Australia with Kids: A Queenslander's Guide to Costs, Visas and Where to Live (2026)

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Growing Up in Queensland, and Why Australia Still Pulls Us Back

Could our family live in Australia one day? It’s a question Marty and I keep coming back to. It’s also the one this guide tries to answer honestly. 🌏

I’m Vanessa, and Australia is where I’m from. I was born in Toowoomba, up on the Great Dividing Range. When I was ten, we moved to the bayside area of Brisbane, and suddenly Moreton Bay and its islands were my backyard.

My childhood was spent outdoors. Beaches I still haven’t seen bettered anywhere in the world. Island trips, jetty jumping, fishing and body surfing. Barbecues under the palm trees. At one house, koalas lived in the trees across the road. 🐨

In my twenties, I backpacked the whole east coast, then headed to Darwin and Uluru. I met Marty, who is Dutch, in Melbourne. Travel has been our shared thing ever since.

When Louie was five, we hired a campervan and drove down the Queensland coast with my mum. My brother joined us for part of the trip, and his wife and their two kids met up with us in the little town of 1770 (Seventeen Seventy). It was our favourite stop, along with a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Louie has been to Australia several times now. The first was at nine months old, when I flew with him on my own. We’ve also taken him to Perth and Rottnest Island. At Christmas 2025, we flew to Brisbane as a family of four, with Leo along for his first visit.

What’s first-hand and what’s researched: our memories of Queensland, the east coast, Darwin, Uluru, Melbourne and Perth are our own. Everything on schools, rentals, visas and costs is researched, with sources linked. Some states, including Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT, are still on our list.

Brisbane with Kids: Our Christmas Back Home

At Christmas 2025, we spent a month in Brisbane with my mum and sister. Louie was eight and Leo was 18 months. The trip there was an adventure all of its own, with two missing bags and 3:30am wake-ups. I’ve written it all up in Flying to the Other Side of the World with a Toddler.

What stood out most was how easy Brisbane is with kids. Every turn, there’s a playground, a park or a public pool. We barely had to plan anything. The boys just lived outside. ☀️

That outdoor lifestyle is exactly what I remember from growing up. Watching Louie and Leo slip into it so naturally was one of the best parts of the trip.

It wasn’t easy for all of us, though. Marty worked for part of our stay, and the time difference made that hard. There’s more on that in the remote work section.

Why Australia Works for Families, and When It Doesn’t

When it works

If one of you is Australian, Australia can be an easy place to spend a long stretch. You can see family, let the kids soak up the parks and beaches, and slot into everyday life quickly.

The lifestyle is the big draw. Australia is English-speaking, generally very safe and built around outdoor family life. For kids like ours, that’s hard to beat.

When it’s harder

• No digital nomad visa. Visitor visas don’t allow work, so non-Australian families need to plan carefully. See our visa section.
• High costs. Rent in particular will be a shock if you’re coming from Southeast Asia or southern Europe.
• The time zone. Working for European clients means evening and late-night calls.
• Distance. Flights to Australia are long and expensive, and getting around once you’re there takes time too.

A note on tax for Australians abroad

If you’re Australian and have lived overseas for years, your tax residency may have changed. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) applies specific residency tests, and they affect how your income is taxed. Get professional advice for your own situation.

Where to Base Your Family in Australia

Six States, Two Territories and a Lot of Variety

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world. Saying “we’re going to Australia” is a bit like saying “we’re going to Europe”.

Tropical rainforest, cold Tasmanian winters, red desert and east coast surf towns all share one country. Your region shapes your climate, costs and daily life more than anything else.

Under each state, we’ve marked what we know first-hand (📍) and what’s researched (🔎).

🌴 Queensland

📍 Where I grew up, and where we took the boys at Christmas 2025.

Queensland is where Australia’s outdoor life feels most natural to me. It’s warm for most of the year, with a long coastline, islands, reef and rainforest.

Brisbane is the obvious family base. It’s a proper city, but with a relaxed pace and parks, playgrounds and public pools everywhere. Brisbane is also preparing to host the 2032 Olympics, which is bringing new investment.

Up the coast, the towns get smaller and the reef gets closer. On our campervan trip, 1770 and Lady Musgrave Island were the highlights. Snorkelling a coral cay with kids is the kind of lesson we write about in why the ocean is the best worldschooling classroom.

