The Perfect Sydney Itinerary for Families

For a memory-making Sydney minibreak, follow this fun-filled family itinerary.

Holidays with the kids are a cinch in sunny Sydney, where icons and activities are plentiful and all easily accessible. From world-famous beaches and water-based adventures to playgrounds, museums and parks set to amuse, there are more days of delight than you can pack into a single stay. To help curate it all, we’ve whittled some top picks down to a three-day vay-cay that will please the whole family.

Day one

Morning

The Rocks Market in Sydney — The Rocks Market has a colourful mix of art, food, music, and culture. (Image: Destination NSW)

Welcome to Sydney! Your family-forward itinerary begins with a hearty serve of history with a side of pancakes. Head to the city’s heritage heart, The Rocks and take a seat at Pancakes On The Rocks , a cafe that’s been tending to sweet tooths since the mid-’70s with their fluffy creations. Once sated, if it’s the weekend, steer your tribe toward The Rocks Market , where you’ll peruse an array of artisan creations from local makers. From there, meander along the water’s edge, ogling the large cruise ships docked in Circular Quay and spotting the green-and-gold ferries putting out into the harbour, until you reach the Museum of Contemporary Art . Swing in to check out what’s happening. You’ll usually find an interactive kids’ area or an exhibition to suit budding art critics.

Midday

The iconic Sydney Opera House is the perfect spot for a family snap. (Image: Destination NSW)

Carry on strolling or pram-rolling toward the white sails of the Sydney Opera House , where tired legs can enjoy a reprieve while you lunch at House Canteen or Opera Bar on the lower concourse. After snapping the requisite family selfies backdropped by the House and the equally iconic Harbour Bridge, jump onto the train at Circular Quay for the trip across the aforementioned bridge, where you’ll alight at Milsons Point for what’s sure to be a highlight of the kids’ itinerary – Luna Park . This Art Deco amusement park opened way back in the 1930s and has been thrilling the pants of kids (and kidults) ever since. In its modern iteration, the bygone aesthetics remain, but the park has been recently upgraded to include nine new rides and updated amenities. It’s nostalgic, old-fashioned family fun with some shiny new bells and whistles, but the classic Wild Mouse rollercoaster is still one of the best.

Evening

Luna Park in Sydney — Swing, fly and enjoy the magic of Luna Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s been an action-packed day already, but as you leave the neon glow of Luna Park behind you, jump in an Uber and head up the hill for an early dinner at The Greens in north Sydney. From its hilltop position, look back on the sun setting behind the city skyline as the brood tucks into sausages and spaghetti and you enjoy a hard-earned gin and tonic.

Day two

Morning

Centennial Parklands in Sydney — The expansive park is made for families to relax and enjoy open-air activities.

After yesterday’s robust activity, start things off a little slower with a visit to Centennial Parklands in the eastern suburbs. These sprawling parklands offer shaded pockets, waterside vignettes, playgrounds and cafes. Begin with a life-affirming coffee and breakfast at the Centennial Homestead or Pantry, where the kids can run on the green while you savour those restorative sips. Next stop is the Ian Potter WILD Play Garden, an enclosed wonderland of tunnels, splash ponds, slides and treehouses. Keep a lazy eye on their discovery of this veritable Neverland as you embark on your second coffee of the day. Keep the energy high and hire bikes for a circuit around the park. If you’re visiting during the school holidays, check out the park’s roster of activities, which may include the Fairy Escapades theatre or an evening spotlight prowl for families. The Moonlight Cinema takes up residence in the park every summer, which is a great activity for families with older kids.

Midday

Bondi Icebergs’ famous pool is open to visitors all year round.

From Centennial Park, exit back onto Oxford Street and follow the road down to Bondi. Summer at the world-famous beach is a seemingly continuous celebration with sun-worshippers colonising the grassy parklands all the way down to the edge of the water. Set up for a beach session and refresh under the waves, but if you have tiny tikes in tow, make your way to the north end, where you’ll find a toddler-appropriate ocean pool. The protected sweep of Bondi is a great place to learn to hang ten, so if you have kids aged 7–12, book them in for a lesson with Let’s Go Surfing . Meanwhile, parents can take turns to tap out and enjoy a sauna and swim at the iconic Bondi Icebergs pool on the south end of the beach. Then regroup and head to the Icebergs club bistro for the best ocean views and family-friendly fare without the premium price tag. Post-lunch, if your little ones are up for the challenge, either wander along the Bondi to Bronte walk for uninterrupted horizon vistas or hit the boutiques on Campbell Parade and Hall Streets. If you require a bribe to keep complaints in check, the beautifully made Mapo Gelato provides the perfect dangled carrot.

Evening

Spice Alley restaurants — Spice Alley has an array of authentic and flavourful dishes.

Retreat from the beach with enough time to regroup and reset for the evening’s activities. Given Sydney’s wonderfully diverse cultures and proximity to Asia, open small palates and minds to the synapse-firing flavours of our nearest neighbours with dinner at Chippendale’s Spice Alley . From Japanese to Malaysian, Cantonese and Singaporean, there’ll be flavours to tempt even the most stridently beige eaters. Or head to Chinatown to dine on dumplings at Din Tai Fung and wander the colourful shops along Dixon Street. The Chinatown Night Markets are held every Friday night and are a vibrant explosion of stalls pedalling everything from snacks to crafts and massage. Be sure to line up for a bag of hot, custard-filled emperor’s puffs at the unassuming window of the Emperor’s Garden bakery.

Day three

Morning

Taronga Zoo in Sydney — Explore different animal habitats and trails at Taronga.

Get your walking legs on today for a Sydney bucket list must-do, the incredible Taronga Zoo . You can drive to Mosman or catch the bus, but for a quintessential Sydney experience, hop the 12-minute ferry from Circular Quay. You can easily spend most of the day marvelling at everything from koalas to Komodo dragons, but be sure to plan your around some of the truly fascinating keeper talks, especially the well-loved Free Flight Birds showcase that’s been dropping jaws for 20 years. If your little monkeys are restless to join the animals in the trees, book them in for Taronga’s Wild Ropes Treetops Adventure , where they can climb through the canopy on two junior rope courses.

Afternoon

Chinese Garden of Friendship — The garden was built to symbolise the friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou, China.

It’s been another big day of fun, so some downtime may be in order to recharge batteries. Head along to Sydney IMAX in Darling Harbour for a little (big) screen time, then shake the sillies out with a play at the Darling Quarter playground, where kids can splash about in shallow water channels, spider-monkey along a tangle of ropes and woosh down slides. While here, seek a moment of serenity in the heritage-listed Chinese Garden Of Friendship . An ice cream from nearby Gelatissimo will provide the necessary sugar rush to propel the kids onwards for a walk or ride to Barangaroo in time for dinner.

Evening

panoramic views of Observatory Hill — Observatory Hill Park has panoramic views of Sydney Harbour.

The waterside precinct of Barangaroo is a playground for all ages with restaurants, bars, art, culture and a rotating roster of events. If you’re visiting in summer when the days are warm and long, refresh with a harbour dip at Marrinawi Cove or simply sit on the sandstone edge with your toes cooling in the water. For a laidback dinner, choose from the plentiful takeaway options, from pasta bowls to burgers and fried chicken, to enjoy on the lawn or dine in for more elevated fare. If you have an avid astronomer aged six or older in your fold, take the 11-minute walk up to the Sydney Observatory for an hour-long guided family tour at this geographical high point. Running every Friday and Saturday night, you’ll learn all about flag signalling and weather measurement and eyeball some astronomical and terrestrial objects through modern and historic telescopes.

Day four

Morning

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney — The Powerhouse Museum offers interactive experiences that kids will love.

It’s departure day, but you can delay the inevitable and squeeze in one more incredible experience. Depending on your lil’ darlings’ area of interest, you may decide to hit the Powerhouse Museum for its super-engaging and interactive science, technology and art displays. Or for animal lovers who didn’t quite scratch that itch at Taronga Zoo, the natural history on display at the Australian Museum will have them in deep awe. Here fledgling palaeontologists will also be in their element with a visual journey through the life and times of these ancient beasts. For kids who love everything under the waves, Sea Life brings them face-to-face with some of the ocean’s greatest creatures.

It may be time to bid the harbour city farewell, but you’ll no doubt leave with the promise to return for more family memory-making before the kids grow up too much.

Looking for more activities? Read our guide to the best things to do in Sydney

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

The ultimate Sydney itinerary for families

For a memory-making Sydney minibreak, follow this fun-filled family itinerary.

Day one

Morning

Midday

Evening

Day two

Morning

Midday

Evening

Day three

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Day four

Morning

The pop-up Sydney swimming spots set to reopen in time for summer

A historic Sydney swim site just reopened in time for summer

The Sydney CBD stay that feels more like your dream apartment

The Brighton Hotel brings resort-style luxury to Sydney’s south

Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

Winter on the Central Coast

Winter in Wollongong