While Australia is often categorised by the activities available outside of the cities, these metropolises are as dynamic as the Outback is deserted. Families of all ages flock to Sydney for the iconic Opera House, Darling Harbour and Australian Museum, not to mention the Royal Botanic Garden and collection of beaches. If you’re still seeking a dose of nature, the Bondi-Coogee nature trail loops along the clifftop, past coastal restaurants, bars, and cafés, towards palm-lined coves.

Other cities primed for family adventures include Canberra (the Australian capital), Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Gold Coast – which is renowned for its beachside theme park – and Brisbane, where you can enjoy direct links to South Bank Parklands and Stradbroke and Moreton Islands. We recommend sticking to one or two cities, splitting your time between enjoying the cultural highlights and exploring surrounding outdoor activities.

If you and your family would rather avoid cities altogether, there are some fantastic opportunities to immerse yourselves in nature across the nation. We suggest visiting one of the many national parks, such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park in Far North Queensland, Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park, or Purnululu National Park in Western Australia, where you can admire magnificent natural domes and rock formations.

Outdoor adventures aren’t just limited to land, either. Set off from Cairns and Port Douglas to reach the legendary Great Barrier Reef, where you can watch curious marine creatures flitting around the coral, or admire the breathtaking coastal views from Four Mile Beach. Another notable destination closer to Brisbane is Burleigh Heads, a coastal suburb of the City of Gold Coast.

Inject some education into your family holiday with an insight into First Nations’ history and heritage. Uluru and Kata Tjuta in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Northern Territory, are two gigantic sandstone monoliths that are sacred to First Nations people. We recommend booking one of the tours led by local communities to learn about the sites’ cultural relevance.

Further educational experiences include the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park in Darwin, a region mostly owned by First Nations people who have occupied the land for around 60,000 years, and the renowned Wukalina Walk in Tasmania. There are further informative experiences to be found in the cities, too, such as tours through Sydney’s The Rocks district and, in Melbourne, the Koorie Heritage Trust and Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

An Aussie escape wouldn’t be complete without a stay in a comfortable hotel for the whole family, such as InterContinental Sydney and JW Marriott Gold Coast. Explore these properties and other family-friendly hotels across Australia on ASMALLWORLD Collection, where members can enjoy exclusive rates and extraordinary benefits.