Marvel at the icons

The easiest way to hit all the must-see sights is on a double-decker bus tour. Big Bus Sydney has two hop-on, hop-off bus tours with an audio channel for kids. The route will take you past the Sydney Opera House, where you can join the Architectural Tour and discover the history behind the famous building. Budding artists can get creative on the Draw the House tour or for those with tweens in tow, The Backstage Tour provides a peek behind the curtains.

Just a short walk away, the Harbour Bridge awaits. Thrill-seekers (aged eight and up) can scale the world-famous 'Coathanger' with BridgeClimb on a Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience or a Summit Climb, after which they'll earn a fridge-worthy Commemorative Certificate of Achievement.

The Burrawa Indigenous Experience with BridgeClimb, Sydney

Delve into the city’s history

Once you’ve ticked off all the big sights, venture out to the heritage-listed Cockatoo Island for a day trip. As the largest island in Sydney Harbour, the land has a storied past. From its early use by Aboriginal clans to its days as the former site of a convict prison, kids can learn about all of this and more on a Family Tour.

Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour

Young sports fans will want to stop by the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where they can walk the footsteps of legends on a Sydney Cricket Ground Tour. The sporting coliseum has more than 100 years of history within its halls, with many of its greatest feats immortalised with sporting treasures and memorabilia at the on-site museum.

Sydney Cricket Ground SCG Tours, Moore Park - Credit: Sydney Cricket & Sports Grounds

Join a guided museum tour

Get your culture fix at Sydney's top museums where family fun is prioritised year-round. The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts regular kids' programs alongside its Spotlight Talks, 10-minute bite-sized talks that delve into an artwork, artist or theme, and are just the right length for little one's short attention spans.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks

Over at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Seaside Stroller Tours are on select days throughout each month, offering educator-led tours through new exhibitions with baby play time. Bigger kids will enjoy the free 45-minute volunteer-led Highlights Tours at Australian Museum. You can also take them to the Art Gallery of NSW's 75-minute early morning expert-led tour. Each session takes you through Australian art across the gallery's collections — bonus points for the hot drink and sweet treat included.

Australian Museum, Sydney

Get up close with wildlife

Just a quick ferry ride from the city is Taronga Zoo, where all kinds of furry and finned creatures can be found. For an extra special animal encounter, choose from a line-up of fun experiences including breakfast with koalas or the Keeper for a Day program. Designed for kids between eight and 18, the latter offers the chance to experience what it's like to work at a zoo for a day. Turn your visit into a sleepover with the Roar and Snore package. You'll enjoy a 60-minute night safari and get the rare opportunity to wake up with views of lions and tigers from your window.

Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman

Head under the sea at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and take your pick from a selection of unbeatable animal experiences. Whether you want to hop, slip and slide with penguins on ice or scuba dive with sharks, there's plenty to keep curious kids entertained.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour

Sail, zip or cruise around the harbour

Test your sea legs aboard the historic vessels of Sydney Harbour Tall Ships. Families can set sail on the pirate cruise, an epic theatrical adventure where costumes are encouraged, and everyone can get involved, from hoisting the sails to steering the ship. Want to stay in modern times? Captain Cook Cruises offers several sightseeing tours where kids sail for free. Hop aboard the 80-minute Rocket Sightseeing circuit around the harbour, the 90-minute Harbour Experience tour and the Hop-on, Hop-off 1-Day or 2-Day tours. If your family prefers the thrill of doing a hot-lap around the harbour in a jet boat, make Thunder Jet Boat and Oz Jet Boating your go-to for a turbo-charged tour.

Sydney Harbour Tall Ships, Campbell Cove - Credit: Sydney Tallships

Spot gentle giants

Between May and November, daily whale-watching boat tours will take you to see humpbacks migrating along the spectacular Sydney coastline. For family-friendly options, Whale Watching Sydney offers a two-hour express cruise departing from Circular Quay, making it easy to slot into a busy itinerary. For families with a little more time to spare, Oz Whale Watching offers standard four-hour cruises or the choice between breakfast and lunch tours.

Whale Watching Sydney, Sydney Harbour

See the city on two wheels

If you can get the kids to rise and shine early enough, start the day with a bike tour of the city. Bonza Bike Tours hits all the sights from The Rocks to the Royal Botanic Gardens on its four-hour Sydney Classic Tour. The route is easygoing, so kids of all ages can join in with child bikes and baby seats available. If you want to concentrate on the scenery rather than worry about peddling, book an e-bike tour with Sydney Harbour Bike Tours. The three-hour ride covers 24km of Sydney and is perfect for kids aged 12 and up.

Bonza Bike Tours, The Rocks

Discover Sydney's haunted history

As the sun sets, head to Sydney's most haunted sight, Manly’s Quarantine Station, to experience a spookier side of our city's history. Kids aged eight and up can join the Ghost Trackers Kids Tour and wander through the station's creepy corners while hearing tales of paranormal activity. Over at The Rocks, the precinct's dark past is explored on the Lantern Ghost Tour. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you wander the historic streets; legend has it that lost souls still linger among the old buildings.

Q Station, Manly

Witness the wonders of the cosmos

Look up and marvel at the cosmos at Sydney Observatory, a stargazing facility in Millers Point that's been standing since 1858. Their Guided Family Tours are the perfect taster for budding astronomers and offer access to the building's observatory dome where you can observe terrestrial objects through a telescope. You can also head to Sydney's sweeping Centennial Parklands for a Stargazing Tour. The 90-minute experience will reveal the myths behind certain constellations and give you the chance to see celestial objects in stunning clarity through a state-of-the-art eyepiece.

Sydney Observatory, Millers Poiint - Credit: Demas Rusli | Powerhouse