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.
Embark on an outdoor adventure with a NPWS discovery ranger these school holidays. You’ll explore coastal bushland and scan the horizon for marine wildlife in Bouddi National Park, near Gosford.
5 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
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.
10 October 2026, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
2027:
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.
8 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
Explore Tomaree National Park near Port Stephens and discover it's spectacular coastline and incredible Australian wildlife on this 2 hour guided walk.
2 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 9.30am to 11.30am.
These school holidays, join us for an adventure at Dudley Beach in Glenrock State Conservation Area, near Newcastle. Discover the incredible fossilised forest on the rock platforms.
28 September 2026, 2pm to 4pm
2027:
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.
Tours run on Saturdays once a month, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.
Discover the amazing world of rockpools along the shores of Merewether and Burwood Beach, on this 2-hour guided tour in Glenrock State Conservation Area, near Newcastle.
6 October 2026, 10.30am to 12.30pm
2027:
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.
2 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm.
Be guided by a NPWS Discovery ranger on this bush to beach adventure in Tomaree National Park.
8 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 9.30am to 11.30am.
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.
9 October 2026, 1pm to 3pm
2027:
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.
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.
Join an Aboriginal ranger on a cultural journey you won’t forget in Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, near Minmi. Bring the kids along to enjoy this outstanding tour.
7 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm.
Join an Aboriginal guide on a cultural tour you won’t forget! Discover the traditional lands of the Worimi and Biripi people in the foothills of Barrington Tops at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
These school holidays, join an Aboriginal ranger on a family friendly guided tour in Brisbane Water National Park. Hear cultural stories as you walk along Doyles walking track, near Patonga.
9 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm.
Step back in time this school holidays and uncover the hidden treasures of Mountain Maid gold mine at Copeland Tops.
29 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm.
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.
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.
Hey junior whale watchers! These school holidays have fun whale watching at Crackneck Point lookout in Wyrrabalong National Park, near The Entrance. Learn how to spot whales on their annual migration.
6 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
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.
Tours run once a month on Fridays. Dates and times are displayed when making an online booking.
2026 tour times:
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.
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:
These school holidays, join this guided walk in Awabakal Nature Reserve, in Dudley, near Newcastle. Enjoy spectacular wildflowers while you walk to Dudley Bluff to spot whales.
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
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.
8 October 2026, 7pm to 9pm
2027:
Walk alongside a NPWS Discovery Ranger and explore a vibrant life under the canopy of subtropical rainforest at Wingham Brush Nature Reserve.
7 October 2026
2027:
Tour time: 10am to 12pm
