Prehistoric Playground Mega Creatures Return to Hunter Valley Gardens

Two children observe large dinosaur statues in a grassy park. The sky is overcast, adding a dramatic mood. — Images Source: Hunter Valley Gardens

Once upon a long time ago, at a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the Hunter Valley was an ancient land of volcanoes. During the April school holidays every year, the talented team at Hunter Valley Gardens recreates this land of wonder with its annual Mega Creatures and Mega Creatures Night Safari.

Explorers both young and old can adventure through the gardens, discovering dinosaurs, spine-chilling giant insects and creatures of legend on a journey through time and imagination.

This April, Hunter Valley Gardens invites visitors to discover a fantasy world full of amazing creatures from the Jurassic age along with the brand-new Land of Legends filled with amazing mythical creatures that blend fantasy with history. Autumn is the ideal time to visit, when the days are filled with sunshine and the nights are just starting to cool down. Open from Saturday 5 April until Sunday 4 May, this phantasmagorical event is just a one-hour drive from Newcastle and two hours from Sydney. This fantastical adventure includes rides, interactive fossil digs, amazing entertainment and giant animatronic animals that will amaze visitors of all ages.

Now in its tenth year, the event takes over the immaculate gardens and manicured lawns, boasting over 6,000 trees, 600,000 shrubs and over 1 million ground cover plants, waterfalls, statues, murals and much more. Hunter Valley Gardens has planned the perfect activities to get your family outdoors, enjoying the fresh air these holidays. There are ten different zones to visit with photo opportunities at every turn such as giant butterfly wings, heads poking out of giant dinosaur eggs or getting close to your favourite dinosaur. A daytime visit to the event will allow visitors to see the entire garden, but at night, for safety reasons, only eight hectares are open.

Two kids joyfully ride a yellow amusement park attraction with arms raised. Background shows greenery and a ferris wheel. Bright, sunny day.

Each year, the team behind this family favourite event creates new displays and experiences so that no two years will ever be the same.

“We work all year round to ensure that the best ideas come to fruition, designing many of the displays ourselves with state-of the-art animatronics and speciality lighting and then sourcing them internationally,” said Kim Jacobs, Marketing Manager, Hunter Valley Gardens. “The gardens are divided into zones with different creatures to discover as you wander through the beautiful landscape.

“We are so excited for this year’s event, there are amazing new creatures, including the brand-new mythical beasts that inhabit our ‘Land of Legends’. The looks on children’s faces as they experience life size models of these mythical creatures, dinosaurs, dragons, and bugs will make the 12 months planning of the event more than worthwhile. Whether you’re coming during the day or at night, the incredible interactive displays are sure to delight guests of all ages."

"This truly is the perfect experience for everyone.”

The stars of the show are, of course, the life-sized mega creatures, including T-Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, and more. Guests will believe they have stepped back in time to a prehistoric land. Among the new prehistoric visitors for 2025 are the Maiasaura (duck-billed dinosaur) ‘the good mother lizard’ from Montana,

and Caudipteryx, the feathered, bird-like dinosaur from Asia.

2025 also sees the introduction of the brand new Land of Legends, bringing together fantastic creatures from myth and legend including the Cerberus (a three-headed dog) the guardian of the gates to the underworld, Phoenix rising from the ashes, Pegasus (the flying horse from Greek mythology), and Griffin (creature with the body, tail and hind legs of a lion and the head, talons and wings of an eagle).

Group of excited kids posing playfully near large, orange claws against a night backdrop. They're laughing and showing energetic expressions.

The Dragons’ Den allows visitors to let their imagination fly with mythical dragons, some of which even breathe fire. Meanwhile, the Amphitheatre is inhabited by giant spiders, so enter if you dare!

The internationally recognised innovator of physical and visual theatre, puppetry-based creators Erth, are returning this year. A favourite for the little ones, who adore Erth’s Roving Baby Dinosaurs that have just hatched and come in all shapes and sizes. This year you can also get up close and personal with “Leaellyn’s lizard.”

Leaelly is a genus of small herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs from the late Aptian to early Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous, around 118-110 million years ago. It was first discovered in Dinosaur Cove, Australia. You can encounter Erth’s Baby Dinosaurs and Leaelly from 11 – 27 April at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 7pm.

