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Funding boost for Small Group Tuition lifting literacy and numeracy outcomes for students

The Minns Labor Government is delivering increased funding for the Small Group Tuition Program in NSW public schools this year, with $80 million invested to lift literacy and numeracy outcomes for students who need extra support to keep on track and meet their potential. 

Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Group Tuition Program was made permanent in NSW public schools through an election commitment delivered by the Minns Labor Government.

This will enable students to get access to intensive and targeted teaching in the critical foundational skills of literacy and numeracy.

The ongoing Small Group Tuition Program is a central component of the Better and Fairer Schools Funding Agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW governments.

The Minns Labor Government has enhanced the program to clearly align with evidence-based explicit teaching, while new reporting requirements will also ensure there is a measurable impact on students’ learning progress.

The Small Group Tuition Program improves reading and numeracy skills for primary and secondary students, while also providing valuable practical experience for student-teachers pursuing their Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualifications, as they can be employed as tutors in the program.

With the lift in funding for 2025, schools will be able to increase Small Group Tuition interventions from 10 to 15 weeks.

The program has been informed by research undertaken by Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), which recommends tutoring students in small groups at the ‘needs additional support’ NAPLAN proficiency level. Additionally, Grattan Institute research found Small Group Tuition is the most effective way of reducing learning and development equity gaps.

Funding is determined based on the amount of students identified through the 2024 NAPLAN proficiency standards, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are needed most.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is making this significant investment as part of our record education funding, to ensure every public school student can achieve their full potential.

“In addition to this funding boost for Small Group Tuition, the new reporting guidelines will make sure we are monitoring student progress in developing critical literacy and numeracy skills.

“This is part of our work to reverse declining student outcomes after more than a decade of neglect and mismanagement under the former Liberal Nationals government.  

“The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding the NSW public education system to ensure all students have access to a world class public education and the opportunity to succeed.”

NSW Government launches updated strategy to support veterans and their families

The Minns Labor Government is expanding support for the families of veterans as part of the NSW Veterans Strategy 2025-2030 released today.

The strategy sets out a whole-of-government approach to support the wellbeing of veterans and their families and acknowledge their vital contribution to NSW.

Building on the inaugural Veterans Strategy released in 2021, the strategy continues vital support while taking a greater focus on women veterans, along with the spouses and the children of veterans.

Key additions to the strategy include:

  • Building on the successful public service Veterans Employment Program by developing peer-support networks for veteran employees. The Veterans Employment program has been adopted by 30 councils and helped more than 1,000 veterans into jobs across NSW
  • Developing career resources for veterans’ partners. This digital road map will also deliver resources to educate employers, policymakers, and stakeholders about the experience of spouses and partners
  • Supporting the children of veterans by promoting resources for schools and teachers of defence force-connected students, such as when transitioning between schools.
  • Providing greater flexibility of school enrolment requirements for the children of veterans until a family has secured housing.
  • The NSW Office of Veterans Affairs is partnering with RSL NSW and Monash University on an important research project aimed at improving support services for women veterans in NSW.

The NSW Government has considered last year’s recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the Commonwealth Government’s response in finalising this strategy.

The Government’s ongoing engagement with veterans, their families and ex-service organisations has ensured lived experience has remained central to the strategy.

Its suite of programs and initiatives aims to ease the transition into civilian life for veterans and their families and honour service.

Other components of the strategy include:

  • Supporting the continued roll out of Veterans and Families Hubs that provide wellbeing services, support and opportunities for veterans and their families, with 5 hubs open and more to be announced soon
  • Resources to help veterans into employment and to establish or grow their careers such as conducting ‘jobs ready’ workshops for veterans and promote veteran friendly employment opportunities
  • Delivering a new memorial to acknowledge our contemporary veterans and their families.
  • Support for veterans affected by problem gambling.

Key actions of the current strategy are available in the NSW Veterans Strategy 2023–2024 Final Report.

To download a copy of the NSW Veterans Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030.

Minister for Veterans, David Harris said:

“I am pleased to announce the second Veterans Strategy which will allow the NSW Government to better recognise, inform and support the almost 130,000 veterans and their families who call NSW home.

“This strategy is focussed on the experiences of veterans and their families, and the issues that matter most to them.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering outcomes to support veterans and their families and recognise them for the sacrifices they have made.

