Heading to Sydney with kids? We’ve lived here for 8 years and have checked out all the best family fun activities in town. We share them all here.
Sydney is not only one of the most stunning cities on Earth, but it is hugely family-friendly.
We have lived in Sydney for eight years now, so I have had a lot of practice of keeping kids entertained!
Sydney is a great city to visit with kids. It is easy to get around. The city centre is easily walkable and stroller friendly. If your kids little legs don’t want to walk that far, you can easily take the train, bus or tram.
We have also found all restaurants in Sydney to be accommodating of children – we eat everywhere from beach side cafes to fine-dining French and Italian restaurants with the kids, and we are always made to feel welcome.
And of course, most importantly, there are a huge amount of things to do for families. There’s something for everyone, from toddlers to teens.
Here’s out pick of the best.
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Table of Contents
Visit Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is one of the most famous places to visit in Sydney for families. The Zoo boasts one of the most stunning locations of any zoo in the world – right on the banks of Sydney Harbour.
It is often joked that the animals at Taronga Zoo have the most expensive piece of real estate in Sydney, with their fabulous views of the Sydney Opera House.
There’s over 250 species of animals to visit here, with various shows, gamekeeper talks and opportunities to get up close and personal with the animals throughout your visit.
I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been to the zoo (we used to be annual pass holders when the kids were younger) and it is always a great day out.
Download the Taronga Zoo app before you go to help plan your visit and keep an eye on timings.
Our personal highlights are feeding the giraffes, and getting to meet a koala – these activities all cost extra to your zoo ticket though, and it can soon add up, so beware!
My kids also really enjoy doing the Wild Ropes course, which you can do as a separate activity or combine it with a visit to the zoo.
The best way to get to Taronga Zoo is to take the ferry from Circular Quay.
Click here to buy your Taronga Zoo tickets
Other Wildlife Parks in Sydney
There’s more to Sydney than Taronga Zoo when it comes to visiting wildlife. There are several other options. If you only have time to visit one wildlife park in Sydney, then I would definitely recommend Taronga Zoo.
However, if you are staying longer and have animal-mad kids, then here are some other options:
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
This Sydney aquarium is based at Darling Harbour and is very popular with toddlers and younger kids.
There are several freshwater and marine zones to explore, in addition to a program of talks and feeding times.
Kids love learning all about the dugongs and visiting Shark Alley and another highlight is the penguin expedition, where you set off by boat to find the penguins.
You can buy a combo ticket with the Wild Life Zoo next door, or alternatively click here to buy discounted tickets for the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Located right next door to the SEA LIFE Aquarium in Darling Harbour, this zoo is much smaller than Taronga Zoo, but is a great option if you are short of time.
One advantage the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has over Taronga Zoo is that it is indoors, so perfect for a rainy day.
You can meet all the Australia ‘big 5’ here (kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus and platypuses), as well as huge saltwater crocodiles, Tasmanian devils and quokkas.
Talks and feeding times take place throughout the day. You can even start your day with the Breakfast with Koalas!
You can buy a combo ticket with the Sealife Aquarium next door to save money, or alternatively click here to buy discounted tickets for the Wildlife Sydney Zoo.
Also check out:
- Sydney Zoo – Sydney’s newest zoo is a combined zoo and aquarium with over 4,000 animals. However, it is located 40 minutes from the city centre, so not really that popular with tourists when you have Taronga Zoo right on the harbour.
- Featherdale Wildlife Park – the world’s largest collection of Australian animals – 260 native species. It’s the best place to get close to kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. A great option as a stop-off if you are driving to the Blue Mountains.
See the Dinosaurs at the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is my kids’ favourite museum in Sydney. There are loads of interesting stuffed animals to discover, and the Surviving Australia exhibition is excellent for learning about all the scary Australian critters and crocodiles.
Kids particularly love the Dinosaur exhibiti with its colossal collection of tyrannosaur skeletons, skulls, fossil eggs and even fossilised dinosaur dung! It’s all very hands-on, with touch screens and interactive elements.
