Tours for Kids

Parents know it's often easiest to take the path of least resistance, so sign up for a tour and know that the hard work is taken care of. From behind-the-scenes zoo tours to exploring tall ships on Sydney Harbour, there's a tour to suit every family.

Highlights

The best of Sydney

The easiest way to get around Sydney and clock all the must-sees is on a double-decker bus. Big Bus Sydney has two hop-on, hop-off bus tours with an audio channel for kids. One route takes you around the city's attractions, including WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, while the other takes in Bondi Beach.

Family enjoying a tour of Sydney with Big Bus Sydney

Big Bus Sydney, Sydney

Of course, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House are at the top of all first-time visitor's bucket lists. Scale 'The Coathanger' with BridgeClimb, and take a look behind the scenes of the famous sails on a guided tour.

Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney

BridgeClimb, Sydney

Tours on the water

Between May and November, daily whale-watching boat tours will take you to see humpbacks migrating along the spectacular Sydney coastline. Top companies include Whale Watching Sydney and Oz Whale Watching. Youngsters can also test their sea legs on a tour of Sydney Harbour aboard a tall ship with Sydney Heritage Fleet Cruises and Sydney Harbour Tall Ships.

Family enjoying a day of whale watching off-shore Sydney

On tour with Whale Watching Sydney, Sydney Harbour

If you are after an adrenaline rush, head out on a jet boat with Oz Jet Boating, Harbour Jet or Thunder Jet Boat. Another unforgettable way to explore the harbour is by kayak – OzPaddle and Sydney Harbour Kayaks both do sunrise tours, if you can get the little ones to rise and shine early enough.

Group enjoying Thunder Jet Boat, Sydney Harbour

Thunder Jet Boat, Sydney Harbour

Segways & cycling

At Sydney Olympic Park, kids as young as nine can drive their own segway with Segway Tours Australia. Manly has more than 20km of cycle paths so go cycling along the gorgeous coast with Manly Bike Tours to discover secluded beaches and discover Manly Dam where you can find one of the best mountain bike tracks in town. Other bike tour companies will take you along the harbour foreshore and through the city, such as Bonza Bike Tours.

Family enjoying a ride on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours, Royal Botanic Garden

Bonza Bike Tours, Royal Botanic Garden

Wildlife & animals

Little animal lovers will be excited to stay at Taronga Zoo for the night and make the most of its Roar and Snore package. You'll go on a 90-minute night safari and see what animals get up to after dark. Kids can also join in special Keeper for a Day programs at both Taronga Zoo and Sydney Zoo that give them a taste of what it's like to work at the zoo.

Young boy enjoying a snake encounter at Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee in Western Sydney

Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee

Specialised tours

Kids that know their fast bowlers from their spinners will be thrilled with a visit to the Sydney Cricket Ground Museum as part of the SCG Experience Tours, where they can go behind the scenes and even see Don Bradman memorabilia. If you'd like them to learn about the local Indigenous people who have lived in the Sydney area for thousands of years, take a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Garden or Barangaroo Reserve.

Visitors in Sydney Cricket Ground Museum in Moore Park, Sydney East

Sydney Cricket Ground Museum, Moore Park 

Young astronomers can turn their gaze to the stars at the Sydney Observatory in The Rocks, which offers specialised tours, including night-time Family Friendly Twilight Tours and a 3D theatre. For a different kind of evening experience, join a ghost tour at The Rocks or Q Station near Manly.

Wonderful experiences for kids in Sydney