Looking for school holiday activities to do with the kids? We give you our best picks of things to do in the holidays from each of the Australian states.
Halfway through the school year and time for some well-deserved break for the kiddos.
It doesn’t matter if you’ll be at home with the children, putting them into vacation care, palming them off to other family members. Our list of fun things to do will ensure the kids have a good time these school holidays.
Here are some of the best school holiday activities by state.
Queensland | Victoria | New South Wales | Australian Capital Territory | Western Australia | Northern Territory | South Australia | Tasmania
Queensland things to do in the holidays
There’s plenty of cheap school holiday activities but if you’re looking for something a little bit more special:
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (Toowoomba)
Four breathtaking weekends of flowers, flavours and sounds, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers takes over the Southern Queensland city of Toowoomba in the most beautiful of ways each Spring with a program of unique events and experiences including award-winning parks, stunning private gardens, a street parade bursting with floral colour, internationally acclaimed musical acts, some of the best food to be found in Queensland and a multitude of cultural and natural adventures.
Moon Festival (Brisbane)
Gather your friends and family for one of the most vibrant cultural events of the year. Fortitude Valley will come alive with colour, music and tradition as the Moon Festival returns. From spectacular lion and dragon dances to lantern making workshops and interactive performances, the Valley is the place to be for an evening of free entertainment, food and festivity.
The Ultimate Magic Show (Caloundra & Logan)
A highly popular action-packed family show, featuring hilarious comedy and mind-blowing magic for kids and adults alike. This show is highly interactive, getting the kids involved in all the action onstage and isn’t just funny for the kids, but the parents will have a good laugh too!
Victoria school holiday ideas
You could spend some quality time with your children exploring the many Melbourne laneways while sipping hot chocolate these school holidays. Or you could up the adrenaline with a vigorous game of laser tag. For other things to do in the holidays in Victoria:
Tuff Nutterz (Mornington Peninsula)
Enjoy Australia’s largest inflatable obstacle course, a fantastic family-friendly event that promises a day filled with fun and excitement for everyone. The event features Australia’s biggest inflatable obstacle course (300m long) and other inflatable games, which are sure to provide an exhilarating experience for both kids and adults alike.
Rome: Empire, Power, People (Melbourne)
Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome’s political, cultural and social life.
Cherryhill Blossom Festival (Yarra Valley)
Celebrate spring by visiting a working cherry orchard during its brief white-blossom peak, with picnic spots, food trucks, live acoustic music and their signature cherry ice cream.
New South Wales school holiday activities 2026
There’s plenty happening in Sydney and surrounds to ensure plenty of school holiday fun. Spend the day exploring the Sydney harbour area for a cheap school holiday idea. There’s plenty to see around the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and the Rocks without breaking the bank.
Other things to do include:
Disney’s The Lion King (Sydney)
Prepare for a spectacle far beyond your imagination as you follow the powerful story of Simba as he journeys from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Seen by over 124 million people worldwide, this landmark musical combines breathtaking visual artistry, unforgettable music and a deeply moving story that has captured hearts across generations.
Hello Koalas Festival (Port Macquarie)
Celebrate the Hello Koalas Festival and its popular Treasure Hunt, this year named in honour of “The Big Koala, Spirit of All Koalas”. Established in 2017, the Hello Koalas Festival, the world’s first festival celebrating Australia’s much-loved iconic koala, is an annual cultural tourism event. The Festival has been inspired by the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail which encompasses over 91 fibreglass one-metre-high koala sculptures, hand-painted by local artists, located in 72 locations on the Mid-North Coast.
Deni Ute Muster (Deniliquin)
Now going into its 27th year, the Deni Ute Muster annually attracts up to 20,000 people from all corners of Australia and the world. The sports arena hosts driving competitions and don’t forget the Bull Rides spectacular. Bring the family along, the event has a family centre with free children’s activities including a sand pit and Carnival Corner.
Things to do in the holidays: ACT 2026
The Australian Capital Territory is the perfect spot for some school holiday fun with the kids. If you’re in Sydney, you could even pop in for a long weekend.
RELICS: A New World Rises
An immersive exhibition where vintage objects become homes for intricate miniature worlds built from LEGO® bricks. Set in an imagined future where humans have abandoned Earth, the exhibition playfully explores creativity, consumer culture, sustainability and the objects left behind.
