This year, winter break for ACT schools begins on Friday 30 June 2023 and continues until Term 3 starts on Monday 17 July. Check out the advertisers in our special school holiday activity guide and discover activities, attractions or hidden gems in and around Canberra that offer fun for all the family.
Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra offers you the opportunity of experiencing close encounters with some of the world’s most exotic and endangered animals, as well as relaxing in the atmosphere of its three individually designed five-star accommodation hubs: Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows and uShaka Lodge. These African-inspired luxury suites lie in the heart of the National Zoo and Aquarium and are the epitome of style and comfort. The cornerstone of Jamala Wildlife Lodge is uShaka Lodge, decorated with stylish and luxurious furniture and African artefacts and artworks. While you are here, you can enjoy the company of the curious and captivating Colobus Monkeys and the graceful inhabitants of the 200,000-litre shark tank.
Guests can choose to spend the night within the habitat of some of the world’s most amazing animals. The Jungle Bungalows provide guests with the unique opportunity to bathe alongside Sun Bears, sleep next to a Lion, check out a Cheetah or admire a Tiger from the five-star comfort of their African inspired bungalow, as they get to know these beautiful creatures in the most personal and intimate way.
The six Giraffe Treehouse suites allow guests to mingle with the friendly animals that reside in a private garden setting. Guests can also soak in panoramic views of the Molonglo River from the balconies, while meeting and hand feeding the resident giraffe!
Jamala Wildlife Lodge also offers five-star dining included in the price. You start your evening with pre-dinner drinks and canapes, where some special guests, including white lions or hyenas, may join you. To continue the African theme, you will be joined by other guests at large tables for a delectable, fun, four-course African gourmet dinner coupled with a selection of some of the best wines. The menu changes regularly and depends on the availability of fresh food at the time. These offerings perfectly complement this once-in-a-lifetime accommodation adventure.
A stay at Jamala allows guests to truly immerse themselves in one of the most unique experiences in the world and take on the thrill of a wild African safari, making it a truly remarkable accommodation experience. During the included morning tour, guests encounter some of the zoo’s most popular residents, such as rhinos, lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys and meerkats for a special opportunity to connect with and learn about these incredible animals.
Jamala Wildlife Life Lodge is a truly unforgettable experience.
999 Lady Denman Drive, Weston Creek ACT
T: (02) 6287 8444
E: [email protected]
W: jamala.com.au
Get the kids ready for a term break packed with much-loved characters and heaps of opportunities to laugh, dance and play. The upcoming school holidays will be a breeze for parents, with plenty for the kids to see and do at South.Point.
Get excited as Bluey and her little sister Bingo are coming to the Centre this winter. The pair will be hanging out in Centre Court from Monday 10 till Friday 14 July with a few different events on offer to entertain the little ones!
There will be two live interactive experiences with Bluey and Bingo each day on 11, 12 and 13 July at 11am and 1pm. So, get ready to play Magic Asparagus, Magic Xylophone, Keepy Uppy and more at these FREE live interactive experiences.
And who doesn’t want to meet Bluey and Bingo in person and make a core memory? Now is the chance for your family to see everyone’s favourite heelers with our free Meet & Greet sessions. Expect smiles, photos and plenty of flossing, of course! There will be limited spots available to get up close and personal with Bluey, so make sure you book in quickly.
The meet and greet sessions will be held from Monday 10 to Friday 14 July. Head to our website to book in your session with one or both heelers.
But that’s not all that’s happening at South.Point. The Beanies team – Laura Beanie, Michael Beanie, and Mim Beanie – are excited to bring their show to Canberra and have fun with everyone, with a few hidden lessons so your child takes more away than a smile on their face.
Their energetic musical shows are known to get kidlets laughing and learning with fun interactions. So, get ready to make new friends, and get singing and dancing with daily shows at 12pm and 1pm from Monday 3 till Friday 7 July. These shows are completely free, and bookings are not required.
There is so much fun to be had for the whole family at Limelight Cinemas! With a number of highly anticipated films hitting the big screen over the holidays such as Elemental (PG), Cats in the Museum (G), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (PG), and Transformers (M), make sure you don’t miss out! For Limelight Legends, children’s tickets start from $11 and regular children’s tickets start from $12. Signing up for the rewards program is FREE and easy so you can take advantage of savings and deals!
