Best things to do in the Brisbane school holidays
The capital of the Sunshine State is teeming with things to do for every type of junior appetite. Plus the grown ups will have fun too.
Lifestyle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Here is our list of the 10 best school holiday activities in Brisbane.
Hit up QAGOMA
The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best contemporary art spaces thanks to its revolving roster of exhibitions and dedicated Children's Art Centre. The Suburban Sublime Australian Photography exhibit runs until August 17, 2025 and presents views of the streets and suburbs little ones already know so it’s not too high concept. As an add on the Asia Pacific Triennial Kids show runs from September 14, 2024 to July 13, 2025. There are also guided Art Explorers tours for those aged three to five as well as Art Play Dates and Art Starters hands on workshops on selected Tuesday and Thursdays respectively. Entry is free to many exhibits, it sits right on the Brisbane river at South Bank and it will no doubt keep kids entertained. There are all sorts of artist projects to explore as well as family favourite pictures to identify. School holiday fun lives here. Picture: Chloe Callisemon.
See the Monster Trucks soar
The promise is for ‘bigger trucks, bigger stunts and bigger action’. Some of the leaping, smashing monster trucks on show will include Raptor’s Rampage, Wicked, Buddy and Wacky Doo. Add flame outs, flying motorbikes and the option of a VIP Pit Party where you can walk the track and meet the drivers and you have three hours of high octane fun. The Brisbane event takes place on May 17 and 18.
Get hands on SparkLab
A short walk from QAGOMA, The Queensland Museum is a world away from the fusty, dusty buildings you were dragged around as a kid. Front and centre is SparkLab kids space: an interactive science, technology, engineering and maths zone designed for 6 to 13 year olds. There are over 40 exhibits to play with, the Science Bar conducts live experiments and the Maker Space is all about creating your own objects that actually fly. The program costs $16.50 for adults and $13.50 for children so if you're on the lookout for cheap school holiday activities, bookmark this one as a beacon for the whole family.
Take a dip at Streets Beach
The spring school holidays is the perfect time to hit up Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach with its sparkling lagoon, Aquativity water play park and boat pool. It’s all lifesaver patrolled, free to use and a short stroll from both QAGOMA and the Queensland Museum. You may have this pegged as a location better suited to the summer school holidays or Christmas school holidays but it's worth remembering that the average high in Brisbane in April is 27 degrees. Active kids will love this precinct set up for family fun and it costs nothing to use if you're hunting for free school holiday activities. Picture: Steve Pohlner
Cuddle a koala
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a legit Brisbane icon for a reason. Not only is it the world’s first and largest facility of its kind, but in addition to the 100 koalas who call it home, there are 75 species of other Australian native animals. You can feed the roos and lorikeets, take in a raptor show, watch sheep dogs at work and pop into the 360-degree crocodile viewing dome. The school holiday programs are divided into Sanctuary Sprouts for three- to five-year-olds, Junior Keepers for five- to 12-year-olds and Teen Keepers for 13- to 17year olds. This sanctuary can get busy around school holiday time so head in early to avoid the crowds.
Raise your pulse on the river
With school sport on hold for a few weeks, chances are your kids have energy to burn. We have the solution. The Riverlife Adventure Centre can get you on the water in a kayak, climbing or abseiling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs or - for something a bit more chill - a cycle by the water. We particularly like the sound of the paddle and prawns twilight kayak tour. It also runs school holiday events called Adventure Camp which will keep kids active and prove that activities such as abseiling are better than any virtual reality rides.
Go on a prehistoric egg hunt
Time to get down and dirty hunting for prehistoric thundereggs at Thunderbird Park, Mt Tamborine. Thundereggs are round balls of silica found in ancient volcanic lava flows. Armed with a spade and bucket, visitors head out to the field to fill their bucket with eggs. Keen prospectors can have their eggs cut with a diamond-edged saw to reveal a pretty agate centre or crystal-filled hollow. There are also zip lines, rope courses, laser tag, mini golf and the chance to operate a mechanical digger. So many fun school holiday activities to choose from. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland.
Do some stargazing
You don’t have to wait until dark for a spot of star gazing at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in the grounds of Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Toowong. Their selection of 45-minute shows will fascinate kids and adults alike. Littlies will love the Perfect Little Planet and Magic Globe: A Story of The Seasons offerings.
Feast at Eat Street North Shore
What happens when you set up 180 repurposed shipping containers as mini restaurants on a disused historic wharf? You get one of Brisbane’s most vibrant attractions. Almost any food you can think of is repped here, as well as shops, five themed bars and live music plus djs. Try Karindera by The Filipino Street Food and finish with Lulu Candied Fruit and Fluff Japancakes.
Tee up at Hey Caddy
Mini golf is always a dead-set holiday favourite and Hey Caddy has 10 locations throughout NSW and Queensland. For convenience, you can't beat the location of the Southbank outpost and check out the packages (12 or 18 holes) that include a drink and pizza for groups of six from $79.
Join the circus
After a devastating fire, the not-for-profit Flipside Circus is back to finding its feet with a range of school holiday workshops. The one day workshop for those aged 6-16 takes in juggling, hula hoops, poi, devil sticks, mini tramp, tumbling and more. And at the end of the day, participants put on a show for parents and friends. There are also five-day workshops for those aged 8-16 and the Flipperoos camp for five to seven year olds.
Go for a bike ride at Victoria Park/Barrambin
When thinking 'school holiday activities Brisbane', this beloved 64 hectares of rolling hills and green space should not be overlooked. Especially since is a large chunk is slated for development for the new Olympic stadium. In other words, make the most of it now. Kids will particularly love the BMX track, mini golf and Centenary Pool.
When are the next Queensland school holidays?
In QLD, the Easter school holidays - also known as the autumn school holidays - officially start on April 5, 2025 and finish on April 21, 2025.
See also:
-Best luxury hotels in Brisbane
-Best things to do in Brisbane in summer
-Most underrated day trips from Brisbane
More Coverage
Originally published as Best things to do in the Brisbane school holidays
Madeleine West: ‘I’m slightly terrified’
Pregnant with her seventh child at 47, Madeleine West talks body image - and why she has ‘fresh moments of shock’ as she prepares to give birth.
In defence of the long-distance situationship
Sweet or sinful?