School holiday fun this Autumn

School holiday fun at Australian Reptile Park
School holiday fun at Australian Reptile Park
If you’re finally preparing to enjoy some much-needed R&R these school holidays, the last thing you want are the kiddies bugging you because they’re bored.
To entertain your little angels/monsters, we’ve pulled together this guide to keep the kiddos entertained – so you can also enjoy all the Coast has to offer!

When was the last time you explored the Central Coast's free natural playground with your family? The Coast is famous for its beautiful scenery, which is great if you want something free to do with the kids this summer:

 

With our network of national parks, dog-friendly forests, calm waterways and patrolled beaches to explore, you'll find endless outdoor activities for the kids across the Central Coast. But what if it rains? Read on to discover some great, weather resistant ideas to kick-start your holiday plans.

 

Kayaking on Tuggerah Lake Central Coast
Image: Canton Beach Paddle Shack
Strickland State Forest Swing Bridge
Strickland State Forest, Swing Bridge
Outdoor activities on the Central Coast...

ZOOPERHEROES! @ The Australian Reptile Park 

These school holidays The Australian Reptile Park has a celebration  of the incredible superpowers of animals. From the armoured Echidna who gives Iron Man a run for his money to Elvis the Crocodile who is as strong as the Hulk – The Australian Reptile Park is home to REAL superheroes! With great power comes great responsibility. Put on your cape and fly around for a day full of fun and excitement as you enter a world where superpowers really exist! Get your ‘spidey’ senses tingling and meet their superheroes as they perform SUPER acrobatic stunts at the daily 1:30pm stunt show!

Walkabout Wildlife Park

The Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is a working wildlife sanctuary located in Calga, on the Central Coast hinterland of New South Wales. Their anger team believe in conservation through education, and care for and protect hundreds of rescued, orphaned, unreleasable, disabled and retired animals every year, as well as help protect the many wild animals living in their 180 acres of natural Aussie bushland. The sanctuary is located on Heritage-listed Aboriginal cultural landscape, with bushwalks available to see some of the important, protected sites for our local indigenous communities. 

Outdoor Escape Rooms @ The Entrance

Escape Rooms Central Coast are running exciting new Outdoor Escape Adventures around The Entrance. Filled with fun and intrigue, using high tech augmented reality, this is an 'Escape' game with a difference. Armed with an iPad and Action Pack kids will need all their super-sleuthing skills as they follow the course using Google Maps, unlocking clues and puzzles along the way. 

Kid's Camp @ Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures

Bust boredom with a dose of the great outdoors these school holidays at Glenworth Valley Adventure Max School Holiday Camp. Kids will have a blast trying three awesome adventures in one day including horse riding, quad biking, kayaking, abseiling or laser skirmish. Activities are dependent on the season and age of the child, so you can rest assured they will be equipped to have a good time, and the camp is fully supervised by experienced guides.

Koi feeding in a Japanese garden @ Gosford Regional Gallery

The Edogawa Commemorative Garden is a beautifully peaceful space located in the Gosford Regional Gallery precinct of East Gosford, just a few minutes from Gosford Waterfront. The landscape design is inspired by a traditional ‘shuyu’ (strolling style) garden, incorporating Japanese features. Both kids and adults can appreciate the pretty tranquility available here - for free - and the whole family will love feeding the huge fish from the ornamental bridge (bags of feed available in the gallery shop).

Central Coast Aqua Park @ Gosford Waterfront

Opening every year on the picturesque waterfront location, right near several cafes, a swimming pool, Leagues Club Park and the stadium, Central Coast Aqua Park is one of the most refreshing activities for kids to have some fun outdoors on the water. Parents can watch their kids tackle the floating obstacle course on Brisbane Water from the sidelines with a coffee, with single, double or all-day passes available from just $25.

Climb to the canopy at Treetops Adventure Park

Treetops Adventure Park are ready to go for the school holidays, open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week! They offer a range of outdoor, kid-friendly activities to pursue high up in the treetops of Ourimbah State Forest on the Central Coast, including Networld and the longest zipline in the southern hemisphere. 

Broken Bay Pearl Farm 

An adventure at Pearl Bay farm is a fun adventure for the whole family! Discover the hidden gem of NSW at our pearl farm. Learn the intricacies of pearl farming from expert guides, cruise along the mighty Hawkesbury River and marvel at these rare gems, and the magnificent pearl oysters in which they grow.

Iris Lodge Alpacas 

Get up close and personal with a herd of 70+ alpacas and llamas. During your visit you’ll also meet our 40 wiltipoll sheep, angus cows and horses. There are a few experiences on offer including breakfast with alpacas, and afternoon farm visits. .

Amazement Farm & Fun Park 

Explore the magical mazes, friendly farm animals and many more amazing activities on offer. Amazement Farm & Fun Park is a world of fun for the whole family.

Aquafun Avoca Lake

AQUAFUN on Avoca Beach Lake is open 7 days a week for the NSW school holidays! Don't miss the chance to come down for a pedal or paddle

Terrigal Ocean Tours

Enjoy a 40 to 60 minute cruise along the Central Coast Beaches on the high performance Eco Tour vessel. 

Naughty Noodle Fun Haus

LBGTIQA+ Teens and their friends, family across the North & South side of the Coast.

Naughty Noodle have two fun, free & vibrant activities:

Thursday 21st April in Wyong one of Australia’s most infamous Vogue houses “House of Silky” come to the Central Coast with a workshop guaranteed to bring out your inner Superstar with a Vogue Dance workshop for 12–24-year-old.

Friday 22nd April at Umina PCYC Beach a Yass! ((Young, Authentic And Social) Rainbow Teen Party for 12-17 mates 6pm - 10pm. Dress to express and spend the night celebrating with other beautiful rainbow youth and their friends, DJ, shows, makeup both, have a dance, make some like minded friends & watch some shows.

girl pats horse in stables
Horse riding at Glenworth Valley
kids watching and feeding koi fish
Edogawa Commemorative Gardens, Gosford Regional Gallery
Spidey Superheroes Fun at Australian Reptile Park
Spidey! ZOOPERHEROES at the Australian Reptile Park
Image: @australianreptilepark
Wet weather activities on the Central Coast...
Don't let flippant La Niña dampen the holiday spirit! There’s still plenty of activities to get the kids out of the house, burning off energy, and laughing til their belly hurts. For easy parental planning, we've rounded up some top indoor ideas here.

Clip ‘N Climb @ Gosford

Let your kids enjoy the experience of climbing in a fully supervised and colourful climbing space. Clip 'N Climb Central Coast is a great indoor kids activity and truly is a WOW experience - for all ages too! Go on, Dad. All equipment is provided and every climb is equipped with the 'Trublue' auto belay making it super safe and easy to climb free of a belay buddy. Less standing still, more action!

Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre @ Terrigal

The newly refurbished Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre at Terrigal teaches the wonder of the ocean through real life displays and interactive activities. Kids can explore their special display showing the story of the sinking of the HMAS Adelaide or learn about the life of local rock pools.

Artist Rachel Bunney has been invited to run two workshops. Thursday 14th of April 11am 'Rainbow tricks and cuttlefish' to make a cuttlefish hand puppet and learn about this wonderful creature. Thursday 21st 11am 'Be a Sea Turtle super hero' to paint a turtle and make a headband. The best part is, if you register for the event you receive 25% off entry to CCMDC for the day.

The centre also has opened an online Marine Discovery shop where parents can purchase a range of educational packs and marine-inspired toys to entertain at home long after their visit. Closed over Easter but open the rest of school holidays.

Erina Ice Arena @ Erina Fair

The newly refurbished, vibrant indoor Erina Ice Arena is a great place to beat the heat or escape the rain. Public sessions provide the perfect opportunity for anyone to experience ice skating whatever your level.

Erina Fair Putt Putt @ Erina

A massive Putt Putt experience has dropped into Erina Fair for kids of all ages to get among these school holidays.

Inflatable World @ Charmhaven

It’s all about having fun, so bring the whole family and bounce away the rainy day. Inflatable World can be for the BIG adult kids too, as parents can join their children on the bounce floor. Sessions are for two hours per single entry fee and you can play on the inflatable activities as many times as you like during that session.

Laser tag @ Gosford & Wyoming

If your kids love laser tag, playing tip or running around the house when it rains (yes, let's curb that), there are two popular indoor centres on the Central Coast where you can take your kids to let loose. Laser Tag Central Coast is located in Wyoming and there's also Laser Mania in Gosford. 

Monkey Mania @ Gosford

Monkey Mania Central Coast is located inside Central Coast Leagues Club and is a popular spot to bring the kids, with an impressive three-level play structure that keeps the kiddies entertained for hours. The facility also features an inflatable jumping castle, dedicated toddlers area, a cannon foam ball arena, climbing structure, slides, and kiddies electric go-karts. When they're tuckered out, pop into Gosford for a family feed at one of their many eateries. 

The Chocolate & Nougat Factory @ West Gosford

How about a 'Make Your Own Chocolate Workshop' for kids? Check our website for available datesVisit the sweetest spot on the Central Coast - home of popular Australian confectionery, Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. Wet weather is a perfect chance to explore The Chocolate & Nougat Factory where delicious treats are created daily, featuring Junior Chocolatier Workshop experiences that may just be the highlight of your kids holiday (and great for the parents if they bring home their creations).

Virtual Reality Studios @ The Entrance

Try one of the best virtual reality experiences in Australia! Central Coast Virtual Reality invites the kids to swim with the whales, walk around the Eiffel Tower, ride a rollercoaster, play with a litter of baby dragon pups or become a cyber ninja – there are hundreds of experiences for all ages in this safe, indoor environment. This studio is purpose-built with the only custom ceiling cable mount system in Australia, designed to create the ultimate immersive VR experience. If you're in The Entrance area with the family, pop in and try a free demo. There's an art gallery on site too for the parents to browse while the kids get the virtual wows.

kids climbing wall
Clip 'N Climb, Gosford
kids ice skating
Erina Ice Arena
Community activities for the holidays
Whether you're visiting family for the holidays on the Central Coast, or want to take the kids out to explore their own backyard, there's some lovely community events running throughout the break.

School Holiday program with Central Coast Council

Locals and visitors can get involved with the colourful program of free and ticketed activities throughout the school holidays on the Coast. This includes craft, reading and gaming activities at the region's libraries, plus painting, drawing and printing activities at Gosford Regional Gallery and much more. Visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/schoolholidays for the latest program information to plan your day.

 

girl rides down slippery dip
Local artist Molly Wattle enjoys Umina's playground precinct.
Learning about Oyster Farming
Discover the hidden gem of NSW at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Image credit @brokenbaypearlfarm

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