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NEW SOUTH WALES

20SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

IDEAS FOR THE

Stuck for things to do during the school holidays? Here are 20 boredom-busters, from indoor skydiving

to joining a night safari, writes Simon TsangANIMALSTaronga Zoo SydneyA new Wild Ropes series of obstacle courses suspended high in the air give visitors a new way of seeing the zoo and harbour surrounds. For kids (over 10 years old) and adults alike, Wild Ropes features four courses – set at low and high levels – to tackle. There’s also a special school holiday program for the kids.taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo

Australian Reptile ParkDespite its name, this zoo, located in Somersby on the NSW Central Coast, has more than just reptiles. You can get hands-on time with the animals, and the large picnic and barbecue grounds have kangaroos. The big feature during spring will be all the new baby animals, including Baby June, the abandoned koala being hand raised there. Other baby animals include wombats, kangaroos, bilbies, Tassie devils, dingo pups and turtles.reptilepark.com.au

Irukandji Shark & Ray EncountersTry your hand at feeding sharks and rays. Visitors of all ages to this centre in Port Stephens get to jump in the water and experience what it’s like to get up close and personal with aquatic life.sharkencounters.com.au

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, DubboA more open-style zoo laid out in a 6km circuit that you can visit in a more leisurely manner. You can drive your car, hire an electric cart or ride a bicycle (hire available) around the exhibits. Western Plains Zoo has a full-day school holiday program for primary school children.taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo

LIVING IN THE PASTAustralian Museum Undergoing a $5.5 million transformation that will include a stunning new floating glass entrance, Sydney’s Australian Museum has also just added its first permanent gallery in

over 50 years – called Wild Planet – which features more than 400 animal

specimens. The other good news is that children under 16 now get in for free.australianmuseum.net.au

BEACH AND CAMPINGSand Dune AdventuresGo for a quad bike tour of the Stockton Sand Dunes (the largest continuous mobile dune in the southern hemisphere) in the Port Stephens area,

about 2½ hours north of Sydney. Sand Dune Adventures conducts tours of up to two hours on 400cc quad bikes (90cc models available for kids age 7-14), taking in heritage sites and the beautiful beach views.sandduneadventures.com.au

Booderee National ParkIf toasting marshmallows around a

campfire sounds more your pace, try the campgrounds at Booderee National Park, near Jervis Bay, on the South Coast. The Green Patch campsite, for example, has fresh water, toilets, hot

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showers and barbecues.parksaustralia.gov.au/booderee

Aranyani Bison farmLocated in Myrtle Creek, about 30km south of Casino, this is probably one of the more unusual camping experiences you can have in NSW. Stay in “five-star” Native American style tipis and see a working American bison ranch in action. Myrtle Creek provides plenty of outdoor action. Other activities include archery, canoeing, putt-putt and mini golf.aranyanibison.com

THRILLS AND SPILLSiFly Indoor SkydivingFeel what it’s like to fly like a bird without having to jump out of a plane. iFly in Penrith is Australia’s newest indoor skydiving facility. Kids as young as three can jump into the hi-tech wind tunnel for a taste of the high life. downunder.iflyworld.com

Flyboard AdventuresAlso flying-themed and located in Penrith is the new Flyboard Adventures from Jet Pack. Instead of a jet pack, the Fly Board is a water-jet powered board that straps onto your feet and propels you above the water. Children must be age 10 or older.jetpackadventures.com.au

Wet’n’Wild SydneySydney’s biggest water theme park opens just in time for the spring school holidays on September 19. The park is offering a “buy 3 get 1 free” deal on season passes.wetnwildsydney.com.au

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic CentreIf splashing around outdoors in September sounds a little cold, you can always head to the Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct, where you can enjoy the pools, waterslides and water playground in heated comfort. aquaticcentre.com.au

COOK UP A STORMJulie’s PlaceJulie Goodwin, Australia’s first MasterChef winner, hosts this hands-on cooking class on the Central Coast. There will be special programs for

high school and primary school students during the holidays, which includes pizza-making, Thai cuisine and even sweets.juliesplace.com.au

Woolgoolga CurryFestHeld on September 26, the Woolgoolga CurryFest will provide a chance for your kids to learn about Indian cuisine and culture. There will be cooking classes, farm tours, Bollywood dance classes and movies.curryfest.com.au

NATURE LOVERSMt Kosciuszko Summit WalkGo for a hike to the peak of Australia’s highest mountain on the Mt Kosciuszko Summit Walk. There are plenty of side trails to try out and there will still be some snow on the ground in September to add to the spectacular scenery. Alternatively, you can join a horse trail ride.visitnsw.com/destinations/snowy-mountains/kosciuszko-national-park/summit-walk

National Pass in Blue MountainsNational Pass is a spectacular walking track built using picks, shovels and a dose of dynamite more than 100 years ago. Wrapping around the side of a cliff in Blue Mountains National Park, it takes you past several waterfalls and lookouts along the way. It’s not an easy stroll, however, so all involved will have to be reasonably fit.www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/Walking-tracks/National-Pass

Kangaroo Valley SafarisPaddle your way down the Shoalhaven River on a self-guided canoeing trip. Ranging from half-day to four or five day journeys, you can enjoy the scenery and wildlife from the tranquillity of the water. Bring along your camping gear to stay at a secluded campsite for the night. You won’t even need to paddle you way

back. Kangaroo Valley Safaris will meet you at the end of the trip and drive you to your car.kangaroovalleycanoes.com.au

INTO THE NIGHTSkyline Drive InYes, there’s still a drive-in cinema left in Sydney and if you haven’t tried it yet, throw some pillows, blankets and fold-out chairs into the car and head out to the Skyline Drive In at Blacktown, just off the M4. eventcinemas.com.au/cinema/drive-in-blacktown

Spotlight Prowl in Centennial ParklandsGo on an after-dark adventure in Centennial Parklands to meet some of the area’s nocturnal residents, including brushtail possums, microbars, tawny frogmouths and flying foxes. The hour-long tour is conducted by a park ranger. You can go on the full night-time experience and book a stay at the historic superintendent’s residence in Centennial Park. Bring a torch and book early.centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/events/spotlight_prowl

StarFest and Siding Springs Observatory Budding astronomers will love StarFest, held in the NSW town of Coonabarabran during the October long weekend (October 2-4). Hosted by the Siding Springs Observatory in the Warrumbungles National Park – home to Australia’s largest optical telescope – visitors will get to hear talks by famous astronomers and check out the telescope itself during the observatory’s open day (Oct 3).starfest.org.au

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FUN APLENTY: (clockwise from main) Racing head-long into fun on Kiama Beach, south of Sydney; taking a quad-bike adventure; one of the ‘five-star’ tipis at Aranyani Bison farm; getting up close and personal with a baby koala; indoor skydiving; and boulder-hopping on the way to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. Main Picture: Destination NSW

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