Sydney is a joy to spend time in with the family! One of the most beautiful cities in Australia - and the world - Sydney is filled with history, museums, wildlife, sunshine, beautiful nature, and some amazing outdoor experiences for active kids!
Whatever your family loves - Sydney will have something for you! So why not keep reading as we explore Fun Activities in Sydney for all ages!
Going WILD!
One of the most popular reasons that families visit Sydney (aside from the amazing weather!) is the incredible wildlife. Sydney is home to some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and they give YOU the opportunity for some unforgettable wildlife experiences!
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An attraction not to be missed is Taronga Zoo Sydney. With stunning views of Sydney Harbour, and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, this iconic zoo has been a staple for tourists and locals alike, to get up close to the beautiful wildlife of Australia!
Also worth visiting is Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside. Explore 7 incredible acres of Aussie bushland, with over 260 native Australian species ready to say hello!
They are also one of the few places in Sydney where kids can enjoy an unforgettable koala encounter!
Darling Harbour is one of the most family friendly destinations in the city, and that's also where you'll find SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Since 1988, this popular family attraction is home to a large variety of Australian aquatic life, with over 13,000 individual creatures representing 700 species!
Whilst in Darling Harbour, don't miss popping over to Wild Life Sydney Zoo. With exhibits that showcase the best of Australian landscapes and wildlife, including the Kangaroo Walk-About and Kakadu Gorge, who knew Darling Harbour could be such a WILD adventure!?
Not to be confused with the NEW Sydney Zoo in Eastern Creek, here you can see even more stunning wildlife with over 4000 animals - including endangered species! Don't miss checking out the wildlife encounters they offer, including the Capybara Encounters and Red Panda Encounters!
The privately owned Koala Park Sanctuary is also worth checking out when exploring wildlife in Sydney!
What animal are YOU most exited to meet!?
HISTORY AWAITS!
Sydney may not have a long modern history, but it's certainly a fascinating history!
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Did you know that Sydney is the oldest city in Australia? As you explore around the streets of this iconic city, the rich history will become more and more apparent!
When you visit The Rocks, you can learn all about how in 1788, the First Fleet sailed into Sydney Cove and established a penal colony. A stop at the Susannah Place Museum will give a fascinating insight into what life would have been like for those first arrivers!
Don't miss a visit to the Rocks Discovery Museum whilst you're in the area, as well as Cadman's Cottage which is a fascinating first hand insight into the plight of the convict.
Fort Denison is also a still-standing glimmer of the past, but be warned, learning about the gruesome conditions prisoners would have faced!
One of the most famous historic attractions for Sydney visitors is Hyde Park Barracks. Right in the heart of Sydney's inner-city, Hyde Park Barracks was once where convicts called home, then an immigration centre, and today is a fascinating museum you can visit to learn all about the past!
FAQ: Fun Activities in Sydney!
Have some questions about your Sydney adventure? We might be able to answer some of them below!
The shoulder seasons are often considered the best times to visit this beautiful city! September to November, then March to May are beautiful.
After November, the weather over summer can become incredibly hot and bushfires are often a consideration. It's also peak travel season, so keep that in mind!
If you love outdoor activities, Spring is the best as it's the driest! Also, May to August you can often see the migrating whales
Yes! Sydney has a host of public transport which is reliable, clean, and so easy to use.
The Opal Card is a great way to easily buy tickets, and can be used on all public transport, making switching modes really easy.
Buses are a great way to get around the CBD as well as getting out to the suburbs.
Ferries run from Circular Quay to Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and other key tourist locations.
The trains and light rail are also really easy to use, with colour coded maps to ensure you are (literally) on the right track. The CBD loop is also a great way to easily get from Central, to Circular Quay, and more,
If you love being on two wheels, you'll be happy to know that Sydney is a really cycle-friendly city! You'll find plenty of bike rental locations too.
Museum Fun!
Love museums? You will be spoilt for choice in the beautiful city of Sydney, where hands-on fun, learning and excitement awaits!
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There are so many great museums in Sydney, we don't know where to start!
One of the most popular is the Australian National Maritime Museum. Since 1991, this amazing museum has been offering kids and families an insight into the country's rich marine history. Head outside, and kids can see real-life historic vessels with their very own eyes! They can even see a replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour.
Another Sydney museum highlight is the Powerhouse Museum. You know a museum is great for kids when it's a staple on every Aussie school field trip list! Located at the former Ultimo Power Station, interactive exhibits celebrating art, and science, fashion and design... there is so much to see and do!
Museums don't always look to the past - they can also look into space! Sydney Observatory is a state-listed heritage site, also home to the Sydney Planetarium. Did you know, that Sydney Observatory was also used by government astrologers as far back as the 1800s? You can also see the oldest telescope in the country!
From the Sydney Jewish Museum, to The Mint, to the Justice & Police Museum and more, Sydney is a museum mecca, and it's waiting for you and your family!
Life's A Beach!
Sydney (and well, who are we kidding, the whole of Australia!) have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so one of the many fun activities in Sydney to enjoy is of course, heading to the beach! Luckily for you, you'll have PLENTY to choose from!
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When you talk to someone about the best beaches in Sydney, there's no question about which ones you'll hear about the most.
Bondi Beach has to be one of the most iconic beaches in the whole country. Surfers flock to Bondi Beach because of the great waves, families relax in the nearby cafes, and active families can enjoy taking on the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.
Speaking of Coogee, Coogee Beach is another staple for Sydneysiders to visit, offering a spectacular destination for snorkellers, swimmers, sunbathers and surfers alike!
Manly Beach is the other iconic name you'll frequently hear when discussing the best beaches in Sydney. Did you know that Manly Beach was actually where the first surfing contest was held back in 1964!? A simple ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly is the perfect place to enjoy fish and chips, grab a lesson at Manly Surf School, or even jump on a tour with Manly Whale Watching and spot some of those beautiful ocean creatures!
Whilst Sydney is home to hundreds of beaches, Palm Beach is also one of the most talked about. Fans of the long running TV series "Home and Away" will recognise the hammerhead shaped peninsula. Don't miss heading up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse too, and make sure you have your camera because there are some vistas you will not want to miss!
Photo by Josh Withers on Unsplash
So, are you ready to experience the many fun activities in Sydney? Will you start with the museums? Or maybe the beaches? Is it the wildlife that excites you? We just know that you will have an amazing time in this beautiful city with the family - and we can't wait to hear all about it!
Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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