Not sure how to spend the Easter long weekend this year?
From LEGO creations and Easter fair excursions to jet boat rides and painting workshops, our guide has all the top things to do in Sydney. Plus, here are shopping centre opening hours so you can still pick up the essentials.
Things to do over the Easter long weekend in Sydney
Taronga Zoo from Wotif
Looking for the perfect family activity for the Easter long weekend? A trip to Taronga Zoo will not disappoint.
One of Australia’s favourite Easter events can be found right here in Sydney. From live entertainment to animal feeding and the plethora of showbags available, don't miss a day out at the Easter Show.
See Sydney from a different perspective with a guided bike tour around the harbour. Families are welcome, with child bikes and baby seats available. The pace is slow so you can soak up all the sights and sounds.
Sydney Virtual Reality Escape Room from Adrenaline
Love a good challenge? Fill your weekend and battle it out of an escape room with up to 4 of your mates. This is an escape room with a twist. It's based in a world of VR where you'll have to walk, bend and throw in a virtual environment for your freedom.
Visiting Sydney? Catch all the major highlights over the course of a day (or a few hours if you're pressed for time) on the famous hop-on, hop-off Big Bus. Select package tours include admission to Sea Life Aquarium, WILDLIFE Zoo, Sydney Tower and Madame Tussauds.
Push that adrenaline button with an exhilarating jet boat ride on the harbour. Expect wave jumps, 360 degree spins and more – all to the backdrop of Sydney's most famous icons.
Visit some of Australia’s most popular land and sea creatures at SEA LIFE and WILD LIFE in Darling Harbour. If you’ve visited both of these attractions already, you can also opt to visit Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye with this pass.
If you’ve never experienced Sydney Harbour from the water, tick this off your list of things to do in Sydney. This 2-hour cruise experience also includes lunch and commentary. What’s not to love?
Location: Departs from Campbells Cove Jetty, The Rocks, Sydney
If you’ve got a youngster eager to get behind the wheel, this double go karting experience is a great place to start. It makes for a great Easter long weekend activity.
Go all out this Easter weekend with a scenic helicopter flight that gives you a bird's-eye view of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo and Bondi Beach.
Picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens from RedBalloon
Tuck into a gourmet picnic featuring Southeast Asian flavours and native Australian ingredients accompanied by a bottle of wine in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Take in 360 degree views of Sydney from the top of Sydney Tower Eye. The observation deck sits 268 metres above ground. Don't forget to pack your camera!
Location: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Note: The above is accurate as of 3 April 2023. Public holidays may affect normal trading hours. Contact the venue before visiting to confirm their trading hours for 7–10 April 2023.
Top events in Sydney over the Easter long weekend
Sydney Royal Easter Show: Practically synonymous with the Easter holidays, the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show is a fun-for-all-ages event where woodchopping and produce-growing competitions meet carnival rides and showbags. 6–17 April, Sydney Olympic Park
Madama Butterly: Make Easter extra special and witness this beautiful Opera from the top of Mrs Macquaries Point over Easter. Performances are available from 6–23 April, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
Easter Storytime: Entertain the kids with some Easter tales. Select libraries, including Castle Hill Library and Dural Library, are hosting Easter-themed storytimes that include stories about the season as well as Easter craft.
Easter Egg Hunt on the Harbour Bridge: For something a little different BridgeClimb is hosting the first ever Easter Egg hunt on the Harbour Bridge. While you won't get to actually collect eggs, you can spy them hidden on the bridge and count them as you go along and each kid will get a delicious prize at the end of their climb. Suitable for kids 8+ years old. Prices from $99. 6–23 April 2023.
Fairfield Easter Fair: Fairfield Showground will be transformed into an Easter Wonderland this long weekend, with plenty of rides and fun for all ages. 6–11 April, Fairfield Showground
Giant Easter Egg Hunt: For something a little different, take the family out of Sydney for a day to join in one of the biggest, craziest egg hunts we know of. That's 25,000 chocolate eggs to find. Note: only children under 16 may participate in the hunt. 9 April, Glenworth Valley
Easter @ Broadway Shopping Centre: Most shopping centres hold Easter-themed events for the little ones. At Broadway in Glebe there will be an Easter Egg hunt at Create Club, a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny and Easter-themed creative workshops. 30 March - 9 April 2023.
Sydney Royal Easter Show review: Is it worth it?
With adult tickets priced at $41, and rides, food and show bags costing extra, the Sydney Royal Easter Show can quickly become an expensive day out. Is it worth the price? Finder's travel editor went in 2022 with her then 1-year-old and here are her thoughts:
For me, the Easter Show was an integral part of my childhood. When I was a toddler, my parents took me to my first show in Moore Park. As a teen, I went with my school and then with my friends.
I've always loved the live entertainment, the animals, the rides and, yes, the show bags.
So after finding out that children under 4 are free, I couldn't resist the chance to take my little one to her very first show.
And yes, it didn't hurt that I saved a few bucks on the entry price as well.
The moment I walked through the gates, nostalgia hit. The bright lights of the rides called to me, the smell of carnival food drifted up to my nostrils and the excitement of watching wood-chopping events and equestrian displays put a smile on my dial.
The show didn't disappoint. It had everything it is known for from the bustling crowds and that electric atmosphere to local food and agriculture experiences. Everything was as I remembered, and from a parent's point of view, there was more than enough to keep the kids and adults entertained.
We mapped our way around early, which was a good thing too as by lunchtime the crowds had descended.
