As always the question is ‘what do I do with the kids until school returns?!’. Luckily, we know how tricky it can get to come up with ideas when the kids inevitably pull out the ‘I’m bored’ card, so we have created the ultimate Cairns school holiday guide for all local parents, children and families – to stay entertained and having fun together.
Check out the awesome activities and places to visit these school holidays below.
School Holiday Activities
Malanda Show
This year’s ‘Dairy Farmers’ Malanda Show is set to thrill, entertain and engage people of all ages. The three-day agricultural show will take place this year on 25 – 27 June, which is the first weekend of the school holidays. There will be plenty of fun competitions, exhibits, a parade, an animal nursery, and much, much more. Make sure to get your tickets fast!
A Malanda Showgrounds
P 0447 965 000
FB Malanda Show
Smithfield Shopping Centre
Kids are invited to let their imagination and creativity go wild at Smithfield Shopping Centre these school holidays as LEGO® comes to life in their LEGO® Play Zone and Character Meet and Greet. Race the clock to see how fast you can build your model, build the tallest LEGO® tower, snap a pic with a LEGO® character, plus take part in many more LEGO® challenges.
Dates: 10.00am – 2.00pm, June 28 – July 9.
Cost: FREE – pre-booking is essential. Recommended ages: 5 – 10 years.
Location: Outside Kmart.
In July, book your tickets to the Space Jam Movie Premiere and join in the fun from 10.00am – 12.00pm before the movie begins with special guests from the Looney Tunes and Taipans, a fun ‘shoot, score and win’ competition, live music and a FREE gift for the first 100 tickets purchased. Get in quick – so you don’t miss out.
Date: Sunday 11 July, Pre-event 10.00am – 12.00pm, Movie: 12.15pm
Cost: Price of a Movie Ticket
A Cnr Captain Cook and Kennedy Highway, Smithfield
P 4281 3800
FB Smithfield Shopping Centre
Keepers In Training – Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome
Keepers in Training allows children to experience what it’s really like to be a Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome Wildlife Keeper! Join a Wildlife Keeper for an interactive, hands-on experience covering animal care, health and handling. You even get to have a photo taken with an animal to take home!
Dates: June 26, 27, 29 and July 3, 4, 6, 10, 11.
Cost: $40.00 per child. Runs for one hour from 10.00am – 11.00pm (3 – 7 years) and 11.00am – 1.00pm (8 – 13 years). Visit their website for more information.
A The Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf St, Cairns City
P 4031 7250
FB Cairns ZOOM
CaPTA Group Annual Pass for Locals
The CaPTA Group Annual Pass allows you to have 12 months unlimited admission to the beautiful Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome, Rainforestation Nature Park and Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas. Locals get 20% off.
Cost: $260.00 for a family, $104.00 for an Adult, $52.00 for a child. Visit the website for terms and conditions. Covid-19 restrictions apply.
Wildlife Habitat Junior Keeper Program
Animal crazy? Be a Junior Wildlife Keeper for the day! Open to young wildlife lovers 8 – 14 years. Spend a day with real-life keepers. Runs on 29 June to 30 June and 6 July to 7 July, 11.00am – 3.00pm. To book a spot – call Wildlife Habitat directly on 4099 3235. Limited spaces. The cost is $55.00 and includes lunch.
A Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas
P 4099 3235
FB Port Douglas Wildlife
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Be surrounded by 1500 colourful butterflies in the magical Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda Village. Enjoy a guided tour, see butterflies in all life stages in the laboratory and explore the fairy garden!
Cost: Adults $20.00, Children $10.00, Family $50.00. Suitable for all ages. Locals receive 20% off with code BUTTERFLYLOCAL. Open daily from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
A 8 Rob Veivers Dr, Kuranda
P 4093 7575
FB Australian Butterfly Sanctuary
Rainforestation Nature Park Pamagirri Mini Mob
Enjoy a fun and educational Indigenous cultural experience for kids. Join a Pamagirri guide to learn how to play the didgeridoo and paint your own didgeridoo to take home. Learn how to throw a boomerang and go on a Rainforest Walkabout. Sessions start at 10.30am and 12.30pm daily.
Cost: Children: $45.00 (includes boomerang). Adults: $45.00 or $65.00 (includes boomerang).
A 1030 Kennedy Hwy, Kuranda
P 4085 5008
FB Rainforestation
Kick Academy FNQ Clinics
Sign up for Kick Academy’s Junior AFL development programs – ‘Premier Pursuit’ – for girls and boys aged 5 – 18 years. All abilities welcome! Join Kick Academy for skill development, strength and conditioning, fitness and nutrition mentoring sessions. Term 3 kicks off soon, visit the events page on their website for more details.
A Centrals Junior AFL Club, Trinity Beach
P 0499 988 335
FB Kick Academy FNQ
Cairns Central
Cairns Central is your destination for entertainment these school holidays with everything to keep the kids entertained, including the latest releases at Event Cinemas, iPlay for endless fun and over 180 stores to enjoy.
A 1-21 McLeod St, Cairns
P 4041 4111
FB Cairns Central
UMA Australia
Learn how to maximise the body’s force-producing capabilities through easy to learn martial arts movements. UMA Australia is not designed for sport competition but rather for individuals to learn practical self-defence skills. Classes cater for children as young as four years old, providing them with life-long skills in a family-friendly environment while also improving general health and wellbeing.
Junior Classes take place from Monday – Thursday at 5.30pm – 6.15pm and Saturdays from 9.00am – 9.45am. Quote PakMag and receive 1 month of training and 2 belt tests FREE OF CHARGE.
A 1/21 Donaldson St, Manunda
P Master Barry Hampton 0414 782 189
FB Universal Martial Art Cairns Australia
Mount Sheridan Plaza
Gets hands on with Sand Art from Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July at Mount Sheridan Plaza! At Centre Court from 10.00am – 2.00pm, children can make their very own masterpiece and even take it home with them.
Or, children can explore their creative side with The Great Lego Building Challenge. Heats run from Monday 5 July to Friday 9 July, while finals will be held on Saturday 10 July at 11.30 for 3 – 7 years and 12.30pm for 8 – 14 years. FREE to enter!
Heat times each day are as follows:
3 – 7 Years – 10.30am and 12.30pm
8 – 14 Years – 11.30am and 1.30pm
A Mount Sheridan Plaza, 106 Barnard Dr
P 4036 3150
E admin@mtsheridanplaza.com.au
FB Mt Sheridan Plaza
Cairns Aquarium
The adventure begins at Cairns Aquarium. As the only aquarium in the world exclusively dedicated to the habitats and species of Tropical North Queensland, visiting is a great way to keep the kids learning these school holidays in the funnest way possible. Join the ‘Under the Sea’ Costume fun these school holidays! Journey from the River to the Reef dressed as your favourite sea creature with a different theme every day! Prizes for best dressed, check out their Facebook page for all the details.
Cost: $29.00 child admission, $44.00 adult admission and $132.00 family admission (2A + 2C). Annual passes (valid 12 months) available from $62.00. Open daily from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
A 5 Florence St, Cairns City
P 4044 7300
FB Cairns Aquarium
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures offers great family fun activities for everyone to enjoy. They are open from 8.30am to 5.00pm daily, with presentations starting from as early as 9.00am. These include the Crocodile Farm Tour, amazing Crocodile Attack Show and Snake Show. The ‘Slither and Slides’ Adventure playground is also now open for children to have a blast on.
Cost: $43.00 Adults, $21.50 Children, $107.50 Family (2A + 2C) or get yourself an annual pass for unlimited entry.
A Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – Captain Cook Hwy, Wangetti, 40 Mins North of Cairns
P 4055 3576
E reservations@crocodileadventures.com
FB Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Inflatable Kingdom
Experience two and a half hours of action-packed fun on TEN massive jumping castles, inflatable obstacle courses and games. Use the sports court and ball pit to get out all your child’s energy for the day – they’ll have the absolute best time! Open every day from 9.00am – 4.30pm during school holidays.
