How to spend the school holidays with the kids in New South Wales.
Take a break during their school holiday break by booking the brood in for a family holiday in New South Wales. Whether you’re searching for a day, weekend or week-long trip through the state, there is plenty to do.
Those hoping to save that annual leave for a larger holiday (Christmas visiting the relatives perhaps?) can opt to fill the kids’ holiday calendar with daily activities in and around Sydney.
No matter your agenda, we’ve found the most fun-filled family-friendly activities and experiences in NSW these school holidays to ensure your little one is kept entertained all holiday long. Start booking these babies into the itinerary now:
NSW Family Holiday Destinations
These six family holiday destinations in NSW are renowned for their family friendly atmosphere, picturesque surrounds and outdoor activities.
1. Far North Coast
Includes: Byron Bay, Ballina, Yamba and Lennox Head.
Perfect for: Getting away from the big city and enjoying nature
Nearing the border of NSW and Queensland, the Far North Coast is a dynamic environment of coastal beaches and hinterland. Quiet coastal towns are rife and the possibility of adventure amongst World Heritage Sites is standard.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: East On Byron
Booking.com
Apartment: Ballina Beach Village Dolphin Bay
Wotif
Hotel: LakeSong At Lennox Head
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
Byron Bay Sea Kayak Tour
finder.com.au
Brunswick River Nature SUP Tour
finder.com.au
Byron Bay Surf Experience - Small Group Lesson
City Discovery
2. Hunter Region
Includes: Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Cessnock, Wiseman’s Ferry, Hunter Valley
Perfect for: Foodies and animal lovers
Couple a harbour-town holiday with a relaxing vineyard stopover by exploring the Hunter Region. Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie are ideal for marine life encounters and a coastal retreat while the Hunter Valley provides an inland sojourn complete with wines for the adults and chocolates and fudge for the children.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: Chateau Elan at the Vintage
Booking.com
Motel: Branxton House Motel
Lastminute.com.au
Hotel: Spicers Vineyards Estate
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
Beyond the Range
finder.com.au
Heli-Horsing
finder.com.au
Chocolate Indulgence
finder.com.au
3. South Coast
Includes: Kiama, Wollongong, Kangaroo Valley, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay, Bega
Perfect for: Peace, quiet and cheese
Go against the grain and head south for a holiday with a bit of everything. Expect a smattering of environments when you do. From the cityscape of Wollongong and the inner sanctuaries of Kangaroo Valley and Bega, you’ll be spoilt for choice on a holiday to the South Coast.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: Coachhouse Marine Resort
Wotif
Hotel: Coolangatta Estate
Expedia.com.au
Resort: Corymbia Batemans Bay
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
AG/Jervis Bay Day Tour
finder.com.au
Mermaid Experience
finder.com.au
Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk Experience
Adrenaline
4. Coffs Coast
Includes: Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Nambucca Heads
Perfect for: Beach holidaymakers
A perennial favourite for families, the Coffs Coast is nestled comfortably between ocean and mountain. It’s a piece of coastal paradise that showcases 90 kilometres of beaches, islands and reserves and more activities that you can shake a stick at.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
finder.com.au Hotels
Cottages: Ambiance Holiday Apartments
finder.com.au Hotels
Resort: Liapari Luxury Beach House
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
Coffs Harbour All-Terrain Segway Tour
Viator
White Water Rafting, Nymboida River 1-day - Coffs Harbour
Adrenaline
Surf Rafting, Coffs Harbour
Adrenaline
5. North Coast
Includes: Port Macquarie, South West Rocks, North Haven, Diamond Beach and Forster
Perfect for: Adventurous types
Located in the mid-North Coast of NSW the Port Macquarie region is a water baby’s dream destination. Water activities include high speed boating, river cruises and kayaking while on land you can enjoy horse riding, coastal walks and camel safaris.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: Sandcastle Apartments
Lastminute.com.au
Motel: Mid Pacific Motel
Booking.com
Hotel: Rydges Port Macquarie
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
Horse Riding, One Hour Trail Ride with Tuition - Port Macquarie from Adrenaline
Suitable for all levels of experience, this one hour trail ride just outside Port Macquarie will introduce you to the sport. Let the professionals lead the way and for the adults, a free wine tasting is the reward you deserve at the end of the journey.
View details6. Central Coast
Includes: Wyong, Terrigal, The Entrance, Avoca, Copacabana, Gosford, Bateau Bay
Perfect for: A beachside escape not far from Sydney
With its calm, shallow waters and historical coastal attractions, it’s little wonder that the Central Coast is part of practically every Sydney child’s holiday memories. Drive up and stay over at one of the many campervan parks available to make it a truly memorable holiday.