There are always fun things going on at the museum for kids, from workshops to movies to ‘Dinosnore’ sleepovers, so check their website for more details. They often host visiting family-friendly exhibitions too (such as
Families with little kids should check out the Burra interactive learning space. The upstairs café, with its indoor/outdoor seating with views over the city, is a great option for lunch.
Best of all? Entrance to The Australian Museum is free for general admission. Special exhibitions require ticket purchase.
Visit the Sydney Opera House
It’s one of the most iconic sights in Australia, so you can’t miss the opportunity to visit they Sydney Opera House during your family trip to Sydney.
Most people choose to walk around the whole perimeter to admire the famous ‘sails’ from all angles before posing for steps at the front for some must-have Sydney photos. You can also admire some of the best views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from here.
Of course seeing a show at the Sydney Opera House also often features on people’s bucket lists, and if you are in Sydney during the school holidays, there is usually a choice of entertaining shows for the kids. Visit their website here to check the show schedule.
Alternatively to see the inside of the Opera House, you can book a one hour guided tour.
Combine your walk around the Opera House with a stroll through the Botanic Gardens. (see below)
Stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden
The Sydney Botanic Gardens are spectacular. There’s 30 hectares of green space here to run around, play games, enjoy a picnic or just wander and enjoy the harbour views.
There’s plenty of wildlife to spot, self-guided walks to follow, a choice of cafes and restaurants – and even a small train called the Choo Choo Express if your kids get too tired to explore it all on foot.
Check the Royal Botanic Garden website here for special kids activities that take place throughout the year – especially for school holiday activities.
Hit the Beach
Sydney is famous for its beaches, and rightly so – how many other cities in the world have so many stunning beaches right on their doorstep? Hitting the beach is a great Aussie pastime and is a cheap and easy option for families.
Our favourite beaches in Sydney for families include:
- Balmoral Beach in Mosman has a sheltered bay and calm, shallow water, making it hugely popular with families. There’s also a fun playground here and several good eating options close by. Paddle board hire is a popular option here too. Take the ferry to Taronga Zoo, then hop on the 230 bus to Balmoral.
- Manly Beach is easily accessible by taking the Manly ferry from Circular Quay. Great for older kids to take surf lessons or play in the waves. It also has a good choice of cafes and restaurants nearby and a few playgrounds to choose from. Just a short walk from here, Little Manly and Shelly Beach are more sheltered and quieter than Manly itself.
- Bondi Beach is probably the most famous beach in Sydney. It’s popular with surfers, but there is a kids ocean pool and a gated playground here, and of course plenty of choice for places to eat. You can take a bus from the city.
- Bronte Beach just south of Bondi is a bit more family friendly, located next to a park with a playground and BBQ facilities. A rocky area provides a shallow splash zone for kids. There is a good choice of cafes nearby too. Take a bus from the city to get here.
Do the Bronte to Bondi Walk
If you’re up for a bit of exercise between beaches, the Bronte to Bondi walk is a popular family walk with Sydneysiders. This iconic cliff-top walk is 3km long and takes around an hour with kids. If you have older kids and are up for a longer walk, start the walk in Coogee to double the distance.
The views along the way are stunning, making this a real Sydney must-see.
Bronte beach is lovely for the kids to play on and has a calm shallow area perfect for splashing in, and rocks to climb. There is also a lovely park here with a good playground, and an ice cream stall.
There are several cafes and restaurants across the road, including fish & chips shops for a takeaway on the beach or in the park – what more do you need?
Take the Ferry to Manly
Riding the ferry to Manly is one of the most famous things to do in Sydney, and it is a cheap and easy way to see the Sydney sights from the harbour.
The famous Manly Ferry regularly makes the 30-minute journey across the harbor, connecting the suburb of Manly to Circular Quay and the CBD. Used by commuters to get to work in the city, it also is filled with tourists taking advantage of a cheap Sydney sightseeing option.
