From harbor cruises on tall ships to adventures in the Blue Mountains, there’s plenty to see and discover when you’re in Sydney.
Before you book that trip to Sydney, make sure you spare enough time to cover all the events and experiences the city and its surrounding area have to offer. Think walking tours through old cobblestone districts, harbor cruises up and down the coast and bus tours of the city to get you started. Then, venture out and discover the Australian landscape.
We’ve rounded up the best things to do when visiting Sydney, including child-friendly options, so you won’t leave feeling you’ve missed out on anything. Here you go:
Top things to do in Sydney with family
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Go on a Sydney Harbor cruise. You won’t be doing a trip to Sydney justice unless you’ve seen the iconic Sydney Harbor from all angles.
Stroll along the shoreline to take in the architectural genius of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge before exploring the historic Rocks district.
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Comb the beaches
Some say Sydney has the best beaches in the world. Ask an Aussie and they’ll probably agree.
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Take on an adventurous water sport
With enviable harbors (Darling Harbour and Sydney Harbour for starters) and beachfronts (Bondi Beach, Manly Beach), Sydney is not short on opportunities for adventure on the water.
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Do the Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb
Climbing to the arms of the coathanger, aka the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments you’ll remember forever.
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Visit Taronga Zoo and Wild Life Sydney
Australia has some of the most unique animals in the world. We’re home to the only two monotremes in existence (the echidna and the platypus), and the best place to have a close encounter with either, or both, is in one of our wildlife zoos.
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Get scared at a ghost tour
There’s one in every city, but Sydney’s best has got to be around The Rocks area. Many a murder has been committed in this historic area of Sydney. The ghost tours include historical commentary about the area and the people who lived there.
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Bushwalk through the Blue Mountains
Located in Regional Sydney, the Blue Mountains is an icon of Australian bushland. It’s a rugged territory where you can enjoy bushwalks, Aboriginal tours and unique vistas like the The Sisters sandstone rock formation.
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Day trip it to Canberra
You’re so close, you might as well take a day trip to the capital of Australia. Canberra offers a wealth of educational experiences, including tours of Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the National Art Gallery.
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Drive up the coast
Head further north from Sydney and you’ll discover the Central Coast. It’s a string of beautiful beaches that are a world away from the tourist beaches you’ll find closer to Sydney.
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Drive down the coast
Head south past Wollongong and you’ll discover the coastal beauties of the south, including Jervis Bay. Its biggest claim to fame are its white sands, which some claim are the whitest in the world.
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Visit a museum
Learn a bit about Australia's past through culture and art with a visit to one of Sydney's museums, like the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum or the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
7 things to do in Sydney for free
- Have a picnic and see unique plants in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Walk across the sidewalk on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and get a view of the harbor from above.
- Visit the Luna Park amusement park – it’s free to enter, but you will need to pay to play games or go on rides.
- Splash around at one of the city beaches like Bondi, Manly or Coogee, or head to a harbor beach like Balmoral for more kid-friendly surf.
- Bring the kids to The Playground at Darling Quarter, where there are ropes, slides, a flying fox, swings and more.
- Go for a walk along the city’s many trails in Sydney Harbour National Park or the iconic Bondi to Coogee walk.
- See the exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in the Rocks or at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
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