Arrive into Sydney (Kingsford Smith) and transfer to your centrally located Accor hotel — I recommend Sofitel Sydney Wentworth or Pullman Sydney Hyde Park for family-friendly rooms and easy access to the CBD. Take the morning to check in, freshen up and enjoy a relaxed hotel breakfast while adjusting to the time zone; if you arrive early and your room isn’t ready the concierge can store luggage and arrange a quick shower.
Spend the afternoon exploring Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt — stroll the waterfront, snap photos against the sails, and wander into the Royal Botanic Garden for a gentle walk and sweeping harbour views from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. For a light lunch, try Opera Kitchen (waterside) or the Botanic House café for casual family-friendly fare and easy access back to the hotel for a short rest.
As the sun sets, enjoy a harbourfront dinner in the Rocks — options like The Argyle (family-friendly sections) or Outback Steakhouse (for heartier meals) are nearby; alternatively circle back to Circular Quay for seafood at The Dining Room or a casual meal at Café Sydney. Finish the evening with a gentle harbour-side stroll under the lit Sydney Harbour Bridge — if you prefer a special touch, book an early evening harbour cruise (approx. 60-90 minutes; advance booking recommended) for skyline views and a calm introduction to the city.
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House (book the 9:00-10:30 AM house tour to avoid the crowds) to learn about its architecture and backstage stories — kids usually enjoy the short entertaining tour and the chance to stand on the famous stage. After the tour, wander across to the Royal Botanic Garden for a gentle stroll to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the Calyx display; pack a light picnic or grab coffee and pastries from Botanic House to enjoy with harbour views.
Head back to Circular Quay for lunch at Café Sydney or the family-friendly Opera Kitchen, then explore the Museum of Contemporary Art (free entry for most exhibits) and the historic Rocks precinct with its weekend markets if running — try a guided Heritage Walk (approx. 60-90 minutes) to hear convict-era stories and discover hidden lanes. If you prefer outdoor time, take the short ferry to Darling Harbour for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or a ride on the Sydney Harbour ferry for skyline views.
As evening falls, choose a relaxed waterfront dinner at The Glenmore (rooftop with Harbour Bridge views) or head to The Rocks for cozy bistros like La Renaissance for family-friendly French-Aussie fare; if energy allows, finish with a twilight harbour cruise or simply watch the lights from Circular Quay. For a special treat, book a performance at the Opera House in advance (family-friendly matinees/early evening shows available seasonally) to cap the cultural day.
Start early with a tram or rideshare to Bondi Beach and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Trio Café or Speedo’s Café overlooking the sand, setting you up for the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Take the 6-8 km walk at a relaxed family pace, stopping at Tamarama and Bronte for photos, the sculptural Icebergs Pool at Bondi (quick dip optional), and the clifftop lookouts — the dramatic ocean views and rock pools are great for kids to explore.
Arrive in Coogee for a laid-back lunch at Coogee Pavilion’s rooftop or the family-friendly Little Kitchen Coogee, then relax on Coogee Beach or let the little ones play at the playground and nearby rock pools. If energy allows, take a short bus back to Bondi or head to Waverley Cemetery for a peaceful stroll and panoramic harbour-to-ocean perspectives before returning to the hotel for a rest.
For dinner, choose a casual seaside meal at Icebergs Dining Room & Bar for a special treat or head back toward the CBD to grab pizza or modern Aussie fare at The Dough Den or The Rocks area for variety. Finish the evening with an easy harbour-side walk or a relaxed rooftop drink at your Accor hotel — a gentle, restorative night after a full day of seaside scenery.
Depart early from your Sydney hotel after breakfast and join a guided Blue Mountains tour or self-drive to Katoomba (approx. 2-2.5 hours). Start at Echo Point to view the Three Sisters and take in the sweeping Jamison Valley vistas, then walk a short section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Scenic World — if booked in advance, ride the Scenic Railway or Cableway for dramatic cliff-and-rainforest views.
After a hearty lunch at the conservation-minded Yellow Deli or the Cliff Top Café in Katoomba, explore the nearby Govetts Leap lookout for another perspective of waterfalls and valley walls, and stroll part of the Evans Lookout track or Bridal Veil Falls for easy bushwalking that’s family-friendly. Stop at the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah (seasonal) or the Featherdale-like wildlife options en route back (or include a short visit to the Featherdale Wildlife Park if your tour route allows) to see kangaroos, wallabies and koalas up close.
Return to Sydney in the early evening and freshen up at your Accor hotel; for dinner choose something relaxed and nearby such as The Dining Room at Circular Quay for seafood with a view or Barangaroo’s family-friendly restaurants like Anason for Turkish-Australian flavors. If energy allows, take a gentle post-dinner stroll along Circular Quay to enjoy the lit Opera House and Harbour Bridge — a calming end to a day of mountain air and wildlife.