Family holiday accommodation
Resort: Pullman Magenta Shores Resort
Booking.com
Hotel: Mercure Kooindah Waters
Booking.com
Resort: Kims Beachside Retreat
finder.com.au Hotels
Family activities
Abseiling, 2-3hrs - Central Coast, Sydney
Adrenaline
Tree Top Crazy Rider 'Xtreme' 1km Flying Fox Experience - Central Coast
Adrenaline
Quad Biking, 1.5 Hour Explorer - Sydney
Adrenaline
NSW holiday deals and packages
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaii flights from $799 return
Valid for travel between 1 February - 31 March, 26 May - 18 June and 15 July - 31 August 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Virgin Australia - Deals
Up to 30% off: Australia-wide flights from $79 each way
Discounted flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Darwin and more between February and September 2019. Sample fare is Ballina Byron-Sydney.
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Ola
$20 off first ride
Valid on all dates in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Canberra, enter the promo code into your app to redeem. T&Cs apply.
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Etihad Airways Australia
Peak season Europe flights from $1,033 return
Valid for travel between 1 February - 31 October 2019, including peak summer months. Sample fare is Sydney-Dublin. Destinations include Dublin, Athens, Rome, London, Barcelona and more.
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British Airways
Europe flights from $1,181 return
Valid for travel until 30 March 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-UK. Destination includes Ireland.
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Groupon
$999: 6-night China holiday with Yangtze cruise
Valid for travel between March - November 2019. Includes return international flights from Melbourne or Sydney, hotel accommodation, onboard cruise accommodation, tour and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif - Deals
Up to 40% off summer hotel stays
Valid for stays on select 2019 dates. Destinations include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Tokyo, Auckland, Phuket, Sydney, Cairns, Newcastle, London and more. T&Cs apply.
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Agoda
Extra 5% off hotels worldwide
Valid for stays from 22 October 2018 - 31 December 2020, including over Christmas. Destinations include Bali, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
Australia Day: Sydney Harbour cruises from $35
Saving up to 50% on the regular price, spend Australia Day on the harbour aboard a lunch cruise or an evening sail to see the fireworks.
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Space Shuttle Airport Parking
5% off Sydney airport parking + bonus Velocity points
Exclusive discount for 5% off all airport parking, plus get five Velocity Frequent Flyer points per $1 spent.
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Adrenaline
Up to 40% off water sports activities
Valid on select dates and activities like whale watching, sailing, jet ski, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing, fishing and more. Destinations are Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
$30 off activities and experiences
Valid on select dates and activities like hot air ballooning, skydiving, horse riding, surf lessons, scuba diving, theme parks and more. Destinations are Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne. Minimum spend of $179. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Spain flights from $1,099 return
Valid for travel from May - November 2019 with Singapore Airlines. Sample fare is Sydney-Barcelona.
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Klook
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates depending on the destination. Destinations are Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 40% off 9-day Borneo wildlife tour with flights
Valid for travel from April - November 2019. Includes return international flights departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, accommodation, daily breakfast, transfers and more. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 40% off 14-day Southeast Asia tour with flights
Valid for travel from March - November 2019. Includes return international flights from Melbourne or Sydney, premium nightly accommodation, daily breakfast, Halong Bay cruise, cooking class in Hoi An and more. T&Cs apply.
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TourRadar
Up to 50% off Australia and New Zealand tours
Valid for travel on select dates, depending on the destination. Destinations include Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Europe flights from $1,029 return with Etihad
Valid for travel from 22 February - 30 November 2019. Destinations include Rome, Paris, London and Dublin. Sample fare is Sydney-Dublin.
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Skyscanner
Fiji flights from $447 return
Valid for travel between 1-31 October 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Nadi.
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CruiseAway
Up to $800 off cruises with Carnival
Valid for 2019 - 2020 cruises. Destinations include Melbourne, Noumea, Sydney, Singapore, Bali, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Free drinks, OBC and Wi-Fi with Celebrity Cruises
Valid from March 2019 - April 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Hobart, Tasmania and more. T&Cs apply.
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Air New Zealand - Tasman
New Zealand flights from $189 each way
Valid for travel from 22 January - 24 September 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Christchurch.
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Air New Zealand - Longhaul
USA flights from $919 return
Valid for travel from 20 January - 30 November 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Los Angeles.
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Air New Zealand - Longhaul
Hawaii flights from $700 return
Valid for travel from 20 January - 30 November 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Honolulu.
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Flight Centre - International
Fiji flights from $499 return
Valid for travel between 328 January - 31 March 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Fiji. Minimum booking of 2-seats to redeem reduced fares.
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Cudo
All-you-can-eat BBQ feast in Sydney from just $26
Valid until 31 March 2019. Includes all-you-can-eat Brazilian BBQ feast, Brazilian show and kids under three eats free. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Hawaii flights from $789 return
Valid for travel between 26 May - 18 June and 15 July - 31 August 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines.
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Groupon
50% off Sydney harbour yacht stay
Valid until 30 April 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
32% off 3-night cruise from Sydney
Valid until 10 November 2019. Includes 3-night cruise with cabin accommodation, meals, onboard activities and more. T&Cs apply.
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Air New Zealand - Pacific Islands
Cook Islands flights from $249
Valid for travel between 18 January - 29 March 2019, 26 April - 28 June and 2 August - 12 September 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Rarotonga.
