Sydney with Kids: A handy holiday guide
Sydney
Explore Sydney with your family
She’s ‘The Harbour City’ and ‘The Emerald City’, but whatever you want to call her – she’s a beauty! Sydney is an international must-visit destination and there’s no doubt that within the city centre, harbour foreshore, and across Sydney’s suburbs, there is SO much to see and do.
Sydney Harbour is also the city’s playground. From iconic structures to hidden beaches, historic sights to urban delights, there’s enough to keep your family exploring for months. And all of this is surrounded by glorious national parks!
Discover the family-friendly capital of New South Wales with this guide to exploring Sydney and its surrounds.
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Name an attraction, activity, or adventure and it’s a guarantee that somewhere in Sydney and her surrounds, you’ll find it. Sydney’s beaches are abundant and spectacular and range from harbour beaches like Balmoral, Bondi, and Manly to Pacific Ocean surf beaches along the northern peninsula and in the south.
Why not check out the variety of weekend markets in the city and suburbs, or for the price of a ferry ticket, go island hopping and enjoy a picnic with one of the best views in the world.
Darling Harbour
There’s always something going on in Darling Harbour! From water fountains to movies, shops to the National Maritime Museum, you’ll find plenty to keep the whole family happy. Have your pic taken with cuddly Australian animals such as koalas and quokkas at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and get up close to marine species from around the globe at SEA LIFE aquarium.
Northern Beaches
The Northern Beaches include Manly, Curl Curl, Freshie, Dee Why, Warriewood, Mona Vale, Avalon, Newport, Whale Beach and Palm Beach. Many have ocean pools, but for the real beach experience swim between the flags for a dose of surf.
Play, eat, swim, surf, shop and explore at family-friendly Manly Beach. If your kids are up for a hike, drive to Palm Beach and climb up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for spectacular views.
Bondi, Tamara and Bronte Beaches
Ask any first-time visitor to Australia and Bondi will be the beach they’ve heard of. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, try the well-loved coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee, maybe with a refreshing dip at the end. If you time it right, you can even catch the annual Sculptures by the Sea outdoor art exhibition, which transforms Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama into a quirky maze of colourful and thought-provoking art. On Sunday mornings, start with breakfast on Bronte Road and head to Bondi for the markets.
Coogee Beach
Coogee’s beach rivals the more famous Bondi Beach nearby. The coastal walk that links the two suburbs is a must, taking you past equally beautiful Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches. Another iconic Sydney experience is swimming in the city’s ocean pools, and there are a few to choose from around here. Just a few minutes’ walk south of the beach along the coastal walkway, Grant Reserve is home to a fantastic playground.
Penrith
Penrith in Western Sydney boasts a surprising array of fun family activities – from a tranquil cruise down the Nepean River on a paddle wheeler to adrenaline-pumping experiences, including whitewater rafting and indoor skydiving. Whether your kids are self-propelled or still in the pram stage, the Great River Walk is a must.
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains may be close to Sydney, but the region is a world away in landscape and attractions. Famous as the home of The Three Sisters (at Echo Point) and Jenolan Caves, this area boasts sensational scenic delights that make it a true nature playground for families – wilderness, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, and tablelands and with beautiful historic villages dotted along the route.
Family-friendly dining in Sydney
Sydney's best kid-friendly cafes
In a prime location at Circular Quay, City Extra has novelty newspaper print menus, with staff uniforms and tables to match. All-day breakfast is a specialty here (literally – the restaurant is open 24 hours a day).
It’s worth a trip to The Grounds of Alexandria, where kids eat free at The Potting Shed on Mondays after 3pm when accompanied by a parent or guardian who spends $25 or more.
Casual family dining
Pancakes on the Rocks is a Sydney icon. Of course, sweet and savoury pancakes are the star (with gluten-free options available) but you’ll also find ribs, salads and an all-day breakfast menu. As well as its restaurant in The Rocks heritage district, it has a second location at Darling Square.
Ume Burger in Barangaroo and Darling Square serves Japanese-inspired burgers and Hokkiado soft serve ice creams.
Enjoy a German-inspired family dining experience at The Bavarian, with dishes including warm, fresh-baked pretzels, roast pork belly, pork knuckle and schnitzel, with seven types of imported German beer available on tap and served in a stein. Don’t forget to check the daily specials and lunch combos.
Tuck into dumplings, noodles, fried rice, soup and wok dishes at Din Tai Fung. You’ll find five ‘cafe court’ locations in Sydney’s shopping hotspots, plus a full dine-in restaurant at World Square.
The Greens North Sydney is a family-friendly bowling club with plenty of seating. Kids can run amok on the greens (if no one is bowling) and there’s a special menu for children aged 12 and under.
Upscale eateries
Sydney Hilton’s restaurant, Glass Brasserie, has semi-circle shaped booths which are ideal for families, and a menu designed by celebrity chef Luke Mangan. Its kids’ menu, which comes with drawings to colour in, is more extensive than most, and includes spring rolls, steak or fish served with chips, mash, vegetables or salad, or pasta or gnocchi with tomato sauce. Not to mention banana splits and sorbet for dessert!
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Opening image: Girl climbing the harbour bridge in Sydney. © BridgeClimb Sydney