Winter School Holiday fun on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is more than a destination, it's a place that is thriving with activities and experiences, makers and creators and busy eateries.  Kids, of all ages, can enjoy themselves these Winter school holidays making memories to last a lifetime and adventures that will make you want to come back again and again. 

After all that exhaustion, the kids will be famished so check out our kids eat free guide and deals page for some great special offers.

Don't forget to see the rest of the region's events, there are 100's to take your fancy! 

Pelican Time

Come and learn all about the local pelicans. Pelican Time is an education talk lead by Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast and covers interesting facts on pelicans, including the care and rescue of pelicans in the wild, plus ways that we can all help protect their environment by being waste wise when fishing and visiting this area. The talks are on every day during the school holidays at Pelican Plaza, The Entrance at 3:30pm. 

Breakfast with the Koalas

On Saturday 19 July, enjoy a magical experience by starting your day with breakfast with the Koalas! The Koala breakfast at Amazement Farm in Wyong Creek gives you the special opportunity to have personal koala keeper presentation, take photos with one of the koalas and enjoy a delicious hot and cold buffet breakfast. 

Iris Lodge Alpacas

Have you ever had brunch with Alpacas in the hinterland? It's a wonderful experience but before you still down to enjoy your farm-fresh brunch, you'll get to hand feed the 80+ alpacas, llamas and some sheep their breakfast. You will get to experience your brunch with an audience of llamas and alpacas! Check Iris Lodge Alpaca's website for times and dates. Tickets from $60.

Australian Reptile Park

Experience the Winter Wonderland at the Australian Reptile Park these holidays. Meet and greet cute, cuddly and scale animals and learn all about your favourite animals at the live keeper talks. If that wasn't enough enjoy the frozen fun around the park. Glide across the ice on the ice rink, hop inside a giant inflatable snow globe, race through the winter maze, enjoy eating colourful snow cones! Witness some of the world's deadliest snakes and spiders up close at the Venom Show or get a front row seat to watch Australia's crankiest saltwater croc Elvis during the Elvis Show! 

Meliora Farm

Pick your own citrus fruit in the middle of winter! Add some colour into those wintery days with bursts of oranges and yellows when you visit Meliora Farm for their pick your own days! The farm gates open at 10am at Peats Ridge and for just $35 you can fill a bag (provided by the farm shed) of delicious citrus, which is approx 10kg of fruit! You if haven't experienced fruit picking or if you are a seasonal picker, this is such a fun activity the whole family will love! 

The Giving Farm

Come along for an extra special farm experience and get up and close with the farm animals.  The Giving Farm is a hands-on farm where kids will meet babydoll sheep, feed the lambs, hang out with feather friends, collect eggs including blue ones, meet a gaggle of geese, be udderly amazed by the cows and play plenty of farm games.  A very busy morning at a certified organic farm! Farm animal cuddle, pat and feed experiences are on from the 7 July throughout the holidays starting at 9:30am in Jilliby.  Bookings essential.  

The Ary Toukley

Across the school holidays, take your kids to a variety of events happening at The Arty Toukley. From slime workshops, to magic shows, kids discos and more, they'll have a ball. Bookings are essential for each workshop. Find out more information here.

Budgewoi Hotel

Come along to the Budgewoi Hotel for school holiday fun at 12pm on 9th, 11th, 15th and 17th July. Activities including reptile shows, science experiments, pony rides and a magic show! Parents can sit and relax while the kids have a ball of time!

Rockpool Rambles

Discover what is hiding in the rockpools in Bateau Bay, you'll be amazed what is there! Join a Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre guide who will take you on an exciting marine adventure teaching you about the creatures that live in these fascinating pools. The little ones will love being a marine biologist for the day! 

Junior Ranger Bouddi Coastal Adventure Tour

Become a junior ranger for the day! Meet at Putty Beach on Wednesday 9 July at 10am and walk along part of the specular Bouddi Coast Walk to Gerrin Point Lookout. Bring binoculars and spot magnificent wildlife and of course, whales during their migration!  National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) will help you identify marine animals and local birdlife along the way! This wonderful educational and fun tour will last 2 hours. More information here. 

