Sydney is a fun place to be and, whether you’re a visitor or a local, there are some activities and attractions that you just have to enjoy at least once. Sydney is packed with these must-do experiences and, the good news for parents is, plenty of them are perfect to enjoy as a family.
So, drag everyone away from their devices or the television screen and get out and have some fun. Here are eight of the best things to do in Sydney with kids that you’ll love just as much. The experiences below are arguably even more fun with your children coming along too!
Combination 4 attraction pass
Wanting hours of fun and great value for the money? How does four options in one sound? The combination 4 attraction pass gives you just that. Visit four awesome attractions – Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds, with 30 days to visit the remaining three attractions once you’ve visited the first. This pass is a popular choice for visitors to the city, but it’s also perfect for locals looking for wet weather fun, or just to have as an option up your sleeve when trying to tempt the kids out of the house.
Taronga Zoo
The world-famous Taronga Zoo is blessed with one of the very best locations – overlooking the stunning Sydney Harbour. It’s the perfect place to see incredible Australian wildlife (including koalas, kangaroos and platypuses) and animals from across the world (giraffes, lions and Asian elephants) and has been entertaining visitors since way back in 1916.
Why not make the most of the zoo being on the harbourside by seeing more of it? The Taronga Zoo entry and a 2-day Sydney Harbour hop-on, hop off cruise pass is the perfect way to do this. This savings bundle includes return fast ferry departing Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Manly and more, plus Taronga Zoo entry and access to the Sky Safari cable car! You can feel good about your visit too as Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation supporting conservation and breeding programmes, helping endangered species around the globe.
Jet Boat Sydney Harbour
You might have seen the sights of Sydney Harbour before (and very impressive they are too!) but you’ve never seen them like this. Get out on to the waters of the world’s most beautiful harbour on a jet boat experience and blast across waves on this most scenic of thrill rides. As you hop on the jet boat you’ll enjoy incredible views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you set off… but the really breathtaking part comes when the jet boat pilot unleashes the boat’s full power.
You’ll be amazed at how fast you travel across the water and the experience of massive sideward slides, fish tails, wave riding and all kinds of fun manoeuvres makes this a boat ride like no other. Look out for Rose Bay, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo and Goat Island as you go!
Luna Park
This iconic amusement park has been entertaining families for years. With its harbourside location (just north of the Sydney CBD across the bridge at Milson’s Point) it can easily be reached by a short ferry ride, car or bus. It’s a great spot and has a bunch of family-friendly rides, including the Hair Raiser, the Devil’s Drop and the Tango Train. It’s the perfect place to go as a family and with Luna Park unlimited rides passes you can ride and ride again! This pass also gives you entry to North Sydney Olympic Pool, conveniently located next door, so don’t forget your swimmers and towels to really make a day of it.
Learn to surf – Manly or Bondi
Want to get active? Surfing could be the ideal sport, either for you and the kids to enjoy together, or just for them to do while you relax on the beach. Sydney is a brilliant place to learn to surf and with expert instruction there’s every chance that even absolute beginners will experience the rush of catching that first wave. There are lessons suitable for all abilities, so even if you’ve surfed before, this is a great way to pick up new tips and tricks and improve your skills. If your kids are starting out, surfing lessons are a wise investment that could set them up for years of fun ahead. They’ll learn all the essentials and need-to-know’s to make sure they stay safe in the water and use the correct technique to get them up and catching wave! Popular and highly-acclaimed surf lessons take place at two of Sydney’s most iconic beaches – Bondi (ages 12+) and Manly (ages 7+). What better place to start?
iFly indoor skydiving
Experience the thrill of skydiving… without needing to get in a plane! This popularity of indoor skydiving is growing all the time, and can be enjoyed by the entire family (did you know kids aged three and up can take part?). It’s a simple process to book and do, with no special preparation or training necessary. You’ll have the sensation of falling from thousands of feet, while only being feet off the ground. With expert instruction you’ll soon be perfecting your twists and turns and feel a million miles away from the day-to-day. You’ll arguably have just as much fun watching your little ones and the rest of your family from the all-glass viewing platform just a few feet away!
Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour
Take a trip back in time through the historic The Rocks with this Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour. You may have been to this area before, but after this 90-minute walking with a friendly and informative guide you’ll get a whole new perspective on it and the city as a whole. You’ll get a fascinating insight to what life was like for those living, working and dying in the area in years gone by and hear plenty of spooky tales. Kids aged eight and up are welcome on the tour.
Bridge Climb
The Sydney Bridge Climb needs little introduction. This is a real bucket-list favourite and has been enjoyed by a number of famous faces from across the globe when they visit Sydney. If you’re lucky enough to live in the city or are planning a visit then why not give it a go for yourself? Did you know you can do the Bridge Climb with kids aged eight and up?
You’ll be blown away by the views over Sydney Harbour from the top and the climb itself is a real thrill. All the equipment you need is supplied for your journey to the summit. Daytime, twilight and night tours are available, so take your pick. This will be a family adventure you’ll never forget!