The school holidays are upon us, which begs the question: what to do? The school break is a great time to get out and about in Sydney with kids and take advantage of some amazing deals on local experiences and attractions.
1. Taronga Zoo Sydney
In a scenic location on the northern shores of Sydney Harbour, take the children to meet a host of native Australian wildlife and other animals from around the world while enjoying stunning views over the water and city beyond. Taronga Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals across 350 different species, making for a perfect day of exploration with ample picnic areas and food and beverage options.
2. Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium
Explore marine life in an amazing world of underwater discovery. The Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium promises to keep the whole family entertained for hours with 14 themed zones to visit housing over 700 species of marine life. The aquarium also boasts a range of interactive exhibits and underwater tunnels, so you can have the surreal experience of exploring below the ocean’s surface.
3. Featherdale Wildlife Park
Known for being the world’s largest home of over 260 different species of Australian wildlife, Featherdale Wildlife Park has around 2,000 native animals to encounter. Get up close with kangaroos, koalas, dingos, echidnas, wombats, and even Tasmanian devils. Better still, every visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park supports their conservation efforts for the 30 endangered species that call the park home.
4. Sydney Zoo
One of Sydney’s newest zoos, Sydney Zoo offers a modern wildlife experience with wide, flat pathways that make it easy for families with prams and young kids to get around. Children can walk among kangaroos and emus in the immersive Australian habitat, see African animals including hyenas and giraffes, and explore the impressive indoor aquarium and reptile house. Located in Western Sydney, it’s a full day out with plenty to see, whatever the weather.
5. Sydney Tower Eye
Take the family high up into the skies above Sydney CBD to enjoy 360-degree views of the city from the observation deck at Sydney Tower Eye. Elevated 250 metres above the ground, Sydney Tower Eye is a great way to see some of Sydney’s most famous landmarks from above including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Visit in the evening for incredible and unparallelled views of the sunset over the horizon.
6. Madame Tussauds Sydney
Transport yourself to another world – spend a day with your favourite celebrities while the kids meet their superheroes at Madame Tussauds Sydney. Grab a photo with lifelike wax figures of great icons like Ned Kelly, Kylie Minogue and Steve Irwin, plus you’ll meet a whole host of other famous actors, musicians and historical figures.
7. Australian National Maritime Museum
Visit Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Freely explore interactive exhibits, galleries and exhibitions, and take the rare opportunity to climb aboard a Navy Destroyer and see historic ships including a full-size replica of Captain Cook’s 18th Century ship. You can also climb aboard a modern submarine and visit the world’s fastest boat, the Spirit of Australia.
8. Luna Park
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and have some good old-fashioned fun at Sydney’s historic Art Deco amusement park, Luna Park. First opened in 1935 and located right on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, the park features a collection of classic rides including a ferris wheel, carousel, and rollercoaster, as well as modern thrill rides, family rides, and regular live music and entertainment performances – plenty to keep children of all ages entertained for hours.
9. Blue Mountains Explorer Bus Tour and Scenic World
Visit the spectacular and world-renowned Blue Mountains, only 2 hours from Sydney CBD by car. Enjoy flexible travel around the top sights by choosing from a range of hop-on and hop-off bus passes to explore attractions like Echo Point and Leura Village, plus much more. You’ll also have the option to add tickets to Scenic World as part of your experience which includes the Scenic Railway ride up the steep slopes of the rainforest and Scenic Cableway, the largest aerial cable car in the southern hemisphere suspended 270 metres above the ravine.
10. Virtual Reality Escape Room
Something the whole family can enjoy together – journey into Alice’s Wonderland or outer space, see exotic animals in the sky jungle, or visit other fantastical worlds during your chosen Virtual Reality Escape Room. During your experience, you’ll be tasked with interacting with your team to find clues and solve puzzles to complete your mission. You’ll be sure to have fun with a series of special effects adding to the drama of your escape room adventure.
11. Whale Watching Cruise
Marvel at the grandeur of these magnificent animals by taking your family out on the harbour for a rare whale watching adventure. You’ll see whales closer than ever before from the boat’s three levels of outside viewing decks. The cruise lasts for 2 hours, and you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of a high-speed boat ride out to sea.
12. Treetops Adventure
Get the kids active among nature with all the excitement and challenges of ziplines, high ropes and an entire net world. Set within the beautiful eucalyptus trees of Ourimbah State Forest on the Central Coast, you can spend a few hours or a whole day enjoying the activities at Treetops Adventure. Whether it’s swinging on the tree ropes course, playing games with gigantic inflatable balls, or bouncing around in net world, people of all ages can have fun at Treetops Adventure.
