Craving for fun and adventure this holiday season? NSW is jam-packed with exciting things to do. Whether it’s roving across desert dunes, riding the scariest rollercoaster, or watching the sunset at Sydney Harbour, there are plenty of options for you and the entire gang!
Mark your calendars for the NSW school holidays, and gear up for a vacation you’ll never forget! Check out our top picks of the best activities to enjoy with friends and family while on a break:
- Dolphin Watching and Kayaking Experience from Byron Bay
- Quad Biking at Port Stephens
- Blue Mountains Scenic World
- Illawarra Fly Tree Top
- Hunter Valley Gardens
- Hunter Valley Aqua Golf & Putt-Putt
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Hunter Valley
- Escape Cockatoo Island
- The Big Banana
- Pizza Paddle at Bateman’s Bay
Klook Tip: Avail $100 worth of NSW’s Dine & Discover vouchers and save up on travel! Promo is extended to 30 June 2022. Learn more about it with our step-by-step guide.
1. Dolphin Watching and Kayaking Experience from Byron Bay
Grab your best pals and kayak along Byron Bay!
Kick-off the summer holidays in NSW by splashing around Byron Bay, ‘Straya’s hub for laid back beaches, surfing, and whale watching! Take the plunge and kayak through the crystal blue waters of Main Beach. Who knows―you might even spot friendly dolphins and Humpback Whales along the way!
This 3-hour kayak experience takes you to the best spots to find these sea mammals, as well as the turtles and the fearsome Manta Rays. Hop on or go underwater, but make sure to bring along a waterproof camera to capture all the stunning sights!
Klook Tip: Opt for the sunrise kayak for an even more memorable experience.
2. Quad Biking at Port Stephens
King of the road and of Port Stephen’s desert dunes
Watched Timothee Chalamet in Dune? Or if you haven’t, maybe you remember the Disney classic, Aladdin? If you love either one (or both!), then Port Stephens is the place to be. This neighbourhood, only a 2.5-hour drive away from Sydney, is an adventurer’s playground―best known for its pristine beaches and thrilling sand dune adventures.
Get your adrenaline pumping by biking along Stockton Beach and Worimi Sand Dunes with your best mates! The 1-hour guided quad biking tour lets you zip around and drive over the sands like a true warrior. Race against each other while traversing across the stunning desert landscape―a sure-fire way to enjoy the NSW school holidays!
3. Blue Mountains Scenic World
Catch these sights and more at the Blue Mountains. Image credits: @scenicworld_aus on Instagram
Spend an exciting day at the jaw-dropping World Heritage site of the Blue Mountains, well-loved for its ochre-toned cliffs, striking blue haze, and plenty of family fun. Hike through the Six Foot Track, Katoomba Falls, and the Anderson Fire Trail! Or, if you want to relax and unwind instead, ride the aerial cableway―545 metres above forest grounds.
Visit different attractions in Blue Mountains Scenic World, including Velociraptors and other life-size dinosaur sculptures along the way. The Scenic World Scenic Pass gives you access to the park’s top attractions and unparalleled panoramic views!
4. Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
Hang in there! Image credits: @illawarrafly on Instagram
Not scared of heights? Try walking 45 metres above forest grounds! Feel the rush at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, home of Southern Highland’s longest ziplines and one of the only four steel walkway canopies in the world.
Fly, glide, and soar through the native rainforest in a 1.5-kilometre zipline followed by a relaxing treetop walk. The best part? Fresh air and awe-inspiring nature aside, it’s just an hour and a half drive away from bustling Sydney―the perfect NSW school holidays escapade for the entire family!
5. Hunter Valley Gardens
Someone call the Mad Hatter for a tea party! Image credits: @huntervalleygardens on Instagram
New South Wales isn’t short of breathtaking scenery, and Hunter Valley Gardens is one of its most surreal bits! Themed gardens, native and exotic flora, and over 24 sweeping hectares of land await you and the entire family at this tranquil place.
If you’re looking for a break from action-packed adventures, here’s your chance! At Hunter Valley Gardens, you’ll easily get enchanted by the sweeping colours and aroma of the Rose Garden and effortlessly find zen at the Oriental Garden. (While at it, don’t forget to snap some pics for the ‘Gram!)
As for the kids? They can play-pretend tea parties at the Storybook Garden and watch the Christmas Lights Spectacular held during the season.
6. Hunter Valley Aqua Golf & Putt Putt
Land the hole! Image credits: @waldemarbrandt67w on Unsplash
If you’re not ready to hit the road yet, stop by Hunter Valley Aqua Golf & Putt Putt, conveniently located right beside Hunter Valley Gardens. This family-friendly golf course boasts a 5,000 square metre lake full of floating target nets to land your ball in!
Expert golfers can test their skills at the 18-hole Putt-Putt course, while beginners can try their luck at the mini-golf course. The Aqua Golf & Putt Putt is guaranteed to be great family fun during the NSW school holidays!
7. Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Hunter Valley
The experience of a lifetime at 2,000 feet up in the air
When visiting Hunter Valley, make sure you charge your camera because you won’t get enough of the incredible sunrise view of NSW’s famous wine county! Located 2 hours and 45 minutes from Newcastle, this Hot Air Balloon Ride will gently fly you around the region’s most picturesque wineries: Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, and Broke.
Once you’ve basked in the amazing sights, have a gourmet breakfast prepared at the famous Peterson House Winery, where you can continue the excitement by the overlooking view of the quaint vineyard.
Klook Tip: This once-in-a-lifetime experience is best enjoyed during the spring and summer NSW school holidays when the plants are in full bloom.
8. Escape Cockatoo Island
Don’t forget to take a pic at this historic site! Image credits: @cockatooisland on Instagram
If you’re not keen on travelling long distances, another destination you can hit up during public holidays in NSW is Cockatoo Island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a former convict penal establishment and a naval shipyard at the heart of Sydney Harbour. Today, it’s a popular attraction among travellers, easily accessible with a ferry ride.
Here, families can go on heritage tours and dine and drink at its many waterfront cafés. Storm through the barracks or attempt to escape the Guardhouse―a guided tour of the island will get you immersed in the island’s dark history! And, if you’re visiting with the mates, prepare for a scare at Cockatoo Island’s Ghost Tour (18+ only!).
9. The Big Banana
Slip and slide at the big ride! Image credits: @the_big_banana_icon on Instagram
NSW school holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Coffs Harbour’s biggest theme park. Enjoy a full day of fun, action-packed adventure at the Big Banana, where kids, teens, and the young at heart can blast off to giant water slides, laser tag arenas, skating rinks, and many more thrilling rides!
You can pay a visit to the biggest waterslide in Oz―known as “The Racer”―and Steve McEwan’s Reptile World during the holidays with a Day Pass, and have unlimited access to the park’s heart-stopping rides and attractions.
10. Pizza Paddle at Bateman’s Bay
Have pizza on the go!
Though far from Sydney’s bustle and hustle, Bateman’s Bay is a can’t-miss destination for the holidays in NSW, and it’s all because of the city’s fresh oysters and seafood! This hidden gem of the NSW South Coast is the largest coastal town and fishing village in the area, with popular activities including food hopping at waterfront cafés and paddling around the Clyde River.
Get your fill of fresh seafood by going on a sunset kayak tour of the river, where you can spot prawns, fish, and many more sea critters among the mangroves and sand flats. While on tour, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a box of pizza delivered straight to your kayak!
Want more adventure? We’ve got you covered! Discover more of NSW here!
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