School Holiday Activities Sydney: The Best for Autumn 2024

  • Mon Apr 15 - Sun Apr 28 2024
  • Preschoolers
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School holidays in Sydney are upon us! The autumn holidays are nearly here, so it's the perfect chance to think about how you're going to make the most of this beautiful season with the best school holiday activities in Sydney.

Counter the cabin fever with these fun, family-friendly school holiday activities throughout the autumn school holidays.

School Holiday Activities Sydney: The Best for Autumn 2024

1. Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens

Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens
Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens


This April, get ready for an adventure like no other at Mega Creatures and Mega Creatures Night Safari at Hunter Valley Gardens! Step into a mesmerising Jurassic world filled with dinosaurs, colossal bugs, and mythical creatures. Dive into interactive fossil digs, enjoy thrilling rides, and watch as the carnival lights up the night! For an unforgettable experience, take a ride on the 25-metre-high Ferris Wheel and soak in panoramic views of the Gardens while spotting dinosaurs below. 

For more information or to purchase tickets visit Hunter Valley Gardens

Where:   Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
When:    Saturday 6 April until Sunday 5 May 2024
               Day Session 9 am – 4 pm. Last entry 3 pm | Rides 10 am–3:30 pm
               Night Safari 5 pm – 9 pm, rides from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cost:     Adults from $40; Children from $30; Family Passes from $93. Children 3 years and under are FREE.

2. Festival of Democracy at Parliament of NSW

Festival of Democracy at Parliament of NSW
Festival of Democracy at Parliament of NSW.


Australia’s oldest Parliament is set to swing open its doors for a unique day-long celebration full of free education and entertainment for families. These school holidays, the exciting Festival of Democracy will give you the opportunity to delve deeper into how governments work, with engaging, hands-on activities for kids. Get inside the walls of the Parliament of NSW and have a say in the mock committee hearings, make a speech as a member of parliament in the chambers and vote with the NSW Electoral Commission. Plus, there will be art workshops, storytelling, tours and roving musicians. You may even get to meet some important people from Parliament’s history!

Where:   NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney
When:    Friday19 April 2024 | 9.30 am – 3.00 pm
Cost:      FREE

3. Australian National Maritime Museum

Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum


Get ready for an ocean adventure at the Australian National Maritime Museum this school holiday season! The packed program offers interactive exhibitions, vessels to explore, hands-on workshops, and themed activities for all ages.

Explore the galleries with the Sea Country Activity Trail, unleash your creativity at the Kids on Deck Maker Space, and be amazed by the superpowers of cephalopods and groupers in the Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus Performances.

Take a moment to relax with a film screening, dive into the Mermaid Melody Colouring Corner and Book Nook, or enjoy imaginative play at the Octopus Garden Interactive Space. Don't forget to get hands-on with our touch collection at the Cabinet of Curiosities!

Where:    Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When:     Throughout the school holidays
Cost:       Entry is $25 per adult, $15 per child under 15, and Children under 4 go FREE
                Some workshops incur additional costs.

4. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium And WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo promise to be an awe-inspiring experience for families this autumn.


Enjoy interactive and engaging experiences at Darling Harbour's most iconic attractions. Kids will love exploring both SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, learning all about sea creatures and Aussie animals. Celebrate all things penguin at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, and step into a world of wonder with The Penguin Encounter*—your exclusive pass to an unforgettable meeting with the sub-Antarctic penguin colony (*note, this experience is for a minimum age of 14.)

With so much to see, do, and learn, it's an adventure your kids will cherish! 

Where:   SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
When:     Throughout the autumn school holidays
Cost:       2-attraction passes for $65 per adult and $48 per child (free for under 3) Save over 30%

5. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Calmsley Hill City Farm
School holidays are the perfect time to visit Calmsley Hill City Farm!


Take a trip to Calmsley Hill City Farm this winter for an authentic, interactive farmyard adventure within an hour from Sydney.

With daily shows, hands-on animal experiences, and fun school holiday activities, you'll learn all about the native and farmyard animals, while spending a beautiful family day out in the countryside. The Calmsley Hill City Farm schedule is packed with entertainment including a cow-milking demonstration, tractor rides, a sheep-shearing show, hands-on patting and feeding, and much more. Plus, Calmsley Hill City Farm hosts fantastic, fuss-free birthday parties for little animal lovers if you're in the market for a school holiday party with clout! 

Where:    31 Darling St, Abbotsbury
When:     Open seven days a week throughout the school holidays
Cost:       Adult: $32 | Child: $17 | Under 3s FREE | Family of 5 $97
                Annual Pass: Adult $90 | Child $45 | Family $230

6. Harbour Trust

Harbour Trust
Harbour Trust offers some great options for school holiday activities in Sydney.


