MEET SOME FURRY FRIENDS

Feed kangaroos and get up close to wombats, echidnas, devils and other residents at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary or ZooDoo (both open daily from 9am-5pm). Launceston’s Tasmania Zoo recently welcomed giraffes and a snow leopard, in addition to meerkats, monkeys and other exotic creatures (daily from 10am-4pm). The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo at Taranna opens daily from 9am-5pm and you can meet farm animals at nearby Rosedale Homestead. Meanwhile, Raptor Refuge (raptorrefuge.com.au) at Kettering is open by appointment for private 90-minute tours. Bonorong’s Maria Novy says kids will enjoy tours at the sanctuary. “We’ve got a young female wombat called Winnie who is a bit of hit,’’ she says. “And we’ve got a few kangaroos with joeys as well.’’ Visitors can pay extra for a personalised animal encounter – feeding the echidnas is one of the most popular encounters for children.

GET ON YOUR BIKE

Bike and hike on kunanyi/Mt Wellington on a journey to one of Tasmania’s most spectacular waterfalls on a Go Wild Go Solo supervised day trip for kids aged 10-14 on Thursday, July 14, as part of Hobart City Council’s Bush Adventures Program (hobartcity.com.au/bushadventures). Cycle along the Pipeline Track and then walk in for lunch at Wellington Falls before heading home. Participants must supply their own bicycle, helmet and lock as well as weather-appropriate clothing, a backpack, a water bottle and lunch. Tour leaves from Neika. $8.80 per child. Meanwhile Rideo (rideomountainbiking.com) runs mountain- biking sessions for kids during the school holidays at Meehan Range, Tolosa Mountain Bike Park and Kingston Bike park (as well as in the state’s North and North West). Prices start from $55.

CREATE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL

A free YouTube channel-making workshop for kids aged 12-18 is being run by Create Crew (facebook.com/createcrewtasmania) in conjunction with YouTuber Luke Kingston (MRMARIO827) on July 15 at Glenorchy Library. All equipment – including a laptop, projector, microphone, lighting and a green screen – will be set up for the day. The event is free but registrations via Eventbrite are essential or call 6165 5491.

NATURE PLAY

Join the team from Nature. Be in it. for an adventurous session of nature play at Waterworks Reserve as part of Hobart City Council’s Bush Adventures program (hobartcity.com.au/bushadventures). Get creative with mud play, potions, cubby building, nature investigations, ropes, whittling sticks, tree climbing, bushcraft, and whatever else you can imagine. There will be a session for kids aged 5-7 on Monday, July 11, and a session for kids aged 7-10 on Monday, July 18. The cost is $5.50 per person.

VARIETY MONSTER BOOK FAIR

Stock up on school holiday reading material while supporting a worthy cause at the annual Variety Monster Book Fair on July 9 & 10 from 10am-4pm at Hobart’s Princes Wharf 1. As well as books, DVDs, games and puzzles for sale, there will be a sand sculpture by artist Peter Bignell, children’s entertainment, roving superheroes, Glazed and Confused studio ceramics workshops and a petting zoo. Entry is free. For kids who prefer less stimulation, there will be quiet hours from 3-4pm each day. variety.org.au/tas

GET ARTY

Kids can let their creativity shine at an Arty Party run by House of A Event Management (facebook.com/houseofaeventmanagement). Budding artists can spend 90 minutes experimenting with a range of art mediums to create a masterpiece to take home. Themes include It’s All About Me, Colour Explosion, and Sparkles, Unicorns, Mermaids and Fairies. Sessions cost $45 and run on Thursdays during the school holidays at KIN Creative Space at Kingston Beach Hall. Book through Eventbrite. Meanwhile YMCA at Glenorchy (hobart.ymca.org.au) is running a five-hour art workshop ($55) on Wednesday, July 13, for kids aged 9-13 to learn to create colourful mandalas.

STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend a couple of hours with kids – visit the ducks, walk through the conservatory, experience the chill of the sub-Antarctic plant house, see what’s in season in the vegetable patch and grab an ice cream from the cafe. It’s open daily from 8am-5pm and entry is free.

