Wagga Wagga will be abuzz with activities this summer

Published: 21 Dec 2023 2:35pm

With the school holidays now in full swing there is plenty for locals and visitors to see and do in Wagga Wagga and surrounds over the summer.

Our wonderful facilities are providing experiences and workshops to keep children and teens occupied during January.

The Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary is open seven days a week during the school holidays and is free to enter.

Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said animal encounters every morning will allow visitors to get up close to some of the beloved animals.

“Visitors can come along and interact with some of our very friendly residents, such as Arnold the Olive Python and Zeke the Dingo, daily from 10.30am,” Ms McNamara said.

“This is followed by the feeding of kangaroos, emus, deer and camels, and at 12:30pm the miniature ponies are taken for a walk in the grounds of the Botanic Gardens.”

Oasis Aquatic Centre will be hosting Inflatable Days - large inflatable play equipment available on the outdoor pool on weekends, and Outback Lifesavers will be back to teach young people valuable water safety and lifesaving skills over 5 days from 15 January.

To beat the heat there are plenty of indoor activities available at our local facilities, including the Wagga Wagga City Library, which will host events in-house and at villages across the local government area

Library Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper said “local artist Elaine Camlin will be holding Concertina Art Book Workshops during the school holidays, one in Collingullie on Friday 5 January and one here at the library on Tuesday 16 January.”

Additionally, the library will be running a Print and Go workshop at Galore; participants will design and print their own library totes but are welcome to bring a t-shirt of their own to print on. For holiday reading needs, the Agile Library will be on site.

The holidays will include free all-ages bingo at Humula on Wednesday 10 and Tarcutta on Tuesday 23 January and a MarioKart tournament on Monday 29 January at the library.

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is hosting Art Camp for children and teens, including making dragon masks, superhero capes, badges, and the Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site also has a range of free activities available during the holidays, including hat making, origami, digital scavenger hunts and free icy-poles.

There are also plenty of free outdoor activities available throughout Wagga Wagga and surrounds.

The Active Travel network features over 50 kilometres of shared pathways which is great for families to go walking and cycling, and there are 100 playgrounds available in the local government area, some with newly installed shade sails for extra sun protection for playground users and carers.

Basketball courts are featured in parks around Wagga Wagga, such as Belling Park, Webb Park in Ashmont, Jack Skeers Park in Lake Albert and Henwood Park in Kooringal, and for those who love to be on wheels there are several skate parks and BMX tracks to be found around the region.

A map of locations can be found on our website

As always, water activities are a favourite for most living in, and visiting Wagga Wagga, and the Murrumbidgee River is a popular location for swimming and the use of watercraft.

Council would like to remind everyone to take care, be alert, and practise water safety around the River, inland waterways and swimming pools throughout the summer.

For tips on water safety visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/riversafety

To find out what’s on near you in Wagga Wagga and surrounds go to visitwagga.com