Sydney City has so much to offer tourists, but have you considered taking your kids there for a day or two? There is so much to see and do that one day is not enough. If you are feeling adventurous why not book a night or two in one of Sydney’s CBD hotels. You can get some great deals on websites such as Wotif.com and Lastminute.com.au and if you choose one of their secret stay packages, you may get to stay in a 5 star hotels for a budget price.
Before you head into the city, plan your adventure and depending on the children’s ages, work out how much fun and excitement they can handle. Being a busy and noisy business district can be overwhelming for kids and they can get tired more quickly, so make sure you plan for lots of breaks, snacks and play time in between.
Make sure you pack your camera, as you will be snapping lots of photos as your create some amazing memories.
Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is a spectacular attraction and a home to many interesting sea creatures. The most popular exhibits include:
The tropical bay of rays – featuring the most colourful combination of Australian stingrays.
Saws and Claws – a creature feature of smalltooth sawfish and huge Japanese spider crabs.
Southern rivers – freshwater fish such as the Murray cod, platypus, yabbies, turtles.
Northern Rivers – barramundi and lungfish – the only fish species that can breathe air.
Southern Oceans – sea dragons and pineapple fish, octopus, moray eels and penguins.
Dugongs at Mermaid Lagoon – Pig and Wuru are the only captive dugongs in Australia.
Sydney Wildlife World
Get close to koalas and kangaroos, visit one of the world’s largest crocodiles named Rex or walk through nine animal habitats, where you will see over 100 species of Australian animals. Every day Wildlife World features 14 zookeeper talks and animal feeds, so your children are guaranteed to have lots of fun, while learning about the animal world. Some of the most popular exhibits include Butterfly Tropics, Gum Tree Valley, Wallaby Cliffs, Daintree Forest, The Outback, Kakadu Gorge and Bugs Garden.
Walk Across The Harbour Bridge
Enjoy spectacular views as you walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge. The kids will love seeing the boats and ferries in the harbour and also the trains that run across the bridge. The walk takes approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the age of your children and how often you stop to admire the view.
Sydney Eye Tower
Located right in the centre of Sydney, this is definitely a must visit with your kids, especially on a clear day. The building is approximately 309 metres tall and offers 360 degree views of Sydney. Besides the observation deck, you will also find restaurants and cafes, where you can relax for a while and take in the spectacular views – Blue Mountains to the West, Sydney Airport to the South, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and if you are lucky you may even see your own house.
If your children are aged 10+ and you are feeling adventurous, then book in for a Skywalk and walk on air 268 metres above Sydney. An experience you will never forget.
Royal Botanic Gardens
These stunning gardens are perfect for letting your children run and play, feed the ducks or enjoy a family picnic. There are several cafes and restaurants, so if you prefer an easy breakfast or lunch in these spectacular surroundings, then check out one of the following – Botanic Gadens Café, Pavilion on the Park, Pavilion Kiosk or Palace Gate Cafe
The Rocks Discovery Museum
This free museum is very family friendly and tells the story of The Rocks area from pre-European days to current time. You will find a unique collection of images, archaeological artefacts and interactive exhibits. Kids will love playing the Artefact Hunt, using clues provided by the museum. Suitable for kids aged 4-12
Imax Theatre
Imax Theatre offers an amazing movie experience with its huge screen that is 10 times larger than a regular cinema. You can see 2D and 3D movies with crystal clear images, which make you feel like you are part of the adventure. You can purchase tickets at the Imax Theatre website to save yourself waiting in queue.
Darling Quarter Playground
One of Sydney’s most awesome playgrounds, featuring great slides, water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides, flying foxes and so much more. Suitable for young children as well as teenagers and the best thing is it’s all free. Get to the playground early, as it tends to get busy, especially on the weekends and during school holidays.
Powerhouse Museum
Powerhouse Museum is a science and design museum with ever changing exhibits, so there is always something new to explore. During the holidays you will find many workshops and displays for children of all ages. The museum’s courtyard has been transformed into a great outdoor playground, so you can relax over lunch while the children play.
Maritime Museum
A child friendly museum which features interesting exhibitions, artefacts and you can even board ships and experience life on the water. Suitable for children 2 years+, with lots of great activities and workshops for kids of different ages. CBD For Anxiety UK