Top things to do in Sydney, events & more
Join the history trail at Vaucluse House, a gothic homestead that housed a family of 12 in the early 1800s. Surrounded by 10 hectares of formal gardens with multi-million-dollar views, this living museum offers education, exploration and space to run. Head over to Milk Beach to dip your toes in the water at one of the prettiest little sandy beaches in the harbour. Another option is this guided tour of the zoo which is great for families. You can meet hand-raised animals and take photos with them, and you’ll learn a lot about Australian wildlife along the way. With skyline views, excellent food and drinks and good music, these are some of the best to visit around Sydney. If you’re looking for something fun to do in Sydney after dark, you can’t go wrong with a classic Sydney ghost tour. These creepy tours are a great way to learn more about the city’s past and meet fellow horror lovers places to visit in sydney while you’re at it. Chinatown is loaded with quality restaurants featuring authentic Asian cuisine. The area also features the inner-city oasis of the Chinese Garden of Friendship, along with Paddy’s Market. At night, various neon signs located in alleyways provide some good photo opportunities. Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, Hyde Park has it all. If you’re seeking a laid-back day by the sea, Manly Beach is the place to be. The beach is family-friendly, so kids can have fun building sandcastles or playing beach volleyball. This historic area features charming cobblestone streets and beautiful colonial buildings. Wandering through The Rocks gives visitors a glimpse into Sydney’s rich past. You can choose to take a leisurely stroll or join a guided climbing tour for an exhilarating experience. Check out Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park or try the cliff-top walking trails from Bondi to Cogree and Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay. If you’re not keen on a cruise, there are a few great whale vantage points around Sydney too, where you may just be lucky enough to spot one of the giant creatures from the shore. Whale watching is a perfect Sydney family activity to witness these magnificent creatures up close on a comfortable vessel. They also have free hands-on school holiday programs during the NSW school break. Brush up your kitchen skills at an all-ages cooking school or learn about multicultural cuisine on a food tour, such as the fabulous Gourmet Safaris or I Ate My Way Through. Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney exhibits a wide range of animal species from around the world, including African lions, orangutans and Sumatran tigers in an open-air setting. There are also interactive experiences on offer, where kids can get a closer look at some of the zoo’s residents, meet a meerkat or become a keeper for the day. The world-heritage listed building is stunning in person, and it is illuminated beautifully at night. The city is very multicultural, so the food on offer is delicious, and it’s also a fantastic shopping destination. The various suburbs have very different atmospheres, so you’ll find something for everyone in this tourist paradise. Sydney is Australia’s most vibrant and diverse city — a destination where world-class art, golden beaches, green parks, and buzzing nightlife blend perfectly. Whether you’re an art lover, nature enthusiast, or nightlife seeker, Sydney offers endless attractions that capture the true spirit of Australia. Aside from its incredible history, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become home to the Bridge Climb Experience, which offers locals and visitors the chance to climb the bridge’s impressive steel arches. Climbers are rewarded with a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House, the city skyline and a breathtaking expanse of coastline as far as the eye can see. It’s a great way to see the harbour city as it may have looked before the colonials arrived and changed the landscape, and it is a beautiful spot for a picnic. The park is dog-friendly and also has an enclosed playground and BBQ. With its cute picket fence and stunning harbour backdrop, this small swimming pool that sits on the foreshore at Cremorne is a local favourite. Arrive midweek, and you might have the place to yourself, but on summer weekends, it can be pretty busy. Step into the studio of one of Sydney’s most loved modern artists. This serene beach is popular for its calm waters, making it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and picnicking. The surrounding area features sandy shores, rocky outcrops, and lush greenery, perfect for relaxing or enjoying nature walks. Boat Harbour holds historical significance as part of the site where Captain Cook first landed in 1770. The nearby Kurnell National Park adds to the area's natural charm, offering visitors a tranquil escape within easy reach of Sydney's bustling city center. It's been a film set, a jail, a shipping yard and home to some exceptional arts and culture festivals. The state-of-the-art, four-floor gallery brings together 21st century Chinese art, with a rotation of four key exhibitions throughout the year. Founder Judith Neilson created the self-funded non-profit gallery to house her epic collection of post-millennial Chinese art. If you’re rusty with a surfboard, book in for a class at Let’s Go Surfing. The waves at Bronte Beach can get a little hairy for less experienced swimmers, but here you can enjoy the best of both worlds with a protected saltwater pool that has waves crashing at the walls. Whether you’re looking for activities to suit babies or toddlers or tweens and teens, we’ve got you covered. Here is a big list to inspire you on your adventures on a family day out. Just a short boat ride from Circular Quay, Cockatoo Island is renowned for its rich history of housing convicts—making it a perfect day trip to learn of Sydney’s settlement history. Father, husband, traveller, and chief destination manager here at Wyld Family Travel. When Mark is not discussing travel or planning travel, you will find him working in disability support. Mark is a family travel advocate, having travelled to over 45 countries with his kids from 10 months to their teenage years. Our detailed, travel with teens destination guides will help you plan epic vacations with teens that will be perfect for the whole family. See native birds and animals at the Featherdale Wildlife Park, it is a sanctuary that specializes in Australian animals. So if you really want a look at what Australia offers come here for a look. After all this time in the city, we’ve been able to try a lot of activities and have narrowed it down to the absolute best. When it comes to culture, kids are spoiled for choice in Sydney. When it gets dark, they can explore the constellations at Sydney Observatory.