A city can offer many things: globally famous landmarks, stunning attractions, good food spots and even great photo spots. But these highlights do not necessarily make it family-friendly. To truly meet that standard, a city should appeal to both kids and parents. For example, in a city like Sydney, if you choose to watch an opera at the Sydney Opera House, adults might love it while kids could find it really boring. So, finding the right activity can become a real pain in the neck.
Is this the same thing you’re contending with while planning your trip to Sydney? Don’t worry mate, this blog sorts that out for you. If you are a family visiting Sydney for the first time, here are some of the top family activities in Sydney that both kids and adults can enjoy without feeling left out. These activities also work perfectly for local families planning a fun weekend outing…
Explore Rides at Luna Park
Luna Park Sydney is at the water’s edge of Milsons Point, overlooking the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge on the other side. Even the iconic smirking moon-face entrance is an experience in itself for both adults and children. For parents, the park brings back art-deco type carnival nostalgia, and for kids… well, it is an amusement park, so you already know they are going to love it. The rides at Luna Park are some of the best in Australia…
The little ones usually head straight for rides like Freaky Frogs, Silly Sub, Cloud Nine and Bug, while older children and adults often gravitate towards larger thrill rides like the Big Dipper roller coaster, Hair Raiser and Sledgehammer. If it is a family of four, parents and children can pair up and enjoy rides like Dodgem City together. The Ferris Wheel is also a great way to wind up the day, giving everyone a chance to relax and enjoy panoramic views of Sydney Harbour.
Cruise on Sydney Harbour
A family activity in Sydney can never be complete without spending some time on the harbour, and dinner cruises in Sydney take that experience several notches above a standard ferry. Aboard a Sydney Harbour cruise, children often become fascinated by boats passing nearby and even the giant ships docked at Circular Quay. The on-water views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other Sydney attractions from the spacious outer decks are enjoyable for all ages.
Dinner cruises often offer family-friendly pricing and special discounts, along with dedicated kids’ menus. While children enjoy their meals and immerse themselves in harbour sightseeing, parents can sit back and relax with a drink in hand. A Sydney dinner cruise is also one of the easiest ways to take in major attractions without spending the whole day walking around.
See Wildlife at Taronga Zoo
Your kids might have seen Simba in the Lion King, Po in Kung Fu Panda or may even be a strong devotee of ‘Baby Shark’… But chances are they have not seen many of these incredible animals in real life, and Taronga Zoo in Sydney is one of the best places for a wildlife encounter. Families can move through different habitats and see Australian wildlife and other species from around the world!
The Sumatran Tiger Trek at the zoo has a safari vehicle that will be thrilling for children and equally appealing for adults as well. Also, the Nura Diya Australia experience takes visitors through four Australian landscapes like Koala Country and Kangaroo Count. Of course, the kids are probably going to enjoy Taronga even more than the parents, but come on, let’s give them their moment.
Do the Bondi to Coogee Walk
Ah yes, the scary word: “walk”! But worry not, the Bondi to Coogee Walk is more than just a walk, it is a 6km scenic coastal clifftop journey that takes you through the famous beaches in Sydney like Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Clovelly, Coogee, Gordon’s Bay etc.
Along the way, both children and adults can enjoy activities like swimming, surfing and snorkelling. There are also rock pools at Bronte where younger children can safely explore, while parents can grab a drink or coffee from a nearby cafe. As you will be walking with children, starting early is always a good idea to avoid the scorching heat.
Explore the Australian National Maritime Museum
Society has done a rather poor job of associating the word museum with boredom (although, admittedly, it is understandable). But the Australian National Maritime Museum beats the boredom allegation by making history feel lively rather than aloof.
Located at Darling Harbour, this museum holds one of the largest and most diverse in-water fleets in the world, like the Cold War submarine HMAS Onslow, naval destroyer HMAS Vampire and a replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour. You can also board an actual submarine with the children. So, if you or your kids are enthusiastic followers of Jack Sparrow-style adventures, this place is a must-visit.
So yes, family outings work best when nobody feels like they are sacrificing their own fun for somebody else’s, and Sydney gets that job right. It gives children room to be curious and energetic while giving adults experiences they can actually enjoy too.
So FAM, are you in for a Sydney adventure?
