Need some fresh ideas for the July school holidays? As a Sydney mum and now grandma who’s spent years exploring this city with kids in tow, I’ve put together this guide to help you survive without breaking the bank. From free activities to special events, here’s the best of what’s happening around Sydney these holidays.
The autumn school holidays run from Monday, July 7th to Friday, July 18th.
I’ve carefully selected activities that offer genuine value for families, avoiding tourist traps and focusing on experiences that both parents and kids will enjoy. From creative workshops to special holiday shows, there’s something for every interest and energy level. I’ve balanced indoor and outdoor options to help you plan around autumn weather, which can be unpredictable in Sydney.
Winter’s cool weather does not mean you have to lock yourselves indoors. Rug up and head outdoors exploring gardens, and taking national park walks.
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Special Holiday Wildlife Events
For a complete guide to Sydney’s wildlife experiences, check out our detailed article on Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks. Here are the special holiday events you won’t want to miss:
Sydney Zoo – Dinosaur Safari
Sydney Zoo at Bungarribee has transformed into a prehistoric playground this autumn! Meet life-sized roaring dinosaurs, catch the Interactive Raptor Show, and let the kids dig for fossils. All dinosaur activities are included with regular admission.
The zoo remains perfect for families with flat paths suitable for little explorers’ feet. Along with the prehistoric additions, you can still meet over 4,000 animals including the pride of lions and cheeky meerkats.
When: Open every day from 9am – 5pm
Cost: $40* adults, $19.99 kids 3-15 yrs (gate prices are approximately $5 more per ticket)
Location: Sydney Zoo, Eastern Creek Book online to save and skip the queue!
Buy your pass now and skip the queue.
*Dinosaur Safari is included free with regular zoo admission or yearly pass.
Journey to the Antarctic at SEA LIFE
Get up close with penguins in SEA LIFE’s special holiday program. Book a penguin encounter for a more personal experience with these charismatic birds.
Wildlife Sydney Zoo offers the chance to get up close to some of the less well-known Aussie animals, like a quokka and a numbat. You can also meet Kofi the tree kangaroo.
When: 7 days, 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm)
Where: Lime Street Darling Harbour
Cost: Single entry or multi passes available. Check for offers.
Hot tip: Grab a combo pass that includes both SEA LIFE and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo – you’ll save a packet!
Australian Reptile Park
Is your child crazy for reptiles? Head to the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast this school holidays! Learn all about the incredible ‘superpowers’ that these animals have.
Where: Somersby, Central Coast (30 minutes’ drive from Wahroonga)
Cost: $48 adults, $30 kids, $135 families (2 adults, 2 kids)
Free Things to do during the School Holidays
With the cost of living continuing to rise, I’ve prioritised free and low-cost activities in this guide. Many paid attractions offer substantial discounts for advance online bookings, and don’t forget to check if your Service NSW Kids’ Vouchers can be used. Several venues also offer “pay what you can” or discount days – I’ve noted these where applicable.
Free events at the Maritime Museum
From deep-sea exploration to hands-on creativity, the Maritime Museum is offering an exciting lineup of activities this autumn break:
School Holiday Fun at Darling Square
Head to Darling Square for a lineup of free family activities that will keep the kids entertained:
- Jumping castle (11am – 2pm)
- Face painting (12pm – 3pm)
- Balloon twisting (12pm – 3pm)
When: TBC
Where: Darling Square
Cost: Free
Darling Harbour Playground
Kids of all ages will enjoy a visit to Darling Harbour’s epic playground. With a massive climbing frame, a 21-metre flying fox and a bunch of swings suitable for all ages. If you have not visited for a while you will find a lot of new installations to explore.
There are cafes and family-friendly food options surrounding the playground, making it easy to spend several hours here.
Free events at the Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Art of Chinese Paper Cutting
This April, introduce your children to the fascinating world of Chinese Paper Cutting at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. In this hands-on workshop, kids will learn about this ancient folk art that dates back to the 4th century, discovering how it transformed from a religious art form into a beloved cultural tradition.
