School Holidays in Sydney: Winter

Need some fresh ideas for the winter 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 winter school holidays run Monday 6 to Friday 15 July.

Winter holidays can be a challenge — cooler and sometimes wet weather leaves us hunting for places for kids to let off steam. Sunny days are perfect for getting outside, family hikes, trips to the Blue Mountains, temperatures may be cool but once you get moving you soon warm up. This is also the time of year when indoor fun, museums, shows and play centres fill more quickly so it’s a good idea to book early so you don’t miss out.

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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 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 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. 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.

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.

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: TBC
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.

Performance & Theatre for kids

The Big Bubble Show… In Space! – Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill

Two performances only of this bubble-and-science stage show featuring Dr Bubble and Milkshake. Expect smoke-filled spheres, shadow bubble puppetry, fire bubbles, a bubble fire tornado, and oversized geometric shapes. Aimed at all ages.

When: Tuesday 15 July 2026, two performances.
Where: Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill
Cost: From $29.90 plus booking fees. Book at coliseumtheatre.com.au

MaaMaa and Nonna’s Kitchen – Sydney Opera House

A baking workshop and performance for toddlers and their carers, straight from sell-out seasons in Melbourne. Children put on aprons and make dough for Chinese steamed buns and Italian focaccia alongside two grandmother characters, finishing with a shared feast.

Sessions run 60 minutes and require one carer per child. Note: this work contains gluten.

When: 10 to 18 July 2026, 10.30am and 2pm daily (no Monday sessions)
Where: Centre for Creativity, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $60 carer and child. Additional adult family members $30 (limited availability). $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Suits ages 2 to 4.

YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things – Sydney Opera House

When: 4 to 19 July 2026, multiple sessions daily. Auslan interpreted performance 10 July, audio described 5 July.
Where: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $39.90 to $49.90. $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Ages 6+.

Pay No Attention – Sydney Opera House

Thirteen young acrobats from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus perform a high-energy show that mixes circus skills, comedy, and sleight of hand. The show runs across the first week of the holidays only.

A VIP Inside the Circus add-on experience is available at selected sessions.

When: 4 to 11 July 2026, multiple sessions. Check sydneyoperahouse.com for specific times.
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House Cost: From $29.90 to $49.90. Ages 6+.

Antarctica! – Sydney Opera House

Created by Irish company Rosán Sensory Adventures, this 45-minute immersive show is designed for children aged 4 to 8 and their families, as well as young people aged 14 to 18 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. It draws on Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, told through live music, soundscapes, textured sets, and movement rather than words.

The 10am sessions at each date are reserved for the disability audience — general public should book the 12pm or 3pm sessions. Note: this runs after the school holidays.

When: 25 to 26 July and 1 to 2 August 2026, 10am, 12pm and 3pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House Cost: $39 per ticket. $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Ages 4+

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.

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.

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.