School Holidays in Sydney: Autumn (Easter)

Need some fresh ideas for the autumn school holidays? As a Sydney mum and grandma who’s spent years exploring this city with kids in tow, I’ve put together this guide to cover the best of what’s on across the two weeks.

The autumn school holidays run Tuesday 7 April to Friday 17 April 2026. Easter Monday (6 April) falls just before the break begins, so for many families it’s effectively a longer stretch off.

The Easter school holidays run Tuesday 7 April to Friday 17 April 2026. With the Easter long weekend starting on Friday 10 April.

This year’s program has a strong dinosaur thread running through it — from Sydney Zoo’s new Lost Kingdom Trail to the Opera House world premiere of Erth’s Dinosaurs and a puppet-making workshop to go with it.

Beyond that, there’s a solid mix of wildlife events, museum exhibitions, Easter shows, and outdoor activities across Centennial Park and the Royal National Park. I’ve included options across different budgets, including a handful of free and low-cost activities for the days when you don’t want to spend up.

Autumn in Sydney is good for getting outside, family hikes, trips to the Blue Mountains, mild temperatures, less humidity than summer, and the school crowds are manageable compared to the Christmas break.

This page contains affiliate links. You can find our full disclosure policy here.

Special Easter Experiences

Sydney Family Easter Show

The Entertainment Quarter transforms into an 18-day Easter event across the long weekend and school holidays. New for 2026 is Sydney’s Biggest Easter Egg Hunt, where kids hunt for eggs then enter the draw to win a $2,000 prize pack including an Ingenia Holiday Parks travel voucher. After Easter, the hunt becomes Belle & Bunny’s Easter Adventure Trail to keep things going through the holidays.

Also new this year is the Outback Jack Stockman Show — horsemanship, working sheepdogs, whip cracking, and comedy in a daily live performance. Returning favourites include the Motorcycle and Bike Stunt Show, an interactive Reptile Show, Monster Jump inflatable obstacle course, an animal nursery with baby farm animals and bunnies to cuddle, carnival rides, and show bags.

Feature days worth planning around: French markets on Sunday 5 April, Dogs in the Park – Dachshund Day on Sunday 12 April, and Greyhound Adoption Day on Sunday 19 April. EQ Markets run every Wednesday and Saturday throughout, with gourmet food and artisan stalls.

Free parking and plenty of complimentary activities make this one of the more affordable days out during the Easter break.

When: 2–19 April 2026
Where: Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Cost: Check sydneyfamilyeastershow.com.au for ticket pricing Book: sydneyfamilyeastershow.com.au

Alice in Easterland

A theatrical spin on Alice in Wonderland with an Easter twist, performed by the Eaton Gorge Theatre Company. Join Alice as she helps the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet and takes on the Queen of Hearts. Kids are encouraged to bring their own Easter bonnets to show off in a parade after the show — costumes and dress-ups welcome. Each child goes home with a small chocolate Easter treat.

Note: this runs on Sunday 5 April, two days before the school holidays officially start — worth planning for families who want to kick things off early.

Special Holiday Wildlife Events

Sydney Zoo – Dinosaur Safari

Sydney Zoo has transformed into a Jurassic-style adventure for the autumn holidays with a self-guided Lost Kingdom Trail spanning the entire zoo. Pick up a trail map on arrival and follow 25 dinosaur installations across the park, stopping at six interactive activity stations along the way.

Kids can uncover dinosaur facts, compare prehistoric creatures with modern animals, and learn how today’s wildlife is protected from extinction. Finish the trail and redeem a Kinder treat from the Jurassic World Dino Colour Collection. Throughout the day, keep an eye out for baby dinosaur meet and greets.

When: 14 March – 27 April 2026, daily 9am–5pm
Where: Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee, Western Sydney
Cost: Included with general admission. Adults $49.99, children $29.99 Book: sydneyzoo.com

For a complete guide to Sydney’s wildlife experiences, check out our detailed article on Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks.

Adventures at Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo‘s program includes visits to Backyard to Bush farm, keeper presentations throughout the zoo, and hands-on learning sessions. Kids must wear the provided Zoo Adventures t-shirt during the visit (this helps staff identify program participants in busy areas).

Hot tip: Consider a Zoo Friends Annual Membership from $99 – it works out to just 65c per day and includes both Taronga zoos plus discounts on experiences and accommodation.

