Your Guide to School Holiday Activities for little ones (& big ones)

School Holiday Activities for little ones (& big ones) | Discover Queensland School Holiday Activities for little ones (& big ones) | Gold Coast School Holiday Activities | Discover Queensland
The school holidays are fast approaching and with so much time in lock down it’s likely your little ones (and big ones) are bursting at the seams to get out and about. We’ve got you covered with our list of school holiday activities for younger children and older children on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast including a bonus list of things to do in the car if you’re road tripping to one of these spots!  
 

School Holiday Activities on the Gold Coast

Younger Children

Beach Days
You can’t go past a day on the beach but picking the perfect spot to relax with younger children can be tough when you’re not familiar with the beaches. Read our article on the best beaches for small children.

Theme Parks
Sea World is a favourite amount young families with plenty of activities, shows and rides aimed at the younger audience. Paradise Country also has a fantastic list of activities for smaller children and you can even include a farm stay.

Dining Out 
School holidays can be a demanding time for parents, so why not treat the kids with a special dinner and avoid the clean up! Here's our list of family restaurants with entertainment or play areas on the Gold Coast.

Walk an Alpaca!
Little ones who love animals can stroll Canungra Valley Vineyard with an alpaca on a lead! If this is a little daunting you can start with a simply feeding one of these fluffy friends. Since you’re at the vineyard you might as well indulge in a wine tasting while you’re there.
 

Older Children

Game Over
This action packed centre has everything for kids from rockclimbing and go karting to lazer tag and mini golf. Enjoy 10% off with your MyDQ card when you book a holiday with Discover Queensland.

Location, Location, Location!
Older children love the feeling of freedom, which means centrally located and beachside resorts are perfect for older kids. Turtle Beach, Mantra Towers of Chevron, and Oaks Calypso Plaza are great options.

Zip Lining
Kids with a taste for adrenalin will love zipline tour at Tamborine Mountain. Australia’s highest, fastest and largest zipline spans 1.5 kilometres over 7 amazing lines over Cedar Creek Gorge. Use your MyDQ Card to get 12% off.
Another zip line option is the resort course at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat when staying as a guest. They also have a fantastic kids program running during the school holidays.

Horse Riding 
Take the kids on a horseback adventure at Thunderbird Park at Tamborine Mountain from just $60pp! This is the perfect Brisbane day trip as it’s an hours drive and there is so much more to do in the area including rainforest walks, the hinterland village and shops and plenty of dining options.

School Holiday Activities on the Sunshine Coast

Younger Children

SEA Life 
SEA Life aquarium is great fun for kids of all ages, but little ones especially will love the interactive displays, school holiday activities and clear tunnels that take you through the middle of the tanks with sharks swimming above head! Enjoy 20% off adult & child admission with your MyDQ Card!

Short Hike 
Kondalilla falls circuit is a great track for small children that ends with a stunning swimming hole and waterfall.

Days at the beach
There’s nothing better than enjoying Queensland’s incredible year round weather with a day at the beach. Check out our small children friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast for a list of calm water beaches safe for small kids, those learning to swim or families who prefer smaller or no waves.

Treat Yo-Self! 
To the best dessert places on the Sunny Coast! Why not indulge and reward the family with a scrumptious treat?
 

Older Children

Hit the Wake Park
Bli Bli Waterpark have a range of watersports including a world class wake park for beginners through to pros. There is also an inflatable waterpark and kids club during the school holiday periods.

Eumundi Markets
This treasure trove of activity, adventure, bargains, and delicious food is a haven for kids and kids at heart, for further convincing read our 20 reasons to visit Eumundi Markets.

Explore the Secret Swimming Spots
Use our guide to the best swimming holes on the Sunshine Coast and tell us your kids favourite spots!

Swim with the Whales
Yes, you read that correctly, during whale migration season you can take a whale watch cruise and the more adventurous can actually jump in the water and swim with these majestic creatures! Take an extra 10% off the packages on us with your MyDQ Card.


School Holiday Activities in Brisbane

Younger Children

Daisy Hill Koala Reserve
Do your kids love animals? The Daisy Hill Koala reserve is the perfect place for them to see them in person with interactive displays, a large enclosure and two levels of boardwalks to view the koalas. Plus it’s open 10am – 4pm daily and – it’s FREE!
 
QAGOMA & Science Centre
This two for one is packed full of action for the kids. Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art is full of interactive activities for kids so they can explore, learn and be as noisy as they want! The QAGOMA website also has activities and videos for the kids to do at home.

Explore Fort Lytton
Queensland’s foremost military exhibit on the bayside features a large museum, regular re-enactments including the firing of the functioning cannons, and free tours from 10am – 4pm on Sundays and most public holidays.

Visit Southbank Beach
This man-made beach haven is situated just across the river from Brisbane CBD and features sandy lagoon entry swimming pool along with BBQ facilities, lifeguards and several playgrounds. There are plenty of dining options for a bite to eat.

Older Children


Abseil Kangaroo Cliffs
Scale the inner city Kangaroo Cliffs with a professional instructor and full equipment for 1.5 hours of adrenalin mixed with fantastic uninterrupted views. Book a holiday with Discover Queensland with a FREE MyDQ Card and you’ll receive 10% off this experience starting from $49 per person. Minimum age is 10 years old.

Brisbane Kayaking Tour
See Brisbane city from a different angle on the water with a 1.5 hour day time tour exploring the water and landmarks with your professional guide. This is the perfect adventure for kids who have plenty of energy and love to learn. Use your MyDQ Card to receive 10% off this adventure with tours starting at $49 per person.

Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens & Look Out
A family favourite, the lookout is the perfect place for a picnic (or you can visit the café) after you’ve walked the children’s trail hunting for water dragons, a crocodile, native bees and dragons flies along the way.

Take a City Cat
The CityHopper is a free Brisbane City service that whisks you around the Brisbane River. What’s even better? It runs every 30 minutes from 6am until midnight 7 days a week.

If you are wanting to top off your school holidays adventure by whisking the kids away on an unforgettable family holiday, talk to our team at Discover Queensland for the best deals and personalised recommendations that will suit your families holidaying style on 1300 788 553 or browse our hot deals now.
 

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