Spring school holiday guide: What’s on near you
Make the most of your spring break by checking out what's on in your city.
Spring has sprung and we couldn’t be more excited for the warmer weather and the chance to have some holiday fun.
As another school year hurtles along, it’s time to take a break and get outside and enjoy some memory-making time together as a family.
Not sure what to do? We’re rounding up the most fun events happening around the country for you.
TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2022
Australian Capital Territory: 24 September to 7 October
New South Wales: 26 September to 7 October
Northern Territory: 24 September to 7 October
Queensland: 19 September to 3 October
South Australia: 3 September to 14 October
Tasmania: 3 October to 14 October
Victoria: 19 September to 30 September
Western Australia: 26 September to 7 October
Take a look at what is on near you in the state by state guide below …
New South Wales
Australian Museum Sharks exhibition
For 450 million years, sharks have dominated Earth’s oceans. Today, their existence has never been under more threat.
In the Australian Museum’s new exhibition, Sharks, visitors will explore the diversity of these ancient predators with 11 life-size shark models, interactive experiences and specimens from the Australian Museum collection.
With cultural connections reaching back countless generations, visitors will also discover how First Nations’ and Pasifika Peoples’ knowledge of sharks can help us protect them.
Sharks opened to the public on Saturday 24 September 2022 and runs through to Tuesday 31 January 2023, with tickets on sale now. Don’t miss this spectacular new exhibition about one of Earth’s most fierce and fascinating apex predators.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Celebrate Colourful Creatures at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
Dive into an underwater world bursting with colour at the aquarium to enjoy the kaleidoscope of wonder whilst venturing through the aquarium’s nine immersive zones, encountering a myriad of marine creatures.
Encounter even more colour at the zoo, located just next door to the aquarium. Journey through 10 interactive zones and appreciate the bright range of colours present through the unique variety of animals that call Australia home.
Upon entry to each attraction kids will receive a free activity booklet to create their very own adventure storybooks as they journey along the colourful creatures adventure trail, which will keep them entertained with a range of fun and interactive activities.
For the best value, visit both attractions and save:
- $58 Adult
- $41.00 Child
- Children (0-2) Free
Taronga Zoo
Taronga cares for over 5,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened.
Some of the animals you might meet on your visit to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo include Sumatran Tigers, Asian Elephants, Chimpanzees and more.
For more details visit Taronga Zoo Sydney.
Queensland
Herberton Historic Village
Set on 16 acres, the Historic Village Herberton is a tin mining town with shops, pub, bank, chemist, grocer, printer and garage. There are more than 50 restored period buildings making this outdoor museum the most significant in Queensland.
Plan to spend the day and take your time viewing thousands of genuine antiques, Australian collectibles, vintage machinery and vehicles, and more. Working exhibits are brought to life during school holidays and on some weekends.
The Historic Village Herberton is a 90-minute drive from Cairns and there is plenty of free parking on-site, including space for RVs and caravans.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest refuge for our eucalyptus-munching, cuddly and cute native marsupials who are sadly under threat in the wild.
But here, your kids will learn what they can do to help them and, with their little hearts stirred, do their bit for koala conservation.
Along with koalas, plenty of other animals call this place home, including lorikeets, kangaroos, crocodiles, echidnas, dingos, platypus and more.
These school holidays, the kids can get an even bigger taste of conservation: sign them up for the Junior Keeper for a Day program (suited for 5 – 12 year olds).
Springbrook National Park
This stunning Gold Coast rainforest offers a wide variety of trips and walks for families.
Check out glow worms in their natural habitat and be awestruck by beautiful rock formation at the bottom: The Natural Bridge.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre, Daisy Hill
Located 25 kms south of Brisbane, families can explore the eucalypt forests of the Daisy Hill Koala Centre in search of these sleepy mammals.
This free centre, situated in the Daisy Hill Conservation Reserve, is open seven days a week from 10am-4pm and little nature lovers can meet wander the koala enclosure enjoying interactive displays and learning about these cuddly-looking Aussie icons.