After a relaxed hotel breakfast, head to the Australian Museum for hands-on natural history exhibits and the kid-friendly Wonder Walk (plan 1.5-2 hours); follow this with a short walk to Hyde Park and the ANZAC Memorial to soak up local history and enjoy the shady lawns. If the kids are keen, drop into the nearby Powerhouse Museum (Science and Design) for interactive displays — both venues are centrally located and make for an educational, low-stress morning following your Blue Mountains adventure.
Make your way to Darling Harbour for lunch at The Ternary or Hurricane's Grill (family-friendly options and waterside seating) and then explore SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo — combined tickets let you breeze between attractions and are ideal for families (allow 2-3 hours). Finish the afternoon with a spin on the Darling Harbour carousel and a relaxing riverside stroll through Tumbalong Park so everyone can unwind and play before returning to the hotel.
For dinner, enjoy a casual waterfront meal at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant or one of Harbourside’s family-friendly eateries, then catch the Darling Harbour light and water show (seasonal timing) or an early-evening IMAX screening at Darling Harbour for a cinematic treat. If you prefer a quieter night, head back toward The Rocks for a cosy bistro dinner and a final harbour stroll to see the Opera House illuminated, keeping the pace gentle ahead of your Harbour Bridge walk/free day tomorrow.
Rise after a relaxed hotel breakfast and head to the Sydney Harbour Bridge precinct — choose a guided BridgeClimb (book ahead, 3.5 hours including briefing) for an unforgettable panoramic sunrise view from the summit, or take the shorter pedestrian Pylon Lookout and promenade for excellent photo opportunities with less exertion. If you prefer a gentler start, wander through The Rocks markets (weekend) to browse local crafts, fresh pastries at The Fine Food Store or bread from Bread Ahead, and enjoy a coffee at Brewtown Newtown or The Fine Food Store café.
Spend a leisurely afternoon exploring nearby neighbourhoods: stroll through Barangaroo Reserve for waterfront playgrounds and picnic spots, then hop a short ferry or walk to Pyrmont and visit the Star Casino precinct or the fish markets (evenings/early mornings) if open — alternatively explore Surry Hills’ boutique shops and cafés (try Bourke Street Bakery for lunch) for a taste of local life. For families, consider a relaxed visit to the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour or a ferry trip to Watsons Bay for fish-and-chips at Doyles with sweeping harbour views.
Return to the CBD for an early evening Harbour-side dinner at The Glenmore rooftop or Café Sydney to soak in Bridge and Opera House vistas as the lights come on, or choose family-friendly dining in The Rocks such as The Australian Heritage Hotel for hearty pub fare. Finish with an easy twilight stroll along Circular Quay or a short harbour cruise (60-90 minutes, advance booking recommended) to see the city illuminated — a calm, scenic cap to your full week in Sydney and a gentle transition before tomorrow’s flight to Brisbane/Gold Coast.
Enjoy a relaxed hotel breakfast at your Accor property (Pullman Sydney Hyde Park or Sofitel Sydney Wentworth), then take a gentle final stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for one last harbour panorama and photos. Return to the hotel to check out, collect luggage, and transfer to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (allow 90-120 minutes travel time during peak hours) for your short domestic flight north — book mid-morning departures (10:00-11:30) to balance sleep-in time with a comfortable connection window.
Arrive in Brisbane or the Gold Coast; if flying to Brisbane, transfer to your Accor hotel in the CBD (Novotel Brisbane recommended) and head to South Bank for a riverside lunch at Stokehouse Q or The Garden Terrace, followed by a relaxed wander along Streets Beach and the Cultural Precinct. If landing at Gold Coast (Coolangatta), check into your Accor hotel in Surfers Paradise (Novotel Surfers Paradise) and spend the afternoon on the beach or exploring Cavill Avenue — a short family-friendly activity like the SkyPoint Observation Deck offers sweeping coastline views and an easy introduction to the area.
Settle in with an early evening dinner near your hotel — in Brisbane try family-friendly Gerards Bistro or The Charming Squire at XXXX Brewery; on the Gold Coast opt for Hurricane's Grill Surfers Paradise or Koi Dining for casual beachfront fare. After dinner take a gentle riverside (Brisbane) or esplanade (Gold Coast) stroll to soak in the coastal atmosphere and let the kids unwind before turning in; consider booking a next-day activity (Lone Pine visit or theme-park tickets) while schedules are still fresh.
