From beautiful beaches and harbourside parks to fantastic free museums, these are some of the best free attractions and activities in Sydney for families
With its stunning natural landscapes, iconic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere, Sydney is up there with the best cities in the world. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, discovering the best free experiences in the NSW capital will create unforgettable memories for the whole family.
1. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Pack a picnic blanket and head to The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to enjoy this natural wonderland by the harbour. See ducks swimming around the pond, meander through the Rainforest Walk and Oriental Garden and marvel at an ancient Wollemi pine. Free guided walks of the 416-hectare parkland are held at 10.30 am daily and last for 1.5 hours.
2. Manly Beach
Part of the charm of Manly Beach is that you can get there by ferry. Even in the summer holidays Manly retains its laidback charm; although you can expect plenty of beach volleyballers, beach toys and umbrellas up and down the sand, it never feels as jam-packed as some other city beaches. The swell is just right for littlies to enjoy a splash in the shallows and for older kids to get a decent swim in.
3. Sydney Olympic Park
The legacy of the 2000 Olympic Games lives on at Sydney Olympic Park, in the city’s western suburbs. Explore the beautiful parklands, wander mangrove boardwalks and cycle through the wetlands of Bicentennial Park (bike hire is available on-site).
3-hectare Blaxland Riverside Park is another favourite thanks to the giant swings, slides, climbing walls, tunnels, a flying fox, climbing nets and water play area. You can also see the Olympic Cauldron and catch a free event or festival if you’re lucky (or plan well!).
4. Darling Harbour playgrounds
This harbourside playground is a fantastic place to spend a day with kids. In the heart of Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour Children’s Playground has a 21-metre-long flying fox, an eight-metre-long mega-slide and seemingly endless climbing nets. Neighbouring Tumbalong Park has another epic playground, including a large water play area with pumps, fountains, slides, swings, a sandpit, a flying fox, and climbing ropes.
5. The Australian Museum
Kids will love seeing real dinosaur skeletons and life-size models at the fantastic Australian Museum. Its collections include scientific specimens of animals, fossils and minerals, as well as cultural objects such as Egyptian sculptures, ghost net art by Indigenous artists, and the Hawaiian Feather Cape presented to explorer Captain James Cook in 1778.
6. Circular Quay
On a sunny day, there’s no place you’d rather be than wandering around Circular Quay, taking in the views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and ferries gliding back and forth to the ferry wharves as you are entertained by buskers, with the sound of seagulls squabbling for chips nearby.
You’ll find more free family activities within walking distance of the Quay, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the blooming Royal Botanic Gardens and the Art Gallery of NSW.
7. Vivid Sydney Light Walk
Sydney boasts a plethora of events and festivals throughout the year, but the most spectacular and family-friendly would have to be Vivid Sydney, a celebration of lights, music, food and ideas that take place in May and June each year. See the incredible art installations and 3D light projections on the free Light Walk, which weaves for more than eight kilometres through the city.
8. Powerhouse Museum
See a steam locomotive, a model of the Strasbourg astronomical clock and fascinating historical artefacts at the contemporary Powerhouse Museum in inner-city Ultimo, which celebrates everything art, fashion, science, technology, innovation and design. It has both permanent exhibitions and changing temporary exhibitions and displays.
Note: The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is temporarily closed for restoration, but public programs are still operating at the Sydney Observatory and Castle Hill locations.
9. Bondi to Bronte Walk
Weave along the coastal cliffs from North Bondi to Waverley Cemetery on this pretty two-kilometre-long walk. It’s great at any time of year, but particularly enjoyable when the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition takes place in September/October, with the works of more than 100 artists from Australia and around the world on display along part of the route.
10. Barangaroo Reserve
Named after a powerful Indigenous leader of the Eora Nation at the time of European colonisation, this former industrial site has been transformed into a six-hectare park on the harbour foreshore. Designed with more than 10,000 sandstone blocks, Barangaroo Reserve is the perfect place for a picnic. You can walk or cycle along the Wulugul Walk and climb up to Stargazer Lawn to see the terraced native gardens.
11. Auburn Botanic Gardens
With a lovely picnic area with barbecues and a playground, a scented garden, a sunken rose garden, lakes with fish and ducks, a bird aviary and a native and rainforest garden, there’s plenty to keep the whole family happy on a visit to the lovely Auburn Botanic Gardens, around 40 minutes drive west of the city.
12. Royal National Park
Head south and venture into the wilderness of the Royal National Park, which was established in 1879 and is the world’s second-oldest national park, after Yellowstone National Park in the US. Around 40 minutes’ drive from the city, the 150 square kilometre park has some excellent walking trails and pristine beaches crying out to be discovered.
