16 Sep Spring school holidays in South Australia 2026: What’s on and things to do with kids
Looking for things to do with the kids these Spring school holidays? South Australia has wildlife adventures, huge nature playgrounds, LEGO trails, farm experiences and more than 350 events celebrating nature across the state.
South Australian state school holidays run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026, with Term 4 beginning on Monday 12 October. Monday 5 October is also the Labour Day public holiday.
Spring is an especially good time to explore South Australia outdoors, but we’ve included plenty of indoor alternatives for wet or windy days.
Spring events and special activities
Explore the Nature Festival
Across South Australia | 25 September–11 October
The Nature Festival brings together more than 350 events around South Australia, including activities involving wildlife, gardens, Aboriginal culture, art and outdoor adventure.
There are plenty of family-friendly and free choices, so it is worth searching the program by location and age rather than treating it as a single event. The 2026 theme is Seed.
https://www.naturefestival.org.au/featured/family
Explore the Nature Festival program
FREE AND PAID | STATEWIDE | CHECK BOOKINGS
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Art in the Park at Monarto Safari Park
Monarto | 26 September–11 October
Monarto Safari Park is already a big day out, but this Spring children aged four to 14 can add a free Art in the Park trail to their visit.
Collect an activity booklet and search the park for 12 wildlife-inspired artworks while completing challenges along the way. There is also a Monarto Great Race competition.
The park is open every day of the holidays from 9.30am–5pm, with regular keeper presentations for animals including giraffes, white rhinos, cheetahs and chimpanzees.
Monarto Safari Park school holiday information
PAID ENTRY | HOLIDAY ACTIVITY INCLUDED | ALL-DAY OUTING
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Discover eggs, nests and wildlife at Cleland
Cleland Wildlife Park
Cleland’s Spring self-guided trail is A Place to Roost?, looking at which animals lay eggs and the different places they call home.
There are also bookable holiday programs including Bush Play for ages two to four, Bush Kids for ages five to 10 and Junior Wildlife Keeper sessions. Some activities cost extra on top of park admission, while the self-guided trail and selected keeper activities are included with entry.
Cleland Wildlife Park school holiday program
Bird flu update: Cleland remains open, but temporary precautions are in place following H5 bird flu detections in South Australian wildlife. Some aviaries, bird experiences and paths are closed, and bird feeding is suspended. Check the park website before visiting.
PAID ENTRY | FREE AND PAID ACTIVITIES | BOOK SOME SESSIONS
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Outdoor adventures and free play
Climb, walk and play at Morialta
Morialta Conservation Park
Morialta is particularly good in Spring, when wildflowers begin appearing and there may still be water flowing after winter rain.
The Mukanthi Nature Play Space has five play areas, including giant bird nests, climbing boulders, tunnels and climbing structures. Families can also tackle the relatively easy First Falls Walk or simply bring a picnic.
Entry is free, and accessible parking and toilets are available near both the playspace and First Falls area. Recent heavy rain has affected some Adelaide Hills tracks, so check park alerts before setting off.
FREE | NATURE PLAY | WALKING
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Try one of SA’s biggest nature playgrounds
Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, O’Halloran Hill
The huge 7,000-square-metre adventure playground includes three slides, rope and log climbing, a fossil dig, cubby building, swings and a 25-metre flying fox.
There are also accessible play elements, picnic shelters, barbecues and walking and cycling trails around the park.
Entry is free.
Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta
FREE | BIG PLAYGROUND | ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
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Take on West Beach Adventure
West Beach
For children who want something more challenging than a playground, West Beach Adventure has elevated climbing obstacles, a Giant Swing and a separate Kids Course.
MegaClimb has a minimum height of 120cm. Children between 120cm and 140cm need an adult accompanying them on the course. The Kids Course caters for heights from 90cm to 140cm.
West Beach Adventure is open every day of the South Australian school holidays, but sessions should be booked ahead.
PAID | BOOK AHEAD | GOOD FOR ACTIVE KIDS AND TWEENS
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Wander through Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide
For a simple free outing, Adelaide Botanic Garden gives families 50 hectares to explore, with lawns, ponds, gardens and the free Museum of Economic Botany.
