Your guide to fun in NSW during the winter school holidays

Witches & Sorcerers High Tea at Shangri-La Sydney

Wands up! Banish those winter blues with a Witches & Sorcerers High Tea at Shangri-La Sydney. In the magical Grand Ballroom, enjoy enchanting sweets and delicious bites.

Step into the wizard’s lair and feast like a sorcerer with bubbling chocolate fountains, colourful eclairs, and more. It’s a spellbinding treat you won’t want to miss!

• When: 6 & 7 July, 13 & 14 July, 19, 20 & 21 July
• Time: 11 AM – 1 PM or 2 PM – 4 PM (excluding 21 July)
• Price: AUD 84 per adult (age 12+) and AUD 64 per child (age 3 – 11)

For more information and ticket prices, visit Shangri-La Sydney.

Snow Time in the Garden

Winter wonderland returns to the Hunter Valley Gardens from 29 June to 28 July. 

Located a short drive from Sydney, it’s the perfect adventure for the school holidays.

Get into the winter spirit and build a snowman in the newly transformed MEGA snow play zone, glide down the super-fast 45-metre Giant Ice Toboggan slide, and even twirl and spin in the Ice-Skating Rink for both beginners and more adventurous skaters.

There’s also amusement rides, roving entertainers and plenty of food stalls.

Activities are open from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. For more information and ticket prices, visit Snow Time in the Garden.

Meet ALL the new baby animnals at Taronga Zoo

The winter school holidays are the perfect time for a wild adventure with the whole family at Taronga Zoo Sydney.

From a newborn Pygmy Hippo calf learning to dive, two adventurous chimp babies learning the ropes, an impending public debut of a young seal pup and the ecstatic announcement of twin Red Panda cubs – there is so many adorable new arrivals to meet. 

Upgrade your zoo ticket to a Zoo Friends Annual Membership where you can have 365 days of fun at Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.

For more information about planning a visit to Taronga Zoo Sydney or to purchase your tickets online for up to 20% off, visit Taronga Zoo.

Don’t miss Darling Harbour’s annual Winterfest

From 6 July to 21 July, Darling Harbour will transforms into a winter wonderland filled with epic activities for the whole family. 

Winter Park (July 18 – 21): Head to Tumbalong Park for a FREE 4-day festival.

• Winter Gaming Zone – Play classic games like Minecraft, Mario Kart, and Just Dance.
• Winter Slime Workshop – Kids can create their own slime masterpieces.
• Winter Adventure Film – Enjoy screenings of extreme winter sports films.
• Winter Park Beats – Dance to DJs and live children’s acts with Soul of Sydney.

Family Fun Activities

• WINTERFEST Ice Rink Presented by 2DayFM (July 6 – 21): Skate the open-air rink at Palm Grove Forecourt daily from 10am to 9pm.
• Winter Skies Fireworks (July 18 – 21): Every evening at 8:30pm, Cockle Bay lights up.

Visit DarlingHarbour.com for more details.

It’s par-tea time at the Novotel Sydney Parramatta

Unwind these school holidays with Novotel Sydney Parramatta It’s Par-Tea Time package. Families are guaranteed a jam-packed staycation from the hotel’s central location to endless local attractions as well as an in-room high tea, teepee tent and kids eat free buffet breakfast. 

Includes:

* Overnight accommodation 
* In-room high tea (includes selections of hot chocolate or milkshakes per stay) 
* Glamping pack (teepee and activity packs) 
* Buffet breakfast (kids eat free) 

Novotel Sydney Parramatta stay from $289.

Escape the chill and head to the movies

The winter school holidays are among us and HOYTS is turning up the heat with some of the hottest movies of the year to date.

Here’s our top movie picks for kids:

* Inside Out 2 
* Despicable Me 4 
* The Garfield Movie 
* IF

Plus, HOYTS cinemagoers can also enjoy $10* movie tickets for movie sessions prior to midday every Sunday.

*Valid for all movie sessions before 12:01pm on Sunday until offer is withdrawn. Online booking fee and surcharges apply, excludes HOYTS LUX and special events. No further discounts apply.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit hoyts.com.au.

Experience the wild cinematic beauty of Creatures of Australia: An Immersive Digital Experience

Families and nature enthusiasts will get a close-up look at Australia’s wildlife through stunning high-speed cinematography, larger-than-life projections, and immersive spaces.

Ten wildlife projections will showcase animal behaviors, offering insights into Australia’s fascinating creatures. From close-up views of kookaburras to detailed observations of koalas, kangaroos, and reptiles, visitors will journey into these animals’ natural habitats for a memorable experience.

Tickets are on sale now at creaturesofaustralia.com.

Hands on art and science fun for families at Australian National Maritime Museum

Adventure awaits at the Maritime Museum during the school holidays with a program of exhibitions, vessels, themed creative activities and hands-on workshops.

Get creative with crafts and experiments in the Kids on Deck activity space, explore touchable objects and specimens, climb on board the Museum’s fleet of vessels and loads more.

For more information and ticket prices, click here.

Visit Luna Park’s world-first immersive attraction, Dream Circus

Dream Circus is one of a kind immersive attraction, combining 360-degree visual and audio projections, stagecraft and classic storytelling to make the audience feel like they have stepped into a Hollywood movie. 

As one of the most intact art-deco amusement parks in the world, Luna Park Sydney’s transformation will find harmony between the best of the old and the best of the new, elevating the Sydney icon onto the world stage. 

Tickets for the Dream Circus experience are priced at $35 for children and $45 for adults, click here for tickets and more information.

Meet your idols and heroes in person (sort of) at Madame Tussauds Sydney, Darling Harbour

Kids go half price during the winter school holidays! Party with the Hemsworth brothers or take a photo with Wolverine, Madame Tussauds features 11 zones of famous faces and legends including movie stars, Marvel heroes, world leaders, sporting legends and much more.

Kids go half price during the winter school holidays at Madam Tussauds.

Get up close to animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park

From cuddly koalas munching on eucalyptus leaves to playful kangaroos hopping around, our park offers an immersive experience into the unique behaviors and habitats of Australia’s diverse wildlife.

Join us with your family and friends for a fun-filled day of exploration, learning, and unforgettable encounters with some of the most iconic creatures on the planet. Come and discover the magic of Australian wildlife at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park!

Cost: Save 10% onlne: Adult: $37.80; Kids (ages 3-15) $25.20.     

Click here for tickets and more information.