It was 2011 and I took my kids then 10 and 6 to Jamberoo Action Park. The kids loved it then and have asked for years to go back - today 8 years later we will take my 5 year old, 13 year old and 18 year old and with excitement we return.  

NSW's largest family owned and operated water theme park will be open throughout the summer season until the end of April between 10am and 5pm and is the ultimate destination for family fun in the region!

There’s so much to see and do at Jamberoo Action Park and to top it off - you can experience a trilogy of tube rides – all with an element of darkness, anticipation, enhanced thrills and excitement!

The Perfect Storm - drop into The Eye of the Storm

Funnel Web – drop into The Spider’s Lair

The Taipan – drop into The Belly of the Snake

Your raft will twist and turn through these rides often in complete darkness, and you’ll never know what’s coming next! Every ride is a different experience depending on where you are sitting on your raft – it’s quite incredible.

Set among 40 hectares (100 acres) of landscaped gardens and parklands, Jamberoo Action Park is a place for thrill-seekers and families alike. 

Travel the Chairlift, taking in views from the mountains to the sea, marvel at the water wonderland that is Banjo’s Billabong, or kick back and chill as the waves roll in at Outback Bay – there’s something for everyone at Jamberoo Action Park.

On Saturday nights from 6pm throughout the summer holidays, Jamberoo Action Park will screen blockbuster family dive-in movies on the big screen at Outback Bay. You can relaxation a sunlounge or float on a tube in the bay. 

Jamberoo also offers souvenir photos of your ride into the belly of The Taipan, food & coffee shops, retail stores, a vast array of water themed rides and attractions for all ages, mini-golf, the amazing chairlift and legendary Bobsled ride – where you really do control the action! 

There is free parking and even the summer fun bus operating daily from December 26-January 31 between the park and Kiama Train Station. You can even bring your own food if you want – and children 3 and under may enter free of charge! 

Season and Summer fun passes are available for those looking for great value for money, and you can save even more with a group booking of 20 people or more!

For full details of park opening dates, times and ticket prices visit www.jamberoo.net

 QUACK! The much loved BBC series Sarah & Duck are flying south for their first visit to the Sydney Opera House! Click here for more information. 

 Explore the nutty world of Andy and Terry’s 91-Storey Treehouse live on stage this summer. Click here for information. 

Tumble and fly through the magical world of Wolfgang on stage and experience Mozart's irrepressible spirit and vibrant compositions through physical comedy and mischievous antics. Click here for more information. 

It’s about to get WILD! Steve Backshall is back, this time to share Australia’s deadliest wildlife with his brand new stage show, Deadly 60 Down Under. Click here for more information

The Sydney Opera House is letting imaginations run wild these July school holidays with literary classics jumping off the page, epic illusions and true stories of Australia’s displaced past.

Direct from the West End, Wilde Creatures is an exciting new production based on Oscar Wilde’s best-loved tales, including The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose. Parading onto the Playhouse stage from July 7 – 14, Wilde Creatures features a jaunty quartet of actor-musicians who mix imaginative storytelling, live music and a generous dash of comedy.

Can you spot the mythical Snark hiding at the Sydney Opera House? All aboard – the whole family is invited on a riotous quest to catch the legendary creature, from July 17 – 22 in the Playhouse. The brilliant modern musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark is complete with life-like puppets, fantastical creatures and of course a knitting beaver.

Direct from a sold-out season at Sydney Festival, Australia’s colonial past and refugee policies are put on trial in this powerful piece of political theatre for audiences of 12 years and over. Tribunal features monologues and real-life testimony from guests airing the experiences directly affecting their communities. Held in the Studio from July 6 – 7, Tribunal is led by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, a Darug-Yuin elder, and will feature a Q&A session at the conclusion of the performance.

The closing act of the July school holidays is the enchanting story of a young boy who longs to be an illusionist. Supported by Performing Arts Fund NL, The Great Illusionist invites audiences into the Studio from July 21 – 29 to experience cleverly executed illusions, tantalising tricks, live music and magical puppetry as they uncover the truth of how magic works – we want to be fooled!