Stretching along a stunning coastline, there’s something for everyone: from the short but steep Winifred Falls Trail to two-day walks along the famous Royal Coast Track. Or explore the lovely town of Bundeena and its 5km Jibbon Loop Track, taking in the well-preserved Aboriginal engravings, sandy beaches and great views.
13. The Rocks
Wander through cobblestone streets learning about Australia’s past in Sydney’s historic precinct, The Rocks. Pop into the free Rocks Discovery Museum, which is housed in three buildings dating back to 1844 and has an engaging virtual tour for kids. Visit on the weekend to soak up the vibe of the colourful The Rocks Markets, with live music, food stalls and arts and crafts for sale.
14. Bondi to Manly Walk
The Bondi to Manly walk traces the coastline between two of Sydney’s most famous beaches. It’s 80km long, but don’t let the distance put you off: although it can be done as a hard-core two-day affair, it’s far more fun to take your time, ticking off sections as you like. Highlights are individual: gorgeous beaches, beautiful bush, historical interludes, and iconic sights. Public transport and convenient cafes makes access and planning easy, with ferry rides adding to the fun.
15. Sydney Opera House
Anyone can visit the Sydney Opera House twenty four hours, seven days a week. Buying a ticket for a paid performance is not an essential part of a visit to the famous building. It costs nothing to snap a selfie on the famous forecourt, to scramble up and down the steps or just to sit and watch the world (and the boats into Circular Quay) pass by. The myriad of buskers and street performers around the Opera House complex guarantees year-round entertainment.
16. Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside
Nurragingy Reserve in Western Sydney is a 63-hectare bushland park with picnic areas scattered amongst the bushland. Main attractions include the Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, miniature railway and the Aboriginal Heritage Garden, which features a yarning circle, Indigenous artworks and native plantings. The reserve has five playspaces, including a water park and Wawai Ngurra inclusive adventure playground. When the waterfall is flowing it’s a terrific place for a picnic.
17. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St. Ives
Trek about the 123 hectares of urban bushland at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, following the boardwalks around the gardens. The paths are both wheelchair and pram accessible. There are picnic areas and playgrounds, as well as organised educational activities for kids of all ages.
18. Fagan Park, Galston
The playground at Fagan Park is amazing, complete with its own flying fox, jungle gym, sandpit, and swing set. The Children’s Forest and Eco Garden create engage opportunities to learn, and there’s plenty of open space for kids to run, kick a ball or throw a frisbee. Explore the park by bike through miles of tracks or just wander through the beautiful themed gardens.
19. Shark Beach & Milk Beach, Vaucluse
This dynamic duo comes as a picture-perfect package deal. Shark Beach, with its deep waters, wide open vista and cute café is a magnet for families looking for a cool dip in its crystal clear waters protected by a shark net.
A hop, skip, jump and boardwalk away lies Milk Beach. Small, secretive and with unparalleled views of the spectacular Sydney skyline and the Harbour Bridge, the shallow water is ideal for tiny tots wanting a splash. Afterwards, Nielson Park offers lots of shady green space for a picnic and plenty of facilities including a great cafe.
20. Blenheim Park, North Ryde
Blenheim Park in North Ryde is one of Sydney’s best for families. There’s play equipment for all ages, from tiny tots (sandpit and wooden speedboat, crocodile obstacle course) to the big kids (flying fox and sideways swings). The kids’ cycleway and remote-control car circuit are always a smash hit. There’s also a fenced dog park, great for pets and animal-loving tots to spot all kinds of canine friends. And best of all? A coffee van visits frequently.
21. Go for a bike ride
Sydney now has oodles of bikes paths, so pick your route (and make sure there are not too many hills). Sydney Olympic Park is a great place to start – especially for inexperienced riders because it has wide smooth bike tracks and hardly any traffic. There are three circuits to choose from, including the 8km Olympic Circuit and the Parklands Circuit which begins in Bicentennial Park and continues past Lake Belvedere and over the Badu Mangroves boardwalk.
Manly is also a good place for kids, with bike paths along the length of the beach, all the way past Queenscliff Lagoon and in the other direction up to North Head.
22. Visit North Head and Middle Head
To mix things up try visiting one of the many Harbour-side national parks and memorials, like North Head or the old fort and tunnels at Middle Head. Make more fun of the tunnels with a game of 44 Home (exhausting, but your children will love you).
23. National Maritime Museum
Families get free entry to the National Maritime Museum’s permanent exhibitions, where kids can discover discover naval, pirate and mini mariner history, explore tall ships, navy vessels and a Cold War submarine. The museum also offers some great budget-friendly school holiday activities.
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Content contributors: Angela Saurine, Elisa Elwin, Megan Holbeck
Main image: A father and his daughter at the Vivid Sydney festival. Image: Destination NSW
