Whether you want to blame it on the cost-of-living crisis – or credit it with bringing families closer! – the way Australians travel is changing.
Instead of young adults heading overseas solo or retirees setting off on empty-nester adventures, more families are choosing to bring everyone along. Grandparents. Adult siblings. Cousins. Even the in-laws.
Multigenerational travel has become one of the fastest-growing trends in tourism, as families increasingly prioritise shared experiences over shared possessions. Whether it’s celebrating a milestone birthday, marking an anniversary or simply finding time together in increasingly busy lives, holidays are becoming the new family reunion.
However, finding a destination that works for everyone is another challenge entirely.
The ideal escape should offer enough adventure for edgy adolescents who would prefer to document it all on Tik Tok, enough opportunities for parents to relax, and enough flexibility that nobody feels locked into the same schedule from breakfast until bedtime.
It’s why the traditional family holiday is evolving. Larger villas are replacing standard hotel rooms. Experiences are being designed to bring generations together rather than separate travellers by age. And destinations are recognising that travelling as a group doesn’t necessarily mean everyone wants to do the same thing every minute of the day.
How to Find a Place Perfectly Positioned For The Multigenerational Travel Boom
For Australian families looking for a balance between accessibility and variety, destinations across the Pacific have found themselves well positioned for this shift – adapting to the growing demand for multigenerational travel.
The appeal is less about ticking off a long list of attractions and more about the ease of creating a holiday that works across different ages. Shorter flight times, a relaxed pace and a strong focus on hospitality have helped the region become a familiar choice for families travelling together.
Rather than following a tightly packed itinerary, many families are embracing a slower rhythm – where grandparents might introduce younger travellers to snorkelling, parents find time for a spa treatment, teenagers head out on the water, and everyone reconnects over a shared meal.
It’s this flexibility that has made multigenerational travel such a lasting trend.
Accommodation Has Changed With The Way Families Travel
As multigenerational travel has grown, the way families stay has started to evolve too.
Today’s travellers are looking for accommodation that brings people together without removing independence. Larger villas, private residences and flexible spaces allow grandparents, parents and children to share the same holiday experience while still enjoying their own downtime.
For Australian families looking for a balance between accessibility and variety, destinations across the Pacific have found themselves well positioned for this shift – with Fiji among the places most quickly adapting to the growing demand for multigenerational travel.
At VOMO Island Fiji (main feature image), multi-bedroom residences and private pools provide a more home-style setting for extended families, while younger guests can enjoy activities and experiences designed to keep them entertained.
As part of its all-ages initatives, the resort is also leading marine conservation with its Counting Coral program recently achieving a 95 per cent coral survival rate after its first year.
Along the Coral Coast, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort combines family-friendly facilities with cultural experiences such as Fijian storytelling and coral planting, giving families the chance to relax while also connecting with the destination.
For those looking for a slower-paced island escape, Paradise Cove Resort offers the kind of relaxed experiences that naturally bring people together, from snorkelling and kayaking to beachfront dining. Meanwhile, Six Senses Fiji (below) blends wellness-focused experiences with family-friendly activities and spacious accommodation options.
Creating Memories Beyond The Resort
While accommodation sets the scene, the experiences families share are often what make multigenerational trips memorable.
The appeal of these holidays isn’t necessarily that every generation does the same thing – it’s that there are enough options for everyone to find something they enjoy before coming together again.
For some families, that might mean learning about local culture, trying a new activity together or introducing younger travellers to experiences they may not have at home.
For example, at Nanuku Resort Fiji, families can combine cultural experiences with adventures around Pacific Harbour, while InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa (below) offers a mix of beachfront relaxation and activities ranging from golf and horse riding to touch rugby and volleyball.
The resort has also expanded its sustainability-focused experiences through initiatives such as its Natadola Bay Honey Project, where guests can learn about local beekeeping and the important role pollinators play in Fiji’s ecosystems.
At Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, children’s activities introduce younger travellers to local traditions and marine life, helping create holiday memories that extend beyond the usual beach escape.
For families looking to explore beyond the traditional island escape, Fiji is also expanding the range of experiences available. Ocean Swim Fiji invites travellers to experience the country’s crystal-clear waters through professionally organised open-water swimming events, combining adventure, fitness and a tropical island getaway.
Meanwhile, upcoming highland experiences will showcase another side of Fiji, with opportunities for families to explore lush landscapes, cultural encounters and outdoor adventures.
For many families, those moments of connection also happen around the table. Food has become one of the easiest ways for different generations to experience a destination together – whether that means learning traditional cooking techniques, exploring local markets or sharing a meal that becomes one of the highlights of the holiday.
Fiji is increasingly embracing this style of immersive travel, with altenrative experieinces to the traditional resort dining experience. In November 2026, Sydney-based Fijian-Australian chef Arrnott Olssen will bring his acclaimed Kana Club concept to Fiji with an exclusive hosted culinary journey.
The small-group experience will take invite guests to explore local markets, village communities and traditional kitchens before culminating in a special Kana Club dinner in Fiji. For multigenerational families, experiences like these offer something increasingly valuable – a chance to create shared memories while connecting with the culture and people of the destination.
The Rise Of The “Together, But Not Attached” Holiday
Perhaps the biggest shift in multigenerational travel is that families no longer want to spend every moment together – they simply want more opportunities to be together.
The modern family holiday is less about following one rigid itinerary and more about creating a flexible framework where different generations can enjoy the experience in their own way.
Grandparents might prefer slow mornings and cultural experiences. Teenagers might seek adventure and independence. Parents might appreciate a few uninterrupted hours to relax. The best multigenerational holidays allow all of these experiences to exist side by side.
It’s a move away from the idea that a successful family holiday means everyone doing the same thing at the same time.
Instead, it’s about creating enough shared moments – whether that’s a long lunch, a sunset swim or a conversation that might not happen during everyday life – to bring everyone closer.
Fiji’s popularity among Australian travellers continues to grow, with the destination recently recognised as the #1 Best Island in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific and #7 Best Island in the World in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026.
The recognition reflects the elements that continue to make Fiji appealing for families travelling together – from its natural beauty and authentic cultural experiences to its reputation for warm hospitality.
Beyond its beaches, Fiji is also expanding the way visitors experience the destination, with growing investment in luxury yachting, sustainable tourism, culinary experiences and conservation-led tourism initiatives – all designed to give travellers more choice in how they experience the destination together.
However, of course, Fiji is just one example of how destinations are responding to this shift. Around the world, hotels, resorts and tourism operators are rethinking what family travel looks like, creating experiences that cater to different ages, interests and travel styles.
Because ultimately, the biggest change in family travel isn’t where people are going. It’s who they’re choosing to take with them.
