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Best things to do in Sydney these school holidays: A destination guide for families
From day trips to Sydney’s surrounds to adrenaline rushes, from trying a new sports to sightseeing, there are so many exciting things to do and see as a family! Here is a list of some of the best-recommended activities and attractions to add to your itinerary to make the school holidays in Sydney one to remember.
Feed the wildlife at Featherdale
Featherdale Wildlife Park is a much-loved Sydney attraction. If you are heading to the Blue Mountains, it is highly recommended to stop here along the way. This Australian wildlife conservation is filled with native birds, reptiles and marsupials. From the moment you enter the park, it is a special experience. Grab a Featherdale passport and make sure to get it stamped at every exhibit. You’ll find cuddly wombats and sleepy koalas. The wallabies and little kangaroos roam freely and you can feed them as well as pet them! Watch the Tasmanian evils, little penguins and the crocodile. There is a great wildlife presentation where you can have a chance at petting snakes, lizards and koalas! Featherdale offers a memorable experience for the entire family!
Amusements and rides at Luna Park
Who doesn’t love a visit to a family amusement park on a sunny day in Australia? Luna Park is a special experience given its prime location on the Sydney Harbour next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With spectacular views of the harbour and city skyline, it is an amusement park for children and the young at heart. Enjoy the Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, fun house and much more! Entry to Luna Park is free but it does cost money to buy tickets for the rides. You can easily get there by ferry, train or walking across the bridge. The Captain Cook Hop On Hop Off cruise also stops there.
For more information: http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/attractions/luna-park-sydney
Swim at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park
Wattamolla in the Royal National Park is a magical place for the family to spend the day. The entry fee for the park is only $12. Pack a lunch, your swimmers, towels and sunscreen and set out for a great day! The family will love the waters of the lagoon for snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. Admire the waterfall that spills into the lagoon. Have a barbeque at the lush picnic area or walk along one of the beach tracks. This location has plenty to offer the entire family.
For more information: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/wattamolla-picnic-area
See the dugongs at Sea Life Aquarium
The Sydney Sea Life Aquarium is a spectacular place. Marvel at the sea life all around you! There is so much for the family to enjoy! From Great Barrier Reef exhibits to the Jurassic Seas, you’ll find this unique experience awe-inspiring. Walk through the acrylic tunnel as sea turtles surround you, rays, fish and sharks swim above you! Hop on board a raft and journey through a Macquarie Island exhibit and admire the King and Gentoo Penguins. Finally, be sure to spot the Dugongs and learn about the conservation of these magnificent creatures, which have been the basis for the legend of mermaids and are closely related to the elephant!
For more information: https://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/explore/our-animals/dugongs/
Swim at the Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s Olympic Park
During the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, the world’s fastest swimmers competed at the Aquatic Centre. Pretend like you were in the Olympics for the day. Take the Lane 4 Walk and relive 16 days of glory as the athletes swam for their place in history. Visit the Path of Champions, where the world’s best swimmers are recognized in the hall of fame. Finally, have a swim in the pool! There are also five spas, a sauna, river rapid ride, spray jets, spurting volcanoes, water slide and bubble beach. There is plenty of entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.
For more information: http://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/attractions/pools
Darling Harbour Entertainment
Darling Harbour is an exciting place to for the family to visit. There is so much to do and see during the day. Have fun posing with celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussauds. Visit the marine life in the SEA LIFE Aquarium. Walk through iconic Australian habitats and encounter some of the most loved and unique animals at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Eat at one of the many restaurants along the harbour. Visit the gorgeous tranquility of the Chinese Garden of Friendship. If you come to Darling Harbour on a Saturday, be sure to stick around for the fireworks! With so much to see an do, Darling Harbour offers a great day for the entire family!
For more information: http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour
Go wild at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is a special place to take the whole family. From the ferry ride there, to bird’s eye view on the cable car, you’ll know that you will be having an experience that you will never forget. See native wildlife and rare exotic animals. There are daily shows that will delight the entire family! One of the family favourites is the bird show! You’ll witness the beauty, intelligence and strength of various species of birds. There are cafes for lunch and tours available. You could even try the Wild Ropes adventure with its zip-lines and suspension bridges.
For more information: http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-north/mosman/attractions/taronga-zoo
Cycle and sightsee around Manly
Get on your bike and show the kids some of Sydney’s most spectacular scenery whilst enjoying a breath of fresh air and a daily dose of exercise. Take the scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly. From there enjoy the beach, cafes, Sea Life Sanctuary and much more! One of the great ways to explore Manly all the way up to the North Head is by taking a bike tour! It’s a great outing for the family to enjoy. Pack a picnic and stop along one of the many scenic locations for a break and a bite to eat. Enjoy the views of the Sydney Harbour. This is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy.
For more information: http://www.sydney.com/things-to-do/adventure-and-sport/cycling
Hop on and off a harbor cruise
The Sydney Harbour is a beautiful waterway and is famous around the world. There are so many locations in the harbour that must be visited. The harbour is also a natural playground for Sydneysiders and visitors who use it for sailing, cruising and swimming. The best way to explore is by a Hop On Hop Off cruise. You can start this cruise from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay and stop at Luna Park and Taronga Zoo. It is also recommended to stop at Port Denison and Garden Island for a glimpse into Sydney’s maritime and military history. Have a picnic at Shark Island and enjoy a swim and a walk around Watsons Bay. These 24-hour cruises are a great way to see the best Sydney has to offer and save!
For more information: http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour
Fun and games at Sydney’s playgrounds
If you’ve got a wrestles bunch of little ones that need to burn off some energy then let them run riot in the best playgrounds in Sydney. Make a day of it and double up with a trip to the best waterslides in Sydney or take cover on rainy days with indoor activities, such as trampolining across the city. Attraction like Wulaba Park, Fairfield Adventure Park and Bungarribee Park feature among the top five things to do on many of Sydney’s travel guides for families.
