The summer school holidays are for making memories, but there’s no need to jet off across the globe for family fun when Sydney’s biggest backyard is overflowing with incredible experiences.

Day trips are where it’s at this summer – fun in the sun and back home for a rest before doing it all again! So we’re taking you on a virtual journey through the treasure trove that is Western Sydney Parklands. Animal lovers, thrill seekers, foodies, and little adventurers – there’s something for every member of the family.

So let’s go bank some core childhood memories!

Western Sydney Parklands – Your Epic Summer Holidays Playground

Covering 5280 hectares and stretching over 27km, Western Sydney Parklands is where families go to play, adventure, explore and be entertained, all in one, mammoth place in Western Sydney.

Boasting the NEW Sydney Zoo, Sydney Motorsport Park, Calmsley Hill City Farm, Raging Waters Sydney, Atura Blacktown, Treetops Adventure, Skyline Drive-In and Sydney Dragway, the parklands are a fabulous mix of free and affordable summer holiday experiences.

From swinging in the treetops, to escaping the heat at the water park, exploring bushland and burning rubber at the racetrack, there’s literally an adventure around every corner, all nestled in the heart of Western Sydney.

NEW Sydney Zoo

Animal lovers are absolutely spoilt for choice at Sydney Zoo, with more than 4,000 creatures calling the beautiful, world-class facility home. With an aquarium and Australia’s largest reptile and nocturnal house, it’s a sensory delight!

This memory-making summer holiday favourite is a day packed with exotic and native species, all living in incredible habitats that make a visit feel like an immersive experience.

Book tickets to New Sydney Zoo between 25th December 2023 – 7th January 2024 and you’ll also receive free Ferris wheel rides, a free icy treat, access to an animal selfie zone and Summer water fun as well. Kids under 3 will also visit for free!

Sydney Motorsport Park

Adrenaline-packed family fun awaits at Sydney Motorsport Park, a megaplex of motorcycle and car racing where spectating is just as thrilling as being behind the wheel!

With race meetings, track days, driver and rider training and experiences there’s always something happening on and off the track. And if you’ve got a teen who is learning to drive, the Youth Driver Training Program is a great way to bolster their journey this summer.

Calmsley Hill City Farm

A unique and interactive farm experience – you’ll never believe you’re so close to Sydney’s bustling city heart! From hand-feeding nursery animals to shows and demonstrations, it’s a memorable summer’s day out the whole family will be talking about for months.

Pack a picnic lunch and fire up the free electric barbecues or grab an easy bite to eat at the Farmhouse Kiosk. From sheep shearing to animal patting, koala talks and the working dog show, it’s a fun-filled farm adventure.

Special Deal: 15% discount on adult, child and family day passes, just use code: play2023

Raging Waters Sydney

Some summer days are lazy – and others are RAGING! With more than 30 rides, slides and attractions, if the kids need a day to use up their energy, Raging Waters is the place to go!

Sydney’s biggest waterpark is a winner for every member of the family, from the family fun of the H2Go Racers and Splash Pads, to the thrilling 360 Rush and T5 Intense Water Slide. Chill out at Beach Wave Pool, or try out the brand new Whirlwind Water Slide.

Special Deals:

• $20 off day tickets with the promo code COMEPLAYDT used at the link HERE. 
• $10 off season passes with the promo code COMEPLAYSP used at the link HERE. 

Atura Blacktown

The perfect place to stay and play – set up base at Atura Blacktown for an epic family staycation, taking in everything Western Sydney Parklands has to offer. Or if you just want to visit for the day, grab a burger, steak or high tea at the Roadhouse Bar & Grill.

Treetops Adventure

Want to discover a whole new world these holidays? You’ll get views of the parklands like never before as you climb, weave and fly through the treetops on self-guided rope courses at Treetops Adventures. And the best part – rain, hail or shine you can climb, so if there’s a raining day this summer holidays, kick boredom to the curb!

Activities include the Zipcoaster, Early Bouncers, Ziplining, Networld, Junior Courses and Mountain Biking.

Special Deal: 5% off family pass tickets or 20% off your total booking when booking a ropes course and zipcoaster combination session. Discount is automatically applied to cart.

Skyline Drive-in

Why go and see the latest blockbuster the usual way, when you can throw it back old-school style and cruise into this retro drive-in cinema and catch a family flick under the stars! Cinema snacks have never tasted so good thanks to the 50s-style diner!

This is a summer school holidays bucket list activity!

Sydney Dragway

An action-packed venue with heart-stopping racing competitions and championship events, and non-pros can also race their own car or motorbike. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the calendar to see what special events are on over the holidays.

On January 19 and 20 the Sydney Dragway will play host to the Junior Titles – the perfect introduction for families wanting to get a taste of racing. And there’ll be a carnival atmosphere, with rides, fireworks, face painting and more. And the kids will get a chance to sit in a junior dragster to see what it would be like as a driver!

Free FUN in Western Sydney Parklands!

From Bungarribee Park with its wide-open scenic spaces and sealed tracks, to the Plough and Harrow picnic area and Shale Hills Dog Park everyone (including the fur-children) can enjoy fun in the sun over summer.

And make sure you pack the bikes so the kids can spend some time expending that never-ending energy at the new Wylde MTB & BMX.

No matter how your family wants to spend the summer school holidays, you’ll find the perfect day out at Western Sydney Parklands. It’s a smorgasbord of summer fun. Good luck choosing where to go next!

Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Western Sydney Parklands to bring you this article. Stretching over 5,280 hectares, through three council areas (Blacktown, Fairfield and Liverpool) and for 27 kilometres, Western Sydney Parklands really is Sydney’s Biggest Backyard.