Spring is sneaking in, and it’s trying to tempt you outdoors!

Flowers are blooming, baby animals are appearing, the days are getting longer and there are little adventures waiting around every corner.

Whether you’re in the city, by the coast or somewhere in the bush, here are 10 fun spring activities to get the family outside, exploring and smiling.

Let the adventures begin! (Five Minute Read)

 _________

1. Pick your own fruit!

Spring is the start of picking season in many parts of Australia, from strawberries and berries to cherries and other seasonal fruit.

Find a local farm where you can pick your own and turn it into a mini adventure. Kids can hunt for the ripest fruit, fill their own baskets and see where their food comes from.

Tip: Picking seasons vary around Australia, so check what’s ripe and whether bookings are required before you go.

2. Grow a veggie patch!

When the soil warms up and the sun comes out, it’s the perfect time to find a little patch of earth and start growing! Plant a few flowers, or have a go at your own veggie patch. Tomatoes, basil, strawberries, climbing beans, cucumbers, zucchini, capsicums, lettuce and carrots are all fun to grow.

There’s something magical about watching tiny seeds turn into plants, checking on them each day, and then picking your own food to eat. 

3. Go looking for baby animals

Spring is a brilliant time for wildlife spotting. Birds are nesting, many animals are raising young and everything seems to be getting busier.

Turn a walk through your local park, wetland, bush reserve or national park into a wildlife mission.

Look for kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, possums, lizards and native birds — and keep an eye out for babies and always keep your distance. 

Depending on where you live, spring can also be a great time to spot some very special wildlife encounters, from koala joeys to whale calves.

Early mornings and late afternoons are often the best times for wildlife spotting.

4. Go flower spotting

Spring is when Australia really puts on a show. From tiny native orchids to carpets of colourful wildflowers, there are spectacular blooms to discover across the country.

You don't need to travel far either. Look for a local bush reserve, botanic garden, national park or roadside wildflower trail.

Some spectacular spring destinations include:

• Western Australia – famous for its incredible wildflower season, particularly around Perth and through the south-west.
• Canberra & the ACT – spring gardens and bushland bursting into colour.
• Victoria – the Grampians, Otways, Bendigo region and Alpine areas.
• South Australia – the Adelaide Hills, Flinders Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula.
• New South Wales – the Blue Mountains and many coastal and inland reserves.
• Tasmania – native wildflowers and alpine blooms across parks and reserves.

Turn it into a treasure hunt by seeing how many different colours, shapes and types of flowers your kids can find.

Remember: admire wildflowers where they grow — don't pick them!

5. Hunt for spring blossom

Not all spring colour comes from wildflowers!

Depending on where you live, you might find cherry blossoms, tulips, roses, flowering fruit trees or streets lined with colourful jacarandas.

Spring blossom makes a simple walk feel like an adventure, so find a local garden, park or street known for its flowering trees and go exploring.

Make it a challenge: How many different colours can you spot? Can you find a flower that has fallen on the ground? Can you find the biggest tree in bloom?

In Canberra, spring brings the city to life with millions of blooms, while Sydney's jacaranda season creates spectacular purple displays later in spring.

6. Get active on a nature walk

Shake off the final winter blues and head out for a Spring walk.

You don't need to tackle a huge mountain. Find a short local trail with something interesting along the way - a creek, lookout, waterfall, bridge, giant tree or rocky section to climb over.

Make the walk itself the adventure by giving kids challenges along the way:

Can you find animal tracks? Who can spot a bird first? Can you find three different textures? Where does the path lead?

If your kids aren't keen on walking, call it an exploration mission instead and don't forget to take along our Bush Adventure Guide for guaranteed fun. 

See our hiking with kids blog for more tips. 

7. Head to the beach or rockpools

Spring is a brilliant time for a beach adventure before the summer crowds arrive.

Forget swimming for a while and give the kids a different mission: explore the shoreline!

Search for shells, look for tiny crabs, investigate rockpools, hunt for interesting seaweed and see what creatures you can spot hiding between the rocks.

Be inspired with our Beach Adventure Guide - filled with scavenger hunt, games and ideas all inspired by Australia's coastal wonders.  

And if it's warm enough for a paddle, even better!

Just remember to check local conditions and tides and leave marine life where you find it.

8. Go on an adventure picnic!

Pack a picnic and go exploring! Find a new park, botanical garden, riverside spot, beach or bush reserve and pack lunch to take with you. 

But don't just sit on the picnic rug. Give the kids a mission to explore the area before lunch. Look for interesting leaves, listen for birds, find something tiny, spot a hidden pathway or see how many different plants you can find.

You could even make your own Spring Adventure Bingo before you leave:

• Find a flower
• Spot a bird
• Find an interesting rock
• Watch an insect
• Find a giant tree
• Find a cloud shaped like a baby animal

Sometimes the best family adventures are the ones that don't require a big day trip.

9. Chase waterfalls after Spring rain

Spring rain can bring waterfalls to life, making them a fantastic destination for a family adventure.

After a good downpour, head out to a nearby waterfall or creek and see what has changed. Listen for the rushing water, look for tiny waterfalls along the track and see what wildlife has appeared after the rain.

Across Australia you'll find spectacular waterfalls in places like the Blue Mountains, Great Otway National Park, Dorrigo National Park, Lamington National Park, Tasmania's wilderness areas and the Adelaide Hills.

You don't even need a famous waterfall — sometimes a local creek after rain can be just as exciting.

Always check track conditions before heading out after heavy rain, as paths can become slippery or flooded.

10. Go on a Gumnut Trails Adventure! 

Spring is the perfect excuse to explore somewhere you've never been before.

Find a hidden beach, wander through a new bush trail, explore a rockpool, hunt for wildlife, discover a quirky garden or take the bikes somewhere different.

Our Beach, Bush and Backyard Guides will give you the missions and games to make it fun for the whole family. Turning any outdoor space into an adventure. 

Our Melbourne Adventure Guides give you the trails and activities all in one.