Wyrrabalong Aboriginal cultural tour

Join this special tour with an Aboriginal guide and learn about this exceptional park that hosts the last patch of coastal rainforest on the Central Coast on Wednesday 16 July. You'll hear cultural stories and learn how every aspect of this beautiful land continues to hold deep significance to its Traditional Owners. Your guide will share wisdom passed through generations, including how the amazing variety of native plants are utilised for food, shelter and medicinal purpose. Book your tickets here. 

Brisbane Water Aboriginal cultural tour

Gain a unique insight into the wisdom of the world’s oldest living culture as you explore Brisbane Water National Park on Monday 14 July from 10am to 12pm. Starting at Warrah lookout, you’ll go on a guided walk and discover the amazing variety of plants that Aboriginal people used for food, shelter and medicinal purposes. Book your tickets here. 

Whale watching talks at Crackneck Point Lookout

Crackneck Point Lookout in Bateau Bay is one of several prime vantage points for spotting Humpback whales as they migrate past our coastline. Led by a NPWS guide, join this interactive and informative 2-hour workshop on Tuesday 8 July and learn about these huge mammals and try to spot some from the lookout. Bookings are essential - don't forget to turn up with your binoculars! Find out more here.

Erina Ice Arena

What feels more wintery than ice skating! Erina Ice Arena's school camp teaches kids to skate in small groups, play supervised games and enjoy free play/skate. Perfect for beginners and a great head start into the term time programs. Kids will be split into age groups, 7-15 years will participant in a progressive classis to challenge themselves and build their skills while the younger children aged between 3-6 will enter the playgroup class full of fun activities that assist with building their confidence on the ice. The Cutting Edge Café offers $10 lunchtime meals options for hungry skates after their session

Glenworth Valley

For the adventurers aged between 7-16 years old, the Adventure Max School Holiday Camp will keep kids excited, active and challenged. The Glenworth Valley Winter Camp includes 1.5 hours of either horse riding or quad bike riding (12 years or older), 2.5 hours of abseiling, lunch and games and 2 hours of laser skirmish. The camp promises a lot of fun, a place to make new friends and lungs full of fresh air!  The camp starts at 8.30am – 4.00pm. Tickets book quickly for this experience.

Treetops Adventure

Swing and climb through the treetops of eucalyptus trees in Ourimbah State Forest at the Treetops Adventure Park. Challenge yourself on the adults and kids tree rope courses and get your adrenaline pumping as you take on the walkways and put your coordination and balance to the test!

Bungee Fitness

Located in Tuggerah, the first Bungee Fitness studio in NSW is for all those thrill seekers who love to fly high and test their abilities! Running most days during in the July school holidays (check website for times), kids will get to have a go at the aerial silks, hoop, trapeze and even try aerial yoga using all the awesome anti-gravity apparatuses. The fun costs $25 and parents are encouraged to book a lesson have a go too! 

Roundabout Circus

Elevate your circus skills this holiday season and dive into a half days or full days of tumbling, juggling and aerial skills! With classes for beginners and those with experience, Roundabout Circus have several workshops for kids, teens and youth to embrace fun and playful challenges.

BattleKart Tuggerah

Rally up the kids these school holidays and visit BattleKart in Tuggerah for a real-life game of Mario Kart. Jump into electric karts and pick from a range of virtual games to play. Race across the track and beat your friends to it. It's also indoors, so a great option for a rainy day. 

Gosford Golf Club

For budding junior golfers and those wanting to learn the art of golfer, Gosford Golf Club are holding a winter golfing clinic where you will received PGA coaching on the course and in the TrackMan simulator room. The workshop include lunch and morning tea! All abilities welcome! 

Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre

Bring the kids along to Sloties Slot Car Racing Centre in Charmhaven for some serious slot car racing fun! Keep your car on the track, race your opponents and walk out with a big smile on your face! Open from Wednesday to Sunday in the winter holiday, drivers get 1 hour of track time, a rental car and controller for just $10!

Maccoa Terrigal

Create, cook and consume your very own pizza these school holidays with Maccoa. Kids get to decorate their own individual pizzas with all their favourite toppings and take home their yummy creation for lunch. While the pizza is cooking, they will be decorating their pizza box. Classes are available 11, 12, 18 and 19 July from 10am noon and cost $15 per child for 3-12 year olds. Parents must stay on site. Bookings are essential. 

Chocolate Factory

Throughout the holidays, The Factory is holding yummy junior chocolatier workshops where young chocolate enthusiasts can learn how chocolate and delicious chocolatey sweets are made! For 1 hour, the kids can have fun getting messy with the tasty stuff. Check website for dates and times. There is also a Kids High Tea where kiddies can indulge in hot and cold treats to tickle their taste buds as they enjoy their first High Tea!

Davistown RSL Club

Let the kids get hands-on in the kitchen with this Kids Pizza Making Class on Wednesday 9 July at Davistown RSL Club. This 30-minute workshop will let your kids get creative with their pizza toppings, and of course enjoy their creations afterwards. There are two sessions from 10am to 10:30am or 10:45am to 11:15am. Bookings are essential and cost $20 per child. Find out more information here.

Glass Slipper Parties

There is so much happening at Glass Slipper Parties the kids will never have a dull moment during the school holidays! Visit Rustique on the Coast for a winter wonderland. Join Elsa, Anna and Olaf in a day of frosty fun and enjoy games, crafts and snow magic. 

Art Barn Plaster Painting

Choose from a large selection of plaster pieces to paint and turn it into your very own custom creation at Art Barn Plaster Painting. This art centre is great for little kids wanting to use their imagination and paint different pieces their way. Open 7 days a week and no bookings required, it's also indoors so a great option for a rainy day activity. 

House of Ellery

From mini preserved flower workshops, soap making, beaded keyrings and textured art camps, there is so much variety at House of Ellery. All classes are fun allowing creative minds to explore the art of their chosen workshop! Adults can check out the range of other classes too, there is something for everyone here! 

Soy Candle and Bath Bomb Workshop at Aroma Shak

Book in a soy candle and bath bomb making class with Aroma Shak and create a soy candle each and four bath bombs to take home and enjoy. Your little ones will have a great time choosing their own colours and scents for their little handmade creations. Bookings are essential. Find out more information here.

Teen DIY Natural Skincare Workshop at Aroma Shak

Perfect for the teens, Aroma Shak are also running a DIY skincare workshop. Using organic essential oils, flowers, crystals and natural ingredients, your teenagers can create their very own skincare body products, from scrubs to face masks and body oils. Bookings are essential. Find out more information here.

Luna and Co Craft Workshops

Luna and Co are running creative workshops on Tuesday 8 July and Wednesday 16 July, both from 10am to 2pm. A range of arts and craft activities will be offered including, air dry clay, polymer clay, acrylic painting, tie dye, drawing, paper craft, slime making. Bookings are essential. Find out more information here.

Pullman Magenta Shores

For guests staying at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, there is loads of activities to keep the kiddies busy these school holidays. With entertainment, balloon twisting, face painting, movie afternoons, doughnut and cupcake decorating workshops and not to mention pizza making and firepit and marshmallow evenings, the kids will love having so much to do to keep them occupied. 

Mecure Kooindah Waters

Kids can join the fun at Kooindah Waters during the July school holiday and take part in loads of fun and entertaining events.

Gosford Regional Gallery, Central Coast libraries, theatres and leisure centres

The Central Coast theatre, gallery, libraries and leisure centres are hosting a huge range of workshops and activities for the kids and teens this winter school holidays. From sculpture and art classes, Lego challenges, animation workshops, theatre shows, story time and more. Check out what is on here and be sure to pre-book your tickets, many of which are free!