Autumn school holidays activities in Sydney

Animal encounters

The array of rare and exotic animals in Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks will excite the whole family. Walk above the lions on the boardwalks at Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney or watch the incredible free-flight bird presentation or seal presentation at Taronga Zoo. In Darling Harbour, you can visit the penguins at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and the koalas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

More animal encounters await at Featherdale Wildlife Park, where the kids can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies. Just south of Sydney, Symbio Wildlife Park has exotic and native animals, a farmyard petting zoo and a fun splash park.

Read more: Eight animals you can see up-close in Sydney

Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside

Outdoor activities  

The mild autumn weather is a great time for exploring Sydney's natural surrounds. Try bushwalking in Australia's oldest national park, kayaking in tranquil waterways, and horse riding through parklands and bushland. Take time out to relax with a picnic at Bondi Beach or the Royal Botanic Garden, next to the Sydney Opera House, or one of the many other scenic picnic spots scattered around the city.

If you feel like something more active, you can hire bikes and cycle around Sydney’s best cycleways, such as Centennial Parklands and Narrabeen Lagoon. Sometimes a paved cycling route just isn't challenge enough; those looking for something a bit more adrenaline-inducing can try one of Sydney's top mountain biking trails. Want the experts to show you around? Join a bike tour to take in the city's iconic sights and beaches.

Read more: A five-day itinerary in Sydney for family adventure

Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Adrenaline adventures

Luna Park is open every day during the school holidays. Scream your lungs out on the Hair Raiser, enjoy the old-fashioned amusements at Coney Island or ride the ferris wheel high above the harbour. 

Head to Western Sydney for a whole host of exciting activities. You’ll find elevated obstacle courses and rollercoaster zip lines for the whole family at TreeTop Adventure Park. In Penrith, go skydiving without having to get in a plane at iFLY Downunder, fly through the air with a water jet-powered backpack with Jetpack Adventures, hug the corners on a high-speed go-kart track at Luddenham Raceway and much more. At Sydney Olympic Park the kids can try archery, bike around Bicentennial Park, take a segway tour, attend a circus class or check into the dive clinic at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. 

Read more: 25 of the most exhilarating adrenaline activities in Sydney

Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point

Indoor activities

Sydney museums have offer plenty of interactive activities for children over the school holidays. For young adventurers, the Australian National Maritime Museum has a submarine and a tall ship, and the Powerhouse Museum's technology will intrigue kids of all ages. At the Museum of Fire in Penrith, everyone can participate in firefighting adventures and learn new skills.

The Australian Museum has fascinating temporary and permanent exhibitions, from dinosaurs to Indigenous collections. Madame Tussauds lets you get up-close and personal with your favourite wax sculpture celebrities and the Sydney Tower Eye takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360-degree views. If you’re in the mood for something cultural, try one of these four Sydney Culture Trails that will take you on a self-guided tour to find significant cultural attractions across the city.

Read more: Check out what art exhibitions are currently showing and what musuem's have fun science activities on

Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour