School Holidays in Sydney: Autumn 2025

Need some fresh ideas for the Easter 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 the long break 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 14 April to Thursday 24 April 2025.

I’ve skipped the usual tourist traps and focused on activities that are actually worth your time and money. From water parks to special holiday shows, there’s heaps to keep the kids busy (and hopefully wear them out!). I’ve included plenty of indoor options too – because let’s face it, we’ll probably cop a few scorchers and a couple of rainy days these holidays.

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Easter Activities 2025

Easter falls during these holidays, with Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21, 2025. Here are some special Easter events happening around Sydney:

The Royal Easter Show

Since 1823 farmers have been bringing the country to town for the Royal Agricultural Show a two-week agricultural affair held at the Sydney Olympic Park.

This year’s show features:

• Animal exhibitions and competitions
• Agricultural displays and demonstrations
• Carnival rides and sideshow games
• Live entertainment including woodchopping competitions
• Show jumping and supercar displays
• Fresh food and local crafts pavilions

When: 11-22 April 2025
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: Adult tickets from $44.50 Kids from $17.50
Money-saving tip: Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds and save on entry. Pack snacks and drinks to reduce costs.

Sydney Family Show

For a more budget-friendly Easter experience, head to the Sydney Family Show at the Entertainment Quarter. This family-focused event offers plenty of free activities after entry, making it perfect for families with young children.

![Sydney Family Show]
Sydney Family Show at Moore Park

Activities include:

• Pig racing and rabbit jumping shows
• Animal nursery with hands-on experiences
• Reptile shows and demonstrations
• Traditional carnival rides
• Showbag pavilion
• Family entertainment and performances

When: 12-22 April 2025
Where: Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park
Cost: Adults $30, Children (3-15) $15, Family Pass (4 people) $70, Additional ride coupons available for purchase

Things to do in Autumn

If you are trying to stick to budget you can find plenty of outdoor activities that don’t cost a lot. From mornings at the park or beach to picnics and perhaps some national park walks, it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors but remember to slip, slop, slap especially in the middle of the day when it can still be warm.

If you get a nice day head to one of Sydney’s water parks or splash parks – most are free and the kids love them!

For some educational fun, head to one of Sydney’s 20+ museums and galleries. Many offer special school holiday activities, for little or no cost.

Talk to the Animals

Looking to get up close with some Aussie wildlife these holidays? Sydney’s got some fabulous animal encounters that’ll keep the kids entertained for hours. From cuddly koalas to cheeky penguins, here’s where to find the best wildlife experiences around town.

Check out our full guide to Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks here.

Sydney Zoo – Dinosaur Safari

Sydney Zoo at Bungarribee has transformed into a prehistoric playground with the arrival of Dinosaur Safari! From March 1st, families can journey back in time to meet life-sized, moving, and roaring dinosaurs alongside the zoo’s regular residents.

Highlights include:

• Interactive Raptor Show featuring lifelike raptors
• Dinosaur Trail with towering T-Rex, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurus
• Hands-on Fossil Dig for budding paleontologists
• Giant Megalodon photo opportunity
• Jurassic Rollercoaster and Mini Ferris Wheel
• Themed carnival games and Dinosaur Safari Shop

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.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife Sydney

The star attraction at SEA LIFE Sydney is Pig the Dugong, alongside the delightful little penguin colony and impressive shark collection. This holidays, take a Journey to the Antarctic where you can experience the penguin exhibit (included with admission) or book one of the special penguin encounters for a more personal experience.

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)

Active fun

If you’ve got energetic kids bouncing off the walls, these activities will help burn off that excess energy and maybe tire them out for the ride home.

Family Fun Challenge by AmazingCo.

I love all the activities on the AmazingCo platform but this one jumped out as a great way for the family to spend some fun time together working on a common goal.

AmazingCo. offers family mystery picnics and family date nights.

Centennial Equestrian

Centennial Equestrian presents exciting school holiday pony camps! The camps welcome children of all ages (5+ years) and all riding abilities.

Whether a child is a seasoned equestrian or just starting out, these camps are a perfect way to have fun and build skills in the saddle, whilst making new friends (horsey and human!).

