Qld School holiday ideas…. Looking for things to do with the kids these school holidays? We’ve hunted high and low and rounded up our favourite South East QLD School holiday ideas!
Queensland School Holidays – all the ideas right here
We’ve found twenty QLD school holiday ideas that are available for local families and visitors to our great part of the country all year round!
Urban Xtreme Adventure Park Hendra
There’s a ton of fun at the Ultimate Xtreme Adventure Park in Hendra. Xperience a world class multi-level Laser Tag arena, a massive trampoline park and a 1 hour ski lesson on the unique indoor ski simulator. For the littlies, the adventure play land offers fun climbing, crawling and sliding challenges. Kids can enjoy 6 hours of non-stop, supervised action for just $70pp (9am- 3pm). Spots are limited so hurry and book today (we have!!) Click here for details.
Gallery of Modern Art
GOMA is a fantastic place to take kids. It’s air-conditioned, there’s always plenty of parking and the facilities are family and access friendly. The artwork installations at GOMA change regularly and the Children’s Art Gallery always has hands-on, creative activities designed to engage a range of ages.
Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Open daily from 10am to 5pm
South Bank Parklands
South Bank Parklands offer so much fun for families from Brisbane and beyond! There’s the world-famous Streets Beach, a variety of great play-spaces, restaurants and cafes to suit every taste and budget and a constantly evolving array of fun family activities. Plenty of parking, plenty of public transport options and plenty of perfect holiday fun.
South Brisbane
Open daily from 5am to 12am
Roma Street Parkland
Situated right in the heart of the city, Roma Street Parkland is a fantastic choice for active families who love getting out and about in our beautiful climate. A huge range of playgrounds are available, there’s heaps of picnic space, top-notch facilities and it’s easy to access via car or public transport. Roma Street Parkland often run family-based events on holidays, including movies in the park, so make sure you keep your eye on what they’re up to! We loved it when we visited!
1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane City
Open daily from 9am to 4pm (later on event evenings)
Eat Street Markets
Now a Brisbane institution! The Eat Street Markets are a one-stop-shop for family entertainment, delicious eats and FUN. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in their brand-new location you’ll find food and drink from every culture. Our advice? Take the ‘sampling’ approach rather than filling up early and having regrets that you didn’t leave room for anything else!
Eat Street Markets are in their brand-new premises with rides and family activities from late March 2017!
Macarthur Avenue, Hamilton
Open Friday and Saturday 4pm – 10pm
Open Sunday 11am – 7pm
(Good Friday 4-10, Easter Saturday 4-10, Easter Sunday 11-8)
Sea Life Underwater World
Who among us doesn’t remember being hypnotised at Underwater World as a kid? Now rebranded as Sea Life, this family destination continues to amaze kids young and old. There are up-close ‘touch’ sessions, seal shows, wonderful displays and the world-famous underwater tunnel. Food and drink available on site, play areas for tiny tots and family-friendly facilities and prices. Our tip? Parking outside Sea Life can fill up fast – try to plan your day to arrive quite early. And do check out our ‘Sleep Under the Sea’ review to find out more about this QLD school holiday idea!
Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Open daily from 9am to 5pm
Queensland Museum
Exhibits, early childhood activities, public programs and guaranteed entertainment and wonder. Queensland Museum is a must for school holiday fun (or any time of year, actually!). In the Cultural Precinct, adjacent to the South Bank Busway, the museum continues to offer incredible experiences for young and old. It has had over 10 million visitors since it opened! The dinosaur forecourt is a must-see as is the wold-famous Whale Walk.
Corner Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane
Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
State Library of QLD
At Families Magazine we are STRONG believers in promoting literacy from an early age. A visit to the QLD State Library provides your children with a guaranteed link to a love of learning, a passion for fiction and a thirst for knowledge. The State Library has a soft play and activity area for little ones, an astounding array of resources and constantly rotating activities and events to take part in. The State Library is part of the Cultural Precinct so there is plenty of parking and world-class facilities.
Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Open daily 10am – 8pm
AquaSplash
Pack the car – you’re heading for Southport on the Gold Coast, Queensland! AquaSplash is a premium outdoor entertainment venue for school aged children up to adults. This hectic water course involves trampolines, splash mats, climbing frames and gladiator-style structures out in the beautiful waters of Southport. Our tip? You need upper body strength to pull yourself up – if you’ve not hit the gym for a while you might want to get a few push-ups in first!
