Australia Island Family Vacation: Reef, Wildlife, and Sydney
This family-friendly island-hopping adventure combines Australia’s most iconic destinations with extraordinary wildlife encounters that kids and adults will love equally. From Sydney’s glittering harbor to the pristine coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef and the untamed wilderness of Kangaroo Island, discover a continent where urban sophistication meets wild nature and every island creates lasting family memories.
At a Glance
- 4 nights Sydney
- 4 nights Hamilton Island
- 2 nights Adelaide
- 1 night Kangaroo Island
- 2 nights Port Lincoln
Trip Highlights
Bucket List, Elevated
Sail the pristine Whitsundays on a family-friendly catamaran to world-famous Whitehaven Beach, then soar above the Great Barrier Reef by helicopter for aerial views that will amaze travelers of all ages.
Special Access
Take a private tour among Australian sea lions on a pristine sandy beach, offering a Galapagos-like experience where you can watch pups nursing and playing in the surf while learning about their unique breeding biology.
Unique Stays
Sleep steps from Sydney Harbour at the Four Seasons with its magnificent harbour views. Then, experience true island life on Kangaroo Island, where drivers wave as they pass and koalas snooze overhead in towering eucalyptus trees.
Insider Tip
Vanessa, Product Manager and Luxury Travel Consultant
If you’re traveling with kids, I always recommend the jet ski tour around Hamilton Island. The adults get a bit of adrenaline, the kids love the ride, and you all get those incredible views from the water. It’s a blast for the whole family.
Suggested Itinerary
The itinerary below is just one example of what we can create. At Down Under Endeavours, we use 25+ years of hands-on expertise to design bespoke adventures inspired by you. Get in touch to make your dream trip a reality!
Sydney
Progressive Dining Harbour Cruise
Pictured: Sailing on Sydney Harbour
Day 1: Family Harbor City Welcome
Touch down in Sydney, Australia’s favorite family destination blessed with a temperate climate and the world’s most beautiful harbor. Discover colorful colonial history, miles of family-friendly beaches, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture during your leisurely city tour en route to your harbor-front hotel.
Overnight: Sydney (Four Seasons Sydney)
Day 2: Progressive Dining on the Water
Board a luxury cruiser for a relaxed day on Sydney Harbour, starting with welcome drinks and unbeatable views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. As you cruise past sparkling bays and green island parks, you’ll make stops at waterfront restaurants for each course of a progressive lunch. It’s a fun way to see the city from the water while everyone gets to sample something delicious along the way.
Overnight: Sydney (Four Seasons Sydney)
Day 3-4: Family Adventures in Sydney
These days unfold however your family chooses. Relax on beautiful family-friendly beaches, browse exclusive boutiques, or venture beyond the city to the spectacular Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley wine region. Seaplane rides over Sydney Harbour with exclusive waterfront restaurant lunches offer another memorable family experience.
Overnight: Sydney (Four Seasons Sydney)
Hamilton Island + Great Barrier Reef
Full-Day Sailing Excursion
Pictured: Whitehaven Beach
Day 5: Island Paradise
Fly to Hamilton Island, your idyllic family escape nestled among the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef’s edge. Pristine white beaches and kaleidoscopic coral gardens create the perfect base for family reef exploration and world-famous Whitehaven Beach adventures that kids will treasure forever.
Overnight: Hamilton Island (Reef View Hotel)
Day 6: Whitehaven Beach and Island Sailing
Board your spacious 20-meter sailing catamaran designed specifically for Whitsunday adventures. This full-day family sailing cruise incorporates two spectacular destinations: Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island for snorkeling among vibrant coral, and the pristine silica sands of Whitehaven Beach for pure relaxation.
Overnight: Hamilton Island (Reef View Hotel)
Day 7-8: Family Great Barrier Reef Adventures
Hamilton Island offers endless opportunities to explore the world-famous Great Barrier Reef as a family. Discover the underwater world through snorkeling and scuba diving, or soar above on helicopter, plane, or hot air balloon rides that will amaze kids and adults alike. Between adventures, families can unwind by the heated infinity pool, on pristine beaches, or with relaxing spa treatments.
Overnight: Hamilton Island (Reef View Hotel)
Adelaide + Kangaroo Island
Wildlife Tour & Sea Lion Encounter | Remarkable Rocks Excursion
Pictured: Kangaroo Island
Day 9-10: South Australia Discovery
Fly to Adelaide, South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital nestled between hills and ocean. This charming city buzzes with transformation—lively restaurants, world-class festivals, and amazing eco-adventures. Soak up colonial elegance in spacious city squares, join locals at the bustling Adelaide Central Markets, or take the tram to Glenelg Beach for some family fun in the sun.
Overnight: Adelaide (Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury)
Day 11: Family Wildlife Encounters
Fly to Kangaroo Island, where life moves at its own pace—drivers wave as they pass, sometimes stopping for a chat. Your guided Kangaroo Island bush walk reveals strangely shaped trees, small wallabies nearly extinct on the mainland, and kangaroos found only on this island. Break for lunch at a private bush camp featuring King George whiting, fresh salads, and fine South Australian wines. The day culminates at Seal Bay Conservation Park with a private family tour among Australian sea lions on a beautiful sandy beach—a Galapagos-like experience where you’ll watch pups nurse and play in the surf.
Overnight: Kangaroo Island (Molly’s Run)
Day 12: Remarkable Rocks
It’s another guided adventure today, this time to Flinders Chase National Park to witness the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks—natural sculptures perched impossibly atop granite domes plunging into the ocean. After an elegant bush picnic lunch (or clifftop dining if weather permits), return to Adelaide for the night.
Overnight: Adelaide (Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury)
Port Lincoln
Coffin Bay National Park Wildlife Tour
Pictured: Port Lincoln, South Australia
Day 13: Seafood Capital
Travel to Port Lincoln, the beautiful township overlooking Boston Bay and surrounded by national parks and farming land. Today is yours to explore at your leisure. Adventurous families can go shark cage diving or swimming with Australian sea lions, the playful puppies of the sea. In Australia’s “Seafood Capital,” dining ranges from traditional fare to specialist restaurants and classic fish and chips—there’s something for the whole family to enjoy!
Overnight: Port Lincoln (Port Lincoln Hotel)
Day 14: Coastal Wilderness Adventure
Venture into spectacular Coffin Bay National Park for coastal walks breathing fresh ocean air while watching for kangaroos, emus, sea life, reptiles, and diverse birdlife. End your day at Big Swamp, a listed Wetlands of Australian Significance site, where local wines complement the peace and serenity of this pristine region.
Overnight: Port Lincoln (Port Lincoln Hotel)
Day 15: Farewell to Australia
After breakfast, begin your journey home carrying precious family memories of Australia’s incredible islands—from the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonders, to the wild beauty of Kangaroo Island, to the hidden gems of Port Lincoln.
About this vacation
Cost Per Person
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