Brisbane School Holiday Activities – July 2026
School holidays are here and the kids are already asking "what are we doing today?" on Day 1. Don't stress - Brisbane has heaps on these July holidays. We've pulled together a mix of free, budget-friendly, and splash-out options to keep everyone happy (including you).
Queensland school holidays: Saturday 28 June - Sunday 13 July 2026
12 Brisbane school holiday ideas for July 2026: free wins like South Bank's parklands and water play, Roma Street Parkland and council library programs; free museums and galleries (Queensland Museum, GOMA, QAG); paid adventures from $14 (Inflatable World) to $65 (Riverlife); and two classic day trips - Lone Pine and North Stradbroke Island, where July is whale season.
Table of contents
- South Bank Parklands
- City Botanic Gardens Storytime & Nature Play
- Roma Street Parkland
- Library Holiday Programs
- Queensland Museum & Sciencentre
- GOMA - Kids on Tour
- Queensland Art Gallery (QAG)
- Riverlife Adventure Centre
- Urban Xtreme - Hendra
- Inflatable World - Tingalpa
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- North Stradbroke Island
1. South Bank Parklands
Brisbane's South Bank is basically a free theme park if you think about it. Streets Beach is heated during winter (yes, really!) so the kids can swim year-round. Add in the playgrounds, the rainforest walk, and the free BBQs, and you've got a full day sorted for zero dollars. One heads-up: Streets Beach is temporarily closed for maintenance in early July 2026 - the Boat Pool and Aquativity water play areas remain open, so pack the swimmers anyway.
Why you'll love it: A full free day out in one spot - water play, playgrounds and BBQs, all in the middle of the city.
- Street address: South Bank, Brisbane
- Dates: Open daily, year-round. Streets Beach is heated in winter (temporarily closed for maintenance early July 2026 - Boat Pool and Aquativity remain open)
- Ticket information: Free
- Family tips: Best for all ages. Pack swimmers, towels and a picnic - the free BBQs are first in, best dressed.
2. City Botanic Gardens Storytime & Nature Play
The Brisbane City Council runs free nature play and story time sessions in the Botanic Gardens during school holidays. Kids get to explore, build with natural materials, and join guided walks.
Why you'll love it: Structured, screen-free nature play run by someone who isn't you - and it costs nothing.
- Street address: City Botanic Gardens, Alice St, Brisbane City
- Dates: School holiday sessions - check the council website for times
- Ticket information: Free, but booking required - sessions fill up
- Family tips: Best for ages 2-8. Register on the council website early.
3. Roma Street Parkland
This inner-city parkland is gorgeous in winter. The spectacle garden is in full bloom and there's a fantastic adventure playground. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.
Why you'll love it: Winter is peak bloom season here, and the adventure playground buys you a peaceful picnic.
- Street address: 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane City
- Dates: Open daily
- Ticket information: Free
- Family tips: Best for all ages. The spectacle garden is at its best in winter - bring the camera.
4. Library Holiday Programs
Brisbane City Council libraries go all out during school holidays. We're talking LEGO workshops, coding sessions, craft activities, author readings, and movie screenings. Every suburb has something on.
Why you'll love it: Free, air-conditioned, close to home - and the program quality genuinely rivals paid workshops.
- Street address: Council libraries across Brisbane - check your nearest branch
- Dates: Throughout the school holidays, 28 June - 13 July 2026
- Ticket information: Free - some workshops require booking
- Family tips: Best for ages 3-12. Popular sessions (LEGO, coding) book out fast - reserve early.
5. Queensland Museum & Sciencentre
Entry to the Queensland Museum is free. The Sciencentre upstairs is a paid area but absolutely worth it for curious kids - it's packed with hands-on science exhibits.
Why you'll love it: A free museum with a paid science playground upstairs - scale the day to your budget.
- Street address: Grey St & Melbourne St, South Brisbane
- Dates: Open daily
- Ticket information: Museum free / Sciencentre approx. $16 per person
- Family tips: Best for ages 4-14. Combine with South Bank next door for a full day.
6. GOMA - Kids on Tour
GOMA's Children's Art Centre runs free, hands-on art activities linked to current exhibitions. It's genuinely impressive - not just colouring sheets, but immersive creative experiences.
Why you'll love it: Gallery-grade creative activities designed for kids - it feels special, and it's free.
- Street address: Stanley Pl, South Brisbane
- Dates: Open daily - activities linked to current exhibitions
- Ticket information: Free
- Family tips: Best for ages 3-12. Weekday mornings are quietest; the cafe is pram-friendly.
