Family holiday activities and ideas: Beach, cruising or snow?

As the author Norman Doidge writes, nature has "given us a brain that survives in a changing world by changing itself".

So why not try something new in the next 12 months?

Here are some ideas for winter and summer: ship, shore and snow.

SHORE

Lord Howe Island

THE EXPERIENCE

Less than two hours' flight from Sydney or Brisbane, Lord Howe Island is a world away. Only 400 tourists are allowed on the island, with its exotic wildlife, diverse coral and stunning forests. From September to May, you can watch the turtles hatching. There are several day cruise and eco-tour operators to choose from.

GOOD TO KNOW

To get the most out of this trip, wait until your kids have good swimming, bike riding and hiking skills. Book flights and accommodation well in advance as seats and rooms are limited. This is not a last-minute destination!

THE LOWDOWN

Pinetrees Lodge is freshly refurbished, with a five-day package from $1775 per person. Children under five are free, and six to 14 years half-price. This includes all meals and airport transfers (pinetrees.com.au). Qantas Link flies to Lord Howe Island from Sydney on most days and Brisbane on weekends. There are also flights from Port Macquarie in high season. See lordhoweisland.info.

See also: Australia's own ultimate Pacific island escape is just a few hours away

Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

THE EXPERIENCE

The island of Langkawi is home to castor-sugar beaches, verdant rainforest and luxurious resorts. It's perfect for snorkelling, diving or relaxing by the pool: a flop-and-drop holiday with an adventurous edge. Kids will enjoy Underwater World, an aquarium with a 15-metre walk-through tunnel, and the Taman Lagenda Langkawi theme park, with sculptures based on local folklore.

GOOD TO KNOW

There are cultural activities aplenty in the kids' club at the Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa. For children four to 12 years, it's $33 for one day and $23 for half a day. Book your trip from March to June to avoid the worst of the rainy season.

THE LOWDOWN

Two-bedroom suites at the Westin start at $1011, see westinlangkawi.com. Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have twice daily flights to Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur. There are also direct flights from Penang and Singapore. See Malaysia.travel/en

See also: South-east Asian island is everything Bali is not

Far North Queensland

THE EXPERIENCE

This is the best place for beach-lovers to go during winter. Staying in Cairns is cheap and central, while Palm Cove and Port Douglas are great for swimming and paddleboarding. Take the SkyRail to an indigenous tour through the Daintree, snorkel or dive on the Great Barrier Reef, swim in the man-made lagoon, or while away the hours at Muddy's playground. Cairns has really come alive in recent years, with award-winning restaurants and family activities.

GOOD TO KNOW

Hire a car to explore the region. It's cheaper and more convenient than doing bus trips. Hop on one of the fast catamarans to Green Island for superb snorkelling metres from shore. If you're visiting between October and May, hire stinger suits because of the box jellyfish.

THE LOWDOWN

Holiday Inn has taken over a Mercure property on the Esplanade overlooking Trinity Bay, a short walk or bike ride to the lagoon and playground. Rooms for a family of four start at $149 a night. You can also get interconnecting rooms for larger families (holidayinn.com/cairns). The luxurious Alamanda, on the beach at Palm Cove, has self-contained three-bedroom apartments from $468 a night (lancemore.com.au/alamanda).

See also: Twenty reasons to visit Cairns

Karon Beach, Phuket

THE EXPERIENCE

Let me be clear: Phuket town is a tip. Around the headland is postcard-perfect Karon beach, with paddleboarding, jet-skiing and parasailing over aquamarine waters. There are plenty of Thai restaurants along the waterfront. Early one morning, take a trip up the mountain to Big Buddha for a bird's eye view of the island.

GOOD TO KNOW

This place is appropriate for all ages. Most resorts have kids' clubs for littlies, while tweens and teens enjoy the adventure sports. Just don't put your feet in the fish spas, because they're quite unhygienic. Also, avoid Bangla Road: Too many sleazy sex shows. It's awkward explaining to a 10-year-old why he can't see the "Ping Pong Show".

THE LOWDOWN

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket has two waterslides, a lazy river and split-level jumping rock, plus Thai boxing as an activity in the kids' club. It's right on Karon beach; some suites have private pools. Family rooms start at $300 a night.

See also: Phuket's hottest beach clubs

SHIP

The Mediterranean

THE EXPERIENCE

MSC Meraviglia​ is a new style of energy-efficient ship featuring "cluster cabins", with three bathrooms and two balconies, sleeping up to 10 people. An outdoor aqua park is connected to a double-deck indoor amusement park.

GOOD TO KNOW

This set-up is perfect for multi-generational travel. There's a wealth of activities for older travellers, as well as kids. The entertainment areas are ideal for tweens and teens. Children under 13 cruise for free.

THE LOWDOWN

Eight days in a family balcony room, leaving from Genoa, Italy, in 2017, costs $14,775. Try the new family offering on Emirates, including animal backpacks, games and activities in the Fly With Me Lonely Planet bags. See emirates.com.au

See also: 20 best Mediterranean islands for a beach holiday

Pacific Islands

THE EXPERIENCE

The Pacific Jewel is designed for families, with circus lessons, talent quests and mascots to keep the kids entertained. It caters for children from 12 months of age; cots are free.

GOOD TO KNOW

This ship is suited to babies, toddlers, tweens and teens; it has four age-specific kids' clubs. You'll have to bring your own pram, bottles and nappies for littlies.

THE LOWDOWN

A 10-night round trip from Sydney to Noumea, Lifou, Vila, Mystery Island and Isle of Pines, departing October 12, is $3116 for a family of four. This includes $100 on-board credit and a free soft drink package. See pocruises.com.au

See also: Beyond Fiji: the other Pacific paradises you must visit

Northern Europe

THE EXPERIENCE

The happiest place on earth as a moveable feast. This seven-day European Disney Cruise leaves from Copenhagen, the homeland of Hans Christian Andersen. Stops include Tallinn, Estonia, St Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm. There's plenty of Disney entertainment on board with character meetings, live performances, and 3D movies.

GOOD TO KNOW

Toddlers, young kids or tweens are the ideal companions for this cruise. However, it might be hard to drag them away from the entertainment to disembark at port.

THE LOWDOWN

This trip costs about $18,600 for a family of four. See disneycruise.disney.go.com

See also: Top ten reasons to love travelling in Europe

Fiji

THE EXPERIENCE

This destination is known for family resorts, but why not explore the archipelago by ship? Captain Cook Cruises run from four to 11 nights, with visits to remote villages, churches and schools, for sevusevu ceremonies and Lovo feasts. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in crystal clear waters. Relax on board at the spa, swimming pool, library or cocktail bar.

GOOD TO KNOW

The free kids' club caters for five to nine-year-olds. Bring your own snorkelling kits, to explore remote coral reefs. Onboard Wi-Fi is a boon for tweens and teens.

THE LOWDOWN

There's a sale of up to four nights for free until March 31, for travel dates through to March next year. The four-night Northern Yasawa Cruise departs Port Denarau on a Tuesday, from $1447 per person twin share, normally $1942. See captaincookcruisesfiji.com

See also: Twenty reasons to visit Fiji

SNOW

Park City, Utah

THE EXPERIENCE

This is the biggest US ski resort with the smallest profile. It reopened last year after a $70 million expansion, covering almost 3000 hectares, 300-plus trails and 41 lifts. About 40 minutes' drive from Salt Lake City airport, this resort is great for snowboarders, skiers and everyone in between. Kids love the zip-line, alpine coaster, and sleigh rides at Park City Mountain. It's big on cultural attractions, too, with theatres, art galleries, museums and Utah Olympic Park.

GOOD TO KNOW

Park City Mountain and Deer Valley resorts offer skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids. The slopes are wider at Deer Valley, which is better for under-sevens.

THE LOWDOWN

Keep your eyes open for early-bird sales in April on skimax.com.au. Family ski and accommodation packages are available for around $8950. See visitparkcity.com

See also: Park City, Utah: The friendliest ski resort in the world?

Thredbo, NSW

THE EXPERIENCE

Stay in Thredbo village, which is walking distance to everything. Keep costs down by booking a family room at Thredbo YHA, where you can cook meals in communal kitchens and mingle with other families. There's free Wi-Fi and a viewing platform for the Saturday night fireworks.

GOOD TO KNOW

Thredbo caters for kids of all ages. There are group lessons for ages three to six, seven to 14 and 13-17. In late June there's the Friday Flat Rail Jam, with a live DJ under lights. At the other end of the spectrum, the childcare centre takes in ages six months to six years.

THE LOWDOWN

Early-bird ski season rates are on sale now. Two nights mid-week at Thredbo YHA start at $602 for a family room (two adults and three kids) or $806 for a family ensuite room (two adults, two kids). For accommodation see yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/snowy-mountains/thredbo; for ski passes and lessons see thredbo.com.au.

See also: Thredbo – what to do if you don't ski

Japan

THE EXPERIENCE

There are more than 500 ski resorts in Japan, but families love Niseko, Furano and Tohoku. More than 14-metres of snow falls in Niseko in a season, and English is spoken widely. Furano is overrun with Australians, so try Appi Kogen in Tohoku and Zao Onsen for an authentic cultural experience.

