Spring school holidays in NSW

Water sports: surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding 

With the weather warming up, it's the perfect time to get outdoors. If you’re near the coast, you can enrol the kids in surfing lessons while you unwind and relax on beautiful beaches, or rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards for a little adventure.  

Yamba Kayaks, Yamba

Outdoor adventures, walks and national parks

For something different, zip through the trees at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures near Jamberoo. Or take the kids bushwalking and camping in magnificent national parks, like Dorrigo National Park on the North Coast and or Mungo National Park in Outback NSW. 

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, Knights Hill

Just west of Sydney are the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Enjoy spectacular views in the ancient landscape at Scenic World. Hop aboard one of world’s steepest incline railways into a rainforest and glide between rugged cliff tops on a glass-floored cable car. Afterwards, be sure to embark on one of the many amazing bushwalking trails in the region – there are plenty of kid-friendly options taking in sandstone cliffside, waterfalls and dramatic views.

Scenic World, Katoomba 

Boat trips

For a river adventure, you can take the family on a paddle steamer on the mighty Murray River in Country NSW. Why not hire a houseboat and cruise the beautiful river? You can also captain a houseboat on the majestic Great Lakes or on the Clarence River near Grafton in the Clarence Valley. 

Murray River Paddlesteamers, Echuca

 Zoos, animal encounters and wildlife

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo is considered one of the best zoos in Australia. The open-range park offers overnight stays in cabins and permanent tents, so you can spend a few days admiring the 5000+ animals that live there.  

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Spring is a great time to see whales, as they migrate along the NSW coastline to feed in the Antarctic.  There are many great vantage points, including Jervis Bay and Eden on the South Coast, and Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour on the North Coast. 

Below the water, there are some excellent snorkelling spots in NSW. Cook Island on the North Coast has a large population of sea turtles and Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve off the coast of Narooma on the South Coast, is home to the largest fur seal colony in the NSW.  

Whale watching off-shore, Sydney

Fruit picking and fresh produce

Springtime is perfect for visiting fruit farms and orchards. Little ones will enjoy learning about the growing process and plucking their own fresh produce from the tree. Near Sydney, Thirlmere’s Berrylicious Strawberries let you eat as much as you want for $22 per person (kids are $11 but babies under two eat for free). 

In the Riverina, Bidgee Strawberries and Cream has an array of bursting red fruits grown using sustainable and eco-friendly methods, and also offers meet-the-farmer tours. Allambie Orchard in Wombat is the spot for devouring sweet cherries for $10 per kilogram. Plan your farm trip with our guide to the best places to pick fruit in NSW.

Allambie Orchard, Wombat

Camping and road trips

The warmer months are the perfect opportunity to get back to nature on a camping adventure. Pitch a tent at a beachside camping spot, find a secret campsite to get away from the crowds, head out bush to find a remote campsite to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, book into a family-friendly holiday park so you have all the amenities to keep the kids entertained on your doorstep or bring your pooch along to a pet-friendly holiday park. 

If you want to take a scenic drive, follow our family-friendly guides to the Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Bathurst, Ballina, Goulburn and Kiama.

BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park, South Durras

Find a springtime stay

Sometimes a spring break is all about finding the perfect accommodation. If your idea of idyllic involves collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, feeding playful alpacas and embracing the fun of country living, check into a memorable farm stay. If the sunnier days are calling you ocean (or lakes and rivers), pick a waterfront stay. If you want to go off-the-beaten path, then an off-grid hut, cabin or retreat might be the answer. But be prepared: these stays often have no Wi-Fi or phone service.

NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort, South Durras