When: Daily 9am-5pm
Where: Sydney Zoo, Eastern Creek
Cost: Approximately $45 adults, $25 kids. VIP Safari Tour extra
Book: Online to save and skip queues

Buy your pass now and skip the queue

Museums and Galleries

Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires – Australian Museum

An award-winning exhibition from the Royal Ontario Museum makes its Sydney debut just in time for the autumn holidays. Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires spans nine immersive sections covering the biology of blood, the evolution of blood-feeding across millions of years, and how to live alongside these species. More than 100 objects, specimens, large-scale models, and digital interactives bring the science to life — from vampire bats and medicinal leeches to candiru catfish and oxpeckers. The exhibition also explores how bloodsuckers have shaped literature, mythology, and popular culture, with a section dedicated to Australia’s own blood-feeding insects.

It won Overall Winner at the American Alliance of Museums Excellence in Exhibition Awards in 2019, so the production quality is well proven.

Hot tip: General public tickets go on sale 18 March. Join the waitlist now for discounted tickets and priority booking access.

When: From 2 April 2026 (opens just before the school holidays)
Where: Australian Museum, College Street, Sydney
Ages: 4+ Cost: From $28 adults, from $15 children (4–15 years) Book now

Staying overnight? Pullman Sydney Hyde Park has a family-of-four package that includes exhibition tickets, buffet breakfast, overnight accommodation, and an activity pack for kids. The hotel is a three-minute walk from the museum. Check pullmansydneyhydepark.com.au for availability and pricing.

Australian National Maritime Museum

School holiday programs have not yet been released but check back soon.

When: Daily throughout school holidays
Where: 58 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont
Cost: From $32 for adults and $24 for kids. Many activities free with museum entry

Museums of History NSW

If you’re looking for activities spread across multiple days, Museums of History NSW has programs running at six different heritage properties. Most drop-in activities are free, with some paid workshops requiring booking.

Hyde Park Barracks Start with the kids trail and audio tour, then dive into craft activities from 5-9 January (10am-3pm): make your own convict love token or construct a paper replica of the Barracks. The museum is open daily 10am-6pm.

Museum of Sydney Kids trail related to the Unearthed exhibition, plus Story Time sessions 12-16 January at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm celebrating Country through storytelling. The museum is open from 10am-5pm daily.

Elizabeth Farm Play 19th-century quoits in the garden, make a mini greenhouse, or try doing laundry by hand. From 19-27 January, create peg dolls or paper replicas of Elizabeth Farm. The property also features Tony Albert’s installation Healing land, remembering Country with a participatory ‘memory exchange’ activity. Elizabeth Farm is open daily 10am-4pm.

Vaucluse House Garden games, peg doll making, paper house replicas, and old-fashioned laundry activities will be offered from 28 to 30 January, 10am-3pm.

Three paid workshops require booking:

• Natural Dyeing Workshop (Tue 20 Jan, 10:30am-12pm): Create tie-dyed items using natural dyes and foraged materials at Elizabeth Farm
• Cyanotypes Workshop (Wed 28 Jan, 10:30am-12:30pm): Explore early photography processes at Vaucluse House
• Bee Magic (Thu 30 Jan, 10:30am-12pm): Hands-on workshop about bees at Vaucluse House

Justice & Police Museum Kids trail through the original Water Police Station and courts. Earn your own police badge, dress up, and perform mock trials with your family. The museum is open daily 10am-5pm.

Rouse Hill Estate Basket-weaving workshops, LEGO building, and meeting farm animals. The estate is open Every Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Cost: Most drop-in activities free, workshops from $15-20
Bookings: Essential for paid workshops via Museums of History NSW website
Hot tip: Museum members get 20% off workshops and early booking access

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 Family Adventure Days

Transform your school holidays with these unique family quests, each combining activities, food, and exploration:

• Marrickville: Build robots from recycled materials and follow a scavenger hunt trail (ages 4-10, 3 hours)
• Arcadia: Meet farm animals, collect eggs, and enjoy lunch at a farmgate cafe (ages 3-10, 3 hours)
• Cockatoo Island: Take a ferry ride for a spooky ghost-themed quest with harbor views (ages 5-10, 4-5 hours)

Tip: All adventures include a rain check guarantee and optional at-home activities to extend the fun.

Cost: Varies by adventure
Bookings: Essential via AmazingCo website

AmazingCo. also offers family mystery picnics and family date nights.

