Australia’s southeastern state of New South Wales is filled with a range of fun-filled activities that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy in the school holidays, and all easily accessible in your Dollar rental car. Whether you find yourself in the sweeping hills of the Blue Mountains or on the hunt for adventure in the coastal city of Coffs Harbour, we’ve got you covered these school holidays with this guide of family-friendly experiences that can be found all over the state.

It’s plastered across postcards and captured in movies, but there’s nothing quite like seeing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in real life. A soaring steel through-arch bridge that has cemented the city of Sydney/Eora in iconic imagery the world over, the only thing better than seeing the bridge in front of you is climbing atop it. With BridgeClimb Sydney, you and the family can surmount the majestic bridge and take in the soaring skyline and glistening harbour around you from incredible heights, giving you an outlook of the city that is unbeatable anywhere else in Sydney. BridgeClimb has a range of climbs on offer, from a Summit Climb that takes you to the peak of the bridge’s arch to an Ultimate Climb that takes you up, across and inside the bridge’s structure. There’s even a Burrawa Aboriginal Climb that sheppards you to the summit of the bridge with a First Nations storyteller for your guide as they uncover stories of the thousands of years of history that envelope the city and its surroundings. The sparkling turquoise waters of the harbour and the soaring sails of the Sydney Opera House have never looked so magnificent than from the panoramic platform at the top of the bridge. There’s also a range of family bundle packages, making this an unmissable experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Less than a fifty minutes’ drive west of Sydney sits the rugged mountain ranges of New South Wales’ Blue Mountains. This slice of bushland paradise is brimming with some of the most exquisite native flora and fauna that can be found in the region, inviting you to learn more about the Australian bush and embrace the fresh forest air of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park. Also, a region of significant Aboriginal history, this is an area in which the Dharug and Gundungurra people are recognised as the Traditional Owners of the land. From waterfalls to cliff climbs, there’s so much to see and do in the Blue Mountains, and so much of it can be experienced at the nature-based attraction Scenic World. Boasting the world’s steepest passenger train, Scenic World is the perfect option for families wanting to explore the forested area of the mountains without having to trek through the cliff faces and rocky bushland. Journey on the Scenic Cableway to Eaglehawk Lookout at the top of the mountain’s cliff face and take in the breathtaking views of the landscape that surrounds the peak. The Scenic Skyway at the top of the mountain is a horizontal cable car that will carry you closer to the iconic Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, delivering a picturesque panorama of the mountain ranges as they sweep out to the horizon. To complete the journey and take in one last spectacular view, make sure to take the Scenic Railway back down the mountain. With some of the best views on offer in the region, this is a spot where you don’t want to forget the camera.

There’s nothing quite as inviting as a beach getaway in the New South Wales coastal town of Byron Bay, a region that is home to the Traditional Owners of the Arakwal people. A perfect holiday destination for the whole family, Byron Bay’s northern position on Australia’s eastern coastline means that this pocket of beachside paradise can be enjoyed all year round. Embrace the golden sunshine and soft stretches of sand in the centre of town at Main Beach. With patrolling surf life savers all throughout the year and a playground positioned next to the beach, as well as a strip of restaurants and cafes that line the boardwalk behind it, Main Beach is the ideal location for families wanting to enjoy some time in the warm glow of the sun. Byron Bay is also filled with a plethora of activities that are sure to keep both the adults and the kids entertained, from ocean adventures like dolphin kayaking that bring you up close with one of the sea’s friendliest mammals, to park adventures like at the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, located around 20 kilometres south of Byron Bay. 

Whether it’s building sandcastles on the coast or exploring the rugged mountain ranges of New South Wales’ inland, this Australian state has every kind of family-friendly experience that is sure to fill your school holidays with excitement and adventure.