Why Plantation Island Is the Ultimate Family Holiday

After kids, many things change, and some things cease to exist altogether, like going to the toilet on your own. But one thing needn't come to an end, and that's overseas holidays.

The 'Too Hard' Basket

For eight years, my husband and I put overseas travel in the 'too hard' basket, opting instead for easy road trips up and down the east coast of Australia. We're lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world with plenty of coastal holiday destinations merely a few hours' drive from home.

But while the humble Australian beach getaway carries its own charm, it doesn't quite evoke the excitement of a tropical overseas escape. There's something overwhelmingly happy about calming island music, pina coladas and the slower pace of life that comes with a visit to our South Pacific neighbours.

We were finally forced out of our holiday-less rut when summoned to my sister's Fijian wedding, and boy were we pleasantly surprised to enjoy Plantation Island as much as we did - even with three kids in tow.

The travel part of our trip was made easy by booking through TravelOnline who bundled our flights, accommodation, transfers and baggage into one package. Being able to secure the holiday with a small deposit months in advance made it much more achievable for our family.

The next ten days were nothing short of bliss.

Bula! Welcome to Plantation Island

After a manageable 3.5-hour flight we arrived on Plantation Island, met with the soothing sounds of ukulele's and the cheerful greetings of "bula!". The next ten days were nothing short of bliss.

The resort is expansive and boasts four pools, catering to different desires. There's the kids pool with two water slides - one for the big kids and a smaller slide for toddlers. Then there's the Oasis pool, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the picturesque hillsides of Plantation's nearest neighbour, Malolo Island.

In the centre of the resort, the Ocean pool features a shallow section for the kiddies and a beach shack bar serving up delicious cocktails and good vibes, and the Tavola pool, conveniently located at the Tavola restaurant, is a favourite for the panoramic views and comfortable cabanas, where you can grab a bite to eat and order a cocktail straight to your lounge.

The biggest crowd-pleaser (for kids and adults) are the inflatable obstacle courses, set afloat in the calm, perfectly protected cove of the resort's main beach. Kids (and kids at heart) oscillate between these and the free-to-use water equipment including snorkelling, hobie cat sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

The adventure doesn't stop there. As part of the resort's conservation efforts, in partnership with Corals For Conservation, the resort has created an underwater museum - featuring bicycles, dining tables, a golf buggy, and a wedding arch, among other submerged structures to encourage coral growth. This is part of the Bula Reef - the world's largest underwater coral word display, and makes for incredible snorkelling. The reef is located 100 metres off the beach, in front of the beachfront bures, making it a convenient and family friendly activity to add to your itinerary.

This island gem has somehow nailed the universal family holiday brief: relaxing but not boring.

For the avid surfer, Plantation Island is the ideal base to explore multiple world-class surf breaks. Just a 15-minute boat ride will get you to spots like Swimming Pools, Namotu Breaks, Restaurants at Tavarua, Wilks Passage, and of course the notorious Cloud Break. Head to the resort's booking office to arrange a surf tour, and prepare to be mind-blown by the clearest, bluest water you've ever surfed in.

And for those who want to take cocktail hour to another level, a trip to Cloud Nine is a must. This floating bar in the middle of the South Pacific boasts the most incredible views, snorkelling and of course, cocktails. Think comfortable day beds with 360 degree ocean views, and spectacular marine life visible even from the top floor of the bar. Day trips can be arranged at the booking office.

Parents Get a Holiday Too

When it's time for some 'me' or 'us time', the Coconut Kids Club is your saving grace. Free daily activities mean your little ones are always entertained, giving you the chance to enjoy a massage or even just some solo beach time. Kids aged under 4 need to be accompanied by an adult, but not necessarily by you - a nanny can be booked for just $15 FJD an hour - roughly $10 AUD.

No holiday is complete without delicious food, and one of our favourite parts of our holiday was the dining options. The buffet is open every night and is as simple as showing up - no booking required. There's a different theme daily, from Fijian night to Mediterranean night and Mexican night - you're taken on a culinary journey from Monday to Sunday. This was perfect for our adventurous family, as we tend to make dinner decisions on the fly, leaving the day and afternoon open for whatever escapade might arise. For those preferring an à la carte option, Tavola has a laid-back menu with plenty of variety, offering pizzas, burgers, curries, steak and seafood from the grill.

For a finer dining experience, book a table at Black Coral, and don't go past the eye-fillet steak, cooked on a hot volcanic stone to melt in your mouth perfection. If steak isn't your kryptonite, they also serve delightful chicken and seafood dishes. Bookings are required for Tavola and Black Coral, so be sure to head to the booking office in advance.

Experiencing Fiji

For those seeking a cultural experience beyond the activities offered on the island (think cooking lessons, torch lighting, cultural dancing), a visit to Shell Village is a must-do. Our hearts were opened on this cultural tour where we visited the neighbouring Malolo Island, experienced a Kava ceremony, visited their school (where the children were the happiest and most welcoming people we've ever met), and bought souvenirs in their market.

Your tourism to Shell Village funds important projects for the village, including infrastructure and educational projects, so please bring small denominations of cash for shopping and donations.

Island time suited us just fine.

The Little Things That Made the Difference

Some things that elevated our holiday to be the ultimate island experience was upgrading to a beachfront room and hiring bikes for the week. We woke up to uninterrupted ocean views - the perfect start to the day - and explored the island with ease, without carrying a single whining child.

The kids were stoked to ride their bikes everywhere; in a world that's usually too fast-paced for biking, it felt like a novelty they couldn't get enough of.

Plantation Island is still being spoken about months later, with our kids begging to go back.

It carries a special place in our hearts after a perfect ten-day trip, and we plan to head back as soon as possible. If you're after a destination the entire family will love, with the perfect balance between relaxing and fun, this is the place.

For more details and to book your ultimate family escape, head to TravelOnline, who frequently offer excellent value package deals to Plantation Island and other family-friendly destinations. Even while we were away, we felt well supported by their responsive and knowledgeable team.

Bula Plantation Island Fiji and the TravelOnline team.