Wondering how to entertain the kids in Sydney? Wondering exactly are the best things to do in Sydney with kids? Well, this city of mine has a plethora of places and spaces waiting for you and the kids to explore. BUT where to start?
We’ve spent the last few years exploring Sydney with our kids and seem to find new things all the time! Here we have curated some of our favourite attractions and sites that you might like to head to when you visit too!
Top Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
Table of Contents
Explore Circular Quay
Situated right on old Sydney Cove, Circular Quay is the original foundation site for the city of Sydney and one of the most active hubs with both ferries and trains boarding and dropping off passengers around the clock.
Many would regard Circular Quay as the gateway to Sydney with its promenade leading you around to the Sydney Opera House in one direction, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the other.
Delight in watching and listening to the street entertainers who attract quite a crowd throughout the day; find the original shoreline mapped into the promenade with markers or investigate a little history with the small plaques scattered around, and make a day of exploring the area.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is on most Australian bucket lists as one of the top places to visit. It is iconic and draws goosebumps as you walk towards it, drawing visitors back again and again.
Throughout the Sydney School holiday break, the Sydney Opera House offers a range of programs for kids including the super fun Opera House junior tour.
Outside the school holidays, visiting the Opera House even if just to take a photo on the steps (the architecture is something to marvel at!).
Sydney Harbour Bridge with Kids
When it comes to iconic attractions in Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the top two places people want to visit. We’re often asked if it’s any good with kids and I always like to say YES! In fact, we recommend three different ways to access the Sydney Harbour Bridge with kids.
Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Kids
Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with kids is one of the most accessible methods of enjoying the bridge. There are two access points to get onto the pedestrian walkway. From The Rocks you will want to head to Cumberland Street or near Milsons Point train station in the north.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon
If it’s the views you are after and you wouldn’t mind giving your legs a little workout, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon is quite an adventure. You’ll need to climb up 200 stairs in total with 3 levels of exhibits to explore on the way up.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb with Kids
While it isn’t cheap, the ultimate way to explore the Sydney Harbour Bridge is via a BridgeClimb. Children aged 8+ can now experience the climb too. We recommend the regular BridgeClimb which takes around 3.5 hours. It’s quite an adventure and was on our bucket list for a few years before I gained enough guts to try it.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia overlooks Circular Quay in is a great place to stop and visit for the FREE art programs that they often offer during the school term for preschoolers and on the weekend and school holidays for older kids. The cafe offers spectacular views over the harbour (possibly the best!).
Explore Darling Harbour
If you’re looking for an area in Sydney where you can check off a plethora of activities and even squeeze in an amazing lunch or dinner, Darling Harbour is the place to head.
The Darling Harbour precinct offers an abundance of restaurants and cafes for all tastes (including, much to my delight, both a Lindt and Guylian Cafe), as well as a number of attractions that the kids will love. There are just so many things to do in Sydney with kids.
Head to Darling Quarter for one of the city’s best playgrounds and to access the amazing Monkey Baa Theatre which is Australia’s leading theatre for young audiences. Don’t forget to look for the iconic Darling Harbour Woodward Water Feature (or spiral fountain) but work out which way to run down it or you will get wet!
Chinese Friendship Garden
Hidden in the bustling precinct of Darling Harbour is the Chinese Friendship Gardens, a gift to Sydney from Sydney’s Chinese sister city, Guangzhou in China.
This garden has the strange ability to transport you away from Sydney to a tranquil spot that the kids will love exploring. Make certain you head to the traditional dress shop where, for a small fee, you and the kids can choose an outfit to wear to explore the grounds.
SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium
If you are interested in learning about Australia’s sea life, a trip to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with kids is possibly the best place to visit (second only to the actual ocean of course!).
A visit to Sydney’s largest aquarium takes you on an underwater journey where you explore a number of habitats including the iconic wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s brand new exhibit.
National Maritime Museum
Do you love boats? Interested in submarines? Perhaps you the kids love pirates? The National Maritime Museum is one of our favourite museums to explore in Sydney with kids as there’s always something new to explore. The site also offers great art and craft space with a nautical feel that is always free.