HUON VALLEY MID-WINTER FESTIVAL

This lively, family-friendly festival of feasting, cider, music, fire and folklore runs from July 15-17 at Grove. Kids will love celebrating the Huon Valley’s apple-picking history by joining in on the age-old tradition of wassailing – scaring nasties out of the orchard’s cider trees to ensure a bumper autumn crop. Hear tales from Tassie’s best storytellers, warm yourself beside towering bonfires and dress in your best pagan-inspired outfit. huonvalleymidwinterfest.com.au

SEE A MOVIE

Many of us have streaming services at home, but there’s something special about watching a newly released film on the big screen, with a box of popcorn or a choc-top. Young children will enjoy Minions: The Rise of Gru and Toy Story spin-off Lightyear, or for young adults consider Thor: Love and Thunder, Jurassic World: Dominion and Top Gun: Maverick.

HUNT FOR WATERFALLS

We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful place so why not walk some of the scenic trails around Hobart. Snug Falls is a child and dog friendly stroll or you can walk to Silver Falls from Fern Tree (and have a play at the playground afterwards). Find more inspiration on the Waterfalls of Tasmania Facebook page, visit greaterhobarttrails.com.au or download Parks and Wildlife’s free 60 Great Short Walks app.

GAZE AT THE STARS

Take a stargazing tour on kunanyi/Mt Wellington and learn more about the night sky and Tasmania’s Aboriginal heritage. Walk on kunanyi (walkonkunanyi.com.au) runs 90-minute family-friendly tours on Saturday nights at 8pm at The Springs, in conjunction with the Astronomical Society of Tasmania and palawa community members. Tours cost $50 for adults and $10 for kids, including a hot drink and a warm fire to gather around. Walk on kunanyi owner Andy Crawford started the tours after Covid hit, as a way to introduce locals to the mountain. He says tours are popular with families and are best suited for children aged 8+ who can enjoy looking at the night sky through binoculars or a telescope, hear stories and learn a few facts along with the way, like how to work out which way is south by looking at the stars. “I think if a kid is already into science and stars and already has that bit of an interest they will get heaps out of it,’’ Crawford says. “There are lots of chances for questions and the kids really like the treats and the hot chocolate. The fact that we’re just outside a capital city, and we get to look at the Milky Way, that’s pretty amazing, in most capital cities in Australia you can’t do that.’’ You can also learn more about the night sky at Launceston QVMAG planetarium. Planetarium shows are viewed from cinema-style seats and include a live description of the night sky over Tasmania. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for kids, $22 per family. The planetarium opens every day of the holidays – shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm.

INDULGE YOUR SWEET TOOTH

School holidays are perfect for a yummy treat. Choose a lolly from Sweets & Treats at Richmond, enjoy handmade chocolate or a warming cup of decadent hot chocolate from Nutpatch Chocolates in Hobart or Kettering. Kids will love a scoop of ice cream from Van Diemens Land Creamery punt on Hobart’s Waterfront or indulge in a panookie at Honey Badger Dessert Cafe in Hobart or Charlie’s Dessert House in Launceston.

PLAN A DAY TRIP

Jump in your car, fill it with fuel, grab some snacks and you’re ready to embark on a school holiday road trip. Consider a drive to the Derwent Valley (Mt Field, Russell Falls, Salmon Ponds), Richmond (visit the ducks, walk under the bridge, get lost in the newly-opened mazes at Amaze and visit Faerie Land and The Puzzle People), the Tasman Peninsula (Port Arthur Historic Site, Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Coal Mines Historic Site, Port Arthur Lavender, fish and chips from Doo-lishus at the Blow Hole), the Channel (Snug Falls, Dru Point, Margate Train, Peppermint Bay, Art Farm Birchs Bay sculpture trail) or Geeveston (visit Tahune Adventures, grab a sweet treat at the Wall of Lollies and play in Geeveston’s expansive playground).