Each day includes:

• Drop-off at 9am, pick-up at 4pm
• One hour supervised lunch break
• Two riding lessons
• Horsecare and educational activities

Where: Pavilion B, 114 – 120 Lang Rd, Moore Park
Book: Book directly on their website

Luna Park

Luna Park has rides to entertain the entire family. You can hit up one of the old favourites or try out some of the nine newer rides.

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.

Lunaverse, which includes, Dream Circus & Sonic Neon, is also on throughout the holidays.

When: Open daily during the school holidays, Friday-Monday at other times of year
Cost: Day passes from $34 – $75 annual passes $199. Tickets here.

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: Mon 14 April, Thurs 24 April, Friday 2 May, Fri 6 June 2025
Where: Robertson Road Gates, Centennial Park
Cost: $24.50 per ticket

Performance & Theatre for kids

From classic stories to new adventures, Sydney’s stages are bursting with shows that’ll keep the kids glued to their seats.

You’re An Instrument

Get ready for an exciting musical adventure where science meets sound! This interactive show proves that the most incredible musical instrument is YOU. Led by performer-scientists, children will discover unexpected ways to create sound using their voices, bodies, and minds.

With cutting-edge music technology and hands-on participation, this unique experience will have young audiences making music together in ways they never imagined possible.

When: 16 – 17 April, Wed: 11:30am & 1:30pm Thurs: 10:30am & 12:30pm
Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Cost: From $22.50 (Members), $24 (Non-Members)
Age: 5-12 years

Mr Snotbottom

For kids who love silly humor and outrageous fun, Mr Snotbottom delivers plenty of laughs! This wildly popular show features ridiculous rhymes, outrageous jokes, and plenty of icky, sticky fun that has been making audiences laugh (and squirm!) across the country.

Perfect for fans of the weird and wonderfully gross, this show promises to have children roaring with laughter and squealing with delight.

When: Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 April, 11am & 1pm daily
Where: Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Cost: From $24 (Members), $26 (Non-Members)
Age: 5-12 years

ALICE IN WONDERLAND in the Garden

Fall down the rabbit hole this Easter as Glenn Elston’s acclaimed production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND returns to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. This interactive outdoor theatre experience brings Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic to life in the beautiful Pioneer Garden setting.

Young audiences will meet all their favorite characters:

Tip: Bring a picnic blanket or cushion for seating, and don’t forget sun protection for this outdoor performance!

Where: Pioneer Garden, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
When: 12 – 27 April 2025
Tickets: Weekdays: $25 p.p. (family of 4: $90), Weekends: $30 per person (family of 4: $110)

DOG MAN: The Musical

Following a sold-out 2024 season, this epic musical adventure returns to the Sydney Opera House Playhouse. Best buddies George and Harold, now in 5th grade, decide to level up their creative skills by writing a musical about their favorite character – Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!

Based on Dav Pilkey’s worldwide bestselling series (creator of Captain Underpants), this show combines hilarity and heart in a way that will delight both children and adults. Perfect for ages 8+.

Where: The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
When: 12 – 27 April 2025
Booking tip: Book early as the previous season sold out quickly!

Mimi’s Symphony with Justine Clarke

Join beloved Australian actress and singer Justine Clarke for an enchanting orchestral adventure at the Sydney Opera House Studio. This heartwarming 40-minute performance follows Mimi, a little magpie who finds herself blown from her nest to the edge of a suburban oval, with only the echo of something grand and beautiful in her memory.

Writer and narrator Justine Clarke teams up with composer and conductor George Ellis and an 18-piece orchestra to bring this magical tale to life. Children will discover different sections of the orchestra – brass, string, woodwind, and percussion – while following Mimi’s journey as she meets various animal families and learns to survive in the suburbs.

Where: The Studio, Sydney Opera House
When: Saturday 12 April (11am, 1pm, 3pm) & Sunday 13 April (11am, 12:30pm)
Duration: 40 minutes l Age: Perfect for ages 3+
Tickets: From $35.95 (groups 6+) to $49.95 (premium)

Alice in Easterland

Hop down the rabbit hole this Easter for a magical theatrical twist on the classic Alice in Wonderland! Join Alice on her adventure as she helps the Mad Hatter find his Easter bonnet while dealing with the demanding Queen of Hearts.