Further north, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. It’s a natural base for families who love wildlife, with Aboriginal-led tours that teach children about the Country they’re visiting.

Good to know about Queensland

• Weather: summers are hot and humid, especially north of Brisbane.
• Stingers: marine stingers are a risk on many north Queensland beaches in the warmer months. Swim inside stinger nets where provided and follow local signs.
• Cyclones: the season runs roughly November to April in the tropical north.
• Time zone: Queensland doesn’t use daylight saving, so the clock stays the same all year.

🌊 New South Wales

📍 I backpacked the coast before the kids. Family details are researched.

The New South Wales coast runs from the Queensland border through Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, down to Sydney and beyond. It’s varied, beautiful and busy.

Byron Bay has one of Australia’s best-known nomad and creative communities, with surf culture, wellness and a strong alternative education scene. It’s also become expensive. Weigh up whether the community is worth the premium for your family.

Sydney has the harbour, the beaches and the Blue Mountains on its doorstep. It’s also one of the most expensive cities in Australia. As a month-long visit, it’s wonderful. As a long-term base on a budget, it takes serious planning.

Wollongong, the Southern Highlands and the mid-north coast are worth a look if you want the New South Wales coast without Sydney prices.

Good to know about New South Wales

• Costs: Sydney rents are among the highest in the country, and Byron Bay carries a beach premium.
• Bushfires: summer is bushfire season in many areas, so know your local risk and alerts.
• Daylight saving: New South Wales uses it, so the gap to Europe changes during the year.

🎨 Victoria

📍 Where Marty and I met.

Ask Australians about Melbourne and they’ll either call it their favourite city or complain about the weather. Both are fair.

Melbourne has a strong café culture, a rich arts scene, footy (AFL) and laneways full of street art and small bars. Inner suburbs like Fitzroy, Brunswick and Northcote have a creative, community feel. The weather really does change fast. “Four seasons in a day” is a local saying for a reason.

Beyond the city, there’s the Great Ocean Road, the surf beaches around Torquay, the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula. All are within reach for long weekends.

Good to know about Victoria

• Winters: cold, grey and damp compared with Queensland. July and August are good months to head north.
• Costs: on Numbeo’s index, Melbourne runs slightly higher than Brisbane, and rentals are competitive.

🌿 Tasmania

🔎 Top of our list, but we haven’t been yet.

Tasmania is wild in a way many visitors don’t expect. Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires and the Southwest National Park are among Australia’s great wilderness areas.

Hobart is small and relaxed. Its food scene is built on cool-climate produce, and MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) draws visitors from around the world. For families who want nature and a slower pace, Tasmania is well worth researching.

Good to know about Tasmania

• Weather: winters are cold, with near-freezing nights.
• Internet: connections can be slower in remote areas, so check before committing to a work base.
• Driving: distances are short, but mountain roads take longer than maps suggest.
• Rentals: check current listings rather than assuming it’s cheap.

🍇 South Australia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet.

Adelaide is compact and easy to get around, with wine regions on its doorstep: the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley. Its festival season, including the Adelaide Festival, the Fringe and WOMADelaide, is big for a city its size.

South of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula has beaches and a growing reputation as a sea-change spot for families. The Flinders Ranges to the north offer outback landscapes within a long day’s drive.

Good to know about South Australia

• Costs: Adelaide is generally seen as more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne, but check current rents.
• Summers: hot and dry, with bushfire risk in rural areas.

🌅 Northern Territory

📍 I’ve been to Darwin and Uluru, before the kids.

The Northern Territory isn’t for every family. It’s remote, hot and very different from the rest of Australia. For the right family, it’s also like nowhere else on earth.

Darwin sits at the top of the country, closer to Bali than to Sydney. The wet season (roughly November to April) brings monsoon rain and storms. The dry season (May to October) is warm and clear. Darwin is multicultural and is the gateway to Kakadu and Litchfield national parks.

Uluru is a sacred site for the Anangu people, whose Country this is. Climbing Uluru has been closed since October 2019. Anangu-led tours are the best way to learn about Tjukurpa (Anangu law and culture). They’re also a powerful lesson for children about being a guest on someone else’s land.

Good to know about the Northern Territory

• Heat: Darwin is hot and humid, especially in the build-up to the wet season.
• Crocodiles: they live in rivers, billabongs and along the coast. Only swim where signs say it’s safe.
• Services: limited in remote areas, with long distances between towns.

