Easter is a wonderful time to slow down and spend time with family. Whether your kids believe the Easter Bunny or the Easter Bilby delivers the chocolate, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region.
From Easter egg hunts and Easter discos to markets, shows and special holiday events, there are lots of activities happening over the Easter long weekend. Easter in 2026 falls on Sunday 5 April, with the long weekend running from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April.
To help you plan a fun family outing, we’ve rounded up some of the best Easter events and activities for kids around Newcastle and the Hunter.
FEATURED EVENTS
Sunflower Easter Maze at Little Tin Shed Medowie
Date: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March
Time: 9am – 1pm
Location: Little Tin Shed Medowie, 54 Lisadell Road, Medowie
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Entry is $5 per person (FREE for kids under 4). No EFTPOS (Cash only)
Website
🐣🌻 Hop into the Easter spirit at Little Tin Shed Medowie! Head there on Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March for a fun, relaxed morning among the sunflowers. Wander through the beautiful fields (open from 9am – 1pm) and enjoy a simple Easter outing with the kids.
🍫 Easter eggs will be handed out to children so everyone gets a treat
🐰 The Easter Bunny will be visiting between 10am – 12pm
🌻 Take photos amongst the sunflowers, tractors and glasshouses, and pick your own sunflowers to take home. $3 each or 6 for $15
Easter at Minmi Hotel
Date: Sunday 29 March & Easter Sunday
Location: Minmi Hotel
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Celebrate Easter at Minmi Hotel with fun for the whole family! Drop by on Sunday 29 March for a Kids Disco & Egg Hunt from 2pm – 5pm or on Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday for a face painter from 12pm – 3pm. Enjoy all day dining on these three Sundays, making it easy to bring the family together for a great meal while the kids enjoy the fun. Bring the family, relax, and make the most of the school holidays at Minmi Hotel. Book your table
Free Easter Egg Hunt Playgroup
Date: Tuesday 31 March 2026
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Location: Garden Suburb Community Centre
Age Group: For babies and children not in school yet along with their carers
Cost: Free
Website
Join Jumping Jellybeans Playgroup for an Easter-themed playgroup. Enjoy an Easter egg hunt
temporary tattoos, craft and free morning tea.
Easter at Chipmunks Belmont
Date: Thursday 2 April 2026
Time: 5.30pm – 8pm
Location: Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Belmont, 1 High Street, Belmont
Age Group: Toddlers and primary school age
Cost: $16.90 entry. Adults and babies under 1 are free.
Website
Families can hop into Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Belmont for a fun Easter evening filled with entertainment, special visitors and plenty of activities for kids.
At 6.30pm, children can enjoy a magic show by JD’s World of Magic, included free with entry. There will also be visits from Charlie the Chipmunk and the Easter Bunny, with opportunities for photos and Easter egg surprises.
Kids can enjoy free Easter glitter tattoos and receive a free ice block on the way out. There will also be lucky door prizes throughout the evening.
Food will be available to purchase on the night, with all pizzas priced at $14.90.
It’s a fun way for families to celebrate Easter with a night of play, magic and festive activities.
Easter Celebrations at Hunter Valley Gardens
Date: Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April 2026
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult: $42, Child $31 ( 4 – 15 years old), Family (2A+2C) $128
Website
Celebrate Easter at Hunter Valley Gardens during Mega Creatures with the Easter Bunny and the Hoppity Hollow Hunt.
Children can join the hunt for just $2 per child when purchased as an add-on to a Mega Creatures Day session ticket. Young explorers will search the trail for eggs marked with the numbers 1, 2 and 3. Once they collect one of each, they can present them to staff to receive an Easter chocolate reward.
The hunt runs from 9:30am to 3pm during the Easter long weekend. Children can join anytime during the session by presenting their ticket at the Event Marquee. Look out for special appearances from the Easter Bunny in the event area.
Easter Celebrations at Oakvale Wildlife Park
Date: Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April 2026
Location: Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult: $43, Child $29 (3 – 16 years old), Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) $130
Website
Celebrate Easter at Oakvale Wildlife Park with a weekend full of family fun and egg-citing adventures! They will be open everyday over Easter 10am – 5pm with plenty of family fun and chocolate treats!
Join in Oakvale’s Great Golden Egg Hunt, where a limited number of golden eggs will be hidden throughout the park each day — find one and win a special prize. Kids can also take part in the Easter Explorer Challenge, collecting a map on entry and exploring the park to complete the challenge before redeeming it for a chocolate treat at the café. Plus, the Easter Colouring Competition is running in the lead-up to Easter and across the school holidays, giving young artists the chance to win a prize pack in their age category. With animal encounters, daily activities and Easter surprises around every corner, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the long weekend with the whole family.