Madame Tussauds
Why go hunting for celebrities when you can head straight to Madam Tussauds and take your selfie with some of the most famous people in history. This incredible attraction takes you from the past through to the future with some of the most life-like exhibits on show.
Watch out for the superhero area where the kids can work with some of their favourites to save the world.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australia is home to a large array of unique mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Finding them in the wild isn’t always (or safe) and like most wild things they like to be left alone.
So where can you go to in Sydney with kids to find out more and perhaps get close enough to see them properly? WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is one of Sydney’s special places you can head to see these animals in replicated habitats.
Taronga Zoo
Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is one of the most iconic zoos in the country, perhaps for its view which is unrivalled. Head here to experience a wide range of animals from across almost all of the world’s continents.
For a truly memorable experience, book one of their keeper for a day experience or perhaps the incredible Roar and Snore experience which is one of Sunshine’s most memorable experiences
Featherdale Wildlife Park
For Australian wildlife, make sure you add Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can get up and close to a range of mammals, birds and reptiles.
Featherdale is a great place for kids where they can actually touch and feed some of the larger marsupials. Make sure you look into their animal encounters experience.
Bargo Dingo Sanctuary
If you are keen to learn about dingoes and would love to head to a spot where you can have a hands-on experience without the crowd, head to Bargo Dingo Sanctuary. It is largely unknown but is an experience that you just won’t forget AND it’s affordable.
Sydney Zoo
Sydney Zoo is the newest zoo in Sydney. The zoo is all one level with no incline so is quite easy to get around whether you’re there to visit the exotic animal collection or the native animals.
Calmsley Hill City Farm
Have you ever wanted your kids to experience a working farm? Calmsley Hill City Farm offers the opportunity for your and your kids to get up and close with a range of farm animals. Head to the nursery to hand feed a range of baby animals, join in on one of their shows including sheep shearing and whip cracking, take a tractor ride, or milk a cow. It’s fun all around!
Click to learn about the Farm Stays available around Sydney
Whale Watching in Sydney
During the winter months, one of the most incredible animal encounters you can experience in Sydney with kids is spotting a whale off the coastline.
Click across to discover the best whale watching spots in Sydney with kids.
Visit the Set of Home and Away
Home and Away is one of Australia’s most famous exports and the very place where many Hollywood greats first started their careers (looking at you Chris Hemsworth). But did you know that it is quite easy to visit many of the external set locations of Home and Away?
CLICK to discover the Home and Away set locations and how you can visit.
Luna Park
If you have an adrenaline junkie in the family, Luna Park is one destination you need to visit at least once while exploring Sydney.
With a bevy of rides ready to increase your heart rate, sideshows where you can test your skill and win a prize and the incredible Coney Island which offers a bundle of activities for all ages, the day will be full of laughter if you spend a day here. It also offers an incredible view over the harbour.
Click to read our Luna Park experience and watch the video
Sydney Museums
Museums are the place to head when the clouds cover the blue sky and threaten a little rain or when the temperature increases to unbearable heat. In Sydney, knowing where to start is going to be your biggest concern when it comes to choosing between what’s on offer.
There are quite a number of museums to visit across Sydney. Head to our round-up of the best museums in Sydney to choose the one that suits your family’s interests.
Sydney’s Historic Sites
If you are keen to dip your toes into Sydney’s history there are so many different places to visit with kids.
Sydney Living Museums
Sydney Living Museums cares for a group of 12 of the most important historic houses, gardens and museums in NSW and you can visit all of them! A visit to any of the venues will provide you and your family teh chance to explore a snapshot in time.
Sydney Living Museums include Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice & Police Museum, Meroogal, The Mint, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill Estate, Susannah Place, Vaucluse House and the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection.
UNESCO sites
There are 11 UNESCO Convict Sites in Australia, four of which stand in Sydney. All four are accessible most days of the week and offer a glimpse back in time to when the Australia we know today was being formed through the hard labour of convicts.