🌊 Western Australia

📍 We took Louie to Perth and Rottnest Island. More of WA is high on our list.

Perth is one of the most isolated big cities in the world. It’s actually closer to Bali and Jakarta than to Sydney.

Cottesloe and Scarborough are classic city beaches, and Fremantle (Freo) has markets and a strong creative scene. Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride away. It’s car-free, so families hire bikes, spot quokkas and swim in sheltered bays.

About three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is known for surf, wine and forests. Up north, Ningaloo Reef offers the chance to swim with whale sharks in season, and the Kimberley and Broome are remote and spectacular.

Good to know about Western Australia

• Time zone: Perth is 6 to 7 hours ahead of the Netherlands, the easiest Australian time zone for European work.
• Summers: hot and dry.
• Distances: Western Australia is enormous, so plan road trips carefully.

🏛 The ACT (Canberra)

🔎 Researched, not visited yet.

Canberra was purpose-built as Australia’s capital, and the result is a green, well-planned city that suits families.

Many national institutions are here, which makes it a useful stop for homeschooling families:

• The National Museum and the National Gallery
• The Australian War Memorial and Parliament House
• Questacon, the national science and technology centre, which curious kids love

Canberra also has bike paths, a central lake and nature reserves. The Snowy Mountains are roughly two and a half to three hours’ drive away.

Good to know about the ACT

• Winters: cold, with regular frosts in July and August.
• Pace: quieter than Sydney or Melbourne, which some families love and others find too quiet.

Choosing the Right Base for Your Family

If you’re Australian and coming home for a stretch, the question is usually “where do we need to be?” For us, that’s Brisbane, because that’s where my family is. Let that lead, and the rest falls into place.

If you’re not Australian, sort your budget and your visa first, then choose a region. Sydney and Melbourne are expensive. Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and regional towns can ease the pressure a little.

If you work European hours, Perth is the kindest time zone. Brisbane and the east coast are much harder.

Whatever you choose, stay somewhere long enough to find your local park, pool and Saturday market. Australia rewards slow travel. If you’re weighing it up against its neighbours, our Pacific and Oceania guide compares Australia with New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.

Everyday Family Life in Australia

Australian family life starts early and happens outside. Before work, people walk, swim, surf or head to the park. Kookaburras are loud, and the light is bright from first thing. ☀️

In Brisbane, our days with the boys were simple: a playground in the morning, a pool in the afternoon and a barbecue with family at night. Many parks have free public barbecues, which make easy picnics with kids.

Weekends often revolve around markets, beaches and kids’ sport. Learning to swim is a big part of growing up in Australia, and it’s worth building in if you stay a while.

For worldschooling, the wildlife does a lot of the work. Spotting koalas, kangaroos and cassowaries, or snorkelling a reef, teaches more than a textbook. We explore that in why wildlife travel is the best worldschooling.

The Hard Parts: What to Know Before You Go

💰 The cost of living is high

Rent, childcare and eating out cost far more than in Thailand, Portugal or Spain. See our Brisbane budget below.

✈️ Getting there is a big trip

From Europe, you’re looking at a day or more of travel and an 8 to 10 hour time change. Jet lag with little ones can take a week to settle. We learnt that the hard way.

🛂 Visas for non-Australians

There’s no digital nomad visa, and visitor visas don’t allow work. Non-Australian partners have real costs and paperwork to face. See our visa section.

🌞 The UV is extreme

Australia has some of the strongest UV in the world. “Slip, Slop, Slap” (slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat) is a real health habit, not a slogan. Use SPF 50+, rash vests and shade, especially in the middle of the day.

🔥 Bushfire seasons

Many regions have bushfire seasons, mostly in the hotter months. Know your area’s risk, download your state’s emergency app and follow local advice.

🕷 Wildlife needs awareness, not fear

Australia has venomous creatures and, in the north, crocodiles. Millions of families live here safely with a few habits: check shoes, wear closed shoes in the bush and never swim in unmarked waterways up north.

📡 Regional internet can be patchy

Cities and most towns have good broadband through the NBN (National Broadband Network). Some rural areas don’t. Check the connection at any rental before you commit.

🧒 Childcare is expensive

Government subsidies help eligible residents, but visiting families usually pay the full rate.

