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School holiday activities in Newcastle for 2021
We've found the best wallet-friendly activities in Newcastle to keep the kids entertained.
School Holidays Activities
School Holiday Information
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With the school holidays fast approaching, you might feel at a loss for what to do. But never fear, we've got your back. From classic backyard sports to whale watching and horse riding, we've got outdoor and at-home suggestions that will keep you and the kids busy the whole holidays.
Outdoor activities for the school holidays in Newcastle
Explore new heights
Take these holidays to new levels with a horseback ride through the Brokenback Range, skydiving above the ocean or a thrilling helicopter ride.
Brokenback Range Horse Trail Ride
RedBalloon
Doors-Off Helicopter Flight
Adrenaline
Tandem Skydiving
Skydive Australia
See Newcastle's top attractions
Immerse yourself in everything that Newcastle has to offer these school holidays. With open doors across the city's main events, now is the perfect time to see the city from a tourist's point of view.
Marine Discovery Cruise with Snorkelling
RedBalloon
Newcastle Harbour Scenic Cruise with Lunch
RedBalloon
Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket
Viator
Have fun indoors
Sort out the itinerary for those days where you just want to stay inside but you still want to get out of the house with virtual golf and bowling.
Indoor Virtual Golf with Pizza and Drink
RedBalloon
Flight Simulator
Adrenaline
Learn a new skill
RedBalloon has just made planning your school holidays a whole lot easier. Combine fun and learning with this extensive range of virtual online classes for your kids.
Kids D.I.Y Chocolate Art Party Kit
RedBalloon
Live Online Kids Storybook Reading and Hula Hoop Lesson
RedBalloon
One-Hour Private Surfing Lesson
RedBalloon
Ride around the park
Keep it simple these upcoming holidays. If the sun's out, why not pack a picnic and take the scooters and bikes to the park? The little ones can get all their energy out and it can be a great day out for the whole family. We recommend checking out Cathedral, Birdwood or Newcastle Civil Park.
Escape onto the water
With year-round adventure activities available, why not take in the ocean views off the Newcastle coast?
Hunter Coastline Adventure Tour
RedBalloon
Open Ocean Extreme Jet Boat Ride
RedBalloon
Jet Boat Thrill Ride
RedBalloon
At-home activities for the school holidays in Newcastle
Get lost in a good book
With so many genres to choose from, you really can't go wrong with investing in a few books over the holidays. Perfect for car journeys and at-home entertainment, reading is something that all kids can enjoy.
Books from Booktopia
Booktopia
Books from Book Depository
The Book Depository
Paperwhite eReader
Myer
Get some gaming action in
The humble gaming console can quickly become a saving grace when school holiday plans go the other way. There's something for every kid with a choice of Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo kits.
Xbox One S
Target Australia
Nintendo Switch Console
Amazon
PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB Console Black
Amazon
Have a movie marathon
Take your pick from documentaries, cartoons, comedies, musicals and family films from across the globe. With some streaming services offering two-week free trials, you can really make the most of them over the holidays.
Play a board game, do a puzzle or play cards
You don't have to break the bank to make the school holidays fun. With options for as little as $10, there are endless possibilities available, and they're perfect for a rainy day at home.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Target Australia
UNO Card Game
Target Australia
Board games
Target Australia
Get moving
When in doubt, backyard sports are the way to go. Not only do they get the kids exercising, but if you would prefer to stay home these school holidays, they still allow for a ton of fun and movement. We recommend Aussie classics such as cricket, footie and soccer.
Folding Soccer Goal
rebel
Rugbly League Ball
rebel
Cricket Set
Amazon
Road trips you can take from Newcastle during the school holidays
Leaving boredom at the door and getting out of the house is easier than ever with our A-Z guide on the top New South Wales family holidays.
Hunter Valley
Distance from Newcastle: 1 hour via car or 2 hours via public transport.
Known for its fine selection of wineries and breweries, the Hunter Valley also hosts a range of family friendly activities. We recommend checking out the region from the sky in a hot air balloon, taking a free chocolate factory tour and visiting the Hunter Valley Gardens.
Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Flight
RedBalloon
Hot Air Ballooning Over The Hunter Valley
RedBalloon
Horse Trail Ride
Adrenaline
Port Stephens
Distance from Newcastle: 1 hour via car or around 2 hours via public transport.
With an abundance of parklands on offer, Port Stephens has many hiking trails, lookouts, beaches and dunes for you to explore. We recommend checking out the sandboarding options and doing a hike or two.
Quad Biking Sand Dune Safari
Adrenaline
Sandboarding & 4WD Tour
Adrenaline
Shark Feeding with Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters Entry
Adrenaline
Gosford
Distance from Newcastle: 1.5 hours via car and 1 hour 10 mins by public transport.
A short drive down south reveals Gosford and its many sights. Enjoy a day at the Wildlife Park, check out the Somersby Falls Picnic Grounds, the TreeTops Adventure Park and immerse everyone in a bit of history with a visit to the Henry Kendall Cottage and Museum.
Jetpack and/or Flyboard Experience
RedBalloon
Australian Reptile Park Tickets
Experience Oz
TreeTops Adventure Park Central Coast
Experience Oz
Free school holiday activities in Newcastle
- Explore the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
- Visit Glenrock
- Go kayaking on Tuggerah Lake
- Have a picnic day at the beach
- Have a barbeque at Jesmond Park
Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.
School holiday events in Newcastle
- SMART Holiday Workshop: 15 April. Whether your child has a keen interest in science or you want to keep their minds active during the school holidays, a workshop incorporating hands-on science activities is sure to be a highlight of their break.
- Kids Magic and Juggling Workshop: 12 April. Learn the tricks of the trade with a magic trick and juggling workshop run by award-winning magician, Joel Howlett.
- Tie Dye for Teens Workshop: 10 April. Teenagers with a creative flare or interest in fashion will learn the skill of tie dying clothes.
When are the 2021/22 school holidays in Newcastle?
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 school holidays | 5 April - 16 April 2021 |
| Term 2 school holidays | 28 June - 9 July 2021 |
| Term 3 school holidays | 20 September - 1 October 2021 |
| Term 4 school holidays | 20 December - 27 January 2021/22 |
Check out the latest Newcastle school holiday activity deals
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Get $5 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Get $10 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Exclusive
$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
$30 off 15,000ft tandem skydives
Ends
Available on weekday jumps until 31 August 2021. Destination includes Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
$60 off tandem skydives with code
Ends
Available on weekday jumps until 31 August 2021. Destinations include Byron Bay and Great Ocean Road. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Australia experiences with code
Available on activities including hot air balloon flights, helicopter scenic flights and luxury car hire. Must purchase two or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Free NSW activities and experiences
Ends
Available on select travel dates when you use your Dine & Discover NSW voucher. Activities include Sydney Harbour cruises, hop-on, hop-off bus tours and more. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Up to 50% off Australia experiences
Available on select travel dates for activities including skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 25% off driving experiences + an extra $5 off with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include rally driving, go-karting, quad-biking and more. Destinations include Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Voyagin
Up to 40% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities such as Sydney attractions tickets to SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and more. T&Cs apply.
Get Your Guide
Australia activities from $10
Available on select dates for activities like sightseeing tours, attraction passes, river cruises, hop-on hop-off tours and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Cairns, Hunter Valley, Perth, Canberra and more.
