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Central Coast and Hunter region kids’ and family activities

Looking for something to do with the kids these school holidays in a NSW national park? NSW Central Coast and Hunter region has plenty of family-friendly guided tours for you to enjoy.

Most of these tours are designed for kids aged 5 to 12 years. Become a Junior Ranger explore an ocean rockpool or find a fossilised forest on a rock platform. Spot flying foxes from a riverside boardwalk, explore historic Mountain Maid gold mine, or join an Aboriginal cultural tour.

Make a booking for the kids to enjoy a guided tour with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service these school holidays.

A Discovery ranger points out something in the trees to child and her dad near a waterfall in Brisbane Water National Park. Credit: Adam Hollingworth/DCCEEW © DPE

Coastal adventures

Stockton sandspit, Hunter Wetlands National Park. Photo: Susan Davis

Junior ranger: Shorebirds and mangroves

Calling all junior rangers, join us on a birdwatching adventure these school holidays! Bring your camera and see if you can photograph the shorebirds at Hunter Wetlands National Park, near Newcastle.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

10 October 2026, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

2027:

  • 7 January, 3pm to 5pm
  • 17 January, 9am to 11am
  • 15 April, 9am to 11am
  • 23 April, 3pm to 5pm
Where
Stockton sandspit, Hunter Wetlands National Park
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
A child uses a magnifying glass to study a plant. Credit: Adam Hollingworth/DCCEEW © DCCEEW

The secret life of plants at Awabakal

These school holidays, discover the vibrant beauty of Awabakal Nature Reserve in Dudley as it comes alive with spectacular wildflowers. This guided tour is great for children (5 years and over) and the family.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

8 October 2026

2027:

  • 13 January
  • 14 April
  • 13 July
  • 6 October

Tour time: 10am to 12pm

Where
Awabakal Nature Reserve in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
A NPWS ranger and 2 park visitors take in the view from a coastal lookout in Tomaree National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPE

Tomaree coastal walking tour

Explore Tomaree National Park near Port Stephens and discover it's spectacular coastline and incredible Australian wildlife on this 2 hour guided walk.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

2 October 2026

2027:

  • 7 January
  • 16 April
  • 9 and 16 July
  • 1 October

Tour time: 9.30am to 11.30am.

Where
Tomaree National Park in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
A child looks up as a NPWS Discovery ranger points out something in the tree tops. Credit: Adam Hollingworth/DCCEEW

Junior ranger: Wyrrabalong coastal adventure

Book the kids in for an afternoon in the ocean breeze spotting seals and sea birds in Wyrrabalong National Park. This monthly guided walk on the Central Coast lets kids aged 5 to 15 become a junior ranger for a day.

Price
Fees apply. Price includes park entry fee.
When

Tours run on Saturdays once a month, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.

Where
Crackneck Point lookout, Wyrrabalong National Park
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

9 October 2026, 1pm to 3pm

2027:

  • 21 January, 2pm to 4pm
  • 19 April, 12pm to 2pm
Where
Tomaree National Park in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Aboriginal cultural tours

Children and an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger looking into a creek in Glenrock State Conservation Area. Credit and © Zain Kruyer

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

Tours run once a month on Saturdays and on additional days during the school holidays. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.

Where
Glenrock State Conservation Area in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

A secret gold mine

Family enjoying a guided tour of Mountain Maid gold mine. Photo: Destination NSW © Destination NSW

Mountain Maid gold mine tour

Step back in time and uncover the hidden treasures of Mountain Maid gold mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. Discover historic buildings and pan for gold on this tour in the rainforest.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

Tours generally run every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am to 12pm.

Tours will not run from 1 June to 1 December 2026 while site upgrades are underway.

Where
Mountain Maid gold mine, Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

Whales and wildlife

NSW National Parks ranger and families looking for wildlife after dark in Glenrock State Conservation Area on a twilight tour. Credit and © Zain Kruyer

Glenrock twilight tour

Soak in the breathtaking scenery of Glenrock State Conservation Area on this guided tour. We’ll scout out echidnas, sugar gliders, possums and owls along Yuelarbah walking track as they become active from sunset until the stars rise.

Price
Fees apply. Price includes park entry fee.
When

Tours run once a month on Fridays. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.

2026 tour times:

  • January to March: 7pm to 9pm
  • April to September: 6pm to 8pm
  • October to December: 7pm to 9pm
Where
Yuelarbah walking track, Glenrock State Conservation Area
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

2026 tours generally run on the first Friday of the month (except the January, April and July tours which run the second Friday of the month).

Tour times:

  • 7pm to 9pm (January to March)
  • 6pm to 8pm (April to September)
  • 7pm to 9pm (October to December)
Where
Mountain Maid gold mine, Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo
Profile view of a grey-headed flying-fox flying past eucalypt trees. Photo: Shane Ruming © Shane Ruming

Wingham Brush twilight tour

Experience the magic of Wingham Brush Nature Reserve at twilight. Soak in breathtaking scenery as we meander along the boardwalk while the sun sets over a canopy of flying foxes.

Price
Fees apply. Free park entry.
When

8 October 2026, 7pm to 9pm

2027:

  • 22 January, 7pm to 9pm
  • 17 April, 6pm to 8pm
Where
Wingham Brush Nature Reserve in North Coast
Operated by
Image of: NSW National Parks logo

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