Finding Family Accommodation in Australia

Australia’s rental market is competitive, especially in the east coast cities and popular beach towns. Good places go fast, so start looking earlier than feels necessary.

For Australian families coming home

Staying with family is the easiest option, and it’s what we did in Brisbane. Otherwise, friends and family networks are often the best route to a good rental.

For everyone else

• Short stays: furnished rentals on Airbnb and Stayz work well for the first month or two while you find your feet.
• Longer stays: realestate.com.au and Domain are the main rental sites. Most long-term rentals are unfurnished.
• Facebook Marketplace: useful for rentals direct from owners, particularly in coastal towns. Never pay a deposit before seeing the place.

Look for outdoor space: a garden, a deck or at least a balcony. In Australia’s climate, it’s a big part of family life.

Our guide to family-friendly accommodation →

Working Remotely in Australia

The Time Zone Is the Real Challenge

Australia’s internet and coworking spaces are good in the cities. For us, the hard part was the clock.

Brisbane is 8 to 9 hours ahead of the Netherlands. When Marty worked during our Christmas stay, his Dutch meetings landed in our evenings and late nights. It worked, but it honestly wasn’t his favourite way to work.

That’s a big reason we’re in Southeast Asia right now. From Vietnam, the gap to the Netherlands is only five or six hours, which is much easier to live with. We compare our options in Thailand vs Vietnam with Kids.

Time zones at a glance

• Queensland: 8 hours ahead of the Netherlands in the European summer, and 9 in the European winter. No daylight saving.
• Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: 8 to 10 hours ahead, depending on both countries’ daylight saving.
• Perth: 6 to 7 hours ahead, the friendliest option for European work.

If you work with European clients

• Protect your mornings for deep work.
• Keep a set evening window for calls, and tell clients about it up front.
• Check the internet speed at any rental before you sign, especially outside the cities.

Remote work for digital nomad families →

School, Homeschooling and Childcare in Australia

Public schools

Public schools are free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. If you’re Australian and coming home for a longer stretch, enrolling your kids locally is usually straightforward.

For children on temporary visas, eligibility and fees are set by each state, so check with the state education department. Visitor visas generally limit study to three months.

Private and international schools

Fees vary widely. In Brisbane, Numbeo’s crowdsourced data puts international primary school at roughly A$10,000 to A$24,000 a year (about €6,000 to €14,400), checked September 2026.

Childcare

Full-day private kindy in Brisbane runs roughly A$2,240 to A$3,600 a month per child before subsidies (about €1,350 to €2,150), according to Numbeo. The government Child Care Subsidy lowers this for eligible residents. Visiting families usually pay the full rate.

Homeschooling and worldschooling

Homeschooling is legal in every state and territory, with different registration rules in each. Our worldschooling legal guide explains how the rules work by country.

On the road, Louie follows a blended approach with books from his Dutch school. We share how that works day to day in Homeschooling on the Move, and why we chose it in our worldschooling guide.

Education and childcare for nomad families →

Healthcare in Australia

Medicare for Australians

Medicare is Australia’s public health system. It covers GP visits, public hospital care and many medicines at low or no cost. Eligibility is usually tied to living in Australia. If you’ve been away for years and are only visiting, check with Services Australia before relying on it.

For Dutch and other European visitors

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with a handful of countries, including the Netherlands. For Dutch visitors, it only applies if you’re enrolled in the Dutch health insurance scheme. Services Australia explains the rules.

Because we deregistered from the Netherlands (the full story is in our Unschooling guide), Marty isn’t covered. We rely on travel health insurance instead. Our health insurance guide for nomad families compares the options.

For everyone else

Most visitors can’t use Medicare. Comprehensive insurance covering emergency care, hospital stays and evacuation is essential. A hospital admission without it can be very expensive.

Health and wellness for nomad families →

Things to Do in Australia with Kids

Australia’s size is its biggest appeal and its biggest challenge. Sydney to Perth is about a five-hour flight. Driving from Sydney to Melbourne takes around nine hours. These are proper journeys that need planning.

That’s why slow travel suits Australia. A month in one region beats ten days trying to squeeze in Sydney, Cairns and Uluru. Road trips are a classic family option, and our campervan trip down the Queensland coast is still one of Louie’s favourite memories.

Planning around the seasons matters too. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to travel covers Australia’s climate zones.

What It Costs a Family to Live in Brisbane

Australia is expensive, far more so than Vietnam, Thailand or Portugal. Below is an estimate for Brisbane, built from current prices rather than a guess.

