Liven up your summer holidays with these fun activities

Published: 20 Dec 2024 10:53am

There is plenty for locals to see and do in Wagga Wagga and surrounds over the summer holidays with a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences to enjoy.

Our Botanic Gardens Zoo and Aviary is open seven days a week during the school holidays (except for Christmas Day) and is free to enter.

Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said there are some new residents, like baby kangaroos, baby turkeys, and baby ducks that visitors can come and meet.

To beat the heat, there are plenty of indoor activities available at our local facilities, including the library, which will host events at the Civic Centre site and at our rural villages.

Library Outreach Services Team Leader Wendy Harper said local artist Elaine Camlin will be hosting Watercolour Printmaking workshops in Galore on Tuesday 14 January.

Additionally, the library will be running drop-in sessions in Oura and Mangoplah.

“We’ll be playing games, making craft, having a cuppa and a Nintendo Switch will be available as well,” Ms Harper said. “There will also be the Summer Reading Challenge, Storytime Sessions, Family Aussie Movie Friday and other fun activities available at the library.”

Ms Harper said a special holiday treat will be a reading and signing event with children’s author Sandhya Parappukkaran.

“Sandhya writes about her childhood experiences traversing different cultures with the central theme of embracing your cultural identity.”

The event at 10.30am on 21 January is free, but bookings are necessary and can be made by calling the library on 6926 9700.

The Museum of the Riverina – Botanic Gardens site, will be presenting multiple free activities, including video games, craft workshops, LEGO® Minifigure Hunt, accompanied by free icy poles, water, and sunscreen.

The Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site is presenting two new exhibitions: The Lex Factor – From Wagga to the World Stage and The 2024 Annual Bald Archy Prize.

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is hosting a variety of workshops for primary and high-school aged kids.

For those looking to enjoy outdoor activities, the Oasis Aquatic Centre will have Inflatable Days, with large inflatable play equipment available on the outdoor pool on weekends.

These and other wonderful events are featured in the new Summer What’s On Guide, where you can find out more about the many exciting activities occurring across the city and surrounding region over the summer period.

For those looking to explore on foot or by bicycle, take advantage of the Active Travel network featuring more than 50 kilometres of shared pathways extending throughout the city and surrounds.

Families can also enjoy any of the 100-plus playgrounds available in our local government area, a number of which have brand new shade sails installed for extra sun protection.

Basketball courts are equally popular activity spots, including those in Belling Park in Central Wagga, Webb Park in Ashmont, Jack Skeers Park in Lake Albert, Henwood Park in Kooringal, and capped off by the new free-to-use 3x3 court at Wagga Wagga Beach. There are also several skate parks and BMX tracks to be found across the city.

As always, water activities remain a favourite for both residents and visitors of Wagga Wagga, with the Murrumbidgee River being a popular location for swimming and the use of watercraft.

Council encourages everyone to take care, be alert, and practise water safety around the river, inland waterways and swimming throughout the summer.