Theme Parks in New South Wales

Seven places, but only two sit inside Sydney. Luna Park Sydney at Milsons Point is the classic harbourside park; Visit NSW mentions rollercoasters, sideshow games and a Ferris wheel with harbour views. Reviewers say the ride mix suits mixed ages from about five up, that park food is expensive, and that most rides close on weekdays outside school holidays. Raging Waters Sydney at Prospect has been rebranded as Sydney Action Park and is temporarily closed; its own site says a water coaster is under construction and old season passes no longer work.

Water is the theme further out. Jamberoo Action Park, about an hour south of Sydney by the operator's account, is described by Visit NSW as the state's largest family-owned water theme park, with tobogganing and slides for all ages; reviewers praise the upkeep and picnic areas, and warn that it sells out on peak summer days. Aqua Island at Moama is different in kind: a floating inflatable course on a natural lake for kids five and up, with tickets sold only in advance and no showers on site.

Two are holiday-town parks. The Big Banana Fun Park in Coffs Harbour mixes indoor and outdoor attractions; Visit NSW lists water slides, toboggans, laser tag and ice skating, and reviewers say slide queues can pass thirty minutes in school holidays. Magic Mountain Merimbula is the quieter option, with toboggans, go-karts and water slides that reviewers say suit ages one to nine, though major rides are sometimes closed.

The odd one out is Scenic World at Katoomba: four different ways into the valley plus a rainforest walk with dinosaurs, and reviewers say families with kids usually spend three to four hours there, with the valley floor noticeably cooler than the township.