What I loved is that there was a heap of free stuff we could get stuck into. My daughter adored the Junior Farm Hands experience where she got to forage for (plastic) fruit and vegetables and trade her spoils for a handful of real fruit to eat.
We kept the animal theme going by visiting the pig, chicken and sheep pavilions but sadly missed out on the 10 Shake Farmyard Nursery as we got there during a peak period. Lesson learned there. Next time, we'll do better.
While she slept, I attended the wood-chopping competition, caught the street parade and meandered through the food dome, world bazaar and arts pavilions.
Sadly, having a 1-year-old with me meant that I had to skip the rides and the show bags. This was a blessing and a curse really, as the extra dollars in my pocket were nice, but the carnival really makes the show sing – at least in my opinion.
At $41 per adult, an Easter Show ticket is fairly steep. But, with so much going on – and a bunch of it for free – I reckon it's worth it. Particularly if you spend the whole day there.
5 ways to save at the Sydney Royal Easter Show:
Buy tickets early: Early-bird tickets bought before the show starts can save you a bundle on entry.
Pack your own food: Carnie food is notorious for being overpriced and you can bring as much food in as can fit in your belly. Don't forget a water bottle, too.
Go on Kids Day: Got a family? Visit on Kids Day. All tickets are discounted but kids tickets are discounted the most at more than 50% off.
Go on Seniors' Day: If you hold a seniors card, you can save 50% on your ticket by visiting the show on your dedicated day.
Visit after 4pm: Half-day tickets are cheaper than full-day ones. From 5pm, pavilions start to shut with most closed by 7:30pm. You'll also only have 5 hours to see and do what you want as the show closes at 9pm.
Top free things to do in Sydney over the long weekend
Visit the Botanic Gardens. Find the picnic basket and get your favourite bites together for a perfect Easter weekend date or a day out with the family.
Enjoy the waves at Freshwater Beach. Just because summer is over doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beach. Freshwater provides plenty of space (and in the middle of autumn, we don't think there will be many people around).
Sydney Harbour National Park. Located on Sydney's north shore, the national park boasts plenty to see, from the Hornby lighthouse to endless views of the horizon.
Sydney Heads. As a very coastal country, you don't have to go far for picturesque views of the sea, ideal for a weekend drive.
Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden. As the name suggests, this little slice of paradise is the perfect spot for a morning walk. Located in the CBD, you'll feel a million kilometres away.
West Head Lookout. The lookout provides (what feels like) never-ending views of the horizon that offer the perfect way to start or end the long weekend.
Visit Bare Island. Located in La Perouse, Bare Island is home to a 19th-century fort and the set of Mission Impossible 2.
Spend the day at Bicentennial Park. If you're after something a little further west, then the Homebush Bicentennial Park is a quiet retreat where you can spend the day picnicking with family and friends.
Relax at Maitland Bay Beach. This long stretch of coastline offers endless space on the sand to set up a water-side lunch. We recommend bringing a jacket as April tends to bring more wind to the beach and fewer crowds.
See the latest Easter long weekend deals
Codeexclusive
10% off activities with code
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Available on hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, jet boat rides and attraction passes on Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $350 is required. T&Cs apply.
Available on activities like hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, passes to attractions including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Available on selected accommodations in Cairns, Port Douglas, Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney, Queenstown, Adelaide and Dubbo. Limited time offer. T&Cs, exclusions apply.
Book your flights from Sydney for as low as $115 at Kayak. Sample fare is Sydney to Ballina Byron via Jetstar. Other destinations include Ballina, Launceston, Melbourne, Coolangatta, Brisbane and more.
As low as $1/day on relocation campervans from Cairns
Save on your Cairns relocation campervan rental when you book at JUCY for as low as $1 per day. Destinations include Brisbane and Sydney through JUCY Crib+. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights and jet boat rides.
Available on select stay dates in Adelaide, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. Sample stay is for a studio apartment in Mornington Peninsula. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates and locations at TripAdvisor. Experience activities like land adventures, wine tours, water sports, and more T&Cs apply.
Save more and get access to 2, 3, or 4 activities with this one pass. Sydney Zoo Admission Ticket, Taronga Zoo Sydney General Entry Ticket, Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Adventure, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Ticket and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates across Australia at Expedia. Destinations include Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 15% off hotel stays in Australia and New Zealand
Plus 10% off if you sign up for Oaks DISCOVERY loyalty program on select dates for a stay duration of 7 nights or more. Destinations include Broome, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Queenstown and more.
Book a flight to the USA available for travel on select dates at Air New Zealand. Destinations include Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago. Sample fare departs from Sydney to Honolulu. Fares are subject to change without prior notice. T&Cs apply.
Available on select stay dates until December 2023 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Darwin, Canberra and more. Sample rate is for a stay at Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort in Cairns.
Sign up for Expedia Rewards to become a member and get exclusive discounts on hotel stays. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Sunshine Coast and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until 2023, including Easter and school holidays. Activities include whale- and dolphin-watching and lunch and sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne.
Courtney Edwards was associate travel publisher at Finder. She has a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Journalism and sub-majoring in English from Western Sydney University and a Certificate II in Tourism. She discovered her love for travel while completing a semester abroad in England and travelling around Europe. Outside of work, you’ll find Courtney visiting new brunch spots and planning her next adventure.
Here's what you need to know about what's open during the Easter long weekend and a list of activities and events to keep you occupied over the 4-day weekend.
Every year Vivid Sydney gets bigger and better. 2023 will be no exception as the city glows in the light of installations.
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