This interactive experience includes a theatre performance followed by bonnet decorating and a parade where kids can showcase their creations. Children are encouraged to dress up and bring their Easter bonnets for the parade.

When: Saturday 19 April 2025, 10:30am – Theatre Performance, 11:30am – Bonnet Decoration, 12pm – Bonnet Parade or 2 hours later from 1:30pm.
Where: The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre, Centennial Parklands
Cost: $20 per child (accompanying adult included)
Age: 4+ years (under 2 free)

Can’t make it? The same event will be held on Sunday 20 April at Callan Park, just 30 minutes’ drive from Centennial Parklands.

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.

Comic Book Illustration Workshop

Young artists and storytellers can unleash their creativity in this engaging workshop inspired by DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL. This hands-on experience teaches kids aged 8-14 how to create their own characters, jokes, and stories in comic book form.

Learn from an exceptional team of industry professionals:

• Fionn McCabe – Illustrator, cartoonist, and comics educator from UTS
• Evie Hilliar – Animator and director known for finding whimsy in everyday life
• Marieka Walsh – International award-winning animation director

Drawing inspiration from artists like Dav Pilkey, Alice Oseman, and Kazu Kibuishi, participants will develop their own graphic story ideas and visual style.

Where: Centre for Creativity, Sydney Opera House
When: April 15 & 23, 2025
Ages: 8-14 years

Make-Believe Masters: Putting on a show

Ever dreamed of creating theatre magic at the Sydney Opera House? This immersive full-day workshop gives young theatre enthusiasts (ages 12-16) the chance to become show designers for a day. Participants will learn the art of theatre design from award-winning professional Isabel Hudson.

Students will create their own set models and design costumes. They will have exclusive backstage tour access and work in teams on a hypothetical musical production.

Isabel Hudson, a multi-award-winning set and costume designer whose impressive credits include Moulin Rouge Australia, American Psycho, and Edward The Emu. Isabel brings her expertise from NIDA and extensive professional experience to guide young creators through the theatre-making process.

Where: Centre for Creativity, Sydney Opera House
When: Thursday, 24 April 2025
Ages: 12-16 years l What to expect: A full day of hands-on creative experience with professional guidance and backstage insights

Tea Time with your Elders

Join First Nations educators for a special intergenerational experience exploring Indigenous plants and their traditional uses in the Royal Botanic Garden. Children and their elders will discover the rich heritage of the local Gadi people while learning about native plants used for tea and other beverages. Each child will create their own tea and tea cups to take home, while learning about the nutritional and medicinal properties of native plants.

This unique workshop brings together generations to learn about Indigenous culture and traditional plant knowledge. Best of all, each child’s accompanying elder/grand-friend attends for free!

When: 14 and 21 April 2025, 10:30am – 12pm
Where: Rathborne Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Cost: $20 per child, $18 Foundation & Friends members (accompanying elder free)
Ages: 5-12 years l Bookings: Email [email protected]

Ghostly Garden Tour for Kids

Brave young explorers can experience the Royal Botanic Garden like never before on this spine-tingling twilight adventure. As darkness falls, discover the garden’s spooky secrets, from shadowy paths and mysterious ponds to eerie grottos and the garden’s oldest haunted houses.

Watch for bats swooping overhead and nocturnal creatures peering from the treetops while your guide shares haunting tales from the garden’s past.

This atmospheric tour offers:

• Guided twilight exploration of the gardens
• Spooky stories of the garden’s history
• Encounters with nocturnal wildlife
• Visit to historic haunted locations

When: Thursday 11 April 2025, 5:30pm – 7pm
Where: Meet at Woolloomooloo Gate, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Cost: Adults $45, Children $20
Ages: 8 years and over (all children must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Bookings: Email [email protected]

Peruvian Metal Masters

Inspire young minds with the artistry of ancient Peruvian artefacts in this metal embossing and wearable-art workshop.

Young artists will explore the Australian Museum’s Gold Gallery, featuring treasures from the Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition, before learning metal embossing techniques to create their own stunning take-home pieces using metallic materials and recycled supplies.

