16 family holiday experiences in spring
Check our these upcoming events and festivals happening in your home-state and start planning your family getaway.
All event and information listed below are accurate at time of publishing. We strongly encourage checking the event organiser website for updated event information.
States
SA | WA | QLD | NT | TAS | VIC | NSW
South Australia
Naracoorte
East of Robe, part of the Limestone Coast, are ancient caves waiting to be explored. These World Heritage-listed caves form a part of the 800,000 year old Naracoorte East Range. Four of these are open to the public to step into. This park features a number of learning programs: fossils, bats, geology and adventure caving. If you have kids that reckon they are the biggest Jurassic Park fans, make those eyes glitter in wonder with a visit to the Naracoorte Caves.
What's on: Naracoorte Caves (all year-round)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Robe
Don't miss out: Our Spring holiday deals means bigger savings for your upcoming trip!
Renmark
Roses are red, violets are blue, who cares about violets, these roses are for you! Entering its 26th year, the Renmark Rose Festival was designed as a way to promote the town as the Rose Capital of Australia. They invite you to come and smell the roses of the Riverland. With dozens of open gardens for public viewing, children's flower arrangement competition and a kids gardening activity, is an opportunity to relax and make you feel a-bouquet.
What's on: Renmark Rose Festival (15-24 October 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney
Adelaide
Performances from all over Asia, OzAsia Festival is the premier Australian international arts festival celebrating the East. A favourite for the crowds is the dazzling Moon Lantern Festival. Imagine: Elder Park at nighttime glowing with the shapes of dragons, pandas and flowers. It certainly ends with a BANG! at the fireworks show along the Torrens River. The festival showcases Asian cuisine, music, dance and art of all kinds.
What's on: OzAsia Festival (21 October - 7 November 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront
Western Australia
Lake Argyle
It's the outback adventure of the season. This is a multi-day challenge of swimming, running, mountain biking and paddling in and around Lake Argyle. Over twenty times greater in size than Sydney Harbour, Lake Argyle is a magnificent and expansive sight. Spend a holiday at Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra for the weekend and compete in this heart-thumping adventure race. With junior challenges, suited for ages 6-13 years, and adult competitions, the whole family will be racing together to the finish.
What's on: Lake Argyle Adventure Race (28 August 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra
Perth
This year's theme for the annual festival held in Kings Park is "Emergence" - celebrating the emerging blooms of West Australian wildflowers across the park. The native Western Australian wildflowers will create a breathtaking backdrop to these month-long festivities. With a number of free guided walks, live music in the gardens and kids activities, the Kings Park Festival is a must-do for a weekend away or the spring school holidays.
What's on: Kings Park Festival (1-30 September 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Swan Valley or Discovery Parks - Perth Airport
Queensland
Hervey Bay
Adventure doesn't have to be about breaking a sweat. Exciting, new experiences that will last in the memories of your little ones is just as much of an adventure. The whales that migrate along the coast of eastern Australia pass Hervey Bay each year from late winter to mid-spring. Try a tour with Hervey Bay Whale Watch to see these magnificent beings. Go for a morning tour as the sunrises above the horizon or even book a cruise to swim with the whales themselves!
What's on: Hervey Bay Whale Watching Tour (July to October)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Fraser St, Hervey Bay
Gladstone
A much-loved space, you know the Tondoon Botanic Gardens are good when the locals recommend it. Bring enough food for a BBQ and watch the kids run around the play area while you brown the patties. These gardens are especially unique in that they showcase native plants and trees from regional rainforests. Don't miss out on sitting in the neat Japanese Tree House, but just make sure to bring insect repellent!
What to do: Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Stay at Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
Don't miss out: Our Spring holiday deals means bigger savings for your upcoming trip!
Winton
A quirky 5-day event, come and experience the real outback in Queensland. The Outback Festival is cultural immersion into rural of Australia. Find yourself rolling on the floor with laughter at the Dunny Derby, have the kids test their talents in the Bushman's Egg Throwing Event or watch them paint a masterpiece at the Children's Wobble Board Painting Competition. With great food, music and that distinct country kindess, spend a few days of the spring school holidays in Winton.
What's on: Outback Festival (21-25 September 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Mount Isa
Northern Territory
Darwin
Get the kids out in nature and have them work up an appetite for lunch with a swim or a bushwalk! Darwin is a paradise for kids and families. The weather is always warm and there are plenty of outdoor activities to tire everyone out! Just 47km south of Darwin lies Barry Springs National Park, a popular daytrip destination for picnics, with plenty of shady areas for a picnic or barbecue.
