20 Exciting Things To Do In Sydney With Kids

This submit could include affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a small fee, without charge to you, for those who make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.

Caz and I each grew up an hour north of Sydney and visited the town numerous instances as children, and now with our personal youngsters, we’ve found there are much more issues to do in Sydney with children.

It’s a metropolis that retains on giving, and also you’ll by no means run out of issues to do, despite the fact that we maintain going again to our favourite spots.

Sydney is without doubt one of the world’s prime vacationer locations for a purpose and whether or not you will have toddlers or pre-teens, you’ll discover there’s one thing for everybody on this metropolis.

If that is your first time visiting Sydney and also you’re undecided what to do along with your children, under are my prime steered actions for households that we like to do with our household!

Issues To Do In Sydney With Children

There are our prime issues to do in Sydney with children

1. Discover Round Quay

If that is your first go to to Sydney as a household, the most effective place to start out is in Round Quay.

The Quay is the primary transport hub of Sydney Harbour and it’s right here that two of Australia’s most well-known landmarks reside: the Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Although we’ve been many instances, we nonetheless wish to marvel round and take our “I used to be right here” picture in entrance of those well-known constructions and really feel the heartbeat of the town.

There’s most likely no different tempo that may jolt you awake out of your jet lag and have you ever saying to your self ,“Hey, I’m in Sydney!”

On any given day, particularly a sunny day, Round Quay is a superb place to stroll about or simply sit and watch the ferries come and go.

If you wish to step inside and expertise the inside of the Sydney Opera Home, contemplate taking a 1-hour tour. 

Being a busy transport hub you’ll additionally discover many outside cafes and eating places lining the harbour, so for those who skipped breakfast you possibly can seize a fast chunk right here!

2. Do The Bondi to Bronte Coastal Stroll

We by no means get bored with doing the Bondi to Bronte coastal stroll, it’s considered one of our favourite free issues to do in Sydney with children. I’m often requested from vacationers what to do in Sydney – my first reply is all the time the Bondi to Coogee coastal stroll.

This beautiful 1 km coastal stroll begins from the Bondi Promenade and ends at Bronte Seashore. It’s the right solution to spend a stunning morning in Sydney.

If you will get your children to rise early, both seize breakfast at your resort or head straight to Bondi and luxuriate in breakfast on the household pleasant Invoice’s Cafe.

This stroll often takes us two hours with the children as we wish to take images and admire the beautiful views of cliffs, bays and rock swimming pools.

There’s a kiosk (cafe) at Tamarama Seashore if it’s worthwhile to relaxation or seize a espresso and chunk to eat. 

At Bronte Seashore, our children wish to play on the playground in the direction of the again of the picnic floor. Don’t overlook your swimmers if it’s heat – the Bronte baths are a great place for the children.

To get to Bondi, both catch the practice from Central Station to Bondi Junction, then a bus to Bondi Seashore.

Or buses 333, 380, 381 (to Bondi) and 378 (to Bronte) cease close to the stroll.

 

3. Go Wild at Taronga Zoo

It could be arduous to discover a higher setting for a zoo on the planet than Taronga Zoo, located proper on Sydney Harbour in a pure bushland setting.

Taronga is the primary zoo we ever visited as children rising up, and luxuriate in taking our personal children now who like to see the big variety of animals from world wide, exhibits, keeper talks, and animal encounters making it an incredible complete household outing.

Taronga is simply 12 minutes from Round Quay by ferry which presents wonderful views of the Opera Home and Harbour Bridge.

4. Catch the Ferry to Manly

You’ll be able to’t go to probably the greatest harbour cities on the planet and never get out on the water!

We love leaping on the ferry at Round Quay and visiting Manly on the Northern Seashores.

The quick ferry experience is a nice and low cost solution to expertise Sydney Harbour with beautiful views of the town skyline, Opera Home, Harbour Bridge and Botanic Gardens. 

In Manly, stroll down the palm tree-lined Corso, hit the promenade on the seaside for an ice-cream, or stroll round to picturesque Shelly Seashore. 

Time your return ferry journey again to the Quay to coincide with sundown behind the harbour bridge.

5. Take The Children to Darling Harbour – Playground Enjoyable for Children

You’ll be able to spend an hour or half a day at Darling Harbour, a vigorous harbourside precinct that’s only a 10-minute stroll from the CBD or fast ferry experience. It presents actions for all of the household.

We like to only wander across the Darling quarter and benefit from the free and paid leisure.

Our youngsters love the big playground that includes slides, swings, a flying fox and climbing ropes. And the historic carousel is all the time a success.

Darling Harbour can also be dwelling to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, the Wildlife Park, and IMAX theatre.

For consuming and ingesting, there are ample waterside eating places and cafes overlooking Cockle Bay and the playground.

For a less expensive chunk to eat there’s additionally a meals courtroom within the Harbourside buying centre.

6. Get Your Thrills at Luna Park

The large smiling face on the entrance to Luna Park is an iconic image of the town.

Now we have fond recollections of visiting this amusement park from our personal childhood so it was enjoyable to take our personal children for the primary time not too long ago.

