The Complete Guide to Best Ice Skating Rinks in Sydney for Kids
Ice skating is one of those activities that feels special every time — there is something magical about gliding across ice that kids never get tired of. We have been taking our children to Sydney's rinks since they were toddlers, and it has become one of our favourite regular outings.
Sydney has three permanent ice rinks, each with its own character. Ice Zoo in Mascot is open seven days a week and is our top pick for families. Toddler entry is just $17, children aged five to fifteen pay $25, and adults $27 — all with skate hire included. Their Tuesday evening Cheap Skate session at $22 for all ages is the best value in Sydney, and the Saturday night Ice Disco from $19 is a hit with older kids. They also run a Skate Academy with drop-in lessons at $40 or a ten-lesson pass for $260.
Macquarie Ice Rink in North Ryde reopened in December 2025 after an eight-month multi-million-dollar renovation. The upgrades include next-generation ice-making technology, new boards and plexiglass, a jumbotron, upgraded lighting and sound, and improved accessibility. Adults pay $32 for a two-hour session, children under sixteen pay $28, and children under five with a paying adult are just $12. Parking is easy — three hours free at Macquarie Centre.
LCC Ice Rink at Liverpool Catholic Club in Prestons is the South West Sydney option. Non-member pricing is $24 for adults and $21 for children aged five to fourteen, with discounted sessions available at lower rates. They run a dedicated Playgroup on Ice for two to six year olds at $17, which is a gentle introduction for the very young. Note that skate hire is an extra $5 at LCC, unlike the other two rinks where it is included.
Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink is currently closed for a major $17.9 million NSW Government renovation. This historic venue — a former aircraft hangar that opened in 1971 and produced Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury — is expected to reopen in late April 2026 with a new roof, concrete ice floor, upgraded facilities, and modernised seating for 300 spectators.
During winter, seasonal pop-up rinks operated by Stars on Ice appear at locations including Darling Harbour, Bondi, and Campbelltown. These typically run from late June through July, with 2026 dates expected to be announced in May or June. Pop-up pricing ranges from $15 for toddlers to $28 for adults.
1. Permanent Ice Rinks Compared
Sydney's three permanent rinks each serve different parts of the city and offer distinct experiences.
Ice Zoo in Mascot is the most family-focused rink and our top recommendation. Open seven days, it offers the widest range of sessions — general public skating, Cheap Skate Tuesday at $22 for all ages, Saturday Ice Disco from $19, figure skating practice, hockey sessions, and their Skate Academy learn-to-skate program. Skate hire is included in all pricing. Multi-session passes offer savings for regular skaters — ten sessions for $200 or a monthly pass for $310. Birthday parties from $390 for ten guests make it a popular venue for celebrations.
Macquarie Ice Rink in North Ryde is the premium option following its multi-million-dollar renovation in December 2025. The investment shows — next-generation ice quality, a new jumbotron, upgraded lighting and sound, and improved accessibility. Located inside Macquarie Centre with three hours free parking, it is the most convenient rink for North Shore and North West Sydney families. Children under five skate for just $12 with a paying adult, making it the cheapest toddler entry in Sydney.
LCC Ice Rink at Liverpool Catholic Club in Prestons serves South West Sydney. Their Playgroup on Ice for ages two to six at $17 is a gentle, supervised introduction for very young children. Membership brings the price down meaningfully — members pay $21 for adults and $18 for children versus $24 and $21 for non-members. The club membership is worth considering if you plan to visit regularly. Note that skate hire is $5 extra here, unlike the other two rinks.
2. Seasonal Pop-Up Ice Rinks
Every winter, Sydney transforms several outdoor spaces into temporary ice skating rinks, creating a festive atmosphere that permanent rinks cannot quite match.
