Queensland, Australia (7D road-trip)

Australia is always a good idea when it comes to planning a family friendly holiday. Now that Leia and Lauren are bubbly toddlers (2.5 years old) eager for new experiences, it is an ideal time for them to visit Queensland, Australia. With only 7 fulls days in our itinerary, we spilt our time between Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and a tiny bit of Brisbane, Tangalooma to be exact. It is a packed itinerary but as with all self-drive road trips, the flexibility of driving at our own pace allowed us to enjoy all the sights and attractions with minimal fuss.

A travelogue of our adventures in Queensland, March 2018.

Sharing more on our itinerary, please feel free to leave us any questions in the comments section below.

Day 0: Depart Singapore for Brisbane with Qantas

With 2x daily direct flights to Brisbane, we chose the overnight option by Qantas (9pm SIN to 6am BNE) so kids could sleep through most of the 7-hour flight. With Qantas’s inflight food (dinner and breakfast), entertainment system with over-the-ear headphones, and kids fun pack, we were spoilt for choice when it comes to entertaining the girls.

www.qantas.com

Day 1: Up close with animals in the Lost World Valley

Activities:

• Private session with Australian wildlife - bearded dragon, shingleback lizard, pygmy python, baby croc and possum

• Feed farm animals - cow, horse, sheep, chickens

• Twilight 4x4 Tour - drive up a nearby mountain for an amazing champagne sunset experience

Accommodation: Worendo Cottage (90mins from Brisbane airport)

Day 2:Horse riding and Movie World

Activities:

• Horse riding at Cedar Glen Farmstay (5mins from Worendo)

• Movie World to meet your favourite cartoon and superhero characters! Don’t miss the Streets Star Parade at 3:30pm daily

Accommodation: Mantra Crown Towers, Surfers Paradise

Day 3: Pelican feeding at Surfers Paradise and Hot Air Balloon

Activities:

• Hot Air balloon experience (4am pick up from hotel)

• Champagne Breakfast at O’Reillys Vineyard (return hotel 11am)

• Pelican feeding at Charis Seafood (1:30pm daily)

• Kids playground at Broadwater Parklands

• Miami Marketta (Street food alley comes to life with eclectic art and live music gigs, perfect for families!)

Accommodation: Mantra Crown Towers, Surfers Paradise

Day 4: SkyPoint, Aussie World and Mooloolaba

Activities:

• Breakfast at SkyPoint Observation Deck (360 degree view)

• Aussie World (lunch at The Pub) - family theme park with more rides for little ones

• Sunset at Mooloolaba beach

Accommodation: Mantra Sirocco Resort, Mooloolaba Beach 

Day 5: Montville, Ginger Factory and Noosa Heads

Activities: 

• Wine tasting at Flame Hill Vineyard

• Visit artisan shops in the quaint township of Montville

• Ginger Factory - choo choo train ride

• Noosa Heads beach

• Dinner at Noosa Boathouse

Accommodation: Mantra Sirocco Resort, Mooloolaba Beach

Day 6: Australia Zoo and Maleny Birds

Activities:

• Australia Zoo - get up close to Kangaroos, Koala, Crocs and many more!

• Maleny Botanical Gardens and Bird World - feed the birds and explore their enormous gardens, rent a buggy highly recommended!

Accommodation: FV by Peppers, Fortitude Valley

Day 7: Sand Tobogganing and Wild Dolphins feeding

Activities:

• Ferry ride to Tangalooma Island Resort

• Sand Tobogganing

• Snorkel or cruise around the shipwrecks

• Feed Wild Dolphins at sunset

Accommodation: FV by Peppers, Fortitude Valley

Disclaimer: This trip is made in collaboration with Tourism Queensland and Qantas. All opinions are entirely our own.

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