Brisbane is one of the most family-friendly cities in Australia, and school holidays are the perfect time to explore everything it has to offer. From world-class wildlife encounters to thrilling theme parks and hands-on museums, the city and its surrounds deliver an impressive lineup of activities that keep kids engaged and parents smiling. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, rainy-day indoor options, or a mix of both, this guide covers the 10 best school holiday activities in Brisbane in 2026 for families with kids of all ages.

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Just 12 kilometres from Brisbane CBD, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's largest koala sanctuary and one of the most beloved wildlife experiences in Queensland. Kids can hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos, watch platypus feeding sessions, and get up close to wombats, Tasmanian devils, and dozens of other native Australian species. The sanctuary is home to over 130 koalas, and koala photo experiences are available during scheduled sessions throughout the day. This is a full-day outing that genuinely delights children from toddlers through to teenagers, making it one of the top family stops in Brisbane.

Located on the Gold Coast just over an hour from Brisbane, Dreamworld is Australia's biggest theme park and a school holiday institution for Queensland families. The park features more than 40 rides and attractions spanning the full age range, from toddler-friendly rides in the DreamWorks Experience zone to full-throttle coasters and the iconic Tower of Terror II. Animal encounters with tigers and koalas add a wildlife dimension that sets Dreamworld apart from other theme parks, while the Big Red Car and Wiggles World areas are perfect for the little ones. It is an action-packed day out that justifies the drive south, especially when tickets are booked in advance.

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Sea World on the Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier marine-life theme parks, combining thrilling rides with fascinating animal presentations and conservation education. Kids can watch dolphin shows, penguin feeding sessions, and polar bear encounters, while adrenaline-seekers can tackle rides like Jet Rescue and Leviathan. The recently expanded Treetop Challenge and various water rides provide excellent variety across different age groups. Combine it with a Gold Coast beach day for a full-scale family holiday that feels well beyond Brisbane's backyard.

Located at the South Bank cultural precinct, Queensland Museum is one of the finest natural history museums in Australia and a brilliant rainy-day activity for school holidays. The museum features life-sized dinosaur skeletons, an extensive natural history gallery, an interactive children's discovery space, and rotating special exhibitions that are frequently tailored for young audiences. Permanent galleries covering Queensland's history, marine life, and indigenous cultures provide rich learning opportunities without ever feeling like a school lesson. General entry to the permanent collection is free, making it one of the best value family outings in Brisbane.

South Bank Parklands is Brisbane's premier urban leisure destination, and at its heart is Streets Beach, Australia's only inner-city beach, complete with a lagoon pool, sandy shore, and lifeguard supervision. The entire parklands precinct is free to access and offers playgrounds, picnic lawns, walking paths, and regular free community events throughout the school holidays. Kids can splash in the water, run across the grass, and explore the LEGO-themed play areas, all without spending a cent on admission. The precinct is also home to the Queensland Museum, QAGOMA galleries, and multiple dining options, making it easy to fill an entire day right in the heart of the city.

For families with adventurous tweens and teens, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a genuinely thrilling experience that takes participants to the summit of Brisbane's most recognisable landmark. The twilight and dawn climbs in particular offer jaw-dropping views over the city, the winding Brisbane River, and the surrounding suburbs that stretch to the horizon. Climbers of all fitness levels can manage the ascent, and the guides share fascinating stories about the bridge's history and construction along the way. It is one of the more premium activities on this list but delivers memories that stick long after the school holidays are over.

Looking for more things to do? Browse activities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast on Traveloka to find tickets for attractions, day tours, and experiences at competitive prices. Combine your bookings with car rental to make day trips to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast as smooth as possible.

Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast is one of the largest waterparks in the Southern Hemisphere and an absolute school holiday favourite for families with kids aged five and up. The park features dozens of water slides and attractions ranging from gentle lazy rivers and toddler splash zones to the legendary Black Hole tube slide and the near-vertical Tornado. The tropical Gold Coast climate makes this an ideal outing during summer school holidays in particular, though the park operates year-round with heated pools. Booking tickets online in advance through Traveloka is the easiest way to skip the queues and often unlocks better rates than purchasing at the gate.

SkyPoint sits on Level 77 of the Q1 tower in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, offering panoramic views that stretch from Brisbane all the way to Byron Bay on a clear day. For kids who love heights, the indoor observation deck and the outdoor SkyPoint Climb along the external building spire are both genuinely exciting ways to see Southeast Queensland from above. The deck features interactive displays about the history of the Gold Coast and its coastline, keeping younger visitors engaged well beyond the initial wow factor. It is especially striking at sunset, when the ocean turns golden and the city lights begin to flicker to life below.

While this is decidedly one for the grown-ups, the XXXX Brewery Tour at the Milton Ale House is a popular addition to family itineraries when grandparents or extended family are part of the group and can supervise the little ones nearby. The tour takes guests through the brewing process of one of Australia's oldest and most recognisable beer brands, with tastings of fresh pours straight from the brewery floor. The surrounding Milton precinct is filled with excellent cafes and restaurants where families can enjoy a long lunch while the adults relive the tour. It adds a fun adult element to a school holiday trip without pulling the whole day away from the kids.

Moreton Island, accessible via a day cruise from Brisbane, is one of Queensland's most magical natural destinations and offers a genuine island adventure that feels worlds away from the city. The Tangalooma Day Cruise packages include snorkelling over coral-covered shipwrecks, dolphin watching, sandboarding down massive coastal dunes, and, most memorably, the wild dolphin feeding experience at dusk where bottlenose dolphins come right to the shore. Moreton Island is predominantly a national park, meaning the natural environment is pristine and the wildlife encounters are truly wild. This is the kind of once-in-a-school-holiday experience that kids talk about for years.

Brisbane and its surrounds deliver school holiday experiences that genuinely rival anything on offer in the country. With attractions spread from the city centre to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, having your travel booked and organised in advance makes all the difference. Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users and available across Asia and beyond, making it ideal for booking both your flights to Brisbane from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Bangkok, as well as your accommodation and activities once you arrive.

Search and compare hundreds of hotels in Brisbane from family apartments to resort-style properties with pools, book activities for the kids at competitive prices, and arrange an airport transfer for a stress-free arrival. Keep an eye on Traveloka promotions for exclusive deals on flights and hotels that can make a real difference to your holiday budget. Download the Traveloka app and start planning your Brisbane school holiday adventure today.