18 Sep School Holiday Survival Guide: NSW
Summer has arrived in New South Wales, bringing hot sunny days, coastal walks, and plenty of kid-approved fun.
From exploring Sydney’s world-famous attractions to hidden gems across regional towns, there’s something for every family. Whether you’re after fresh air adventures, indoor escapes, or just a new twist on holiday fun, here are some great ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays.
New & Local Activities & Events to Check Out
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School holiday camps & workshops – Things like coding camps (Minecraft, Roblox, AI labs), creative arts, robotics are on in many suburbs. Good for keeping kids busy & learning. (School Holidays)
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Sydney Olympic Park – Lots of options: walking/biking paths, picnics, playgrounds, plus paid indoor/outdoor activity options (archery, aquatic centres) in case of mixed weather.
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Free / low-cost offerings by councils, museums, galleries – Many are running holiday workshops, story-time, art classes, kids’ trails or outdoor theatre. Keep an eye on local council event calendars. (NSW Government)
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Botanic gardens & nature walks – Spring blooms, warmer weather, ideal for visiting places like Royal Botanic Garden, Auburn Botanic Gardens etc. Good for a cheap day out outdoors. (Sydney)
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Beach / swimming / water play – As the weather warms, beach days at Bondi, Manly, Coogee, etc., or water-play parks, or swimming lessons are good options. (Check local pools or water parks for holiday programs).
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Public playgrounds + compare with some new ones – Try new playgrounds you haven’t been to; look out for ones with water jets, shade, and good amenities. E.g. Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour is fun with water jets and water play.
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Flower- or nature-trail road trips – For example, drives through regions where canola or wildflowers are blooming. Great chance for a weekend getaway.
Outdoor & Water Adventures
⭐ Jamberoo Action Park
What it is: A huge water and ride park with wave pools, lazy rivers, water slides, and thrill rides.
Best for: Ages 5+, Tweens, Teens, whole families.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair access around most areas, accessible bathrooms.
- Some rides have height or mobility restrictions.
- Can be sensory overwhelming (crowds + noise).
- Link Jamberoo Action Park
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⭐ Cables Aqua Park (Penrith)
What it is: A giant inflatable aqua park plus cable-skiing for more confident kids.
Best for: Ages 6+ for aqua park; 10+ for cable skiing.
Accessibility:
- Not suitable for children with limited mobility due to water entry/exit.
- Good option for sensory-seeking kids who enjoy physical activity.
- Link:Cables Aqua Park (Penrith)
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⭐ Aquatopia at Prairiewood
What it is: A council-run water park with mega slides, splash zones, and a wave pool.
Best for: Ages 3+ (younger kids enjoy splash zones; older children love slides).
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair-friendly pathways.
- Some low-sensory splash areas are calmer earlier in the day.
- Link: Aquatopia
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⭐ Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
What it is: Treetop walkways + zipline courses in the rainforest.
Best for: Ages 4+ for walk; 8+ for zipline.
Accessibility:
- Treetop walk is wheelchair accessible.
- Zipline not accessible to mobility-restricted participants.
- Sensory-friendly option: quieter early mornings.
- Link: Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
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⭐ Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise — Imagine Cruises (also boat hire)
What it is: A relaxing boat trip to see wild dolphins, with boom net swimming in suitable conditions.
Best for: All ages (toddlers to teens).
Accessibility:
- Varies by vessel; some have ramps, others steps only — families should call ahead.
- Sensory note: engine noise + wind can be overwhelming; but open space helps.
- Boat Hire: General link– Narrabeen / The Basin / Port Stephens
- Cruise: Port Stephens hire
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⭐ Figure 8 Pools (Royal National Park)
What it is: A natural rock formation with perfect circular pools — Instagram famous.
Best for: Ages 10+ (requires serious bushwalking & safety awareness).
Accessibility:
- NOT accessible for prams, wheelchairs, or young children.
- Must check tide and surf risk; NSW Parks strongly warns against unsafe visits.
Figure 8 Pools (Royal National Park) – HEED SAFETY WARNINGS
Safety updates. Link info here
Nature & Free Play
⭐ Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
What it is: A stunning cliffside walk with swim stops.
Best for: Whole family; older kids enjoy full walk; younger children can do shorter segments.
Accessibility:
- Some steep paths and stairs; not fully wheelchair accessible.
