Attractions for kids in NSW

South Coast 

Just under two hours drive south of Sydney, Jamberoo is a hotspot for kids' activities. You can experience the thrill of Australia’s longest zipline at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures. While at Jamberoo Action Park, there’s tobogganing and water slides for all ages. 

Just 25 minutes from Jamberoo, Illawarra Golf Complex and Crazy Putt has an 18-hole putt-putt course. Or head to Symbio Wildlife Park near Stanwell Park for close encounters with native animals. 

Jamberoo Action Park, Jamberoo

On the Sapphire Coast at the southern tip of NSW, feed your sense of adventure at Magic Mountain Merimbula, where kids' activities include racing cars, water and carpet slides, tobogganing and mini golf. Nearby, a curious marine-life experience awaits at Merimbula Aquarium and Eden Killer Whale Museum. 

Magic Mountain, Merimbula

North & Central Coast 

There are plenty of kid’s attractions on the NSW Central and North Coast. In Gosford, you’ll find the Australian Reptile Park where you can see crocodiles, alligators and furry friends like koalas and Tassie devils. 

Nearby at Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, there are horse and pony rides, quad biking, outdoor laser tag, kayaking and more. While at Treetops Adventure Central Coast in Tuggerah, there are swinging, flying and bouncing adventures for all ages. 

Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, Glenworth Valley

In Port Stephens, kids can pet and feed marine life at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, or see monkeys, meerkats, leopards and giraffes up close at Mogo Wildlife Park near Batemans Bay. While in Newcastle, older kids can have fun hurtling around the track at Go Karts Go. 

Big Banana Fun Park in Coffs Harbour is a kid's paradise, with water slides, taboggans, laser tag, ice skating and much more. While at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, you can up close marine animals such as dolphins and seals. 

The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour

In the far north of the state, Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Ballina is where younger kids can cuddle native animals. While the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum has a fascinating exhibit that includes Australia’s largest collection of ship models and countless interactive displays that kids love. 

Nearby in Byron Bay, Cape Byron Marine Park provides a fantastic destination to go kayaking with Cape Byron Kayaks and Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay. Or kids can learn to ride the waves at Lets Go Surfing Byron Bay. 

Lets Go Surfing surf school, Byron Bay

Country NSW 

Dubbo is home to the amazing Taronga Western Plains Zoo, where you can meet rhinos, lions, giraffes and meerkats. For something more historical, Old Dubbo Gaol provides a glimpse of life behind bars during colonial times, with many curious artefacts and secrets to explore. 

There’s no better place in Australia for stargazing than Warrumbungle National Park in Coonabarabran. Milroy Observatory runs nightly kid-friendly tours where you can take in the wonders of the night sky through telescopes.  

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Snowy Mountains 

Wintertime in the Snowy Mountains of course means that kids can ski, snowboard, snowshoe and build snowmen. But what about when the snow melts? There’s still heaps of fun to be had at Alpine Bobsled Thredbo, with its twisting, turning 700-metre track that propels sledders down the mountain. Kids must be nine years and older and at least 130 cm tall for this one. 

There’s also plenty of opportunity for some family-friendly mountain biking. The Thredbo Valley Track, Lake Crackenback Resort and Bungarra Alpine Centre all offer easy riding options for first-time mountain bikers. Or for some fun on four legs, kids can ride ponies at Thredbo Valley Horse Riding. 

Thredbo Valley Track, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Robert Mulally

Sydney

The fun never stops at Luna Park, where there’s plenty of thrills for both kids and the young at heart. Ride rollercoasters, try your luck at sideshow games or hop on the Ferris wheel and enjoy spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.   

Western Sydney is home to Australia’s largest indoor trampoline playground at Flip Out Penrith. Or for some watery fun, Raging Waters in Blacktown has more than 30 waterslides and rides, including a thrilling 206-metre slide.  

Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point

Also out west, kids can fly like their favourite superhero at iFLY Downunder, experience the thrill of soaring through the air with Jetpack Adventures, and try cable skiing, wakeboarding and knee-boarding at Cables Wake Park. 

For an animal adventure, Taronga Zoo on Sydney’s north shore offers close encounters with exotic and native wildlife. There are over 4,000 animals on display, including tigers, lions, elephants and chimpanzees. Or head over to Western Sydney, where kids can have an open-air safari-style experience at Sydney Zoo and meet furry friends at Featherdale Wildlife Park. 

Taronga Zoo, Mosman

In Darling Harbour, kids can get up close to koalas and kangaroos at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, see king penguins, sharks and turtles at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, then meet their favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds. 

If it’s educational fun you’re looking for, you can step onto a replica sailing ship and explore a submarine at Australian National Maritime Museum. While at the Australian Museum, there are 21 million scientific specimens and cultural objects to explore.  

Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour

Plan your trip 

Before planning your next family holiday, check out the events calendar for festivals and special exhibitions for kids at museums and galleries during school holidays. A road trip is a great way to see the state and there are accommodation options are available to suit a range of budgets.