Why Families Love Holyday House
Finding a holiday house that genuinely works for families — not just tolerates children — can be a challenge on the Surf Coast. Plenty of beach houses look great in photos but reveal themselves on day two: a glass coffee table on a slate floor, designer rugs that absorb every sandy footprint, an open staircase, no fenced yard. Holyday House was set up by a family-of-four host, with that exact list of grievances in mind.
With four bedrooms sleeping up to 8, two separate living areas (so the adults can keep their wine glass intact while the kids run riot), a fully fenced backyard, and a single-level layout — this is the kind of place where kids settle in within ten minutes and don't want to leave.
It also helps that the beach is a five-minute walk and the playground is closer still. No buckling toddlers into car seats just to chase the morning swim. Just sunscreen, hats, and out the door.
Sleeping Arrangements
Four bedrooms give you flexibility to arrange the family however works best — couples and kids, two families sharing, three-generation stays. The configuration:
Master Bedroom 1
1 queen bed, ensuite
Master Bedroom 2
1 queen bed, 1 floor mattress, 1 cot, ensuite
Bedroom 3
1 queen bed
Bedroom 4
2 single beds, 1 floor mattress
A travel cot and highchair are available on request — just mention it on enquiry. Floor mattresses can be added to the larger bedrooms for extra kids, and bed configurations can be adjusted for groups travelling with multiple kids in one room.
Built for Kids
Fully fenced backyard
Tall timber fencing on all sides. Grass for running, paving for scooters, basketball ring for games of HORSE, and shade in the afternoon. Safe for toddlers — you can sit on the deck with a coffee and not have to chase anyone into traffic.
Dedicated playroom
Books, toys, board games, and floor space for Lego cities. A separate room means kids can spread out without taking over the main living area. Bonus: it's the loudest room, so noise stays out of the parents' wine.
Two living areas
A formal lounge with the wood fire, and a second media room with a 65" smart TV plus PlayStation 3, Netflix, Disney+ and Stan. Kids can have a movie running in one while adults talk in the other.
Hot tub & outdoor shower
The private spa is a kid-magnet — set the temp lower for younger kids. The outdoor hot shower handles the post-beach sand brief without flooding the bathroom.
Single-level layout
No stairs anywhere on the main level. Easier for toddlers, easier for grandparents, easier for anyone juggling a sleeping baby and a coffee. Multi-generational stays just work.
Quiet, walkable street
Holyhead Drive is a quiet residential street — minimal through-traffic, plenty of footpath for scooter laps, and an easy walk to the beach and playground.
Family Activities in Torquay
Torquay is one of Victoria's best family destinations — a rare combination of patrolled beaches, walkable town centre, family-tolerant restaurants, and enough indoor backup for the inevitable rainy afternoon. Highlights:
Patrolled swimming at Front Beach
Lifeguards in summer, gentle waves, sandy bottom, and a long flat foreshore for kids to roam. Pack a picnic and stay all day.
Beach playground & BBQs
A solid playground sits right next to the beach, with shaded BBQs and picnic tables. Easy lunch logistics for the under-tens crowd.
Australian National Surfing Museum
5-minute drive. Interactive exhibits on surf culture, ocean science, and board design. Kids love the wave simulator. A reliable rainy-day winner — budget about an hour.
Surf lessons (age 7+)
Most local surf schools offer kids' lessons from age 7. Group sessions on Front Beach are well-supervised and a quintessential Torquay experience. See our surfing guide for school recommendations.
Coastal walks for prams
The Surf Coast Walk runs right past Torquay. The Front Beach to Cosy Corner section is paved, mostly flat, and pram-friendly — a manageable 25-minute push with ocean views the whole way.
Wildlife day trips
Wild koalas at Kennett River along the Great Ocean Road (about 1 hour drive). Penguin Parade at Phillip Island (about 2 hours). Both are easy day trips from the house and reliable kid-pleasers.
A Sample Three-Day Itinerary
For first-time visitors with kids — a paced-out plan that avoids the "we drove for three hours and saw the kids melt down" trap:
Day one: settle in
Walk to Front Beach in the morning, lunch at the foreshore (Bottle of Milk burgers are the family default). Afternoon at the house — playroom, backyard, hot tub. Dinner in. Early bed for the under-tens.
Day two: out and about
Surf lesson or beach play in the morning. Surfing Museum or Surf Coast Walk after lunch (depending on weather). Pizza at Blackman's Brewery for dinner — kids welcome until early evening.
Day three: a Great Ocean Road taster
Drive to Kennett River for koalas and rosellas (about an hour). Lunch in Lorne. Back to the house mid-afternoon — that's enough for one day with kids. Hot tub, dinner in, recover.
For longer stays, mix in dog beach walks, the Bellbrae wineries (with kids' menus and play space), and the Saturday Torquay Farmers Market.
Practical Stuff for Families
Groceries
A full Coles supermarket and an IGA are both in central Torquay, about 5 minutes' drive. Smaller convenience stores closer to the house cover milk and bread runs. Stock up on day one and avoid the school-holiday queues.
Baby gear
A travel cot and highchair are available at the house — request these on enquiry. For prams, baby baths, or other gear you'd rather not pack, several baby-equipment hire services deliver to Surf Coast holiday rentals.
Wet weather plan
Rainy days are rare in summer but happen any time of year. The house itself is well-equipped — playroom, books, board games, two screens. Beyond the house: Surf World Museum, factory outlet shopping, and the cinema in Geelong (25 min) are all reliable backups.
School holiday timing
Victorian school holidays bring crowds — January and Easter especially. Book early. For quieter family stays, target the second half of the autumn or spring school holidays, when weather is still good and the crowds have eased.
Family Holiday FAQ
Is Holyday House suitable for toddlers?
Yes — single-level layout, fully fenced yard, and a quiet street. The hot tub is fenced separately so toddlers can't access it without supervision. Bring power-point covers if you have a determined explorer.
Can we accommodate a third generation (grandparents)?
Single-level living, no stairs, comfortable beds, and quiet bedrooms make this an excellent multi-generational stay. The four bedrooms easily handle three couples plus a few kids.
Is there a cot and highchair?
Yes — a travel cot and highchair are available on request. Mention it on enquiry so we can have them set up before you arrive.
How far is the closest playground?
A walking-distance playground sits right by the beach, with shaded picnic tables and BBQs. Multiple other playgrounds within a 5-minute drive across Torquay and Jan Juc.
Are there family-friendly restaurants nearby?
Yes — Bottle of Milk, Blackman's Brewery, the Torquay Hotel and most foreshore cafes welcome kids. See our restaurants guide for kid-friendly picks.
Can we bring the dog too?
Yes — the property is dog-friendly. Most families travelling with dogs love it. See our pet friendly guide for details.
Travelling with pets too? Check out our pet friendly guide. For a complete local guide, see things to do in Torquay.