From glamping tents to luxurious hotels, budget-friendly motels and floating homes – South Australia caters to young and old, with options to suit every wallet. Read on to discover our top family-friendly accommodation picks – all that’s left to do is book!
Daydreamer Houseboat, Murray River, Lakes and Coorong
Aunties, uncles, grandparents and siblings – you can invite the whole crew because this houseboat can accommodate a crowd. Take to the water for your next family holiday and step aboard the luxurious Daydreamer Houseboat, fitted out with six queen-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and large top deck for entertaining. Kick back with a good book and a hot coffee, while the banks of the Murray River pass by below. Discover the natural ambience of this incredible waterway – or crack the bubbles and hop in the spa for a true treat yourself moment. Kids will love kayaking and swimming the days away and will talk about this holiday for years to come.
Seaview Motel, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is a child’s paradise – with unique wildlife at every corner and endless adventures to be had outdoors, there’s a million and one reasons to book your next family holiday on this incredible island. Make Kingscote your home base and check into the Seaview Motel. With cheerful décor and waterfront views, the newly renovated ocean and garden view rooms can accommodate three people each (perfect for parents with a young child), while the Ocean Suite includes two bedrooms, plus a kitchenette, living room and dining space for the ultimate self-contained stay. Before heading off to explore the island each day, fuel up with delicious coffee and breakfast at Cactus Café, just metres from your motel.
Bellwether Wines, Limestone Coast
This is your family camping trip – but not as you know it! Lean into the ‘glam’ side of glamping and book a stay at a working winery, Bellwether Wines. Pack up the car and head to the Limestone Coast, stopping off at Balumbal-Umpherston Sinkhole and the Warwar-Blue Lake along the way, then arrive at Bellwether for a night spent under the stars. While the adults whip up a delicious dinner in the camp kitchen, the kids can explore the campgrounds, say hello to the cows and chickens nearby and pick fresh herbs from the produce garden. Afterwards, pop the kids through a bath in the claw-foot tub before retiring to your glamping tent for a well-deserved rest.
Vibe Hotel, Adelaide
One of the newest additions to Adelaide’s suite of city stays, Vibe Hotel is located in the bustling East End and is just moments away from some of the best cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions in the city. Book the family in at this lively hotel for a weekend of city living, complete with trips to the Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum and Adelaide Botanic Gardens – all within easy walking distance. Enjoy the very best of privacy and security with the family interconnecting twin rooms, which can sleep up to four people in two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.
Barossa Valley Discovery Parks, Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley might be famous for wine, but it’s also a popular spot for families looking to get out and about in Adelaide’s nearby regions. Only an hour’s drive from the city, begin your adventure by checking into the Barossa Valley Discovery Park, located just minutes from the heart of Tanunda. Take your pick from cosy cabins or powered camping sites, then let the kids get their energy out in the waterpark – complete with three slides, a gigantic tipping bucket and more splash zones than you can count. With BBQ facilities, an activity room and onsite kiosk, this is more than just accommodation, it’s a haven for families with young children. Parents will love its close proximity to the Barossa Valley’s very best cafes, cellar doors, restaurants and scenic tours.
Vale 194, Fleurieu Peninsula
In the heart of wine country, this cosy oasis is the perfect home base for your next big group getaway. Vale 194 is tucked behind the main street of McLaren Vale and features five bluestone holiday homes, each with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Perfect for accommodating multiple families, each house has an outdoor area that includes an undercover dining space and BBQ, so the adults can cook up a feast while keeping an eye on the kids outside. Vale 194 is fully self-contained and securely located in its own off-street village – make sure to pack the bike or rollerblades for endless fun on the pavement!
Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges
See the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges through the eyes of a child and set your GPS for Wilpena Pound Resort. Located five hours from Adelaide in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, the resort offers a range of accommodation to suit every family: glamping tents to make for a true safari adventure, resort rooms that have all of the creature comforts and a campground for those wanting to soak up the natural surrounds. Beloved by children and grandparents alike, discover this stunning destination on an Aboriginal cultural tour led by an Adnyamathanha guide, learning about the history of this unique region and its cultural significance to the traditional owners. After a day spent traversing the nearby hills and creeks, while away the evening playing card games and swapping stories around the dinner table.
Pink Lake Tiny House, Clare Valley
Stay at this Clare Valley tiny home and wake each day to an extraordinary view – a pink lake, just metres from your doorstep. Awarded Best Eco-Friendly Accommodation 2023 by UK LuxLife Magazine, Pink Lake Tiny House offers two tiny homes – Sakura and Peony – as well as two bell tents for glamping. Though it might be small, Sakura can accommodate up to four people, making it perfect for parents and young children looking for a weekend escape, or a place to stop on your way up to the Flinders Ranges and Outback. This tiny home is styled in Japanese fashion – with loft bedrooms, futons and ‘washi’ art throughout – set against the stunning and ever-changing hues of Lake Bumbunga.
My Sister and the Sea, Yorke Peninsula
If your children aren’t so little anymore – or even if they are – this quaint cottage in the sleepy town of Marion Bay is the perfect place to reconnect with loved ones. Bring the family together for a few days at My Sister and the Sea, which sleeps up to six people in two queen bedrooms and a twin single room, and spend your days strolling along the nearby beaches, driving five minutes down the road to Dhibla Guuranda-Innes National Park, or sharing drinks on the outdoor deck. Reminisce over childhood memories and make new ones surrounded by parents, siblings, friends, and partners at this rustic and whimsical home away from home.
Big4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park, Riverland
Discover the very best in kid-friendly accommodation at this Renmark holiday park. Located on the banks of the Murray River, Big4 Renmark was created with children in mind – fun-filled facilities include a swimming pool, giant jumping pillow, tennis court, water park and adventure playground, so there’s no chance of youngsters getting bored here! The park caters to all abilities, with a sensory room onsite for children on the Autism spectrum and a strong focus on accessibility throughout the park. Enjoy almost one kilometre of unspoiled riverfront views and take your pick from self-contained cabin accommodation or caravan and camping sites.
Port Lincoln Hotel, Eyre Peninsula
Overdue for an epic coastal adventure? Make the Port Lincoln Hotel your central point from which to explore the rugged Eyre Peninsula. With family rooms that can sleep up to five people, at the Port Lincoln Hotel you are a walking distance from nearby L’Anse French Café – a hidden gem of the west coast baking some of the best croissants in Australia. Create life-long memories with breath-taking animal encounters, like swimming with sealions and dolphins, then enjoy a seafood feast at Oyster HQ or Peter Teakle Wines. Check out our Eyre Peninsula itinerary for all of the best things to see and do on your family getaway.
There’s something for everyone in South Australia
Keep everyone happy with our guide to family friendly things to do in Adelaide and holidays in South Australia and check out the best camping spots for your next off-road adventure.