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Skydive Australia
Up to $110 off skydiving
Valid on select 2018 dates. Locations include Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to $550 off Australia tours
Valid on select 2018 departures. Destinations include Darwin, Alice Springs, Sydney, Cairns, Whitsundays and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Domestic flights from $119 with Virgin Australia
Valid for travel between 19 February - 7 November 2019. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne. Destinations includes Perth.
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Nexus Holidays
$1,000 off 9-day Japan tour + flights
Valid for travel on 20 March 2019. Includes return economy airfare from Sydney, 6-nights hotel accommodation, meals, coach transfers, guide and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 50% off cruises + pay only $99 deposits
Valid on select cruises from 2019 - 2020 with Holland America Line. Destinations include Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Tasmania, Perth, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Australia and New Zealand hotels
Available at hotels in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Broome, Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Auckland and more for stays two nights or longer. T&Cs apply.
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British Airways
UK flights from $1,368 return
Valid for travel until November 2018. Destinations include London and Edinburgh. Sample fare is for Sydney-London.
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P&O Cruises
Up to $200 on board credit on last-minute cruises
Valid from October - December 2018. Destinations include Moreton Island, Noumea, Hamilton Island, Vanuatu, Brisbane, Sydney and more. Cruises start from $315 per person for 3-night comedy cruises. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Sydney attractions multi-entry from just $56
Valid for use on select 2018 dates. Choose two attractions from Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, Wildlife Sydney zoo and Sydney Tower Eye. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 50% off hotel stay: deal of the day
Valid on select dates. Destinations include Paris, Sydney, New York City, Dubai, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Bangkok and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Sydney Harbour cruise + Taronga Zoo entry from $59
Valid on select dates. T&C's apply.
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Gift It Now
Up to 20% off experiences
Valid on select experiences and activities like skydiving, scenic helicopter flight, kayaking, whale watching and more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Darwin and Perth. T&Cs apply.
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HotelsCombined
Vivid Sydney stays from just $119
Valid for stays from in May-June 2019. Sample price is for Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central on 27 May. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 30% off flying experiences
Valid on select dates and experiences like hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flight, skydiving, flying lessons and more. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Great Ocean Road and more. T&Cs apply.
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Experience Oz
Up to $90 off Skydiving across Australia
Valid for use on select dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne and surrounds, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Scoopon
63% off Hunter Valley tour + lunch
Valid for travel from 10 February - 10 August 2018. Enjoy your weekend adventure with a discounted full day Hunter Valley wine tour with lunch when you book with Scoopon. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
54% off Hunter Valley stay
Valid for stays on select dates until December 2018 at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. Includes 2-nights stay and complimentary use of hotel amenities. T&Cs apply.
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Airbnb
Sydney stay from just $113
Valid for travel on select dates. Sample accommodation is in Kings Cross. T&C's apply.
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Go Airport Shuttle
5% off airport transfers and car hire
Valid on select dates and locations worldwide. Destinations include USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Sydney, and the Czech Republic. T&C's apply.
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iVenture Card
Save up to 40% off Sydney attractions
Plus skip the lines at popular attractions including Taronga Zoo, Jenolan Caves, SEA LIFE Aquarium, whale watching cruises and more.
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HotelsCombined
Up to 20% off Sydney hotels
Save up to 20% off in select hotels in Sydney. T&C's apply.
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Big Bus Tours
Up to 10% off Big Bus tours
Valid on select tours in Abu Dhabi, Chicago, Darwin, Dubai, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Miami, Muscat, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Rome, San Francisco, Sydney, Vienna and Washington DC.
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Jayride
Sydney airport transfers from $14
Valid on shared transfers in Sydney. Sample price is from the airport to CBD (Circular Quay).
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DriveNow
Hire a car and get your fourth day free
Hire a car with Budget Car Hire through DriveNow for a minimum of four consecutive days and get your fourth day free of base rate charges. Available for pick ups at the airport in Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine). Valid on select vehicles including family, full-size and SUVs.
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Airport Parking
Secure Sydney airport indoor parking from $17 per day
Daily rate based on 14 days of parking.
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Hotels.com
Up to 35% off Sydney and NSW Hotels
Valid in select hotels across Sydney and NSW.
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Mercure
Save 25% off your stay at select NSW hotels
Book a stay at the Mercure Penrith, Mercure Sydney International Airport or Mercure Sydney Parramatta at least 30 days in advance and save.
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City Discovery
Up to 24% off Australia Day tall ships cruises
Enjoy an unique tall ships experience on Sydney Harbour for less with City Discovery.
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Expedia.com.au
Los Angeles flights from $973 return
Available on select dates in July and August 2019 from Sydney when flying with Air Canada.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jan 2019 | Up to 67% off + extra $15 off with code | EXT**** |
| 18 Jan 2019 | Up to 50% off experiences + extra 10% off with code | FIN**** |
| 15 Jan 2019 | Extra 15% off first Groupon purchase | BRA**** |
| 19 Dec 2018 | Extra 5% off hotels worldwide | FIN**** |
| 13 Dec 2018 | Extra 8% off hotel bookings | OTE**** |
| 17 Jan 2019 | Hawaii flights from $799 return | ******** |
