Where to travel with a baby in Australia

Having a newborn baby is not only an amazing thing and a huge event in most people's lives, but for many it can also prove to be something of a hindrance to any travel plans given the constant attention the that babies need.

However, that doesn't mean you have to immediately cancel all your travel plans, become a hermit and remain inside your house until your child reaches 18 years of age!

When considering where to travel with a baby, there are numerous factors that need to be taken into account to make sure it's as enjoyable as possible for the little one, like ensuring flights are smooth, protecting their skin and eyes and making sure they get decent sleep. And much more!

That said, these days there are plenty of places all over Australia that realise catering for babies is big business, and will often go out of their way to ensure that your experience with the kids – whether it's a tour or when booking accommodation – goes on with as small an amount of hitches as possible. We've asked several sets of parents with young children for their recommendations on rare to travel and put together some of the top recommendations and bits of advice below.

You'll notice that, in general, each of the destinations listed are places that tend to allow you to slow down the pace and take time to ensure you're not caught rushing from one attraction to the next, making sure that baby doesn't end up being unintentionally neglected. Here's our list:

TheSunshine Coastin general is a fantastic place to travel not just with babies but for kids of all ages for a variety of reasons: it's warm without being uncomfortable; it's brimming with things to do, and it's got some of the most family-friendly accommodation on offer of any major travel destination in Australia.

In many ways, the Sunshine Coast (and Noosa in particular) combines some of the best elements of both Byron Bay and the Gold Coast into a single package – you can just as easily pick up some local arts and crafts from the ever-popular Eumundi Markets as you can go for a stroll with the pram along long stretches of beachfront paths all within walking distance of the city centre.

The accommodation offers a special mention, as there are a ton of holiday parks and lodges scattered throughout the Sunshine Coast that offer all the full amenities of a house as opposed to the sometimes-restrictive utilities on offer in a hotel apartment.

This makes it far easier to find somewhere where you can, say, give your baby a proper bath rather than having to improvise or hope for a large enough laundry sink with detachable shower head. Plus, there are enough of a variety of baby-friendly activities that will allow you to bring them along – such as calm water river cruises – so that you can still keep yourselves entertained without disturbing the little one.

1. The sun on the Sunshine Coast can sometimes be quite harsh, so be sure to take proper steps to protect your baby's skin and eyes from the sun. Sunscreen is a must, and either having a sun canopy on your stroller or pram is a great idea to shield them as well.

2. In case you get stuck in a hotel room with no bath, universal bath plugs are available that can block the drain and serve to convert a shower into a makeshift bath for your baby in a pinch.

3. Some of the top-rated places to stay on the Sunshine Coast with babies include: Alex Seaside Resort, RACV Noosa Resort, Trafalgar Towers.

Byron Bay, which sits on the north-east end of New South Wales bordering Queensland, is another destination that provides comfortable temperatures – typically not too warm or too cold – along with a wide variety of things to do. “Byron” mixes the natural with the cosmopolitan, with its highlights ranging from chic cafes to waterfront walkways offering plenty of interesting sights to see and food to sample without the rush-rush atmosphere of larger cities.

Byron Bay also specialises in boutique shopping – there are no major shopping malls or centres in the town – with many of the hand-crafted goods being sold revolving around babies and younger children.

You can pick up some everything from baby toys to baby clothes to various other accessories all over the baby spectrum, many of which you won't be able to find anywhere else in Australia. And while you might end up paying “tourist prices”, the craftsmanship and little touches that go into many of these cute goods are often well worth it.

1. As much of the accommodation in Byron Bay aims to take advantage of its status as the easternmost point of Australia, early morning sunrises shining through the windows can be a disturbance to babies depending on where the room you get ends up facing. It's a good idea to pack black out curtains with you to prevent them from being disturbed by both the light and heat of the morning sun.

2. While it will obviously depend on the hotel you book, some of them may not have cots; if your baby is used to sleeping in one, be sure to call and confirm with the facility before finalising your booking.

3. Avoid travelling to Byron Bay during the period from mid-early November to the beginning of December, as the annual Schoolies Week for highschool leaves occurs during this time and the area can get quite loud and rowdy – not the best atmosphere for your baby to sleep in.

4. Avoid travelling to Byron Bay during the period from mid-early November to the beginning of December, as the annual Schoolies Week for highschool leaves occurs during this time and the area can get quite loud and rowdy – not the best atmosphere for your baby to sleep in.

Tasmania is a state that perhaps doesn't get enough praise within Australia for its viability as a travel destination.

As a region rich in greenery and nature with comfortably cool climates most of the year round coupled with all the modern conveniences you could still want in its larger cities such asHobart andLaunceston, it makes for the perfect “change of pace” getaway from the mainland while still being focused more around a laid-back, take-it-slow, stop-to-smell-the-roses feel that will allow you to devote ample time to ensure your baby is properly taken care of.

As an added benefit, its large focus on outdoor and nature-based attractions - including many of the country's most impressive national parks – means that your baby will get a dose of fresh air as well as the chance to see some native wildlife up close.

Areas such as Mt Field National Park and the Hobart area around the base of Mount Wellington are not only gorgeous but mostly stroller / pram accessible as well, and the generally cooler temperatures make it more of a comfortable proposition to keep your baby in their stroller for longer periods of time.

1. If you're going to be flying to Tasmania with a baby from the mainland, be sure to feed them upon both takeoff and landing. This helps to reduce ear pressure and sooth the ear aches that babies are particularly prone to.

2. Be sure to keep your baby drinking regularly throughout the flight as cabin air can be notoriously low in humidity, leading to deydration.

3. Renting a stroller upon arriving in Tasmania might prove much more convenient than attempting to lug one on a plane from interstate and well worth the relatively small hire fee.

4. Some of the top-rated places to stay in Tasmania with babies include the following hotels: Quest Launceston, Salamanca Inn and the St Ives Apartment Hotel.