Before You Leave Home
A little preparation before any trip makes a huge difference. Whether you're driving to the Gold Coast or flying to Melbourne, these steps mean you're never caught without safe food options.
- Pack a "GF snack bag" for the journey — rice crackers, fruit, GF muesli bars, popcorn, cheese portions
- Research GF-friendly supermarkets and cafes at your destination using the Find Me Gluten Free app
- Book accommodation with a kitchenette where possible — self-catering gives you full control
- Pack your daughter's own toaster (travel-size) if staying in a holiday house or Airbnb
- Bring her colour-coded utensils, a small cutting board and her condiment jars
- Download the Yuka app and the Coeliac Australia product guide for on-the-go label checking
- Print several copies of the restaurant dining card to use at cafes and restaurants
- Identify the nearest Woolworths or Coles to your accommodation for grocery top-ups
When booking an Airbnb or holiday house, message the host in advance: "Our daughter has coeliac disease — do you have a toaster we can dedicate to gluten-free bread, and are there any shared cooking utensils we should know about?" Most hosts are incredibly helpful and will set aside safe equipment for you.
Flying with a Coeliac Child
- Request a "Gluten Free Meal" (GFML) when booking — at least 24–48 hours before departure
- Available on domestic flights over 90 minutes and all international flights
- Call 13 13 13 or manage in the Qantas app under "Special Meals"
- Always bring backup snacks — airline meals can be limited for kids
- Request a gluten-free meal when booking via "Special Meal Requests"
- Available on selected routes — check when booking
- Call 13 67 89 to request at least 24 hours before departure
- Bring your own snacks as backup — especially for short domestic flights
Airports can be tricky but most Australian airports now have decent GF options. Look for: sushi bars (plain rice + salmon/tuna, use GF tamari) · salad bars (watch dressings) · fruit cups · plain yoghurt · Boost Juice (most smoothies GF, check the menu) · Hungry Jack's (grilled chicken, no bun — not ideal but emergency option). Always bring enough snacks from home to cover the full journey.
Road Trips — The Aussie Family Holiday
Road trips are actually one of the easier travel options for coeliac families — you control the food, you can stop at supermarkets, and you can pack a proper cooler. Here's how to make it seamless.
- Cooler bag with cheese, yoghurt, fruit, dips
- GF crackers and rice cakes
- GF muesli bars (Carman's GF range)
- Plain popcorn bags
- Her own water bottle and snack containers
- GF bread and fillings for roadside picnic lunches
- Wet wipes for cleaning surfaces before she eats
- Plain chips (Smith's Original, Thins — check label)
- Fruit (banana, apple)
- Plain corn chips
- Sanitarium Up & Go (check GF label)
- Babybel cheese portions
- Plain nuts (if school not an issue)
- Scan anything unfamiliar with Yuka before buying
GF Travel by Australian State
Every Australian state has great GF options — here's a quick overview of what to know before you visit.
Gold Coast and Noosa have excellent GF cafe scenes. Most coastal tourist towns have GF options. Byron Bay area (just over the border) is very GF-friendly.
Sydney has a fantastic GF dining scene, particularly in the inner suburbs. Hunter Valley wineries often have GF menus. Regional NSW varies — pack extra snacks.
Melbourne is one of Australia's most GF-friendly cities with dedicated GF cafes and bakeries across the city. Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula also good.
Adelaide has a strong health food culture with good GF options. Barossa Valley wineries often accommodate GF diets well for lunches and tastings.
Perth has a growing GF scene. Margaret River wine region is very GF-friendly. Regional WA can be sparse — pack well before heading outback or coastal.
Canberra has good GF options near the CBD. Tasmania's farm-to-table culture means many restaurants accommodate GF well — Hobart especially.
Find Me Gluten Free — search verified GF restaurants and cafes anywhere in Australia · Yuka — scan any product at unfamiliar supermarkets · Woolworths & Coles apps — order online with GF filter for delivery to your accommodation · Coeliac Australia product guide — searchable database of certified GF products
The golden rule of travelling with a coeliac child: Always have more safe food than you think you'll need. You can always eat the extras at home — but being caught without safe options in an unfamiliar place with a hungry 4-year-old is a situation worth avoiding! 🌿
Planning a family holiday?
Our Newly Diagnosed Coeliac Starter Kit includes a full restaurant dining card, cross-contamination guide, and everything you need to feel confident managing coeliac disease wherever life takes you.