The free, immersive Creative Play returns to the Western Foyers with Reach Out Sounds. Encouraging children to make music through connections, Reach Out Sounds will invite little ones to touch the top of a sound pod and then hold hands, fist-bump and even high-five their way to the next sound pod. Only once the circuit is complete will music fill the air.

Behind the scenes, young ones with a passion for discovery and love of the spotlight can find out what it takes to be an Opera House star on the Junior Adventure Tour. In a fast-paced, one-hour experience, kids will venture beneath the famous sails to uncover a world of magic and theatre with costume dress-ups, games and astounding facts to learn. For those with an appetite for more, the Junior Day Packincludes a Junior Adventure Tour, ticket to Wilde Creatures and lunch at Opera Bar – a well-earned treat for little kids and ‘big kids’ too.

The Beanies is a podcast the entertains and encourages active listening for kids while providing parents with a much needed screen free and guilt free break. With 10-12 minute long episodes full of wacky stories, sing silly songs and learn important lessons taught by the blunt but loveable Professor Know-It-All The Beanies are drip feeding 10 brand new episodes over the July School Holidays.

-         The Beanies podcast offers screen free entertainment for kids so parents can have a well-earned guilt free break!

-         The podcast invites little ears to come along on a ‘Big Day Out’ which follows the Beanies from sun up to sun down while they brush their teeth, select the perfect outfit, play car games, construct a sandcastle and even read a bedtime story

-         The Beanies are one of the most popular children’s podcasts in Australia boasting over 150,000 downloads across their series and recent winners of ‘Best Family & Kids’ Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards 2018.

One of my favourite school holiday activities is to take my kids to a show at the Opera House. They look forward to this with great excitement. I book my parking in advance and if I park before 10am and exit after 3pm then my parking is really cheap at the Opera House Car park. Our special treat is having hot chips and something to eat at the eatery places just before the Opera House and they love watching the seagulls, the cruise ships and the ferries with spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge. So what to see.... so much to choose from these holidays!

Visit https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/visit-us/bring-the-kids.html for all show information and to book tickets. 

The Sydney Opera House is inspiring young minds to see the world from new perspectives these school holidays with uplifting circus experiences, heartwarming stage adaptations and fast-paced theatrical performances. 

Kicking off the April school holidays is an adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling novel Billionaire Boy. Premiering in the Playhouse from April 14 – 29, Billionaire Boy combines music and laughter with moral lessons. Kids will meet Joe Spud, a boy who has everything he could possibly want – including a golden underwater Ferrari and a robot dog from Japan – but what he really needs is a friend.

From April 14 – 15 Trapper will explore human dependency on social media and technology. Speaking to young adults, this Green Room Award-nominated show challenges audiences through a combination of slam poetry, physical agility and dynamic sculptural sets. Four performers will battle it out in a truly extraordinary setting complete with light-up Tetris pieces, organic waves of paper and a giant human hamster wheel. 

Diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at the age of four, Ethan Hugh sees the world differently. Now aged 13, Ethan stars in Kaleidoscope, a joyous and poetic circus experience that encourages children to view life through his eyes. Kaleidoscope is a family affair, based on a book by Ethan’s mother Joanna who describes stepping into Ethan’s world as “the joy of walking through shafts of colour and light; a dazzling kaleidoscope”. This spectacular work bursts into the Sydney Opera House Studio from April 18 – 28 alongside a circus skills workshop run by the director of Kaleidoscope, Chelsea McGuffin.

With mesmerising feats of strength and spellbinding movement, Driftwood will take audiences’ breath away with swinging and flipping in the Studio from April 19 – 26. Casus Circus’ performance blends acrobatics with contemporary choreography to create a hypnotising display of joy and human connection.

The Western Foyers once again come alive with Creative Play. These school holidays Noodle Knots invites kids to weave pool noodles through pyramid structures to create giant squiggle sculptures while Echo Tables offers a display of projected light that responds to children’s movements in dance-like interactions bursting with colour.