Once you get to Manly, you can hang out on world-famous Manly beach, play in one of the beachside playgrounds, take a surf lesson, browse the shops, hang out in the cafes or do the beautiful coastal walk to Shelly Beach (see below).
Walk from Manly to Shelly Beach
There are many beautiful coastal walks you can do around Sydney, but one of our favourite easy Sydney walks to do with kids is the Manly to Shelly Beach walk.
It’s flat, it’s short and there are both beaches and cafes at either end. Everyone’s a winner.
Start at Manly Beach and take the boardwalk from the southern end of the beach in front of the surf life saving club all the way around to Shelly Beach.
On the way you will pass the Fairy Bower ocean swimming pool and you end on gorgeous Shelly Beach, which is sheltered and perfect for family swimming and snorkeling (it is a protected marine reserve so a popular spot with snorkelers and divers).
The Boat House on Shelly Beach is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch of afternoon drinks, depending on what time of day you come.
Take the Ferry to Watsons Bay
Another fun Sydney ferry journey is to Watsons Bay, which is located across the harbour from Manly.
The 23-minute journey from Circular Quay is very scenic as it hugs the southern side of the harbour and calls in at picturesque Rose Bay on the way.
Once you get to Watsons Bay, there is a beach to play on and a large park with a playground. But most people head here for the famous fish and chips from Doyles.
Choose to grab a takeaway or sit in at Doyles on the Wharf, or indulge in a more refined experience at Doyles on the Beach as you enjoy the stunning harbour views back to the city.
Take a Sydney Harbour Cruise
If you prefer your harbour sightseeing to take a little longer and to come with some commentary, then booking a Harbour Cruise is a great option. There are loads of different Harbour Cruises to choose from – from the fast and furious to the slow and leisurely.
You can choose to include lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, or just take in the sights. Here are some of our favourite options for a Harbour Cruise with kids:
- Thunder Thrill Ride – the fastest way to see Sydney Harbour, this jet boat ride has 360-degree spins and power slides around Sydney’s iconic sights. Kids need to be 120cm to ride. Buy Tickets here.
- Tall Ship Afternoon Cruise – this 90-minute cruise aboard an elegant tall ship is the perfect duration for little ones before they get bored. The 1850s style wooden tall ship is pretty cool too. Buy Tickets here.
- Lunch Cruise – we all know it’s good to keep the kids well-fed when sightseeing, and this cruise combines the two-in-one. Not only that, but it includes wine and beer for the parents. High fives all round. Buy Tickets Here.
- Afternoon Tea Cruise – kids prefer cakes and treats to lunch? Well, who doesn’t?! With this cruise you can take in the Sydney sights with a selection of sweet and savoury treats, plus a glass of sparkling wine for mum and dad. Buy Tickets here.
- Island Explorer Cruise – great for active families, this cruise not only includes a barbecue lunch, but a stop off at a National Park island to explore, swim and snorkel. Buy Tickets here.
- Sunset Cruise – a leisurely sail aboard a catamaran is a great way for the whole family to wind down after a full day of sightseeing. Watching the sun sink into the harbour behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a moment to remember. Buy Tickets here.
- Private Catamaran Cruise – if money is no object, or you can get a few families together, then why not hire your own boat and cruise the harbour in style?! Buy Tickets here.
Play in Darling Harbour Playground
Another fantastic free option is to visit the Darling Harbour playground. This became one of my kids’ favourite places when they were little. There are loads of climbing frames, slides, swings and a fun water play area for cooling off in the Summer.
The Darling Harbour playground is well located if you are visiting the Maritime Museum or Wildlife Sydney Zoo and Sealife Aquarium, and is surrounded by a choice of cafes and restaurants.
Do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
I’m going to admit right off that I haven’t actually done the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb because I am way too scared of heights. But my daughter has done it and loved it.
However, I couldn’t not include it because, if you are not too scared of heights, and your children are old enough, it really should be on your Sydney bucket list.
Children can climb from the age of 8, provided they are 1.2 metres in height or taller. Kids aged 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of 3 kids per adult.
