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A quick scroll through Instagram and it seems every second person is in Fiji, jetting to Japan, or boarding a plane to Bali. But buzzy overseas family-friendly destinations be damned. I just got back from Queensland's Gold Coast with my family of five (three boys under seven) and, yep, I'm already re-booking.
The thing about the Gold Coast is it can offer multi-paced holidays. There are beaches for relaxing, sandcastle building, or even surf lessons. Restaurants catering to lovers of fine dining, as well as Millennial parents who still want to feel like they're "part of the scene" but need to be home for 7pm bedtimes. There are also attractions: theme parks, a wildlife sanctuary, and countless other activities that can suit just about everyone's vacation mode.
We stayed for three nights, the first two in Burleigh Heads and the last in Broadbeach. Here's exactly where to stay, where to eat, and what to do on the Gold Coast.
Where to stay in the Gold Coast.
Our Gold Coast getaway began with a clever travel hack. We caught an evening flight from Sydney, landing at around 9pm. This strategy worked wonders. The kids were pretty chill on the flight and then dozed off easily once we arrived, ready for a full day of adventure the next morning. No daylight hours wasted on travel.
Falling asleep on the plane then waking up the next day in Qld for the win. Image: Supplied.