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

Free & Low-Cost Activities

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.

Cost: Free | Best for: All ages

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. Sessions fill up so register on the council website early.

Cost: Free (booking required) | Best for: Ages 2–8

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.

Cost: Free | Best for: All ages

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.

Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 3–12

Museums & Culture

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.

Cost: Museum free / Sciencentre approx. $16 per person | Best for: Ages 4–14

Gallery of Modern Art (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.

Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 3–12

Queensland Art Gallery (QAG)

Right next door to GOMA, QAG has free entry and often has family-friendly trail sheets.

Cost: Free | Best for: Ages 6+

Active Adventures

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.

Cost: From $65 per child for half day | Best for: Ages 7+

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.

Cost: From $30 per activity | Best for: Ages 4+

Inflatable World — Tingalpa

Giant inflatables, obstacle courses, and bouncy fun. Dedicated toddler sessions run on weekday mornings.

Cost: From $14 per child | Best for: Ages 1–15

Day Trips

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.

Cost: Adults $49 / Kids $35 (check for family deals) | Best for: All ages

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!).

Cost: Ferry from $12 per person | Best for: Ages 3+

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.