Slip on the gumboots, grab a jacket, take a breath of fresh crisp air… and wave hello to Winter!
In Winter, waterfalls are FIERCE, puddles are BIG, sunny days are made for walking, and nighttime adventures become possible for the smallest of explorers.
12 fun ideas, mini missions and tips on where to go by State - let the Winter fun begin!
Five Minute Read
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12 Outdoor Winter Ideas with Kids
1. Chasing Waterfalls
Curtains of water crash down rocky slopes, and the roar of a HUGE waterfall is something you never forget. So, when it won’t stop raining, it’s time to plan your winter waterfall trip.
Waterfall missions for kids:
- Find the loudest and then quietest spot at the falls (if safe)
- Listen for 3 waterfall sounds - drip, rush, roar, or...?
- Is it sunny? Spot the rainbow in the waterfall!
Must-see waterfalls by State (with shorter kid-friendly walks)
- VIC: Hopetoun & Triplet Falls (Otways). Mackenzie & Fish Falls (Grampians)
- NSW: Wentworth Falls (Blue Mountains). Crystal Shower Falls (Dorrigo)
- QLD: Purling Brook & Twin Falls (Springbrook National Park)
- SA: Morialta & Second Falls (Adelaide Hills and Morialta Conservation Park)
- WA: Serpentine Falls & Lesmurdie Falls (Perth Hills)
- TAS: Russell Falls & Horseshoe Falls (Mount Field)
- NT: Florence Falls & Wangi Falls (Litchfield in dry season)
- ACT: Gibraltar Falls
Remember to check conditions before you visit for closures or safety warnings.
2. Join the Mushroom Hunt
Moist soil and shady forests can only mean one thing; mushrooms will be popping up everywhere! From tiny yellow fungi to incredible red fairy-tale toadstools, there are some amazing mushrooms to discover.
IMPORTANT: NEVER eat mushrooms in the wild unless you’re with a trained guide, as they’re likely to be poisonous.
Mushroom hunting missions for kids:
- Find 3 different types of mushrooms, can you identify them?
- Find the strangest mushroom you can - give it a fun name
- Take paper and draw what you see
Where to go mushroom hunting:
- VIC: Macedon Ranges, Dandenong Ranges, Otways
- NSW: Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands
- QLD: Cooler hinterland rainforests (Springbrook, Tamborine)
- SA: Adelaide Hills and nearby forests
- WA: Perth Hills and south-west forests
- TAS: Damp forest and rainforest regions
- ACT: Canberra region bushland and nature reserves
3. Into the Night Garden
There’s something magical happening in some of our gardens and parks over Winter. When the sun goes down, the gardens come alive with sculptures, music and immersive light displays.
Most major cities host winter light experiences in botanic gardens, city centres, or cultural precincts. We have visited Lightscape in Melbourne's Botanic Gardens, and it was magical!
You may need to purchase tickets as they will sell out!
4. *SPLASH* Puddle Trails!
Rainy days are made for puddles and muddy trails. With the right gear you can walk straight off that dry boring path and head down that wet muddy trail, and before you know it, you’re off on an adventure!
Head to your local park where the water collects. The parks around rivers are always a popular spot.
Always keep an eye out for flooding and stay safe around water.
5: Snow Days
Snow is simply magical. It’s the softest, coldest and most amazing ‘play space’ you will ever find.
Build a snow creature, have a snow fight, toboggin down gentle slopes, become a snow angel, learn to ski… kids (and adults), can play for hours in the snow.
Make sure you have the right gear to keep everyone warm and dry (visit op shops, ask friends or hire equipment) and decide where you will go.
Australia's top snow destinations:
- VIC: Mount Donna Buang (Warburton), Lake Mountain (Marysville), Mount Buller, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham
- TAS: Mount Wellington (Hobart), Cradle Mountain
- NSW: Selwyn Snow Resort, Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass
6. Watch For Whales
From May to November Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales migrate from Antarctica to our warmer shores for mating and breeding. This is also the time that seal pups start to venture into the water and learn to swim!
So, grab your binoculars, head to the coast and get ready for some whale, dolphin or seal pup spotting. There are also boat tours you can go on (don't forget to rug up!)
Whale watching mini missions for kids:
- Watch for the 'blow' - a whale is nearby!
- Get counting - who is the whale spotting champion?
Whale watching hot spots in Australia
- VIC: Phillip Island, Warrnambool (Logan’s Beach), Portland, Wilsons Promontory,
- NSW: Sydney coastal lookouts, Port Stephens, Jervis Bay, Eden (South Coast), Byron Bay
- QLD: Hervey Bay (one of the best in the world for resting mothers and calves), Sunshine Coast headlands, North Stradbroke Island
- SA: Victor Harbor, Encounter Bay, Fleurieu Peninsula, Great Australian Bight
- WA: Albany, Dunsborough, Busselton, Ningaloo Coast
- TAS: East Coast Whale Trail, Bruny Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasman Peninsula
7. Winter River Walks
There’s something twinkly and special about Winter walks. The mushrooms, the flowing rivers, and how amazing you feel after that long walk.
Even better, there’s no crowds, less snakes (they’re hibernating), and no humidity. Just crisp beautiful air and different wildlife to find.
Across Australia, winter is also a time when native bushland comes alive with seasonal changes - early wildflowers, flowering gums, and bursts of golden wattles depending on your region.
Winter Walk mini mission for kids:
- Choose 5 things to find on your walk and see who discovers them first!
- Find a special spot to sit and listen quietly. What can you hear?
- Leave a hidden trail of stick arrows to find on your walk back!
8. The Great River Race!
There’s always time for a river race! Head to your local stream or child friendly river and have a river boat race.
River Racing mini mission for kids:
- Search for natural materials on the ground and build your mini boat
- Check the river run with a leaf to find your best spot.
- Ready, set... race! Who will be first?!
9. Star gazing at Dark Sky Parks
With colder, drier air and earlier sunsets - the sky opens up for brighter stars and sharper constellations!
All you really need is a dark patch of sky, a blanket, and a few minutes to let your eyes adjust. HOWEVER, ... Have you heard of Dark Sky Parks?
These are officially accredited dark sky places in Australia that have exceptional starry nights, nocturnal environments and very low light pollution.
Dark Sky Parks to visit in Australia
- NSW: Warrumbungle National Park (the first dark sky park)
- SA: River Murray Dark Sky Reserve & Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
- QLD: The Jump-Up / Winton region
10. Rockpooling!
Why save the beach for Summer? Rug up, pull on your gumboots and waterproof pants and get ready to scramble over rocks, play in the sand, peer into magical beach puddles and see what different creatures are hiding in our rocky shores.
Discover 9 amazing rockpool destinations around Melbourne.
11. Toasting Marshmallows and Winter Camping
Camping over Winter?!?! Imagine being all rugged up and gathered around a crackling fire, toasting marshmallows, and sharing stories under the starry night sky.
There will always be more camping spots available over Winter, so you can even watch for a sunny weekend and book the night before!
In fact, it's much nicer camping in our northern states in Winter.
Here are 17 great tips for camping with kids!
12. Turn Winter into adventure season with Gumnut Trails
Make Winter wonderful (and easy). Our Adventure Guides give you ready-made missions and ideas so you can head out the door and explore anywhere in Australia - without planning a thing!
It's the extra nudge we need in these cooler Winter months to keep exploring.