Does your child have a birthday coming up? A party at Limelight will be a memory that lasts a lifetime! Party packages start from $17 each, the Limelight team takes all the stress out of party planning with a dedicated, personal party planner. You will have a designated party area and decorated party table – the best part, you don’t have to clean up any mess!
Come and experience more than just entertainment these holidays. Explore over 180 retailers including 30 new brands, such as MacPac, Rivers, Miniso, TK Maxx, Supre, Cotton On Mega, Harry Hartog, Typo and lots more. We’ve also opened over 10 new cafes and dining options like Ureshii Japanese Restaurant, Burrito Bar, MsBaCo, Glasshouse Cafe, Chinese Kitchen Dumpling and Matatang Hot Pot. The shopping centre experience is thriving at South.Point, so if you haven’t visited us recently, now’s the time.
The Beanies Live Stage Show
3 – 7 July, daily shows at 12pm & 1pm
Bluey Meet and Greet
10 & 14 July, 11am, 12pm and 1pm
free event, bookings essential
Bluey and Bingo Live Interactive Experience
11 – 13 July, 11am & 1pm
Bluey and Bingo Meet and Greet
11 – 13 July, 12pm
Free event, bookings essential
Alerting all explorers! We need your help to discover our long-lost creatures at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Travel back in time with us for a family-friendly outdoor discovery trail combining nature, science, art, culture, history and fun! Throughout July, adventurers are encouraged to take a walk through the Gardens to see some unique plants and animals that existed in prehistoric Australia!
This year, there are some new ancient creatures who have come to visit. Following their migratory route to seasonal feeding grounds, three ancient diprotodons have become lost in the city and have found their way to the Australian National Botanic Gardens. As they try to make their way in the altered landscape, these visitors from a forgotten time created by visual theatre masterminds Dead Puppet Society provoke a reflection on how humans have changed this island and its creatures, and the importance of the Gardens for plant and animal conservation.
Watch and interact as these life-sized diprotodons roam the Gardens for the first week of the school holidays from 1 to 7 July. Once the sun has gone down, the Gardens will reopen for a special MEGAfauna afterDARK experience. This ticketed evening event will light up the Gardens for you to explore, and welcome the Dead Puppet Society Diprotodons to Roam the Gardens after dark. Running for limited sessions from 1 to 7 July. Enjoy both day and night activities inspired by our natural world, with around 18 megafauna sculptures and plants to discover during this month-long event.
When not roving the Gardens, these life-sized Diprotodon creatures will take refuge in a prehistoric installation in the Visitor Centre Gallery until they leave to roam the land again on 6 August.
MEGAfauna: a walk through time! is supported by ACT Government, Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens and Ovolo Nishi.
Wheelchair accessible.
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Child Players ACT Musical Theatre Training Program is specially designed by Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney and Dr Susan West for participants aged 12 to 20 years of age who want to develop their musical theatre skills.
The program will be run during Term 3 and will conclude with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, specially adapted to allow all participants, regardless of experience, to increase their confidence and skill; and most importantly, have fun! The production will be accompanied by a live band, including internationally renowned pianist, educator and music historian, Dr Peter Muir.
Acknowledging these are difficult financial times for many families, Child Players ACT have waived fees for this program. To submit an expression of interest, please visit www.childplayersact.net by 24 June.
This training and performance opportunity will provide students with the rare opportunity to work with some of Australia’s most experienced and engaging music and theatre educators. Susan and Georgia have over 60 years of teaching and performance experience between them. The program is designed to support students who have a well-developed skill level, as well as provide new opportunities for those with no musical or theatrical background.
The Mayor of Munchkin Land
The Mayor of Munchkin Land is an original play that takes place in Munchkin Land, in the Land of Oz. It is set in a time before Dorothy visits the Land of Oz. It begins with the Wizard of Oz announcing that the Munchkins need to elect a mayor to represent them on the Land of Oz government council, the Rainbow Council.
Glinda helps the Munchkins learn how to run their first election, the Wizard of Oz tries to help, and the Wicked Witch of the East keeps getting in the way!
On voting day, all Munchkins (who are old enough) vote. Even the audience members vote, too! Who will win the election and become the first Mayor of Munchkin Land?
Performances at Belconnen Community Theatre, 12 July to 15 July at 11am and 2pm. Tickets on sale now!