When: Monday 14 April 2025, Ages 5-8: 10:30am – 12pm, Ages 9-12: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
Cost: Member Child $36-$52, non-Member Child $45-$65 ($15 with Creative Kids Voucher)

Scientist for a Day: Geologist

Science rocks in this full-day workshop where budding geologists aged 9-12 can discover the fascinating world of minerals and rocks. Kids will get exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Australian Museum Research Institute and collections lab, guided by experts Ross Pogson (Collection Manager, Mineralogy & Petrology) and Dayna McGeeney (Technical Officer).

Young scientists will:

• Conduct hands-on experiments about rock formation
• Tour the Minerals Exhibition
• Meet real geologists and explore their workspace
• Learn about the museum’s collection of 80,000 rocks, minerals and meteorites

When: Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 April 2025, 9:30am – 3:30pm
Where: LG, Patricia McDonald Education Rooms, Australian Museum
Cost: Member Child $120, non-Member Child $150
Ages: 9-12 years

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.

High Teas and Food fun

Pizza Making Class at Crossroads Hotel

Let your kids unleash their inner chef in this interactive pizza making class! Guided by the resident chef, little ones will create their own pizzas from scratch, donning aprons and chef hats, before enjoying their culinary creations alongside a soft drink or juice, topped off with a sweet treat for dessert. A fun, hands-on cooking experience awaits!

When: TBC
Where: Crossroads Hotel, Casula
Cost: $45 per child (Bookings essential)

Free Things to do during the School Holidays

Keeping the kids entertained doesn’t have to cost a fortune – here are some of my favorite free activities around Sydney.

Great Laugh in the Park – Sydney Comedy Festival

Don’t miss this fantastic free family event at Tumbalong Park! The Sydney Comedy Festival is hosting their first-ever Great Laugh in the Park, featuring entertainment for all ages throughout the day.

The family-friendly program includes:

• Jimmy Rees OAM (from ABC Kids’ Giggle and Hoot) as host
• Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles
• The Listies comedy duo
• The Greatest Magic Show featuring illusions and circus acts

For the adults, the evening Gala on the Green features international comedians including Sara Pascoe, Drew Lynch, Kemah Bob, and Australian favorites Nick Cody, Matt Okine and Aunty Donna. The day wraps up with live music from Furnace and the Fundamentals.

When: Saturday 26 April, 12pm – 8:30pm
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Quarter
Cost: Free, but registration required
Booking: Register via Humanitix (first 1000 registrations receive a free showbag)

Parliament House Tours

During the school holidays, engaging tours of NSW Parliament House will be held every weekday at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Highlights of the one-hour tour include the chance to sit in the Speaker and President’s chair and hear directly from staff who work in the chambers when parliament sits.

If you would like to spend more time at the Parliament of NSW and are looking for a bite to eat, visit the Public Café or Strangers’ Restaurant, which overlooks The Domain, a lush green space in the Sydney CBD.

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.

Flower Pressing & Lantern Making at Chinese Garden of Friendship

Let your child’s creativity bloom with hands-on workshops at the Chinese Garden of Friendship. From flower pressing to lantern making, kids and teens will be inspired by these artistic activities in a serene garden setting.

When: Mon – Fri, 11am, 12pm and 1pm during the school holidays
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
Cost: free with Garden entry

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.

Volunteers are there to help find the best fishing spots and share stories. Learn about responsible fishing and the nine fish species in the scenic Penrith Lakes. Don’t forget your fishing license, rod, reel, barbless hooks, and bait like corn, bread, or worms (no live bait).

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.

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.

Faulty Towers Dining Experience at Leura Gardens Resort

For families with older kids who appreciate British humor, don’t miss the hilarious Faulty Towers Dining Experience at Leura Gardens Resort.

This interactive dinner show brings the classic comedy “Fawlty Towers” to life with professional actors playing Basil, Sybil, and Manuel while serving a three-course meal.

It’s a perfect addition to a Blue Mountains getaway, especially for families with teens.

The resort itself offers plenty of family-friendly activities including:

• Garden walks
• Garden chess
• Table tennis
• Solar heated outdoor swimming pool
• BBQ facilities
• Direct access to the Grand Cliff Top Walk

When: Multiple dates through 2025 – school holiday shows on March 28 and April 11
Where: Leura Gardens Resort
Cost: $95 per person for dinner and show
Accommodation: From $188 per night

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.

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