“The Strategy continues the great work of the first NSW Veterans Strategy and includes a number of new programs, initiatives and partnerships.”

Housing Delivery Authority State Significant Development declaration

A further 14 projects have been declared as State Significant Development following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

Of these proposals, 9 are in metropolitan Sydney and 5 are in regional NSW.

If lodged and approved, this could create more than 4,200 homes across New South Wales.

To date, 78 proposals amounting to more than 32,100 potential homes have been declared state significant.

Since the formation of the HDA, 15 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The Ministerial Order can be found here

LABOR TO TRANSFORM IRONBARK CREEK

Newcastle’s Ironbark Creek will be transformed by a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will contribute $10 million towards the $62 million flood mitigation and naturalisation project in Wallsend.

This project will convert a degraded and graffiti-covered urban drain to a living stream by providing new aquatic habitat to link restored upstream riparian corridors with the internationally significant Hunter Wetlands – home to more than 200 species of birds.

Wallsend has experienced severe flooding events in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2021 which saw significant impacts to the community, the local environment, disrupting lives, businesses, infrastructure and local development.

The project will also widen the channel which will reduce the impact of flooding on local communities and infrastructure.

This project builds on the very successful Albanese Government Urban Rivers program that has funded over 100 projects to clean up local rivers and waterways and improve much needed green spaces in our cities and suburbs.

Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas. Their survival relies on healthy rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.


Federal Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek:

“We know Australians care deeply about nature and want to do their bit to protect the environment for their kids and grandkids.

“This project means a degraded drain will become a thriving creek which will provide vital habitat to native species and improve flood resilience for local communities.

“We’ve seen the real impact projects like this we’ve already support through our Urban Rivers program has had for nature and communities, with projects like removing invasive weeds and rehabilitating the Lane Cove River corridor to better protect the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, restoring more than 3 hectares of native oyster reefs that had been decimated by disease in the Georges River, and habitat restoration and improving wetland connectivity to support fish populations in Cairns.

“After a decade of environmental vandalism by the Liberals and Nationals, Labor has made record investments to undo the damage done.

“We’ve protected an extra 100 million hectares of Australian ocean and bush, approved enough renewable energy to power more than 10 million homes and increased recycling capacity by over 1 million tonnes a year. We’re also investing more than half a billion dollars to save our native plants and animals from extinction.

“The choice at the election couldn’t be clearer. Labor who will protect nature, fund essential science, invest in threatened species, and act on climate change. Or the climate deniers and wreckers of the Liberal and National parties who haven’t made a single commitment that would help improve nature.”


Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP:

“For too long our community has lived with the shocking consequences of major flooding, which has caused significant distress for residents, while also constraining economic development in Wallsend.

“This $10 million commitment from the Albanese Labor Government is another great example of government’s working together to deliver for our community.

“I want to thank Wallsend residents for their steadfast advocacy on this issue – Labor has got your back.”


NSW Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery MP:

“This $10 million contribution from the Albanese government is very welcome. This project is vital for the residents and businesses in the low lying areas of Wallsend to protect against future flooding events like we saw in 2007 and 2015.

“I want to thank Sharon Claydon who has always been a fighter for better infrastructure out here in the West of the City. I’ve been working for this project for years so to see this contribution means a great deal to me.”

Housing battle lines drawn: Labor tinkers while prices soar, Dutton sends prices even higher, Greens tackle tax handouts & cap rents to fix the housing crisis

The Greens say the election housing battle lines are now clear, with Labor tinkering around the edges while prices soar, Dutton’s debt plan set to send prices into the stratosphere, while only the Greens will tackle negative gearing and capital gains tax handouts that are pushing prices out of reach of renters and first home buyers.

The major parties are only acting on first home buyers after years of Greens pressure, and while it’s good to see Labor starting to take the problem seriously, by leaving investor tax handouts flowing and rents uncapped, the problem will only get worse. 

The Greens said they won’t stand in the way of Labor’s changes to the first home guarantee scheme or further investment in housing construction. However, the Greens on Sunday reiterated their urgent call for action to stop the housing crisis getting worse, including grandfathering negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount handouts to one property only, capping rent increases and government investment in public housing.

The Greens have also said Peter Dutton’s plan is a dangerous debt trap that could push house prices to skyrocket even further out of reach of renters and first homebuyers. Dutton’s plan announced today will lift house prices with more money entering the market, and mean that after the first five years of what is typically a 30 year mortgage, first home buyers will see a massive spike in their mortgage repayments.

