Spring school holidays in NSW

Outdoor adventures

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 paddle boards for a little adventure.  

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, Illawarra

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.

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. 

Read more: 12 ways to get outdoors & try something new in NSW

Scenic World, Katoomba 

 Zoos & 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 - Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo 

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 Montague Island off the coast of Narooma on the South Coast, is home to the largest fur seal colony in the NSW.  

Read more: How to get close to Australia's cuddliest animals in NSW

Whale and dolphin watching cruise at Nelson Bay, Port Stephens

Fruit picking & fresh produce

If you are looking for a fun day trip with the family, springtime is perfect for visiting fruit farms and orchards – little ones will adore plucking their own fresh produce from the tree and taking it home to eat. Near Sydney, Thirlmere’s Berrylicious Strawberries let you eat as many as you want for $20 per person (kids are $10 but babies under two eat for free). Meanwhile, 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, and Allambie Orchard in Wombat is the spot for devouring sweet cherries for $10 per kilogram.

Read more: Where to pick your own fruit & fresh produce in NSW

Young girl enjoying a day of cherry picking at Allambie Orchard, Wombat

Camping & 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 pooch along too at a pet-friendly holiday park. 

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

Read more: The Blond Nomads' guide to camping & road trips in NSW

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach

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.

Read more: A kids' guide to the best family holidays in NSW

Koala Shores Port Stephens Holiday Park, Port Stephens