Looking for a last-minute family getaway in NSW where the kids will genuinely be entertained — and the parents might actually get a chance to relax?

As a mum of three and founder of Tolu Australia, travelling with kids has taught me that the accommodation can make or break a family holiday. A beautiful hotel is lovely, but when you have children, I look for something more: pools, playgrounds, space to explore, easy meals, family-friendly rooms and activities that keep little ones happy.

So, with a little help from some fellow mums and business owners, I’ve put together three of our favourite family-friendly stays in NSW.

My personal favourite is NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina Beach, which I've visited three times already. My other two recommendations come from mums I trust: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, recommended by Tatiana from Sashaboo, and Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, recommended by two of my friends, including Kate Barany from AskAndee.

Here are our top three.

1. NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach

Best for: Beach + pool + playground + relaxed family holidays

This is my personal recommendation and somewhere my family keeps wanting to return to.

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina Beach is such an easy getaway with kids. You can enjoy the beach, pools and playground without having to plan a complicated itinerary — which, as any parent knows, is sometimes exactly what you need.

We've stayed here three times, and I would happily keep going back.

The Glamtainers

The Glamtainers are the accommodation I particularly love. They take the idea of a shipping container and turn it into a stylish, self-contained family stay.

They include a hot shower and toilet, kitchen, beautiful beds, a semi-separated sleeping area, private parking and a BBQ. They're also beautifully positioned close to the beach and river.

For families who want something a little different from a traditional cabin or hotel room, they're definitely worth looking at.

The Villas

We have personally stayed in the two-storey villas, and the kids absolutely loved the bunk beds.

They feel more like little holiday houses, with a kitchen and the amenities you need when travelling as a family, including heating and air conditioning, a BBQ and your own parking.

They're also close to one of the swimming pools, making it easy to go backwards and forwards with the kids without having to carry everything too far.

Cabins near the playground

We've also stayed in one of the cabins directly in front of the playground.

The cabins are smaller and a little older than the villas and Glamtainers, but when you're travelling with young children, location can be everything.

Being right in front of the playground was brilliant.

The kids can enjoy the playground, swimming pool, spa and waterslides, and everything is close by.

A playground kids won't want to leave

One of the biggest attractions for my kids is the playground.

There are two jumping pillows, swings and slides, and because the holiday park is usually full of families, there are plenty of opportunities for children to meet other kids and make holiday friends.

Those jumping pillows can keep them entertained for what feels like the entire day!

And this is exactly where I always appreciate having our Tolu Australia kids' water bottles nearby. With all that running, climbing and jumping, having cold water easily accessible is essential.

Add a Tolu cap for sun protection and they're ready for another round.

Beach or pool? You can have both

One of the reasons I love Umina Beach for a family getaway is that you don't really have to choose between a beach holiday and a pool holiday.

You can have both.

Umina Beach is beautiful for long walks in the morning or afternoon, while the resort gives the kids the excitement of pools and waterslides.

This is where our Tolu products really come into their own. We pack the kids' boardshorts for swimming, kids' hooded poncho towels for getting warm and dry after the beach or pool, Turkish beach towels, caps and reusable water bottles.

A hooded poncho is particularly handy with children because they can throw it straight over their swimmers rather than trying to keep a towel wrapped around themselves while running back from the beach.

And don't forget a fun Sashaboo T-Shirts for after swimming and exploring.

The holiday park also has designated caravan and camping sites, as well as selected pet-friendly cabins, making it a great option for families who like travelling with their pets.

Getting to Umina Beach without a car

Another reason I recommend Umina Beach is that I've done the trip both by car and public transport.

If you don't want to drive, you can take the train to Woy Woy and then continue by bus to Umina Beach.

That can make it a surprisingly accessible NSW family getaway.

Where to eat around Umina Beach

For longer stays, I recommend doing a grocery shop at Coles or Woolworths in Umina Beach so you can make easy breakfasts, snacks and meals at your accommodation.

For eating out, we enjoy Don Pedros for Mexican food.

