Where to holiday with a baby in Australia

Best all-rounder: The Gold Coast, Queensland

• Why is it good for babies? Family-focused hotels and attractions are rife on the Gold Coast, so you can count on in-room cots, eateries full of other young families and plenty of pretty places to push a pram around.
• Cost: Budget, if you travel out of holiday season and make some of your meals in your accommodation’s kitchenette.
• How long should I stay? 5 days.
• Recommended hotel: In-room cots, kitchenettes and plenty of shady areas by the pool make Grande Florida Beachside Resort a top choice with families.

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Best quiet escape: Hobart, Tasmania

• Why is it good for babies? Visit Hobart with a tiny one and you can count on easy bushwalks with your baby strapped to your back, lunches in family-friendly cafes, countryside fruit farms and easy access to baby changing facilities when you're out and about.
• Cost: Budget, if your plan is to hike, picnic and barbecue your way around Hobart.
• How long should I stay? 5 days.
• Recommended hotel: The reasonably priced Riverfront Motel and Villas offers dedicated family rooms and plenty of green space to walk your baby around in.

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Best beach break: Hamilton Island, Queensland

• Why is it good for babies? Hamilton Island hotels are geared up to welcome prams, baby bjorns and baby backpacks. Plus, there's an island babysitting club that takes babies from six months old, for when you want a little alone time.
• Cost: High-end accommodation, but you can tighten your belts by having a few bakery bought lunches at the likes of Bob’s.
• How long should I stay? 4–6 days.
• Recommended hotel: You can count on cots, highchairs and great views when you stay at the Whitsunday Apartments.

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Best adventure trip: Phillip Island, Melbourne

• Why is it good for babies? From the penguin parade to the safe calm beaches, there's plenty for young families on Phillip Island.
• Cost: Mid-range accommodation with a decent amount of bakeries and diner-style restaurants for cheap eats.
• How long should I stay? 5 days.
• Recommended hotel: A short walk from Cowes Beach, Tropicana Motor Inn is geared up for families with everything from cots to a shaded barbecue area for cooking.

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Best for relaxation: Port Douglas, QLD

• Why is it good for babies? Stroller-friendly beaches, gentle waters and a clutch of self-contained holiday apartments make Port Douglas an obvious option for holidaying with babies.
• Cost: Mid-range accommodation offering a lot for your money.
• How long should I stay? 7 days.
• Recommended hotel: The Port Douglas Queenslander is a family-run hotel that offers nice-to-haves like children's TV channels, a barbecue area and plenty of shade by the pool.

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Best for parents to indulge: Margaret River, Western Australia

• Why is it good for babies? From the craft studios to the chocolate factory, there are countless places to explore in Margaret River with a baby on your back. If your baby's a big sleeper you can even visit a vineyard for lunch while your little one sleeps alongside you.
• Cost: Mid-range.
• How long should I stay? 3 days.
• Recommended hotel: Babysitting and birdsong are all part of a visit at Stay Margaret River.

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1. Flight Centre

Family breaks are made easy with Flight Centre's wide range of packages geared towards family-friendly destinations both local and abroad.

• School holiday packages are available for families with older children (as well as bubs).
• Select packages consist of multiple rooms for large families and multi-generational holidays.

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2. Groupon

Keeping Aussie families budget savvy without scrimping on the experience, daily deals website Groupon has handpicked family holidays near and far to get you and the little one exploring.

• Tours advise if they're suitable for children of all ages.
• Stays are family-friendly with occupancies of approximately four to six, including children.

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3. Hamilton Island

With activities for young and old, Hamilton Island is the idyllic location for a family getaway with a bub.

• Shopping service means you can pre-order items and stay light on luggage.
• Baby-sitters are available and hold the Queensland Government's Blue Card for working with children.

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4. Travel Online

Browsing the family package section of TravelOnline, you'll land on adventurous trips to suit kids of all ages and sizes. Many of them let kids stay and eat for free and welcome tots from age zero.

• Babysitting clubs are available.
• Deals include kids stay and eat free.
• Explore baby-friendly destinations such as Hamilton Island as well as international escapes like Fiji.

• Check the resort or hotel if it's a baby friendly place. Reviews are all over the Internet now and if you can't find any sound advice from fellow parents, just call up the resort to confirm it's baby friendly.
• Check that the hotel provides cots. This makes life so much easier and means you don't have to be squeezed in one bed or bring a cot with you.
• Check that the hotel has a playroom or a playground. When travelling with babies this is the best defense you can have.

Advice by Veronica Garcia, mother of one adorable and curious little girl