Holiday Pony Camps at Centennial Equestrian

Centennial Equestrian Centre runs two camp formats across the Easter holidays, both with an Easter twist — egg hunts, horse-themed arts and crafts, and pony decorating alongside the riding and horse care.

Junior Jockey Camp (ages 5–7) is a half-day program covering pony care, grooming, feeding, and a 50–70 minute led pony ride. A good introduction for younger kids with no riding experience.

Full-Day Holiday Camp (ages 7+) runs 9am–4pm and includes horse care, horsemanship sessions, a group riding lesson in the arena, and a guided trail ride through Centennial Park. If it rains, the trail ride is swapped for an undercover arena session or mounted games.

When: Easter school holidays — check website for specific dates
Where: Centennial Equestrian Centre, Centennial Park
Cost: Check eastsideriding.com.au for current pricing

Spotlight Prowl for families

Dusk is a wonderful time to spot animals in Centennial Parklands. Join experienced Rangers for a fascinating spotlight walk to see how the Park transforms after dark, spotting brushtail possums, microbats, tawny frogmouths, and one of Sydney’s largest colonies of grey-headed flying-foxes.

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: 8 & 17 April
Where: Robertson Road Gates, Centennial Park
Cost: $24.50 per ticket ages 5+ (children must be supervised by an adult)

Junior Ranger – Royal National Park

Kids aged 6 to 12 can spend a morning learning what it actually takes to work in a national park. This guided 90-minute program covers navigation, survival skills, and specialised ranger roles including fire-fighting, plant and animal research, whale rescue, and helicopter operations.

Kids use real equipment, get hands-on with activities, and learn about the wildlife and ecosystems the park protects. All activities are on flat ground with short walking distances — accompanying adults get in free.

When: 9 and 16 April 2026, 11am–12:30pm (meet at 10:45am)
Where: Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Ironbark Flat picnic area Cost: $15 per child (6–12). Accompanying adults free. Park entry fees apply.
Book: 1300 072 757 or book online at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Hot tip: Only two dates available across the entire holidays — bookings will go fast. If you miss out consider an easy family walk in the park.

Park Science – Mad Mappers

A full-day orienteering program where kids learn to read maps, create their own, and then put their skills to the test hunting for nature’s treasures in Centennial Parklands. The Alice in Wonderland theme runs through the day — follow the Mad Mapper’s way and don’t get lost like Alice. Activities are child-led, so the day takes shape around the group.

When: Tuesday 7 April & Tuesday 14 April 2026, 8am–4pm
Where: Wild Play Discovery Centre, Centennial Parklands
Ages: 5–12 Cost: $105 per child Getting there: Public transport recommended — limited parking available Note: Drop-off program — parents do not attend Book: [email protected]

Performance & Theatre for kids

Sydney Opera House – Autumn School Holidays

Erth’s Dinosaurs

Erth has been redefining live dinosaur performance for over 35 years, and this brand-new show is their most ambitious yet. Expect large-scale puppetry, expert dino wranglers, prehistoric giants stomping across the Playhouse stage, and enough dinosaur facts to keep the kids talking on the train home.

The 55-minute show balances humour and storytelling with the kind of hair-raising creature encounters that work for genuinely mixed ages — this isn’t just for the little ones.

Premiering at the Opera House this April before heading out on a world tour.

When: 8–19 April 2026
Where: Sydney Opera House Playhouse
Ages: 5+ Cost: $35-59 Book direct

Univers

A 40-minute sensory performance for babies and carers to experience together, direct from Catalonia. No words, no story to follow — performers, live music, and beautiful objects move and scatter around the very young in ways that invite them to touch, explore, and interact. Additional observer tickets are available for adults who want to watch.

Two performances of Beyond Univers run separately for children aged 3–14 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities — see the accessibility section on the Opera House website for booking details.

When: 11–19 April 2026
Where: Sydney Opera House Studio
Cost: $60 (parent and child) Observers $25 Book direct

Dance Mania Workshop

A two-day dance workshop at the Centre for Creativity for kids who love dance — or who’ve never tried it. Over six hours each day, participants work with professional dancers across hip hop, Capoeira, contemporary, and classical ballet, learning improvisation and composition before putting it all together into an original performance.

The two days wrap up with a show for family and friends, with costumes, lighting, and a live DJ set.