Labor’s plan also won’t lower mortgages for first home buyers, keeping them in housing stress. According to CoreLogic data, the average house price in Australian capital cities is over $1 million. With a 5% deposit under Labor’s First Home Guarantee scheme, a borrower faces repayments over $6,000 a month, or nearly three quarters of the average full-time income, meaning home ownership remains out of reach for the vast majority of renters.

The government’s proposal to build more homes is over 8 years and will at best mean only approximately 80 homes per electorate per year starting in two years. 

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:

“Renters and first homebuyers are on the national agenda because of the Greens.

“The election housing battle lines are now clear. Labor tinkers while prices soar, the Liberals will send prices even higher, but the Greens will fix investor tax handouts and cap rents.

“We won’t stand in the way of Labor’s policy, but tinkering around the edges won’t be enough to stop house prices skyrocketing because of tax handouts to wealthy property investors, and Peter Dutton’s plan is a dangerous debt trap that could push house prices into the stratosphere.

“Under Labor’s plan your mortgage will still be huge, Peter Dutton will make it even bigger, and neither of them are doing anything about rents. 

“While Labor and the Liberals give $176b in handouts to wealthy property investors, house prices will continue to skyrocket out of reach of renters.

“To fix the housing crisis we urgently need to reform negative gearing and the capital gains discount, cap rent increases and get the government to build homes people can genuinely afford.

“Tinkering around the edges means allowing house prices to continue to soar and generations of renters locked out of affordable housing altogether.

“After today’s announcements, the choice is clear. 

“If you’re worried about your rent or mortgage, you can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result.

“The Greens are the party of renters and first homebuyers, and in minority government the Greens will get Labor to take real action to fix the housing crisis.”

Greens Housing and Homelessness spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather MP:

“Jim Chalmers once said that reforming negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount was the most meaningful lever the government could pull on housing affordability. He was 100% right. 

“While the Greens won’t oppose Labor’s tinkering around the edges, the reality is the only way we finally give millions of renters a chance at home ownership is by scrapping negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount for property investors with more than one home. 

Now that Labor has acknowledged it possible for the government to directly fund the construction of housing for first home buyers, the Greens will push Labor to adopt our full plan to establish a government developer to directly build 610,000 homes sold and rented to renters at capped prices.

“With regards to the home guarantee, we’ve seen the show before, another first home buyer scheme promising the world, but all that happens is house prices and bank profits keep going up, while more and more people are locked out of home ownership forever.

“While Labor tinkers and Dutton proposes dangerous debt traps that will turbo charge house prices, the Greens will use minority parliament to push Labor to reform negative gearing, cap rents and establish a government developer to build 610,000 genuinely affordable homes for renters.”

Grass is greener at Smith Park following major upgrade

The sights and sounds of sport will soon return to Smith Park following City of Newcastle’s delivery of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the Hamilton North site.

The playing surface has been significantly improved by the installation of new drainage and irrigation, the realignment of fields used for cricket, football and Oztag, as well as the repositioning of three synthetic cricket wickets.

Chair of the Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said City of Newcastle is committed to delivering spaces that bring people together for active living and social connection.

“We’re proud to have worked closely with the community and sporting groups to improve this 56,000 sqm park,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“This project contained a significant scope of works. Drainage improvements include 13 new stormwater pits, more than 330 metres of stormwater lines and more than five kilometres of subsoil drainage lines.

“Irrigation upgrades feature a new pump station, two water tanks and more than 3.7 kilometres of irrigation lines with sprinklers for watering.

“These improvements represent stage one of the Smith Park Masterplan and are consistent with the long-term vision for the park, meeting the needs of all users including Hamilton Azzurri Football Club, junior and senior cricket, and Newcastle Oztag.

“Future works proposed for Smith Park include carpark realignment, a community building, a multi-sports court and lighting.”

The upgrade was delivered by City of Newcastle with support from a $2.56 million grant secured by the Newcastle Junior Cricket Association through the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said projects like these show the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering fit for purpose infrastructure that benefits all members of the community.

“Local sport infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping communities healthy, active and connected and these improvements will allow the fields to cater for more participants and more playing time,” Minister Kamper said.

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he’s pleased to be part of a Government that is committed to ensuring green spaces such as Smith Park meet the needs of our community.

