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Kids’ and family activities

Looking for something to do with the kids? NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has plenty of family-friendly events and tours on offer during school holidays.

Become a junior ranger for the day, get inside the tallest lighthouse in NSW, or check out a historic gaol or a gold mine.

Children can join a spotlight tour after dark, or learn to find bush tucker with an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger. 

We offer tours across many NSW regions so you’re bound to find something fun near you.

Family enjoying a guided tour of Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. Credit: Destination NSW

Book an activity near you

North Coast NSW

An NPWS ranger and a young woman and man look at the Gondwana circle map on the ground, Dorrigo National Park. Photo: 'And the trees’ Photography © NPWS

Dorrigo rainforest ranger-guided tour

Experience the rainforest like never before, on a ranger-guided walk through World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. It's only 1hr from Coffs Harbour, but you'll feel worlds away.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Daily from Tuesday 2 January to Saturday 20 January 2024. No tour on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Tour times: 9.30am to 10am; 10.30am to 11am; 11.30am to 12pm.

Where
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, Dorrigo National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Aboriginal education ranger sharing her cultural knowledge of Sea Acres Rainforest. Photo credit: Karina Davila-Otoya. © DPIE

Sea Acres Aboriginal coastal tour

Take a walk to Shelly Beach in Sea Acres National Park on this Aboriginal ranger-guided activity. Discover bush tucker and medicine in the rainforest as you learn about Birpai culture.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Friday 17 November and Friday 15, 22 and 29 December 2023, 2pm to 3.30pm. Friday 5 and 19 January and Friday 2 and 16 February 2024, 2pm to 3.30pm.

Where
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, Sea Acres National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Smoky Cape Lighthouse tour, Hat Head National Park. Photo: And the trees photography © DPE

Smoky Cape Lighthouse tour

Walk alongside an NPWS ranger on an intimate tour of Smoky Cape lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in NSW. Take in the stunning coastal scenery, in your own small group.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tour dates:

Second Saturday of every month. Additional school holiday dates: Wednesday 3 January, 10 January, 17 January and 24 January 2024.

Tour times: 8.30am, 9am, 9.45am, 10.15am, 11am and 11.30am.

Each tour runs for 30 minutes. Arrive at least 10 mins before your tour starts, to give yourself time to walk up to the lighthouse.

Where
Smoky Cape Lighthouse, Hat Head National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Sunset above the Trial Bay Gaol walls, Arakoon National Park. Photo: Carolyn McPhee © DPIE

Trial Bay Gaol twilight tour

Explore Trial Bay Gaol by twilight with an NPWS guide by your side. Discover what life was like for prisoners as you watch the sun set in beautiful Arakoon National Park, South West Rocks.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Friday 3 November, 1 December, 22 December, 29 December 2023, 5.30pm to 7pm

Friday 5 January, 12 January, 19 January, Thursday 25 January and Friday 2 February 2024, 6.30pm to 8pm

Where
Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
View through bars at Trial Bay Goal. Photo: Kim Payne Photography © DPE

Trial Bay Gaol: Life behind bars kids tour

Come along and find out what life behind bars was really like for the prisoners at Trial Bay Gaol, in Arakoon National Park near South West Rocks. Explore the gaol on this action-packed family tour.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Monday 8 January, 15 January and 22 January 2024.

Wednesday 3 January, 10 January and 17 January 2024.

Tour time: 4.30pm to 6pm.

Where
Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Central Coast and Hunter region

Arial shot of The Ruins campground in Booti Booti National Park, between Wallis Lake and Seven Mile Beach. Photo credit: John Spencer © DPIE

Junior ranger: Booti Booti coastal adventure tour

Join us for a Junior ranger adventure, as we traverse the shores of Seven Mile Beach. Walk alongside a Discovery Ranger to find out what plants and animals live here, and how they survive in this magical environment.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Tour dates: Wednesday 10 January, Friday 19 January, Friday 19 April, Friday 12 July and Thursday 10 October 2024.

Tour time: 10am to 12pm.

Where
The Ruins campground and picnic area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
A NPWS Aboriginal Discovery ranger teaching a child abut traditional tools. Photo: Adam Hollingworth/DPE

Glenrock Aboriginal cultural tour

Join an Aboriginal Discovery ranger on a cultural journey you won’t forget in Glenrock State Conservation Area, near Newcastle. Connect with this beautiful country and listen to cultural stories as on you walk on the lands of the Awabakal people.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tour dates: Friday 12 January, Thursday 18 April, Thursday 11 July and Thursday 3 October 2024.

Tour time: 10am to 12pm.

Where
Glenrock State Conservation Area in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Family walking over a footbridge in the forest on a tour of Copeland Tops with a ranger. Photo credit and copyright: Destination NSW

Copeland Tops twilight tour

Experience the magic of Copeland Tops at twilight. Explore Hidden Treasure track and the historic buildings of Mountain Maid gold mine on this evening tour near Gloucester.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tours run on the first Friday of the month.

Tour times:

  • 7pm to 9pm (October 2023 to March 2024)
  • 6pm to 8pm (April to September 2024)
  • 7pm to 9pm (October to December 2024)
Where
Mountain Maid gold mine, Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Walkers enjoying view from the rock platform at Tomaree National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Ocean rockpool nature tour: Tomaree

Discover the amazing world of rockpools along the rocky shores of Fishermans Bay on the Tomaree National Park coastline. See what you can find below the surface, not far from Nelson Bay.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Friday 5 January 2024, 9am to 11am. Friday 12 January 2024, 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Thursday 18 April 2024, 10am to 12pm.

