More than 50 free and cheap family activities in Sydney school holidays 2026, from beaches and parks to museums and events, all under $20 for a
Family Desk is a contributing writer covering family and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
This guide covers free and low-cost activities that do not require advance booking unless specified. Prices are accurate for 2026 and are subject to change. Many of the activities listed are suitable for children of all ages, but age recommendations are included where relevant. School holidays in NSW run for two weeks each term, and the activities below are suitable for any school holiday period. The guide is organised by type of activity and by location.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in the CBD is free to enter and has wide lawns, picnic areas, and walking trails. The garden has a large lawn suitable for picnics and a children's playground near the Woolloomooloo Gate. The Calyx is a horticultural exhibition space that has free entry. The garden is a good option for a morning or afternoon with young children because there is plenty of space to run around and the facilities are clean and well maintained.
Sydney Park in St Peters is a 41-hectare park with wide open spaces, a children's playground, a skate park, and a network of walking trails. The park has views of the Sydney CBD from the top of the hill and has several picnic areas with barbecue facilities. The park is accessible by train to St Peters station.
Bicentennial Park in Homebush Bay is a 40-hectare park with wide lawns, a children's playground, and a network of bike paths. The park is home to the Brickpit Ring Walk, an elevated walkway around a former brick quarry that has views of the Sydney Olympic Park. The park is accessible by train to Olympic Park station.
Centennial Parklands in the eastern suburbs is a 360-hectare park with wide lawns, horse riding trails, and a network of bike paths. The park has several children's playgrounds and picnic areas with barbecue facilities. The park is accessible by train to Central station and then a 20-minute walk, or by bus from Bondi Junction.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at Circular Quay has free entry to its permanent collection. The museum has seven floors of contemporary art from Australia and around the world. The museum also has free guided tours on weekends and school holidays. The museum has a family program during school holidays that includes art workshops and guided tours for children.
Australian Museum in the CBD has free entry to its permanent collection on weekdays. The museum has a strong natural history collection and a children's discovery space on the lower level. The museum has a program of free talks and workshops during school holidays. Entry on weekends and public holidays is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Art Gallery of NSW in the Domain has free entry to its permanent collection. The gallery has a large collection of Australian art and a program of temporary exhibitions that are ticketed. The gallery has a family program during school holidays that includes art workshops and guided tours for children. The new Sydney Modern Project building is adjacent to the original gallery and has additional exhibition space.
Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo has free entry to its permanent collection on weekdays. The museum has a strong collection of design, technology, and science exhibits and a children's space on the lower level. The museum has a program of free workshops and demonstrations during school holidays. Entry on weekends and public holidays is $18 for adults and $12 for children.
Bondi Beach is free to visit and has a paved promenade that is suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers on weekends and public holidays. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is 6km and takes approximately two hours to complete. The walk is sealed and accessible for prams and wheelchairs for most of its length. There are several playgrounds and picnic areas along the way.
Manly Beach is free to visit and has a paved promenade. The Manly to Shelly Beach walk is 1km and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The walk is sealed and accessible for prams and wheelchairs. Manly Wharf has a variety of food options and the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary is ticketed.
Coogee Beach is free to visit and has a paved promenade. The Coogee to Maroubra coastal walk is 5km and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The walk is sealed and accessible for prams and wheelchairs for most of its length.
Taronga Zoo in Mosman is not free, but the zoo offers family passes that reduce the cost. A family pass for two adults and two children costs $79 in 2026. The zoo has more than 4,000 animals and views of Sydney Harbour. The zoo is accessible by ferry from Circular Quay.
Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside is a wildlife park with native Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. Entry is $39 for adults and $25 for children. The park is accessible by car.
Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh is a wildlife park with native Australian animals and a picnic area. Entry is $35 for adults and $22 for children. The park is accessible by car from the Sydney CBD.
Sydney Olympic Park has a range of free and low-cost indoor activities during school holidays. The park has a aquatic centre, a sports centre, and a range of playgrounds. The aquatic centre has a toddlers' pool and a water slide. Entry to the aquatic centre is $12 for adults and $8 for children.
Ludolio at the University of Sydney is a digital games library with a collection of board games and video games available for free use. The library is open during school holidays and does not require booking.
State Library of NSW in the CBD has free entry and a range of activities for children during school holidays, including craft workshops and story time. The library has a children's area on the lower level with books, toys, and seating.
The City of Sydney runs a program of free events during school holidays, including outdoor movies, circus performances, and craft workshops. The program is published on the City of Sydney website two weeks before each school holiday period.
The NSW Government runs a program of free events during school holidays, including the Royal Easter Show, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and the Darling Harbour fireworks. The program is published on the Destination NSW website.
Sydney Olympic Park runs a program of free and low-cost events during school holidays, including the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Sydney Showground, and the Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Sydney has a range of affordable food options for families. Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo serves pies and hot dogs for under $10. Pancakes on the Rocks in The Rocks serves pancakes for under $15. Gelato Messina has several locations across Sydney and serves gelato for under $10 per scoop.
The Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont has fresh seafood available at reasonable prices. The market is open from 7am to 4pm on weekdays and from 7am to 3pm on weekends. The market has a range of food stalls serving fish and chips, seafood platters, and cooked seafood.
More information about family activities in Sydney is available at the City of Sydney website and the Destination NSW website.
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