‘Simply For Enjoyable’ is their tagline and we actually had enjoyable as a household taking up the massive slides in Coney Island, using the wild mouse, and smashing into one another on the dodgem automobiles. Bounce on the enormous Ferris Wheel for spectacular elevated views of Sydney harbour!

Luna Park is on the northern aspect of the harbour at Milsons Level. Bounce on a practice or ferry from Round Quay, or do as we did and stroll throughout the Harbour Bridge!

7. Have A Picnic within the Royal Botanic Gardens

In my view, the Royal Botanic Gardens are one of the vital spectacular gardens on the planet, actually from a location standpoint. 

You can’t beat the serenity of the town and harbour views from these gardens, and spending an hour or so here’s a stress-free and free solution to get pleasure from considered one of Sydney’s prime spots.

We wish to pack a picnic lunch, or seize some take away from one of many outlets at Round Quay, and luxuriate in an informal lunch with loads of room for the children to run free.

If in case you have time stroll across the gardens to admire the various various kinds of vegetation and metropolis views.

It’s also possible to take a free self-guided strolling tour. Make sure you try Mrs Macquarie’s Chair which has probably the greatest vantage factors in Sydney trying again over the Opera Home and Harbour Bridge.

8. Take A Day Journey to Cockatoo Island

A brief ferry experience from Round Quay or Darling Harbour brings you to Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour’s largest island.

What was as soon as an island lined with purple gums and frequented by the sulphur-crested cockatoos which gave the island its identify.

It has served as a jail, a reformatory, and shipyards, with its jail buildings now recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage website.

We loved the 45-minute Convict Historical past Tour to study in regards to the fascinating historical past of its days as a convict jail between 1839 and 1869.

And our children beloved the self-guided Convict Clues Problem with exercise booklet and pull-out map, working out and in of the ruins and dancing within the previous mess corridor.

Cockatoo Island is a novel place to go to to find out about native historical past and in addition presents a unique perspective of Sydney Harbour.

The cool factor about this island is that you could even camp or sleep in a heritage home on the island!

9. Stroll Throughout Sydney Harbour Bridge

You’ll be able to pay $200+ every to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, beneficial as soon as in your life, or for a MUCH cheaper choice, do what we love to do and easily stroll throughout without spending a dime and soak up the identical panoramic views on a decrease stage.

Begin from The Rocks District on the southern finish and take the light 1.4km stroll throughout the bridge to Milsons Level on the northern finish.

Both stroll again or catch a practice from Milsons Level Station to Round Quay Station, or a ferry.

While strolling throughout the bridge you can too go to the Pylon Lookout the place you get implausible views plus 3 ranges of displays to study in regards to the historical past of the Bridge.

10. Dangle Out on the Seashore

Sydney’s seashores are well-known and a should without spending a dime issues to do in Sydney as a household (in addition to the price of getting there).

From the Northern Seashores to the Japanese Suburbs you will have many nice seashores to discover.

Our favourites embody Bronte and Coogee within the jap suburbs – and you should go to well-known Bondi Seashore at the least as soon as.

Manly, Freshwater, and Palm Seashore are our favourite of the northern seashores.

11. Study to Surf at Bondi Seashore

You’ll be able to’t get any extra Australian then studying to surf at Bondi Seashore, Sydney’s iconic seaside.

When you’ve received pre-teens seeking to surf for the primary time, Bondi is ideal for any newbie because the seaside faces south and the waves are fairly shallow, so you might be protected and the surf isn’t so wild.

Let’s Go Browsing is the one study to surf firm in Bondi and are the most effective folks to indicate you the right way to glide throughout the ocean.

12. Chill out In The Chinese language Gardens of Friendship

We’ve walked previous the Chinese language Gardens many instances however by no means ventured inside till not too long ago, so glad we did.

We have been impressed by the tranquility of this oasis in the midst of Darling Harbour and the town with waterfalls, lakes, unique vegetation, pavilions and hidden pathways – it’s not simply one other backyard metropolis, however like a secret backyard.

Acquire a self-guided map from the entrance desk. Our youngsters beloved discovering all of the zodiac statues scattered all through the gardens. And remember to end up with tea and a chunk to eat on the Teahouse.

13. Test Out Powerhouse Museum

We’re not typical museum folks and it takes an interactive museum to maintain our engagement.

The Powerhouse Ultimo Museum is without doubt one of the greatest for youths and adults alike with a hands-on strategy to studying!

It looks like there’s all the time a brand new exhibit on present right here. On our final go to, we loved the Artwork of the Brick, which concerned using over 1,000,000 lego bricks to create greater than 120 massive scale sculptures of DC Comics superheroes and supervillains (now over).

There are everlasting exhibitions, like Experimentations (experiment with warmth, mild, chemistry, electrical energy and motion), Locomotive No. 1 (brings to life the age of steam journey), and Wiggles World.

14. Go For Afternoon Tea!

You’ve received to deal with your self each infrequently and as a household, and we beloved indulging with a excessive tea after we visited Sydney.

We had excessive tea on the Langham Lodge, which was famed because the birthplace of the standard Afternoon Tea direct from London, but it surely not presents afternoon tea in Sydney.

