Australia has always been at the top of our bucket list and Sydney, being the capital of New South Wales was a must see city to visit. Sydney is easily Australia’s largest city with a population of nearly 5 million people,and not to mention a popular place for tourists to visit. Their most iconic landmark of Sydney is the Opera House, depicting a distinctive sail-like design. It was time for us to explore a new continent, aka ‘the land down under’.
We enjoyed our time in Sydney and couldn’t believe how busy and bustling this city is!
Here are our top 5 places to visit for Families with kids in Sydney, Australia:
1. Circular Quay
We were always captivated by the elaborate display of fireworks every New Year that were put on by Sydney as networks often highlight Sydney being the first city to celebrate New Year, with the iconic Opera House often being featured in the background. When visiting the Circular Quay area, you can take a photo on the steps of the Opera House, explore it’s unique architecture and enjoy checking out some of the surrounding boutiques, various restaurants, ferry boats, and cafes along the way. A word of caution — try to get at the Opera House as early as you can, as the area gets pretty busy towards the later part of the day.
2. Taronga Zoo
Nestled into 185-acres of hilly harbour-side bushland in Sydney’s upscale suburb of Mosman, you’ll find one of the world’s most unique zoos situated on an island north of Sydney. Taronga Zoo is the perfect place to encounter some of Australia’s popular wildlife. Noted to have more than 2,500 animals representing 340-plus species, Taronga covers a variety of animals from various parts of the world, with the most popular being the Koalas, Kangaroos, and Giraffes. The zoo is approximately a 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay and is also available by bus/train for those water fearing individuals. Ferries usually run every 30 minutes but may depend on season and day. Check the Taronga Zoo website for more information. As you disembark at the Zoo Wharf, grab a camera, map, and climb aboard the Sky Safari for the scenic cable-car ride to the top of the hill. The ferry and the cable-car ride in itself are super fun family activities on its own and is all included in the admission cost!
3. The kids playground at Darling Quarter
Located within the Darling Harbour area, the children’s playground at Darling Quarter is one of the most interactive structures built for kids as it caters to various age groups. It features an array of fun activities that promote physical activity, learning and imagination. From water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides, and a flying fox will keep the kids entertained for hours in this massive play area! And best of all, it’s free! Make sure to pack extra clothing for the kids to change to. Chinatown is also walking distance from this area, and a great place to grab a bite to eat.
4. Bondi Beach
Head on to the sweeping white-sand crescent of Bondi (pronouced Bond-eye to non-Aussie’s) by bus/car. We rode the local bus from the Circular Quay area, approximately took 40 minutes but will depend on traffic and day. Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic crystal blue beaches and sweeping coastal views. The encompassing waves draw many surfers while, nearby, locals swim in the Icebergs pool year-round but is also open to visitors wanting a unique swimming experience against the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. The Bondi area draw many trendy, health-conscious locals, young and old alike, while there are many outdoor restaurants, cafes, and boutiques to enjoy. The local walkers and joggers frequent the 6 km long, clifftop Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, often creating a dramatic scenery.
5. The Rocks
The Rocks is one of Sydney’s historic neighbourhood where many of the first Europeans had settled. The city maintains many of the original exteriors including cobblestone laneways, the solid wooden beams in the warehouses, and sandstone bricks and tours are offered for those individuals wanting to know the history of Sydney. Also known for its open air outdoor markets on the weekend, where many vendors align the harbour area, offering many unique handmade goods from jewellery, clothing, and art products. The area comes alive especially at night on the weekends, when many locals come to enjoy the lively restaurants and cafes lined along the streets, with some offering live music.
One of the best highlights of our trip was our stay at the beautiful Quay West Suites (located within the historic area of The Rocks), which quite honestly offers one of the best aerial views of the entire Sydney Harbour from the swimming pool on the 23rd floor! And speaking of swimming pool, their pool has a super cool glass wall display that invites some cool visuals when swimming!
(here’s our view from the swimming pool at the 23rd floor of Quay West Suites) 🙂
Sydney was the last stop of our Australian adventures and we were sad to leave such a beautiful country. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to check off the top our bucket list and more unforgettable memories created as a family.
If you are planning to visit Melbourne, check out some of our highlights and tips when traveling with kids HERE.