Live it up with the family on this five-day Sydney extravaganza. Plan ahead for seamless ways to get from A to B, and pack in plenty of kid-friendly activities that the grown-ups will love too. From easygoing beach days to action-packed thrills, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you make the most of Sydney – so you can see more, spend less, and enjoy every moment together. This is the family itinerary you’ll want to repeat every year.
Day 1 The Icons
The first time your child spies the Sydney Opera House or takes the train across Sydney Harbour Bridge, will be etched in their memory. Small children love catching the ferry from Circular Quay and gazing in awe at the huge white sails. If they’re curious to know more, Sydney Opera House offers a one-hour tour suitable for children aged five and up. The whole family can learn about Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s vision, experience the stage’s impressive acoustics, and peek into behind-the-scenes spaces like rehearsal rooms.
Bigger kids (who aren’t afraid of heights) may want to tackle the BridgeClimb – children from the age of eight to 15 are able to join their parents or guardian, as long as they’re 1.2 metres tall. For something extra special, climb at sunset to watch the glittering lights of the city blink into life.
Fuel Up: For an upmarket meal in Sydney where children are most welcome, Mode Kitchen and Bar in the Park Hyatt has an impressive kids’ menu with steak, pasta and fish and chips.
Day 2 Beach Day
Make your way to Manly on the ferry – cruise by harbourside mansions, Fort Denison, the Prime Minister’s residence and out past North Head. Most of Sydney’s famous beaches are in the east, but Manly sits on a northern peninsula, making it less suited to beach hopping. However, on this buzzy peninsula with surf on one side and sheltered coves the other, there’s so much to do, from snorkeling and kayaking to brunch by the beach or even learning to surf.
Grab a kayak or paddle board from Manly Kayak Centre, or book a surf lesson with Manly Surf School. Kids from five to 14 years old get a wetsuit and appropriate board, and parents can join an adult surf session that runs simultaneously. In the afternoon, have a snorkel at Shelly Beach in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, or enjoy a picnic at ‘The Office’ – the nickname for the grassed area at East Esplanade Reserve.
Fuel Up: Grab a gelato from Anita Gelato on The Corso. Amongst the array of 100% handmade frozen yoghurts, sorbets, and cream-based ice-creams, you’ll find your flavour fix. Before you get back on the ferry, stop for a beer at Felons Brewing, right on the wharf.
Day 3 Fun & games
For cost-free fun, take the whole crew to Darling Harbour – super easy to get to by ferry, train and light rail, with just a short walk. Take little darlings to Darling Harbour Playground where their imagination can run wild. Kids can splash in streams, water pumps and jets, zoom down the eight-metre wide slide, climb the rope pyramid or ride the flying fox. Teens also have a place to hang at Bay Zone, with decks, ramps and bridges ideal for casual skateboarding and scootering.
For indoor games, head to Hijinx Hotel in Alexandria, where you can challenge the family to work together to complete obstacles. There are five challenge rooms, with a scrabble suite to test your spelling, a room with a light-up floor to get you dancing, and more. Speed things up at Moore Park Entertainment Quarter, where you’ll find Australia’s longest indoor electric go-kart track at Hyper Karting – perfect for high-speed racing, rain or shine.
Fuel Up: Fratelli Fresh at Moore Park is a spacious, relaxed restaurant and has a kids-eat-free deal on Sundays. Expect seriously generous portions of decadent pasta.
Day 4 | Big Thrills
Sydney is an active city and has just about everything for family thrills, such as go karting, rollercoasters, and boat rides on the harbour. Did you know? You can hire a little boat for two on the harbour and drive it around for 90 minutes on a Self-Guided Boat Tour – minimum driving age is 16 and minimum passenger age is 10. Follow your guide boat and enjoy close-up views of all the harbour icons.
Western Sydney is the unofficial adventure capital of the state. This is the place to discover whitewater rafting, indoor skydiving, wake boarding, jetpack flying and much more. Catch a perfect wave at URBNSURF surf park at Sydney Olympic Park or enjoy the thrills and spills of the waterslides at Raging Waters.
Fuel Up: Grab a retro burger and shake from the 1950s-style Skyline Diner, inside Blacktown’s Skyline Drive In. Chill out over the latest release while you recover from a big day.
Day 5 Art + Wonder
Sydney bursts with culture, offering world-class museums and galleries filled with exhibitions for the whole family. The Australian Maritime Museum is all about nautical adventures, with free entry to permanent galleries. Stroll the waterfront and board Australia’s largest museum vessel HMAS Vampire, or deep dive in a submarine! Check out what’s on here – there’s plenty of immersive Maker Spaces, plus Seaside Stroller Tours for babies and carers.
The Sydney art scene inspires children with dedicated creative spaces. The Art Gallery of NSW has an underground art playground called ‘The Key’s Under the Mat’ on Level 4 of Naala Badu building. Both kids and adults can enjoy climbing structures, water play, saunas, BBQ facilities, and even a laundromat made from salvaged materials (until August 2026). The Australian Museum also has a cutting-edge kids learning space, Burra, which mixes Western science and First Nations stories. Kids are invited to touch and listen while roaming this sensory wonderland.
Fuel Up: The Rusty Rabbit in Darlinghurst has a cheeky vibe, fun brunch menu and a relaxed setting inside a heritage building. Kids love the Nutella pancakes or cheeseburger.
Family-Friendly Stays
Meriton Suites Bondi Junction
Positioned conveniently at the transport hub of Bondi Junction, the Meriton has sprawling suites with urban views, full laundries and modern finishes.
Where: 97 Grafton St, Bondi Junction
Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour
Boasting a dazzling lobby, kids corner and superior rooms sleeping four, this hotel is a great base for nearby attractions.
Where: 100 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
Jet Flamingo Villas Bondi
These chic villas have brightly coloured facades and interiors, and are mere steps from Bondi Beach. The Rockstar Villa has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and is pet friendly too.
Where: 110 Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach
