Family holiday fun on the road beyond Sydney this Spring

S YDNEY and surrounds is spectacular come the Spring time, so where do you start? Get your Sydney car rental organised and consider a drive to these family holiday attractions. It's a guaranteed fun time for everyone.

Family fun at a magical zoo in Dubbo. Picture: Rick Stevens, Western Plains Zoo,

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

4-5 hour drive from Sydney

It's all about the "zoofari" at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, according to some of the DriveNow team members who have visited in recent times. Do it your own style at your own pace, whether you walk, drive or ride around the Zoo's five kilometre circuit on hired bikes or carts, and you can be certain there's a lot to see and do. So the 4 to 5 hour drive from Sydney is well worth it.

The Zoo is home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants and big cats. Daily keeper activities (included in zoo entry) and special tours deliver magical experiences you will never forget. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days, giving you ample time to experience all that is on offer.

Don't miss the the Zoo's African Lion Pride Lands precinct. Explore a sprawling visitor area with views across to the Lion pride! Get an up close view at the glass viewing windows, or hop on board Pride Lands Patrol, a purpose-built safari tour that journeys deep into Lion territory (additional cost).

The Zoo's free access Savannah Visitor Plaza includes shop, playground and cafe overlooking Savannah Lake and Primate Island, home to Black-handed Spider Monkeys and Ring-tailed Lemurs.

Jamberoo Action Park

An hour south of Sydney

A family holiday you will never forget is gauranteed when you discover NSW’s largest family owned and operated water theme park that's chock-a-block with world class rides and attractions. A variety of park attractions come directly from the passion and supervision of being 100 percent privately owned and operated. Set amongst the mountains in Jamberoo and with the back-drop of the spectacular Illawarra escarpment, Jamberoo Action Park offers a unique experience. Best of all, admission into the Park covers all rides and attractions and parking is free, so you can experience all that Jamberoo Action Park has to offer all day long.

TreeTops Newcastle

Less than 2 hours from Sydney

TreeTop Adventure Park has almost 100 challenges in the tree tops, where you and the kids can slide down flying foxes, move from tree to tree on suspension bridges and enjoy many more activities up to 20 metres above the forest floor. Within the beautiful site of Blue Gum Hills Regional Park enjoy a special kind of experience high in the trees. There are 20 flying foxes of different length and height to satisfy everyone on this family holiday in Newcastle.

Science Space in Wollongong

1.5 hours from Sydney

The Science Space is a fantastic hands-on science venue in Wollongong, in southern New South Wales. Suitable for all ages, attractions include two floors of exciting interactive exhibits, a science theatre, and the incredible planetarium. The Science Centre Shop at the entrance is the largest retail outlet of its kind in Australia. The shop has been designed to reflect the activities throughout the Science Centre and is a popular destination for visitors. A kiosk, café, and outdoor picnic areas are also available.