A 3-day itinerary in Sydney for families

Sydney is made for families. From its glorious beaches and lush bushland to adventurous activities, kid-friendly dining and the world’s most spectacular zoo, there’s fun around every corner. Here’s your ultimate family weekend in the Harbour City.

Destination NSW

Dec 2024 - 3 min read

Highlights

Ride the ferris wheel at Luna Park
Cycle across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Meet the animals at Taronga Zoo
Have a sky-high adventure at Sydney Tower Eye
Swim at beautiful Camp Cove

Morning

Welcome to Sydney! Start your weekend of family fun on two wheels. The Sydney Harbour Discovery Tour with Sydney Harbour Bike Tours is an easy, flat ride past the city’s most famous icons. Riding a modern e-bike, you’ll cruise around the edge of the harbour and across the Sydney Harbour Bridge while your expert guide shares Sydney’s best stories. It’s suitable for all fitness levels though riders must be over the age of 12. If you’re travelling with little kids, try Bonza Bike Tours – they have kids bikes, baby seats, trail along carriages and kids’ tandems.

Sydney Harbour Bike Tours, The Rocks

Afternoon

After a busy morning, it’s time to check in to your hotel. Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour is a favourite with families. It’s right in the middle of all the action, has great views over the water, an outdoor pool to cool off in and even a tennis court. Grab a late lunch in The Ternary restaurant and settle in.

Executive Harbour View Room, 2 Double Beds at Novotel Sydney, Darling Harbour

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour - Credit: William Taylor/Novotel & Ibis Sydney Darling Harbour & The Ternary

Evening

It’s just a short stroll down to the wharf at Pyrmont Bay where you can hop on a ferry to Milsons Point and the bright lights of Luna Park. This iconic theme park is open til late on the weekends, so you can ride the famous ferris wheel, scream your lungs out on the Big Dipper rollercoaster and play on the vintage amusements inside Coney Island. You’ll also get spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay as the lights come on at night.

Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point

Morning

Taronga Zoo has been perched on a headland on the northern side of Sydney Harbour for more than a century, first opening its doors in 1916. Today, it’s home to over 5,000 from more than 350 species. Jump on the Taronga Zoo Express Cruise from Darling Harbour and spend this morning meeting some of them. You could start with Australian natives like koalas, dingos, kangaroos, wallabies and platypus. Or explore the African Savannah to see lions, zebras, gorillas, hippos and giraffes. There are endangered Sumatran tigers and Asian elephants, as well as playful penguins and wriggly reptiles.

Taronga Zoo, Mosman

Afternoon

Once you’ve talked to all the animals, take a gentle walk along the edge of the harbour along the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay trail. It starts right at the bottom entrance of the zoo and winds along the water, with great views out to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There are some interesting military relics at Bradleys Head, built by convicts in 1839. Finish with a swim at Chowder Bay.

Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk, Mosman

Evening

Hop on the light rail (which stops just beside your hotel) and head down to the buzzy Darling Square precinct for dinner. Steam Mill Lane is lined with restaurants from every corner of the globe – try Wingboy for American-style fried chicken, Nakano Darling for Japanese or Matcha-Ya for something sweet. Inside The Exchange building you’ll find the food court of your dreams – with 12 different restaurants, you’ll find something that everyone wants to eat.

Nakano Darling - Credit: Nakano Darling

Morning

The calm waters of Camp Cove are perfect for kids. It’s tucked inside the harbour at the end of South Head, with great views back towards the city. Spend this morning paddling in the gentle waves or snorkelling at the northern end of the beach, where you can see seahorses, octopus, sea urchins and plenty of fish amongst the sea grass. Parking can be tricky, so you may want to catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay, just next door.

Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Afternoon

Back in the city, it’s time to get a bird’s eye view of Sydney. The Sydney Tower Eye is an icon and the tallest structure in the city. Suit up and step outside for Skywalk, a thrilling outdoor adventure almost 270 metres up. Strapped safely into a harness, you’ll walk around the open-air observation deck where you can see all the city’s most famous buildings from a new perspective. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Blue Mountains.

Family enjoying the view at sunset, Sydney Sky Tower Skywalk

Sydney Tower Eye, Sydney CBD

Evening

Sit down for a final celebrator dinner at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour. It’s a laid back, sprawling space with lots of different options, from a pizza bar to a rotisserie, pasta station and a gelato bar. If they still have any energy left to burn, the excellent Darling Quarter playground is just opposite.