They’ll get to create their own paper cut designs inspired by the garden’s beautiful surroundings, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and creativity that brings ancient traditions to life.
When: 11am – 2pm during school holidays
Where: Water Pavilion, Chinese Garden of Friendship
Cost: Free with Garden admission l Ages: Suitable for children 5-12 years
Bookings: No bookings required – just drop in!
Guildford Hotel – Messy Makers Fun Every Sunday
Keep the kids entertained with hands-on activities hosted by sensory play experts Messy Makers every Sunday at the Guildford Hotel. From Science Camp to Cookie Decorating, each session brings something new – and it’s completely FREE! In addition, enjoy complimentary kids’ meals between 5pm – 7pm from Monday to Wednesday with every full-priced main meal purchased.
When: TBC.
Where: Guildford Hotel, Guildford
Cost: Free
Active fun
Got energetic kids? Here are some special holiday activities that will keep them moving and having fun:
Family Fun Challenge by AmazingCo.
Turn Sydney into your playground with AmazingCo’s family mystery picnics. Follow clues, solve puzzles, and discover hidden gems around the city while enjoying quality family time. Perfect for kids who love solving mysteries!
AmazingCo. offers family mystery picnics and family date nights.
Holiday Pony Camps
Centennial Equestrian’s holiday camps offer children (5+ years) the chance to experience horse riding and care. Each full-day session includes riding lessons, horsecare activities, and supervised lunch breaks. Suitable for complete beginners to experienced riders.
When: Daily during school holidays, 9am – 4pm
Where: Pavilion B, 114 – 120 Lang Rd, Moore Park
Book: Via Centennial Equestrian website
Luna Park – Vegesaurs Adventure
Luna Park’s Immersive Big Top is hosting an exciting new experience based on the popular ABC Kids series Ginger and the Vegesaurs. This 45-minute multimedia adventure follows Ginger on an epic quest across Vegesaur Valley to find her missing friends, with help from familiar characters and plenty of audience interaction along the way.
Using state-of-the-art technology including 39 projectors and spatial audio, the show creates an immersive world that young fans will love. Join Ginger as she races from the Spooky Forest to Snowy Mountain, trying to stay one step ahead of the mischievous Bananaraptors!
When: Daily shows during school holidays
Where: Luna Park’s Immersive Big Top
Cost: $22 per person l Duration: 45 minutes
Age: Suitable for all ages, but some content may surprise young children
Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult
Before you head home, pop into Wendy’s Secret Garden for a game of hide and see. Or if the kids have any energy left, you could walk back to the city across the harbour bridge.
SPOTLIGHT PROWL FOR FAMILIES
Experience the magic of twilight wildlife at Centennial Parklands. As evening falls, the park becomes a haven for nocturnal animals, including a large population of grey-headed flying-foxes, along with brushtail possums, microbats, and tawny frogmouths.
Embark on an enlightening spotlight walk guided by expert Rangers. This adventure gives you a rare glimpse into the nighttime world of these fascinating creatures, showing a different, more mysterious side of the park as darkness descends.
When: Fri 6 June 2025
Where: Robertson Road Gates, Centennial Park
Cost: $24.50 per ticket
Performance & Theatre for kids
Sydney’s stages come alive these holidays with an exciting mix of international and local performances. From classic stories to innovative puppetry, these shows promise to keep even the most fidgety kids engaged.
Winter at the Opera House
The Sydney Opera House’s winter program brings world-class children’s entertainment to Sydney with several must-see shows:
City of Wonder (Ages 4+)
Transform recycled materials into an imaginative cityscape in this hands-on workshop. Italian designer Raffaele Salvoldi guides children to build with over 30,000 recycled plastic planks, teaching sustainability through creative play.