Our assumptions:

• A family of four: two adults, a 9-year-old and a toddler
• A 3-bedroom unfurnished long-term rental in the suburbs
• Mostly home cooking, public transport plus one car
• Public school and no paid childcare
• Flights, visas and insurance not included
• Figures checked 27-09-2026, at about €0.60 per A$1

Most figures come from Numbeo, which is crowdsourced. Treat them as indicative, not guaranteed. To compare Australia with other destinations, see our cost of living comparison for 50+ destinations.

Visas for Families: What We’ve Learnt as a Mixed-Passport Family

There’s no digital nomad visa in Australia. Which visa you need depends entirely on your passports, and our family has a mix.

• Me: Australian citizen, so I can live and work in Australia freely.
• Louie: Australian citizen by descent, with an Australian passport as well as his Dutch one.
• Leo: not yet. We’ll apply when we’re back in the Netherlands.
• Marty: Dutch. He visits on the free eVisitor.

Citizenship by descent takes longer than you’d think

If you’re Australian and your children were born overseas, they can usually become Australian citizens by descent. It’s two steps: first you apply for citizenship, and only after it’s granted can you apply for a passport.

Part of the application is an identity declaration. It must be signed by someone who has known your child for at least 12 months and works in an approved occupation. Living in the Netherlands, we didn’t know an Australian who could sign for Louie, so we asked someone in an approved profession. It raised a few eyebrows on the Dutch side! 😄

Allow plenty of time before you travel. Once your child is an Australian citizen, they need to enter and leave Australia on their Australian passport. Check current requirements on the Home Affairs citizenship by descent page.

Options for a non-Australian partner

• eVisitor (subclass 651): free for EU passport holders like Marty. As many visits as you like in 12 months, up to 3 months each time, and no work. Home Affairs: eVisitor.
• Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream: can be granted for 3, 6 or 12 months, including to visit Australian family. No sponsor needed, but it’s a temporary visitor visa, not residence, and you can’t work. Home Affairs: Visitor visa.
• Visitor visa (subclass 600), Sponsored Family stream: an Australian relative sponsors your visit. The standard stay is 3 months, and up to 12 months is at Home Affairs’ discretion. The sponsor must be a “settled” Australian citizen or permanent resident, usually meaning they live in Australia. Home Affairs may ask the sponsor for a security bond of A$5,000 to A$15,000 per person, refunded once the visitor leaves on time. No work allowed. Home Affairs: Sponsored Family stream.
• Partner visa: lets a partner live and work in Australia. The application charge is currently from A$11,710 for the main applicant (about €7,100). Add medicals, police checks and translations, and we estimate around €8,000 in total. Processing can take well over a year. Home Affairs: Partner visa.

Why we haven’t made the move yet

The partner visa cost is a big part of it. When we do move to Australia, we want it to be for the long term, so we’d rather see more of the world first. It’s the same thinking behind leaving Bali for later, which we explain in Chiang Mai vs Bali.

One option we’re considering is a 12-month Visitor visa for Marty, so we can take our time working out where we’d like to settle. Twelve months isn’t guaranteed, though: Home Affairs decides how long to grant. He also couldn’t work on it, so we’d need to plan for a year without his salary.

Check current details: visa rules, fees and bonds change. Always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply. Visa information for nomad families →

Finding Community in Australia

Australia’s nomad family scene is more spread out than in places like Chiang Mai. The country is huge, and many Australian nomad families are overseas, coming home now and then.

Where to look

• Byron Bay and the NSW north coast have a well-established alternative and worldschooling scene, with co-ops and learning groups.
• Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne have plenty of remote-working families, even without formal nomad groups.
• Everyday life: playgrounds, swim lessons, kids’ sport and local Facebook groups are how most families connect.

For returning Australians, community often comes through family, old friends and school parents. That’s one of the nice things about coming home.

Our worldschooling hubs directory lists groups around the world, and you’re always welcome in the Worldly Tribe Facebook community too. 🌍

Practical Tips for Arrival

Sort visas and passports before you fly

Non-Australians need an eVisitor, ETA or visa before boarding. Australian citizens must use their Australian passport to enter and leave, including children.

Plan for jet lag

From Europe, expect a week or so for everyone to adjust. Keep the first days light, get outside in the daylight and resist long naps. Our flying with a toddler story shows how it went for us.