Future acting stars, aspiring singers and lovers of theatrical dress-ups can discover how the magic of performance comes to life at the Sydney Opera House on the Junior Adventure Tour. Young explorers can venture beneath the world-famous sails to learn mysterious secrets and unusual facts, with interactive games the whole family will enjoy. For the ultimate day out, the Junior Day Packincludes a tour, discounted tickets to Billionaire Boy and a delicious harbourside lunch at Opera Bar.

From the producer of the critically acclaimed and immensely popular The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show comes another childhood classic tale brought to life on stage.

For over 150 years Alice in Wonderland has captured the imaginations of children all over the world, and now returns in a fresh, exciting and all new Australian adaptation for the whole family.

Lewis Carroll’s whirling, fantastical masterpiece is faithfully and beautifully recreated as a nonstop, madcap theatrical adventure for the whole family. See the classic kids’ tale in an all-new Australian adaptation by multi award-winning playwright Mary Anne Butler, starring Dubs Yunupingu as Alice.

“Since its publication 150 years ago, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has kept a powerful grip on the public imagination.”

THE GUARDIAN

As part of Sydney Festival, this wonderful show will have its world premiere at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta before touring to Melbourne, Bathurst, Dubbo, Casula and Wyong.

Follow us down the rabbit hole for a mad cap ride! Suitable for children 7 years and older, this unique Australian take on this classic tale will have children and adults alike whooping in delight.

For all booking details please visit the tickets page at

https://www.aliceinwonderlandlive.com 

St Mary’s Cathedral will again be the star of Sydney’s public Christmas celebrations, with the Lights of Christmas presented by PAYCE returning to capture the imagination of audiences with a spectacular light and sound show.

Lights of Christmas presented by PAYCE will run from 6-25 December 2017 – including Christmas Night. Starting each evening at 7:30pm with a choir performance – the light show will start around dusk and continue through until midnight.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season, take the family a long for a look you won't be disappointed. Check out the stunning photos below!

The Unbelievables, the Sydney Opera House’s big new summer spectacular show, opening in Sydney 19-29 December.

It’s a HUGE theatrical family extravaganza from the producers of The Illusionists and Circus 1903 and includes a cast made up of the world’s greatest circus, magic and acrobatic performers.

The Unbelievables is a fast-paced entertainment spectacle jam-packed with death-defying acrobats and aerial acts, mind-blowing illusions, comedy, and award-winning ballroom dance, all backed by an incredible six-piece swing orchestra. 

Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

To Win a family pass to see The Unbelievables on the 19th December in Sydney, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and phone number. Competition closes 8th December, 2017. 

Families will love SAND SONG. A fun and uplifting contemporary Aboriginal dance and theatre performance and workshop, performed at the Cutaway during the October school holidays. Kids will learn to do the Emu dance and create their very own dream holder to take home with them!

3 – 8 October

the Cutaway at Barangaroo

Tickets from $20 and you can purchase here.

Barangaroo is easily accessed via public transport with a public car park beneath the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve. Stargazer Lawn at the top of Barangaroo Reserve is the perfect place for a picnic pre or post the performance. BYO Picnic!

There are many options located in Barangaroo's food precinct - only a short walk from The Cutaway. Please note we don't allow food or drink inside the venue.

Ordering a Pop Up Picnic is a great option for families wanting to picnic in the Reserve before or after the performance.

This Friday, 22-24 September, we're excited to be attending the  Essential Baby & Toddler Show at Darling Harbour. Come visit us and say hello we will be at stand G30 and will be giving away FREE gift bags with every ABC card purchased along with two year memberships for the price of one. We would love to see you there!

Be sure to register for your free ticket before 5pm AEST, 21 September 2017.

