Spring into the school holidays

Looking for family fun and kids' activities in the Spring school holidays? Newcastle City Council has a full range of workshops and activities to keep everyone busy and happy at Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum, Newcastle Region Library and Blackbutt Reserve.

"Council provides school holidays programs that combine fun, entertainment and learning," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"Newcastle's art gallery, museum and libraries provide a range of children's and youth programs throughout the year, with special workshops always on offer for the school holidays. Many children look forward every school holidays to attending our art workshops, science shows or special storytimes at the library."

"Blackbutt Reserve also makes a wonderful family day trip during the school holidays. There is plenty to do on the Carnley Avenue side with shows in the wildlife arena, a visit to the wildlife exhibits, feeding times, and a picnic or BBQ lunch."

For all the details check out our Spring school holidays brochure - download it now or pick up a printed version at any of the locations listed above.

The Spring 2017 school holidays run from Saturday 23 September to Sunday 8 October 2017.

Newcastle Art Gallery

Newcastle Art Gallery will be running art workshops during the school holidays inspired by current exhibitions KILGOUR PRIZE 2017 and MAZIE KAREN TURNER. Choose from Mad Heads clay characters workshops in Week One or Magic Blueprints cyanotype printing in Week Two. Even better, try your hand at both!

Workshops are $10 per child and suitable for ages 5-12. Children will engage in fun-filled activities that teach basic art techniques. Bookings essential.

Newcastle Museum

These school holidays come and have a splash around the science of water as our free Museum Express science shows look at things wet and wild. Free! However shows do fill up, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Or join in for some Amusement Park Mayhem with Lego - kids learn about axles, engineering and touch on Newton's laws as they explore the Ferris wheel. $15 per child.

Newcastle Region Libraries

You'll find it all at the Library these school holidays! We have activities and workshops for all ages and interests... check out our new youth activities for ages 12-18.

Come along to school holiday storytime, get up close with reptiles, make your own Bonsai plant or create a garden mobile, or join in for a family bush dance. Programs are available across the Library's branch locations. Please note that City Library will be closed during the second week of the school holidays.

Blackbutt Reserve
Come visit Blackbutt Reserve during the school holidays! We encourage everyone to use our facilities at Carnley Avenue. Head to the wildlife arena for a reptile show, learn about all the animals during their daily feeding times and more!
Preparations are in full swing on the Richley Reserve side for our new adventure playground, you are still able visit but there is no playground there at the moment.


Beaches and pools

Lifeguard patrols start at Newcastle Beach, Stockton Beach, Dixon Park Beach and Merewether Ocean Baths on Saturday 23 September. Newcastle Ocean Baths, Nobbys Beach, Bar Beach and Merewether Beach are patrolled all year round.

Beresfield, Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton swimming centres also open on Saturday 23 September. Lambton Swimming Centre opened on 21 August.