Start your Brisbane day with a relaxed breakfast at your Novotel Brisbane (or chosen Accor property), then stroll across the Goodwill Bridge into South Bank. Explore the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) for a family-friendly mix of interactive exhibits and colourful installations, and let the kids run free on the grassy lawns beside the river.
Have lunch at Stokehouse Q or The Garden Terrace overlooking the river, then cool off at Streets Beach — Australia’s only inner-city man-made beach — where the shallow lagoon and lifeguards make it ideal for families. Follow this with a visit to the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre within the Cultural Precinct for hands-on science displays and local natural history (allow 1.5-2 hours; advance timed-entry optional for special exhibits).
As the sun lowers, take a scenic CityCat ferry upriver for a different perspective of Brisbane’s skyline and disembark near Eagle Street Pier for dinner at family-friendly Gerard’s Bistro or Julius Pizzeria. Finish with a riverside stroll along South Bank’s NightMarket (seasonal) or the arboreal playgrounds at Little Stanley Street so the kids can burn off energy before returning to the hotel for a restful night.
Choose an early start depending on your family preference: for wildlife, drive or join a shuttle to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (opens 9:00) where you can cuddle a koala, hand-feed kangaroos in the open paddocks and catch the 10:30 keeper talk at the platypus enclosure — plan 2-3 hours for the highlights. If you prefer rainforest scenery, head to Tamborine Mountain instead and begin at the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk (opens 9:30) for elevated canopy views and easy boardwalks that are perfect for kids and offer great birdwatching opportunities.
After your morning at Lone Pine, enjoy a relaxed riverside picnic lunch or eat at the on-site cafe before visiting the African Savannah or the lorikeet feeding sessions, then return to Brisbane in time for a gentle river cruise or city playtime. From Tamborine, have lunch in Gallery Walk (family-friendly cafés and fudge shops), then continue to Curtis Falls or the Cedar Creek swimming holes for short walks and rock pools — both are shady, safe spots for children to splash and explore (allow 2-3 hours).
Return to Brisbane or Gold Coast mid-to-late afternoon to freshen up at your Accor hotel and enjoy an easy dinner nearby — in Brisbane try Eagle Street Pier’s family-friendly precinct (Julius Pizzeria or Gerards Bistro), while on the Gold Coast head to Surfers Paradise’s beachfront eateries like Hurricane’s Grill for relaxed seaside dining. Finish the day with a short riverside/esplanade stroll or gelato stop so the kids can unwind and you can reflect on wildlife encounters or rainforest serenity before bed.
Check out after breakfast at your Brisbane Accor hotel and take the 1-1.5 hour transfer to the Gold Coast (private transfer, train + tram, or a short domestic flight to Coolangatta are all options depending on luggage and preference). On arrival, check in at your Accor property in Surfers Paradise (Novotel Surfers Paradise recommended) and head straight to the golden sand for a relaxed morning swim or paddle at Surfers Paradise Beach; walk the esplanade to stretch legs and pop into SkyPoint Observation Deck for panoramic coastline views if you’d like an easy orientation activity.
Enjoy a beachfront lunch at Hurricane's Grill or Koi Dining on Cavill Avenue before a family-friendly afternoon at the nearby beachfront playgrounds and patrolled swimming zones; younger kids will love the sandcastle-building and rock pools while parents can relax under an umbrella. Alternatively choose a short Gold Coast experience like a calm Broadwater cruise from Southport or a visit to the Sea World precinct (if you prefer marine life and shows), both of which are close enough for a flexible afternoon.
As evening falls, stroll Cavill Avenue for casual shopping and grab dinner at Bazaar on the Beach or Misono for easy family-friendly options with ocean views, then finish with a relaxed walk along the lit esplanade to watch surfers and the coastline glow. If the family still has energy, consider an early evening visit to the SkyPoint Bar for a drink and dessert with sweeping night views — a gentle, celebratory end to your first full day on the Gold Coast.
Fuel up with a big buffet or cooked breakfast at your Accor hotel (Novotel Surfers Paradise) then head to your chosen park early to beat queues — Dreamworld for a mix of family rides and wildlife encounters (Tiger Island, Big Red Car), Sea World for marine shows and aquarium exhibits, or Warner Bros. Movie World for character meet-and-greets and family-friendly rollercoasters. Aim to arrive at opening time so you can enjoy signature morning shows (animal feedings at Dreamworld/Sea World) and shorter waits for popular attractions.
After a leisurely park lunch — try the family picnic areas at Dreamworld, the waterfront cafés inside Sea World, or themed eateries at Movie World — spend the afternoon on must-do experiences: at Dreamworld ride the DreamWorks attractions and visit WhiteWater World next door if you want water-playtime; at Sea World catch the dolphin or seal presentations and explore Shark Bay; at Movie World take in stunt shows and the DC Super Hero rides. Plan a mid-afternoon break for ice cream and a slow-paced attraction (carousel or aquarium walkthrough) so younger children can recharge.