Entry is free and the Garden is open daily. It is easy to reach by tram, and travel within Adelaide’s city-centre tram zone is free.
There are also several Nature Festival activities at the Garden during the holiday period, so check the What’s On program before visiting.
FREE | PICNIC | CITY
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Something a little different
Spend a day at Hahndorf Farm Barn
Hahndorf
Younger children can feed and meet farm animals, watch farm shows and explore the barn, with pony and tractor rides available during weekends and school holidays.
The farm is open seven days a week from 10am–4pm, and general visits don’t require advance booking. There are wheelchair-accessible paths and facilities, plus indoor and covered areas if the weather changes.
PAID | YOUNGER KIDS | PARTLY WEATHER-PROOF
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Ride the Victor Harbor Horse Tram
Victor Harbor
The historic horse-drawn tram between Victor Harbor and Granite Island remains one of South Australia’s most unusual family experiences.
The current tram accessibility information mentions: ramps are available for boarding and wheelchair users can access the rear of the tram, although space for mobility aids is limited. Families needing assistance should contact the tramway before travelling.
Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
PAID | REGIONAL | ALL AGES
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Indoor and rainy-day ideas
Follow a LEGO trail — then race slot cars
National Motor Museum, Birdwood | 26 September–11 October
The National Motor Museum has two good holiday extras this Spring.
The Then and Now LEGO Trail sends children searching for mini figures around the museum to uncover a secret word. It runs throughout the holidays and is included with museum admission.
On selected dates, families can also race each other on a large Scalextric slot-car track, again at no additional cost after entry.
National Motor Museum holiday events
PAID ENTRY | ACTIVITIES INCLUDED | GOOD FOR RAIN
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Go LEGO hunting at the Maritime Museum
Port Adelaide | 26 September–11 October
The South Australian Maritime Museum has its own Lost and Found LEGO Trail, designed for children aged five to 15.
Kids search through the museum for clues and letters that reveal a secret word. Other holiday offerings include Ketch Close-Up sessions, Message in a Bottle activities and Port River heritage tours on selected dates.
South Australian Maritime Museum school holiday events
PAID ENTRY | AGES 5–15 | GOOD FOR RAIN
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Explore BEGINNINGS at MOD.
Adelaide
MOD. remains a good choice for older children, tweens and teens.
Its current free exhibition, BEGINNINGS, asks visitors to think about where ideas and futures start, with interactive exhibits involving artificial intelligence, energy, technology and other big questions.
MOD. is free and open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am–5pm. It is closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
FREE | TWEENS AND TEENS | GOOD FOR RAIN
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See some extraordinary wildlife photography
South Australian Museum
The 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition features 100 finalist photographs covering wildlife, landscapes, plants, threatened species and environmental issues.
Children under 12 are free for the exhibition; tickets apply for older visitors. It runs throughout the school holidays and continues until February 2027.
Nature Photographer of the Year at the SA Museum
GOOD FOR RAIN | UNDER 12s FREE FOR EXHIBITION
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Quick picks for busy parents
- Best big day out: Monarto Safari Park
- Best free Spring activity: Nature Festival
- Best free playground: Glenthorne National Park
- Best nature-and-play combination: Morialta Conservation Park
- Best for younger children: Hahndorf Farm Barn or Cleland Wildlife Park
- Best for active tweens: West Beach Adventure
- Best regional experience: Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
- Best rainy-day choice: National Motor Museum or Maritime Museum
- Best for tweens and teens: MOD.
Parent tip: Spring weather and recent rainfall can affect walking tracks and outdoor programs. Check individual attraction websites and national park alerts before travelling, and book ahead for limited-capacity holiday sessions.
A note about bird flu: H5 bird flu is currently affecting wild birds in South Australia. Families do not need to avoid parks, beaches or wildlife areas, and the risk to people remains low. However, do not touch sick or dead birds or other wildlife, keep children and pets away, and follow any temporary restrictions at wildlife attractions. Check individual venues before visiting.
Main Image: West Beach Adventure Park
