Ten of Australia’s Most Affordable Beach Holidays for Families

Top Oz Tours offers a great range of Australia tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.

Aussie summers were made for blissing out at the beach.

Splashing around in the surf, riding the waves on a boogie board, building sand castles, and eating ice cream — all are time-honoured traditions for Australian families holidaying on the coast. And given the current economic conditions, a beach vacation can be relatively cost effective — if you steer clear of the tourist hot spots.

There is, of course, a serious side to spending time at the beach with children. Staying safe is paramount — and it means using patrolled beaches, remaining between the red and yellow flags, and ensuring that all family members know how to swim. The latter is an activity that enhances physical health, builds confidence, and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing. And given Australia’s love of the water, learning to swim is considered essential in this country. If you have children who haven’t acquired this crucial life skill, now is the time to enrol them in swimming lessons.

Here are ten of Australia’s most affordable beach holidays.

1. Townsville (QLD)

Queensland’s heavy holiday hitters like Cairns, the Whitsundays, and the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast tend to get most of the attention from travellers. But the North Queensland city of Townsville has a huge amount to offer families — and at far less than you’ll pay to visit its high-profile cousins in high season. Head for the gorgeous Strand, which features a tranquil palm-fringed beachfront and free family waterpark. A day trip over to Magnetic Island is another of the region’s must-dos. Hike, horse ride, swim, snorkel, and the list of things to do on the Island goes on.

2. Bundaberg/Bargara (QLD)

The Sunshine State has long been the country’s go-to for summer fun, and while Bundaberg in the Wide Bay-Burnett region isn’t strictly known as a beach destination (which will work in your favour in terms of accommodation prices), the coast is within ridiculously easy reach. The drive from the CBD through emerald sugarcane country to the seaside hamlet of Bargara is just 15 minutes each way, and you can spend your days relaxing on the glorious oceanfront and gazing out at the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

By the way, you won’t be the only ones frequenting the region’s beaches at this time of the year. Marine turtles nest on Mon Repos Beach from November to January, and hatchings occur through to March. Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre and book a tour onto the beach at night with a ranger to witness this miracle of nature.

3. Coffs Harbour (NSW)

Coffs Harbour on New South Wales’ northern coast is the Goldilocks of Australian beach destinations: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. This region enjoys some of the best weather in the country — and despite that fact, Coffs remains a great value getaway (as a quick search of hotel prices in January reveals). Check out Jetty Beach, Boambee Beach, and the ever-popular Park Beach.

Fresh seafood is a staple on Coffs Harbour menus, so drop by the Fishermen’s Co-Op at least once during your stay. It’s owned by local fishermen and if you get there early enough, you’ll see the trawlers unloading their catch. The takeaway service is open from mid-morning.

4. Ballina (NSW)

Further north in New South Wales, Ballina is generally regarded as the gateway to super-fashionable Byron Bay (located 40-minutes’ drive north of town), but savvy holidaymakers can save big dollars in summer by simply staying put once they get off the plane! Ballina offers access to 32 kilometres of magnificent coastline, amazing weather, farm-fresh produce, and great seafood (check out the Big Prawn!), and you can do a day trip to Byron — all without paying a premium for the ‘Byron factor’. Top beaches to enjoy around Ballina include Lennox Point, Lighthouse Beach, and South Ballina Beach. Swim, surf, fish, and cycle the waterfront. Certain beaches even allow 4WD vehicle access.

5. Portland (VIC)

Tucked away in the far south-west corner of Victoria (just a short drive from the South Australian border), Portland is as historic as it is remote! Passing traffic is a bit of a rarity here, and a solid supply of holiday accommodation keeps things very competitive in peak periods. Portland is one of the oldest settlements on the Australian mainland and is awash with period bluestone buildings dating back to the 19th century. Heritage highlights include the Cape Nelson Lighthouse (circa 1884) and the iconic Portland Cable Tram, which trundles along an eight-kilometre foreshore track and connects several of the town’s key tourist sites.

6. Geelong (VIC)

When you’re thinking Victorian seaside destinations, Geelong may not immediately spring to mind — but it should! A sublime position on Corio Bay in Port Phillip, a beautifully maintained waterfront precinct, and a rapidly regenerating CBD mean there’s a whole lot to love about a summer holiday here — and the price in summer will definitely be right! Spend time following the quirky bollard trail, enjoy a splash in the sea baths at Eastern Beach, or just relax on the sand at Point Lonsdale, Barwon Heads, or Thirteenth Beach.

7. George Town (TAS)

Sitting pretty at the top of the Tamar River, an hour-or-so’s drive from both the regional hubs of Launceston and Devonport, George Town is possibly one of Tasmania’s best kept travel secrets. Even in mid-January, accommodation here is very competitively priced and savvy holidaymakers soak up the sublime river and coastal vistas, hemmed by lush green pastureland and rolling vineyards. George Town is recognised as the third oldest European settlement in the country, and as such, it has a rich history to explore. Learn about the region’s maritime heritage at both the Bass and Flinders Centre and Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum. The pilot station has been guiding vessels from Bass Strait into the river since the early 1800s (and continues to do so to this very day).

8. Albany (WA)

Pristine white sand and turquoise blue water generally come with a hefty holiday price tag, but not in Albany on Western Australia’s southern coast. OK, it takes a bit of effort to get to this destination, but once you’re there, wow! You’ll have access to some seriously beautiful beaches and mind-blowing coastal scenery — and at a very reasonable nightly rate. Middleton Beach is Albany’s most popular and only patrolled swimming beach and offers great views out to King George Sound. You will need a car to get around, so hiring one in Perth and cruising down to Albany by road is a good value way to go.

9. Geraldton (WA)

Like Albany, getting to Geraldton on WA’s mid-western coastline takes fancy logistical footwork, but it’s well worth the effort — and is the only one of our budget beach break destinations that comes with a free side of ocean sunsets (which, of course, you can only get if you holiday in the West!). And the beaches are a ripper to boot! Think turquoise water, creamy-coloured sand, and a Foreshore precinct packed with amenities (including playgrounds, a water park, paved bike paths, and a generous supply of public BBQs and picnic tables). North of the town centre at Beresford Foreshore, check out what’s fondly known locally as ‘The Big Marble’. This mind-bending glass sculpture filled with water was created by Sydney artist Lucy Humphrey and turns everything upside down. It will make a fun addition to your Insta feed.

10. Hervey Bay (QLD)

We wrap up this list in Queensland’s Hervey Bay, which is globally renowned for two things: whale watching and Fraser Island — the largest sand island in the world. Visitors flock here during whale season (July to November), which drives accommodation prices up. Once the whales move on, prices drop just in time for summer and this laid-back coastal centre makes a great, reasonably priced family holiday option. Hit the string of local beaches and fabulous Wetside Water Park, which is open daily throughout summer. A day cruise out to Fraser is the most cost-effective way to experience its undeniable beauty.

This post was published thanks to Rackley Swimming.

Browse our range of Australia tours and experiences here.

Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of Australia’s most affordable beach holidays? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato