Planning a successful group getaway involves taking the expectations of different travellers and, in some cases, different generations into account and combining them to create a trip that is enjoyable for everyone. Here is a quartet of great group getaway ideas in Australia and beyond. 

Sunshine Coast girls’ getaway

Whether you are planning a hen’s weekend or a fun getaway with the girls, it’s hard to beat the Sunshine Coast. Noosa has pristine beaches, great dining and cute boutiques which hold the promise of the perfect holiday memento. Browse the nearby Eumundi markets, enjoy a champagne picnic from Getaway Pantry, join a cooking class at Spicers Tamarind or create your own Garden Goddess at Fried Mudd pottery studio. Healthy holiday lovers can dine on vegan goodies at Belmondos, swim at secluded beaches and walk the famous Noosa National Park Coastal Track followed by an evening cocktail (they’ve got fruit juice in them so they must be healthy, right?).

Get married in Bali

If your love of luxury is larger than your wedding budget, Bali is the ideal destination. “Guests can travel there from all capital cities in Australia and save money by booking with a budget airline. Once you have arrived in Bali, the Australian Dollar has a great exchange rate so your money goes further,” explains Leisa Brenchley from The Bali Bride. Opt for a resort with multiple room categories such as Wyndham Tamansari Jivva Resort Bali which has affordable garden view rooms starting from $65 per night right up to romantic 120 sqm private pool villas. The surrounding rice paddies and black sands of Pantai Lepang Beach make for divine wedding photos. Ubud is less than 30 minutes away by car.

Go on a group cruise

Cruising holidays are ideal for multigenerational families because there are activities and accommodation options to suit all ages. Families can also save a bundle thanks to cruise lines’ generous group booking deals. Ring around and see which lines has the best group travel offers. Groups are eligible for a cruise fare credit for every eight staterooms. Royal Caribbean also has a points scheme in place, meaning each guest in a group is allocated points which can be redeemed for perks onboard, such as a bottles of champagne or a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. Fill your sea days with everything from bumper car rides to ice skating, waterslides, indoor skydiving, and cooking shows and your nights with fine dining, live music and Broadway-style productions.

Celebrate a ‘big zero’ birthday in Queenstown

Queenstown in New Zealand is one of the few places in the world where heart-pumping adrenaline activities go hand-in-hand with the finer things in life. With so many different activities to choose from, you and your friends can explore together or independently. Tour the nearby Central Otago wineries, cruise around Lake Wakatipu, or enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak followed by a tandem paragliding trip back into town. Visit in winter and your entertainment options expand even further with five different ski fields within 90 minutes of Queenstown.

Disclosure: The writer loves going on holiday with family and friends. Her favourite trip to date has been a ‘big birthday’ spent with friends in a beach house on the Sunshine Coast. 

Heading to the Sunshine Coast? We’ve got lots of helpful information to help make this your best trip yet including accommodation reviews for Eumarella Shores Noosa Lake Retreat Review, Oceans Mooloolaba, Rumba Beach Resort, Seahaven Noosa, King Parrot Retreat, On the Beach Noosa, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort and Peppers Resort & Villas Review. We’ve also reviewed Australia Zoo Review, Kanu Kapers Everglades Tours, SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, Sails Restaurant Noosa, Noosa helicopter tours, Noosa Oceanrider, Noosa Dreamboats, and Betty’s Burgers Noosa. Don’t miss our tips for Things to do on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Things to Do for Active Travellers, The Best Restaurants at Mooloolaba, The Ultimate Guide to Noosa, Things to do at Mooloolaba, Healthy Noosa Holidays, Where to Find the Best Views on Hastings Street, and How to Plan Your Noosa Honeymoon.