When: 10 – 18 July 2025
Where: Sydney Opera House
Ages: 4+ years
BullyBully (Ages 3+)
This award-winning Dutch production uses physical theatre and dance to show how two quarreling world leaders act remarkably like toddlers.
A perfect blend of slapstick comedy and valuable lessons about kindness.
When: 6 – 12 July 2025
Where: Sydney Opera House
Ages: 3+ years
The Twits
Roald Dahl’s beloved troublemakers come to life in this wickedly funny stage adaptation by Shake & Stir theatre company.
Expect plenty of pranks and mischief that will have the whole family laughing.
When: 5 – 19 July 2025
Where: Sydney Opera House
Ages: 5+ years
School Holiday Workshops and Classes
For a bit of learning mixed with fun, these exhibitions and workshops will get the kids thinking without realizing they’re being educated.
Sneaky Sharks Activity Trail
Follow the trail and try to spot the elusive elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and sawfish) hidden in the museum galleries. Learn ‘fin-tastic fun facts and uncover splendid shark-related objects’ while learning about everyone’s favourite big fish. If you complete the trail, you’ll also receive a prize.
When: Daily during school holidays, 10am-4pm
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum
Cost: Free. No booking required.
Convict Trail at Hyde Park Barracks
If you have not visited Hyde Park Barracks since it reopened a few years ago, now is a perfect time.
A special audio guide suitable for children aged 5-10 years will keep the kids entertained while they explore Sydney’s past. As they move through the collection, they solve puzzles using a number of clues.
Where: Macquarie Street Sydney
When: Open Thursday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, closed Christmas Day and Australia Day
Catch and Release Fishing
Get ready for a fun day out at the Sydney International Regatta Centre! Every Tuesday, families and friends can enjoy ‘Catch and Release’ fishing with barbless hooks. Join other fishing enthusiasts from 9 am to 3 pm. First-timers will get a quick guide and paperwork done.
When: Every Tuesday, 9am – 3pm
Where: Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes
Cost: Free, but a fishing license is required (get yours here)
Camden Valley Inn
The Camden Valley Inn is hosting a series of free activities for kids this coming school holiday period.
Activities such as a magic show, lawn games, a Minions outdoor movie night, a reptile show and hungerball arena will be available for kids to enjoy for free. No bookings are required.
Where: 290 Remembrance Drive, Cawdor
Day Trips for the School Holidays
Sometimes you need to get out of the city, and these day trips are worth the drive or train ride. We have a bunch of fun day trips you can do on the train, but here are a couple of our favourite ideas.
Winter in the Blue Mountains
The mountains are a great day out for active kids. You can take the train or drive. Either way, there is plenty to do when you get there from easy bushwalks to family-friendly picnic spots.
The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus is a great way to explore the mountains without worrying about parking! We have written a detailed guide to the bus here.
If you decide to spend the night, take the Katoomba Falls Night-Lit Walk. Another unique experience is a nighttime visit to Scenic World.
You can even see how many of these lookouts you can squeeze into one day.
Bundeena
A train ride to Cronulla, a quick jaunt across Port Hacking on the little green and yellow ferry and a short stroll from the wharf and you will arrive at the Jibbon Aboriginal Carvings at Bundeena.
This is a fun day out for school age kids with some easy bushwalking and the possibility of whale spotting off the sandstone cliffs nearby. If you fancy a longer bushwalk, check out our guide to the walks in the Royal National Park.
School Holiday Dates in New South Wales
Below is a list of the holiday dates for this year and next so you can start planning. Please note many schools have school development days on the first day of each term. Private schools may have a week longer than these public school dates.
|
Period |
2025 |
2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
Autumn break |
14 April – 24 April |
7 April – 17 April |
|
Winter break |
7 – 18 July |
6 July – 17 July |
|
Spring break |
29 Sept – 10 October |
28 Sept – 9 October |
|
Summer break |
22 Dec – 26 January 2026 |
18 Dec- 27 January 2027 |
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