When: 8 & 9 April 2026, 6 hours per day including lunch break
Where: Centre for Creativity, Sydney Opera House
Ages: 9–14 Cost: $250

Alice in Wonderland – Australian Shakespeare Company

The Australian Shakespeare Company brings Lewis Carroll’s classic to the Royal Botanic Garden in Glenn Elston’s outdoor production. All the familiar characters are here — the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledum and Tweedledee — in a 75-minute show with song and dance that works for the whole family.

Picnic seating in the Pioneer Garden, so bring a blanket and snacks.

When: 4-19 April
Where: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Pioneer Garden
Run time: 75 minutes Ages: 3+ Cost: $30 Bookings

Note: Wet weather: Cancellation notifications sent 1-2 hours before showtime

Free things to do

School holidays don’t have to break the bank! Along with the featured activities below, check your local library and shopping centre programs—they often host free workshops, storytelling sessions, and craft activities during the school breaks.

Many local councils also run free events that don’t make it into citywide guides, so it’s worth checking their websites or Facebook pages. To get you started here are some of our favorite free activities happening around Sydney these holidays:

Kids Gardening Classes at Chiswick

Get your kids’ hands dirty at these free gardening workshops where they’ll plant, dig, and harvest produce from Chiswick’s working garden. Resident gardener Pete Hatfield shows children how the restaurant grows food for its menu, all while teaching them about caring for the earth.

The hour-long sessions take place in the restaurant’s garden, surrounded by bugs, butterflies, and seasonal blooms. Kids learn practical skills like planting and harvesting while discovering where restaurant food actually comes from.

After the class, families can head into the restaurant for lunch where kids eat free with any adult main purchased (one complimentary kids’ meal per adult main, 12 years and under only).

When: TBC
Where: Chiswick Woollahra, 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra
Cost: Free classes, bookings essential l Ages: 12 years and under
Book: chiswickwoollahra.com.au/kids-gardening-class

Hot tip: Only book spaces for children attending the class, not supervising adults. The kids-eat-free lunch offer is only valid for those who attended the gardening class.

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.

Kids’ Meals at Darling Harbour

If you’re spending the day at the aquarium, playground, or just exploring the harbour, Darling Harbour has a solid run of restaurants offering kids’ meals under $16 for children 12 and under, available every day.

• Auvers Cafe — $15 Happy Meal: choose from nuggets and chips, fish and chips, or creamy chicken egg noodles. Before midday, scrambled eggs or smashed avo on brioche toast are also on offer. Includes apple juice, orange juice, or a babychino for the pre-midday crowd.
• Pancakes on the Rocks — Kids meals under $15: Mad Hatter cheeseburger with chips, Ned Kelly buttermilk pancake with scrambled eggs and bacon, Crazy potato pancake, or dinosaur chicken nuggets.
• Ume Burger — $15.90 Tasty Kids Box: fish fingers, chicken nuggets, or a burger, all with plain chips and tomato sauce. Add apple or orange juice for $3.
• Wingboy — $12 chicken and chips: two chicken tenders or five wings with shoestring fries and tomato sauce. Mac and cheese also available for $9.
• Dopa Donburi — $14.50 Japanese-style kids meal: Chicken Teriyaki Don, Chicken Karaage Don, or Kakiage Don, with a drink and a small toy included.
• Uliveto — $15 kids meal: fish and chips, chicken nuggets with chips, Napolitana pasta, or cheeseburger.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.

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.

Autumn 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.

Take the train to Cronulla, and then jump on the ferry across Port Hacking. A short walk will get you to the Jibbon Aboriginal Carvings. Easy bushwalking, manageable for school-age kids. Our Royal National Park walks guide has everything you need.

This is a fun day out for school age kids with some easy bushwalking. If you fancy a longer bushwalk, check out our guide to the walks in the Royal National Park.

Australian Reptile Park

About an hour’s drive from the CBD on the Central Coast, the Australian Reptile Park is a reliable school holidays option for kids who can’t get enough of wildlife. Koalas, crocodiles, giant tortoises, and plenty of snakes and lizards. We’ve got a full guide to Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks if you want to compare options before you go.

Where: Somersby, Central Coast (60 minutes’ drive from the CBD)
Cost: $48 adults, $30 kids, $135 families (2 adults, 2 kids)

For a broader look at family-friendly Sydney, check out our Sydney with Kids guide or our Rainy Days in Sydney guide.

2026-27 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.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.