What's on Easter school holidays 2022

Melbourne school holiday activities

Puffing Billy, Belgrave 

Puffing Billy has brought back its tradition of sitting on the train’s windowsills after temporarily banning the practice in 2018. Passengers aged four and up can sit on the sills and dangle their feet out as the train makes one of its historic journeys through the leafy Dandenong Ranges to Lakeside or Gembrook. 

From April 2 to June 24, the Lakeside Visitor’s Centre is also hosting its first photography exhibition. Animal Tales is a free exhibition from Karen Aslop that places native Australian wildlife in quirky, human situations (for example, riding Puffing Billy or working in a shop). 

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne, Chadstone

Nearly 100 years after it was invented, LEGO continues to be a hit with both children and adults. Here in Melbourne, we’re lucky to have our own LEGOLAND Discovery Centre with incredible professional LEGO builds, rides, a 4D cinema and of course lots of Lego to play with. 

For the school holidays the discovery centre is hosting a Ninjago Training Camp where kids can battle against their friends, try out stop motion animation and learn some ninja-themed builds. It’s on from April 7 to May 2. 

Luna Park, St Kilda

Nothing beats a day out at St Kilda’s Luna Park, which in 2022 celebrates its 110th birthday. Rides like the Great Scenic Railway, Dodgems and Carousel are always a hit, and the park is open every day from 11am during the autumn school holidays.

If you head to the park on Easter Saturday or Sunday you’ll also be able to take part in the annual Great Luna Park Easter Egg Hunt where there are more than 30,000 chocolate eggs for kids to find.  Plus, little ones can meet the Easter Bunny too.

Cactus Country is Australia's largest cactus garden and is also family-friendly. 

School holiday activities across Victoria

The Otway Fly, Weeaproinah

Victoria’s Otway Fly allows you to either walk or soar through the ancient Otway Rainforest.

The Otway Fly treetop walk is 1.9 km long and features a 600-metre-long elevated walkway that stands at 25 to 30 metres tall, as well as a 47-metre-high spiral observation tower which lets you peer out over the entire rainforest like a bird. The walk is pram-friendly too. 

Older children (ages five and up) and adults can also try the zipline tour where you can fly between the trees using a zipline cable.  

Ballarat Wildlife Park, Ballarat East

Meet some of Victoria’s cutest residents this Easter at Ballarat Wildlife Park. The family-run business lets you get up close to the park’s animals, which include kangaroos, koalas, wombats, birds, meerkats, snakes, crocodiles and even a giant tortoise (he’s called Hugo).

Admission lets you see all the animals as well as enjoy the keeper talks. If you want a one-on-one animal experience, book in for an animal encounter (most are suitable for children as well). 

Cactus Country, Strathmerton 

Victoria’s north is home to Australia’s largest cactus garden. Cactus Country describes itself as “a little piece of Mexico on the Murray” and contains more than 1,000 varieties of cacti and succulents.

The family-friendly arid garden also has eight desert walking trails plus a scavenger hunt for children. Dogs are welcome too, plus there’s a café where kids can try homemade cactus cake or ice cream.

Kids can meet Peppa Pig at both the Sydney and Melbourne SEA LIFE aquariums this autumn. 

School holiday activities in NSW and Queensland

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour 

The world’s most famous cartoon pig is coming to SEA LIFE Sydney aquarium these school holidays.

Peppa Pig is taking over the aquarium for the entirety of April, with character meet and greets, photo opportunities and a free activity book and trail for kids. 

If you’re staying in Melbourne, Peppa Pig is also making an appearance at SEA LIFE Melbourne from April 1 to May 20. 

Madame Tussauds, Darling Harbour

Everyone can take a selfie with their favourite superhero or celebrity at Madame Tussauds. 

For families, the museum makes for a great all-weather activity where you can take a photo with the likes of Taylor Swift, Spiderman, Captain Marvel and Iron Man. The museum even has a new sculpture of Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson. 

Dreamworld, Gold Coast

Dreamworld is launching its Street Food Festival this April, inviting foodies as well as thrill seekers to the park. 

From April 2 to 18, visitors to the park can enjoy more than 100 new menu items courtesy of some of Queensland’s top food trucks, as well as Dreamworld’s in-house chefs. 

Overwhelmed by choice? There’s a tasting trail too, so you can try bite-sized morsels from across the festival. 

Currumbin Wildlife Park, Gold Coast

If your family is headed to the Gold Coast for Easter, the animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are always a hit with kids. 

The sanctuary is home to a huge number of native Australian animals, plus tamarins, capybara and even a red panda. 

For the school holidays Currumbin even has a dedicated program, with different activities every day from April 11 to 14. These include a ‘Vet for a Day’ and ‘Animal trainer for a Day’ programs for kids aged six to 12.