Families' Pick 2026

Families' Pick is Funtivities' own award for standout family venues. Each year our team picks winners in each of our 12 cities from the venues we've checked and listed, grouped by type of activity. There's nothing to enter and nothing to pay: it's our gift to the venues, and each winner gets a free badge and certificate to share if they'd like to.

Winners by city

• Sydney: 113 winners
• Melbourne: 100 winners
• Brisbane: 87 winners
• Gold Coast: 91 winners
• Perth: 91 winners
• Adelaide: 76 winners
• Canberra: 41 winners
• Hobart: 30 winners
• Darwin: 19 winners
• Cairns: 41 winners
• Newcastle: 3 winners
• Sunshine Coast: 6 winners

Some of the winners, by city

Sydney

• Crockd Studios Manly Fairlight, arts & creative
• Manly Beach, beaches & rock pools
• Modbod Gymnastics, early years (0–5)
• Next Level Escape, entertainment venues
• Early Start Discovery Space, museums & attractions
• Iris Lodge Alpacas, nature, parks & zoos

Melbourne

• Tiny Cupboard Creatives, arts & creative
• Shawn's Swim School, early years (0–5)
• The Curium Experience, entertainment venues
• State Library Victoria, museums & attractions
• 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, nature & outdoors
• The Funky Farm, nature, parks & zoos

Brisbane

• Mud 2 Mug and MORE, arts & creative
• Modern Mamas, early years (0–5)
• Fox In A Box Brisbane Escape Rooms, entertainment venues
• The Corner at State Library of Queensland, museums & attractions
• The Llama Farm, nature, parks & zoos
• Brisbane Opal Museum, pending review

Gold Coast

• The Craft Parlour, arts & creative
• Kirra Beach, beaches & rock pools
• Doodlebugs, early years (0–5)
• Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms, entertainment venues
• Chipmunks Playland & Café Pimpama, indoor play centre
• Nerang Library, library

Perth

• Pears on Pottery, arts & creative
• Cottesloe Beach, beaches & rock pools
• BK's Gymnastics High Flyers, early years (0–5)
• Lost Reality Escape Rooms Victoria Park, entertainment venues
• Aviation Heritage Museum, museums & attractions
• Hologram Zoo, nature, parks & zoos

Adelaide

• JamFactory, arts & creative
• The Lights Community and Sports Centre, early years (0–5)
• Fox in a Box Adelaide Escape Rooms, entertainment venues
• Art Gallery of South Australia, museums & attractions
• Morialta Conservation Park, nature, parks & zoos
• Morphett Vale Railway, pending review

Canberra

• Instala DIY Studio, arts & creative
• Boundless Playground, early years (0–5)
• Riddle Room Canberra, entertainment venues
• Australian War Memorial, museums & attractions
• Blackwattle Alpaca Farm, nature, parks & zoos
• Murrumbateman Chocolate Co, pending review

Hobart

• Archaica Schola, arts & creative
• Hyperdrive Kart Racing, entertainment venues
• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, museums & attractions
• Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures, nature, parks & zoos
• Toffeemont Alpacas, pending review
• Roaring 40s Kayaking - Hobart City Kayak Tour, sport & fitness

Darwin

• The Darwin History and Wartime Experience, arts & creative
• Deckchair Cinema, entertainment venues
• Darwin Aviation Museum, museums & attractions
• The Croc Bus, nature, parks & zoos
• Smash It Darwin, programs & groups
• Darwin Bowls & Social Club, sport & fitness

Cairns

• Tanks Arts Centre, arts & creative
• Palm Cove Beach, beaches & rock pools
• Escape Academy Cairns, entertainment venues
• Cairns Art Gallery, museums & attractions
• Cairns Waterfalls, nature, parks & zoos
• The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum, pending review

Newcastle

• Rippit Golf, entertainment venues
• Hunter Valley Wildlife Park, nature, parks & zoos
• Fighter World, pending review

Sunshine Coast

• Maroochy River Mini Golf, entertainment venues
• Opals Down Under (Scratch Patch Gem Fossicking), museums & attractions
• Aquaduck Sunshine Coast, nature, parks & zoos
• Blast Aqua Park Coolum, theme & adventure parks

Questions

How are Families' Pick venues chosen?

By the Funtivities team, from the venues we've checked and listed on the site. It's our own award, so there's no entry form and no fee.

Can a venue pay to win?

No. Paid and free listings are treated the same, and Funtivities doesn't sell the award.

How often is it awarded?

Once a year. The 2026 winners were announced on 28 October 2026.