“Upgrading green space in the city is crucial to supporting local communities and provides a safe place for people to gather and connect,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“I look forward to seeing our local sporting talents benefiting from these fantastic upgrades.”

President Andrew Cornwell said Newcastle Junior Cricket was thankful to the NSW Government and City of Newcastle for delivering this much-needed upgrade.

“Smith Park will now provide a first-class hub for our junior cricketers and will support the growth of cricket into the future,” Mr Cornwell said.

“Our cricketers will now have access to quality grounds that will be more resilient to wet weather and drought.

“The project is a great example of what can be achieved when sporting codes work together with Council.”

Smith Park isn’t the only popular park receiving an upgrade, with City of Newcastle also installing a new irrigation system at Wallsend Oval One and Two.

The improvements are being delivered by City of Newcastle in collaboration with Wallsend District Cricket Club, which successfully secured a grant from the Federal Government under the Investing in Our Communities Program.

The project also includes the installation of irrigation tanks and pump shed infrastructure, with the works likely to be completed in June.

New guide to help landholders navigate the energy transition

The Minns Labor Government and NSW Farmers have teamed up to launch a new guidebook that will help empower landowners and community members to better navigate and understand the transition to renewable energy.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe, Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey and NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin are visiting the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) to launch The NSW Renewable Energy and Transmission Guide.

Developed by NSW Farmers in collaboration with the Queensland Farmers Federation and the NSW Government, the guide is designed to ensure landowners in NSW are better-informed as they engage with developers, government agencies and contractors in the REZ and beyond.

The guide will assist landowners who are considering hosting wind, solar or battery projects, and those engaging with energy companies about transmission projects in their region. It also aims to demystify the energy transition for neighbours and broader community members.

The NSW Renewable Energy and Transmission Guide includes:

  • Information for landowners considering renewable energy projects, supporting them through negotiations and agreements with renewable energy developers.
  • Guidance about the processes involved in transmission design, planning and delivery.
  • Information about each party’s roles, rights and responsibilities.

The guide stems from an agreement between NSW Farmers, EnergyCo and ACEREZ, the network operator for the REZ, to communicate with landholders and collaborate on projects to improve farmer, landholder and community understanding of the energy transition.

Renewable energy development will bring huge opportunities for regional NSW. The Central-West Orana REZ is expected to attract up to $20 billion in private investment to the region by 2030, creating 5,000 construction jobs and opportunities for local suppliers.

The NSW Government is also investing $128 million in communities which host the Central-West Orana REZ, through grants for community groups and Councils. The recipients of the first round of grants have been announced today, to inject funding into the area before major construction starts.

The guide will be available in print and on the NSW Farmers website.

Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“This guide reflects our commitment to working with farmers, landowners and others to give them the information they need to engage confidently in renewable energy projects.

“We thank NSW Farmers for their collaboration on this guide. It will be a go-to resource for individuals, businesses and communities as they seek information about the REZ.”

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty:

“The NSW Renewable Energy and Transmission Guide will assist farmers as they navigate the opportunities and challenges involved in the transition to renewable energy in NSW.

“This guide will help landholders understand the potential impacts of development and their rights and responsibilities as well as how to maximise land productivity and benefit from new investment in the region.”

EnergyCo CEO, Hannah McCaughey:

“It is critical that landowners are across their rights and responsibilities, and the opportunities this once-in-a-generation project brings.

“Host communities are at the centre of the transition and should benefit from their role in it.”

NSW Farmers President, Xavier Martin:

“Farmers are keen to understand how things work practically and what their options are as renewable energy development continues.

“By equipping farmers and their communities with that knowledge, this guide aims to help landholders navigate the transition, so we can get the right thing in the right place, built in the right way.”

NSW Independent Agriculture Commissioner, Alison Stone:

“Renewable energy offers farmers a powerful opportunity to drought-proof their income and strengthen resilience for the future.

“By working together to integrate renewables responsibly, we can not only safeguard our farms but also unlock new streams of income, creating a sustainable, thriving agricultural landscape for generations to come.”

Further information:

Where is the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone?

  • The state’s first REZ is in the Central-West Orana region, centred by Dubbo and Dunedoo. It also takes in cities and towns including Gulgong, Mudgee, Wellington and Gilgandra.
  • Transmission lines for the REZ will travel 240 kilometres, with the easement taking in 0.04 per cent of the total agricultural land in the four impacted local government areas.
  • It is expected to bring up to $20 billion in private investment to the region by 2030, and support around 5,000 construction jobs as well as opportunities for local suppliers.