Return to Surfers Paradise for a relaxed evening — freshen up at the hotel then stroll Cavill Avenue for casual dinner options like Hurricane's Grill or Bazaar on the Beach, both family-friendly and close by. If energy remains, take a twilight walk along the esplanade or visit SkyPoint Observation Deck for sunset-to-night coastal views; otherwise enjoy a quiet family evening at the hotel pool and recount favourite park moments before turning in.
Enjoy a relaxed start at your Novotel Surfers Paradise with a leisurely buffet or cooked breakfast, then take a final stroll along Surfers Paradise Beach or dip toes at the patrolled shoreline—stop by a beachfront café like Elk Espresso for a last coffee and takeaway treats. Return to the hotel to pack, check out, and transfer to Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) allowing extra time for domestic security and a comfortable connection; aim for a late-morning flight to maximise beach time without rushing.
Arrive into Melbourne (Tullamarine) and transfer to your centrally located Accor hotel — I suggest Novotel Melbourne on Collins or Pullman Melbourne on the Park for family-friendly rooms and easy access to the CBD. After checking in and refreshing, head out for a relaxed lunch at nearby Degraves Street (try Caffé e Cucina or Manchester Press) and then explore Federation Square and the adjacent laneways, taking in street art and chocolate or gelato stops along Hosier Lane and Centre Place.
As dusk falls, take a short tram ride to the Southbank precinct for dinner with river views at Café Vue or The Meat & Wine Co (family-friendly options available) and a riverside stroll across Princes Bridge to admire the city skyline. If energy allows, finish with an easy visit to Eureka Skydeck for panoramic night views (book ahead for weekends) or return to your Accor hotel for a restful evening preparing for tomorrow’s Melbourne highlights.
Wake up to a relaxed hotel breakfast and stroll to Federation Square to soak up the lively public spaces and occasional free exhibitions at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia). From there, wander the nearby laneways—Hosier Lane for striking street art and Centre Place for espresso and pastries—stopping at Degraves Street or Manchester Press for a mid-morning coffee and a bite while the city hums around you.
Head to Queen Victoria Market for a bustling lunch of multicultural flavours—sample dumplings at a food stall, grab a fresh sandwich from Market Lane or enjoy wood-fired pizza at one of the market vendors—then browse the local produce, artisan stalls and souvenir shops; allow 1.5-2 hours to explore. After the market, walk or tram back toward the CBD to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) or take a family-friendly tram ride to the Fitzroy precinct if you fancy vintage shops and a relaxed café scene.
Return to the Southbank riverfront for dinner with views—try The Meat & Wine Co or Porky’s for approachable family-friendly dishes—or choose Italian in Lygon Street for a cosy, classic meal. Finish the night with a riverside stroll across Princes Bridge to admire the lit skyline and, if the family has energy, a quick visit to Eureka Skydeck for sweeping night-time panorama (advance booking recommended for peak times).
Choose your adventure and depart early from your hotel: for a Great Ocean Road partial trip, join a small-group coach or self-drive west to Torquay and stop at Bells Beach and the scenic lookout at Aireys Inlet—stretch legs on the Split Point Lighthouse walk and enjoy a coffee at a seaside café in Lorne. If you prefer Phillip Island, head southeast with a guided tour or rental car to the Nobbies Centre, take the boardwalks for coastal views and seal-spotting, and visit the Koala Conservation Reserve for a short, family-friendly bushwalk and close koala viewing.
On the Great Ocean Road option, continue to Kennett River for easy koala spotting in the gum trees and relax over fish-and-chips in Apollo Bay before returning toward the Twelve Apostles viewpoints (time permitting) for dramatic coastal scenery; plan for restroom and snack stops and allow flexibility for photo stops. On Phillip Island, have lunch at Cowes or Rhyll, explore the island’s wildlife parks (optional: Churchill Island Heritage Farm for a hands-on family experience), and visit Phillip Island Chocolate Factory if kids want a sweet treat and interactive exhibits.
If you’re on Phillip Island and visiting in season, return to the Nobbies/Ranger Station area to pick a viewing spot before the dusk Penguin Parade (book timed tickets in advance) and watch the little penguins come ashore—an unforgettable family highlight that requires advance booking. For the Great Ocean Road option, aim to be back in Melbourne by evening and enjoy a relaxed farewell dinner near your Accor hotel—try a family-friendly riverside spot on Southbank such as The Conservatory or a cosy Italian on Lygon Street—reflecting on the coast’s dramatic vistas as your trip comes to a close.