- Sensory-friendly: fresh air, ocean sounds, large open spaces
- Link info: here
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⭐ Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
What it is: Expansive gardens with picnics, interactive kids programs, and harbour views.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Excellent wheelchair access throughout.
- Quiet lawn areas good for neurodiverse children needing downtime.
- Link: Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
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⭐ Snorkelling at Clovelly Beach
What it is: A calm inlet perfect for beginner snorkellers.
Best for: Ages 6+ with supervision.
Accessibility:
- Concrete ramps give easier access than most rocky beaches.
- Water movement usually minimal — good for anxious swimmers.
- Snorkelling – Clovelly Beach
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⭐ Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay)
What it is: White-sand beaches, bushwalks, botanic gardens. Booderee is Aboriginal land. Parks Australia works hand in hand with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community to manage Booderee, using a mix of traditional knowledge and modern science.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Car-accessible beaches. Camp grounds.
- Visitor centre and some garden areas wheelchair accessible.
- Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay)
Rainy Day And Heatwave Activities
⭐ Powerhouse Museum (4 locations across Sydney)
What it is: Hands-on science, transport, fashion, tech, and design displays.
Best for: Ages 3+ to teens.
Accessibility:
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Quiet spaces and sensory-friendly events occasionally available.
- Link: Powerhouse Museum
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⭐ Art Gallery of NSW
What it is: Spark creativity and curiosity with hands-on activities, workshops and events during school holidays.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Entry is free, and kids under 12 enjoy free access to ticketed exhibitions, with family discounts available.
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Link: Art Gallery of NSW
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⭐ Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq (Alexandria)
What it is: Arcade games, bowling, dodgems, neon circus-themed fun.
Best for: Ages 5+ (teens love it).
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair-accessible bowling lanes.
- Sensory note: loud + bright; not suitable for sensory-sensitive children unless during quieter weekday mornings.
- Link: Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq (Alexandria)
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⭐ Climb Fit (Macquarie Park, St Leonards, Kirrawee)
⭐ 9 Degrees Indoor Climbing (Waterloo, Alexandria, Lane Cove, Parramatta, Chatswood)
Best for: Ages 5+ (Climb Fit has kids’ auto-belays).
Accessibility:
- Most indoor climbing gyms are not ideal for mobility challenges.
- Excellent for neurodiverse children who are sensory seekers (physical pressure & climbing can be regulating).
- Link: Climb Fit
Link: 9 Degrees Climbing
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⭐ SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
What it is: Underwater tunnels, penguins, sharks, touch pools.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Low lighting may help some sensory-sensitive kids; crowds may overwhelm others — early morning ideal.
- Link: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Unique Summer Experiences
⭐ Blue Mountains Canyoning (Guided)
What it is: Waterfalls, rock scrambling, water jumps, canyon swims (guided only).
Best for: Teens 12+.
Accessibility:
- Not suitable for mobility-restricted children.
- Sensory note: very intense; excellent for thrill-seekers.
- Blue Mountains Canyoning Link for various guided experiences
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⭐ Moonlight Cinema Sydney
What it is: Outdoor films at Centennial Park — picnic blankets, beanbags, warm evenings.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Flat grass areas; wheelchair accessible.
- Relaxed environment suits anxious or autistic kids who need movement or breaks.
- Link: Moonlight Cinema (Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park)
Notes & Things to Check
- Opening Seasons / Hours: Many adventure or water parks are seasonal. Places like Jamberoo and WhiteWater World, for example, sometimes close in cooler months or for maintenance. Always check before planning.
- Age / Height / Skill requirements: High-ropes, zipline, etc, often have restrictions (min height, supervision). Good to make sure it’s suitable for your kids.
- Cost + Booking: Private ones often have higher entry fees + require bookings in advance (especially in peak holiday times).
- Distance / Travel Time: Some of these involve a drive; mix some local ones with “special day trip landmarks” so not every day means a big trip.
Tips / Reminders
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Weather check: Summer can be unpredictable. Plan at least one indoor backup plan per week.
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Book ahead: For workshops, shows, or special places, make bookings early (spots fill up).
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Variation: Mix free + paid, outdoors + indoors, high-energy + relaxed days. Keeps things balanced.
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Budget: parks, free events, and the local library can be great low-cost hits.
See also general ideas here
Main Image: Art Gallery of NSW Exhibition. Mike Hewson: The Keys are Under the Mat (Summer 2025-6)