The UNSECO convict sites in Sydney include Hyde Park Barracks, Cockatoo Island, Old Government House and, Old Great North Road.
Aboriginal Rock Engravings
There are a number of rock carvings around Sydney that you can visit with kids. Many of these are not advertised to prevent mindless vandalism. If you are interested in spotting these with the kids I suggest trying:
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park – this area has the largest accessible collection in Sydney wth over 200 groups of engravings recorded, and around 1,100 individual figures. Some are as large as 15 metres in length and included animals, people, artefacts, fish and ancestral beings.
Jibbon Head Aboriginal art site, Bundeena – this site is easily accessible by foot, providing a view of 1,000 year old rock engravings – some of the best preserved in Sydney.
There are numerous more around Sydney. Have a search online or reach out to us and we can give you the heads up on where to go near you.
Sydney Lighthouses
There are seven lighthouses to visit in Sydney, each providing something unique to see and learn about with the kids. Most require a small hike, and each offers spectacular views. Check our Sydney Lighthouses to explore post for more.
Sydney’s Magnificent Gardens
Sydney is home to a large number of gardens that can be accessed daily by families. From the incredible Sydney Botanical Gardens to the super gorgeous Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden, the flowers are blooming and ready for you to smell!
Head to our Best Gardens to Visit in Sydney with kids resources to plan your next
The Royal Botanic Garden and Domain
When it comes to Australian gardens, the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain is one you will want to visit with kids. There’s always something special on the show with a range of tours and activities developed frequently for kids (check their calendar for upcoming events).
One of our favourite spots to visit with the area is Lady Macquarie’s Chair which boasts a spectacular view whilst being rich in history. Don’t miss a stop at the Calyx which always has something pretty amazing happening
Visit one of Sydney’s Best Beaches
Sydney is blessed with some of the country’s best beaches. From those perfect for surfing to those where the ocean gently laps the shore, you’ll be able to find the best one to suit you in our ultimate Sydney Beaches for Kids interactive map.
Playground Fun
Playgrounds are always going to be a favourite for families. A well planned playground keeps the kids busy and provides a much needed breather for the parents. Fairfield Adventure Park has recently topped our list as the best for tweens and teens, where places like Sydney Park and Blaxland Riverside Park are perfect for all ages.
CLICK to visit the BEST water parks for kids in Sydney
Click to visit the Fairfield Adventure Park
CLICK TO VISIT THE IAN POTTER CHILDREN’s GARDEN
Click to learn all about Wulaba Park
Click for information on the Parramatta Park playground
Click to visit the Holroyd Gardens Playground
Click to discover the Bungarribee Park
Click to learn about the Sydney Park Playground and Bike Track
Click to visit the Blaxland Riverside Park play space
HINT : Haven’t found what you’re looking for here? Use the playground finder to find one near you.
Haunted Sydney
If you’re a little curious about paranormal activity in this city, you’ll want to check out one or two of the places in Sydney that are rumoured to be haunted. Whilst not are all appropriate for children, you may find something that will suit your family.
Click to learn about the most haunted places in Sydney
Secret Sydney
Locals will be slow to tell you about some of the truly delightful sites in Sydney, concerned that such knowledge will turn these uncrowded oasis’ into tourist hot spots. These little hidden wonders include Wendy’s Secret Garden to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, the country’s largest collection of antiquities at the Chau Chak Wing Museum and Parramatta Lake.
Plan Your Trip to Sydney
Accommodation
When booking accommodation you are spoilt for choice when it comes to sourcing a place to stay in Sydney.
Car Rental
I’m paranoid about extremely expensive excess bills, so we usually use Apex Car Rental or Bayswater Car Rental who combine their excess into the rental fee and seem to be much cheaper than everyone else.
Flights
We fly Virgin Australia, Qantas or Jetstar when travelling domestically.
Parking in Sydney
Parking in the Sydney CBD and suburbs can be expensive. Worried about where to park? Head to our cheap parking in Sydney CBD resource guide
What’s your favourite thing to do in Sydney? Let us know by leaving a comment
PIN THIS