VISIT AN ISLAND OFF AN ISLAND

Take a boat ride to an island paradise to get you in the mood for a holiday adventure. Bruny Island is an easy day trip – a 30-minute drive from Hobart to Kettering then 15 minutes on the car ferry and you’re ready to start exploring the 100km-long island full of amazing beaches, wildlife and local produce. Start with a drive to Cape Bruny Lighthouse (via The Neck’s upgraded lookout) and on to Cloudy Bay and Adventure Bay. You won’t go hungry – there’s Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co, The Honey Pot and the Bruny Island Cruises restaurant, just to name a few. Maria Island is another great day trip for kids – pack a bag with food and water, catch the ferry from Triabunna and wander the island where wombats roam and the lack of cars, combined with bushland, beaches, convict buildings and stunning painted cliffs, make you feel like you’re in a whole other world.

DISNEY ON ICE

See all your favourite Disney characters performing on ice at Hobart’s MyState Bank Arena. There will be 11 shows between July 22-25. Tickets from $35. ticketek.com.au

RUN, JUMP & CLIMB

Kids have boundless energy so explore some of the 100+ playgrounds across greater Hobart. Our top picks include Kingston Park, Legacy Park on Queen’s Domain, Callington Park at Oatlands, waterfront parks at Bellerive Beach and Long Beach and the bike tracks with traffic lights at New Norfolk’s Tynwald Park, Howrah’s Wentworth Park or Dru Point at Margate. Other hotspots include Cornelian Bay, West Hobart’s Caldew (Train) Park, Simmons Park, Launceston’s Riverbend Park and The Bluff playground at Devonport.

SCALE A MOUNTAIN

Take a drive to the top of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. You might find snow, but if not, the view is spectacular on a clear day. Stop at Lost Freight Cafe for a hot chocolate at The Springs. Check the Hobart City Council website for road closures and conditions. Consider booking a seat on the snow bus (mtwellingtonexplorer.com.au) – the 2.5 hour tour includes a return trip from Hobart to the summit plus time to play in the snow. $35 adults, $25 children (6-16 years), infants are free.

ANIME, JUGGLING & ART

Have you ever wondered what you would look like as an anime character? Find out as part of one of the many arty school holiday workshops being run at Moonah Arts Centre (moonahartscentre.org.au). Kids can also learn juggling, diabolo and other circus skills, or create an out-of-this world spacescape using different artistic methods. Workshops suit a variety of ages and skills levels and cost $20.

CODER COLLEGE

Learn the art of animation, green screen, robotics and coding skills at school holiday sessions run by Coder College (codercollege.com.au) in Hobart. The sessions – for beginners and more advanced students – are aimed at being fun, while also teaching kids skills for creating movies, video games and phone apps.

GET SPORTY

At Swisherr Hoops Academy in Hobart, basketball enthusiasts aged between 8-13 can attend fun days on July 14 and 21 to shoot hoops and watch NBA games and Space Jam movies on the big screen. There are skills-based sessions on July 19 for kids aged 5-8 and 9-12. Ace Tennis Coaching (tastennis.com.au) runs school holiday clinics for children aged 5-16 at Domain Tennis Centre and Geilston Bay Tennis Centre and head coach Tony Blom says tennis is a great way to get kids outdoors and get active during the holidays, with sessions for all skill levels. “The clinics are a great way to be introduced to tennis, meet new friends and to learn to play a lifelong sport,” he says. Morton’s Soccer School (mortonssoccerschool.com.au) runs soccer programs while Australian Sports Camps (australiansportscamps.com.au) offers basketball and Aussie rules football programs.

HEAD NORTH

Farewell Hobart in favour of our state’s northern city for a few days. Launceston offers plenty of activities kids will love – explore Cataract Gorge, visit the monkeys in City Park, tour Seahorse World and Platypus House, check out Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and tackle the climbing towers of Riverbend Park. Launceston is a great base for exploring the Tamar Valley, Northern Midlands or the state’s North East and North West.

HEAD EAST

Bicheno comes alive during July with Bicheno Beams (bichenobeams.com) laser light show running nightly from 6pm at Lions Park. Entry is free. Other East Coast highlights for kids include Orford’s playground, Kate’s Berry Farm for ice cream, the beaches of Bay of Fires and the Serpentarium Wildlife Park at St Helens where kids can make friends with exotic, non-venomous snakes from 11am-4pm daily. Make sure you arrive in time for the interactive keeper presentation at midday where kids get the chance to touch or hold a snake.