There are so many ways to enjoy the Harbour Trust’s visitor destinations in Sydney. These are a great source of exploration for kids and parents due to their natural beauty, fascinating stories, and incredible landmarks. 

North Head Sanctuary (Manly), Sub Base Platypus (North Sydney), Macquarie Lightstation (Vaucluse) and the precincts of Headland Park (Mosman) are amongst the extraordinary places protected by the Harbour Trust. They also look after Cockatoo Island / Wareamah, which is both a former shipyard and convict gaol. In fact, the island’s Convict Site is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List with 10 other convict sites nationwide! There are so many ways to explore these rich and vibrant areas—including tours, concerts, staycations and more. 

Where:     Various locations throughout Sydney
When:      Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:        FREE

7. City of Sydney School Holiday Intensives

City of Sydney School Holiday Intensives
City of Sydney pools offer an incredible chance to hone your swimming skills during the school holidays.


Make a splash this school holiday with the Fast Track School Holiday Intensive Swimming Program, available at select City of Sydney pools. This program is an exceptional opportunity for your child to rapidly enhance their swimming skills and boost their confidence in the water. To secure a spot in this sought-after program, contact  The Ian Thorpe Aquatic CentreCook + Phillip Park Pool or Gunyama Park Pool.

Where:      All six City of Sydney Aquatic and Leisure Centres:
                  Cook + Phillip Park Pool - 4 College St, Sydney 
                  Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre - 458 Harris St, Ultimo
                  Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre - 17 Zetland Avenue, Zetland
                  Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool - 1C Mrs Macquaries Road, The Domain
                  Prince Alfred Park Pool - 105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills
                  Victoria Park Pool - City Road (cnr Parramatta Road), Camperdown
When:       Enquire for swim intensive program dates
Cost:         Enquire for pricing details at the time of booking

8. BridgeClimb 

BridgeClimb
For the ultimate bucket-list experience, BridgeClimb has an unmissable special offer for the autumn school holidays!


BridgeClimb is the ultimate way to see Sydney, and what better time to do it than during the school holidays? Scale 134 metres above water level and enjoy a unique, 360-panoramic perspective of the city you love. 

This autumn, you can scale the iconic coathanger with your little thrill seekers and save 15% off Summit Day and Summit Insider Day Climbs with BridgeClimb's epic Family Bundle tickets. Don't miss your chance to snap up the savings with BridgeClimb's Family Bundles. Book now!

Where:     BridgeClimb Sydney, 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks
When:      Valid for Climbs between 13 to 28 April 2024
Cost:        BridgeClimb Family Bundles start at $545.15 for one adult and two children

9. Ramses & The Gold Of The Pharaohs Exhibit Accommodation Package at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park

Ramses Package
Ramses & The Gold Of The Pharaohs Exhibit Accommodation Package at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park


Embark on an extraordinary journey into the life of Ramses II, with the exclusive Ramses & Gold of the Pharaohs multisensory museum experience at the Australian Museum. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this legendary pharaoh, featuring 182 priceless artifacts, some never before seen outside of Egypt.

Make your visit even more special with an overnight stay at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, the closest five-star hotel to the Australian Museum. Your package includes tickets to the Ramses & The Gold Of The Pharaohs Exhibit, a delicious morning buffet breakfast at Windows on the Park, and superior accommodation Plus, little ones will receive a specially curated activity pack for added enjoyment. The Ramses & The Gold Of The Pharaohs Exhibit Accommodation Package at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park really is the perfect chance to experience the magic of history!

Where:     Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, 36 College Street Sydney
When:      From 20 November 2023 until 19 May 2024 
Cost:        Packages start at $359

10. Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House


There's no end to Sydney Opera House's school holiday activity offering this year, with family-friendly options to engage the whole family.

These autumn school holidays, RATBURGER is a side-splitting 60-minute performance about a little girl called Zoe and the evil burger man who is after her pet rat! Or, Polar Bear & Penguin is the show where humour, friendship, and fish (!) collide this April in Sydney.

Game Theory is a fast-paced, funny and vibrant celebration of play, sport and big emotions, presented through the clever and captivating medium of dance, or, with gravity-defying acrobatics, stunning visuals, and playful humour, I Wish... explores and celebrates our differences to reveal the magic of individuality and all the things we could be. Bursting with imagination, wonder and discovery, I Wish… is an unforgettable live acrobatic experience to be enjoyed during the autumn school holidays.

Where:     Sydney Opera House
When:      Various throughout the school holidays
Cost:        Various depending on the event

11. House of WOW

House of Wow
A trip to House of WOW makes for an epic family school holiday activity in Sydney.


