The world is vast and diverse—I just love exploring and experiencing more along the way.
Travel has become a part of my blood. When I was single, I traveled alone; in my early thirties, I met my partner on the road, who shares the same passion for travel and life. Just as we were about to quit our jobs and take a gap year or two...
Hey presto, our little one arrived. But having a child didn’t pause our travels—we always made time to explore together. We immersed ourselves in the richness of nature, experienced different cultures, and believe these experiences are invaluable assets for growth. The longer we travel, the more we learn about tolerance, understanding, and respect.
Different stages of life bring different travel styles and rhythms, especially after having a child. When our son was eight months old, we moved to Australia. That’s when we decided, just as we used to explore every corner of China whenever we could, we would do the same across Australia—with our son.
Australia is huge, and every year we visit different places. This time, we’re introducing the Australian East Coast, a route perfect for a road trip. Every stop is a delight—you can stay on farms, campgrounds, or in RVs, traveling through Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. In addition to the incredibly scenic coastline, there are vineyards, rainforests, all kinds of children’s amusement parks, and more.
We passed through so many towns and cities (like Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, Tamworth, Nundle, Fossickers Way, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Manning Valley, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Town of 1770, and many more) that we won’t list them all—just sharing some of Australia’s most famous tourist spots for everyone to enjoy and discuss.
Colorful wave wall in Port Macquarie
Finding a peaceful café in the mountains
Feeding alpacas on a farm
Taking a break in the town of Nimbin and enjoying an ice cream—Australian dairy is absolutely delicious
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, Australia’s second-largest city, and one of the most renowned cultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere—a city I personally love very much. I won’t even mention the world-famous Great Ocean Road or the beloved Phillip Island. The city itself is worth savoring in detail.
Horse-drawn carriages on the street
Street performers
Since it’s a family trip, let’s talk about my son’s favorite—the danging~~~ Melbourne Museum!! He could spend the whole day there!! I think for family trips, if the schedule isn’t too tight, it’s best to respect your child’s pace. It’s not about seeing the most, but about how engaged your child is. Of course, adults shouldn’t completely abandon their own interests either—so communication and setting rules during the trip are very important.
The dinosaur world that most boys are obsessed with
All kinds of animal specimens
Rainforest area
Another place where my son could play for a whole day is Melbourne’s Scienceworks Museum. It offers excellent interaction for both kids and adults, a fun place for the whole family to forget about age and time while learning about science.
Boating inside the Scienceworks Museum
Car designed by my son
Space postcard designed by my son
There are honestly too many great spots in Melbourne to list them all. Personally, I’m not a big fan of big cities, but Melbourne is definitely the exception. It really lives up to being one of the world’s most livable cities—though its weather can be a bit erratic, with four seasons in one day, so remember to pack a jacket for mornings and evenings. Also, Melbourne’s coffee is among the best in the world. Find a sunny café and enjoy a quiet cup—it’s absolutely delightful.
Melbourne’s coffee
Finally, for those who love libraries, don’t miss the city library—it’s a place I’d happily spend all day in.
Melbourne Library
The Gold Coast is a tourist city loved by Australians and visitors from around the world for its sunshine and beaches. In addition to its long coastline, there are rainforests, natural glowworm caves, farms, and other attractions—including theme parks that excite kids the most.
Hugging his favorite Patrick Star at Sea World
Driving at the simulated driving school in Movie World
There’s also the water park (note: you can buy a combo ticket for these three theme parks), as well as the largest theme park, Dreamworld, plus Paradise Country and the zoo—each one keeps the kids enthralled.
A friendly reminder: if you have time, be sure to visit Byron Bay, which is just an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast. Its lighthouse sits at Australia’s easternmost point, where sea meets sky in breathtaking beauty.
Lastly, here’s a photo collection of fun experiences in the Gold Coast—all of which you can enjoy here.
A family of three climbing on seaside rocks
Hiking in the rainforest
Watching an Aboriginal performance
Feeding kangaroos
Koala cuddling is only allowed in Queensland
Renting a yacht and going out to sea with Dad driving
Staying on a farm to experience farm life
Visiting an island to see a boat show
Digging in the sand at the beach
Local supermarkets
Learning to fish with Dad
Riding a bicycle opposite the youth hostel
Getting up close to small animals
Practicing kayaking and snowboarding
The world-famous Great Barrier Reef is a must-do on many Australian itineraries. Whether you’re snorkeling, scuba diving, or taking a helicopter ride above the sea—no matter if you’re looking up, straight ahead, or down—you’ll be moved by the ocean’s beauty. In addition to the popular offshore tours (important note: beware of seasickness in deep waters—on one windy, wavy day, our son dozed off from the rocking, Dad got miserably seasick, and I, sadly, threw up (also: when booking a helicopter ride, remember to mention your child’s age, as they’ll provide a safety harness for younger kids). Taking the train up and the cable car down to Kuranda Rainforest is also a hit with kids.
Taking the train up the mountain
Taking the train up and the cable car down to Kuranda Rainforest
There’s also the Royal Botanic Gardens and the surprising art gallery next to it, which was converted from a reservoir—both are delightful highlights of the city.
Reading quietly in the art gallery
Finally, I’d like to share one of the great joys of our family travels: visiting local markets, a perfect way to experience local life. If you come across one during your trip, be sure to stop and enjoy it—you won’t want to miss it.
Picking out toys at a second-hand market
Collecting seashells on the beach for DIY projects
Professional performances at the market
There are also plenty of games suitable for little ones
Finally, wishing everyone a happy family trip!! May the kids grow more independent, healthy, and joyful through the journey.
Our son, Sirius, is four years old this year. He started traveling with his adventurous parents when he was just a few months old. He loves being on the road, enjoys seeing new things, likes taking photos and singing, is good at discovering and observing, and has strong language skills. He’s a warm and unique little boy.