Where
Tomaree National Park in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Blue Mountains

Cups of paint on fabric. Photo: Dylan Jones © DPIE

Exploring Aboriginal art group workshop

Gather a group of friends or family and learn about the connection between Aboriginal art at this hands-on workshop in Blue Mountains National Park.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When
Available on request, 7 days per week.
Where
Katoomba area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Blue Mountains water skink, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Geoff Swan © DPIE

Leaping lizards: Blackheath

Do you love lizards? Join in the reptile fun at Blackheath in Blue Mountains National Park. You’ll get to explore their habitat and find out how you can help to protect our reptiles.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tuesday 9 and 16 January and Monday 22 January 2024, 10am to 12pm. Meet at 9.45am.

Where
Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, Blackheath area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

South Coast NSW

Teacher's hands demonstrating the start of weave, Bournda National Park. Photo: Jessica Bray © the photographer

Traditional weaving workshop: Killalea

Join this weaving workshop at Killalea Regional Park these school holidays. It's a great introduction to Aboriginal culture. You'll have the privilege of being taught by a senior Aboriginal NPWS guide.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Thursday 11 January 2024, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Where
Killalea Regional Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
A woman and man helping a child to fly a kite. Photo: Simone Cottrell © DPE

Killalea forest flyers kite workshop

If you’re staying at Killalea campground these school holidays, sign up for this fun kite-making workshop, close to both Shellharbour and Kiama. It's great for kids aged 5 years and over.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Thursday 4 January and 25 January 2024, 10.30am to 12pm

Where
Killalea campground
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Minnamurra rainforest

Snowy Mountains

A mountain pygmy-possum nestled in the palm of someone's hand. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Mountain pygmy-possum adventure

Treat the kids to a day of adventure in Kosciuszko National Park these school holidays. You’ll explore the habitat of one of Australia’s cutest endangered critters – the mountain pygmy-possum.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Tour dates: Thursday 21 December and Thursday 28 December 2023; Thursday 4 January, Thursday 11 January, Thursday 18 January and Thursday 25 January 2024; Wednesday 17 April and Wednesday 24 April 2024.

Tour time: 10am to 12pm.

Where
Kosciuszko Education Centre, Thredbo-Perisher area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
The grassy banks of Sawpit Creek in Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Murray Vanderveer © OEH

King of the streams: Kosciuszko National Park

Learn about a native fish species on the brink of extinction on this family-friendly guided tour in Kosciuszko National Park. You’ll hear the survival story of the critically endangered stocky galaxias and might even spot one in the wild.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Tour dates: Wednesday 27 December 2023; Tuesday 2 January, Tuesday 9 January, Tuesday 16 January and Tuesday 23 January 2024; Tuesday 16 April and Tuesday 23 April 2024.

Tour time: 10am to 12pm.

Where
Kosciuszko Education Centre, Thredbo-Perisher area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Walkers on the Porcupine walk, which has wildflowers in bloom, Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Elinor Sheargold © DPE

Porcupine Rocks walk

These school holidays, bring the kids on this 5.7km, family-friendly guided walk in the Perisher area of Kosciuszko National Park. See how many alpine wildflowers you can spot and photograph.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Tour dates: Friday 22 December and Friday 29 December 2023. Friday 5 January, Friday 12 January, Friday 19 January and Saturday 27 January 2024.

Tour time: 9am to 1pm.

Where
Porcupine walk, Thredbo-Perisher area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Country NSW

Walls of China, Mungo National Park. Photo: John Spencer/NSW Government

Mungo walk the Walls of China tour

When you visit Mungo National Park, take a tour to the Walls of China guided by an NPWS Aboriginal ranger. It's one of the most spectacular outback landscapes in NSW.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When
Available on request.

Tours run most days. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.

Tour takes 2 hours. Meet behind Mungo Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

Where
Mungo National Park in Murray-Riverina
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Greater Sydney

Two kids take part in a nature play activity. Photo: Rosie Nicolai © OEH

Junior ranger: Royal National Park

Discover Royal National Park these school holidays as a newly-appointed Junior Ranger. This interactive guided activity is designed for children aged 6 to 12 years.

Price
Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When

Tour dates: Tuesday 9 January and Thursday 11 January 2024. Tuesday 16 January and Thursday 18 January 2024

Tour times: 9.30am to 11am. Meet at 9.20am.

Where
Ironbark Flat picnic area, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Royal National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour

Enjoy a Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour any Sunday afternoon. It stands at Sydney's northern-most point. The views of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the mighty Pacific are unforgettable.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tours generally run every Sunday. Exceptions below.

Additional school holiday tour dates: Friday 12 January, and Friday 19 April 2024.

Tour times: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. Tours run for 30 mins.

No tours on: Sunday 24 December 2023 (Christmas Eve), Sunday 31 December 2023 (New Year’s Eve), or Sunday 31 March 2024 (Easter Sunday).

Where
Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Aerial view of Bare Island and the fort, Kamay Botany Bay National Park. Photo: S Cohen/OEH

Bare Island Fort guided tour

Join this guided tour to hear about the unpredictable history of Bare Island Fort at La Perouse. We'll cross a 130-year-old wooden bridge and enter a world of fine engineering and great deception.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tour generally runs every Sunday. Exceptions below.

Tour times: 1.30 to 2.15pm, 2.30 to 3.15pm and 3.30 to 4.15pm.

Additional school holiday tour dates:

2023: Friday 22 December, Saturday 23 December, Friday 29 December, and Saturday 30 December.

2024: Friday 5 January, Saturday 6 January, Friday 12 January, Saturday 13 January, Friday 19 January, Saturday 20 January, Friday 19 April and Saturday 20 April.

No tours on: Sunday 3 December 2023, Sunday 4 February 2024, Sunday 31 March 2024 and Sunday 7 April 2024.

Where
La Perouse area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo