Victoria Term 4
23rd December 2024 - 28th January 2025
Please note that if restrictions change then events maybe postponed or cancelled.
Liaise directly with those running events to confirm any further details.
Buzz about Bees: Cottage Quest
Entertain the kids these holidays with a bee-themed challenge at Cooks' Cottage in the heritage-listed Fitzroy Gardens.
Starting off at the Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre, kids will collect an activity booklet and then visit Cooks' Cottage. They will embark on a fun-filled journey through nature, learning all about the incredible world of bees – one clue at a time.
As they explore, they’ll discover fascinating facts about bees, their vital role in nature, and how they help flowers, trees, and even our food grow.
Return to the Visitor Centre to collect a prize on completion.
Suitable for primary school-aged children, but adult assistance is necessary.
Price includes admission to Cooks' Cottage, accompanying adults receive a reduced admission price.
When: 3rd -31st Jan 2025
Where:
Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre – Cooks' Cottage
Wellington Parade
East Melbourne 3002
Cost: Adult / general $3.90, Children $7.70
Contact: 03 9658 7204 or email [email protected]
The Kids Explorer Bus
Children ride free on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays.
Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through the Gardens on this tour designed especially for families. Breathe in the fragrances of different eucalypt trees as you take in the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.
Meet at the visitor centre. The tour doesn't run Christmas and New Years Day.
When: 21st December 2024 - 29/01/2025
Where: Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Cost: Adult $15.00, Student $12.00, Children Free.
Contact:03 9252 2300 or email [email protected]
Bubble Show for Christmas
Santa's official bubble builder Dr Bubble works alone in his bubble laboratory as Christmas draws near. Wanting a friend, he accidentally brings to life Milkshake the Bubble Clown and all bubble mayhem breaks loose!
See stunning bubble displays executed by expert bubble artists in this Christmas adventure that is fun for the whole family.
Please note:
• Performances will be Auslan interpreted.
• Relaxed performances: 1.30pm 23 Dec & 11am 24 Dec.
• Suitable for ages 3–12.
All proceeds from ticket sales will be distributed to support local food relief initiatives by OzHarvest, The Big Umbrella and West Melbourne Baptist Church.
When: 23rd & 24th Dec 2024
Where: The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Cost: Adult/General $5.00
Visit Website
Christmas Carnival
Enjoy festive thrills on the banks of the Birrarung at the Christmas Carnival. Ride the ferris wheel, drive the dodgems or get the best view of the city lights as you spin 35 meters in the air on top of the Sky Flyer. Try your luck at much-loved carnival games and complete the experience with classic carnival food.This is a Christmas Festival event, presented by City of Melbourne.
When: Until December 24th 2024
Where: Peppercorn Lawn, Alexandra Gardens.
Cost: Entry is for Free. Coupons for each ride can be purchased at the ticket box on site – $8 for kids rides and $12 for adult rides.
Christmas River Show
illuminates the hidden forces surrounding us, revealing the sublime through sensory journeys beyond our everyday perception. From the roots of a majestic Amazonian tree to the unseen branches of the body and the birth of galaxies, this hypnotic, immersive experience explores the rhythm that cultivates and connects all life – breath.
When: Until Christmas Day 2024
Where: Outside Crown, Yarra Promenade
Cost: FREE
Christmas Cinema
Grab the popcorn and enjoy a series of festive films at the stunning Capitol Theatre, with a mix of family favourites and cult classics.
Sat 21 Dec, 3pm: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Sun 22 Dec, 1pm: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Doors open an hour before screening starts – come early to grab your seats.
All proceeds from ticket sales will be distributed to support local food relief initiatives by OzHarvest, The Big Umbrella and West Melbourne Baptist Church.
This is a Christmas Festival event, presented by City of Melbourne.
When: Until 22nd December 2024
Where: The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Cost: $5.00
Code Camps
Code Camp is your destination for fun kids' activities! Kids describe Code Camp as “the best school holidays EVER!”. Our in-person camps, online camps and after school activities offer kids endless entertainment. Try our NEW Drone Camp (kids get to build and pilot their own drones!) or entertain your budding content creator or wannabe vlogger with our YouTube Creators Camp! Kids can even create their own Minions movie at our Minions Animation Camp!
When: Various dates over school holidays
Where: Various locations or online
Cost: Varies
Visit Website
Santa Sundays (Arthurs Seat Eagle)
Santa will be roving the site, and dropping in to the Base Station photo booth every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas, offering a unique spin on the traditional Santa photo.
Keep an eye out on your gondola ride, you just might spot him travelling too!
Get ready for live music and Christmas songs, also on the deck every Sunday. Bring the kids and have a boogie with Santa, and get in that Christmassy mood!
When: Every Sunday till Christmas
Where: 1085 Arthurs Seat, Arthurs Seat 3936
Cost: $12 - $16
Enchanted Maze
There’s so much happening at the Enchanted Maze.
