Places like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Hawaii are all popular vacation destinations for a reason, but you don’t want to spend every family trip stuck in the middle of a crowd. If you’re ready to travel to a new destination and still have an incredible experience, give one of these three off-the-beaten-path family vacation destinations a try.
- Cook Islands
Switch off your screens, relax, and recharge in the Cook Islands! This is an excellent location for honeymooners and families alike. The Cook Islands’ culture puts a big emphasis on family togetherness so you and your kids will receive a warm welcome.
One of the biggest draws to the Cook Islands is that there’s something to keep everyone entertained. When you’re not lounging on one of the white, sandy beaches with the turquoise water in your view, try one of these activities:
- Crab racing
- Snorkeling
- Jungle trekking
- Amazing cultural entertainment
The Cook Islands has accommodations for all type of families. From small hotels that cater to families to resorts with kids’ clubs to villas & holiday homes with multiple bedrooms, kitchen & laundry facilities, and lots of space for the whole crew, there are options for all. Most accommodations also provide easy accessibility to activities and great dining.
- Daintree Rainforest (Port Douglas, Australia)
Visiting the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest will give you a family vacation of a lifetime that appeals to all family members. Whether you have teens or little ones, there’s something to inspire, entice, and entertain everyone. Take a river cruise through the mangrove forests around Port Douglas, explore the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat, take a self-guided walk through the famous Mossman Gorge, or head deep into the towering rainforest for some spectacular views.
There are many great family accommodation options in Port Douglas, including the 5-star Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, which is located on Four Mile Beach. This resort has beautiful tropical gardens, nine lagoon pools, a fitness centre, 18-hole golf course, three tennis courts, several restaurants and easy access to the beach.
Port Douglas also has a variety of self-contained apartments which offer numerous amenities for families, including multiple bedrooms, full kitchen facilities, living & dining areas and swimming pools.
- Queenstown, New Zealand
Offering fun for all ages, Queenstown is a great place to keep kids happy while also giving moms and dads some well-deserved rest and relaxation time. Some of the best sites, attractions, and activities we recommend include:
- Queenstown’s pool complex complete with a lazy river and two hydro-slides
- Arrowtown and gold-panning on the Arrow River
- Skyline Queenstown, including the luge at the top of Bob’s Peak
- Biking along the beautiful lakeside tracks around Queenstown and Glenorchy
- Jet boating on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, Lake Wakatipu or up the beautiful Dart River
If it rains, there are tons of indoor entertainment options to keep your little ones busy, from cinemas and go-karting to indoor skydiving, ice skating, bowling, and laser tag.
Queenstown has a wide variety of accommodations, including holiday parks, holiday home rentals, bed & breakfasts, motels, hotels and apartments. Private babysitting services are available, and some accommodations have their own kids’ clubs.
Start Planning Today
Avoid the crowds and have the family vacation experience of a lifetime. Contact us for more information or schedule your free 30-minute travel planning call with us today!