That’s not an issue although as there are various locations that provide afternoon tea! The Tea Room in QVB is a well-liked choice for households as they’ve a selected child-friendly menu.

Additionally they have vegan and gluten free choices, so we’ll positively be again there subsequent time we’re in Sydney.

When you’ve by no means had a excessive tea expertise, they have a tendency to characteristic home-made muffins and pastries, savoury sandwiches and tarts and freshly baked scones in addition to a collection of teas. 

Our youngsters beloved it because it was like pretending to be on the Mad Hatter’s Tea Celebration from Alice in Wonderland! Although we didn’t shout “CHANGE PLACES” because it was slightly too luxurious for that form of chivalry!

15. Go to the High of Sydney Tower

No journey to Sydney can be full with out going to the highest of Sydney Tower, the town’s tallest free-standing construction standing at 309 m (1,014 ft) above the CBD.

It has an statement deck with superior views of the skyline.

If in case you have older children, then for an additional price you may contemplate an unforgettable Sydney Expertise – The Sydney Tower Eye Sky Stroll!

This stroll sits 268 metres above the town streets trying via a glass flooring. This journey isn’t for the faint hearted!

16. WILD Life Sydney Zoo

Whereas we love Taronga Zoo, it’s primarily dwelling to unique animals from world wide, corresponding to giraffes and elephants. When you’re visiting Australia from overseas, you is perhaps fascinated about seeing a few of our native wildlife as an alternative.

At WILD Life Sydney Zoo, you possibly can see cuddly koalas and bouncing kangaroos, in addition to wallabies, platypus, and salt water crocodiles – that is the Aussie Large 5!

You’ll be able to even meet the koalas and have your picture taken with them.

When you’re not wildlifed out, head throughout the highway to Aquarium Wharf to see sharks and dugongs, in addition to different native marine animals to Australia.

17. Take a Day Journey to the Blue Mountains

Considered one of our favourite nationwide parks is just an hour’s drive from Sydney and is definitely visited on a day journey.

The Blue Mountains are an enormous and rugged panorama manufactured from steep sandstone cliffs, gorges, and miles of eucalyptus forests.

It’s additionally well-known for its bush trails, which cross via historical trails utilized by aboriginal folks for hundreds of years.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to go to Echo Level for views of the well-known Three Sisters rock formation.

18. See the Submarines at The Australian Nationwide Maritime Museum

Museums generally is a hit and miss with children, and we weren’t certain {that a} maritime museum can be that thrilling for youths, however not the Australian Nationwide Maritime Museum!

This maritime museum is interactive and immersive. You’ll be able to board former navy warships, corresponding to Destroyer: HMAS Vampire (with a reputation like that, what child would say no?) and the historic 1874 Tall Ship: James Craig.

You’ll be able to even board a real-life submarine, the HMAS Onslow!

19. Take A Tall Ship Cruise of Sydney Harbour

The Sydney Tall Ships are a novel expertise to have in Sydney and will not be solely thrilling and thrilling, however a step again in time!

It was an actual historical past lesson for our children, who have been capable of board a life-sized 1850s-style wood heroic ships which might have been used to move British and Dutch commerce a few years in the past.

Suppose billowing sails, ropes and rigging. Our youngsters beloved pretending they have been in Pirate of the Caribbean!

Not solely did we get to see Sydney Habour and all its landmarks, however the added thrill of climbing the mast helped me conquer my worry of heights!

20. Take A Workshop on the Museum of Up to date Artwork Australia

In case your children are inventive and luxuriate in creating artworks like our women, then you definitely’ll wish to try the tutorial applications on supply at Museum of Up to date Artwork Australia.

From Artwork Play periods to workshops, they maintain many occasions all year long designed for youths and households to unleash their inventive retailers.

Take a look at the what’s on calendar to see what courses they’ve on throughout your go to.

Oh, and even for those who don’t attend a category right here, remember to come by at nighttime to see the constructing lit up in a multi-colored mild present! When you like mild shows, don’t miss the annual VIVID competition held in Sydney every Might.

Methods to Get to Sydney CBD From The Airport

To get into the town of Sydney while you first arrive on the airport:

1. Hop on the Sydney Airport Hyperlink Practice, which takes quarter-hour. Get your self an Opal Card which is a great card you prime up so as to pay your fares on trains, buses, ferries and light-weight rail.
2. Catch an Uber. The airport hyperlink is dear, so typically an Uber works out to be about the identical value and is extra handy. You are able to do a value estimate via the Uber app earlier than you request it to double examine.
3. Take a shuttle: It’s cheaper than the practice and far more handy. See extra right here. 
4. Personal Switch: if there’s a group of you, a personal switch could also be an excellent choice.

When you’re within the metropolis, I counsel you e-book your lodging within the Sydney CBD so that you’re centrally situated to profit from your go to, and several other of Sydney’s highlights will be taken in without spending a dime or low cost just by strolling round.

Enjoyable Issues to Do with Children in Sydney video

Extra Sydney Journey Suggestions

Want extra inspiration for visiting Sydney? Take a look at these different useful guides…

Pin To Save On Pinterest