School holiday bus hire makes a big family outing far simpler: one vehicle, one driver and everyone arriving together. With a bit of planning around dates, group size and stops, it can also be one of the cheaper ways to get the whole clan out for the day.
Got a date in mind? Get an easy quote in 2 minutes and lock it in early.
Ways to save these holidays
- Pick a weekday. Tuesdays to Thursdays are usually easier to book than weekends and public holidays.
- Book early. The weeks around Christmas and New Year fill fast, so confirming in November gives you more choice.
- Match the bus to the group. Twenty people fit well in a 24-seat bus, and around thirty-five suit a 39-seat coach.
- Keep the day close to home. A destination within an hour or so means less time on the road.
- Pack your own lunch. A picnic spot with tables beats buying food for thirty.
When the summer holidays run
Public school students finish Term 4 before the break begins on Friday 18 December 2026, based on the official NSW school calendar. Term 1 2027 starts for students on Wednesday 3 February in the Eastern division and a week later, Wednesday 10 February, in the Western division. Remember the public holidays on 25, 26 and 28 December, 1 January and Australia Day, which are popular dates and can be harder to book.
Non-government schools set their own dates, so check with your school if the kids go to one.
Two easy day ideas
Bents Basin, Greendale
Bents Basin is a deep waterhole in a gorge on the Nepean River between Camden and Penrith. It is a favourite for swimming, canoeing, fishing and a barbecue lunch, followed by a walk up to Caleys Lookout. It is looked after by NSW National Parks, so check for fees, closures and fire bans before you leave, especially on hot days.
Echo Point, Katoomba
For a cooler day, head up the Great Western Highway to the Three Sisters lookout. The top platform is wide, flat and step-free, which suits grandparents and prams, and there are accessible toilets nearby. Parking fees and time limits apply and weekends get busy, so a bus that drops you right at the lookout area is a real help.
Getting there
Usually the bus leaves from Nan’s place or a station car park. From Blacktown or Penrith, the M4 heads straight toward the mountains, and the Nepean side is a short drive south. We plan a set-down point at each destination so nobody is walking along a busy road with kids and eskies.
If you are based near Blacktown, there are more nearby ideas in Blacktown bus hire made easy.
Easy booking steps
- Pick two possible weekdays.
- Count adults, kids and any car seats or wheelchairs.
- Choose a destination and a rough return time.
- Pop it all into the quote form.
- Book it in and post the meeting time in the family group chat.
Holiday outing questions
Can young kids travel on the bus with their own car seats?
Let us know the ages of any young children when you book, and we will explain the seating and restraint options for the vehicle you choose.
What size bus suits about thirty family members?
A 39-seat coach gives thirty people room to spread out and space for bags and eskies.
Is it cheaper to go on a weekday in the holidays?
Weekdays are often easier to book and can work out better value than a weekend or public holiday.
What happens if a total fire ban is declared on our day?
Check the park website the morning before. If your destination closes, call us and we will help you move the date or choose another spot.
Could the bus pull in for lunch before heading home?
Yes. Add the stop to your booking so the timing is planned in advance.
Do we have to go far to make a bus worth it?
No. Even a local day out is easier when everyone travels together and nobody has to find parking.
Is November too early to book for Christmas week?
Not at all. November is the ideal time, because the days around Christmas and New Year get snapped up.
Easy quote in 2 minutes
Ready for a holiday day out? Give us two possible weekdays, your destination and how many cousins, aunties and grandparents are coming. You can get an easy quote in 2 minutes on our form.
