And just like that, we’ve found ourselves staring down the barrel of yet another school holiday period.

Assuming you aren’t headed to the Greek Islands like every other Australian this year, you’re going to need a few tricks up your sleeve to keep the kids entertained. 

Fortunately, we have a few ideas to get you started…

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Enjoy a staycation

Hotel stays don’t have to cost big bucks. Rather than travelling for the school holidays and finding yourself at the mercy of peak holiday airfares, hit the reset button and play tourist in your own town with a stay at a local hotel.

Many chains are coming to the party with family packages designed to excite younger guests, such as Pullman Melbourne Albert Park. Their Time for Family package includes a free kids meal per paying adult, as well as discounted tickets to Monopoly Dreams and a late 4pm check-out.

With a central location, you’re free to enjoy a wealth of activities within the area, whether it be exploring St Kilda Beach or enjoying a picnic by Albert Park Lake. Priced from $189.

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You’ll also find great deals on local activities that don’t require much travel. For example you can get 50 per cent off kids’ tickets at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, Madame Tussauds Sydney and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo during the winter school holidays.

In Brisbane you can explore the bustling city centre neighbourhoods staying at Rydges Fortitude Valley where the kids stay and eat for free. With two onsite dining venues and in walking distance to public transport taking travellers to family favourite locations like South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves, Roma Street Parklands and Suncorp Stadium, the hotel is well placed for a Brisbane break.

Say yes to the rural life

On the off-chance you don’t live on a farm, there’s no greater way to give your kids an experience that will keep them talking all school holidays long than with a visit to a local farm where they can bottle feed baby lambs, milk cows and ride tractors.

You don’t have to go too far to find a suitable property in your neck of the woods, Visit My Farm lists many that welcome kids to come and have a crack at farm life (for a day or two at least). 

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Hit up the local trails

Fun fact: Australia has over 650 National Parks – many more than most other countries in the world.

Pack a bag with water, snacks and equipment relevant to the type of trail you’re thinking of conquering and explore one of your parks – just don’t forget to let others know exactly where you’re going and which trail you’re doing.

Perfect for a day trip, or a weekender for those keen to walk two shorter trails back-to-back, the best way of finding a suitable trail is to check your state’s Parks page such as NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service or Parks and Forests Queensland. 

If you’d rather drive than hike, in Noosa Queensland you can travel by 4WD with an expert driver-guide along 120km of beaches and bush tracks in the Great Sandy National Park. Camera at the ready as you won’t want to miss those holiday happy snaps and stunning shots of the Red Canyon and coloured sands of Rainbow Beach. And best of all you can nab $200 off a Great Beach Drive 4WD Private Tour.

Lock in a camping experience

Got a backyard? Set up a tent for a camping experience close to home. This will require a little planning, whether it be storytelling by torchlight, cooking camp food or organising camp-style activities.

If you don’t have a backyard, you could either create a “tent” in your living room – courtesy of a few sheets (or if you wanted to splash out, by buying a cheap tent from Decathlon), or you could visit the grandparents and set up in their backyard instead. 

Of course, if you prefer the real deal, you can find a suitable campsite near your home through Find a Camp. 

Take in a winter festival

Another idea that won’t break the budget is to take a drive to a regional winter festival. Whether you’re headed to Snow Time in the Garden festival in the Hunter Valley, or the Bathurst Winter Festival, you can expect a fun day filled with activities such as ice skating, tobogganing and snow building, market stalls, food trucks and live entertainment.

Keen to stay to make a short getaway out of it? Keep your eyes peeled for last-minute accommodation rates at Last Minute.

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Book a high tea experience 

Whether it’s those little sandwiches or the assortment of tiny cakes, kids of all ages love high tea. While there are plenty of options available with kids’ menus dotted around the country – not to mention some venues geared towards kids only – eateries are announcing new teas all the time.

Hilton Sydney, for example, has just launched Afternoon Tea in their iconic glass brasserie, a dining room that overlooks the Queen Victoria Building. Just beware that with menu items which feature crab salad brioche rolls and salmon cronuts, this is more in line with sophisticated teenage fare rather than traditional items fit for everyday kids. Foodies only please.

Priced from $78 per person, inclusive of sweet and savoury food, tea and coffee. 

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