Dinosaurs, Dragons & Easter Magic
- intouch Magazine
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
A long time ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the Hunter Valley was a land of volcanoes and untamed wilderness. Every Easter school holidays, Hunter Valley Gardens brings that ancient world back to life with its annual Mega Creatures event. And in 2026, the adventure takes a whole new level.
Alongside returning Jurassic favourites, visitors can now explore the brand-new Land of Legends, where ten-metre-high dragons guard crumbling castle ruins, unicorns shimmer beneath the trees, and mythical creatures step straight out of storybooks. New themed zones: Dragon Den, Dragon Floresta, Carnivore Concourse and Herbivore Hectares join the prehistoric giants for a school holidays experience like no other.
The dinosaurs remain the undeniable stars of the show. Towering animatronic giants transport visitors back millions of years, while giant insects delight and horrify in equal measure. Beyond the creatures, amusement rides, including the Swing Chair, Superslide, and Ferris Wheel, add carnival energy, and hands-on activities like Dinosaur Diggings and the Bug Hunt Adventure keep curious minds engaged.
On Saturdays, Magical Unicorn Meetings and Dragon's Quest live-action storytelling bring storybook magic to life, while the Daily Creature Egg Hunt challenges families to track down a missing oversized egg for the chance to win a family pass.
If the daytime experience is enchanting, the Night Safari is nothing short of spellbinding. On select evenings (28–29 March, 3–19 April and 24–26 April), illuminated pathways lead into a dramatic twilight world where dinosaurs loom more ominously, dragons glow against the night sky, and unicorns shimmer beneath carefully crafted lighting effects.
Easter 2026 also introduces Hoppity Hollow (3–6 April) — a structured, inclusive egg hunt designed to be a gentler experience for all children, with a chocolate reward at the finish line. The Easter Bunny will also make special appearances throughout the long weekend.
Located just one hour from Newcastle, Hunter Valley Gardens' Mega Creatures runs daily from 9am–4pm (last entry 3pm), with Night Safari sessions from 5pm–9.30pm. For tickets and full program details, visit www.hvg.com.au.