Cost: $10.00 for children five and under and $17.00 for children six and over. Online bookings will save 10% OFF entry price. Don’t forget your socks!
A 164 Mayers St, Manunda
P 4032 2844
FB Inflatable Kingdom
Child’s World Early Learning Centre
Child’s World Early Learning Centres not only accommodate children from the age of six weeks old (Nursery) to Kindergarten/Preschool, they also do vacation care for children up to the age of 12 years. School Holiday Vacation Care includes cooked and nutritious meals, fun excursions, a home bus service on request and more, starting from just $13.00 a day. There are limited spaces available so enrol your child now.
A Vacation Care offered at Bentley Park (two centres), Mount Sheridan (two centres) and Manoora
P 4045 4045
FB Childs World Early Learning Centres
Cairns Art Gallery
Cairns Art Gallery is the perfect place for a quiet stroll with the kids. Gaze upon exhibitions from local artists and explore the world of art through self-guided or guided tours. Kids can get hands-on in an art workshop. Bookings essential. Open seven days. Free entry.
A 40 Abbott St, Cairns City
P 4046 4800
E info@cairnsartgallery.com.au
FB Cairns Art Gallery
DFO
DFO Cairns is your one-stop-shop for all fashion, designer brands and bargains. The options are endless with 60 + stores and over 600 brands. Book in for a session at Laserfun, with four 90 minute sessions daily at 10.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 4.00pm – there’s plenty of ‘laser fun’ to be found. Beat the heat at Frozen Wonderland Ice Skating and Tobogganing with one of their four daily sessions!
With Coles, free parking, free wifi and 10 + places to grab a bite to eat, there’s no better place to shop and have a day of fun with the family.
A DFO, 274 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt
P 4051 7444
FB DFO Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina
Visit The Backyard for dinner seven days a week during the school holidays with Executive Chef Aaron Habgood creating a seasonal menu that reflects Far North flavours by using the very best of the region’s fresh produce. The Backyard is open for casual waterside dining from 5.00pm all week and from noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns loves Far North locals so join GrassCutters to receive exclusive specials – including discounts on meals and drinks – as well as invitations to unique events. For those looking for a quiet spot to savour a late-afternoon beverage , the Backyard’s bar and garden are also open daily from 5.00pm until late.
A Pier Point Rd, Cairns City
P 4052 7670
FB The Backyard Cairns
Edu-Kingdom College
Edu-Kingdom specialise in tutoring services for students from Year 1 to 12 for a large range of subjects, from calculus to power writing. The professional tutors have years of experience as well as a range of teaching styles, ensuring your child will leave prepared for school and a life of learning. It gives you and your kids guidance to prepare for tests and exams like NAPLAN, Scholarship, QCS tests and Selective School Courses. Classes also run during school holidays.
Get a FREE class trial, FREE assessment test, sibling discounts and discounts for paying in advance. Visit the website for all of the information you need regarding courses, assessments and more.
A Lvl 1, 343 Sheridan St, Cairns North
P 0439 897 776
FB Edu-Kingdom College Cairns
Lake Tinaroo
Come visit Lake Tinaroo and get cosy in a cabin, glamp in a camper trailer, motorhome or caravan, or go full outback in a tent. Your days can be spent exploring Lake Tinaroo by boat, on skis or in a kayak, canoe or on a stand-up paddle board. At the park there are beautiful nature walks, a jumping pillow, and a swimming pool. You’ll get convenient access to the picturesque Tinaroo Foreshore with its playgrounds, barbecues and picnic areas. The family will never get bored!
Cost: From $29.00 (unpowered camping).
A 4-28 Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, Tinaroo
P 4095 8232
FB Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park
Flow Rider at Tobruk Memorial Pool
Keep cool these school holidays and put your board riding skills to test on the Tobruk Flow Rider, experience endless surfing fun! Or, take a dip in one of the multiple pools available – including a toddler’s pool.
Mums and dads can also take babies 6 months and under to Splish Splash Aqua Playgroup every Tuesday at 9.00am – combining fun water experiences for babies and water safety tips for parents.