Questacon: National Science and Technology Centre
With its many interactive and colourful galleries celebrating and teaching science and technology, Questacon is a fantastic visit for the whole family.
Floriade
As spring arrives in Canberra, more than one million blooms bring Commonwealth Park to life in a vibrant display of colour and natural beauty. Wander through spectacular garden beds and enjoy a diverse program of entertainment, food and drink, workshops, talks, and activities for all ages, as Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring comes into full bloom.
Western Australia 2026 school holiday ideas
Whether it’s a visit to the local library or a family weekend away, there are plenty of things to do in the holidays in Western Australia.
The Story of Kooyar (Perth)
For four nights only this September, Elizabeth Quay will become a giant open-air canvas as a towering water screen rises from the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) for The Story of Kooyar, a free nighttime experience for all ages.
Visit Rottnest Island (Rottnest Island)
Sitting just offshore from Perth, the entire family will love visiting this protected nature reserve, home to the adorable quokka. You can travel to the island by air or water (90 minutes from Perth) and while you could technically make a day trip out of it, why would you with so many things on offer in Western Australia for young kids and old?
Giants of Mandurah (Mandurah)
Arguably one of his most ambitious projects to date, the “Giants of Mandurah” is an outdoor exhibition and game of self-discovery that celebrates and champions the protection of the Peel region’s extraordinary natural environment.
Northern Territory school holiday activities
There’s much to do this school holiday in the Northern Territory. With the temperatures warming, school holiday fun up north will likely involve being in the water (unless there are crocs).
A Taste of Ireland (Darwin)
Performed by former World Irish dance champions, and featuring dancers from Lord of the Dance, Riverdance, and the recent West End cast of Éireann, A Taste of Ireland brings the spirit and energy of modern Ireland to life with a pint of Irish wit. Watch world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, live jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, and heartfelt storytelling in a live celebration of Irish music and dance.
Desert Mob (Alice Springs)
One of the nation’s oldest Aboriginal art festivals, Desert Mob features an exhibition, art market and artist talks and presentations, as well as public programs and satellite events throughout Mparntwe (Alice Springs). From the Opening Night celebration to community studio visits, evening curator talks, art workshops and musical performances, Desert Mob is a cultural event for all the community.
Fish feeding at Aquascene (Darwin)
Kids can choose to feed the fish from the comfort of the concrete stairs of the viewing platform or wade into the water and have them tickle their feet at this wonderful sanctuary.
Things do to in the holidays in South Australia
There’s plenty on offer over the Adelaide school holidays. The hardest part may be choosing what to do.
Hahndorf Farm Barn (Adelaide Hills)
An interactive children’s farmyard and wildlife park that lets visitors get hands-on with over 16 species of friendly farm animals and native wildlife, including bottle-feeding lambs, milking a cow and holding small animals.
Tree Climb (Adelaide)
Australia’s first inner-city aerial adventure park built within the natural environment of the Adelaide City Park Lands. There are over 70 obstacles in eight courses to choose from, and this place is open rain, hail or shine. The area also has public BMX bike tracks, a playground, basketball and netball courts, sporting fields, plus an athletics track for your kids to burn off even more energy.
Nature Festival (Adelaide)
Sitting at the intersection of nature and culture, the Nature Festival feature more than 300 experiences of art, adventure, music, food, wellbeing, gardens and Aboriginal culture, with plenty of free and family-friendly events.
Tasmania holiday ideas 2026
Coming up with things to do in the holidays can be a challenge, but here are some of the best things to do in Tasmania with the kids.
A Natural Escape (Nubeena)
A three-week celebration featuring more than 40 activities across the region, including nature-based experiences, science talks, agriculture and marine-themed events with contributions from the arts, local tourism operators, businesses and community groups.
Sheffield Steam Train Rides (Sheffield)
The Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society offer a heritage rail experience through the regular operation of a century-old Krauss locomotive. A miniature train and a number of different model gauge trains are also open.
Island Stampede Bull Ride (Prospect)
The event delivers a full weekend of high-energy entertainment beyond the chutes. Music, food vendors, licensed bars and a vibrant atmosphere make it a destination experience for families, couples and groups alike.
Read next: School holiday activities: Tips for parents to keep sane
Unsure when the next school holidays are? Check out our calendar.
