The Ultimate Parents' Guide toOur amazing Aussie cities

From seeing its famous sights lit up in colour to soaking in everything from history and culture to an iconic beach scene, there’s many memorable experiences to have on a family trip to Sydney.

Treat your family’s tastebuds to a tour of the world as you eat your way around the city, with water views at no extra cost! Check into urban wildlife retreats and cool city pads with pools for all comers.

Children under 10 will want to tick off this Sydney bucket list for kids, while teens can find plenty to do in Sydney (without you). Here’s everything you need to know to take the guess-work out of a trip to Sydney with kids.

Whether you have tots, tweens or teens in tow, culture capital Melbourne really has it all: start mapping out your perfect family itinerary now with our family guide to where to eat, stay and play in Melbourne.

The Victorian capital offers a colourful and vibrant tapestry of diverse experiences that will appeal to families craving a world-class adventure. There are rare treasures to find, floating Skywhales and your favourite characters come to life on stage.

Stay in a rooftop airstream, in a room with a view, or a funky boutique hotel – Melbourne has plenty to offer by way of family-friendly accommodation. A day trip from Melbourne will deliver beaches to surf at, steam trains to ride and a hidden island gem. Get ready to introduce your kids to one of the best cities in the world.

Rolling from parklands to playgrounds and cruising down the river, you can spend whole days making memories under the bright Brisbane skies – all year round! The Sunshine State’s capital city makes the best of both its natural and cultural attractions with an unbeatable list of things for kids and teens to do in Brisbane.

An Aussie high tea, a nook for books near a noshery and a temple to the cheese toastie are just a few of the family-friendly eateries to refuel at in between activities. If you’re willing to explore a little further afield you can surf A-frame waves on the Gold Coast, hit the cafes in Caloundra and a number of pristine parks all within a few hours of Brisbane. Building a perfect family itinerary here is easy for parents – see for yourself below.

It’s the city that’s got quokkas, roller coasters, playgrounds inspired by the Noongar seasons, fascinating museums and beach-side gelatos – parents can pack plenty of colour and educational fun into a few days in Perth with the family.

Heading out to eat in Perth is as much about exploring your surrounds as filling your bellies. Some of the best family-focused eateries call for you to go beyond the confines of the CBD to discover pastural idylls and seaside hotspots, and rub shoulders with the locals in the city’s hip hoods.

The hotels here cover all the bases, from bunk rooms to rooftop pools and river views – build your own itinerary with our guide to where to eat, stay and play. And if you want to cast the net a little wider you will find restorative walks, rolling skies, wildflowers, farm gates and a corker of a coastline in close proximity to Perth on a day trip. Find out how to spend a few days in Perth with the gang below.

The low-key South Australian capital offers a broad range of attractions and inspiration aplenty for a family holiday. From festival fun and foodie experiences for young and old to dolphins and pandas and so much more: kids and teens alike are well taken of in Adelaide.

Check in to a central digs close to the action or opt for a neighbourhood hotel with suburban charm – Adelaide accommodation caters to both. There are lots of options for families eating out in Adelaide – from a garden café offering up colossal sundaes to a specialist spaghetti restaurant serving tiered trays of pasta.

It’s all here in our guide to where to eat, stay and play in Adelaide, or if you’re after a complete itinerary we have the perfect one for families here too. Create your own plan of attack for a terrific trip to the SA capital below.

Canberra has long been a beacon for families and, these days, there are more and more reasons than ever to visit the compact national capital.

Cram balloon rides and bike rides, animal encounters and flower festivals, and all the cultural activities you’d expect from a trip to the nation’s capital, into a fun-filled few days with our perfect family itinerary. Let teens make their own fun with our list of best things to do while younger kids can tick off their own bucket list.

With the arrival of top-class hotels, restaurants, cafes and wineries, families are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Canberra – find these and more in our guide to the best places to eat, stay and play.

Famously compact, Darwin is not only easy for families to get around, it’s entirely possible to enjoy its ‘best of’ attractions in little more than a long weekend. A day trip isn’t out of the question either – find wetlands teeming with wildlife, dramatic gorges, woodland walks and ancient rock art all on Darwin’s doorstep.

There are some wonderfully creative ways to inspire the kids in the Top End, from a mango festival to Indigenous art awards and more. Give older kids a taste of independence with this list of best things to do in Darwin for teens.

Don’t miss out on introducing your kids to the nation’s best laksa followed by a refreshing granita and find our pick of magical places to stay in Darwin in our guide on where to eat, stay and play. The NT’s tropical capital makes for an urban escape packed with colour and culture the kids will go crazy for; start planning now.

There are adventures to be had, curiosities to uncover and a colourful cavalcade of characters to meet during a family trip to Hobart. You’ll dine in quirky spots tucked into interesting corners of the city that – whether dishing up classic fish and chips or something a little hip – make the most of Tasmania’s bounty of ocean- and farm-fresh produce.

The Tasmanian capital city offers plenty of child-friendly stays close to inner-city activities that will entertain and delight kids and teens alike – think cultured, immersive arty experiences with nought an imposing museum in sight.

You’ll also find ancient rainforests, living history and roadside chocolate shops a short meander from Hobart. Find all this in our family guide to where to eat, play and stay on the Apple Isle and more below.

Find more family holiday inspiration right here with a stay at a Darwin-style tropical resort, or get ready to scream at the new Sydney Luna Park, then venture a little outside Sydney to discover the best things to do in Newcastle as a family and add a side trip to Dubbo to experience the ‘Big 4’ family attractions and more below.