When do NSW school holidays end in 2026?

NSW Term 2 school holidays end Friday 17 July 2026. ACT (Canberra) holidays end Monday 20 July 2026. This week is the final school holiday week for NSW families.

Is PCYC Shoalhaven still running in the final week?

Yes — PCYC Shoalhaven runs programs 13–17 July and also on Monday 20 July for ACT families. Full-day sessions 9am–3:30pm, $50 per child. Book at pcycnsw.org.au/shoalhaven — final-week availability may be better than opening-week.

What is the Husky Ferry?

The Husky Ferry is a passenger ferry operating from Huskisson Wharf during school holiday periods. The school-holiday daily service runs until 19 July 2026. Check huskyferry.com for current sailing times, fares, and their policy on prams, bikes, and dogs.

Is whale watching still good in mid-July?

Yes — mid-July is still peak humpback whale season at Jervis Bay. Cruises and shore lookouts offer a strong seasonal opportunity, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The northbound migration is in its final weeks; late July sightings are possible but start tapering after the 20th. Book with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises directly.

What happens after school holidays end on Friday?

The Husky Ferry daily service ends 19 July. PCYC runs one additional Monday 20 July session for ACT families. The Archibald Prize gallery closes Saturday 18 July. The Maritime Museum Antarctic exhibition and Indoor Climb continue beyond school holidays. Whale watching continues through winter. The region is significantly quieter after 17 July — good news for families staying on.

What to Do in Jervis Bay This Week With Kids: 13–17 July 2026

Updated 13 July 2026. NSW winter school holidays end this Friday 17 July. ACT families run until Monday 20 July. This is the live reference for families in or arriving to Jervis Bay this week — what is still open and bookable, what is free, what works on a wet or cold day, and a couple of things ending this week worth prioritising.

Quick Facts
NSW School Holidays End	Friday 17 July 2026
ACT Holidays End	Monday 20 July 2026
Last-Checked Date	13 July 2026
Archibald Prize Exhibition	Ends Saturday 18 July — last week, free admission, Nowra, 30 min from Huskisson
Magic Show — Shoalhaven EC	Thursday 16 July — check shoalhavenentertainment.com.au to book
PCYC Shoalhaven	Running 13–17 July and Monday 20 July — $50/day, book at pcycnsw.org.au/shoalhaven
Husky Ferry	Daily service until 19 July — check huskyferry.com for times and fares

Two Things Ending This Week — Prioritise If You Haven't

Shoalhaven Regional Gallery — Archibald Prize 2025 Touring Exhibition and Young Archie Shoalhaven: closes Saturday 18 July, one day after NSW school holidays end. This is the last school holiday week to see it. Free gallery entry, Nowra (30 minutes from Huskisson). The Young Archie section — portraits submitted by children — is particularly engaging for primary-age kids and tweens. Check shoalhavenregionalgallery.com.au for opening hours before driving. Husky Ferry school-holiday daily service: runs until Sunday 19 July. If you haven't done the ferry yet and want to, this is the last week. Check huskyferry.com for sailing times, fares, and what the ferry accepts (prams, bikes, and dogs are mentioned in their school holiday service info).

Thursday 16 July: The Ultimate Magic Show

The Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra is hosting The Ultimate Magic Show on Thursday 16 July — the second-to-last school holiday day. Check shoalhavenentertainment.com.au for session times, ticket prices, and age suitability before booking. The venue is on Bridge Road, Nowra, around 30 minutes from Huskisson. Combining a Thursday magic show with a morning visit to the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (last week open, free admission) makes for a complete Nowra day out. Book ahead — last-week school holiday events can fill as families look for anchor activities.

