School holiday activities

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School holiday activities

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Keeping the family entertained over the school holidays can be tough, especially when you have a range of ages and interests to cater to. But don’t worry, because Airtrain has you covered with a list of some of the best winter activities these school holidays in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. With a mix of outdoor activities for the good weather days and some indoor activities for those days when it’s wet or just too cold to be outside, you’re sure to find something everyone will enjoy these school holidays.

Outdoor activities

Blessed with mild temperatures, the winter school holidays can provide some of the best weather to enjoy the outdoors in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Make the most of the sunshine (without the high temperatures and humidity) with some of these fun family activities.

Explore Brisbane City on wheels

Bike, scooter, skateboard or rollerblade your way through one of the many parks or dedicated bike paths. Some of our favourite kid-friendly and bike-friendly Brisbane parks include New Farm Park, Roma Street Parklands, Wittonga Park (The Gap) and Bradbury Park (Kedron). For more confident riders who are up for an adventure, why not pack a lunch and head out on a bikeway? Check out Brisbane City Council Cycling Brisbane for bikeway locations, safety tips and more.

Visit a wildlife centre

Nestled in the southern suburbs of Brisbane is Daisy Hill Koala Centre, a dedicated koala education centre with large koala enclosures and loads of interactive displays. Make your way along the boardwalks to view the koalas then go for a bush walk to spot other critters and creatures. Better still, it’s all free!

For school holiday activities on the Gold Coast, take a wild adventure to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Along with all of the usual animals and exhibits, they have a special program for the school holidays with lots of fun themes, including Zoo Scientist for a Day, Vet for a Day and Wildlife Keeper for a Day.

The helpful staff at the Airtrain counter can assist you with pre-booking tickets to your favourite attractions and experiences – see our staff on arrival to find out more.

Take to the seas for whale watching

Witness the migration of whales off the Queensland coast as they travel south to Antarctica between June and October. When the conditions are calm, you might be able to see migrating humpback whales from vantage points on the Gold Coast, like North Burleigh Lookout, Point Danger, The Spit, Kirra Hill and Elephant Rock. For an even close whale watching experience, you can book a cruise departing from one of several locations in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Indoor activities

On a wet-weather day, sometimes movies and board games just don’t cut it. And while we’re lucky to enjoy mild winters, there are times you just don’t want to brace the cold. Luckily, there are a whole load of indoor winter activities you can keep up your sleeve for those rainy or chilly days that are sure to keep the kids busy during the school holidays.

Explore your creative side at the Queensland Cultural Hub

The Queensland Cultural Centre it the hub of creativity and between the two riverside galleries, Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), you’ll find a variety of free and paid exhibitions and events.

Younger kids can enjoy sensory play at Art Play Date, or explore artwork through storytelling and games as part of Art Explorers. For the older kids, why not attend one of the several free guided tours held each day? Tour options include Contemporary Australian Art, Indigenous Australian Art and Spotlight on the Collection, which showcases some of the key works on display.

Get hands-on at a LEGO workshop

Building on the universal popularity and affection for LEGO, BRICKS 4 KIDZ is running workshops for kids these winter school holidays. Every class is a fun and enriching experience where kids get to tap into their imagination and creativity by building with LEGO. With workshops held in various locations across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a LEGO building workshop is the ultimate winter activity during the school holidays.

Make a splash at a heated pool

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t still have some family fun in the water. Bypass the chilly ocean temperatures by heading to one of dozens of heated indoor and outdoor pools in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Kids can enjoy a dip, swim or paddle at comfortable temperatures and generally with smaller crowds than in the summer months. Some of our favourite heated pools open during the winter months are Centenary Pool, Colmslie Pool, Parkinson Aquatic Centre, as well as the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Miami Aquatic Centre.

Geek out at the Science Centre

Enter the discovery zone of science-based fun these Brisbane school holidays at the Sciencentre. Located within Queensland Museum, there are almost 100 interactive exhibits that kids (and adults) of all ages can explore. The permanent exhibition SparkLab is a unique science gallery which showcases hands-on learning to spark creativity, curiosity and confidence.

Travelling to your school holiday activities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Travelling around Brisbane and the Gold Coast these school holidays is easier than ever. Get around Brisbane with a go card – just touch on at your departure station then touch off when you arrive at your destination. The go card is accepted on all Translink transport throughout Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Use the Translink Journey Planner to plan your travel to the many excellent exhibits and experiences around the cities.

To purchase your smartcards or to find out more, head to the nearest Airtrain counter.

Smart Ticketing is also available on Airtrain, making your journey easier than ever before! With the world-class Smart Ticketing system, you can simply tap and travel with Visa, Mastercard and American Express.