Cost: Casual Swimming is from $5.00, children under 3 FREE. Pool open from 5.30am Mondays to Fridays – weekend times vary.
Flow Rider cost: $10.00 per session. Open 10.00am – 4.00pm.
A 370 Sheridan St, Cairns North
P 4051 2604
E tobruk@belgravialeisure.com.au
FB Tobruk Memorial Pool
School Holiday Drama Camps with The Young Company
Get Ready for non-stop adventures these school holidays with TYC’s Wondrous Winter Drama Programs
for kids aged 5 – 12 years old. Participate in their four-day programs and prepare for electrifying dramatic escapades. to reveal their inner actor and embrace their imagination. All programs run from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Visit the Young Company website to book.
Wondrous Winter Holiday Program – SuperSonic: Game Worlds Collide – Tuesday 29 June to Friday 2 July
Wondrous Winter Holiday Program – How to Train a Magical Beast: and Where to Find Them – Tuesday 6 July to Friday 9 July
A 169 – 171 Bunda St, Cairns City
P 4041 4066
E admin@theyoungcompany.com.au
FB The Young Company Theatre – TYC
King Reef Resort
If you’re looking to revitalise in paradise, gather the family and head to the gorgeous King Reef Resort at Kurrimine Beach. Explore all day, swim in the tranquil ocean or pool, build sandcastles on the beach and return to relax with a gorgeous sunset view from your beachfront shack. You can also hire a family pedal bike, go fishing, and more – the possibilities are endless.
A 75 Jacobs Rd, Kurrimine Beach
P 4065 6144
FB King Reef Resort
Kumon Education
Kumon’s Maths and English programs build students’ abilities step-by-step, at the students’ own pace, for ages under four to over 13 years. This means those who missed essential concepts in class can go back and catch-up, and those who are capable are free to tackle advanced content. If your child needs a bit of extra help after school, or if they need a challenge, then Kumon is right for them.
Cost: $100.00 initial enrolment fee, $140.00 per month (per student, per subject). Monday and Thursday, 2:45 – 7:00pm (Raintrees); 3:00pm – 6:00pm (Cairns North).
P 0414 957 844 Cairns North
E instructor@kumoncairnsnorth.com
P 0409 903 105 Raintrees
FB Kumon Cairns North Education Centre
Meldrum’s Bakery Cafe
Looking for a sweet treat these school holidays to share with the kids? Pop on down to Meldrum’s Bakery Cafe where they will be having a 2 for 1 Megashakes and Pancakes deal, usually $14.00 each. Make sure to visit before the 10th of July, between 7.00am and 2.00pm for this awesome deal.
A 97 Grafton Street, Cairns City
P 4000 9391
E admin@meldrumscairns.com.au
The Magical Lane
Fairies are real! Dragons too! Find them in an adventure like an escape room – this is a Quest room! Follow scrolls and find keys and codes to discover how to have all of your wishes granted by a fairy. Book a one hour tea party for the full experience.
Tea party runs Thursdays to Mondays, 10.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm. $30.00 each. Magical Quest runs Thursdays to Monday’s, 10.00am – 3.00pm. $20.00 each.
A Shop 11, 13 Therwine St Kuranda
P 0405414438
E fairy@themagicallane.com.au
FB The Magical Lane
Hayabusa of Kuranda
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture by experiencing Japanese lunch/sweets, Kimono and Tea Ceremony.
A Kuranda Original Rainforest Market
P 0475874330
E m_hayabusa@yahoo.com
FB Hayabusa of Kuranda
Go Bowling Cairns
The best deals are available online, where you can now book your lane. Holiday Deal for Kids: 1 game for $12.00 or 2 games at $19.00 per player. 2 Adults and 2 Children for 1 game each at $39.00. Kids Happy Hour runs from 9.00am – 10.00am and 3.00pm – 4.00pm. KIDS ONLY $8.00 games are also available.