Get everyone out of the house with a trip to House of WOW during the autumn school holidays. Situated in the heart of Prestons, this venue is a paradise for thrill-seekers and fun enthusiasts of all ages.

Indulge in the thrill of bowling at the state-of-the-art Hyper Strike alley; test your climbing prowess on the Turbo Climb wall; watch your little ones explore the vast wonders of Monkey Mania, an expansive indoor play area. Dive into the realm of gaming with a diverse selection of arcade machines. Truly, there's something for every age and stage at House of WOW.

Where:     52 Bernera Rd, Prestons
When:      Throughout the autumn school holidays and beyond
Cost:        Various depending on activity, visit the website for details

12. Jamberoo Action Park

Jamberoo Action Park
Jamberoo Action Park


Round out the season at everyone's favourite aquatic playground - Jamberoo Action Park! Jamberoo has rides for every age and stage, incredible wave pools with their own beaches, rock jumps, bobsleds, a chairlift, mini golf, and their very own Jamberoo Express.

There’s something for everyone, including Billabong Beach which caters specifically to the little ones with ankle-deep water, slides, water spouts, and a smaller bucket on a soft surface surrounded by shaded banana lounges for mum and dad to keep watch. Thrills await at Velocity Falls—so thrill seekers are catered to as well! 

Where:     Jamberoo Action Park, 1215 Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo
When:       Open until Sunday 28 April 2024 | 10 am - 5 pm 
Cost:         From $59.00 per person

13. Puppeteria

Puppeteria
Puppeteria puppet shows for kids make for a great school holiday activity in Sydney.


With its long association with puppetry, Jackie and John Lewis' company, Jeral Puppets, has been performing professionally since 1966.

The Jeral Puppets have plenty of exciting performances taking place during the spring school holidays from an extensive list of shows; including The Gingerbread Man, Little Red Riding Hood + Three Billy Goats Gruff, Hansel and Gretel + Treasure Island and more. Tickets for Puppeteria's shows can be booked online by visiting TryBooking.com.

Where:     Puppeteria Theatre, 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove.
When:      Saturday 13 - Monday 29 April 2024 | All shows start at 10.30 am.
Cost:        Admission is $13 per child and $15 per adult.

14. Richard the Stork - Family-Friendly Fun in Cinemas 

RICHARD THE STORK & THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT JEWEL
Adventure awaits - and teamwork, trust, and spork skills will save the day!


Get ready for a feather-filled escapade at your local cinema with Richard the Stork and the Mystery of the Great Jewel. Join Richard as he journeys through Northern Africa, facing marabous, a greedy peacock, and a mysterious riddle to find the Great Jewel.

Richard, a sparrow who was adopted by a stork family, is wintering at the Great Lake in Northern Africa. When he realises that he won’t be the one to lead his flock back North, Richard decides to fly away to travel on his own and crosses paths with Samia and her sparrow flock, who are being held captive by evil marabous under the control of the greedy peacock Zamano. The only chance of freedom for the sparrows is to solve a riddle and find the Great Jewel, which will call upon teamwork, trust and, most of all, spork (sparrow + stork) skills.

Where:   A cinema near you - check times and locations here.
When:   This April school holidays
Age:      Families with kids aged 4 - 10

15. Museums of History New South Wales

School holiday activities in Sydney
Immerse yourself in history this autumn at the Museums of History New South Wales.


School holiday activities in Sydney represent the perfect chance for kids and families to explore our city's fascinating history through fun and unique museum experiences and programs at Museums of History New South Wales (formerly Sydney Living Museums).

Museums of History New South Wales has 12 historic houses, gardens, and museums under their helm, brought to life through a dynamic and diverse program of exhibitions, events, and tours, so your family can experience our unique past in a fun, interactive way.

Elizabeth House and Vaucluse House are hosting All In A Day's Work workshops this autumn, offering kids the chance to discover what life was like in colonial times for a convict servant.

Where:    Various Museums of History New South Wales locations 
When:     Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:       Various - see programs for prices

16. The Best Kids Shows in Sydney

The Best Kids Shows
Catch one of the best kids shows in Sydney during the autumn school holidays!


Sydney is loaded with incredible theatre performances for all ages, and this autumn is lining up to be a blockbuster one!

From RATBURGER to Marvel Universe Live and plenty in betweenthere's a kids' show happening these school holidays in Sydney to appeal to all thespians!

Where:     Various theatres across Sydney
When:      Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:        Various depending on the show

More Autumn Adventures

Sydney's Best Playgrounds By The Water
The Best Lighthouses In & Around Sydney
Sydney's Best Ocean Pools

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