Victoria
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is a living outdoor museum of the regions gold mining history. A gold mining township has been recreated and kids can experience mine tours, pan for gold, watch fascinating demonstrations (like musket firing and gold pouring) or just watch the street performances.
Your Sovereign Hill admission includes all classic experiences such as panning for gold, theatre performances, street shows, live demonstrations, exploring our shops and cottages, bowling, self-guided tours of the Red Hill Mine, the Gold Pour and additional special seasonal activities.
Sovereign Hill is open 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week for the September School Holidays (17 Sept – 2 Oct).
Tickets: Adult, $49; Child 5-15, $29; Child under 5, free.
Making Art: Imagine Everything is Real
This free all-ages exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, invites kids and their families to experiment with innovative ways of making their own works of art.
Presented in conjunction with the world-premiere Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, The Picasso Century, and inspired by the works and artists in the show, this new exhibition offers four distinct activity spaces where audiences can experiment with paper collage, drawing, poetry, and large-scale sculptures.
Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
The LEGO Monsters have taken over LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre these school holidays.!
From 12 September – 7 October 2022, the attraction is celebrating the release of the brand-new LEGO 4D Movie, The Great Monster Chase! with a fun-filled Monster Party.
With loads of fun activites on offer, kids are invited to dress up for the party to receive a special pop badge!
Neighbourhood Earth, Emporium Melbourne
A multi-sensory space exploration exhibition has returned to Melbourne for a limited time during the school holidays with NEIGHBOURHOOD EARTH, brought to life by leading entertainment discovery platform Fever.
NEIGHBOURHOOD EARTH features a truly immersive projection experience utilising surround sound and a giant projection-mapped dome that will transport visitors to space inside an epic cinematic environment. The multi-sensory experience also contains engaging learning activities for all ages, space artefacts, museum-quality models and examples of spacecrafts, tools and astronaut suits.
NEIGHBOURHOOD EARTH will be housed at Emporium Melbourne (287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne) until 1 October.
Tickets are available here.
Tasmania
Bush Adventures, Hobart
With activities for children of all ages, families and adults, Bush Adventures is a great way to connect with your local environment.
Learn about the native creatures who call Hobart home, and enjoy the multitude of benefits spending time in nature gives.
Activities include:
Bush Stories (2- 5 yrs.)
Nocturnal Tours (all ages)
Waterbug monitoring (all ages)
Discovery walks (all ages)
Nest Box Workshops (all ages)
Go Wild Go Solo adventures (10-14 yrs.)
Dorney House Tours (adults)
Rockpool rambles (all ages)
Western Australia
Perth Royal Show
Showcasing over 400 entertainers, 300 performances and endless hours of enjoyment – with over 101 free things to see and do – the Perth Royal Show is where it’s at these in WA these holidays.
Since 1834, the Perth Royal Show has united people from all over Western Australia, from farmers and performers to families and thrill-seekers. It’s an event that is truly for everyone.
The Perth Royal Show is on from 24 September to 1 October.
Celebrate the Quokka’s birthday on Rottnest Island
The world’s happiest animal is celebrating a birthday this year!
Activities throughout September on Rottnest Island include special wildlife tours, photography workshops and a colouring competition.
The highlight event of the festivities – the Quokka Birthday Party will be held on Sunday 18 September, with party activities for young and old, live music, arts and crafts, boat rides and birthday cake and more.
This event is free but registration is essential.
South Australia
Cirkidz, Bowden
Get off the couch and run away to the circus in the school holidays!
Cirkidz are hosting 2 weeks of awesome half-day and full-day sessions of circus learning and fun. Flip out on the trampoline, soar among the rafters, learn acro tricks certain to impress, or try a bit of everything to discover YOUR circus superpower.
Half day booking $55, Full day booking $100
Northern Territory
Fun Bus – Various Locations, Darwin
All parents and carers with children up to 5 years of age are invited to play on The Fun Bus!
Please bring along your own hat, appropriate clothing, and water bottle.
For further information, please call our Customer Service Centre on 89300556 or the Fun Bus mobile 0419031651 between 9.30am-11.30am Monday to Friday.
