Climb Sydney’s famous bridge, run wild at Luna Park, get lost and then found in escape rooms and surf Sydney’s finest waves. Sydney is an ever-changing playground of family fun and adventure.
- 5 min read
Highlights
Highlights
DAY ONE: SYDNEY'S EASTERN SUBURBS
DAY ONE KEY FACTS:
Lets Go Surfing is located at:
- 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi, NSW 2026
A 20-minute (7km) drive from Sydney's CBD
Morning
Begin an adventurous, Sydney family holiday on the iconic Bondi Beach. Kick off the day with the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. The 6km return walk takes two to three hours, depending on how often you stop. Along the way, you’ll see epic sandstone cliffs, some of Sydney’s most famous beaches and, if you’re lucky, whales. Upon returning to Bondi, join a surf lesson with Lets Go Surfing - a bucket-list experience no matter the season. Dedicated, fully qualified instructors will help you get onto waves, whether it's your first time or you’re already able to stand.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sydney East
Afternoon
After an activity-filled morning, take the family for an afternoon of barbecuing, relaxation and picnicking at Vaucluse’s Nielsen Park. This harbour beach is a great spot to while away an afternoon, whether you’re having a bite at the recently reopened kiosk and restaurant The Nielsen, reclining on the grassy picnic areas, strolling the foreshore walking track or taking in the incredible views across the bay to Mosman and into Sydney Harbour. Try the Hermitage Foreshore Track, a beautiful 3.6km return walk beginning at the park, offering views of Shark Island and the grounds of Strickland House.
Nielsen Park Shark Beach, Vaucluse
Evening
Come afternoon, head towards the city to Centennial Park Cycles for a ride through the expansive Centennial Parklands. There are a range of bikes to hire including two- and four-seater pedal cars, tag-along bikes, tandem bikes and more.
After your cycle, it’s just a 15-minute walk to Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter, a fun-filled precinct that’s home to Fox Studios and many other activities. Check out the bowling lanes, arcade games and laser tag at Strike Bowling, or tackle the 401-metre indoor go-karting track perched on top of the EQ's car park at Hyper Karting and Virtual Reality. Afterwards, grab one of Sydney's most famous burgers at Mary's EQ.
Centennial Park Cycles, Centennial Parklands
DAY TWO: THE CBD
DAY TWO KEY FACTS:
Burrawa Bridge Climb is located at:
- 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks, NSW 2000
- A 5-minute (1.3km) drive from Sydney's CBD
Morning
The CBD is packed with adventurous activities, from climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to spending an afternoon aboard a historic ship. Start your day with a sunrise kayak on the harbour with OzPaddle. Set off from Andrew Boy Charlton Pool then paddle past the Royal Botanic Garden, up to the Sydney Opera House and soak up the glory of the harbour and its incredible icons. After you tie up your kayak, try exploring Sydney’s waters on a Whale Watching Sydney tour to see humpback and southern right whales during their annual migration past Sydney during May to November. Journeys set off from Wharf 6 at Circular Quay then travel 20 minutes out to sea. If you don’t spot any on your trip, you receive a free tour to try again another time.
Whale Watching Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Afternoon
Get a bird’s-eye view of Sydney Harbour on the Burrawa BridgeClimb. This incredible experience sees your family climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, led by an Aboriginal storyteller. On the climb you’ll receive insight into Aboriginal stories and landmarks across the harbour. Once you’ve descended the bridge, give the kids a immersive sailing experience with Sydney Tall Ships. Jump aboard a historic tall ship to cruise in style while you and the kids hoist the sails, take turns steering the ship and gaze out onto the sparkling harbour.
BridgeClimb, Sydney
Evening
In the late afternoon, take a serene stroll around Darling Harbour’s Chinese Garden of Friendship. This tranquil retreat in the middle of the city offers insight into the ancient, private gardens of 5th-century China, with serene pathways flanked by exotic plants, colourful blooms and a lake filled with koi. If you’re feeling peckish, you can soak up the magic of the garden from the onsite tea house, where you’ll find delicious dumplings, buns and more served with fragrant teas.
Or, if you’re keen for more food options, walk just one minute down the road to enjoy the atmosphere of the Darling Quarter. This vibrant entertainment precinct features Tumbalong Park, a multi-zone kid's playground (including a water play area), theatre, village green and plenty of dining options, from pizza and pasta to Japanese izakaya-style eateries, Brazilian barbecue, Cantonese fare, bubble tea and gelato.
Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
DAY THREE: THE NORTHERN BEACHES
DAY THREE KEY FACTS:
Wild Ropes at Taronga Zoo Sydney is located at:
- Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW 2088
- A 20-minute (10km) drive from Sydney's CBD
Morning
If you’re visiting Sydney on the first or third Saturday of the month, begin an action-packed day in North Sydney at Northside Produce Market for fresh produce, breakfast bites, cracking coffee and artisanal goods. Then spend the morning at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden. Wendy, wife of famed artist Brett Whiteley, began tending to the overgrown weeds and bushes after Brett died. The garden is now a hidden oasis in the Lavender Bay Parklands, filled with birds of paradise, grevilleas, Japanese maples, a jacaranda and more. From the garden take a 10-minute walk over to Fiore Bread, a sourdough bakery and deli in McMahons Point. Here you’ll find sourdough bread, focaccia, biscotti, panino, coffee and more.
Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden, Lavender Bay
Afternoon
After brunch, head east to Mosman for one of the city’s most famous and lauded tourist attractions Taronga Zoo Sydney. Reach new heights with the Wild Ropes experience, a rope course set high above the zoo with incredible views of the zoo animals and the city for ages three years and up. After some time in the sky, head further north to Manly for a Manly Sailing experience. The Try Sailing course is open to people of all ages and will see participants learn sailing basics with an experienced instructor with the Manly foreshore and its surrounding national parkland as a scenic backdrop.
Wild Ropes at Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman - Credit: Marcus Coblyn
Evening
Round off your day on the north side of the Harbour Bridge, letting loose at Luna Park, Sydney's much-loved, harbourside theme park. Head inside for thrilling rides and roller coasters, games, shows, magic and lots of lights. If you’re looking for somewhere out-of-the-ordinary to stay the night, book into Cockatoo Island Waterfront Camping. This urban campground boasts unbeatable views of Sydney Harbour plus and you can even opt for pre-pitched tents.
Cockatoo Island Waterfront Camping, Sydney Harbour
DAY FOUR: THE INNER WEST
DAY FOUR KEY FACTS:
Bouldering at BlocHaus Bouldering is located at:
- 49 Fitzroy St, Marrickville, NSW 2204
- A 20-minute (7km) drive from Sydney's CBD
Morning
The inner west is an arty, multicultural hub of restaurants, bars and cafes. Start your day with an American-style breakfast at Marrickville diner Valentinas. This locals’ favourite serves up fluffy pancakes, fried chicken sandwiches, meringue-topped pies and more, just be prepared to wait for a table if you go on a weekend. You can also pick up some delicious Grumpy Donuts treats here, or head to the brand's store in Camperdown for more options. Devour some of Sydney’s best doughnuts across a huge range of rotating flavours such as brownie sundae, red frog glazed, berry jam and passionfruit slice.
If you’d prefer someone to guide you through the Marrickville motions step-by-step, join a Gourmet Safari walking tour. These immersive food tours introduce you to the incredible producers and characters of the suburb. In Marrickville, you’ll make stops at a cheese maker, gin distillery, patisserie and more.
Grumpy Donuts, Camperdown - Credit: Grumpy Donuts
Afternoon
With all your pastry and cheese energy, time for some sport at BlocHaus Bouldering. Here there are 850 square metres of climbing surface for bouldering (short wall climbing with mats and no ropes). No gear or experience is necessary – the staff will give you everything you need. Just around the corner is one of the most acclaimed gelato shops in the county, Gelato Messina. The ice creamery's Marrickville headquarters oversees all production including its chocolate, caramel-y dulce de leche, baked goods and, of course, ice-cream. Choose from 35 core flavours or one of the five rotating weekly specials. If you’re hungry for something more substantial, head to The Henson for classic pub bites with the bonus of a kid-friendly play area, or stroll along the Inner West Ale Trail to find snacks and sips from 16 outstanding breweries within a 5km radius.
Gelato Messina, Sydney - Credit: Gelato Messina
Evening
Come nighttime turn your attention to problem-solving and puzzles with an escape room adventure at The Cipher Room. There are two locations, one in St Peters and the other in Newtown (both close by car or public transport from Marrickville), each with different game options, degrees of difficulty and age appropriateness. Newtown’s Espionage room sees participants recruited as spies to solve the mystery of an unfinished mission. It’s suitable for all ages and has no scary content.
After you’ve made your way out of the escape room, head a few more stops up the train line for a night out in Burwood Chinatown. There are more than 50 street food stalls and eateries to choose from, ranging from nostalgic, home-style cooking to dishes born out of the latest Asian food trends.
Burwood Chinatown, Burwood
DAY FIVE: THE WESTERN SUBURBS
DAY FIVE KEY FACTS:
Sydney Motorsports Park is located at:
- Ferrers Rd, Eastern Creek, NSW 2766
- A 40-minute (38km) drive from Sydney's CBD
Morning
An adventure-filled day in the western suburbs could begin with cycling in Bicentennial Park. Bike Hire at Sydney Olympic Park rents bikes by the hour and has a range of styles on offer. The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre is also well worth a visit (and swim). The pool was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to this day hosts competitions ranging from community to international levels – there’s also a family-friendly heated pool and water slide.
Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
Afternoon
Following a dip in the Olympic Pool, why not take things up a notch and catch a wave at URBNSURF, Sydney’s first urban surf park. The 3.6ha lagoon pool delivers 200 consistent waves per hour with sessions offered for a range of experience levels. There’s also onsite restaurant Sandy’s that’s a great place for a relaxed meal too. If you prefer a different kind of adrenaline rush, then head 25 minutes west (by car) to Sydney Motorsports Park. This motorsport megacomplex is licensed for car and motorbike racing and offers various training, driving experiences (car and go-kart) and races most days of the week.
URBNSURF Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park - Credit: Aquabumps
Evening
Come evening, if you’re still keen on competitive sport, opt for an introduction to archery at Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre. There are lessons for beginners through to more skilled archers, led by professionals in a fun and social environment. After working up an appetite after a jam-packed day (and week), there are plenty of food options at this entertainment precinct to choose from, such as casual bites at Abattoir Blues, pizza and pasta at Piccolo Roma, and racks of ribs (and other barbecued fare) at Ribs and Rumps. Not far from here you’ll find a vibrant array of eateries in Harris Park, with flavours spanning India and beyond. Or head out to the Camden Valley Inn for bistro fare and pizzas with a playground and big red tractor for kids to play on.
Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre, Homebush - Credit: Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre
