Darling Harbour is gearing up for school holidays! There are loads taking place for the kids, with new activities at SEALife, WILDLife and Madame Tussauds, lots to do over at Harbourside and fireworks returning on the weekends. Let’s take a look!

Harbourside Fireworks

You can now catch an amazing fireworks show over Darling Harbour every Saturday night at 8:30pm (or 9pm when daylight savings starts). We went along last night and it was fantastic! We made a night of it with dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks and then bowling at Kingpin. It’s a great family night out!

Kingpin

Kingpin at Darling Harbour is hours of fun, with bowling, laser tag, arcade games, escape rooms, karaoke, a ropes course, and table tennis. Honestly, you could spend all day here! We had a great time bowling and playing arcade games. The staff were fantastic and the kids had an amazing time. It was the perfect place for teenagers and a six-year-old – it crosses all ages!

Pancakes on the Rocks

This was my first experience at Pancakes on the Rocks and it was not a letdown! We arrived to a queue out the door and around the corner so they must be doing something right! They have a great selection of mains, from steak and ribs priced at the $35 mark, pizzas from $15-19, savory crepes for $13-15 and kids meals for $8.95. Oh and then there are the desserts! Their famous pancakes! Get them as thick, fluffy pancakes or as crepes, there’s every combo imaginable. Nutella, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, apple crumble, the choices are endless! The kids loved it (and we did too!)

Get ‘Slimed’ at SEA LIFE Aquarium or go whale watching

We love the aquarium and these September school holidays you can get messy as part of their all-new ‘Slimed’ interactive experience.

Go on a slime-tastic underwater journey as you learn weird and wonderful facts about the slimy creatures of the sea including anemones, sea cucumbers, moray eels and ‘the most disgusting creature on earth’, the hagfish.

If the kids are brave,  they can try their hand at ‘Black Box Challenges’ and stick their hands in a mystery black box and guess what slimy creature the texture resembles! You can also participate in daily slime-making workshops at 11:00am and 2.30pm where guests learn how to create their own slime at Darwin’s Lab (located between Shipwreck and Jurassic Seas).

Also – until the end of October, SEA LIFE has partnered with Captain Cook Cruises to bring you the ultimate marine experience. Spend the morning at the aquarium and then catch the 12:30pm Captain Cook Cruises whale watching boat out past the heads to spot humpback whales as they migrate.

We went to check out the experience first hand and Tully just couldn’t get enough. We spotted humpback whales and they could be seen so clearly. It’s such a magical experience.

If you are thinking of visiting WILD LIFE or SEA LIFE (or the Sydney Tower and Madame Tussauds) you should definitely look into getting a Merlin Annual Pass. It gives you access to 12 attractions across Australia and New Zealand, 20% off food and drinks, 10% at the gift shop and you can give your family and friends 25% off their entry. To get yours, head to www.merlinannualpass.com.au

Get your hands on the creepy crawlies at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

These school holidays, you can get hands-on with all things creepy crawly at Wild Life Sydney Zoo! Get up close and personal with Giant Millipedes, Rainforest Snails, Scorpions and much more at the interactive hub, and discover fascinating features about these unique mini beasts of the wild! Oh and are you up for a challenge? There are even some bug-alicious treats for those who are game to taste them!

Super Hero Academy at Madame Tussauds

Who has a superhero fan? For a gold coin donation, when you visit miniMadame Tussauds these holidays, heroes can fly into fun craft activities at the Darling Harbour attraction and design their very own cape to help them take on the world! All proceeds raised will go to Merlin’s Magic Wand, a charity which provides magical experiences to ill disabled and disadvantaged children around the world.

Dressed in their new superhero gear, guests can also join the mission to save the world alongside Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash at the new Justice League: A Call for Heroes experience, an interactive adventure unlike any other.

Madame Tussauds Sydney’s Superhero academy is open all school holidays until 14th October, with cape making sessions between 11am-3pm and all other craft activities available all day. Hurry, capes are only available while stocks last!

Chinese Gardens 30th Anniversary

I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since the Chinese Gardens of Friendship opened. I remember 1988 and the bicentenary like it was yesterday! I was 10 and it was so much fun. My dad was working down there for several months and my sister and I had the run of the place. We loved the Chinese Gardens! These holidays get your kids in to check it out for themselves. Over the holidays there will be a number of activities such as music, storytelling, tea tastings, and exhibitions. Definitely worth the visit!

Australian National Maritime Museum

These school holidays explore the wondrous world of saltwater and experiment with hands-on activities; play with propulsion, wonder at watercraft and go wild with bubbles at Kids on Deck, be wowed by 3D film, Oceans: Our Blue Planet, relax with luminous mural making in the Deep Sea Lounge, explore Gapu-Monuk Saltwater with a creative activity trail, touch ancient shark teeth and sea creature specimens at the Cabinet of Curiosities, head under the sea on a submarine for a Torchlight Tour. And don’t forget to get the Big Ticket to visit the ships as well!

Free activities across the precinct

Over the holidays there are a number of free activities to take part in.

Sept 29 – Oct 1 (long weekend)

Inflatable Obstacle course – Tumbalong Park

Oct 1 – 12

Planting for the Planet: decorate pots and plant them – Darling Quarter

Sat 6th – Sun 7th October

Face painting – Cockle Bay Lawn (near the ICC)

Giant lawn games- Cockle Bay Lawn (near the ICC)