What is a Renewable Energy Zone?

  • REZs will group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW. Five zones have been identified and will keep NSW electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, delivering large amounts of new energy to power our regions and cities.
  • REZs will help deliver lower wholesale electricity costs and place downward pressure on customer bills through increased competition, while supporting local jobs and business opportunities during construction and operation.

Showbags given green light for 2025 Royal Easter Show

Families heading to the Sydney Royal Easter Show can rest easy knowing this year’s showbags are child friendly with NSW Fair Trading inspectors testing the nearly 400 bags to make sure the toys and cosmetic items meet strict standards.

With an impressive overall compliance rate, traders have demonstrated their commitment to consumer safety, with only three showbags requiring minor adjustments to meet Australian Consumer Law.

A total of 397 showbags were inspected, with just three identified as having non-compliant products. These included:

  • A doll tea set unsuitable for children under 36 months due to small parts presenting a potential choking hazard, which the trader has agreed to remove from the showbag.
  • A children’s bow and arrow set missing the mandatory warning label: “WARNING: Do not aim at eyes or face.” In this case the trader has agreed to affix the required label to ensure compliance.
  • Two children’s cosmetic products lacking mandatory ingredient labelling which the trader has now agreed to affix to the products.

A final check of the bags has been carried out today by inspectors confirming the required changes have been made.

Further inspections will be carried out across the Easter Show precinct to ensure all products sold comply with Australian safety standards.

Beyond inspections, NSW Fair Trading is also on hand at the Easter Show to chat with visitors about their consumer rights.

Whether you have a burning question about your rental agreement, need tips on avoiding dodgy used car deals, lithium-ion battery safety, or just want to know more about your rights around property and strata matters, NSW Fair Trading’s friendly team will be on hand to help with expert advice at their stand, located in the Home and Lifestyle Pavilion.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Families can enjoy the magic of the Easter Show knowing that NSW Fair Trading has checked every showbag to make sure the products inside meet the highest safety standards.

“Traders have done an excellent job this year, with only a handful of products requiring minor adjustments to meet compliance – a testament to their commitment to consumer safety.

“Showbag inspectors have been on the beat at the Royal Easter Show since the 1960s and our inspectors continue to make sure kids and kids-at-heart can enjoy their showbags safely.”

Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann:

“NSW Fair Trading’s stall at the Easter Show is a great opportunity for people to get answers to their consumer rights questions, whether it’s about renting, buying a car, or understanding product safety.

“The team is here to help consumers make informed choices – from ensuring they get a fair deal on a used car to knowing what their landlord can and can’t do.

“If you’ve ever had a consumer rights question but didn’t know who to ask, now’s your chance to chat with the friendly team at the Easter Show.”

A giant leap for safety of families getting the train to Royal Easter Show

Sydney Trains has installed rubber gap fillers on all platforms at Olympic Park Station to give families with small children attending the Royal Easter Show added peace of mind for a safe and memorable day out. 

Rubber gap fillers bridge the space between the train doors and platforms.

Last year, 15 people fell through the gap at Olympic Park Station – 13 of those during the Easter Show period when close to 400,000 people travelled there by train.

More than half of all falls into the gap across the rail network happen at the busiest stations, and often as families with kids are on the way to or from an event.

That’s why the rollout of gap fillers has followed the numbers of slips, trips and falls, with installation at Circular Quay and platforms at Town Hall, Martin Place, Wynyard, Bondi Junction, Redfern, Chatswood, Wolli Creek and Central.

Since they were installed at 26 priority platforms not a single person has fallen through the gap.

Stations to receive the safety upgrade shortly include Epping, Lidcombe, Strathfield, Blacktown, Hurstville and Sydenham.

Minister for Transport John Graham

“Childhood memories of the Royal Easter Show should be all about show bags, rides and the best animals in show – not a frightening fall at the train station on the way.

“We saw the numbers of Easter Show-related falls at Olympic Park last year and we have fast-tracked the installation of gap fillers so a trip to show is as stress-free as possible for the hundreds of thousands of parents getting their families there by train.”

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said:

“There has not been a single fall through the gap recorded on any platform where this solution has been rolled out since the program began four years ago.

