9 Holiday Ideas for an Action-packed Family Escape

A sandy lagoon with tropical fish and coral. High-octane theme parks. An infinity pool dangling over a buzzing entertainment precinct. Banish any thought of boredom – these holidays are packed with possibility.

Perch in prime position

An arresting geometric façade, seemingly carved into a sandstone cliff face at Brisbane’s hip Howard Smith Wharves, Crystalbrook Vincent has no shortage of wow factor. Its crowning glory? A spectacular infinity pool on the rooftop overlooking the Brisbane River and the iconic Story Bridge.

The busy eat streets below are home to some of the city’s coolest restaurants (try Greca for a modern taverna atmosphere or Yoko for the buzz of a Japanese izakaya) and it’s just a short walk along the riverfront to the CBD.

If you don’t want to get up from your sun lounger, enjoy a tropical-themed guava and lime sour made with local liqueur. Or snack on mushroom arancini and calamari fritti, thanks to the attentive waiters at the poolside Fiume Bar.

Swim with fish under a waterfall

For a pool with plenty of “pinch me” moments, there’s no beating JW Marriott Gold Coast. A tropical fantasy sprung to life, its broad sandy lagoon is home to schools of colourful fish and coral and boasts cascading waterfalls, complete with a network of rock grottos connected to a waterslide. Fancy zipping across the water on a sea scooter? Yep, you can do that, too.

Live like a high roller

With 500 rooms, Crown Towers Perth doesn’t do anything by halves. Case in point: the enormous mosaic-tiled lagoon pool where palm trees, sun beds and views of the city create an urban oasis.

Take the pampering up a notch at The Enclave where private cabanas come with a couch, mini bar, television and a dedicated host. With the complex featuring a casino, day spa, riverside promenade and cinemas, you’ll have to dig deep for a reason to leave.

Dive in from your balcony

At Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort, the endless expanse of the Whitsundays is rivalled only by an enormous freshwater lagoon pool (it’s the size of seven Olympic pools).

Book a one- or two-bedroom pool suite with swim-out access from your balcony. And you won’t have to go far for lunch – poolside restaurant Aqua offers seafood favourites, such as crunchy fish tacos and chilled Queensland prawns.

Dive into the Whitsundays

Well, hello, Hamilton Island. This aptly named Reef View Hotel overlooks the Coral Sea and is the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and renowned Whitehaven Beach. But with attractions closer to home, including the expansive resort swimming pool and Catseye Beach, which is lapped by waters teeming with tropical fish, you don’t even have to stray offshore.

Snorkelling here is a dream and if you want to take it up a notch, wakeboards, jet boats and parasails await – or simply commandeer a golf buggy to explore the car-free island at your own pace.

Thrill the family

With a longboard-topped retro Holden at the entrance and explosively colourful kitsch décor (think ceramic cockatoo bedside lamps), QT Gold Coast is all about fun – which makes it the best jumping-off point for a theme-park getaway.

You’ll be a short drive from the endless entertainment of Dreamworld, Wet’n’Wild, Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World. Once back at base you can recharge at the swim-up bar in the Palm Springs-glam pool while the kids tackle the tower of freshly baked treats at the cute retro FIXX Cafe.

Feel the big Melbourne energy

A stately fixture on the Collins Street bling strip, Grand Hyatt Melbourne is equally well positioned for exploring the edgy eateries of Flinders Lane (try duck bao at Supernormal or exemplary sushi at Kisumé) and the aerosol art of the city’s laneways.

As for Melbourne’s famous sport scene – well, these plush digs are so close to the MCG and Rod Laver Arena you can almost hear the roar of the crowd.

Do more - or nothing at all

Will it be the Daintree Rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef? The two World Heritage sites anchor most visits to the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas, a tropical idyll of pastel-pink buildings connected by palm-shaded boardwalks.

But there are also plenty of excellent reasons to stay on-site. Slip into one of the nine lagoon-style pools, take a swing at the 18-hole golf course, hit the beach or find your zen in daily yoga classes and guided meditation.

In need of more R&R? Hit the Kaia Day Spa for a hot-stone massage and coconut body mask or take a sunset cruise with drinks and canapés across the placid Coral Sea waters.

Wander among the icons

Shangri-la Sydney is the grande dame of the Emerald City, embracing its dress-circle position, rising 36 storeys above Circular Quay to deliver the full twinkling expanse of harbour and horizon. Tear yourself away to explore the city’s most prized assets within a short walking distance. You won’t need a map to find the Sydney Opera House and that famous bridge. Stop for a beer at Sydney’s oldest pub, The Fortune of War, while wandering the historic laneways of The Rocks. A 10-minute stroll the other way will take you to Barangaroo’s bars and restaurants (try high-end seafood at Cirrus or southern-fried chook at Belle’s Hot Chicken).

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