7. Queensland Art Gallery (QAG)
Right next door to GOMA, QAG has free entry and often has family-friendly trail sheets so kids can explore the collection like a treasure hunt.
Why you'll love it: Doubles your GOMA visit for zero extra effort - the family trails turn art into a game.
- Street address: Melbourne St, South Brisbane (next to GOMA)
- Dates: Open daily
- Ticket information: Free
- Family tips: Best for ages 6+. Grab a trail sheet at the front desk.
8. Riverlife Adventure Centre
For kids who need an adrenaline fix, Riverlife runs school holiday adventure programs including kayaking on the Brisbane River, rock climbing, and abseiling at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Why you'll love it: Proper outdoor adventure in the middle of the city - the kind of holiday memory kids talk about for months.
- Street address: Naval Stores, Kangaroo Point
- Dates: School holiday programs - check the schedule online
- Ticket information: From $65 per child for a half day
- Family tips: Best for ages 7+. Book ahead - holiday programs sell out.
9. Urban Xtreme - Hendra
Indoor skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, trampolines, and a ropes course. The snow sports area is a real novelty for Brisbane kids who rarely see the white stuff.
Why you'll love it: Skiing. In Brisbane. In July. The novelty factor alone is worth it - and it's all indoors if the weather turns.
- Street address: Hendra, Brisbane
- Dates: Open daily - session times online
- Ticket information: From $30 per activity
- Family tips: Best for ages 4+. Book snow sessions ahead - they're the first to fill in winter.
10. Inflatable World - Tingalpa
Giant inflatables, obstacle courses, and bouncy fun. Dedicated toddler sessions run on weekday mornings.
Why you'll love it: Cheap, huge and exhausting (for them) - the weekday toddler sessions are a lifesaver for littles.
- Street address: Tingalpa, Brisbane
- Dates: Open daily - toddler sessions weekday mornings
- Ticket information: From $14 per child
- Family tips: Best for ages 1-15. Socks required - bring grip socks if you have them.
11. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's oldest and largest koala sanctuary is a Brisbane icon. Hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, and see platypus up close.
Why you'll love it: Hand-feeding kangaroos never gets old - it's the classic Brisbane family day out for a reason.
- Street address: 708 Jesmond Rd, Fig Tree Pocket
- Dates: Open daily
- Ticket information: Adults $49 / Kids $35 - check for family deals
- Family tips: Best for all ages. Arrive early for the quietest koala encounters.
12. North Stradbroke Island
Jump on the ferry from Cleveland for a day trip to "Straddie." Gorgeous beaches, bushwalks, and incredible whale watching during July (humpback migration season!).
Why you'll love it: July is humpback migration season - free whale watching from the North Gorge walk is unforgettable.
- Street address: Ferry departs Cleveland (Toondah Harbour)
- Dates: Ferries run daily - July is peak whale season
- Ticket information: Ferry from $12 per person
- Family tips: Best for ages 3+. Do the North Gorge walk at Point Lookout for the best whale spotting.
School Holiday Survival Tips
Plan 3 things, do 1. Over-scheduling school holidays is a fast track to meltdowns. Mix big days with quiet days. A big outing followed by a PJ day at home is the sweet spot. Book early. Popular workshops fill fast. Buddy up. Share activities with another family. Lower the bar. If everyone's alive and relatively happy at the end of each day, you're winning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the July 2026 school holidays in Queensland?
Saturday 28 June to Sunday 13 July 2026.
What's completely free on this list?
South Bank Parklands, the City Botanic Gardens holiday sessions, Roma Street Parkland, council library programs, Queensland Museum, GOMA's Children's Art Centre and QAG.
Can you really swim at Streets Beach in winter?
Normally yes - the South Bank lagoon is heated during winter. Note: Streets Beach is temporarily closed for maintenance in early July 2026, but the Boat Pool and Aquativity water play areas remain open. Check the South Bank website before you go.
Can we see whales in July?
Yes - July is humpback migration season. The North Gorge walk on North Stradbroke Island is one of the best free land-based whale watching spots near Brisbane.
What needs to be booked ahead?
The Botanic Gardens nature play sessions, popular library workshops (LEGO and coding), Riverlife holiday programs and Urban Xtreme snow sessions all fill fast.
What are the best rainy day options?
Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, GOMA, QAG, library programs, Urban Xtreme and Inflatable World are all indoors.
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