No school holidays is complete without a trip to the movies, right? Well, these school holidays, Limelight Cinemas promises biggest line-up of movies we’ve seen in years, as well as some free fun to keep the troops entertained.
If you haven’t yet caught up with Web-slinging Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across The Sider-Verse, don’t miss your chance these holidays. With a 96% FRESH rating on Rotten Tomatoes – this is one of the best reviewed, and most loved movies in recent memory, so do not miss!
Maybe a whip-cracking Harrison Ford will entice you to the cinema? Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny follows Indie as he races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. This is a rollicking good adventure that demands to be seen on the big screen, and is a treat for nostalgists and new fans alike.
Disney has two great options for the whole family these holidays in the live action re-telling of the classic The Little Mermaid, and from the studio that brought you Inside Out comes Elemental, an all-new, original film set in Element City, where fire, water, land and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.
Limelight Cinemas have also prepared a bumper program of free artistic activities that will engage kids and make their trip to the movies memorable. Colouring and activity books, face painting, origami and more are all in store – and we’ve got terrific value family tickets available in variations of Admit 3 or 4, priced from $30.
The fun doesn’t need to end with the holidays – as great value birthday party packages are available all year round, starting from $17.50 per child (minimum 8 kids and includes ticket, kids popcorn + drink, and complimentary adult ticket per package). Check our website for details: www.limelightcinemas.com.au
Limelight Cinemas – making moviegoing fun and affordable for the whole family.
Limelight Cinemas at South.Point in Tuggeranong.
W: limelightcinemas.com.au
Dig deep beneath the surface of prehistory on Saturday 1 July when the National Dinosaur Museum celebrates Australia’s National Fossil Day with activities, tours, and free entry for kids!
For one day only, visit us at 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls, and take the chance to hold some of the real dinosaur bones in the Museum’s collection, dig up your own fossils, learn how to make museum-quality replicas, and participate in a fossil hunt!
Every hour, our guides will be alternating between Upper Gallery, Dinosaur Garden, and – in their grand debut – Tactile Tours, during which participants will be able to touch the fossils and dinosaurs in the Museum’s care as our guides provide audio descriptions.
Stay a while to meet a real dinosaur, devour some of the food that will be available for purchase throughout the day, have your face painted to match our Triassic inhabitants, and participate in a craft session or two. Don’t forget to pick up your free balloon on the way out, either! Tickets must be purchased as normal online, over the phone at (02) 6230 2655, or at the counter on the day. Upper Gallery, Dinosaur Garden, and Tactile Tours are free only for ticket holders.
Be sure to keep the month of August clear, too. On 12-19 August, the Museum will be offering a Jurassic proportion of activities in appreciation of Science Week, both onsite and at the Canberra Centre. And on 21-26 August, we’ll be celebrating 2023 as Book Week’s year to Read, Grow, and Inspire! Swing by the Museum in your favourite bookish costume and enter our Best Dressed competition for the chance to win an annual Family Membership to the Museum. Follow us on Facebook (National Dinosaur Museum) for more details.
6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT
Experience life with a pack on your back and the world at your feet thanks to a range of programs offered by Outward Bound Australia.
Outward Bound Junior – 5 days (ages 12-15)
Experience adventure, fun and friendship while exploring the Australian bush. An inspiring program for teens to discover their strengths, develop life skills and expand their confidence through facing new challenges and building new friendships.
Outward Bound Expedition ACT & WA – 10 days (ages 15-24)
Journey through some of Australia’s most scenic locations with a pack on your back and the world at your feet. Hike, abseil, climb, and paddle your way through the first week before navigating your way home with a map and compass on the final expedition. Take a giant step into your future with increased self-belief, resourcefulness, and determination to succeed.
Family Adventure – 5 days (ages 12-15 + parent/guardian)
Strengthen meaningful family relationships with a bonding experience you’ll never forget! Our family program encourages participants to support one another, connect through dialogue, personal reflection, and work together to create fantastic lifelong memories. This is a rare opportunity to see your family in a whole new light. The program is devised for one parent and youth pair, where your young person is in years 7 -10 at school.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – 2-9 days (ages 14-24)
Complete your Bronze, Silver and Gold Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Project hiking, canoeing, or rafting through ACT, NSW and Victoria. If your school doesn’t run The Award, ask us how you can complete it through Outward Bound’s Open Award Centre.
