Young people across regional NSW can look forward to an exciting lineup of more than 300 free activities during the upcoming autumn school holidays, thanks to the Minns Labor Government's Holiday Break program.
Designed to provide enriching, educational and enjoyable experiences, the program ensures that young people in regional areas have opportunities to stay engaged and make the most of their school holidays, regardless of financial barriers.
Young people can stay active with rugby and basketball, mountain biking or by joining a colour fun run. Kids with a creative flair will find plenty of ways to express themselves through art workshops, craft sessions and even a unique 'Paint a Skateboard' workshop.
For social and outdoor fun, there are silent discos, music festivals, skate events and barefoot bowls to enjoy, while movie screenings offer a chance to relax and unwind.
To make it easier for families to plan, the program offers an interactive map that makes it easy to find activities nearby.
For more details, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/holiday-fun-for-regional-youth
NSW Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
"This holiday program is providing a fantastic range of activities available to young people in regional areas this autumn school holidays.
"We want to ensure young people in our regions can access engaging and meaningful experiences, no matter where they live.
"By helping to bridge the gap created by distance and financial barriers, we're making it easier for young people to stay connected to their local communities, explore new interests, and have fun while they do it."
NSW Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:
"The Holiday Break program is a great way to engage and support young people across regional NSW, helping them to stay active, explore new interests and connect with friends.
"With over 300 free activities available this autumn school holidays, we're making sure that kids and teens have the chance to try something new, build valuable skills and create meaningful relationships.
"We know access to these sorts of activities and programs can be more challenging for young people in our regions. We believe growing up in the regions shouldn't mean fewer opportunities to learn, get involved and have fun.
"This program is all about making school holidays in regional areas more enjoyable and accessible for everyone - without costing parents and families a cent."
CEO and Founder of KYUP! Project and Holiday Break grantee Mel Thomas said:
"As part of the Holiday Break program, we run half-day self-defence workshops for teens and young adults, focusing on key skills like setting boundaries, handling conflict and de-escalation techniques.
"We've been part of the Holiday Break programs since 2022, delivering workshops across the Northern Rivers, South Coast, Central Tablelands and Riverina regions. The program has been a huge success, with growing engagement and incredibly positive feedback from participants.
"These free KYUP! workshops are important for young people in regional NSW as they provide essential self-worth and self-defence skills. They equip participants with tools to recognise unsafe situations, trust their intuition and develop the confidence to protect themselves from physical, emotional and cyber-based harm.
"Offering these workshops at no cost ensures accessibility for all youth, regardless of their background or financial situation."
