Family Guide to Sydney

Our Family Guide to Sydney gives you the quick lowdown on everything you need to know for planning your family trip.

Sydney has one of the most instantly recognizable skylines in the world.

With a huge range of nature experiences, beaches, parks and, of course, stunning architecture in the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

No wonder it’s Australia’s favourite city for tourists!

We’ve lived in Sydney for eight years now, and visited many times before that as tourists, and so we have a pretty good idea about how to make the most of a visit to Sydney with kids.

Here’s everything you need to know!

The Best Time to Visit Sydney

I would say that there really isn’t a BAD time to visit Sydney.

Summers in Sydney can be hot, humid and crowded but also the best time for visiting the beach and, of course, catching the stunning New Year fireworks. I LOVE summer in Sydney, but if you are a cold-weather person, you might find it too hot at times.

In contrast, winters can be cold and wet, which surprises many visitors who think Australia is basked in year-round sunshine! However, we also have our fair share of glorious blue sky winters days (the photo above was taken in the middle of winter.)

• If you are looking to avoid the peak crowds and extremes of summer and winter, the best time to visit is September to November (Spring), and March to May (Autumn).
• With family activities throughout the year and not too many weather extremes Sydney is a great year-round destination.

How to Get Around Sydney

Although Sydney is a large sprawling city, many of the major attractions are walking distance apart or easily reached on public transport.

We’ve lived in Sydney for eight years now, so we have the public transport thing down to a T. 

One of the things we love about Sydney is that public transport doesn’t just get you from A to B — it’s part of the adventure. Riding the ferry under the Harbour Bridge or sitting upstairs on the train all becomes part of your holiday memories.

• Sydney’s public transport system is effective with a huge variety of “things that go” to keep kids amused from ferries and trains to buses and light rail.
• Get the kids an Child Opal Card to use public transport so they can benefit from child fares. Under 4s travel for free.
• Daily caps prevent overspending so you can rest assured you won’t overspend no matter how much you travel in a day or week. These daily caps are lower at weekends, making this the cheapest time to explore via public transport. 
• Download the Opal Travel app to plan your trip, check live departure times and store your Opal card for tapping on/off on your phone. 
• Avoid trains and buses between 7–9am and 4–6pm on weekdays if possible, when they can be very crowded with commuters. 

Read more about Getting Around Sydney with Kids here.

Where to Stay in Sydney with Kids

Sydney is undoubtedly one of the most visually spectacular cities in the world, with many hotels offering stunning harbourside views. Sadly it is also one of the most expensive cities to stay in.

The popular inner city areas of Circular Quay, the Rocks and Darling Harbour are all brilliantly located to the tourist attractions but come with a price tag.

The suburbs immediately surrounding the CBD such as Central Station, Surry Hills and Paddington offer better value and space.

Rooms generally don’t come large enough for adding extra beds, so serviced apartments with extra bedrooms are a great family option or opt for two interconnecting rooms. Beware of extras such as car parking costs when choosing your hotel.

• For ferry access and the famous sites stay near or around Circular Quay or the Rocks.
• Darling Harbour is the heart of Sydney’s entertainment and tourist district, conveniently located to just about everything, with dozens of transportation options on hand.
• For waves and views, Manly and Bondi are popular suburbs but don’t forget the lesser known beaches too.
• Central Station, Surry Hills and Paddington are just outside of the CBD and offer some slightly better value for money Sydney accommodation options.

Click here to read our pick of the Best Family Friendly Hotels in Sydney.

Top Things to do in Sydney with Kids

Sydney is one of the most action-packed cities in the world for family entertainment. There is a fabulous mix of iconic sights to explore and outdoor spaces, from parks to beaches and wildlife encounters.

But make no mistake, the city is large and you will spend a fair bit of time getting from one attraction to another.

If you only have limited time, don’t try to rush things; pick only a couple of key activities a day and make the transport between them part of the fun!

Click here to read our pick of the Best Things to do in Sydney with Kids.

What to Pack for Sydney

Sydney has distinct seasons.  Summer you will definitely want your sunglasses and sunhat, while winter you should be prepared it can be cold enough to need a jacket and even a wooly hat in the early morning.

In Summer, we recommend the following:

• Cotton t-shirts
• Shorts or skirts
• Cotton trousers
• Sandals, thongs or slides
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket restaurants
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Swimmers
• Sunscreen

Dressing for Sydney in the winter is fairly similar to summer, though temperatures can get pretty cold and you will definitely want to rug up with at least one more layer of clothing.

We recommend including the following for your Sydney winter outfit:

• Jeans
• Sweater or hoodie
• Lightweight jacket
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Nicer clothes/shoes for more upmarket restaurants
• Sunscreen