7 of the world’s best active family holidays

Published May 2025 | 5 min read
Expert contributor: Olan O’Leary, Personal Trainer
Words by Lucy E Cousins

Travel near or far, get fit and spend time with your loved ones on one of these active family holidays.

From cycling and snorkelling to bushwalking and skiing, active family holidays are becoming increasingly popular. Not only do they offer the chance to explore exciting new destinations, but they’re also a great way to get active, spend time in nature and bond with your family in a fun, new way.

How good are active family holidays for our health?

Active holidays are a great way to keep the whole family fit and full of energy, says personal trainer Olan O’Leary. Plus, she adds, depending what type of activity you choose to do, you’ll also experience a range of physical benefits, too.

“Activities like hiking, cycling and snorkelling help strengthen our heart, muscles and endurance for both kids and adults,” she explains. “Plus, for children, these adventures support coordination and flexibility, and for parents, they help maintain mobility and joint health.”

There’s also the combined mental health benefits of family bonding, being active and spending time outdoors, says Olan.

“Being out in nature encourages mindfulness and relaxation, helping families to disconnect from their screens and daily stress so they can truly enjoy each other’s company,” Olan explains. “And being active outdoors can lead to better sleep for everyone – meaning happier, more relaxed family time.”  

Whether it’s conquering a hiking trail, exploring an underwater world or cycling through a new destination, active holidays can help build confidence, teach new skills and help kids and parents overcome challenges together.

“Sharing these experiences as a family creates lasting memories and brings everyone closer together in a way that perhaps a traditional poolside holiday might not do,” she adds.

How to plan the perfect active family holiday

Active holidays sometimes need a little more planning and time to prepare, but the effort is worth the reward, says Olan. It pays to consider the following factors.

• The weather: Some seasons are better than others when it comes to active holidays. For example, it can be better to avoid the wet season for snorkelling or swimming in tropical areas, early winter might be problematic for skiing adventures if there’s no snow and high summer temperatures when bushwalking can mean it’s not quite as enjoyable. Also, consider the peak times if you need to book activities so you don't miss out. 
• Family dynamics: Choosing a holiday to satisfy everyone in your family can be a challenge. One technique is to choose activities that work for various ages and level of skills like snorkelling, skiing and cycling. Or book a hotel or destination that offers a range of different active options for all ages, so everyone in your family can choose what they’d like to do.

7 active family holidays in Australia and around the world

1. Bushwalking in the Grampians, Victoria

With lots of short, family-friendly hikes, the Grampians National Park is made for active holidays. The best time to visit is in summer, when you can swim in the waterfalls and rock pools, and spot wildlife from the campground.

2. Skiing in Japan

The ski season in Japan generally begins in December and lasts until April, but it can vary, depending on the resort and location. It’s an ideal destination for beginner skiers and children, while offering enough excitement for black-run experts, too.

3. Hiking in Hong Kong

Even though Hong Kong is one of the most populated cities in the world, around 40% of the island is protected parklands. Eat at a street market for lunch, then go hiking to a lookout to watch the sunset.

4. Cycling in New Zealand

Known for its spectacular scenery, New Zealand offers a range of cycling trails for cyclists of all skills. Rent a bike in one of the bigger towns, or bring your own and explore the coastlines.  

5. Snorkelling in the Cook Islands

Accessible via a direct 7-hour flight from Sydney, the Cook Islands are known for their friendly, laid-back feel and stunning beaches. The main island, Rarotonga, has family-friendly lagoons, like the beautiful Muri Lagoon, where you can explore the tropical reef straight from the beach.

6. Surfing in Bali

Home to gentle waves and world-class surf schools, Bali is a great place to learn to surf. At Legian Beach, new surfers can try their luck closer to the beach, while more experienced surfers can head out further to catch the perfect wave.

7. 4WD on K’gari, Queensland

Also known as Fraser Island (its former name), K’gari is a World Heritage-listed island made entirely of sand, and one of the best places to 4WD and camp in Australia. Kids will love the freshwater streams, rainforests and wildlife.

Looking after your body on an active holiday

If you’re changing up your normal routine by planning a lot of activities over a short time, you’ll probably be using your body in different ways, so stretching and warming up is important.

Olan says low-impact stretches help with muscle and joint flexibility and these three can be done from your hotel room. They're good for loosening up the back and core, opening the hips and strengthening the legs.

1. Standing side bend

Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, with your hands by the side of your body. Interlock your fingers overhead, keeping your arms straight. Stand tall, then lean to the right with your upper body, hips lightly pressing in the opposite direction. Hold, then repeat towards the left side. Do this stretch two to four times on each side.

2. Floor butterfly stretch

Start by lying on the floor. Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall outwards. To make this stretch deeper, you can place your hands on your knees and apply gentle pressure. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, repeat two to four times.

3. Slow bodyweight squats 

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Using just your bodyweight and keeping your heels on the ground, bend your knees and press your hips back until your hip joints are slightly lower than your knees. Hold for 10 seconds, then slowly press your heels into the floor to return to the standing position. Repeat two to four times.

Get going, keep going with HCF Healthful

Being away from home is no reason to press pause on your wellbeing goals. The HCF Healthful app gives you access to a personalised Health Score, evidence-based health programs, real-time health and wellbeing tracking, goal setting and a 24/7 digital coach^* – helping you stay healthy next time you travel.