It depends on what your family's after: the CBD, Darling Harbour and The Rocks put you closest to major attractions and transport links, while Manly, Bondi, Coogee and Cronulla suit families chasing beach time and a slower pace.

• Sydney CBD – closest to shopping, dining and the city's biggest sights, plus easy transport links
• Darling Harbour – walking distance to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and the Maritime Museum
• The Rocks – historic, harbourside, and close to Circular Quay ferries
• Manly – beach life with an easy ferry ride to the CBD
• Bondi – Sydney's most famous beach, with plenty of cafés, surf schools and coastal walks
• Coogee – a calmer, family-friendly beach with a promenade and playground nearby
• Cronulla – laid-back beach suburb away from the CBD crowds, with easy train access

Yes – the CBD's walkability, strong public transport links and proximity to major attractions make it one of the easiest bases for a family holiday, with a good spread of family-friendly hotels to choose from.

• Walkability – most major sights are within a 15-20 minute walk of each other
• Public transport – trains, ferries and light rail all connect through the CBD
• Attractions for kids – Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden and the harbour foreshore all close by
• Family-friendly hotels in the CBD – a wide range of options from budget to five-star. Look at A by Adina Sydney, Vibe Hotel Sydney, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney or Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.

Self-contained apartments give families a full kitchen, laundry and separate living space, which makes longer stays much easier with kids in tow.

• Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall – studio to three-bedroom apartments in the CBD
• A by Adina Sydney – Interconnecting Family Rooms with two bathrooms and a full kitchen
• Meriton Suites Zetland – spacious self-contained suites close to Surry Hills
• Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites – self-contained apartments overlooking Darling Harbour
• Adina Apartments Bondi Beach – multi-bedroom suites across the road from the sand

For large or multi-generational families, Sydney has multi-bedroom apartments, family suites and group-friendly holiday parks that comfortably sleep five or more without splitting everyone across separate rooms.

• Meriton Suites Coward Street, Mascot – three-bedroom suites, the only option of their kind near the airport
• Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley – three-bedroom, two-storey apartment that sleeps eight
• Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall – apartments up to three bedrooms in the CBD
• BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park – cabins and a dorm-style bunkhouse for bigger groups
• Best accommodation for large groups in Sydney – read our article for a full roundup of stays for the whole family

There are many great outdoor cafes in Sydney for kids including The Grounds of Alexandria with its garden and animals, while The Greens North Sydney hosts family-friendly games of lawn bowls. Kids will love Tommy’s Cafe in Vineyard for its playground and ice-cream, or you can let them burn some energy at the park-side Outfield. There are plenty of beachside spots as well including The Boathouse, The Nielsen and Next Door.

There are a few Sydney cafes with outdoor seating and harbour views including:

• La Renaissance in The Rocks
• Flying Bear Cafe in Kirribilli
• Celsius Coffee in Kirribilli
• The Lookout in Elizabeth Bay
• The Fenwick in Balmain East

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas of these cafes:

• Percy Plunkett
• The Boathouse
• The Lookout
• Flying Bear Cafe
• The Grounds of Alexandria
• The Greens North Sydney
• Outfield Cafe
• Girdlers in Dee Why
• Tommy’s Cafe
• Next Door
• Blackwood Bondi

There are many beachside cafes in Sydney including:

• The Boathouse in Manly
• The Nielsen in Vaucluse
• Next Door in Cronulla
• The Waterfront Cafe and General Store in Church Point
• Porch & Parlour in Bondi
• Girdlers in Dee Why
• Bather’s Pavillion in Mosman

For the best outdoor cafes in the Inner West, head to:

• Gardener’s Lodge in Camperdown
• Soulmate in Newtown
• Tokyo Lamington in Newtown
• White Rabbit Marrickville
• Valentinas in Marrickville
• Happyfield in Haberfield
• Sandwhich? Cafe in St Peters
• Lunas in Petersham