The Australian Outback – Family Vacations Down Under
For one of the top family vacations in the world, consider taking the gang to Australia! The famous and unique continent was isolated for many millions of years from the rest of the world and because of this, it has evolved geologically and environmentally to be significantly distinct from everything else on the planet. In the north east part of the country, you can see tropical rain forests and stunning white sandy beaches with turquoise-blue water, in the central and western areas it is a thriving desert with a host of unique features and rock formations, the southwestern area is an arid desert with features that look like they are from another planet and in the southeast you have dense, wet and cold rain forests. Permeating everything is the scent of eucalyptus and a blue haze that covers the forests, as well as perhaps the most interesting animals on the planet.
Flora and Fauna of Australia
Undoubtedly the first thing your kids will say when they hear that you’re going to take a kid friendly vacation to Australia is that they want to hold a koala. And surprisingly enough, they will be able to! At zoos such as the Healesville Sanctuary outside Melbourne or the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Not only will they be able to see koalas, but they will sight the rare and endangered platypus, the ever-present kangaroo and the famous dingo, among others.
Among Australia’s famous plants are the wattle tree, the eucalyptus tree and the bottlebrush. When you show your kids these plants, they will be amazed because nothing like this exists anywhere else in the world in their natural habitat.
Geological Australia
Without doubt, the famous Ayer’s Rock (now known as Uluru) is the iconic image of Australia. This red-sandy rock formation in the very center of Australia near Alice Springs is known by the local tribes as “the belly button of Australia”. You can take your family up to the top of the rock formation with a guided tour. Close to Uluru are the Olgas, a unique rock formation made of similar stone. In southeastern Australia in the Blue Mountains you can see the Three Sisters and ride the Devil’s Railroad and the Skyway outside Katoomba.
Don’t forget to take your kids to see the Jenolan Caves! Also located in the Blue Mountains, this underground network of caves is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and several glaciers. It will take a week just to see them all.
Beaches and Sand
Australia is also known as the surfing capital of the world and your kids can start learning this noble sport at a very young age using training boards. It’s said that most Aussie kids can surf by the time they are 5! If surfing is not your thing, then you can camp on the Ninety Mile Beach or the beautiful rock formations carved by the ocean in southwestern Victoria.
Certainly Australia has everything for a family and it’s not surprising that it can be one of the most kid friendly vacations in the world.
Australia has many attractions for the entire family and can be one of the most kid friendly vacations in the world. Read on to find out more about some options.