When are NSW spring school holidays in 2026?

NSW spring school holidays 2026 run Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026. Always verify at education.nsw.gov.au for the confirmed calendar.

When are ACT spring school holidays in 2026?

ACT spring school holidays are approximately Saturday 26 September to Monday 12 October 2026 — verify the confirmed dates at act.gov.au before planning.

What is the best thing to do in Jervis Bay in the spring school holidays?

Whale watching for the calf season, Bay and Bush kids' bee workshops, snorkelling at Hyams or Murrays Beach, and Booderee National Park are the top picks. Book whale watching and bee workshops well in advance.

Are Bay and Bush bee workshops running in the spring school holidays?

Yes — Bay and Bush kids' bee workshops typically run during NSW school holidays including spring. They fill quickly. Book via bayandbush.com.au/kids-bee-workshops-jervis-bay/ as soon as you have confirmed plans.

Is Booderee National Park open in the spring school holidays?

Yes — Booderee is open year-round. Entry is $20/vehicle. Check booderee.gov.au for current access conditions before visiting. The Red Point Picnic Area (adjacent NSW National Parks) is managed separately — check nationalparks.nsw.gov.au for its current status.

Spring School Holidays in Jervis Bay 2026: Family Planning Guide

NSW spring school holidays 2026 run Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026 — verify at education.nsw.gov.au. ACT families may overlap from approximately Saturday 26 September to Monday 12 October — check act.gov.au for the confirmed ACT term dates before planning. Jervis Bay in late September and early October is one of the most underrated times to visit: whale calves are returning south, bee workshops run specifically in school holidays, water temperature is rising, and accommodation is well short of summer pricing. This guide covers what to book ahead, what works as a walk-up, and what to check before you go. Last checked: 27 July 2026.

Quick Facts
NSW Spring Holidays	Monday 28 September–Friday 9 October 2026 (verify at education.nsw.gov.au)
ACT Overlap	Approximately Saturday 26 September–Monday 12 October — verify at act.gov.au before planning
Whale Season	Southbound calves active September–November — book cruises 4–6 weeks ahead
Bee Workshops	Bay and Bush, Woollamia — book via bayandbush.com.au; fills during school holidays
Huskisson Market	Second Sunday of each month — 11 October 2026 falls in the final week of holidays
Run Huskisson	31 October 2026 — 2.5km Fun Run, register early at runhusky.com.au

Book These Ahead

Bay and Bush Kids' Bee Workshops (Woollamia): hands-on sessions for children about bees and beekeeping, run by Bee Inspired at Bay and Bush Retreat. These fill during school holiday periods — book via bayandbush.com.au/kids-bee-workshops-jervis-bay/ as soon as you have confirmed travel dates. Whale watching cruises: September is the beginning of the southbound calf season — mother and calf pairs are among the most sought-after sightings of the year. Book with Jervis Bay Wild (jervisbaywild.com.au) 4–6 weeks ahead. Accommodation: spring holidays are popular with Sydney and Canberra families — book early especially for the first week (28 Sep–4 Oct) when ACT families may be overlapping.

Whale Watching and Wildlife in Spring

Late September and early October is the start of the calf season for humpback whales returning south along the NSW coast. Jervis Bay is an established feeding and resting ground — sighting rates remain high and calves are a highlight. Cruise from Huskisson Wharf with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises. Shore watching from Plantation Point (Vincentia, free), Cape St George Lighthouse inside Booderee National Park ($20/vehicle entry), and Point Perpendicular on the Beecroft Peninsula (weekends, public holidays, and school holidays only — verify access at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au before driving out). Dolphin encounters: the resident bottlenose pod is reliably seen through spring — Dolphin Watch Cruises offers a sighting guarantee. Rock pooling at Greenpatch (Booderee) is excellent in the warming spring conditions.

Booderee: Access and What to Check

Booderee National Park is the anchor of any Jervis Bay school holiday visit — Greenpatch Beach, the botanic gardens, Green Patch picnic area, and Cape St George Lighthouse are the main draws. Entry fee: $20/vehicle. Check booderee.gov.au for current access conditions before visiting — some areas can have temporary road or access closures, particularly after weather events. The Red Point Picnic Area (adjacent Jervis Bay National Park, managed separately by NSW National Parks) has had scheduled closures in July 2026 — check nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/red-point-picnic-area/local-alerts for current status before planning a visit. Last checked: 27 July 2026.

Easy Walks and Active Options

Spring is ideal for walks that feel too cold in winter. Good options for families: the Greenpatch to Hole in the Wall walk (Booderee, approximately 3km return, suitable for capable young walkers), the Hyams Beach foreshore walk (flat, pram-friendly), the Huskisson mangrove boardwalk (short, flat, good for kids learning about coastal ecosystems), and sections of the Jervis Bay Walking Track between Huskisson Wharf and Huskisson Beach. Cave Beach is worth considering for older kids and teens — a longer walk from the carpark and dramatically less crowded than Hyams.

Markets, Cafes and Rainy-Day Backups

Huskisson Beach Market: the second Sunday of October is 11 October 2026 — the final week of spring holidays. A good all-ages morning activity. Maritime Museum Markets: first Saturday of October is 3 October — within the holiday period, with the museum collection also open. Cafes: Owen Street in Huskisson is the main food strip; Hyams Beach Cafe is the go-to for the beach end of the region. For a rainy spring day: Indoor Climb South Coast (15 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson), the Maritime Museum, and the Bay and Basin Leisure Centre indoor pool in Vincentia are the main wet-weather anchors.

Plan Ahead: Run Huskisson

Run Huskisson (31 October 2026) falls just after the spring school holidays end but is worth planning for if you want to combine an October Huskisson weekend with a race morning. The 2.5km Fun Run is designed for first-timers and young runners. Register early at runhusky.com.au — accommodation in Huskisson fills well ahead of the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are NSW spring school holidays in 2026?: NSW spring school holidays 2026 run Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026. Always verify at education.nsw.gov.au for the confirmed calendar.
When are ACT spring school holidays in 2026?: ACT spring school holidays are approximately Saturday 26 September to Monday 12 October 2026 — verify the confirmed dates at act.gov.au before planning.
What is the best thing to do in Jervis Bay in the spring school holidays?: Whale watching for the calf season, Bay and Bush kids' bee workshops, snorkelling at Hyams or Murrays Beach, and Booderee National Park are the top picks. Book whale watching and bee workshops well in advance.
Are Bay and Bush bee workshops running in the spring school holidays?: Yes — Bay and Bush kids' bee workshops typically run during NSW school holidays including spring. They fill quickly. Book via bayandbush.com.au/kids-bee-workshops-jervis-bay/ as soon as you have confirmed plans.
Is Booderee National Park open in the spring school holidays?: Yes — Booderee is open year-round. Entry is $20/vehicle. Check booderee.gov.au for current access conditions before visiting. The Red Point Picnic Area (adjacent NSW National Parks) is managed separately — check nationalparks.nsw.gov.au for its current status.