Broadwater Parklands, Marine Parade, Southport
Open daily from 9am to 5pm
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Want to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most beautiful animals? Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket has been enchanting families for generations. Immerse yourself in natural habitats, meet amazing species and, of course, get your photo taken cuddling a koala. There is a café on site with a play area for tiny tots and the facilities are family and access friendly.
Find out how to get discounted entry every day to Lone Pine – click here.
708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket
Open daily from 9am to 5pm
Workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich
Got a train fan in your fam? The Ipswich Rail Museum, located in one of the oldest established areas in the state, is a slice of history presented via exciting, hands-on activities. There is a HUGE train play area that your little ones could happily spend hours in. Train simulations, science experiments, ride-on trains and much more! If you’ve not been here before now is the time to go – this is a great family experience you won’t soon forget. We HIGHLY recommend!
North St, North Ipswich
Open daily from 930am to 4pm
Bounce Inc! Tingalpa
Looking to bounce off some of that energy? Book online ahead of time into a slot at Bounce Inc, Tingalpa! You’ll find a massive trampoline course, cool activities, foam pits, dodge ball and basketball and EVEN a real-life ninja warrior course! There is a café on site, lockers for belongings and great family facilities.
Our tip? You can’t just arrive for a session – you have to go on the website ahead of time to book a slot. Make sure you do this – you don’t want disappointed jumpers!
40 Enterprise Place, Tingalpa
Open daily from 10am to 9pm
Victoria Park Golf Complex
Fancy a spot of golf? Victoria Park Golf Complex has a driving range, short and longer courses, a you-beaut putt putt course, a fantastic playground and extra kids activities and a world-class bistro. This is an INCREDIBLE day out that comes HIGHLY recommended by both Families Magazine and Eat Out With Families (read our Victoria Park Bistro review). Definitely mark this one on your score card! We’ve got a QLD school holiday discount voucher that let’s adults play putt putt at kids prices when playing as a family!
209 Herston Rd, Herston
Open daily
Planetarium
Keep your eyes on the skies! Brisbane’s very own Planetarium has offered families wonder, excitement and awe for many years. Daily shows screen in the SkyDome and you can wander around the perimeter learning astronomical new facts. Located in the beautiful Mt Coot-tha grounds, there are plenty of options for lunching, including a cafe and picnic and lots of play spaces around as well. Blast off!
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
Mount Coot-tha Rd, Toowong
Open daily from 10am to 4pm
CityCat adventure
Sail the seven seas right here in BNE! Have you tried a CityCat adventure? Journey on the Brisbane River taking in all the most beautiful buildings, homes and parklands from the best view in town. Sit on the front or the back for some splashing excitement or relax inside in a climate controlled environment. There are bathrooms and drinks sold on board! All aboard! Did you know that kids ride for FREE on public transport on the weekends?
Ipswich Nature Centre
How much does it cost to visit the Ipswich Nature Centre? One gold coin! Take the family to this community-run, old-fashioned, peaceful animal enclosure and see some Australian animals up close and personal. There’s even a barnyard with some of your old farm favourites!
Queens Park, Goleby Ave, Ipswich
Open daily 930-4pm (closed Mondays during school terms)
The Cube @ QUT
The Cube @ QUT always have something different going on for your QLD school holiday pleasure! They’re constantly updating their school holiday and term based programs. Your kids might learn about physics, investigate motion, fly paper planes or walk with dinosaurs! Check in regularly to see what these brainiacs are cooking up now…
2 George St, Brisbane City
Open daily 10am-4pm
Ipswich Art Gallery
Those creative types out at the Ipswich Art Gallery are always adding new colours to their brushes. They have an exciting, innovative range of art installations that are often interactive! Definitely worth a trip to beautiful Ipswich – for other things to do with kids in Ipswich these school holidays, click here.
D’Arcy Doyle Place, Nicholas St
Ipswich
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Thunderbird Park
You’ll be ASTOUNDED at what there is to do at Thunderbird Park, Tamborine Mountain. Adventures, activities, a huge ropes course and more! Our tip? We’ve found plenty of camping and accommodation up there as well – make a weekend of it!
Corner Cedar Creek Falls Road
Open daily
ScienCentre
Brisbane is the home of the annual World Science Festival, but it’s science time all year at the ScienCentre! Located again in the Cultural Precinct, you’ll be amazed by the hands-on experiments, mind-blowing demonstrations and down-and-dirty fun that there is to be had. Pack your microscope and go. Now!
Grey St & Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Open daily 9.30am-5pm
Qld School holiday ideas
Got a great QLD school holiday idea that we’ve missed? What about day trips – like the Cedar Creek Samford experience? Make sure you let us know in the comments!
