater at the Great Barrier Reef

No trip to Australia is complete without a visit to the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef. While there are numerous ways to see the colorful coral, one of the best options for kids is from an activity platform. Hop aboard Quicksilver Cruises and travel to the Agincourt Reefs, where kids will be able to snorkel with small snorkels and masks for toddlers. If your child can’t swim—or has had enough—there’s an underwater observatory where they can watch the fish without needing to get in the water.

Find it: Quicksilver Cruises; Port Douglas, Queensland

Learn About Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage

One of the best parts about traveling is learning about the cultures of the places you visit. One of the best places to do that in Australia is at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Here, kids (and their parents) can take in the Aboriginal heritage through traditional dance and demonstrations like spear and boomerang throwing. In the evening, participate in a night fire where you’ll get traditional face paint, learn Aboriginal songs, and watch the ceremonial fire light up.

Find it: Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park; Smithfield, Queensland