Winter in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter is better than most people give it credit for. The calendar fills up fast — events, festivals, whale watching, snow trips and school holiday activities — and with the humidity gone and the crowds thinned out, it’s actually a brilliant time to get out and explore with the kids.
Winter Events Not to Miss
Harvest Festival, Central Coast – 6 & 7 June
Just down the road, the two-day Harvest Festival on the Central Coast offers farm tours, pick-your-own pecans and sunflowers, bush tucker tours and country markets. A genuinely memorable day trip for families who love getting out of the city.
Luminous, Maitland – 19 & 20 June
The Levee precinct in central Maitland transforms for the winter solstice at Luminous, presented by Maitland City Council. Free light displays, interactive experiences and a fireworks display over the Levee Riverbank at 8pm on Saturday 20 June. One of the region’s best free nights out.
Float Your Boat, Lake Macquarie – 19 & 20 June
Head to the shores of Lake Macquarie to watch Float Your Boat, a flotilla of decorated boats cruise past in this Lake Macquarie City Council event. Spectators vote for the People’s Choice Award. It runs over two evenings — rug up, grab a thermos and enjoy the show.
Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley Gardens – 27 June to 26 July
No need to drive to the snowfields when you can play in real snow right here in the Hunter. Snow Time in the Garden at Hunter Valley Gardens includes ice skating, a 45-metre ice toboggan, a snow play zone and a dedicated junior rink for little ones. It’s a school holidays anchor activity worth planning around. Pick a clear day for the best experience and book your tickets in advance.
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars – 9 to 12 July
Disney magic is returning to Newcastle these winter school holidays when Disney On Ice skates back into the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and tickets are on sale now! The brand-new production Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars will run from Thursday 9 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, bringing favourite Disney characters and spectacular skating performances to the Hunter. Fun, sparkly and absolutely worth it. Book early for best seats.
Port Stephens Winter Festival – 10 to 19 July
There’s lots of fun at the annual Port Stephens Winter Festival, held over 9 packed days. The fun includes the popular Human Whale event, Family Fun Night, scavenger hunt and Taster’s Trails. Full of family activities, food, festival fun and more!
Plan a Winter Family Day Out
Not sure where to take the kids? We’ve put together 12 tried-and-tested winter family day out itineraries across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter — from coastal walks and wildlife to playgrounds, history and scenic lookouts. Most of them are free or very low cost. All you need to budget for is lunch or bring a picnic and thermos of something warm.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice
This year, the year’s shortest day falls on Sunday 21 June 2026. Celebrate the extra darkness of the day with some festivities. Invite friends over, simmer some warm drinks like mulled wine, and light a few candles to chase away the extra darkness. From here on out, the days will keep getting longer!
Head to the Snow
Has watching the 2026 Winter Olympics inspired a snow holiday? Taking the kids to the NSW snowfields is on many family bucket lists — and it’s more achievable than you might think.
Whether you’re eyeing off Perisher, Thredbo or Charlotte Pass, preparation makes all the difference between a stressful trip and one the kids talk about for years. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide covering how to choose a resort, what to pack, where to book lessons, lift pass tips and everything you need to know before you drive. Read our Family Guide to a Snow Trip in NSW.
Go Whale Watching
June to November is whale watching season, and Newcastle and Port Stephens sit right on the humpback migration route. An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 humpback whales pass through the region each year heading north. Here is a list of whale-watching spots in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens where you can spot whales from shore. You can also join a Newcastle whale-watching cruise in Newcastle or head to Port Stephens for a whale-watching cruise there and get up close to the magnificent beasts.
Go Ice skating
Embrace winter sports at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium in Warners Bay. Beginners are well catered for with skating frames available in a designated area, so even little kids can have a go. Easy to combine with lunch in Warners Bay or a walk along the foreshore.
Go to the Drive-In
Winter is one of the best times to go to the drive-in. Rug up in the car with blankets and pillows, tune in to the FM broadcast and watch a movie under the stars. Heddon Greta Drive-In is the only drive-in theatre in the Hunter Valley and screens mainstream movies on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s a classic night out that kids absolutely love. Read our guide to Heddon Greta Drive-In.
Go Tobogganing (Without the Long Drive)
Not ready to tackle the snowfields? Toboggan Hill Park gives you the thrill of careening downhill without the six-hour drive. There are 11 track bends to navigate at your own pace, and kids over eight can ride solo while younger ones ride with an adult. Read our review of Toboggan Hill Park.
See Snow at Barrington Tops
As the highest sub-alpine region in the country outside the Australian Alps, Barrington Tops gets snow each winter. You can follow the snow updates on the Barrington Coast Tourism Facebook page. If you have a suitable vehicle and know how to drive in snow and ice, you might want to venture there to check it out. 4WD vehicles are better suited to driving in these conditions. For all the details and for more information about the snow season, visit the Barrington Tops Tourism website.
Go Winter Camping
Winter camping is genuinely underrated. Crisp air, clear nights, no mozzies and much quieter campgrounds than over summer. With the right sleeping bags — or a cabin booking — it can be one of the best family experiences of the year.
We’ve got some fantastic tips for winter camping with kids, plus a list of 50+ camping spots all within a 3-hour drive of Newcastle.
Go for a Winter Walk or Bike Ride
Winter is the perfect time to go for one of the many family walks around the area. Yes, it might be cool but just rug up and enjoy the scenery. Our picks for winter walks include Warners Bay to Speers Point, Bathers Way, Blackbutt Reserve and Newcastle Foreshore. You can also go for a bike ride. Here are some of our favourite local bike paths and trails.
What to Do on a Wet Winter Day
Not every winter day is crisp and sunny — sometimes it’s just cold and drizzly and you need a plan B. A few local ideas worth having up your sleeve:
Newcastle Museum is one of the best free wet-day destinations in the region. Kids love the historic tram and the interactive Supernova science exhibits. Open Tuesday to Sunday and seven days a week during school holidays. You can also visit another museum or gallery in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter. Visit one that you haven’t been to before like Lake Macquarie MAC (Museum of Art and Culture) or Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Escape rooms are great for families with older kids and teenagers. Escape Reality Newcastle has family-friendly rooms including Tortuga Pirates and Jurassic Island. See our full guide to escape rooms in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
Indoor mini golf at Dullboy’s Social Co in Rutherford or Holey Moley at Charlestown Square works well for all ages.
Indoor pools – Indoor swimming pools are another great wet-day option — several pools across the region are heated and open year-round. See our guide to indoor swimming pools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Climbing and ninja courses at Ninja Parc, Climb Parc, Pulse Climbing Newcastle or Revolution Sports Park are ideal when kids need to burn energy regardless of the weather.
Live shows — the Civic Theatre, Cessnock Performing Arts Centre and The Art House in Wyong all run kids shows and family-friendly performances across winter and the school holidays. Worth checking the calendar before the break hits.
Read our full Rainy Day Activities guide for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
At-Home Winter Favourites
Some of the best winter moments happen at home. A few ideas to keep up your sleeve:
Bake something. Winter is the perfect excuse to get into the kitchen. Biscuit decorating, banana bread, warm muffins — all excellent, all easy to do with kids.
Build a fort. Blankets, pillows, doonas, torches. A classic for a reason.
Movie night. Curl up with the family, whip up some popcorn, and bond over a movie night. We’ve curated a list of 100 family movies to watch with your kids – there’s something for everyone! If you feel like a winter-themed movie, dive into the icy adventure of Frozen, tap your feet with Happy Feet, or cheer on the underdogs in Cool Runnings. Looking for heartwarming tales? Try Eight Below, Ice Age, Smallfoot, or Abominable.
Board games. Play boardgames with your family or host a board game party with your kids and their friends. We’ve put together a list of our favourite board games for family game night. The list includes some retro classics as well as some of the hottest games.
Hot chocolate. Make it properly — heat milk in a saucepan and whisk in good-quality chocolate. Top with cream or marshmallows. Local favourites for going out include Coco Monde on Darby Street, Estabar at Newcastle Beach and Oliver Brown at Charlestown Square and Green Hills.
A Few More Winter Ideas
Stargazing. Clear winter nights in the Hunter are made for it. The ABC Beginner’s Guide to the Night Sky is a handy free resource for spotting planets and constellations.
Sunset watching. The sun sets earlier in winter, which means you don’t have to keep kids up late for a good one. Winter sunsets in this region can be spectacular.
Visit your local library. Free, warm and always worth it. Most branches run storytime and holiday programs too — check your local council’s website.
Plant spring bulbs. Get the kids involved in the garden now and they’ll be thrilled when daffodils, tulips and hyacinths pop up in spring.
Picnic on a warm winter day. When the sun comes out, winter is genuinely one of the best times for a picnic — no flies, no mosquitoes, no sticky heat. Here are our favourite picnic spots around the region.
Visit animals – Take a trip out to Blackbutt Reserve, Oakvale Wildlife Park or Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and see the animals. Unlike in the height of summer, animals should be more active and easier to spot.
You might also like:
15 Free & Low Cost Winter Activities To Do With Kids in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
30+ Indoor Places to Visit with Kids in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter