Spring school holidays in Sydney

Beaches and water sports 

Take the family to some of Sydney’s beautiful beaches. You can learn to surf at the ocean beaches of Bondi, Maroubra and Freshwater or body surf in the waves. Inside the harbour, the calm bays at Watsons Bay and Balmoral are perfect for water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are some great snorkelling spots too, including the marine reserves at Cabbage Tree Bay and Gordons Bay where you can spot an array of marine life. Get away from the crowds at one of the city’s secret beaches. 

Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach - Credit: Lets Go Surfing

Walking and cycling trails

Or explore the city on foot with a coastal walk, bushwalk or even a dog-friendly walk that the fur kids can enjoy. If you prefer two wheels, tackle the city’s best cycling routes or mountain bike trails. Then stop for a picnic in one of Sydney’s beautiful green spaces. 

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Parks: playgrounds, horse riding, and nature

In the eastern suburbs, at Centennial Park, kids can run, jump and climb through a dramatic landscape of creek beds, banksia tunnels, bamboo forests and a water play area at the Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, saddle up for horse riding with Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre or hire a bike from Centennial Park Cycles to explore on two wheels.

The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park

Adrenalin activities: treetop adventures to go-karting

Luna Park is open every day during the school holidays. Scream your lungs out on the Hair Raiser, enjoy the old-fashioned amusements at Coney Island or ride the ferris wheel high above the harbour. Tackle the elevated obstacle courses and rollercoaster zip lines at TreeTop Adventure Park. 

In Penrith, go skydiving without having to get in a plane at iFLY Downunder, fly through the air with a water jet-powered backpack with Jetpack Adventures, hug the corners on a high-speed go-kart track at Luddenham Raceway and much more. At Sydney Olympic Park the kids can try archery, bike around Bicentennial Park or check into the dive clinic at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. 

Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point

Aquariums, wildlife parks and zoos

Taronga Zoo is always a school holiday favourite. Meet lions, giraffes, zebras and meerkats in the African Savannah exhibit, take an immersive Tiger Trek through the Indonesian jungle, and watch the seals show off their aquatic skills at the daily presentations. In Darling Harbour, explore the Great Barrier Reef by night at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or spot the koalas in Gum Tree Valley (and many more critters) at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. In Western Sydney, Sydney Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals from around the world in sprawling, innovative exhibits. 

If native animals are your thing, Featherdale Wildlife Park has more than 1,700 of them from kangaroos and koalas to little penguins, wombats and even a 4.5-metre-long saltwater crocodile. Just south of Sydney is Symbio Wildlife Park where you can feed kangaroos and wallabies, get up close to cheetahs and watch the monkeys play. 

Taronga Zoo, Mosman

Museums & galleries

Looking for something to do on a cloudy or rainy day? Make learning fun during the school holidays at some of Sydney’s excellent museums and galleries. The whole family will love exploring the Australian National Maritime Museum and the immersive experiences at Hyde Park Barracks. The Australian Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art have exciting children's activities and exhibitions on show over the school holidays. Check out what's on including art exhibitions and museum activities.

Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour