Blackbutt Reserve Newcastle | Animals, Playgrounds & Picnics
Blackbutt Reserve in New Lambton is one of Newcastle’s best free family days out. Here’s everything you need to know — animals, feeding times, playgrounds, café and how to get there.
Best Cessnock Walks To Do With Kids
Cessnock and Hunter Valley have some outstanding family walking — from the magical moss wall at Boarding House Dam to Aboriginal engravings in Yengo National Park. Here’s what to explore.
Best Maitland Walks To Do With Kids
Maitland has some lovely family walks — easy riverside strolls, heritage park loops and kangaroo-spotting trails. Here are our picks for walks in and around Maitland with kids.
Explore Newcastle’s Coast with CoastXP
Want to explore the coast of Newcastle? Jump on board CoastXP, an adventure boat tour. It combines sightseeing with local history & marine life.
Best Playgrounds in Port Stephens for Kids and Families
Discover the best playgrounds in Port Stephens for kids, from beachside play spaces to shaded parks in Nelson Bay, Fingal Bay, Anna Bay and beyond.
Mega Creatures Return to Hunter Valley Gardens During the School Holidays
Spot Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens these school holidays. The popular Mega Creatures event returns for four weeks from 28 March to 26 April 2026
Family Day Out: Lemon Tree Passage Area
Scenic shared paths, koala spotting, playgrounds, a netted tidal pool, and local art. It’s the perfect day out for outdoor-loving families with kids of all ages!
Where to Go Kayaking & Stand up Paddle Boarding in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Get out and enjoy the water around the region in a kayak or on a stand up paddle board. Here list of places where you can go for a paddle with your family around the region.
Double the Fun at Huntlee: Adventure Awaits at Katherine’s Landing District Park Playground & Pump Track!
Pack your bikes, scooters and helmets, as Katherine’s Landing District Park at Huntlee includes a world-class pump track.
Unplug and Explore: Visit the Hunter Wetlands Centre at Shortland for Outdoor Family Fun
Get back to nature at Hunter Wetlands Centre in Shortland. Enjoy walks, orienteering, dipnetting and more. It’s also a great place for a family bike ride!
Where to See and Pick Sunflowers Around Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast
Run with wild abandon through a sunflower field or pick a bunch of bright yellow sunflowers to brighten your, or a loved one’s, day. A visit to a sunflower field make a great day out, not to mention a fabulous photo backdrop. Here are three places to see and pick sunflowers around Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast.
Pirrita Island Boardwalk: Stunning Walk Through the Mangroves in Swansea
Want a short walk packed with nature and with amazing views? Go for a stroll along the boardwalk at Pirrita Island in Swansea.
WildNets Newcastle: Fun, Nature and Thrills for Kids
Take your kids to WildNets Newcastle at Blue Gum Hills. It’s a super fun day out where kids can climb through the trees, cross wobbly obstacles and fly through the air on flying foxes.
Get Moving with These Newcastle & Hunter Family-Friendly Fun Runs in 2026
Whether you’re looking at getting in shape, doing some fun runs with your kids or enrolling your kids in a specific kids run, here are some family friendly walks and runs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.