For a chance to win a family pass to Snow time in the Garden, keep your eyes peeled for a large dinosaur egg. If you find he egg, return it to Mumma Dinosaur in Garden Entry to win. There’s one family pass to be won daily!

There’s also a fun School Stamp Hunt through the Brumbies & Border Garden this year. Solve clever riddles and collect stamps along the way as you explore. Perfect for curious minds and little explorers, this self-guided challenge offers a fun and interactive way to engage with Mega Creatures. While there’s no prize at the finish line, the joy of discovery and the thrill of solving each clue make it an unforgettable experience for all ages. Ready to take on the challenge? Grab your stamp sheet at entry and let the hunt begin! On daily from 9am to 4pm.

Vibrant pink dinosaur with glowing red eyes and bared teeth amid neon lights and greenery, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere.

As the sun sets at Hunter Valley Gardens, the prehistoric and mythical creatures will come to life in the dark of the night during the Mega Creatures Night Safari. Beware, predators are hunting their prey around the frog ponds and paths. The Hunter Valley Gardens collection of snakes and lizards will be displayed on Reptile Road, that winds its way from the entry to the Formal Garden.

The Hunter Valley Gardens' amazing amusement rides are also available during the event. A firm family favourite, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Speed down the 35-metre Superslide that stands 12 metres high or have some twisty twirly fun in the Tea Cup. If they’re looking for thrills, try the Swing Chair which flies 11 metres above the ground. Perhaps the whole family will enjoy the vintage delight of the Italian built Venetian Carousel or the 25 metre tall Giant Ferris Wheel

with its spectacular panoramic views across the gardens providing a unique opportunity to see the dinosaurs from above - sit back, relax, take a breath and enjoy the view. Rides are $6 per ticket or why not grab a bonus ride pack – six tickets for the price of five ($30).

The Night at the Museum display, located in the marquee near the rides, allows budding archaeologists to get their hands dirty as they discover mythical fossils, while learning some amazing dino facts.

A fun day or night out can make you hungry and with so many food options available you’ll be spoilt for choice. Head to Grumpy Gorillaz for corn ribs, chicken wings, ribs, fajitas, brownie cups, cheesecake cups or tiramisu cups. Mad Macks serves up rice bowls, wraps and thick shakes. The HVG Trailer offers loaded fries, bacon & egg rolls, pulled beef burgers, tempura prawn tacos, smashed avocado sourdough, kids’ meals and soft drinks. Baked N Loaded do nachos and baked potatoes. Tropical Sno is where you’ll find the perennial favourites of SnoCones, hot dogs, Indian food, dumplings and Pluto Pups. There’s woodfired pizza from Gelato Bros, light up fairy floss from SomSom Candy, and the Garden Terrace Café is open daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Green and blue dragon sculpture with outstretched wings in a park, surrounded by lush trees and bushes, on a sunny day.

Easter is a very special time at the Hunter Valley Gardens and there’s no better place to celebrate with your little ones. Over the Easter long weekend, you just may have the chance to meet a certain bunny and have your photo taken. There’s a Giant Easter Egg Hunt with thousands of brightly coloured eggs to collect. The Hunts will be conducted on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of April, with two sessions on Friday and Monday and three sessions on Saturday and Sunday, with the 10am session dedicated to children under six years of age only. Every child that takes part in the Easter Egg Hunt receives an Easter chocolate. Tickets for the Easter Egg Hunt are $2 per hunt/per child and must be purchased online with any family pass (as an add-on at checkout). Kim wants people to know that they need to leave enough time to enjoy the event.

“My biggest tip is to leave enough time to enjoy everything the event offers. Come at the start of the sessions, check out the times for the roaming dinosaurs and plan your visit properly.”

Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens, like Snow Time and the Christmas Lights Spectacular, are major drawcards for the region with many visitors coming from interstate and regulars who make it a family tradition to annually experience these special events, creating magical memories to last a lifetime.

OPENING HOURS:

MEGA CREATURES DAY SESSION: 9am – 4pm, last entry 3pm

MEGA CREATURES NIGHT SAFARI SESSION: 5pm – 9pm, last entry 8pm

TICKET PRICES

DAY OR NIGHT

Adult (16+ yrs) $41.00

Children (4-15 yrs.) $31.00

Children (3 yrs. & Under) FREE

Extra Child with Family Pass $28.00

Family (1ad+2ch) $96.00

Family (2ad+1ch) $102.00

Family (2ad+2ch) $126.00