Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Queensland for Kids
Accommodation
Many Queensland motels and caravan parks have playgrounds and swimming pools, and
can supply cots and baby baths. Some motels also have in-house children's videos and
child-minding services.
Top-end hotels and many (but not all) midrange hotels are well versed in the needs of
guests with children. B&Bs, on the other hand, often market themselves as child-free. It
pays to check before booking.
Babysitting
Some of Queensland's licensed child-care agencies have places set aside for casual care:
check under Baby Sitters and Child Care Centres in the phone directory, or phone local
councils for child care provider lists. Avoid unlicensed operators. Day-care or babysitting
options with rates starting at around $25 per hour include:
Busy Bees Babysitting
(
0417 794 507;
www.busybeesbabysitting.com.au
)
Gold Coast, Cairns and Port Douglas.
Care4Kidz
(
07-3103 0298;
www.careforkidz.com.au
)
Brisbane
Dial an Angel
(
07-3878 1077, 1300 721 111;
www.dialanangel.com
) Brisbane.
Change Rooms & Breastfeeding
Queenslanders are relaxed about breastfeeding and nappy (diaper) changing in public. All
cities and most major towns also have centrally located public rooms (often in shopping
centres) where parents can go to nurse their baby or change a nappy; check with the local
tourist office.
Discounts
Child concessions (and family rates) often apply to accommodation, tours, admission fees
and transport around the state, with some discounts as high as 50% of the adult rate.
However, the definition of 'child' varies from under-5s to under 18 years. Accommodation
concessions generally apply to children under 12 years sharing the same room as adults.