A 93 Pease St, Manoora
P 0740533497
E cairns@gobowling.com.au
FB Go Bowling Cairns
Odyssey Laser Tag
Odyssey Laser Tag offers the latest sophisticated infra-red M4 and M16 laser-guns, that have real time feedback scoring systems. No playing in a restricted dark room or maze, their games are all outdoors in tactical type settings with real combat scenarios. Playing is team based. Runs 10.30am – 2.00pm at $35.00 per player.
A 803 Herberton Rd
P 40914418
FB Odyssey Lasertag
Outer Limits Adventure Fitness – Junior School Holiday Camp
The Junior School Holiday Camp is designed for kids (10-15 years) who love the outdoors and would like to learn more outdoor skills in a fun and safe environment. At the camp children can do High Ropes, Archery Tag, MTB riding, hiking, swim at waterfalls and much more. Runs from 28 June to 30 June from 10.00am – 2.00pm, at $299.00 per person.
A 5 Lookout Road, Paluma 4816
P 0401572071
E info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au
FB Outer Limits Adventure Fitness
Kitchen-Hub
Through the school holidays Kitchen-Hub will have ALL YOU CAN EAT dinners from Monday to Friday, 6.00pm – 8.00pm, from just $10.95 – KIDS pay their age! After dinner, play pool, ping pong and most of all – don’t do the dishes! Runs from 28 June – 30 June.
A 55-65 Poolwood Road, Kewarra Beach
P 0433 636 933
E wecare@spcgroup.me
FB Kitchen-Hub: All you can eat
Cairns International Tennis Centre
Kids’ Stay Active Holiday Programme runs from Monday 5 July to Friday 9 July, 8.00am – 5.00pm for ages 5 – 15 years. Fully air conditioned rooms provided, staff are fully insured and 1st Aid trained.
Cost: $50.00 per full day or $30.00 per half day.
A 356 Sheridan St
P 0421 200160
E baselinetennis@gmail.com
FB baselinetennis1
Bad Fishy Jet Boating Cairns
Bad Fishy Jet Boating is ready to THRILL! With spins, slides, speed and stunts, this activity is extreme, loads of fun and perfect for the family. View the stunning scenery of Cairns and explore Trinity Inlet all while getting the excitement of jet boating around and listening to the local Captain’s entertainment and information.
Cost: $47.50 – $209.00. Rides are 35 minutes long. Must be over 1.1 metres.
A Wharf A, The Marlin Marina, Cairns
P 0499 490 030
E bookings@badfishy.com.au
FB Bad Fishy Jet Boating – Cairns
Daintree Discovery Centre
Step into another world as the Daintree Discovery Centre takes you back 130 million years in time to when dinosaurs still roamed our planet. Meet Cryolophosaurus, the most ferocious carnivorous dinosaur of them all, or the giant megafauna such as the Diprotodon, the closest surviving relative of the wombat.
There are six life size animatronic dinosaurs to find on your pre-historic Jurassic Forest adventure, as well the Centre’s treetop walks, 23 metre high canopy tower and more.
Cost: From $18.00. $90.00 Family Gold Pass (valid 12 months).
A Cnr Cape Tribulation Rd & Tulip Oak Rd, Cow Bay
P 4098 9171
FB Daintree Discovery Centre
iPlay Cairns
Age is no limit for iPlay arcades! Whether you’re a little kid or a very grown-up kid, they have something for everyone. An abundance of the latest games matched with your favourite retros will keep you occupied for hours amongst action and fun.
Open every day of the school holiday on Monday – Wednesday 9.00am – 8.00pm, Thursday 9.00am – 9.00pm and Friday – Sunday 9.00am – 8.00pm.
A Cairns Central Shopping Centre, 1/21 McLeod St
P 4243 3209
FB iPlay Cairns
Historic Village Herberton
Australia’s mining, timber, and farming heritage lives again at the Historic Village Herberton. With quirky Australian collectibles, olden day machinery, vehicles and thousands of genuine antique items, the Village is regarded as one of the most significant outdoor museums in Australia. Spend some quality family time together and make some great memories.
A 6 Broadway, Herberton
P 4096 2002
E marketing@historicvillageherberton.com.au
FB Historic Village Herberton