Cudo
Up to 93% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities like classes, spas, getaways, dining experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Adrenaline
Up to 50% off Australia helicopter scenic flights
Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Uluru, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Australia skydives from $219 + free $20 merchandise voucher
Available on jumps from 7,500 ft to 15,000 ft. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 15% off Australia activities
Sign up your email address and unlock Sneaky Saver deals. Activities includes day tours, attraction passes, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Up to 47% off NSW activities
Ends
Available on select travel dates and select activities including tandem skydives, hop-on hop-off bus tours, go karting experiences, attraction passes to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye and more. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
Up to 57% off Australia family activities
Ends
Available on select dates and activities including sightseeing cruises, scuba dives, go karts, surfing lessons and more . Destinations include Perth, NSW and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $20 off skydive video and photo package
Ends
Available until 31 May 2021 on all skydive locations in Australia including Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and more. Valid for video and photo package only and must be pre-booked. T&Cs apply.
Cudo
Up to 61% off Australia high tea experiences
Available on select dates. Destinations include Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Exclusive
$5 off quad biking experiences with code
Available on select travel dates across Australia including Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, NSW and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Extra $5 off Australia high tea experiences
Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Melbourne, Broome, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Up to 24% off Australia experiences for 2
Plus an extra $5 off with code on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Experiences include tours, zoo and wildlife interactions, hot air balloon flights, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Up to 23% off Australia flight experiences
Available on select travel dates on hot air balloon flights, scenic flights, aerobatic flights and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Sydney, Whitsundays, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $20 off your next tandem skydive
Sign up your email address to receive newsletters and get an instant $20 off tandem skydives. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $20 tandem skydive credit
Get an instant $20 credit when you subscribe your email to receive news updates, birthday and promotional offers. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Up to $40 off skydiving with code
Get $40 off per person when you book for 8 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Up to $20 off skydiving with code
Get $20 off per person when you book for 4 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Get $20 merchandise voucher
Receive a $20 merchandise voucher when you book for a skydive in Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Up to 15% off tandem skydives with code
Available for 15,000ft tandem skydives at Cairns and Mission Beach. FNQ ID is required and must be presented on the day of your jump. T&Cs apply.
RedBalloon
Extra $5 off Australia family holidays with code
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Perth, Noosa, Blue Mountains and more. T&Cs apply.
Sightseeing Scanner
Exclusive
Up to 10% off Australia sightseeing tours
Subscribe your email address to receive exclusive access on deals. Destinations include Melbourne, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Klook
Up to 12% off Australia sightseeing tours
Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
AAT Kings
Up to 2.5% off holiday bookings + Extra 10% off day tours
Available on select dates until 2021 across Australia and New Zealand when you purchase 2+ tours. T&Cs apply.
iVenture Card
Up to 40% off Australia attraction passes
Available on select travel dates. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania and Gold Coast. Passes are valid for 12 months. T&Cs apply.
Ticketmaster
Get tickets to concerts, sport and theatre online
Buy tickets online to events around Australia.
Experience Oz
Croc Express to Australia Zoo from Brisbane from $139
Ends
Available on select travel dates. Includes transfers, Glasshouse Mountains scenic drive and zoo admission with daily shows and presentations. T&Cs apply.
Experience Oz
Sunshine Coast: Australia Zoo general admission from $59
Ends
Available on select travel dates. T&Cs apply.
Groupon
Brisbane: Australia Zoo tickets from $35
Ends
Vouchers are valid up to 6 months after date of purchase. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Sydney weekend skydive from $379
Available on select travel dates for an up to 15,000ft jump over Wollongong. Includes $20 merchandise voucher. T&Cs apply.
Skydive Australia
Byron Bay skydive from $359
Available on select travel dates for up to 15,000ft jump. Includes return pick-ups from Byron Bay, Brisbane and Gold Coast, and a $20 merchandise voucher. T&Cs apply.
Frequently asked questions
What should I keep in mind with COVID-19 when going out during the school holidays?
If you do choose to venture out during the break, be sure to maintain proper hygiene and social distancing practices.
Are all attractions in Newcastle open?
Yes, you can now visit Newcastle's main attractions. Sights such as Questacon, Fort Scratchley, Newcastle Museum, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Ocean Baths and Fighter World are open for business.
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