5 Queensland family resorts that pamper parents too

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These Queensland family resorts keep kids entertained and adults sane; it’s play time for the children and spa time for the adults…

1. Turtle Beach Resort Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast

2346 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

 

Just 5 minutes’ walk from the white sands of Mermaid Beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast lives Turtle Beach resort. This tropical haven is celebrated for their apartment accommodation offering with plenty to do for the whole family. 

Family fun

Water babies will love this aquatic playground. Turtle Beach Resort has a waterpark with four waterslides, two toddler slides, a water dumping bucket and cannons. There’s also four separate swimming areas, spas and saunas. Play putt-putt, old-school arcade games, watch movies in the mini cinema and play tennis.

Adult time

When family time is over, check the ankle-biters into the kids’ club that caters to ages four to 12 for some art and craft, Xbox, music and dance, and movie screenings. Meanwhile, check yourself into the day spa, laze around the adults-only pool with cocktail in-hand or head into swanky Mermaid Beach, which is known as ‘Millionaire’s Row’.

2. Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

 122 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

 

Renowned as a “Heaven for Kids…Paradise for Parents!", this is the kind of place that will make you never want to leave.

Family fun

Phew! You know the kids will sleep well after an action-packed day here. Paradise Resort has a water park, an ice rink, games room, rock climbing, laser tag, jungle gym, discos, and more.

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Adult time

The kids’ club accommodates tiny tots (aged zero) up to tweens (12 years) and has awesome activities such as a glow-in-the-dark space room, an underwater world, and lots of arts and crafts, including a dedicated painting room. Leave them to find their inner artist and head to the adults’ zone, where there’s a large heated spa and lounging area. Order an in-room massage or head into lively Cavill Ave for a taste of the night life.

3. RACV Noosa, Sunshine Coast

94 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads

 

RACV Noosa Resort on the Sunshine Coast is surrounded by pristine beaches, rivers, hinterland and national parks.  It offers stylish accommodation surrounded by a conservation sanctuary.

Family fun

We suspect it’s not just the little kids who will love the many different pools (one with a beach-like entry, another with slides and a splash park, a toddler-sized one, and private plunge pools in some of the rooms). Plus RACV Noosa has bicycle hire, tennis courts and a playground.

Adult time

When they’re waterlogged, kids aged four and over can take part in the kids’ holiday program or you can organise a babysitter. Once they’re taken care of make a beeline for the luxe day spa, have a drink at the resort bar, or wander around Noosa’s lovely Hastings Street boutiques.

4. Heron Island Resort Great Barrier Reef

Heron Island

If you love nature, Heron Island is truly a very special place. As a natural coral cay located 72 kms off the coast of Queensland, and situated in the midst of the famous Great Barrier Reef, few places let you explore a fascinating marine ecosystem as Heron does.

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Family fun

Families who love the outdoors won’t get bored with Heron Island Resort’s guided reef walks, birdlife walks, snorkelling, turtle nesting viewing, swimming pool, kayaking, and semi-submarine tours. There’s also friendly trivia nights!

An aerial view of paradise

Adult time

No ordinary kids’ club, the Junior Ranges program offers mites aged between seven and 12 educational, nature-based experiences led by a team of marine biologists. While they’re busy nurturing a respect for flora and fauna, indulge in a spa treatment, enjoy a gourmet beach picnic, play a game of pool, or set sail on a sunset cruise.

5. Novotel Twin Waters Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast

270 Ocean Dr, Twin Waters

 

Located on Queenslands Sunshine Coast, the Novotel Twin Waters Resort is set in tropical gardens surrounding a central private lagoon nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Maroochy River.

Family fun

It’s on for young and old at Novotel Twin Waters waterpark with inflatable slides, runways, segway tours, laser skirmish, arcade games room and family pool.

Adult time

If you can lure them in from the lagoon, Kidz Cove caters to children aged two to 12; they host daily themed sessions in the morning and afternoon, and on Friday and Saturday nights, giving you the chance to head to the Lagoon Day Spa, have a drink at the lounge, play a round of golf, or explore the Sunshine Coast sans kids!

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Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.