Holiday days out on a budget with Kids: Great Playgrounds & Day Trip Ideas

So you’re stuck on school holiday duty with the kids, you didn’t book ahead for holiday care and you don’t want to break the bank. That’s cool – we’ve got you covered with few economical recommendations to keep your kids busy busy busy!

BEST PLAYGROUNDS & PARKS

Grab a picnic lunch, perhaps a couple of water balloons, the scooter or the bicycle and spare clothes… and just let them run amok at one of Sydney’s best playgrounds and parks.

CITY Darling Quarter Park, Darling Harbour; Pirrama Park Pyrmont; Sydney Park St Peters

EAST Grant Reserve Playground, Coogee; Parsley Bay Reserve, Beach & Playground; Maroubra Playground & Skate Park

INNER WEST Livvi’s Place at Timbrell Park, Five Dock; King George Park Constellation Playground, Rozelle; Blaxland Riverside Park, Newington; Sydney Olympic Park Bicentennial Park; Steel Park Marrickville; Enmore Park Marrickville

NORTH SYDNEY Little Sirius Cove Beach & Playground; Clifton Gardens, Mosman;

NORTH WEST Putney Park, Putney; Livvi’s Place at Yamble Reserve, Ryde

NORTHERN BEACHES Winnererremy Bay Park, Mona Vale; Dee Why Beach, Ocean Pool & Playground

WEST Lizard Log Playgrounds, Abbotsbury

SOUTH Rockdale Bicentennial Park; Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla; Cook Park Playground, Kyeemagh

 

DAY TRIPPING BY CAR

Hop into the car and just drive… Head to one of these destinations for a perfect scenic road trip with the kids – all within a two hour’s drive of Sydney.

WEST The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah; Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan; or drive up to the breathtaking Govetts Leap, Blackheath lookout point.

SOUTH Camellia Gardens & Family Friendly Tea House, Caringbah South; Audley Boatshed, Royal National Park; or drive down to Wollongong’s Sea Cliff Bridge.

NORTH Ku Ring Gai National Park’s scenic drive between Bobbin Head and Apple Tree Bay.

 

JUMP ON A TRAIN

It’s all about the journey, not the destination – so grab the school kids and their Opal card and hop on the train to nowhere… Well, somewhere from our list of places to hop off the train and hangout!

BROOKLYN – 1 hour ride, one way
Get off at Hawkesbury River Station. This little gateway to the Hawkesbury River is a beautiful little town surrounded by water views. Hop off the station and grab a bite of fish and chips from the little corner shop less than 500m away. Then take a stroll along to the water to the McKell Park playground along the marina.

KATOOMBA – 2 hour ride, one way
Get off at Katoomba Station and enjoy a stroll around the shops, before heading down the scenic Three Sisters lookout point.

STANWELL PARK – 1 hour 15 mins, one way
Hop off at Stanwell Park Station and walk to the village which a small area of shops and an art gallery on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Walk further along Station Street and you’ll find yourself at the the quaint Stanwell Park Beach Reserve perfect for a little picnic. If you’re lucky, the kids might even get to spot paragliders and hang gliders taking off from Bald Hill towards the beach.