The Australian National Maritime Museum is a reliable, easy school holiday option for families, particularly with kids aged 2–12. Set on the waterfront at Darling Harbour, it’s a well-contained day out with a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, so you can comfortably stay for a couple of hours or make a full day of it.
For the Autumn school holidays (running daily until 19th April), the museum has a packed program of hands-on activities, performances and interactive experiences, with many included in general admission.
What’s On These Autumn School Holidays
The program focuses on interactive, creative and STEM-based activities running throughout the day:
- Creative workshops, art and science experiments
- Access to real vessels and interactive exhibitions
- Touchable specimens in the Cabinet of Curiosities
- Underwater drone sessions and STEM activities (selected dates)
- Bubble-ology science performances
- “Mini Mariners” activities designed for under 5s
- “Fintastic Fridays” with dress-ups, disco and face painting
The structure is flexible, so families can move between activities rather than being locked into fixed sessions.
Kids Activity Trail
A strong inclusion this school holidays is the Kids Activity Trail, which gives the day a clear structure.
Children can follow a self-guided trail through the museum, with:
- Ocean-themed clues and challenges
- Hidden object spotting across galleries
- Learning opportunities about sea life, ships and underwater environments
- A small reward or sense of completion at the end
Aquatic Imaginarium
This indoor play space is a standout for younger children and works well as a break between more structured activities.
It’s designed as a creative environment where kids can build, experiment and explore ocean-themed ideas, with a mix of active and quieter play zones.
Kids on Deck – Maker Space
Running daily and included with entry, this is one of the most useful spaces for families.
Activities include:
- Art and craft projects
- Hands-on science experiments
- Creative building and upcycling
- Dress-ups and imaginative play
Families can drop in and out throughout the day, making it easy to fill time without needing to plan around sessions.
Explore Real Ships
Exploring the museum’s vessels is a highlight for many families and adds a more active element to the visit.
Children can:
- Walk the decks of naval ships
- Step inside a submarine
- Explore historic vessels
This is particularly useful for breaking up indoor time and keeping older kids engaged.
Food and Facilities
- Ripples Café is located on site, with waterfront seating and a family-friendly setup
- Open daily for meals, snacks and coffee
- Shaded outdoor areas are available for breaks
- Plenty of additional dining options nearby in Darling Harbour
Entry Fees
- Adult: $40
- Family: $99
- Child: $30
- Concession: $35
- Infant and Members: Free
Many of the school holiday activities are included with general admission.
Getting There
- $15 all-day parking available at Star Casino or Harbourside
- Light rail (L1) stops nearby
- Ferry access via Pyrmont Bay Wharf
- Approximately a 20-minute walk from Town Hall
Details
Address: Australian National Maritime Museum – 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
Open: Daily until 19th April, approx. 10:30am–4pm (activities vary)