Stars on Ice is the major operator, running pop-up rinks at multiple Sydney locations each winter. In 2025, their locations included Darling Harbour, Bondi, Campbelltown, Pittwater, and Lane Cove. The Darling Harbour rink is the flagship — in 2025 it ran from 29 June to 20 July with adults at $28, children at $20, and toddlers at $15. Penguin aids were available for $10.
The Bondi Festival Ice Rink ran in July 2025 with similar pricing — ages four and under at $15, five to fourteen at $22, and fifteen and up at $28. Their Saturday morning skating lessons with champion figure skaters at $39 including session entry were a standout addition. Helmets were provided free.
Chill Fest Campbelltown added roaming performers, light displays, and artificial snowfall alongside the ice rink for a full winter festival experience.
Important note: 2026 winter pop-up dates have not yet been announced as of April 2026. Dates are typically confirmed in May or June each year. Follow Stars on Ice and the individual festival pages for announcements. Pop-up rinks are weather dependent and sessions are shorter than permanent rinks — usually 45 minutes to one hour — so arrive on time to maximise your ice time.
3. Lessons and Birthday Parties
Ice skating lessons and birthday parties are two of the best reasons to visit Sydney's rinks beyond casual skating.
Lessons: Ice Zoo's Skate Academy is the most structured program, offering drop-in lessons at $40 per session or passes — five lessons for $160 and ten for $260. Lessons cover fundamentals including balance, stopping, turning, forwards and backwards skating, and building overall ice confidence. Macquarie Ice Rink runs learn-to-skate programs that have expanded following their renovation. LCC Ice Rink includes lessons in their programming schedule. For a one-off experience, the Bondi Festival pop-up offers Saturday morning sessions with champion figure skaters at $39 including session entry. Group lessons suit most beginners — private lessons are available for children who want accelerated progression or have specific goals like figure skating or ice hockey.
Birthday parties: Ice Zoo's party package at $390 for ten guests is the standout. It includes food, drinks, a dedicated party space, a party host, and a group skating lesson — the lesson element means even first-time skaters feel confident before free skating. Additional guests cost $39 each. Party space hire alone is $50 if you prefer to arrange your own catering. Ice skating parties work best for ages six and up. The novelty factor is high — most kids have not been ice skating, so it feels genuinely special compared to another play centre or trampoline party.
4. What to Wear and Bring Ice Skating
Getting the clothing right makes a huge difference to your family's ice skating experience — too cold and you will cut the session short, too bulky and it restricts movement.
Layers are key. Start with a thermal or long-sleeve base layer, add a warm jumper or fleece, and bring a jacket you can remove once you warm up from skating. The rink temperature sits around minus five to zero degrees Celsius, but you generate body heat through movement, so many skaters remove their outer layer after 15 to 20 minutes.
Long pants are non-negotiable — falls are inevitable for beginners, and bare knees on ice are painful. Jeans or thick tracksuit pants provide protection. Waterproof pants are ideal but not essential for a casual visit.
Gloves are a must. Hands touch the ice during every fall, and the cold plus wet combination is unpleasant without them. Any warm gloves work — they do not need to be waterproof for a single session.
Warm socks provide comfort inside the hire skates. Avoid thin cotton socks — thicker sports socks or wool socks keep feet warmer and reduce rubbing.
Avoid scarves that hang loose — they can catch during falls. A neck warmer, snood, or tucked-in scarf is safer. Also remove any jewellery that could catch or scratch.
Bring: gloves, a water bottle, and a small towel or spare socks in case feet get damp. If your child is a first-timer, budget an extra $10 to $17 for a penguin or dolphin balance aid — it transforms the experience.
“Ice skating in Sydney runs year-round at permanent rinks and pops up seasonally at Darling Harbour and Bondi. Penguin aids make it accessible from age 3, and the sheer novelty of skating in a city with no snow makes it magical for kids.”
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About Tamara
Sydney mum of two and founder of KidsPlaySpace. Tamara has visited hundreds of play centres, playgrounds, and kids venues across Sydney to bring families honest reviews and real recommendations.