“There are always big crowds visiting the Easter Show every year, and many of those will arrive by train, so this safety measure will offer parents some added peace of mind.”

New Campaign positions Sydney as ‘coolcation’ capital

Sydney is leaning into the global ‘coolcation’ movement with a new campaign that positions the Harbour City as a must-visit winter destination – vibrant, active and distinctly world-class.

The Minns Labor Government’s tourism and events agency Destination NSW will this month launch its Feel the Sydney side of winter campaign, which showcases the Harbour City’s cool weather attractions. 

Recently added to the Cambridge Dictionary, ‘coolcation’ refers to the growing trend of travellers seeking cooler climates over traditional summer getaways. Booking.com’s Nine Predictions for Travel in 2025 found that 42 per cent of travellers now prefer cooler destinations, confirming the shift.

Sydney is already ahead of the curve. According to Tourism Research Australia, the city welcomed 8.7 million domestic and international visitors between June and September 2024, injecting more than $6.6 billion into the visitor economy. 

This follows the Minns Labor Government renewed focus on bringing the fun back to Sydney, through relaxing restrictions on nighttime trading and outdoor dining, lifting the concert caps at our major venues and investing in attractions that will boost the state’s visitor economy. 

This year’s winter line-up features a dynamic program of major events, including Vivid Sydney, NRL State of Origin, Sydney Comedy Festival, MJ the Musical, Titanique, British and Irish Lions Tour, and TCS Sydney Marathon, alongside art exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (Cerith Wyn

Evans) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala) and many more. 

Visitors can also explore on foot or by bike, dive into adventure in Western Sydney, discover hidden pockets of the city, learn about the rich history of Aboriginal culture, or dine at acclaimed restaurants – with experiences to match every energy level. 

The campaign will launch across digital media, content partnerships, radio and press in Victoria, Queensland, ACT, Sydney and regional NSW from 18 April 2025. 

For more inspiration and to plan your Sydney coolcation, visit Sydney.com. 

Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said:  

“Winter in Sydney is filled with vibrant activity and endless opportunities. Nowhere else in the world, can you go whale-watching during the day along pristine coastal waters, enjoy ground-breaking art, musicals and festivals, attend international sporting events, and be just over an hour from a jaw-dropping mountain range. 

“Whether it’s heading to your favourite cosy restaurant, or soaking up the winter sun on a coastal walk, Sydney shines all year-round as Australia’s only truly global city.  

“We encourage visitors and locals to plan a Sydney ‘coolcation’ when international events, cultural celebrations and natural wonders shine brighter than ever. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, winter is an incredible time to experience Sydney.” 

Fit City Tours Director Matthew Morris said:  

“Sydney in winter is the sweet spot — cooler weather, but not freezing cold, with a calmness that makes it feel like the city is yours to explore. We’re seeing more travellers, especially from interstate and overseas, choosing active experiences that keep them outdoors and let them connect with the city in a unique way.  

“Our Hidden Gems Walking Tour has become a favourite for those wanting to uncover quirky facts and unexpected spots across the CBD, while the Harbour Sights Running Tour is perfect for early risers keen to catch that golden morning light over the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.” 

Lifestyle Charters Charter Manager Sam Higgins said: 

“Winter is no time for slowing down when it comes to exploring Sydney Harbour. We love the change of season and the new opportunities it brings, from private Whale Watching experiences offshore, incredible early winter sunsets over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to intimate nights enjoying the Vivid Sydney light displays.  

“During these months and throughout the year we welcome visitors from all around the world, from the Americas to Europe to Eastern markets including China. Our guests are transfixed by our incredible Harbour and its famous cityscape. Everyone wants the photo, but also a moment to stop, relax and take a breath from the hustle and bustle of the Sydney CBD.” 

Bonza Bike Tours Manager Ivy Youster said: 

“The Bonza Bike Tours team loves winter in Sydney! The cooler weather is ideal for cycling, and the golden afternoon light creates the perfect backdrop for photos. Sydney’s moderate climate is really appealing for international travellers trying to escape the summer heat of the northern hemisphere.  

“Our guided rides remain a top pick for those wanting to see iconic sights like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge while soaking up insider stories and hidden gems. Interestingly, winter attracts a growing number of active retirees and solo travellers, looking to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed pace.  We’ve also seen a steady increase in families and small groups booking private tours during the school holidays.”