When: Open 7 days (Closed Christmas Day).
Where: 55 Purves Road, Arthurs Seat VIC 3936
Cost: Varied depending on activities.
Visit Website
Australian Sports Camp
3 Days | 18hrs | 9am-3pm
Full days of developmental coaching and care in fantastic facilities.
Experienced coaches & specialist sessions
Friends and new friends for life
Groups are assigned based on friendships, ability & age. Creating friendships for life.
- Special sports star guest coaches to inspire our camp groups.
- Beginners to advanced players are catered for.
- Improve skills, have fun & reach for the stars!
Where: 55 Purves Road, Arthurs Seat, 3936.
Cost: Various
Visit Website
City of Casey Teen School Holiday Program
The Summer Teenage School Holidays program offers fun, age-appropriate activities at reasonable prices for young people aged 10 – 17 years. Activities include: Inflatable World, Melbourne Aquarium, the Movies, Gumbuya World, Melbourne Cable Park & Online Games to name a few!
When: Running from January 13th to Friday 24th January 2025
Cost: Prices range from FREE to $35.00.Fully supervised with included transport.
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
Contact: If you have any questions or your child requires additional support to participate, please contact Veronica Stanley on 0417 395 316 or by email at [email protected]
New South Wales Term 4
23rd December 2024 - 6th February 2025
Santa's Studio Enjoy the beautiful park and see what amazing holiday decorations and gifts you can make.
Discover Badu Ngura (Lachlan Swamp) and its inhabitants and collect natural materials that will become part of your beautiful art creations. The day also includes sharing holiday stories, a selection of fun games and time spent in the outdoor classroom.
This is a full day drop-off program. 8.00am – 4.00pm
Ages: 5 – 12 years
When: Monday 23rd December from 8am - 4pm & Tuesday 24th December from 8am - 4pm
Where: Centennial Park Sydney 2021
Cost: $100.00 per child
Visit Website
Wundrful World of Christmas - An immersive animated adventure to the North Pole.Guests will begin their journey at the North Pole Post Office where they can write and post their letters to Santa and get their photos taken using green screen technology. From here, they will progress through a series of specially designed rooms immersing children and their parents in a next generation theatrical production that utilises forced perspective, set extensions and state-of-the-art computer generated imagery and VFX (visual effects).
When: 1st December - 24th December 2024
Where: Wundr Store, 31 Market Street, Sydney (Opposite QVB)
Cost: $39.76 Adult $ Child $29.00
Visit Website
Laneway Cinema at the Rocks
Amongst golden sandstone buildings and cobbled lanes on Playfair Street, you’ll find a giant screen surrounded by cosy bean bags and comfy deck chairs where you can watch your favourite movie under the stars. Gates open at 5:30pm and the movie starts at 7.00pm.
Join us for three weeks of free Chrissy flicks at Laneway Cinema this December. In December, we're proudly supporting Plate It Forward, a social enterprise committed to tackling hunger and employment insecurity in Australia. Simply purchase a bag of popcorn to enjoy at Laneway Cinema. All proceeds will be donated to Plate It Forward. Pay as you feel, and join us in supporting this great charity.
Featuring:
The Grinch who Stole Christmas
Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York
Planes Trains and Automobiles
Where: Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
When: Month of December
Visit Website
Jungle Float – The Floating Water Park
The perfect school holiday activity in Sydney when the temperatures soar, Jungle Float is
back for the summer with three multi-level jumping platforms to take your swimming escapades to a
whole new level!
Jungle Float will be floating at Clontarf and Balmoral Beach this summer and boasts some
awesome water attractions for the whole family. Kids will love blowing off some steam at
the fantastically fun floating water park.
There are two lifeguards on board at all times as well as lifejackets, which are available free of
charge. There is no minimum age, however, all participants should be confident swimmers and not
afraid of heights and jumping.
When: Open weekends from 9 November 2024 until 27 April 2025, Open every day during the summer school holidays, excluding public holiday
Where: Clontarf Beach and Balmoral Beach
Cost: $30 per person for a 1-hour session
Visit Website
Market City This November and December, Market City transforms into a magical Candyland bursting with festive fun, sparkling lights, and Christmas cheer.
Explore the enchanting Peppermint Pine Forest, filled with trees, oversized candy canes, and giant lollipops. Step on interactive light pedals to make the forest come alive with a vibrant display of colour, and snap a festive family photo at one of the whimsical hidden spots. Kids can unleash their creativity in the Craft Zone, making DIY Reindeer Bags—just pick up a free kit from Level 1. And don’t miss the chance for a free photo with Santa himself on select December dates.