You can also head over to Ettalong for pizza around the Ettalong Galleria area, or keep things casual with a family dinner at the local RSL.

My tip: If you're planning ahead rather than booking last minute, book early. I also recommend looking into NRMA Parks membership if you think you'll return. We've already been three times, and my kids have so much fun that I know we'll be back again.

2. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Best for: A family resort where the kids have plenty to do

This recommendation comes from Tatiana from Sashaboo T-Shirts, who keeps telling me I need to visit — and after hearing her talk about it, I admit it's firmly on my list.

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley sounds like one of those rare places where there is enough happening to keep the children busy while the adults can still feel like they're having a holiday.

Some of the family highlights include:

• A kids' pool with waterslides and interactive water play
• A little train ride around the resort
• Kangaroos around the grounds
• A dedicated kids' playroom
• Spacious grounds to explore
• A relaxed, family-friendly pub atmosphere
• Comfortable rooms
• Plenty for the whole family to do

And according to Tatiana, don't skip breakfast.

She rates it as one of the best hotel breakfasts her family has had, with plenty of choices for both adults and children.

That's always a huge plus when travelling with kids. A good buffet breakfast means everyone can find something they like — and parents can hopefully finish a coffee before the next activity begins!

For a Hunter Valley family weekend, I'd pack Tolu boardshorts for the pool, caps for exploring outdoors and reusable kids' water bottles for keeping everyone hydrated throughout the day.

Then add one of Tatiana's colourful Sashaboo T-shirts for an easy outfit after swimming.

This one is definitely on my family travel wish list.

3. Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains

Best for: An all-weather family escape

My third recommendation comes from two friends, including Kate Barany from AskAndee, who recommends the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.

The property itself is an older hotel, but what stands out is the family experience and range of activities available for children.

And that makes it particularly appealing when you're travelling somewhere like the Blue Mountains, where the weather doesn't always cooperate with your plans.

There's so much for kids to do, including activities such as ice skating, a resort kids' train, indoor movie theatre, soft play, pools, playgrounds and arcade games.

In other words, if the weather changes, your holiday doesn't have to stop.

You could realistically spend plenty of time enjoying the resort itself.

Of course, one of the joys of staying in the Blue Mountains is exploring what's outside too.

There are bushwalks, lookouts, beautiful natural areas and the villages of Leura and Katoomba to discover.

For walks and exploring, pack a Tolu reusable water bottle and cap, and keep their boardshorts ready for the resort pool.

One comment from my friends is that although the food is enjoyable, they would love to see some healthier options on the children's menu.

For another dining option nearby, Embers Grill is worth looking into.

What to Pack for a Family Getaway in NSW

After travelling with kids many times, I've learned that packing items that can go from playground → pool → beach → lunch makes family holidays much easier.

My family getaway essentials include Tolu Australia dad and son matching boardshorts, hooded poncho towels, Turkish beach towels, reusable kids' water bottles and caps, plus comfortable T-shirts such as the fun designs from Sashaboo.

For Umina Beach in particular, the kids' poncho towels are one of my favourites. They're so convenient after a swim at the beach or pool — and the water bottles definitely earn their place after the kids have spent half the day bouncing on those jumping pillows!

My Top 3 Family-Friendly Stays in NSW

If you're searching for family-friendly accommodation in NSW, these three stays offer very different experiences.

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach is my choice when we want an easy beach holiday with pools, waterslides and a fantastic playground.

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is on my list for a resort-style family escape where there are plenty of activities for the children and opportunities for parents to relax too.

And Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is a great suggestion for an all-weather getaway, particularly when you want plenty of indoor and outdoor activities without having to leave the resort every day.

Most importantly, choose somewhere that works for your family.

Sometimes the best family holiday isn't about travelling far or creating a packed itinerary. It's finding somewhere where the kids can swim, play, explore and make new friends — while Mum and Dad get to enjoy the holiday too.

And if you're looking at a last-minute NSW family getaway, it's always worth checking directly with the accommodation for cancellations or last-minute availability.

Happy travels!

Liliana Rubiano
Founder, Tolu Australia