Get a local SIM

Telstra generally has the widest regional coverage. Optus and Vodafone work well in the cities.

Check your health cover

Australians: check your Medicare status. Everyone else: make sure your insurance is active from day one.

Download your state’s emergency app

It gives bushfire and severe weather alerts for where you’re staying.

Swim between the flags

Patrolled beaches use red and yellow flags to mark the safest area. Teach the kids from day one.

Respect the sun

Even in winter and on cloudy days. SPF 50+, hats and rash vests are the norm for Australian kids.

Handy tip: we use Wise for spending in Australian dollars. Our guide to managing money abroad as a family explains how.

Culture, Country and Travelling Lightly

Being a Thoughtful Guest

First Nations cultures

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous cultures on earth, with connections to Country going back at least 65,000 years. Every part of Australia is someone’s Country.

For families travelling in Australia

• Learn the name of the Traditional Owners of the place you’re staying. Acknowledgements of Country are an invitation to understand where you are.
• Choose Indigenous-led tours, art centres and cultural programs. They’re some of the most meaningful experiences for adults and kids alike.
• At Uluru and other sacred sites, follow the cultural protocols set by Traditional Owners.
• Support Indigenous-owned businesses and artists when you can.

Environmental pressures

Australia faces serious fire seasons, droughts, floods and coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. Choosing accommodation, activities and habits with that in mind makes a difference.

Travelling sustainably as a family →

Australia with Kids: FAQs

Is there a digital nomad visa for Australia?

No. Visitor visas and the eVisitor don’t allow work in Australia. Families who want to live and work there need a visa that permits work, or an Australian citizen in the family.

Can I work remotely on a visitor visa in Australia?

Visitor visas carry a no-work condition. Home Affairs reportedly tolerates online work that’s incidental to a holiday, but it isn’t a legal right. Don’t plan a long working stay around it.

How much does it cost a family of four to live in Brisbane?

Roughly €4,500 to €6,000 a month, renting long term in the suburbs with public school and no paid childcare. That’s an estimate based on crowdsourced data checked in September 2026.

Can my non-Australian partner live in Australia with us?

To live and work there long term, they’ll need a partner visa, currently from A$11,710. A Visitor visa can be granted for up to 12 months as a trial run, but it doesn’t allow work and 12 months isn’t guaranteed. The sponsored version may need a refundable bond of A$5,000 to A$15,000.

How do I get Australian citizenship for children born overseas?

Apply for citizenship by descent through Home Affairs, then apply for a passport once it’s granted. You’ll need an identity declaration from someone in an approved occupation, so start early.

What’s the time difference between Australia and Europe?

Brisbane is 8 or 9 hours ahead of the Netherlands. Sydney and Melbourne are 8 to 10 hours ahead, and Perth 6 to 7. For European remote work, it’s the biggest daily challenge.

Is Australia safe for kids?

Generally, yes. The real risks are sun, water and wildlife. Use SPF 50+, swim between the red and yellow flags, and follow local warnings about stingers and crocodiles in the north.

When is the best time to visit Queensland with kids?

Brisbane’s cooler, drier months, roughly April to October, are the most comfortable. Summer is hot and humid, with storms, and the far north has cyclone and stinger seasons.

Our Takeaways: Not Yet, But One Day

For me, Australia will always be home. Watching Louie and Leo run from playground to pool in Brisbane, I saw my own childhood all over again.

It’s also a place that asks a lot of families like ours. There are the flights, the time zone and the cost of living. For us, there’s also the partner visa and Leo’s citizenship paperwork.

So we’re taking it slowly. We want to see more of the world first, and when we do move, we want it to be for the long haul. Maybe a year on a visitor visa to find the right spot. Maybe somewhere near the water, like the Queensland I grew up in.

Recently, we asked Louie what he wants to be when he grows up. Without missing a beat, he said: “A camping owner.” Marty and I just looked at each other. His best memories are from camping and being outdoors, so of course that’s his dream. 🏕️

We’re already talking about it as a family goal for after we finish travelling: a place of our own, where people from all over the world can come and stay. Funny how a nine-year-old can help you write your next ten-year plan. ❤️

If Australia is on your list, go in with your visas sorted, your budget realistic and a plan for the time zone. Then slow down, find your local park and pool, and let the outdoor life do the rest. 🌏

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