Winter School Holidays in Kangaroo Valley

Home Blog Nature and Wildlife Winter School Holidays in Kangaroo Valley
Two young girls stand with their paddles and a canoe

Inspiring Indoor and Outdoor Adventures for Families

Winter is the perfect season for families to reconnect, explore, and embrace both outdoor adventure and cosy indoor moments.

The secret to loving winter is simple. Make the most of the daylight hours, then reward yourself with something warm, delicious, and comforting once the sun sets early.

And remember, being cold and hangry is not fun. So, along the way, we have included some of our favourite local cafes and refresh stops to keep everyone happy.

Get Outside and Embrace Winter

Winter is one of the most beautiful times to explore the region. Fewer crowds, clear air, and landscapes that feel raw and peaceful.

Canoeing at Bendeela 

Our favourite winter activity in Kangaroo Valley is a gentle midday paddle at Bendeela. It is calm, scenic, and perfect for families of all ages.

Our family canoes are stable and designed for connection. Getting your body moving is one of the best ways to stay warm, and there is something special about being out on the water in the winter sun. You can even keep your feet dry.

Guided Abseiling Adventures   

If your family is looking for something a little more adventurous, a guided abseil is an unforgettable experience.

It gets the heart pumping, warms you up instantly, and builds confidence in both kids and adults.

Shoalhaven Heads Dog Beach

For families travelling with dogs, a visit to Shoalhaven Heads Dog Beach is a must.

Let the kids and dogs run free, breathe in the ocean air, and enjoy a long walk together.

Afterwards, treat yourself at Bangalay Dining. It is perfect for a relaxed lunch or even a special overnight stay.

Berry Village Stop

Berry is a beautiful stop for families, with the Boongaree Playground for a play, the iconic donut van for a sweet treat, and a village full of charming shops to explore together.

A family canoeing on the river

Nature Meets Culture and Creativity

One of the most inspiring places in the region, Bundanon offers a blend of art, nature, and space to slow down.

Spend time exploring the gallery, enjoy a coffee, and wander the bushwalking trails. One of the simplest pleasures is sitting on the hillside and taking in the view of the Shoalhaven River.

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre is a perfect mix of indoor comfort and outdoor beauty.

Warm up with a hot chocolate or something warm from the café, then head out for the waterfall walk. The track is easy, accessible, and suitable for all ages, including wheelchair access.

Easy Adventures for All Ages

Shoalhaven Zoo & Tree Tops Adventure

For a mix of wildlife and adventure, this is a fantastic family stop.

Spend time connecting with animals, then take on a high ropes course set among the trees. It is a great way to stay active while still immersed in nature.

Nowra Nest Climbing Gym

For cooler or rainy days, the Nowra Nest Climbing Gym offers a great indoor option.

Climbing helps build confidence, keeps everyone warm, and maintains that sense of adventure even when the weather turns.

Round the Bay Walk / Bike Path

The Round the Bay Walk from Huskisson to Plantation Point is an easy, family-friendly track suitable for prams and bikes.

Expect white sands, aqua blue water, and the chance to spot dolphins or even whales in season.

Explore the Southern Highlands

Robertson Rainforest Walks

Head to Robertson for accessible rainforest walks surrounded by lush greenery.

Belmore Falls and Carrington Falls offer easy viewing platforms with stunning scenery. Afterwards, warm up with a hot drink in the village, many with fireplaces to cosy up beside.

Ngununggula Regional Gallery

Located in the Southern Highlands, Ngununggula offers creative workshops for kids and families alongside a beautiful gallery space.

Do not miss a stop at Moonacres for wholesome food and delicious treats.

Winter Tips for Families

Winter adventures are all about planning and preparation.

  • Make the most of daylight hours and plan outdoor activities earlier in the day
  • Aim to be somewhere warm and cosy by late afternoon
  • Dress in layers, with beanies and gloves
  • Keep everyone fuelled with warm drinks and nourishing food

Staying warm and comfortable means everyone enjoys the experience more.