Ploddy’s Easter Fair at Australian Reptile Park
Date: 3 – 19 April 2026
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $36pp with a Family Pass (kids under 3 free)
Website
Ploddy’s Easter Fair is BACK! Looking for affordable Easter fun near Newcastle these school holidays? Head just one hour south to the Australian Reptile Park for a WILD day out the whole family will love! From adorable baby farm animals (10am–2pm daily) and a giant inflatable obstacle course, to FREE face painting, daily egg & spoon races, reptile shows and the famous Elvis croc feeding, its non-stop fun all included with entry. Plus, our mischievous Easter Croc will hide a Golden Egg every single day… find it and win a $500 Park voucher! All this from just $36pp with a Family Pass (kids under 3 free).
Dungog Rodeo
Date: Saturday 4 April 2026
Location: Abelard Street, Dungog
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $30 Kids 5-17yrs $5. Under 5yrs Free
Website
Celebrate Easter at the Dungog Rodeo and watch the talented riders test their skills. The rodeo is made up of a wide range of horse and cow events: bareback riding, followed by calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and as a grand finale bull riding. Hot dogs, pluto pups and Aussie steak sandwiches, there is something for the whole family, test your skills on the mechanical bull, Side Shows with rides, hats, clothing, coffee, and ice cream, and watch the fearless cow dogs show their skill at high jumping.
Easter at Hunter Wetlands Centre
Date: Saturday 4 April 2026
Time: 9.30am – 1pm
Location: Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Family tickets are $25 if booked in advance or $30 on the day, with single tickets available for $9.50. Children under 3 are free.
Website
Families can enjoy a morning of activities including meeting the Easter Bunny, following the Bunny Trail Adventure for surprises and prizes, jumping on the jumping castle, and getting creative at the Easter craft station. Kids can also enjoy nature play on the lawns, explore the playground and sandpit, or join guided walks and nature talks designed especially for children.
There are also some special add-on activities available on the day including a Reptile Encounter show where kids can meet some of the Wetlands’ scaly residents ($5 per person) and face painting with Easter and animal-themed designs ($5 per person).
Food will be available throughout the event with a sausage sizzle, café and food truck offering meals and snacks.
By attending Easter Fun Day you’ll also be supporting local conservation. The Hunter Wetlands Centre is volunteer-run and community owned, with funds raised going directly back into the restoration and protection of the wetlands. Easter Fun Day is Easter Fun Day is the biggest fundraising day of the year.
Gresford Easter Billy Cart Derby
Date: Saturday 4 April 2026
Location: Gresford
Age Group: Kids 10+ and adults
Cost: Free
Website
Gresford Gears Up for the Easter Billy Cart Derby! Get yourself trackside for the exciting Gresford Billy Cart Derby on Easter Saturday. This free family friendly event sees kids from just 10 years of age and adults who are young at heart, race homemade billy carts down the steep mainstreet of the picturesque rural village of Gresford, just one hour from Newcastle. It’s so fun the Easter Bunny is even coming along to race!!!
Other entertainment includes a gumboot tossing competition, market stalls, raffles, vintage cars and delicious food for everyone to enjoy. This event is a project of the Rotary Club of Dungog and plays a crucial role in raising funds for the community, supporting local schools, community groups, and sports clubs.
Salamander Hotel
Date: Sunday 5 April 2026
Time: From 12pm
Location: Salamander Hotel, Salamander Bay
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Enjoy a Family Fun Day at Salamander Hotel with a reptile show, facepainting, Easter Bunny visit, and Easter Egg Guessing competition.
Gloucester Easter Duck Race
Date: Sunday 5 April 2026
Time: 11am
Location: Gloucester River Park
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Get ready for one of Gloucester’s favourite Easter traditions! 
The Annual Gloucester Easter Duck Race is back on 5 April at Gloucester River Park — and it’s set to be a fantastic day for the whole community! Hundreds of ducks will take to the water and race for glory, with lots of great prizes up for grabs. Cheer on your duck and see if it’s the fastest down the river!
There’ll also be a Rotary BBQ sizzling away, a fun Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, and plenty of laughter as families and friends gather for a relaxed day by the river. It’s colourful, exciting, and always quacking good fun. Bring the whole family, catch up with friends, and be part of this much-loved Gloucester tradition!
