Things To Do With Kids in the Hills District
Experience
Holidays offer a much-needed time away allowing you to reconnect as a family and disconnect from other distractions like the office, housework and not
to mention social media and technology distractions for the kids.
The Hills District, located 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD, with rolling hills, numerous parks, reserves and riverside
picnic spots, is the perfect location for a family getaway. The Hills region has so much to offer families looking to enjoy some quality (and fun!)
time together.
If you are not sure where to start, here are our TOP 5 things to do with the kid’s in the Hills District.
1.ROUSE HILL HOUSE & FARM
The Rouse Hill House & Farm is a perfect activity to keep the entire family engaged.With an outlook over the paddocks and across to the mountains,
the farm is steeped in history.Having been owned by six generations of the one family it offers one of the most complete historic accounts and by exploring
the remaining 13 acres, its stables, summerhouse and outbuildings in addition to the farm house itself you can piece together a whole span of Australian
history over 185 years.
Today Rouse Hill House & farm features the restored 1888 Rouse Hill schoolhouse, a section of the original Windsor road turnpike and the site of the
doomed 1804 Vinegar Hill convict rebellion.Access to the property is buy guided tour only which leaves on the hour with small groups limited to 15
people – so bookings are essential!
Here the family can interact with history and experience farm life (without the 4am starts!) all in the one space with activities like feeding the cows,
riding a Shetland pony and getting up close and personal with baby animals at the petting farm.During the School holidays different family tour options are available (included in the entry fee).
Where: 356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill, NSW 2155.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm (Open daily during NSW school holidays, closed Good Friday, Christmas & Boxing Day).
Price: Family $30, Adult $12 & Concession $8.Children under 5 years are free.
Distance: Approximately 15-minute drive from The Hills Lodge.
HOT TIP: Purchase a Sydney Museums Pass for
access to 12 museums and historic houses.
2. THE HILLS BUSHWALK PROGRAM
The Hills Bushwalk Program is designed to inspire people of all ages and fitness levels to be active and this is a great option for a FREE family friendly
activity getting back to nature and learning about the beautiful bushland reserves located in the shire.
The guided walks go for approximately 2 hours and it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes, a hat, closed shoes, a drink and your camera.For night time
walks warm clothes are advisable along with mosquito repellant and your own torch.You can find updated information on updated guided walks and program
details HERE.
If you are traveling outside of the guided walk dates or prefer to set off on your own family nature walk adventure, then checkout the Tracks and Trails program with links to over walking maps and over 15 trails and tracks to choose from.We like the Heritage Trail
Baulkham Hills (10
Where: Exact location details will be provided on booking.
When: Non – Guided:Anytime!
Guided: Current scheduled walks for 2018 (at time of post) include 19th & 25th August. 01, 14 & 23 &
30 September. 04 & 19 October. 10 & 16 November 2018.
Price: FREE!
Distance: Between a 10-15-minute drive from The Hills Lodge.
HOT TIP: Bookings Essential for the Guided Tours!
3. KOALA PARK SANCTUARY
The Koala Park Sanctuary is situated on 10 acres of lunch Rainforest Eucalypt Grove and Native Gardens.Created
in the 1920’s as Australia’s first Koala Hospital, and officially open to the public in 1930.The park offers a safe environment in which Koalas can
live and breed naturally.The Sanctuary expanded to include other native Australian animals and it’s an incredible way for the family to come up close
to interact with these beautiful creatures.
A range of animal presentations and shows are included in the entry fee
including Koala, Dingo, Reptile presentations, Lamb feeding and a Sheep shearing show.There is also the opportunity to book a Drover’s Lunch and Sheep Shearing experience that will keep the kids (young and old) entertained!
Where: 84 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills, NSW 2125.
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
Price: Family $77, Adult $28, Children $15, Children 3 years and under Free.
Distance: 15-minute drive from The Hills Lodge.
HOT TIP: Take your photo with a Koala.It FREE!
4. TREE TOPS SYDNEY - THE HILLS
The TreeTop Adventure Park in The Hills offer a fun and challenging
course for Adults and Children and one to add to your holiday agenda.Here you can come up close to native Australian wildlife and magnificent Gum tress
as you climb, weave and fly through the tree tops on self-guided rope courses.
The Hills children’s course is suitable for 3-9-year olds with the average session time of 2 hours.Included in the time is 30 minutes of training and begin
set up with the appropriate gear to conduct the course.The average height of the challenges being 10 metres and there are a range of course depending
on ability and confidence level.Children are all supervised by instructors, with a supervising Adult allowed on the perimeter path.
There are Junior/Adult courses available from age 10+ available with the maximum height around 25 metres. As with the children’s course, there are
different course levels you can participate in dependent on age, experience and confidence. Courses run for 2.5-3.5 hours and a mandatory safety training
is included in this time frame.
Where: 95 Castle Hill Road, Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills, NSW 2125.
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day).Last start time is 2-3 hours before close.
Price: Adult (18+) $48, Junior (10-17) Child $15 (3-9).Family bookings receive a 5% discount.
Distance: 20-minute drive from The Hills Lodge.
HOT TIP: Bring a sense of adventure and fully enclosed (and comfy) sport shoes!Bookings are
highly recommended.
5. THE EDGE ROCK CLIMBING CENTRE
The Edge Rock Climbing centre offering maximum family fun for a very reasonable price.There
are lots of climbing routes with specifically coloured holds, which indicate different levels of difficulty.If you want to come down your belayer can
easily lower you to the ground which means you only have to go as high as you like.
The centre caters for ages from 5 to 88 years old (The Edge’s oldest climber!) so bring the entire family, grandparents included – if they are more inclined
to spectate entry is free and there is plenty of seating refreshments available.What is great about this activity is that no experience is necessary.You
will be trained by professional instructors until you feel competent and they are always on hand to offer advice.
There are caves to climb through for the little kids (however an adult could manage to squeeze through if necessary and there is another more difficult
labyrinth for the older kids to go through. It’s totally dark though and has obstacles so we recommend purchasing glow sticks at the centre or bringing
your own to add to the cool adventure.
Where: 10 Hudson Avenue, Castle Hill, NSW 2154.
When: 7 days. Monday to Friday: 12pm to 10pm.Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:9am to 6pm. School Holidays
(week days): 9am to 10pm.
Price: These can vary depending on equipment required.Adult $16 to $31, Student $13 to $28, Child (under 12) $11 to $26.Child $15
(3-9 Distance:2-minute drive (or a 7-minute stroll) from The Hills Lodge.
HOT TIP: Purchase glow sticks to add to the atmosphere when navigating the caves.
WHERE TO STAY
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, The Hills Lodge is a great place to make your holiday base with
spacious rooms, beautifully manicured lawns, an onsite day spa, a quaint cottage feel and a great swimming pool to chillax in with the kids.You can
check out availability HERE.
This only touches the surface of family activities and experiences, and school holiday activities in the Hills District.For more on what to see, experience
and what to do, you can keep up to date with Hills Shire events HERE.
All Experiences