A Season Worth Exploring

Don’t let winter stop you from getting outside. In fact, it might just be the best time to explore.

At Valley Outdoors, we believe that time in nature together matters in every season. So, rug up, get outside, and discover the awe and wonder of winter in Kangaroo Valley.

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Ready to plan your winter adventure?

Join us on the river for a family-friendly canoe experience or explore our range of outdoor activities designed to help you make the most of your time in Kangaroo Valley. Book your next adventure with Valley Outdoors today

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Close up of a winter campfire
Canoeing on the Shoalhaven River
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Tourism Tribe
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We had the pleasure of working with Valley Outdoors, an outstanding guided tour business based in Kangaroo Valley. The team offers bespoke experiences — from abseiling to canoe journeys — with a genuine focus on connecting people with nature. The recent acquisition of the iconic Kangaroo Valley Safaris is a real testament to their passion for growing adventure tourism in the region. A wonderful Australian tourism business doing it the right way. 100% recommend!
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Omar
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Met the owners and they are lovely!!
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Joe Nissim profile picture
Joe Nissim
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Had a brilliant trip with Valley Outdoors. Trev and Sarah were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The trip itself was spectacular and thoroughly enjoyable too- beautiful scenery and great to be exploring Kangaroo Valley for a few days.
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Alekya Polu profile picture
Alekya Polu
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We have recently visited Kangaroo valley and have done River Cannoying had a very good experience, we are glad that we have chosen Valley Outdoors for Hiring our Cannoying boat and equipment, the owner was so kind and gentle and professionally guided us and well prepared us with all the necessary information for Cannooying in the river, we told them we are not professionals,doing it for very first time.Their equipment including the quality of boats were really good.I also ended up in buying some swim warmers with decent prices,they were of so good quality with rare colours available which you barely can find outside I definitely recommend my friends to this shop.
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Lisa Shakhovskaya
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Had the best experience ever! Trav is an amazing guide, we had so much fun. We got to see a few azure kingfishers (dream come true!), a wallaby and a bunch of water dragons. Highly recommend for anyone visiting KV!
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Y B
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The absolute BEST time. Thank you Sarah for your pleasant and kind nature. Andy our kayak guide was brilliant. Highly recommend
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Alexander Iskrenov
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We had a great afternoon in a canoe cruising down the river. Sarah was extremely friendly and patiently walked us through what we should expect. Brie took us to the place and everyone received an excellent crash course on how to handle the equipment. The density of wildlife is truly astonishing - wombats, lyre birds, kingfishers, red belly blacks to name a few. We are looking forward to visiting again!
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Irene Bartlett
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From the first contact with Sarah I was blown away by her kindness and gentleness. My friend and I had an awesome adventure with valley outdoors and our guide Matt was just incredible. His knowledge of the river and wildlife was so educational. I would highly recommend this business to anyone who is looking for something different to do and to see parts of kangaroo valley that most people don't get to see . Thank you everyone for a fabulous experience.
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Michael Marr profile picture
Michael Marr
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4 person expedition in single kayaks from Hampden Bridge to Bendeela Camp ground with Ken. Beautiful day, perfect temperature. Some fun, small rapids and 45 mins to a small beach for a coffee, chocolate and Lilly stop and then another 45 mins to the end. Stunning scenery, has the river to ourselves. Highly recommend doing this with Valley Outdoors,who are so well organised and friendly. Pleasure to deal with.
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Georgia S
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What a trip. The scenery!!! Incredible and I can't recommend Valley outdoors enough. An incredible professional team. We felt so supported with planning and in the execution of our trip - the hire gear was all in great condition. We enjoyed having the company of many wallabies, goannas, cheeky food stealing possums and Mountain Goats. So cool and especially our kiwi friends enjoyed seeing them in there natural environment Memories forever. Thank you

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the Wodi Wodi People, of the Dharawal language constellation, as the traditional custodians of the Gangagruwan/Kangaroo Valley in which we live and work. We recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities and we pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past, present and emerging.