Looking for something different to do with the kids these school holidays? Mega Creatures returns to Hunter Valley Gardens, bringing dinosaurs, dragons, unicorns and giant bugs to life in a magical outdoor adventure.
From 28 March to 26 April 2026, enter a captivating realm where fantasy comes to life, now expanded with breathtaking new creature installations.
Marvel at powerful dragons perched atop crumbling castle ruins, expanding the Land of Legends, while graceful unicorns invite you to pause and relax on whimsical toadstool seats, and towering dinosaurs take over the landscape.
Alongside returning favourites, such as prehistoric giants and colossal insects, the Gardens are transformed into an immersive world blending ancient prehistory with myth and magic.
This popular Hunter Valley school holiday event is one of the region’s biggest family attractions and is perfect for a day trip from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast or Sydney.
Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens invites visitors to discover a fantasy world full of amazing creatures from the dinosaur age along with the expanding Land Of Legends filled with amazing mythical creatures and of course there are giant bugs to test even the bravest among us.
The stars for the show are the life-sized mega creatures, including T-Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, and more, will have guests believing they have stepped back in time to a prehistoric land.
For 2026, Hunter Valley Gardens are pleased to introduce new additions to Land of Legends, an awe-inspiring experience where imagination knows no bounds with fantastical mythical beasts.
Plus, four new dragons, a family of nine unicorns, fantastic basilisks, a chimera, floral dragons, and nine amazing dinosaurs and more!
Dragons Den offers visitors the opportunity to let their imagination take flight with mythical dragons, some that even breathe fire. Meanwhile, the Amphitheatre has been inhabited by giant spiders, enter if you dare!
Mega Creatures Night Safari
If you think the Mega Creatures are scary during the day wait until you hear and see them at night, lurking in the bushes and around trees. Mega Creatures runs on weekends and during the school holidays on 28 & 29 March, 3 to 19 April and 24 & 26 April 2026.
During the Mega Creatures Night Safari, the gardens are illuminated with dramatic lighting and atmospheric sounds.
As the sun sets at Hunter Valley Gardens, the prehistoric and mythical creatures will come to life in the dark of the night during Mega Creatures Night Safari.
Beware, predators are hunting their prey around the frog ponds and paths. Hunter Valley Gardens collection of snakes and lizards will be displayed on Reptile Road, that winds its way from entry to the Formal Garden.
Mega Creatures Special Activities
As well as the Mega Creatures, there are plenty of fun activities happening as well.
Mega Creature tickets give access to all the event activities and installations, including Land of Legends, Dragon Den, Butterfly Ballet, Dinosaur Diggins, Unicorn Meadow, Bug Hunt, Spider Den, Dragon Floresta, Carnivore Concourse and Herbivore Hectares. Plus, there’s fun activities scheduled for weekends and school holidays.
Dragon’s Quest
Dates: 28–29 March, 3–19 April, 24–26 April
Times: 12pm and 2pm
Location: Formal Garden
Watch a brave knight battle a fearsome flight of dragons in this exciting live storytelling performance. Kids will love cheering on the hero in this medieval adventure filled with action and imagination.
Potion Play with the Wizard
Dates: 28–29 March, 3–19 April, 24–26 April
Times: 6pm and 7:30pm
Location: Amphitheatre
As dusk settles over the gardens, children can join a mysterious wizard to discover magical potions, colourful brews and smoky experiments. This interactive experience sparks curiosity and imagination.
Dinosaur Diggings
Dates: Saturdays from 28 March to 26 April
Time: 11am
Location: Brumbies and Frog Ponds
Calling all young explorers and future palaeontologists. Dinosaur Diggings gives kids the chance to roll up their sleeves and dig for real fossils under the guidance of our Mega Creatures Explorer.
Magical Unicorn Meetings
Dates: 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19 April
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Sunken Garden
Meet a graceful unicorn in the magical Sunken Garden. Families can meet a graceful unicorn up close, take photos, and enjoy a gentle, magical encounter that will leave little ones wide-eyed with wonder.
Fairy Face Painting
Dates: 3–19 April
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Sunken Garden
Add a little sparkle to your visit with fairy face painting, hosted by our resident fairy among whimsical toadstools in the Sunken Garden. Kids can transform into magical characters and fantasy creatures.
Hunter Valley Gardens Rides
For all the little thrill seekers, Hunter Valley Garden’s famous rides will be operating throughout the event, including the Superslide, Swing Chair, Carousel, Ferris Wheel and Tea Cup Rides.
Tickets are available from the Ride Ticket booth in the event area and are $6 per ride token or you can purchase a bonus pack of 6 ride tokens for $30. Rides are subject to height and age restrictions.
Special Easter Activities at Hunter Valley Gardens
Celebrate Easter at Hunter Valley Gardens during Mega Creatures with a special family experience featuring the Easter Bunny and the fun-filled Hoppity Hollow Hunt.
Children can take part in the Hoppity Hollow Hunt for just $2 per child when purchased as an add-on to a Mega Creatures Day session ticket. This delightful Easter activity invites young visitors to follow a garden path and search for special eggs marked with the numbers 1, 2 and 3. Once children have collected one egg with each number, they can present them to staff at the end of the path to receive a delicious Easter chocolate reward.
The Hoppity Hollow Hunt runs during the Easter long weekend from 9:30am to 3pm and is designed as a fun and interactive experience for children visiting Mega Creatures with their families. Kids can join the hunt at any time during the session by presenting their pre-purchased hunt ticket at the Event Marquee, where they will be directed to the starting point of the activity.
Tickets for the Hoppity Hollow Hunt are available as an online add-on when purchasing Mega Creatures Day session tickets. If tickets are not purchased in advance, children can also participate by presenting a ride ticket at the Event Marquee to gain entry to the hunt.
What time does Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens start and end?
Mega Creatures Day session. From 9am to 4pm. Last entry 3pm.
Rides operate from 10am to 3:30pm. Ticket Booth open from 10am to 3pm. Last ride 3:15pm.
Mega Creatures Night Safari runs on weekends and during the school holidays (28-29 March, 3-19 April and 24-26 April) from 5pm to 9:30pm. Last entry 8:30pm.
Rides operate from 5:30pm to 9pm. Ticket Booth open from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Last ride 8:45pm.
Please note Mega Creatures Day session (Gardens) close at 4pm and Mega Creatures Night Safari opens at 5pm, all visitors must exit the gardens during this time, including combo day/night ticket holders.
How much does it cost to visit Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens?
Day Tickets
- Adult – $42
- Child (4–15 yrs) – $31
- Children 3 & under – FREE
- Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) – $104
- Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) – $128
Night Tickets
- Adult – $31
- Child – $31
- Children 3 & under – FREE
- Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) – $104
- Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) – $128
Day + Night Combo
- Adult – $60
- Child – $48
- Children 3 & under – FREE
- Family (2 Adults + 1 Child) – $161
- Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) – $195
Tickets are available from the ticket booth in the event area and are $6 per ride token or you can purchase a bonus pack of 6 ride tokens for $30. Height and age restrictions apply.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Hunter Valley Gardens website.
Want more inspiration for family fun in the Hunter Valley? Check out our article 15+ Things to Do in Hunter Valley with Kids.