Sydney kids’ and family activities

Child holds binoculars towards the sky as a Discovery Ranger explains what he might see. Credit: Adam Hollingworth/DCCEEW © DPE

Junior ranger: Royal National Park

Kids can become Junior Rangers when they visit Royal National Park these school holidays. Our fun and guided interactive activities are designed for children 6 to 12 years.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

Tour runs Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 12.30pm.

2025 tour dates:

22, 23, 29, 30 January
16, 17, 23, 24 April
9, 10, 16, 17 July
1, 2, 8, 9 October

Where

Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Ironbark Flat picnic area, Royal National Park

An NPWS ranger shows a little girl a small tree stem and leaves. Credit: Adam Hollingworth © DCCEEW

Little lyrebirds: Royal National Park

Discover the local ecosystems of Sydney’s Ironback Flat picnic area, in Royal National Park. This interactive and engaging guided tour is great for children under 6 years old.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

2025 tours run Wednesdays and Thursdays during school holidays.

Wednesday 8 January to Thursday 30 January
Wednesday 16 April to Thursday 24 April
Wednesday 9 July to Thursday 17 July
Wednesday 1 October to Thursday 9 October

Time: 10am to 10.45am. Meet at 9.50am.

Where

Ironbark Flat picnic area, Royal National Park

Operated by

A family enjoying a guided tour led by an NPWS ranger. Credit: Adam Hollingworth © DCCEEW

Guided nature walk: Lady Carrington Drive

These school holidays, take a guided tour along historic Lady Carrington Drive. People of all ages come to this old coach road to learn about the unique plants and animals of Royal National Park.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

2025 tour dates:

Friday 10 January, 17 January, 24 January and 31 January
Thursday 17 April and 24 April
Thursday 10 July and 17 July
Thursday 2 October and 9 October

Tour time: 9.30am to 12pm. Arrive at 9.20am.

Where

Lady Carrington Drive, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Royal National Park

Operated by

A family exploring the shoreline near Bonnie Vale campground in Royal National Park. Credit: Simone Cottrell/DCCEEW

Guided nature walk: Bonnie Vale

Join a NPWS guide for an immersive nature experience in Royal National Park. Setting out from Bonnie Vale campground, you’ll explore coastal bush and mangroves or the beach and rocky shore.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

Saturday 4 January, 11 January, 18 January, 25 January
Saturday 1 February
Saturday 12 April, 19 April and 26 April
Saturday 5 July, 12 July and 19 July
Saturday 27 September and Saturday 4 October

Time: 8.15am to 9.45am. Arrive at 8.05am.

Where

Bonnie Vale campground

Operated by

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

Tours available every Sunday, all year round.

During school holidays we run extra tours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Each tour is 45mins.

Choose the date and time that suits you after clicking the Book Now button.

Where

La Perouse area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney and surrounds

Operated by

Bare Island Fort, Kamay Botany National Park. Photo: Andrew Richards/DCCEEW

Junior ranger: Bound for Botany Bay

Want to discover what life was like for a convict in Sydney? These school holidays, come to Bare Island at La Perouse, and find out more in this fun junior ranger event for kids aged 6 to 12 years.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

2025: Thursday 9 January, 23 January, 30 January, 24 April, 17 July and 9 October

2026: Thursday 29 January

Time: 10.30am to 12pm. Arrive at 10am.

Where

La Perouse area in Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Sydney and surrounds

Operated by

An NPWS ranger shows junior rangers how to read a map of a national park. Photo: John Spencer © DPIE

Junior ranger: Bobbin Head

Join this junior ranger tour at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, near Hornsby, these school holidays, and learn what it's like to be a NSW National Parks ranger. For kids aged 6 to 12 years.

Price

Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.

When

2025: Thursday 2 January, 16 January, 17 April, 10 July and 2 October

2026: Thursday 22 January 2026.

Time: 10.30am to 12pm. Arrive at 10am.

Where

Bobbin Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Operated by

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 19 April 2024.

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

No tours on: Sunday 19 May 2024 and 20 April 2025 (Easter Sunday).

Where

Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Operated by

Kids looking through binoculars during a Bush Play School activity. Photo: Jodie Cooper © Bush Play School

Bush playgroup activities in Sydney’s south

Join Bush Play School for a day of creativity in Sydney’s south. Their nature play activities are a great way for kids to learn about the world around them.

Price: Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When: Contact Bush Play School for activity dates and times.
Where: Royal National Park in Sydney and surrounds, South Coast
Operated by

Group of children wearing lifejackets and holding paddles pose for photo on beach. Photo: © Lands Edge Foundation Saltwater School

Sydney Harbour school holiday program

Are you looking for a fun and engaging outdoor activity to keep your kids entertained during the school holidays? Sign up for Saltwater School’s holiday program at Chowder Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park.

Price: Fees apply. Free park entry.
When: Contact Lands Edge Foundation Saltwater School for tour schedule.
Where: Sydney Harbour National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Operated by

A bush trail kids will explore on an Aussie Wild Nature Discovery tour in Royal National Park. Photo © Ricki Coughlan

Kids nature discovery tour in Royal National Park

Embark on an exciting treasure hunt in Royal National Park with Aussie Wild Nature Discovery. The guided nature play activity is a great way for kids to learn about the magic of the bush.

Price: Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When: Contact Aussie Wild Nature Discovery for tour times and dates.
Where: Royal National Park in Sydney and surrounds, South Coast
Operated by

Audley boatshed

Hire a kayak and spend a few relaxed hours paddling up Kangaroo Creek from Audley Boatshed in Royal National Park, near Loftus.

Price: Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
Where: Royal National Park in Sydney and surrounds, South Coast

2 people kayaking on a Bundeena Kayaks guided tour. Photo: Paul Robbins © Monde Photo

Kayak tours of Bundeena and Royal National Park

Paddle the waterways of Bundeena and Royal National Park on a guided kayak tour with Bundeena Kayaks. It’s an unforgettable way to explore this beautiful stretch of coastline, just an hour south of Sydney.

Price: Fees apply. Park entry fees apply.
When: Contact Bundeena Kayaks for a tour schedule.
Where: Royal National Park in Sydney and surrounds, South Coast
Operated by

Two men share the Aboriginal cultural tradition of fire starting with visitors. Photo credit: Flash Point Labs © Tribal Warrior

Aboriginal cultural cruise in Sydney Harbour

Join the friendly and knowledgeable guides of Tribal Warrior for a fascinating boat and island tour as you learn about the Aboriginal culture of Sydney Harbour.

Price: Fees apply. Free park entry.
When: Contact Tribal Warrior for tour times and dates.
Where: Clark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park
Operated by

Sydney kids’ and family activities

Junior ranger: Royal National Park

Little lyrebirds: Royal National Park

Guided nature walk: Lady Carrington Drive

Guided nature walk: Bonnie Vale

Bare Island Fort guided tour

Junior ranger: Bound for Botany Bay

Junior ranger: Bobbin Head

Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour

Park Eco Pass partner tours

Bush playgroup activities in Sydney’s south

Sydney Harbour school holiday program

Kids nature discovery tour in Royal National Park

On the water

Audley boatshed

Kayak tours of Bundeena and Royal National Park

Aboriginal cultural cruise in Sydney Harbour

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