When:
1 November 2024 - 2 January 2025 | 9 am - 9 pm daily
Santa photo times:
Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 December | 4 pm - 8 pm
Where: Level 1, Centre Court, Market City, 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket
Cost: FREE
Tasmania Term 4
20th December 2024 - 4th February 2025
Santa’s Funland
Santa's Funland comes alive again for two exciting days at the Derwent Entertainment Centre packed with Christmas fun: enjoy the fun of unlimited rides suitable for all the family; walk through the magical winter forest in the falling snow; have your face painted at the elves' workshop; let the Amazing Danny dazzle you with some Christmas magic; and enjoy our interactive stage performances and parades.
When:
Sat 21 Dec 2019, 9:30am–12:30pm
Sat 21 Dec 2019, 1:30pm–4:30pm
Sat 21 Dec 2019, 5:30pm–8:30pm
Sun 22 Dec 2019, 9:30am–12:30pm
Sun 22 Dec 2019, 1:30pm–4:30pm
Sun 22 Dec 2019, 5:30pm–8:30pm
Cost: Single - Fees and charges apply when purchasing online: $26.95 each. Group of 4 or more, single ticket - fees and charges apply when purchasing
online: $25.93 each
Where: Derwent Entertainment Centre, Brooker Hwy, Glenorchy, Hobart
Treetops Adventures Kidzip
We climb so you don’t have to! Let our instructors guide your kids on our beginner’s course, whilst you put your feet up! You’ll have time to grab the happy snaps or try one of the harder courses yourself with the confidence that your kids are in safe hands.Tasmania’s only outdoor hub for multi-adventures in one location. Adrenaline packed adventure
awaits only 20 minutes from Launceston where guests can participant in up to four different
adventures: Zipline & Segway Tours, Tree Ropes Courses and Mountain Biking. Soar like an
eagle, climb like a monkey or zoom like a zebra along the forest floor.
When: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Where: Hollybank
Cost: $32 - $453 depending on the activities and amount of people.
Visit Website
Bonorong Wildlife Park
This great sanctuary is always a hit with the kids as they will be able to have face-to-face fun and educational encounter with native Aussie wildlife.
When: Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
Where: 593 Briggs Road, Brighton TAS 7030
Cost: $34.50 Adult & $19.50 Kids or $99.00 for a Family Pass
Visit Website
Tahune AirWalk
The famous Tahune AirWalk is an elevated walkway 30 metres above the forest floor, with the final cantilever section sitting at a height of 50 metres above the Huon River, with spectacular views to the confluence of the Huon and Picton and beyond to the peaks of the World Heritage Area.
When: Open every day 10am–4pm
Where: Arve Rd, Geeveston Tasmania
Cost:
Adult (17yrs+) $32
Child (5–16yrs) $16.00
Concession $28.80
Family (2 adults, 3 children) $80.00
Infant (under 5 years old) Free
Visit Website
Putt - it Mini Golf Grindelwald
Putt-it Mini Golf is located in the heart of the Swiss Village Arcade. It is the resort’s World Class 18 hole Par 54 Mini Golf course. Peppered with many water features, bridges, extensive landscaping and building architecture that depicts an authentic European Turn of the Century Lakeside Village.
When: Various
Where: Shop 1 & 2/7 Waldhorn Dr, Grindelwald TAS 7277
Cost: Day Visitors
- Adults – $15
- Children – $12
- Concession – $13.50
- Family 2A + 2C – $45
Launceston Planetarium
The Launceston Planetarium has been open to visitors since 1968 and became part of the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk in 2009. The Planetarium is open from Tuesday to Sunday every week, and Mondays during school holidays. The Planetarium is closed on public holidays.
When: Various booking times and dates
Where: 2 Invermay Road, Inveresk
Cost: Adult $8.00, Child $6.00 & Family $21.00
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Amaze Richmond
The challenge in the Hedge Maze is not just finding your way out, but discovering all 31 of the native Tasmanian animals hidden throughout the many winding paths of the multi-cursal maze. The hedge is grown from pittosporum and took over 6 years to reach the current height of more than two metres. Our Head Hedge Horticulturalist – Chris – spends days pruning and tending the hedge every season to ensure it is in tip-top condition.
When: 10am – 4pm weekdays & 9am – 4pm weekends
Where: 13 Bridge St, Richmond TAS 7025
Cost: Adults $22 , Children (4-15) $12 Concession $15
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Splash Golf Golf Grindelwald
Welcome to Splash Golf Grindelwald, the ultimate destination for family-friendly fun where everyone, regardless of age, can dive into a thrilling golfing experience like no other! Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Serene, our courses blend the excitement of golf with the refreshing embrace of water, creating an adventure for the whole family.
When: Sunday – Friday: 10am till 3:30pm. || Saturday 4:30pm
Where: Shop 1 & 2/7 Waldhorn Dr, Grindelwald TAS 7277
Cost: A bucket of special floating golf balls cost $18.
