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Compare Family Holidays

Everyone loves a holiday - but how much does it cost? We've put together a comparison to help you pick the perfect family getaway for your budget.

Read on to see our sample 7-night holidays for 2 adults and 2 children, ex Sydney.

Information is based on advertised prices advertised 31 January 2017. Prices subject to change without notice and presented as a guide only. Flights are included in estimates where applicable.

How does each holiday compare?

Gold Coast Beach Holiday Cruise Escape Snow Trip Campervan Adventure Fiji Resort Retreat
Flights/transfers $900 N/A $195 N/A $4,776
Accommodation $1,400 $2,597 $2,500 $420 included
Transport $450 included $1,028 $1,800 N/A
Meals $1,600 included $1,200 $800 $1,400
Activites $600 included $2,748 $350 included
TOTAL $4,950 $2,597 $7,671 $3,370 $6,176

Gold Coast Beach Holiday

The Gold Coast is Australia’s most famous beach destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. There’s plenty to see and do here – beaches, theme parks, and more!

Best Travel Time:

Queensland is warm and sunny almost year-round. The busiest season is summer, so you’re best off taking the family during the September holidays when it’s quieter and the sun isn’t so intense.

Getting there:

Flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Gold Coast airport are regular and cheap, starting from as little as $80 per person one way including checked luggage. From Brisbane it’s just a 1 hour drive south to the Gold Coast.

Getting around:

From the airport, you can pick up a hire car, catch a taxi or use the Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle. We’d recommend hiring a car so you can fully explore the Gold Coast region.

Choose accommodation in Surfers Paradise for the beach and the main tourist strip within walking distance. With a hire car you can explore the many beaches along the Gold Coast at your leisure and carry the body boards and floaties without a worry.

Accommodation:

3-star family apartments in Surfers Paradise start at around $150 per room per night. Book early, as rooms fill up fast and become more expensive closer to school holidays.

Meals

The Gold Coast is famous as a foodies paradise, with countless Asian, seafood and pub-style restaurants. As there’s so much competition, prices are affordable with meals easy to find around $15-$20 each.

Activities

Our activities estimate is based on tickets to a theme park, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Wax Museum and two courses of mini golf.

Take a drive up into the Gold Coast hinterland to see the natural bridge and waterfalls in Springbrook National Park or feed wild birds at O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park. Of course, don’t forget to explore the many family-friendly beaches all along the coast.

Check out our Gold Coast destination guide for more travel tips.

Sample holiday budget: September for family of 2 adults and 2 children

Return flights from Sydney$900
7 nights 3-star hotel$1,400
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)$1,600
Hire car from Coolangatta Airport (7 days) + fuel (estimate)$450
Activities$600
TOTAL$4,950

Cruise Escape

Cruises depart year-round. South Pacific cruises are best during Australia’s winter, when the weather is drier and milder. However, during the off season prices are much lower and the water temperature is still perfect for swimming. For this sample holiday we've selected the Pacific Islands Cruise (9 days) on board the Carnival Spirit, cruising to Noumea and the Isle of Pines on the 4th of April 2018, during school holidays.

Getting there:

Carnival cruises depart from Circular Quay. This can be easily accessed by public transport or taxi, with drop off points or short term parking available if you’re getting a lift from friends or family.

Best Travel Time:

Cruises depart year-round. There is a higher chance of storms in our summer months so April to November is ideal.

Accommodation:

Based on inside quad share cabin.

Getting around:

Everything you need is provided right onboard. At each destination, your ship will either dock or anchor and carry passengers to shore by small boats.

Meals

All included in your fare. A cover charge applies to specialty dining, snacks and some drinks

Activities

Most activities onboard are included in your fare. Golf nets, swimming pools, kids clubs, fitness centre, live shows and an aerial stage are just some of the fantastic entertainment facilities on offer.

Look up individual ships on our website for information about what you can do with your days. Here’s the link to Carnival Spirit

Sample holiday budget: 9 nights in April 2018 2 adults, 2 children

Four persons Week Tropique (quad share) $2,597
AccommodationIncluded
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)Included
ActivitiesIncluded
TOTAL $2,597

Campervan Adventure

Discover the outback with a family camping adventure. Hire a campervan to enjoy the freedom of travelling wherever you like.

Best Travel Time:

Depends on chosen location. Generally camping weather is best just before or just after summer. Take the family on a camping trip during the Easter or September holidays.

Getting there:

Hire a campervan from major cities around Australia. This sample holiday uses the Cruisin Seeker on a trip through New South Wales

Accommodation:

The Cruisin Seeker contains two double beds and its own kitchen. Stay at camp sites for access to toilet and shower facilities. There are other brands such as Britz and Maui also containing a shower and toilet are also available from Discovery Campervans.

Powered sites are available at most caravan parks and range from approximately $40-$70 per night for a family of four. A Britz campervan hire includes 10% discount for powered sites at Big4 Parks.

Getting around:

You can jump straight out of bed and on the road in your own campervan. Pick up a map or follow one of our suggested itineraries.

