Here’s our guide to the very best of central Sydney for families who are visiting for a short or long holiday. You know your children best so pick and choose from the following list. There’s so much to do that you’ll definitely want to come back to explore our gorgeous city more. Staying close to the action in the centre of Sydney is ideal for families visiting Sydney. Apartment-style accommodation is practical, it’s always best to have a kitchen when you travel with kids.
Families will find plenty to amuse them in Sydney’s oldest area, The Rocks. The Rocks Weekend Markets have plenty of sweet treats and toys for sale. The Rocks Discovery Museum has hands-on interactive displays and videos showing life in this area pre-colonisation and from early colonial times. Susannah Place Museum is one of the Sydney Living Museums, telling the story of the people who made their homes in this neighbourhood, it’s an extraordinary museum telling ordinary stories of daily life, a family favourite. Close by you’ll also find Sydney Observatory, a must for sky-struck kids. Walking across Sydney Harbour Bridge is manageable even with strollers, even though there are steps. For families with children aged 10 and over, do consider the BridgeClimb, it’s a marvelous experience, here’s our story.
Stay at: Mantra 2 Bond Street located within 850m
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is a bustling hub on land and sea. Ferries pull out and scatter to all the best places on Sydney Harbour, whilst crowds gather to watch buskers and to visit the local attractions. On the west side is the imposing Museum of Contemporary Art, on the south side is Customs House, and a couple of streets back is the Museum of Sydney. All of these have hands-on exhibits which appeal to children, as does the Justice and Police Museum close by.
Stay at: Mantra 2 Bond Street located within 600m
Sydney’s imposing and iconic Opera House is a terrific place for families to explore. There’s plenty of space to run around and enjoy some fantastic views over the Harbour and city. Check the Sydney Opera House website to see what shows are on, there are often family-friendly performances, especially during school holidays.
Stay at: Mantra 2 Bond Street located within 1.3km
Right alongside the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens has delightful spaces to walk through, picnic in and explore. With spreading lawns, beautiful garden beds, the Palm House, ponds and an excellent visitor centre, the Gardens are divine. There’s a rather classy Restaurant in the midst of the Gardens, with a more casual café below it, an excellent choice for families. Walk further along to explore Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and enjoy Sydney’s best harbour views.
Just past the Royal Botanic Gardens you can find the marvelous Art Gallery of New South Wales. Many of the exhibits will interest children, and if you plan ahead you may find an art making activity that your children can do, see the Gallery’s Kids page on their website. And if visiting that sends your family a bit feral then the best place to cool off and calm down is right next door. The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Aquatic Centre has gorgeous views over Woolloomoolo Bay and out into the Harbour. It also has a lovely café. The pools are outdoors, with an 8-lane 50m pool and a 20m program pool. This pool will suit older children but it isn’t the best pool in central Sydney for the non-swimmers. (If you have babies and toddlers then check out the leisure pools at Cook and Phillip Aquatic Centre and the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, which are both indoors.)
Stay at: Mantra 2 Bond Street located within 1.1km
There is so much to see and do at Darling Harbour that you’re likely to want to visit at least a couple of times, possibly all day! For children the favourite place is the enormous playground in the Darling Quarter area. The playground is vast with equipment for all ages. Bring spare clothes as the water play and fountains are always a hit. There are several cafes nearby too. Then there’s Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Wild Life Sydney Zoo, plus Madame Tussauds. There’s the Powerhouse Museum and The Australian National Maritime Museum too. From Darling Harbour you can take harbor cruises, jetboats and water taxis, and you can visit the James Craig too, a restored tall ship. For moments of quiet reflection try the Chinese Garden of Friendship. And did I mention literally dozens of cafes and restaurants? Visit the Darling Harbour website for details and information.
Stay at: Mantra on Kent located within 900m
The golden turret of Sydney Tower Eye is a 300m tall Sydney landmark and a good spot for families to visit. There’s a very interesting 4D cinema presentation, the Observation Deck and restaurants and for the brave the chance to step out onto the glass floored SKYWALK, a dizzying 268m above the city. Children aged 8 and over can do this 45 minute experience. You can buy a family pass to visit Sydney Tower Eye, plus Darling Harbour’s Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds.and Manly’s Sea Life Sanctuary. Read more here. Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK website.
Stay at: Mantra on Kent located within 450m
Seana Smith is a passionate Sydneysider and mother of four active children. She shares her tips and family travel advice on her blog Sydney Kids Food and Travel.