Free or low-cost things to do these winter school holidays amongst Best-kept budget secrets

Best-kept budget secrets: free or low-cost things to do these winter school holidays

 

Media Release /Saturday, 27 June 2026

 

This winter parents, carers, and students can explore the wonders of the world, for low or no cost, right here in Sydney. From animation workshops, free films, junior park ranger programs and adventures through some of our iconic buildings, there are activities for curious minds of all ages, that won’t break the budget. 

The Australian Museum, the Powerhouse, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the State Library of NSW, the Sydney Opera House, and Museums of History NSW all have children’s activities and guided experiences, from hands-on science discovery to world-class art and NSW heritage, families can build a genuinely enriching holiday itinerary without the price tag.

 

Sydney’s national parks offer plenty of family-friendly activities and tours, most under $20. They include becoming a Junior Ranger in a National Park ($15 child), touring Barrenjoey Lighthouse ($10 adult, $5 child) and nighttime spotlight tours to see our native animals ($20 adult, $10 child).

The Opal fare freeze will support families to use public transport to get around the city cheaply. This will help families to enjoy a range of free or low-cost activities to keep curiosity across all ages burning bright during the cold weather.

Powerhouse Castle Hill is running several programs including:

• Industrial design workshop: High school students can explore the foundations of industrial design in a 3-day workshop led by Powerhouse Residents RK Collective and Ben McCarthy. The 3-day workshop is $20, suitable for students years 9-12.

 

Getting there: The closest metro station to Powerhouse Castle Hill is Hills Showground. Bus routes 601, 626, 633 and 651 run throughout the day from Hills Showground to the TAFE, Green Road bus stop

Art Gallery of NSW has a number of exhibitions and events for kids and families, including Mechelle Bounpraseuth’s ສູ້ສູ້ Sou Sou, Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat; Young Archie 2026; and the fortnightly Cinémathèque Junior program, screening beloved kids films.

 

• Hive Festival, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July. This much-loved, free event invites young audiences to unleash their creativity through art-making, music, storytelling and interactive tours. Entry to the major winter exhibitions Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2026 and Avatar: Forms of Vishnu is free for children under 12.

 

Getting there: By rail – St James and Martin Place are the nearest stations. Alternatively, the 441 bus stops out the front of the gallery. 

Australian Museum

• Two-for-One Tickets and Free Fun, With a budget-friendly two-for-one ticket offer during the holidays, the latest science-inspired blockbuster exhibition Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires is a fun and fascinating day out. Add to the adventure and register for one of the free films; which include family favourites such as Hotel Transylvania and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, alongside the cult classic, The Lost Boys.

 

Getting there: Nearest train stations are Museum, Town Hall and St James or Metro Gadigal station.

 

Museums of History NSW has free drop-in programs across Sydney, including:

• Rouse Hill Estate, Sundays, 10am – 4pm. Families can enjoy basket weaving workshops, hands-on building with LEGO® Bricks and meeting friendly farm animals.

 

Getting there: The closest Metro stations are Rouse Hill Station and Tallawong Station. The 643 and 740 buses run from Rouse Hill Metro station to Rouse Hill Estate.

 

• Museum of Sydney, Daily 10am – 5pm. Become a history detective as you search for objects and discover stories. An engaging kids trail related to the Dig It! exhibition helps kids uncover the hidden stories beneath their feet.

 

State Library of NSW

• Drop-in centre: Monday 6 July– Friday 10 July, 10am –3pm. Pop into the Library and explore a range of curious craft activities. Or, pick up a trail card and adventure across the Library.

 

Getting there: Nearest station is Martin Place.

 

Sydney Opera House

• Badu Gili: Story Keepers – a free 6-minute animation is projected nightly from sunset onto the eastern Bennelong sails, showcasing powerful stories and artistry of First Nations cultures with artworks by proud Gooniyandi man, Mervyn Street, and Ningiukulu Teevee, an Inuk artist and storyteller from Kinngait, Canada.

 

Getting there: The closest option for train, bus and ferry is Circular Quay.

 

Minister for Arts John Graham said:

 

“School holidays just got a lot more affordable, with the state’s major cultural institutions offering an impressive suite of free and low-cost programs throughout the break.

 

“With institutions free to enter, and offering tiered ticketing for key exhibitions to keeps kids’ costs minimal, there’s never been a better time to explore what Sydney’s cultural precinct has to offer.

 

“We’re also making it easier for families to keep costs down, encouraging people to catch public transport and save with the opal fare freeze and cap.”

 

Background:

• Art Gallery of NSW continues to see record audience numbers, with 2.6 million people visiting this financial year. With one in four people visiting with children, up from 15% in 2025. The summer Hive Festival, held on 17-18 January, delivered a record-breaking weekend with 34,403 visitors across the weekend —up 28% on 2025.

 

• Sydney Opera House have seen more than 1.3 million people attending paid events. Up 25,000 in the same period in 2024-25. Increasingly, more ticket buyers are attending for the first time, with 20% now from Western Sydney.

 

• State Library of NSW, attendance continues to grow, with 1.19m visitors this financial year, despite half the building being closed for renovation for six months.

 

• Museums of History NSW has welcomed more than 1 million people across its properties, exhibitions and programs this financial year.

 

• The Australian Museum: From school excursions to blockbuster exhibitions, up to 1.2 million visitors, including over 50,000 students have visited the Australian Museum in 2025-26. School holidays can often see more than 4,000 visitors a day.