Holidaying with kids? The 10 best nature-based activities

Family holidays are often when the very best memories are made. Your children will forever recall rushing into town on their bikes to buy a treat from the bakery, being at the beach locked in a lively sandcastle competition, and spending warm afternoons playing board games out on the verandah.

In the South West, outdoor activities promise to keep kids engaged and entertained for hours on end. The question is, where do you find the info? We’ve previously covered Easter activities, ideas for the winter holidays and the September school term break, plus family-friendly adventure holidays, so make sure you take a peek at the suggestions there too. Now breathe in that crisp country air and dive into today’s topic: outdoor activities.

Holidaying with kids: 10 nature-based activities

Explore the wonders at Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty is a legitimate icon of the South West and it’s a great visit to make with the whole family. Hop aboard the train to the underwater observatory, take your fishing rod to catch the night’s dinner, or head to the shipwreck playground on the foreshore.

Busselton Jetty. Image by Photo Elements.

Play at Djiljit Mia Community Gathering Place

Playgrounds have come a long way and are much more innovative and engaging these days. Near Yallingup Coffee Roasting and Peko Peko in Dunsborough, Djiljit Mia is a unique award-winning space that not only encourages play but imparts cultural history, contains storyboards, and has cool sculptures too. The Dugalup Brook will also be running nearby with the last of the winter rains.

Pat cute animals at Sunflowers Animal Farm

There are few venues that will elicit as many excited grins as an animal farm. The perennially popular Sunflowers Animal Farm has relocated to a new premises in Busselton, and offers bottle feeding, buckets of food, and the opportunity to get close to more than 20 different types of animals.

Explore a maze

There are two excellent mazes in the region. Amaze’n in Margaret River has a beautifully maintained half-hectare hedge maze, pretty gardens, and an 18-hole mini golf course to have a putt. Then there’s Yallingup Maze with a big timber maze, a bouncy castle, new mini-golf course and a puzzle and board game area within the cafe.

Next Level Monkey Business

Swing through the trees

If your kids love adrenaline and thrills, there are two great venues to choose from. Next Level Monkey Business on Caves Road has a range of climbing courses for ages four and up. If your kids are a bit older, Forest Adventures South West has 77 activities amongst the tall trees and will be an experience to remember.

Explore ancient caves

There is no better place to explore caves than the South West. If you’re a little worried about taking young ones into the depths, rest assured, both Ngilgi Cave in Yallingup and Mammoth Cave in Boranup are very family friendly. Learn more about caves in the area.

Horse riding fun for all

There’s something so special about taking a ride through the countryside or along the beach on a horse. These magnificent animals offer the opportunity to see the outdoor world from another angle and it’s an activity that is, surprisingly, hard work! Learn more about horse riding in the Margaret River region.

Yallingup Surf School

Surfing for beginners

While the Margaret River region is well-known for world-class surfing, there are actually quite a few family-friendly spots too. With more than 70 breaks in the region to choose from, try out Yallingup lagoon or the Margaret River mouth. For professional instruction, check out the best surfing lessons for kids.

Canoe lazily up the river

Canoe at your leisure or join a tour like Bushtucker Tours. With Bushtucker, everyone from ages two and up are welcome aboard the safe and stable canoes, exploring the beautiful river and lush greenery that flanks it.

Image by Photo Elements

Two wheels and the dirt tracks

This corner of the world has a maze of great bike tracks, just waiting to be ridden. And they have cool names like ‘Middle Earth’ too (close to the Beerfarm for lunch and refreshments). Learn more about cycling and mountain biking in the Margaret River region here. For family-friendly tracks, we love the Dunsborough Mountain Bike Park with nearly 30 trails to skid around on.

A school holiday getaway in the Margaret River region has never looked so fun. Browse our portfolio of luxury holiday homes today.

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