Winter school holidays in NSW

Skiing with the family

The 2024 ski season kicks off on the June long weekend at Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass. You’ll find the longest runs in Australia, easy slopes for beginners and plenty of fun for the whole family. Plan the ultimate ski trip by reading our guides on selecting a ski resort, things to know before you go, top tips for beginners, terrain parks, night skiing, apres ski and other winter activities on offer in the Snowies.

Read more: A three-day winter itinerary in the Snowies with kids

Charlotte Pass, Snowy Mountains

Whale watching

Every year between May and November, more than 40,000 whales make their way along the NSW coast. There are plenty of coastal vantage points all along the Humpback Highway, or you can hop aboard a cruise to get even closer to these giants of the deep. 

Jervis Bay on the South Coast is a top whale-watching spot and you can often spot whales swimming with their newborn calves. Jervis Bay Wild, Dolphin Watch Cruises, and Shellharbour Wild run whale-watching cruises through the waters of the Shoalhaven region. Snorkel or dive alongside them with Dive Jervis Bay. In Newcastle, join CoastXP for an exciting tour on a small adventure boat. Or paddle out among whales and dolphins with Go Sea Kayak in Byron Bay. 

Read more: A guide to whale watching in NSW

Whale Watching, North Coast

Outdoor adventure

Make the most of crisp, sunny days and explore the great outdoors in NSW. Take the family on a bushwalking adventure in national parks like Dorrigo National Park on the North Coast or Mungo National Park in Outback NSW, or explore on two wheels along mountain biking trails. Winter is also the perfect time for a stargazing experience in destinations such as the Warrumbungles and Broken Hill. For something different, zip through the trees at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures near Jamberoo.

Read more: The best walks & hikes in NSW national parks

Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park

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 the 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.

Read more: Six family-friendly activities in the Blue Mountains

Scenic World, Katoomba 

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 a scenic drive, follow our family-friendly guides to the Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Bathurst, the Kempsey region, Ballina, Goulburn, Dubbo, Tamworth and Kiama.

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

NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach

Enjoy a winter festival

Snow Time in the Garden Festival is held in Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley from 29 June to 28 July 2024. It's the perfect excuse to have some family fun, kids will be able to partake in ice skating, tobogganing, snowman building and a whole lot of other outdoor activities.

Bathurst Winter Festival from 6 to 21 July 2024 in Bathurst will have a range of entertainment, light shows, rides, ice skating, food events, market stalls, live music and more. The Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba on 21 and 23 June 2024 will light up with local artists, musicians, dancers, drummers, choirs, stalls and more. Everybody is encouraged to dress in costume. When planning your holiday, check the events calendar for all the local activities in the area.

Read more: The top 20 'Big Things' in NSW

Bathurst Winter Festival, Bathurst - Credit: David Roma

Animal encounters

Zoos and wildlife parks are great for young explorers. See alligators, snakes and lizards at the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast, let a meerkat sit in your lap at Mogo Wildlife Park on the South Coast, feed giraffes and zebras at Altina Wildlife Park at Darlington Park, meet koalas at Symbio Wildlife Park in the Illawarra, or take a drive through the habitat of big cats at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

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

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Museums & learning

Keep little brains active outside of school hours at a museum. Cricket fans will love the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral and budding scientists will be amazed at Science Space in Wollongong. Other family favourites include Temora Aviation Museum, the Killer Whale Museum in Eden and the Australian Fossil Museum in Bathurst.

Read more: A guide to NSW's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, Bowral