The Sydney theme park sits along the edge of the harbour making it easy to access by ferry. It has been a favourite among locals and visitors alike since it opened in 1935. Step back in time and visit the Hyde Park Barracks, a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO. We didn’t have time to do this when we were in Sydney with kids, but we did spend some time at the Opera Bar, watching the sun lowering over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoying a drink and a snack.
It features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities for kids to explore, including hands-on workshops, art classes, special events and exhibitions. The Powerhouse Museum has many interactive exhibits where your kids can explore and learn, with regular changing exhibits and school holiday programs. The Royal Botanic Gardens often offer free school holiday activities for the kids with outdoor activities, with regular events all year round. Whether it’s so hot you need to cool down, or so cold you need to warm up, the swimming pools and water playgrounds at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre are always a balmy 26 degrees. Pack swimmers for the whole family and spend the day racing the kids down the Rapid River Ride or work up the nerve to leap from fun activities for adults sydney the 10 metre platform.
One of the most iconic things to do in Sydney is climbing up one of the world’s most iconic bridges – the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. In addition to being a mode of transportation, it is also a fun experience that won’t break the bank. Along with steep overhangs, a neverending lead wall, the chimney, a vertical treadmill and a giant log ladder, there’s a tamer wall for the kids (and the climb-wary). If bouldering’s more your thing, there’s over 90 problems to solve in the exclusive bouldering area. Macquarie Ice Rink has recently completed a multi-million-dollar transformation making ice-skating even more fun.
We have considered things like the number of beds per room, special family facilities and the best locations for families. There are lots of family activities to be found in western Sydney from Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta to the Parramatta River. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Parramatta for ideas. The Australian Museum has an interesting program for kids from 9 months to 3 years, Tiny Tots playgroup, where they will be exposed to First Nation’s history and culture through music, craft and games.
It also houses a wide range of vessels and marine artefacts to explore, so even younger kids will enjoy their visit. If you thought Taronga Zoo was conveniently close to the city, this is even closer and a quicker experience if you’re short on time and don’t have a full day to dedicate to a zoo trip. Here you will find educational fun displays related to natural history and anthropology. The museum also hosts exhibits featuring indigenous artwork and cultural events that showcase various cultures worldwide. It does get crazy busy but the food alone is worth the visit and the fun photo opportunities make it an exciting dining experience for the whole family. Best of all, they often have great deals for kids to climb at a discount during school holidays.
There are interactive displays and activities for children throughout the gallery which makes it more enjoyable for them too. The zoo includes interactive displays, animal encounters, and views of the stunning Sydney Harbour. From unique attractions like the Taronga Zoo to classic experiences such as taking a harbour cruise around the city, there are plenty of options for parents and kids alike. From the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House to iconic beaches and cultural experiences, there’s definitely plenty of family fun to be had. Entertainment Park is home to a truly white-knuckle line-up of fun-filled activities, including arcade games, six full-size bowling alleys, party shops, food trucks, VR and digital simulators and even a barbershop.
There are also combination tickets for sale that can save you money if you plan to visit the attractions included. Almost every guidebook suggests a ferry ride on the harbour, and the Manly ferry is the longest and most popular on offer. The public ferry leaves every half on from Circular Quay and will set you back a little over $8. Sure, you can just drive over the bridge on your way to Wollongong for a day at the beach, but it’s well worth parking your car and doing the Sea Cliff Bridge walk.
Sail with a crew of passionate navigators, explore the natural beauty of the harbour and learn about its history. The Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit if your kids love astronomy and science. Also known as the Powerhouse Ultimo, this is a contemporary museum right in the city centre of Sydney with a focus on science, arts, innovation and design. It’s an amazing experience to take in the view from atop the bridge as you look out towards the Sydney Opera House and beyond. It’s here that you will find some of the most popular kids activities in Sydney, such as the SEALIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the Australian National Maritime Museum. If you are looking for things to do in Sydney, exploring Darling Harbour is hard to beat.
This is a big day out of the city, but it will give you a chance to explore suburban Sydney. Take the train to Cronulla and then the little Tom Thumb Ferry across Port Hacking to the tiny settlement at Bundeena on the edge of the Royal National Park. The catch with visiting these ships is that kids must be over 90cm tall. The average three-year-old probably fits this, but of course, all kids are different. Kids 8 years and over are welcome to climb, and the climb is well-paced, so most people won’t find it too challenging.
Your complete guide to Sydney's best indoor play centres, birthday party venues, trampoline parks, and family-friendly activities across every suburb. Standard play sessions at Sydney indoor play centres typically cost $14 to $22 per child for 1.5 to 2 hours of play. Toddler-specific sessions (under 3s) are often discounted to $10 to $15. Most venues offer multi-visit passes or memberships that bring the cost down to $10 to $14 per visit. Play cafes tend to charge $12 to $18 per child, often including a coffee for the adult.
New elevators mean parents with prams and wheelchairs can easily reach the main footpath, and there are amazing options for all fitness levels. The garden’s volunteers offer free 1.5 hour guided tours every day at 10.30am. While I love to walk around the gardens when exploring with toddlers or younger kids, the Choo Choo Express, a hop on hop off train, will help you cover the entire garden. Be sure to get off at stop 4 to see the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Point view.
And you can ride each of them as many times as you like during your visit. If you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney and want to get beyond the city for a day or two, there are some downright epic day trips from Sydney or weekend getaways in the Greater Sydney region. There is also an ocean pool for swimming, which is great for kids who are a little cautious about swimming in the waves.
The garden is also a good spot to let young ones run around for a bit if they are getting frustrated by being trapped in a pram. A day at Taronga Zoo is not a budget option, and there are not many ways to reduce the cost. They have a birthday promotion where you pay just $1 to spend your Birthday at the zoo.
This zoo provides an amazing opportunity to see wildlife of land and sea with the only combined zoo and aquarium in New South Wales. One of the greatest Sydney family activities is a day at heritage-listed amusement park Luna Park Sydney. If you’re really daring, and visiting with older kids who are a little daring, try the Skywalk experience around the outside of the Sydney Tower Eye.
Things to Do in Sydney: Toddlers to Teens Guide
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