Additional Easter events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Friday 3 April (Good Friday)
- Newcastle Easter Fair, Newcastle Racecourse
- Galleries in the Gardens Easter Event: The Great Art Treasure Hunt, Tea Gardens
Saturday 4 April
- Newcastle Easter Fair, Newcastle Racecourse
- Easter Bunny’s Family Lunch with All Event Cruises
- Galleries in the Gardens Easter Event: The Great Art Treasure Hunt, Tea Gardens
Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday)
- Newcastle Easter Fair, Newcastle Racecourse
- Galleries in the Gardens Easter Event: The Great Art Treasure Hunt, Tea Gardens
Monday 6 April
- Newcastle Easter Fair, Newcastle Racecourse
- Galleries in the Gardens Easter Event: The Great Art Treasure Hunt, Tea Gardens
Easter Egg Hunts
Easter egg hunts are one of the most exciting traditions for kids. Many Easter events include organised egg hunts, but you can also create your own Easter magic at home.
Hide chocolate eggs around your backyard or local park and let the kids follow clues to find their treats. You can also add small toys, craft activities or Easter-themed games to make it extra fun.
If you’re planning your own hunt, check out our guide on how to organise an Easter egg hunt at home for ideas and inspiration.
Easter Movies to Watch with Kids
After a busy day of Easter egg hunts and family adventures, it can be nice to wind down with a movie night. Some popular Easter and springtime family movies include animated favourites featuring bunnies and springtime adventures as well as classic family films that celebrate friendship, kindness and fun.
You might like to set up a cosy Easter movie night with popcorn, chocolate eggs and comfy blankets. Check out our list of Easter movies to watch with kids for inspiration.
Best Easter Books for Kids & Families
For many families, Easter isn’t just about chocolate eggs. It’s also a lovely time to share stories together.
If the Easter Bunny brings books to your house as well as treats, we’ve put together a list of Easter books for kids and families to enjoy. The list includes Easter board books for toddlers, picture books for younger readers and activity books to keep kids entertained during the school holidays.
You’ll find stories about the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts and the Christian story of Easter, making it a great mix for different ages and interests. Explore our guide to the best Easter books for kids and families.
Easter Play & Sensory Activities for Kids
Looking for simple ways to keep kids entertained over the Easter long weekend? Easter-themed play activities are a fun way for children to explore creativity while developing important skills.
From Easter sensory trays and egg drip painting to nature bunnies and frozen chickens, there are plenty of hands-on activities that children of all ages will enjoy. These activities are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and early primary school kids.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our guide to Easter kids play activities, which includes 15 creative ideas you can easily set up at home.
Easter Camping Trips & Holiday Parks
For many families, the Easter long weekend is the perfect time to head away for a few days. Campgrounds, caravan parks and holiday parks around Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and the Central Coast are especially popular during Easter.
Whether you prefer camping under the stars, glamping in a safari tent or staying in a comfortable holiday villa, there are plenty of family-friendly options within easy driving distance.
If you’re planning a short getaway, check out our guide to 50+ Camping, Caravan & Holiday Parks to Stay Within a 3 Hour Drive of Newcastle. It includes kid-friendly places to stay across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Mid North Coast and Sydney region.
Many of these parks feature playgrounds, swimming pools, water parks and family activities, making them ideal for a fun Easter escape.
Easter Events in Sydney
If you’re looking to venture further afield during the Easter long weekend, there are plenty of Easter events happening in Sydney. From Easter egg hunts and family festivals to special markets and themed activities, Sydney hosts a wide range of celebrations during the school holidays.
Many Newcastle, Lake Mac and Hunter families plan a day trip or weekend getaway to the city over Easter.
You can explore our guide to Easter events happening in Sydney to discover family-friendly activities across the city.
One of the biggest attractions each year is the Sydney Royal Easter Show, held at Sydney Olympic Park. This iconic event features farm animals, carnival rides, showbags, competitions, entertainment and plenty of food, making it a popular Easter outing for families.
If you’re planning to visit, read our complete guide to the Sydney Royal Easter Show for tips on tickets, rides, showbags and how to make the most of your day.
Free Easter Activities for Families
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have fun over Easter.
Here are some simple ways to celebrate Easter with kids:
- organise an Easter egg hunt at home
- visit a local playground or park
- pack a picnic and head to the beach
- go on a family bushwalk
- visit a local farmers market
- enjoy craft and baking activities at home
Spending time outdoors together can be one of the best ways to enjoy the Easter long weekend. Here are some more ideas on how to do Easter on a budget.
Feature Image: Easter Egg Hunt at Hunter Valley Gardens