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AUSTRALIA: If you’re looking for inspiration on where to take the kids when the weather is cool (or cold!), you’ve come to the right place. We know the best family getaways are those where everyone is entertained and everything feels wonderfully easy. Rest assured the following suggestions tick both these boxes. 

Sydney is a great destination for families of any age, with lots to see and do in concentrated areas. At Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall, you’ll be exceptionally well placed to tick off the big bucket list items and stumble across some hidden gems. Both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are an easy walk away, as are the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of NSW. QVB and Pitt Street Mall are nearby for all your shopping needs, the former specialising in boutiques and the latter offering your favourite brands. Bustling Darling Harbour is at your doorstep, full of playgrounds, activities and performers expert at keeping younger kids entertained.  

For an unbeatable harbourside experience, Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour also offers family-friendly accommodation, just footsteps from attractions such as Madame Tussauds Sydney, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Star Casino, Captain Cook Cruises and Barangaroo. Many of Sydney’s best cultural venues are also nearby, including the Lyric Theatre and Powerhouse Museum. 

With a feast of cafés, restaurants and bars to choose from anywhere in the city, you’ll have no trouble finding something to everyone’s taste. Tuck into delicious dumplings at Din Tai Fung, enjoy home-style pasta and pizza at Cucina Porto, and satisfy your crêpe cravings at Four Frogs Crêperie. Yum! 

The Melbourne suburb of St Kilda is an excellent place to keep both little kids and big kids entertained. Start your day with a hearty breakfast from Fitzrovia and a walk along the foreshore or through the botanical gardens. If you choose the foreshore, make sure to pop over to the breakwater to say hello to the local penguin colony as they go about their day.  

On Sundays the Esplanade Market is a must, with hundreds of stalls offering everything from high quality fresh produce to artisanal homewares and beautiful accessories. Once you’ve had your fill there, head across the road to Luna Park and experience the joy of carnival games, rides and giant serves of fairy floss. If you’re after a more substantial feed, you’ll be happy to discover St Kilda’s streets are bustling with restaurants of every kind, from traditional Italian trattorias to quick and easy Asian eateries and spaces that specialise in seafood. Enticed? Find your perfect room at Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Southbank, at the heart of a vibrant entertainment precinct and an easy 10-minute drive from St Kilda. 

If your family isn’t a fan of the cold, pack your bags and head to Brisbane. The mercury rarely makes it into single digits, even on the coldest days, and the mild temperatures mean you can get the kids involved in the great outdoors. The focal point of Brisbane is the river, snaking its way through the city. Take a walk across one of the dedicated pedestrian bridges and explore Southbank where there’s always plenty to do, from next-level playgrounds to interactive museum exhibits, bustling markets and free art, dance and storytelling workshops.  

A little further up the river, Kangaroo Point is perfect for walks, picnics, kayaking, rock climbing, laser tag and a myriad of other activities that will tire the kids out. Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens are another beautiful outdoor space and offer a range of self-guided walks where you can learn about the city’s history and sharpen your botanical knowledge. Guided walks are held at 11am and 1pm each day if you want to leave it to the experts. If you stay somewhere central, like Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane or Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square, all of these activities are in easy walking distance or, when little legs get tired, very well connected by public transport. 

With so much to see and do this winter, don't hibernate, instead rug up, embrace the cold and book a family holiday.