GOOD TO KNOW

The mountains in Hokkaido – home to Niseko and Furano – aren't that steep, so these resorts are good for young children. The Tohoku region is 90 minutes by bullet train from Tokyo. Take it easy if this is the first time the kids have skied or snowboarded in powder.

THE LOWDOWN

There are excellent deals on www.traveljapan.com.au/ski including four nights' accommodation, plus three days' lift passes and breakfasts, in Niseko from $649 per person. Children's discounts are available.

See also: 20 things that will shock first time visitors to Japan

New Zealand

THE EXPERIENCE

Cardrona and Coronet Peak are the best resorts across the ditch for families. (Although the road is improved, the drive up The Remarkables outside Queenstown is still scary.) Coronet is around half an hour from Queenstown, with gentle beginner runs. Cardrona, about an hour from Cromwell, is excellent for all ages and abilities, with the longest scheduled season on the South Island. Tweens and teens carve it up in the four terrain parks.

GOOD TO KNOW

Buy heated pads to put in the kids' gloves and boots; it's a little colder than Australia. Always carry chains, especially if you plan to tackle The Remarkables. Between skiing/snowboarding days, go on Nomad Safaris' Lord of the Rings tour, which includes panning for gold near Arrowtown.

THE LOWDOWN

Stay in the alpine-style Heritage Hotels, in either Queenstown (see heritagehotels.co.nz/queenstown) or Cromwell (see heritagehotels.co.nz/hotels/lake-resort-Cromwell). For lift and lesson prices see nzski.com; cardrona.com.

See also: Why New Zealand might just be the best destination in the world

FIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES IN AUTUMN AND SPRING

JAPAN IN SPRING The glorious cherry blossoms bloom from late March to mid-April. You need to check the blossom forecast for each region. See japan-guide.com

CANBERRA'S ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL IN AUTUMN From March 4-12, there are after-hours zoo tours, free circus acts in the Parliamentary Circle, outdoor light sculptures, and extended opening hours at Questacon. See enlightencanberra.com.au

SPRING SKIING At this time of year, there are discounts – and plenty of space on the slopes – in places like Whistler, Canada. Ski packages are on sale, with up to 40 per cent off accommodation. See skimax.com.au/canada/british-columbia/ski-whistler.htm

DISNEY THEME PARKS Avoid the summer crowds by visiting in shoulder seasons. The queues are much shorter. See disneyland.disney.go.com. If you're in LA, check out the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios. See universalstudioshollywood.com

FARMSTAYS Autumn is the ideal time to stay on a farm in regional Victoria. The colours of the leaves are simply stunning. Round up sheep, feed the chooks or catch trout. Stay in one of the historic bluestone cottages at Tuki Trout Farm (tuki.com.au) where everything served in the restaurant is from the property. Relax in front of the open fire.

FIVE QUICK BREAKS

COCKATOO ISLAND Spend two to four nights exploring Australia's convict and maritime history. There are camping, glamping and apartment options, a treasure map for the kids, and discounts of 25 per cent for midweek stay before the end of March. See cockatooisland.gov.au/stay

PHILIP ISLAND Just two hours' drive from Melbourne's, there's much more to this place than the penguin parade (as marvellous as that is). Make your own sweet treat at the Philip Island Chocolate Factory, try go-cart racing on the famous circuit, or take a boat out to the smelly sea lions. See visitphillipisland.com

NEW CALEDONIA Cheap Bordeaux, Champagne and Roquefort a couple of hours' flight from Australia? Zut alors! The kids can practise their French at Atout Bout'Chou, or splash in the shallows of a World Heritage-listed lagoon at the new Sheraton Resort & Spa. See sheratonnewcaledoniadeva.com

KANGAROO ISLAND Get back to nature with the three-day Lighthouse Adventure Self-Drive. The kids will think it's pretty cool staying in the Keeper's Cottage. See sealink.com.au

RAINBOW BEACH Try glamping to see the coloured sands. One of the most scenic spots on the Sunshine Coast has come of age as a family and foodie destination. See visitsunshinecoast.com

THE BEST TIME TO BOOK FOR SKI, SHORE AND SNOW

Snow

Earlybird deals will save you between five and 10 per cent. According to the good folks at Helloworld (helloworld.com.au) domestic trips should be booked from January to May; New Zealand in March; and northern hemisphere from May.

Shore

Book around three months ahead for beach holidays. Last-minute winter deals are out around May, but you can get good deals for Far North Queensland now. Look out for sales in the Pacific Islands in January, for travel dates in the low season.

The top tip for international cruising is to book 12 months out, for next year at this year's prices. Closer to home, book in January for a family cruise in March or April. For European river cruising, book early in the year, before the following year's program is released in April or May. Canadian and US cruising is best booked in March, as new programs are released in June.

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