GO TO THE CIRCUS

Roll up! Roll up! Prepare to enter a world of whimsy, wonder and amazement, where your imagination will soar as a completely reimagined family circus spectacular – titled Circus – comes to Hobart’s Theatre Royal (theatreroyal.com.au). Circus features world-class illusionists, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and an endearing clown with a giant six-foot balloon. Saturday July 23, 3.30pm and 6.30pm. For ages 4+. Tickets from $39.

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN

Have you seen the red double-decker bus (reddecker.com.au) driving around Hobart and wondered what it would be like to hop aboard? Take the kids on a tourist’s tour of Hobart – you can hop on and off at various city locations. Or plan your own trip – consider The Shot Tower or Mt Nelson Signal Station, visit Salamanca Market on a Saturday, take a horse and cart ride around the waterfront or book a Pennicott Wilderness Journeys cruise.

ENJOY A COASTAL WALK

Crescent Bay is a 40-minute walk from the Remarkable Cave carpark at Port Arthur – a stunning beach faces Tasman Island and is cradled by towering dunes at least 70m high. The Cape Hauy Track is another must-do experience – 4.4km each way, the track leads to the rugged cliffs featuring dolerite pillars known as the Candlestick and the Totem Pole, which are popular with rockclimbers and abseilers. Allow four hours for the round trip.

TOUR A CAVE

Drive to the Huon Valley and book a tour at Hastings Caves. Guided 45-minute tours of Newdegate Cave are run by the Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) a few times a day and can be booked through the Hastings Visitor Centre. Cost is $24 adults, $12 children (4-17 years), under 4s free or $60 for a family. Tickets include use of the thermal springs pool.

VISIT A FARM

Meet Hilda the goat, Marvin the sheep and T Bone the calf during a visit to Green Gate Farm (ourvintagefarm.com) at Geeveston. Kids can pat and hand-feed animals, with tours costing $25 for adults and $10 for children (kids under three are free). “We are a micro-farm in Geeveston showcasing simple country life,’’ say owners Lindy and Gavin. “Join us for a farm tour and spend time with our gorgeous animals. learn about life on a small farm, our cut flower garden and how we grow without chemicals.’’ Meanwhile at Curringa Farm at Hamilton (curringafarm.com.au) visitors can say hello to farm dogs, feed alpacas and see sheep shearing and mustering as part of a two-hour tour ($65 adults, $35 children). There will also be animal feeding sessions Monday to Saturday from 11am-3pm during the holidays, $20 per person, with coffees and snacks available from the cafe.

MEET AN AUTHOR

The Hobart Book Shop has free school holiday events and bookings aren’t required. Tasmanian author Dave mangenner Gough will be signing copies of his new picture book, luwa tara luwa waypa, on Saturday July 9 from 10.30am-11.30am. On Sunday July 10 at 11am, Tasmanian author Lian Tanner will launch her new book, Rita’s Revenge, the sequel to her much-loved book A Clue for Clara.

VISIT A MUSEUM

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is running activities from July 19-22 from 11am-2pm. TMAG’s interactive children’s gallery, mapiya lumi, is also a great rainy day hangout – entry is free but bookings are required (tmag.tas.gov.au). “This July school holidays TMAG is focusing on some of its most popular museum stories,’’ manager of programs and community engagement Michael McLaughlin says. “Join our artist in residence, the Hobart-based Small Stories Project, on a mystery tour of the galleries to find the most popular stories for kids at TMAG and make a memento to take away with you. Or join TMAG educators Veronica and Richard in a book-making workshop inspired by our current exhibition Gay Hawkes: The House of Longing. And don’t miss an appearance by the amazing mini dinosaur puppets created by Erth Theatre who will make a one-off visit to TMAG on July 19. Watch as they come face-to-face with TMAG’s own muttaburrasaurus’’. Mona is also worth putting on your holiday radar – even if kids aren’t keen to enter the museum (bookings are required for museum entry) they can still roam the grounds, climb the play equipment and enjoy live music on the lawns every Friday to Monday from 12-4pm. The Tasmanian Transport Museum (tasmaniantransportmuseum.com.au) at Glenorchy opens on Sundays during school holidays and is great for kids, particularly when trains run. A diesel locomotive will operate on July 17 from 11am-4pm. Entry is $13 for adults and $6 kids, including unlimited train rides. •