Meals

With your own kitchenette including fridge and pantry, you can prepare meals just like at home. Stock up at grocery stores in major towns. But don’t miss the chance to experience local lifestyles along the road with the occasional meal out at a family-friendly pub or restaurant.

Activities

From scenic railways to old gaols, zoos and dinosaur museums, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do along the road.

Start in the Blue Mountains, with bushwalking and the Scenic Railway. Next, drive out to Bathurst where you can drive around Mount Panorama race course when the races aren’t on, and visit the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Dubbo is unmissable, with the excellent Western Plains Zoo and Old Dubbo Gaol. From here, drive up through Tamworth to see the Golden Guitar and on to Coffs Harbour to the Big Banana. Drive back to Sydney along the coast, stopping to visit beautiful port towns and beaches.

Sample holiday budget: 31 March to 6 April 2018, family of 4

Cruisin Seeker 8 days (7nights) hire$1,800
Powered campsite, 7 nights$420
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)*$800
Fuel (based on ~1800km travel, consumption 13L/100km at $1.50p/L)$350
Activities$350
TOTAL$3,720

*Based on largely self-catered meals with the occasional pub lunch or dinner.

Snow Trip

Have Christmas in July with a family snow holiday! Learn to ski, build snowmen and sip hot chocolate while watching the snow fall outside – the perfect winter holiday.

Best Travel Time:

The Australian ski season runs from early June to early October. Peak snowfall is usually during July and August, so the winter break is perfectly timed for a family snow trip! Perisher is the largest and one of the most popular resorts in Australia.

Getting there:

Overnight parking in Perisher resort areas is limited, so leave the car at Bullocks Flat (just outside of Jindabyne) and catch the Skitube up the mountain. There’s two ways to get to Jindabyne – drive 5.5-6 hours from Sydney via Canberra, or fly to Canberra and catch a coach to Bullock’s Flat. For families, it’s easiest to drive your own car to Jindabyne.

Getting around:

Catch the local shuttle bus to Bullocks Flat and take the Skitube Alpine Railway up to the ski fields each morning. Once you’re on the mountain, take a chairlift up to the top of the run and you’re ready to go!

Snow Link Shuttle

Accommodation:

Resorts on the snow are limited, expensive and sell out quickly. Most families choose to stay in Jindabyne and catch the Skitube up to the snow each day. There’s plenty of options from self-contained townhouses to hotel rooms.

Meals

Rest stops and restaurants are found at the bottom and top of major ski runs all over the mountain. The ski school program includes lunch for kids, and can cater to any special dietary requirements. In Jindabyne, there are many restaurants and pubs to choose from.

Sample holiday budget: 30 June – 6 July, family of 4

Fuel return trip Sydney to Jindabyne*$195
7 nights Jindabyne accommodation$2,500
5 days return shuttle to Skitube$410
5 day consecutive return Skitube ticket$618
2 adults 5 day lift pass, daily 2 hour lessons and ski/snowboard hire package + clothing hire**$1,218
2 children 5 day lift pass + ski and clothing hire + 5 day ski school**$1,530
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)$1,200
TOTAL$7,671

*Estimate based on 1,000km return trip in a car with 13L/100km fuel consumption at $1.50p/L.

**Based on 2015 prices.

Fiji Holiday

Fiji is a popular tropical destination for families. Keep an eye out for fantastic package deals so you can avoid the stress of holiday planning and focus on enjoying yourself. Choose an island resort where everything is catered for and activites are organised by the resort so you have nothing to worry about.

We used Travel Online to find deals during the 2017 Easter School Holidays. Prices based on a 7 night stay at Plantation Island Resort from 12th April - 19th April 2017

Best Travel Time:

Temperatures are warm year round, with the wet season between November and April. The driest and mildest weather is from June to August, so we recommend you take your tropical Fiji holiday during the winter school holidays.

Getting there:

We have used a package price that included flights accommodation and transfers.

Accommodation:

Features pool views and located just steps away from large swimming pool.

Getting around:

Plantation Island Resort is set on 553 acres on the stunning Malolo Lailai Island, just 16 kilometres offshore west from Nadi. Utilising 23 acres of this island paradise, the resort rests on a pristine stretch of beach fronting the lush lagoon and surrounded by exotic gardens.

Meals

Kids eat free included in this package.

Activities

Plantation Island Resort has no shortage of onsite facilities with three swimming pools, cultural and craft demonstrations, a golf course, beauty salon and a kids club. With a myriad of ways to spend your time in Fiji the resort also offers complementary snorkelling, kayaking, wind surfing and hand fishing. For a small fee you can also participate in scuba diving, surfing, parasailing, island hopping, water skiing and village tours.

Sample holiday budget: 12-19th April 2017 for a family of 4

7 nights oceanfront resort accommodation (kids under 16 stay free, conditions apply)$4,776
Return flights to Fiji (Nadi International Airport)*included
Return airport transfers*included
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)*$1,400
Activitiesincluded
TOTAL$6,176