Scholarships are available for those who require financial assistance.
W: outwardbound.org.au
The Winter school holidays are approaching fast and Canberra City Gymnastics Club has the perfect solution to keep your energetic little ones entertained. Our Holiday Program will once again be running over these holidays, Monday-Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, in both our Lyneham and Belconnen venues. Enrolments are currently open with limited spots available, so be sure to enrol your child/ren now! Get ready for a day filled with engaging gymnastics circuits, games, crafts, free-time and much more. Gymnasts are required to bring a packed lunch, whilst morning and afternoon tea are provided. Let us take the reins for the day and let the children have fun while learning fundamental skills.
85 Chandler St, Belconnen
196 Mouat St, Lyneham
Calling all young artists and adventure-seeking teenagers! Canberra Glassworks is excited to announce two brand new programs for the Winter School Holidays that will ignite your creativity and immerse you in the captivating world of glass art. In our Hotshop, teens can dive into the mesmerising art of glass blowing with one-on-one sessions to create their own unique tumbler. For younger artists, our Kiln Creators program offers the opportunity to design and fuse their own glass bowl. These new programs run alongside our regular classes, ensuring a variety of options to suit everyone’s interests. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to discover the enchanting world of glass art in these fantastic new programs. Secure your spot now, as spaces are limited!
11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston ACT
Dynamic Motivation offers world class MTB instruction and skills progression for Beginners to Advanced riders, aged six to 16.
We have a fun full day of riding with our MTB day camps each week day from 3 to 14 July. You can enrol in one or many days. Each day, we split into appropriate small skills groups (maximum six per instructor) and ride and focus on skills relevant to the group. Our goal is to send the kids home inspired, more skilful, tired and happy. Cost $98 per day.
For all programs, bring your bike, safety equipment, spare tube, sense of adventure, and food for the day or order from the café onsite.
Stromlo Forest Park, Wright
Dreaming of something different to do these July school holidays? Flip Out Majura has an epic trampoline arena and a whole world of indoor fun to explore.
Active fun for all ages, Flip Out Majura is the place to come to move your body, learn new skills, and challenge yourselves in a safe, supportive environment. Get off the screens and jump into Flip Out!
Open 7 days a week. Book online to secure your spot.
W: flipout.com.au/majura/book-a-session
13 Mustang Ave, Majura ACT
Kids Promotions is thrilled to announce the return of Play School Live in Concert, coming to the ACT! The show will feature all the familiar faces and songs from the hit TV series and promises to be a fun-filled, interactive experience for children and families.
Featuring two of Play School’s most beloved presenters, who will bring their unique energy and talent to the stage, the show will also feature some of Play School’s most iconic characters, including Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima.
The Play School Live in Concert promises to be an unforgettable experience for children and families, with plenty of singing, dancing, and interactive fun. Don’t miss your chance to see Play School in action!
W: kidspromotions.com.au/whats-on
Roald Dahl’s gruesome twosome The Twits are coming to Queanbeyan these school holidays to delight and disgust in equal measure.
Mr and Mrs Twit are the nastiest couple you could ever hope (not) to meet. Both are on a quest to be meaner than the other – but is there someone out there who can out-twit the Twits? Full of trickery and wickedly-funny pranks, Dahl’s adored classic encourages us to treat others with love and care, and proves that if you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams.
The Twits is an unmissable production for all ages from shake & stir theatre co, the team behind the sold-out seasons of Fantastic Mr Fox and George’s Marvellous Medicine.
Bookings: theq.net.au/whats-on/the-twits/
Experience a day like no other at Treetops Adventure Nowra Park! Just 2.5 hours east of Canberra this thrilling adventure awaits you.
Suitable for Tarzans aged 3 to 75+ years, our high ropes courses offer 13 thrilling ziplines and over 70 aerial challenges of varying difficulty. Our secure self-locking system will keep you connected to the safety line at all times as you conquer cables, ziplines, aerial obstacles, and netting suspended among the treetops!
Treetops Adventure Nowra is open 7 days, 9am–5pm during the school holidays. Check-in is 15 minutes prior. Prices start from just $32.
Treetops Adventure, 23 Rock Holl Road, North Nowra NSW