With over 250 brands to shop from, advice from the experts including Dr Howard Chilton, Tresillian and the Australian Breastfeeding Association, live entertainment for your little ones from Hi-5 and Poppy and Branch from the DreamWorks movie Trolls and so much more, it's going to be a great day out for the whole family.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

• Thousands of complimentary gift bags on entry

• Over 250 local and international brands to shop from (inclusive of Blackmores, Joie, Chicco, Philips AVENT, Redsbaby, Baby Zen, Gro and more)

• Blackmores Wellbeing Zone with Blackmores Gummies giveaway (while stocks last) and complimentary naturopathic consults

• Bio-Oil Seminar Series featuring parenting expert Dr Howard Chilton

• Fisher-Price Play Lab where your little one can "test trial" all the hottest toys on offer from newborn to toddler

• Expert guidance from professionals at The Advice Hub

• Entertainment and Meet & Greets with Hi-5 and Poppy & Branch from the DreamWorks movie Trolls

• Pram Trial Track

• Limited First Aid Courses by CPR Kids

• Dedicated Play Areas

• BIO-OIL SEMINAR SERIES

The Bio-Oil Seminar Series is back with another great line-up of experts to help you on your journey. Leading Sydney paediatrician, Dr Howard Chilton will answer all of your questions about babies, whilst CPR Kids will demonstrate how to manage a choking emergency at home. 

Also heading to the stage will be the Australian Breastfeeding Association consultants, Safe Sleep experts from Red Nose and Tresillian talking about Responsive Settling.

 EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO SHOW-ONLY SPECIALS
Our amazing Exhibitors are offering some great brands, products, and deals that will be available to our Sydney Show visitors.

Some of the Show Specials to look out for include:

• 17% OFF Stokke Tripp Trapp products

• 20% OFF all products at 2XU

• 30% OFF Organix Fruit Pots

• 20% OFF Earlyview 3D/4D Ultrasound

• 20% OFF Ripe maternity & nursing

Save $20 by registering for your free ticket before 5pm AEST, 21 September 2017.

Ty Arnott

Looking to get the kids out of the house these school holidays for some fun, then look no further then the Sydney Opera House. 

The Sydney Opera House has the following shows on:

Embarrassing families ... who DOESN'T remember the feeling!

These July school holidays, the award-winning Monkey Baa Theatre Company presents the much-anticipated stage adaptation of Oliver Phommavanh’s novel, Thai-riffic!

There is so much to do at the Opera house these school holiday so get the kids and their friends together and head out for a great day filled with fun!

Children’s Republic (9-13 April)

In a republic run by children, what would the rules be? What values are important? How much homework would there be?

With a range of activities including, Make your own Flag, Creative play, podcast workshops and a lot more, kids will love everything about Children's republic!

Horrible Harriet (8-23 April)

Horrible Harriet lives in the roof of her school and keeps teachers chained in the cellar to do her homework! But all Harriet really wants is a friend. When Athol Egghead lands in his hot air balloon, Harriet finally meets someone who understands her. Then Mr Chicken arrives… Fortunately Horrible Harriet knows how to handle him…Or does she? 

Filled with songs, laughs and mischievous fun, this hilarious tale of friendship and identity is sure to have kids captivated as they watch Australian Children's Laureate Leigh Hobbs' bestselling series come to life on stage. 

Creature: An Adaptation of Dot and the Kangaroo (19-23 April)

Discover the magic of the Australian bush in this modern and visually stunning retelling of the 1899 classic children's book, Dot and the Kangaroo. 

Lost in the outback and rescued by a kangaroo, Dot is given magical berries that allow her to understand the animals around her. Join Dot on her journey to find home, encountering all sorts of curious creatures on the way including an acrobatic willy wagtail and quirky kookaburra. 

Featuring aerial performances, dance and interactive digital projections of indigenous flora and fauna, kids will love this immersive theatrical experience that explores how our actions affect the native wildlife.

So get along to the opera house these school holidays and join in the fun for all ages!

Titanic The Exhibition arrives in Sydney for the first time ever from 8 April at The Byron Kennedy Hall, The Entertainment Quarter. Experience the world’s largest and most comprehensive Titanic exhibition. Receive a real passengers boarding pass, come face to face with an actual iceberg, experience spectacular recreations and witness over 300 artefacts plus memorabilia from the blockbuster film. A must-see for all ages!

The acclaimed new production Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies from Australia’s renowned outdoor theatre producers is coming to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney for the first time ever playing in the Easter holidays from 9 to 30 April fresh from a sell out tour to London’s Kew Gardens.