top things to do in Sydney with kids
Sydney is jam packed with family friendly fun, from picnics on beautiful beaches to close animal encounters in aquariums and Zoos. So here is our Top must see attractions to see and do while visiting Sydney.
TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY
One of Sydney's most famous attractions, the award-winning Taronga Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals, including Australian native wildlife, as well as rare and endangered exotic animals. Overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes from the city by ferry. Open 365 days a year, admission includes daily keeper talks and shows, and access to the Sky Safari, Sydney's only cable car
Enjoy the Free-Flight Bird Show overlooking Sydney Harbour, featuring some of the world's most spectacular birds and be delighted by the Daily Seal Show where Australian and Californian Sea-lions and the New Zealand Fur-seals will impress you with their grace and skill.
Highly recommend taking the chairlifts while enjoying breath-taking views of Sydney Harbour.
For more info: http://www.taronga.org.au
For more info: http://www.taronga.org.au
WILD LIFE SYDNEY ZOO
Discover the best of Australia at Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Get up and close and Step into an animal adventure and meet your favourite iconic Australian animals – meet cute Koalas in Gum Tree Valley or have your photo taken with them at Koala Encounters.
Head to Wallaby Cliffs to interact with Ringo the wombat and then hop to Kangaroo Walk-About to walk amongst the Kangaroos. The Platypus Pools are where you’ll find Jackie and Zoey, their resident platypus pals, before entering the daring world of Kakadu Gorge where you’ll come eye to eye with a huge Saltwater Crocodile, and much more.
Wild Life Sydney Zoo features interactive displays, entertaining keeper talks and enhanced walk-through habitats including Koala Encounters, Kangaroo Walk-About and Butterfly Tropics.
Wild Life Sydney Zoo is open from 10am and located in the heart of the city, at Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour.
For more info: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au
For more info: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au
SEA LIFE SYDNEY AQUARIUM
Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is an underwater journey of amazing discovery with 12 extraordinary themed zones. Meander through the Jurassic Seas, Great Barrier Reef, Bay of Rays and Dugong Island (just to name a few), then, immerse yourself in the underwater world of Shark Valley, the majestic ocean tunnel walk-through.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums - with over 700 different species and 13,000 animals in an impressive six million litres of water. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is also home to the world's largest variety of sharks and rays, as well as Australia's most famed marine animals, including dugongs and tropical reef fish.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is also home to the world's first-of-its kind penguin exhibit, Penguin Expedition. Inspired by Macquarie Island, this sensory experience allows guests to get up close and personal to a spectacular colony of King and Gentoo Penguins. Penguin Expedition transports you on a raft through a sub-Antarctic journey like no other amidst flurries of snow, whistling winds and stunning Southern Lights.
For more information: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
For more information: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
MADAME TUSSAUDS SYDNEY
Get up-close and personal with your favourite celebrities and become the star of the story with their new immersive experiences. Step into the spotlight and accept your MTV best newcomer award presented by superstar Adele, kick goals with soccer legend Tim Cahill or get your selfie with two of Australia's hottest stars - Chris and Liam Hemsworth.
From posing with the stars and experiencing the all-new interactive features, Madame Tussauds Sydney is open daily from 10am and promises start-to-finish fun in the heart of Sydney’s CBD in Darling Harbour.
For more info: https://www.madametussauds.com.au/
For more info: https://www.madametussauds.com.au/
Sightseeing via Ferry- Captain Cook Cruises
When in Sydney we did what the locals do and travel on the harbour highway. The Hop On Hop Off ferry pass made it so easy getting to the main tourist sites of Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Manly, for a 60 to 90 minute cruise around the harbour with a choice of up to 12 famous stopovers along the way.
We recommend Skipping the traffic and traveling to Taronga Zoo by ferry departing regularly from Circular Quay, Watsons Bay and Darling Harbour starting from only $4 for childen and $7.50 for Adults theres no better way to see Sydney harbour then on a ferry.
where to stay in sydney with kids
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney and found it to be a comfortable choice for families, bonus kids 12 and under stay and eat free!. Uniquely positioned between the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in The Rocks, the Holiday Inn old Sydney is famous for its poolside breathtaking panoramic rooftop views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
From the moment we walk in we were greeted by the friendliest staff providing a warm welcome. Situated in a heritage listed building the Old Holiday Inn is conveniently located just five minutes walk to the harbour side promenade to the lively Circular Quay area well known for its excellent restaurants and bars is also Sydney’s central transport hub and Customs house.
Here we took a ferry to Taronga Zoo and other places including Manly, Watson's Bay whilst enjoying the fabulous harbour views and saving time on planing our day throughout Sydney.
Like most hotels we woke up to a ‘fresh start’ buffet breakfast in Playfair Terrace Restaurant with fresh espresso coffee, squeeze-your-own juice and a tasty hot selection provides a great beginning to our day. They also have gluten free options made to order and a chef that cooks your eggs exactly the way you want.
There's also a lobby lounge and bar, a great spot for pre-dinner drinks, that's open daily from 4pm until late.
Staying at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney was absolutely amazing . The location was convenient and time saving for our short say with great cafes and restaurants on its doorstep. The staff were super friendly and helpful and the views were worth a million dollars. Best part is Kids stay and eat free.
holiday inn Family Cruise to the Zoo package save 25%* off
Holiday Inn Old Sydney have created the perfect value accommodation package for the whole family. The Family Cruise to the Zoo package has everything sorted for a memorable experience right by Sydney harbour. Better yet, by booking the package you save 25% off RRP!
The package includes:
Click the ‘BOOK NOW’ button to direct you to the Holiday Inn Old Sydney booking site. The package offer will appear once you have entered the appropriate dates of stay. Must be a minimum of two nights stay. Alternatively, call +61 2 9255 1800 24 hours daily, seven days a week or email holidayinnoldsydney@ihg.com.
The package includes:
- A two night accommodation for two adults and two children at Holiday Inn Old Sydney located in the heart of The Rocks, Sydney.
- Package includes our famous buffet breakfast for two adults. Kids 12 years and under also get to enjoy free buffet breakfast.
- Return Captain Cook Zoo Express pass for two adults and two children which includes:
- Captain Cook, return rocket ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo
- Entry to Taronga Zoo
- Sky Safari cable car at Taronga Zoo
Click the ‘BOOK NOW’ button to direct you to the Holiday Inn Old Sydney booking site. The package offer will appear once you have entered the appropriate dates of stay. Must be a minimum of two nights stay. Alternatively, call +61 2 9255 1800 24 hours daily, seven days a week or email holidayinnoldsydney@ihg.com.