What to do: Explore Berry Springs National Park
Stay at Discovery Parks - Darwin
Glen Helen
While there may not be events or festivals on at Glen Helen, there's plenty for the entire family to do! Discover the local Aboriginal culture and history together, explore gorges and ranges, or take a dip in the waterhole.
What to do: Explore Glen Helen and its surroundings
Stay at Discovery Parks - Glen Helen
Tasmania
Hadspen to Hobart
The kids won't be playing on their tablets for long; this grand drive will have their faces pressed against the windows of the car. Through dense wilderness and granite mountains, the east coast of Tassie stops through a few of the state's most loved spots: the quaint coastal village of Bicheno, turquoise waters at Freycinet National Park and the Fossil Cliffs of Maria Island National Park. Tips to really brighten up a kid's day: pick fresh strawberries at Littlewood Berry Farm. You'll end up with an entire basket of YUM.
What's on: Road Trip East Coast of Tasmania
Stay at Discovery Parks - Hobart and Discovery Parks - Hadspen
Launceston
Junction each year designs unique programs: a replica speakeasy from the 30s, a sauna in a public park, a communal outdoor dance event and yoga to the sounds of a harp. Don't knock it 'til you try it! The festival hosts a number of free interactive events to participate in. Launceston is beautifully situated on the Tamar River and the state's second largest city. Try a few days of unusual and extraordinary art in Tasmania's north.
What's on: Junction Arts Festival (1-5 September 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Hadspen
Don't miss out: Our Spring holiday deals means bigger savings for your upcoming trip!
Emu Valley
Set among 22,000 plants in a natural oasis, local Tassies take this weekend to view the cherry blossoms at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden in North West Tasmania. Covering 11 hectares, this tranquil space is in peak flowers season from September through to November. The Cherry Blossom Celebration shows off the gardens in its prime. A volunteer-driven event inside the Japanese Garden section, take a drive west from Devonport to this protected valley.
What's on: Spring Festival (16 October 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Devonport
Victoria
Lorne and Apollo Bay
Cyclists - looky here! For the families that love to get on their bikes and ride a scenic route, this stretch along the Great Ocean Road will win your heart. Almost as good as that burger and chips you scoff down after a long ride, the feeling of watching your kids happily riding alongside is the biggest treat. The 14km Amy's Family Fundo is ideal for a leisurely ride along fully enclosed roads.
What's on: Amy's Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo (24 October 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Geelong
New South Wales
Jindabyne
The hills are alive with blooming wildflowers and the fresh dirt of mountain bike trails. Many have seen yellow wildflowers, but how about ones that are a delicate shade of violet? There are several hiking tracks for all levels through the Snowy Mountains. If your team isn't much for walking uphill, take your wheels for a spin and strap the mountain bikes to the car. Catch the wildflowers at the end of spring to see them blossom and grow.
What's on: Mountain Biking or Hike Through Purple Wildflowers (November to February)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Jindabyne
Ewingsdale
The lavender grows aplenty at The Farm, just north of the bohemian Byron Bay. But that's where the fun begins. The Farm is a large property in northern New South Wales with pecan and macadamia trees for the kids to run and play between, seedlings for sale to take home for your very own patch, and grazing animals roaming freely through the grass. Children often don't have the chance to truly experience what farm life is all about. The Farm is a chance for learning, appreciation and outdoor fun for the whole family.
What's on: Farm Kids activities (September to November 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Byron Bay
Don't miss out: Our Spring holiday deals means bigger savings for your upcoming trip!
Albury
If you and your children have a special place in your home for story time, or your tween is a total bookworm, the Write Around The Murray Festival is an event to look forward to. In this year's program, ready yourself for the exhibitions of illustrations and childrens book art, poetry slams and kids events. We all love a good story and we all love to let our imaginations run free.
What's on: Write Around The Murray Festival (15-19 September 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Lake Hume, New South Wales
Dubbo
Dream big at Dubbo's annual Dream Festival this spring. Workshops are held to create your own lanterns - and show it off at the Lantern Parade! Twilight markets of food crafts, free family activities and art exhibitions - Dream Festival boasts the talents of the creative community in Dubbo. Check out last year's program to get a taste of what may be to come. (Hint: sushi night).
What's on: Dreamfest (14-21 October 2021)
Stay at Discovery Parks - Dubbo
Book your stay at one of our parks this spring and find your ideal family holiday experience.