What's Still Available: 13–17 July

Last checked 13 July 2026. PCYC Shoalhaven (13–17 July and also Monday 20 July): Nowra, 30 minutes from Huskisson. Full-day supervised program 9am–3:30pm, $50 per child; gymnastics workshop days at $20. Ages 5–12 and high-school programs. Book at pcycnsw.org.au/shoalhaven — final-week spots may have better availability than opening days. Bay and Basin Leisure Centre (Vincentia, 25 minutes from Huskisson): indoor heated pool, 40-metre waterslide (10am–3pm daily during school holidays), toddler pool. No advance booking needed for general swim access. Check shoalhavenssf.com.au for current pricing. Indoor Climb South Coast (15 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson): ages 4 and up, weekdays from $11. Book at indoorclimbsouthcoast.com.au. Mid-week final-week sessions sometimes have more spots than the opening week. Jervis Bay Maritime Museum (Huskisson waterfront): Antarctic exhibition running until 13 September 2026. Children under 16 may enter free — verify entry conditions on site. The children's treasure hunt runs year-round for a full half-day indoor visit. Shoalhaven Libraries: school holiday programs at Sanctuary Point, Nowra, and Ulladulla branches this week. Check shoalhavenlibraries.com.au for session availability and any registration requirements. Whale watching: mid-July is still peak season and cruises can be a strong seasonal option. Book with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises — the final school holiday week sometimes has more cruise spots available as earlier bookings resolve. Shore-based whale watching is free at Plantation Point (Vincentia), Point Perpendicular, and Cape St George Lighthouse in Booderee.

Outdoor Options This Week

Mid-July weather at Jervis Bay is often excellent — clearer and calmer than the first week of school holidays. On clear days this week: Hyams Beach with minimal crowds (the beach is at its whitest against blue winter sky), Booderee's Greenpatch and Murrays Beach, Cape St George Lighthouse walk in Booderee for shore-based whale watching (park entry $20/vehicle), and the Huskisson foreshore walk from the wharf to the beach. Booderee access this week: Iluka Beach day use area remains closed. Greenpatch, Murrays Beach, and Botanic Gardens are fully accessible. Entry precinct works ongoing — follow signage and allow extra time at the gate. Check booderee.gov.au on the morning of your visit for any access updates.

Wet-Weather Backup Options

If the morning is wet, the best indoor options this week are: Bay and Basin Leisure Centre (waterslide — the best cold-morning indoor physical activity in the region); Indoor Climb South Coast (genuine skill-based activity that holds attention for 2–3 hours); Maritime Museum (Antarctic exhibition plus children's treasure hunt); Shoalhaven Libraries (school holiday sessions at Sanctuary Point, Nowra, Ulladulla); PCYC Shoalhaven (if pre-booked). Most Jervis Bay rain in July clears by mid-morning — build in flexibility rather than cancelling a day entirely. A wet morning followed by an afternoon beach walk once conditions clear is a very common and very good Jervis Bay winter day.

Check Before You Leave

Verify before driving to each activity this week. PCYC Shoalhaven (final week): confirm spots at pcycnsw.org.au/shoalhaven. Archibald Prize gallery (last week): check shoalhavenregionalgallery.com.au for daily opening hours. Magic Show Thursday 16 July: check shoalhavenentertainment.com.au for time and booking. Husky Ferry (last sailing 19 July): check huskyferry.com for this week's schedule. Indoor Climb: check indoorclimbsouthcoast.com.au for session availability. Bay and Basin: check shoalhavenssf.com.au for waterslide session hours (10am–3pm school holidays). Booderee: check booderee.gov.au on the morning of any planned visit. Maritime Museum Antarctic exhibition: runs until 13 September 2026 — check jervisbaymaritimemuseum.asn.au for opening hours. Whale watching cruise: book directly with operator websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do NSW school holidays end in 2026?: NSW Term 2 school holidays end Friday 17 July 2026. ACT (Canberra) holidays end Monday 20 July 2026. This week is the final school holiday week for NSW families.
Is PCYC Shoalhaven still running in the final week?: Yes — PCYC Shoalhaven runs programs 13–17 July and also on Monday 20 July for ACT families. Full-day sessions 9am–3:30pm, $50 per child. Book at pcycnsw.org.au/shoalhaven — final-week availability may be better than opening-week.
What is the Husky Ferry?: The Husky Ferry is a passenger ferry operating from Huskisson Wharf during school holiday periods. The school-holiday daily service runs until 19 July 2026. Check huskyferry.com for current sailing times, fares, and their policy on prams, bikes, and dogs.
Is whale watching still good in mid-July?: Yes — mid-July is still peak humpback whale season at Jervis Bay. Cruises and shore lookouts offer a strong seasonal opportunity, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The northbound migration is in its final weeks; late July sightings are possible but start tapering after the 20th. Book with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises directly.
What happens after school holidays end on Friday?: The Husky Ferry daily service ends 19 July. PCYC runs one additional Monday 20 July session for ACT families. The Archibald Prize gallery closes Saturday 18 July. The Maritime Museum Antarctic exhibition and Indoor Climb continue beyond school holidays. Whale watching continues through winter. The region is significantly quieter after 17 July — good news for families staying on.