With Coronavirus restrictions starting to be lifted, I’ve got a feeling that many people might be dreaming and maybe even planning a getaway somewhere for the upcoming school holidays in June/July, so I thought I’d share the best family friendly accommodation we have discovered to date in FNQ, and when I say family friendly I’m talking about big enough for our whole gang of two adults, four kids – yes – we are breeders!
We have been fortunate enough to have quite a few quick trips or one week stays around the traps in FNQ over the last few years, particularly as for the past six years we have had people living on-farm with us, so we really enjoyed the chance to get away and have some quality time ‘just the Fealy Family’ together. These are not campsites, which is a bit different to what I usually post here on the blog, but for the three years of so duration of Matt’s Nuffield Scholarship – we haven’t had much time or energy for camping so it was holiday houses instead.
Here’s some of our favourites in no particular order ….. oh and I’ve included a photo from the property website as well as one of our stay there – just so you could see that they are as good as they look in the advertising!
Drift Beach House – Holloways Beach
We loved that it was right on the beach and we could hear the waves crashing on the shore at night. We also loved the seperate cottage for the two big boys, the easy walk to the cafe up the beach (like 100metres), the Holloways Beach markets on the weekend and the nice walking tracks around. Also great pizza and pasta and convenience store just up the street (two minute walk). So, so, so good! Very affordable! Oh and stinger net just down from the house.
Mission Beach is an absolute favourite getaway spot for us. We love that it is a little out of the way, a little quiet but still has groceries and takeaway Thai food! Plus we have awesome friends that live there too – so nice bonus that we get to see them (hi Mel and Max xoxo)
Beaches No 6 is right on the beach, has amazing views, huge lounge area and kids rooms are on the other side to the main bedroom – winning in our book!
Apollo Jewell No 4 – Mission Beach
Another Mission Beach stay we loved! Although you do have to cross a road to get to the beach – it is a very quiet street. Surf club right next door for awesome meals on weekends. Stinger net just down the beach, cafe at the caravan park for essentials like ice-cream and coffee! There are a number of Apollo Jewell apartments – all very affordable with a shared swimming pool and we were lucky enough to see a Cassowary by the pool every day of the week we stayed in January 2019. We stayed here with all of the extended Bell family and rented five of the eight apartments available and it worked so well for a big group like ours!
Coral Sea Views Retreat – Redlynch Cairns
We stayed here for a long weekend when we were desperate for a break off the farm just before mango season started. The views were simply stunning! The house was upstairs/downstairs so plenty of room for all of us to spread out. Close to Cairns for movies, shopping, walks etc. Again – very affordable.
My cousin Sarah and I rented this place for a five night stay as just a mum and kids school holiday treat. Matt was away on his Nuffield travels overseas and Sarah’s husband was working so we just decided we needed a break and so we did and it was awesome! An older style home but right in front of the stinger net and right beside Castaway Resort, also a super easy walk into Mission Beach village for fish n chips and ice-cream.
I’m adding this one in despite Matt’s protests (he isn’t a fan of campgrounds/resorts – way too many people for him), however the kids LOVED our stay here. We camped in the camper in an unpowered site and it was during the school term and it was still quite busy. The kids loved the swimming pools, the mini golf, the lolly cups and the jumping pillows and trikes to ride.
I loved that they loved it so much and that I could use the heated spa’s while watching them in the swimming pool. We were there in July (so winter here in FNQ) which meant the water park was a little cold for the kids, but the swimming pools were fine. Super close to shopping centres and dog friendly too – fun fact – Toby and Lexi made the local news while we stayed there on a feature about dog friendly caravan parks in FNQ. There are cabins and villas for rent here too but we have never checked them out – Kipp has requested we go back for his birthday next year.
So that our top picks – what about yours? Where are you heading to the next chance you have to get away? We’d love to try out one of your favourites!
Love The Fealy Family xoxoxo
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