Family destinations Australia: Australian East Coast holidays

So you've decided to bring the family over for an Australian East Coast holiday.....

These are my best family holiday destinations in Australia. I have holidayed at all of them both as a kid and as a parent and each have fond memories. The following information is mainly for those contemplating a holiday to the Australian East Coast.

QUEENSLAND

1. Gold Coast

Probably the most popular family destination for Australian East Coast holidays. But there is much more to the Gold Coast than Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet n Wild and MovieWorld.

Make sure you base yourselves close to Surfers Paradise or perhaps Broadbeach which is close to shops and the beautiful beaches. The hinterland of the coast is a great place to take the kids as there are lots of walks and fauna to see.

Also keep in mind some unusual places to visit on the coast like Ripleys Believe it Or Not Museum, I love that kinda thing.

2. Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a big win for families and my favorite Australian East Coast holiday destination. The big attraction is Australia Zoo developed by the late Steve Irwin. There are bird and crocodile shows as well loads of animals kept in lush surrounds. There is also an animal hospital that takes care of local injured wildlife. More plans are in the pipeline too for further development of the Zoo.

Also worth checking out on the Sunshine Coast:

• Aussie World
• Ettamogah Pub- kid friendly,
• The Big Pineapple,
• the Ginger Factory,
• Underwater World at Mooloolooba and
• Montville in the hinterland.

3. Far North Tropical Queensland

Cairns is a great sport for families traveling the Australian East Coast. Take a boat out to Green Island for a snorkelling adventure. The kids can swim amongst the cleanest and clearest waters in the world getting up close and personal with the exotic marine life.

There is also loads of water activities such as cable skiing, white water rafting and jet boating. For the bigger kids there is always Bungy jumping.

I highly recommend takinga mini bus tour for day trip up to Mossman gorge and the Daintree. You might just see crocodiles in the wild....don't tip the boat!

Cairns is a long way from all the capital cities but easily accessible via all the main airports.

NEW SOUTH WALES

1. Sydney

Sydney has loads of attractions for kids. Get a ferry from Circular Quay over to Taronga Zoo. Spend the day at Bondi Beach or Manly which is home to Oceanworld. Why not take the kids to the Powerhouse Museum. Climb the AMP tower building (used to be called Centrepoint) to get a birdseye 360 degree view of the city.

2. New South Wales

Top 10 things to do:

• Visit Timbertown.
• Take the Yamba
• Visit the Pet Porpoise Pool at Coffs Harbour.
• Do a night tour to see koalas at Pine Creek National Park near Coffs Harbour.
• Take the Everglades Waterbus Tour in Port Macquarie.
• Have a choc-coated banana at the Big Banana after you do all the rides.
• Paint the breakwater at Nambucca - it's legal!
• Head to the Kiama Blowhole just south of Wollongong.

There are lots more places only the locals know about and lots more inside information that can be found online on how to save money on your travels in Australia and when to get the best deals.