The bridge climb takes you right to the top of one of the most iconic landmarks in the world for 360-degree views over the city from its 134m perch.
Click here to book tickets for the Sydney Bridge Climb
Visit the Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is another excellent option for kids in Sydney. The highlight of the museum for kids is exploring the various vessels.
We particularly loved the opportunity to go inside the submarine HMAS Onslow, which was commissioned during the Cold War and was used to track Soviet submarines. Exploring the HMAS Vampire, the last of the country’s big gun ships, which served the Royal Australian Navy from 1959 to 1986 was also cool.
The replica of James Cook’s HMB Endeavour here is one of the world’s most accurate maritime replica vessels. On board you get a glimpse into a sailor’s life during Captain Cook’s epic 1768-71 world voyage.
The Museum has a selection of permanent exhibitions as well as visiting exhibitions – we have enjoyed visiting the Pompeii exhibition and Wildlife Photographer of the Year here, and we also took in a movie about Great White Sharks in the 3D cinema.
Click here to buy tickets to the National Maritime Museum.
Learn at the Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum in Darling Harbour is another fun museum for kids. It has loads of fun hands-on exhibitions to help kids learn about robots, electricity, magnetism, sound waves and more.
There is a very cool exhibition all about Space travel, which includes a lifesize space-shuttle cockpit model, and another Ecologic exhibition where kids can learn all about the science behind climate change.
There’s a café with a playground right outside the museum, and it is just a short walk to the Darling Harbour playground.
Check the Powerhouse Museum website for temporary exhibitions and Sydney school holiday activities.
Ride the rides at Luna Park
All Sydney kids love Luna Park! This 1930s-era amusement park has a fun carnival vibe and a whole host of thrill rides.
Luna Park is free to enter if you don’t plan on riding the rides. Ride tickets can be bought as single-ride tickets or you can buy unlimited rides tickets. Ticket prices are by height, which determine which rides you can go on.
Coney Island is a fun section for all members of the family, with younger kids being able to enjoy the mirror maze, wonky walk and the numerous slides.
There are several other fun rides for small kids and the old-fashioned ferris wheel is always a hit too. Older thrill seekers (over 130cm) should check out the Hair Raiser and Moon Ranger rides.
Click here to buy unlimited rides tickets for Luna Park.
Go Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Whale watching season runs from May to December, with the winter months of June and July being among the best months to go.
Whale watching tours take off from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. We started at Darling Harbour, which I would recommend as we not only got to cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but we got first choice of seats before we picked up the other passengers at Circular Quay.
The majority of whales are Humpback whales, and most of the tour companies will offer you a sighting guarantee. We were lucky enough to spot three whales on our trip. Although not very close up, it was still exciting to see.
(If you want a REALLY amazing whale watching experience, I highly recommend going whale watching in Hervey Bay in Queensland).
It can get pretty choppy out there (we all got completely soaked and retreated indoors after a while) so I wouldn’t really recommend it if you suffer from sea sickness.
The trip can be quite long for small children so I’d also recommend some colouring books or other activities for the quieter moments.
Click here to check prices and book a Whale Watching Tour.
Go up the Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK
We always love visiting an observatory lookout when we visit a new city to get the lie of the land, which is exactly what the Sydney Tower Eye is good for.
The Sydney Tower observation deck is 250 metres above the city and offers fantastic 360-degree views over Sydney.
If you are visiting with kids aged 8 years and older, you can also take part in the SKYWALK – a 45-minute tour around the outside of the Sydney Tower, including two glass-floor viewing platforms. Definitely one of the most adventurous things to do in Sydney.
There’s also the option to add on the VR pods, with a choice of a virtual roller coaster or a shark dive.
You should book your tickets ahead of time and reserve a time slot to visit the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck and also reserve tickets for the SKYWALK.
Click here to buy Sydney Tower Eye tickets with fastrack entry.
If you have a few days, consider taking a trip up to either the Blue Mountains or Port Stephens for more fun things to do. Read more fun getaways from Sydney here.
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This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.