City breaks in Australia are a lot of fun for the whole family. The difficult decision is which destination to choose for your next family weekend getaway?

To help you pick your next short break, I’m going to focus on profiling three iconic Australian cities that all have very different personalities: Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

The best city in Australia for your next family weekend getaway is sponsored by Accor Hotels

 

Short breaks in Australia

There are so many options for weekend getaways. Australia’s domestic flights are cheap and easy to book – it’s as simple as hopping on a train in the UK.

Booking a family hotel in Australia or a city self-catering apartment takes a few seconds too – take a look at Accor Hotels’ wide range of family hotels and family-friendly resorts.

Booking a holiday weekend away doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Cities offer heaps of free activities for families including parks, gardens and museums. To keep food costs down, you can choose an apartment with cooking facilities or make use of the free BBQ points that are scattered around.  It’s possible to enjoy a break in the hottest city in Australia and not spend a small fortune while doing it! But the big question is: which city do you choose for your next family getaway?

Want more travel inspiration? Check out more travel articles here.

Visit Perth: Plan your Perth holiday

If you’re considering weekend getaways, Perth is a great contender. It’s actually one of my favourite cities in Australia.

Perth skyline across the Swan River

Located between the Darling Ranges and the sparkling Indian Ocean, this is the most isolated city of its size on the planet. Perth is a strong and proud city that perfectly blends nature and outdoor spaces with growth and progress. It has carved out a space as being one of the most liveable cities in Australia by being smart, clean, laid back and comfortable.

The Swan River weaves its way through the city to the nearby port of Fremantle with towering high rises along its banks. It makes for some impressive photos!

Perth is brimming with food and art festivals, sports, music, theatre and culture – it really does hold its own against the other major cities as an entertainment centre, even with a much smaller population.

Perth has the added benefit of having some of the country’s most stunning beaches on its doorstep.  The sand is whiter here and the ocean is so much bluer than on the east coast!

There are so many fun things to do in Perth. Here are a few things to do in Perth with kids:

  • Visit Kings Park to enjoy over 400 hectares of natural Australian bush and take in the jaw dropping view of the city high rises and Swan River.
  • Take a day trip to Rottnest Island and meet a quokka (a small wallaby-like marsupial).
  • Eat fish and chips at Hilary’s Boat Harbour and then have a paddle.
  • Explore Freemantle’s markets and don’t forget to buy a coffee from the ‘cappuccino strip’!

Best time to visit Perth

Perth weather is stunning all year round. If you’re planning on walking a lot, the best time to visit Perth is spring (September – November) and autumn (March – May).

Winter (June – August) is cooler so bring some layers. In summer (December – February) it can get really hot so make sure your Perth itinerary includes time at the beach.

Interior of Novotel hotel lobby in Perth

>> Check out rates at Novotel Perth Langley

For more information about things to do in Perth, check out VisitPerth.com.au

Planning a weekend away in Melbourne

The capital of Victoria, Melbourne is one of the largest cities in Australia. It comes in a little smaller than Sydney in terms of population, but its growth trajectory means it might soon take over as the biggest city in Australia.

Melbourne city picture of buildings

Melbourne feels more European than other cities with its Victorian-esque buildings and its colder winters.

It’s a vibrant city that is packed with culture, art, fine food, and great coffee – it has a grittier, more edgy feel than other cities. Its high rises and fast pace give it more of a New York vibe, while it also keeps a unique bohemian charm.

If you’re looking to book a city break in a dynamic, trendy, forward thinking city then Melbourne is your place!

You won’t be bored on your city break in Melbourne – here are some family activities in Melbourne to add to your Melbourne itinerary:

  • Go shopping – yes, shopping with kids may not sound fun and you may think that you can shop anywhere, but Melbourne is the ultimate shopping destination and you have to experience it to believe it!
  • Search for the world’s best coffee. Melbourne is all about the café culture so you won’t be short on places to indulge in your love of caffeine and everyone you meet will have an opinion on where serves the best coffee.
  • Take a trip to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where you can catch a game of AFL or cricket and soak up the amazing sporting atmosphere.
  • Enjoy the city’s art. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria to take in some fine art, or book a tour to enjoy the city’s best street art.

Best time to visit Melbourne

The best time to visit Melbourne is outside the summer months as it can get HOT! If you don’t like cold, avoid winter too as it can really get chilly. Spring (September – November) can get wet so the best time to visit is autumn (March – May.) You will still need to be prepared for some cooler temperatures though, especially at night.

Beds in a room in the Novotel Melbourne

>> Check out rates at Novotel Melbourne on Collins

For more information about things to do in Melbourne, check out VisitMelbourne.com

Plan your weekend away in Sydney

Probably the most iconic destination in Australia, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city built  around the stunning world-famous harbour. There is so much to see and do in Sydney for a city break.

View across Sydney Harbour
Australia’s oldest city is currently ranked the largest city in Australia.  It’s a city that effortlessly blends the barefoot beach lifestyle with a hip and trendy vibe. There are so many incredible tourist destinations to explore in Sydney that it will be tough to cram it all into a weekend – one trip will have you planning a follow up Sydney city break!

If you enjoy history, you’ll find it in spades here too given the First Fleet landed in Botany Bay in 1788.

There is so much to do in Sydney, so you’ll need to plan your Sydney itinerary carefully. Here are some top things to do for your family getaway in Sydney:

  • If your kids are old enough, book a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb for unrivalled views of the Harbour.
  • Book in to see a show at the Opera House so you can get to see inside the iconic building, if your kids are a bit young for that then take a one-hour tour instead.
  • Go on the iconic beach walk from Bondi to Bronte to enjoy spectacular coastal views.
  • Visit Luna Park to enjoy the amusements and rides and tons of fairy floss (candy floss!).

Best time to visit Sydney

The weather in Sydney is temperate meaning you can visit all year round. It does get cooler in winter months, so take some layers but the weather isn’t as extreme as some of the other cities.

Room interior of the Novotel Sydney

>> Check out rates at Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour

For more information about things to do in Sydney, check out Sydney.com

Don’t forget to pack sunscreen for your city break! 

Where to stay for your Australia city break?

It’s a good idea to stay in the CBD if your family trip is only a few days long (this also means you can pop back to the hotel for a rest when little legs get tired). Being CBD based will mean you can walk to most places easily, and you can organise pick-ups for any tours at your hotel too.  Have a look at family friendly hotels in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne and start planning your next adventure! (Families of four or more can contact the hotels directly to discuss room options such as adjoining rooms).

There are so many options for weekend getaways in Australia. I love exploring our new home with my family. I hope this post inspires you to consider your next city break too – I’m already eyeing up our next trip!

Thanks to Accor Hotels for sponsoring this post. If you’re looking for a wide range of family accommodation for your next weekend away, be sure to check out their site.

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