Sydney sits around a harbour, and for children that means boats, bridges and water in almost every direction. Planning Sydney holidays with kids is mostly a matter of choosing which of those things suits your family's ages and energy, and leaving room for the rest.
This page covers the tours listed on this site, a handful of parks and holiday parks, the monthly weather and the drive times from the city. Check ages, minimum numbers and current prices with each operator before you book. For wider background, see our Sydney destination guide.
Why Sydney works for families
The metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and stretches about 80 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west. That is a lot of ground, so it pays to pick a base and a few outings rather than trying to cover it all.
The city has over 1,000,000 hectares of nature reserves and parks, and its notable natural features include the harbour and Royal National Park. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House are the big landmarks. Our page on the Sydney Opera House covers the most famous one, and the wider Sydney attractions page lists more.
Getting around is simpler than the size suggests. Central Station is the hub of the suburban train, metro and light rail networks and longer-distance services, and Kingsford Smith Airport is the main passenger airport.
On the water: harbour activities
Kayaking to Goat Island
The Kayak to Goat Island in Sydney Harbour with Local tour runs for 3 hours and is from AUD 128.21. You paddle up close to the Harbour Bridge and land on Goat Island, a protected site normally closed to visitors. The guide is a born-and-bred Sydney local with photography skills. It is a paddling day, so we would suggest it for older children and teenagers who are comfortable on the water; confirm age limits with the operator.
Hiring your own boat
The Self Drive Boat Hire Sydney Harbour option needs no licence or prior experience. The compact cruiser Coral takes up to six people for seven hours, with a safety briefing included, from AUD 510. You putter along at a relaxed 11 km/h, which suits a family wanting to spot the Opera House and coastal views at their own pace. The boat has sheltered spaces too.
On price per head, the hire works out better for a larger group than a couple, though we would not call it cheap for a small family.
Wildlife and walking tours
The Flying Fox Experience is the most child-friendly of the listed tours in our view. It runs 2 hours 30 minutes, from AUD 80. You watch thousands of flying foxes in their daytime roosts, with binoculars and zoom cameras provided. The bats have wingspans stretching to a metre, and a guide explains their ecology and conservation status.
Two walking tours suit older children and teens who like history. The Badass Women of Sydney walk is 2 hours, from AUD 60, through Macquarie Street and The Rocks, led by She Shapes History. The Historical True Crime Walking Tour of East Sydney is 2 hours, from AUD 45, and covers the 1920s gang wars when the area earned the nickname Razorhurst. It deals with murderers and vice, so it is one for parents to judge by their children's age.
Private tours and the national park
If you would rather set the pace yourself, the Private City Tour: Best of Sydney runs five to six hours in a luxury SUV, from AUD 385. Your guide builds the day with you, taking in The Rocks and the Harbour Bridge as well as quieter spots such as Foreshore Hermitage Park and Strickland House.
The Royal National Park Private Tour is nine hours, from AUD 725, and the guide adjusts pace and route to suit your group. You can tackle Eagle Rock's ridge or keep things gentler, with coastal cliffs, hidden beaches and native wildlife along the way. That flexibility is a real plus with children of mixed ages. Read more on the Royal National Park page.
The Eastern Sydney Panorama trike tour is 90 minutes, from AUD 160, with helmets and jackets supplied. It needs at least two people, and we would check minimum ages before planning around it.
Where to stay with children
Start with our Sydney family accommodation page, or look at Sydney apartments if you want a kitchen and separate rooms. For holiday parks, contact each park for current rates and availability.
- Silver Beach Tourist Park, Kurnell: powered sites and cabins.
- Discovery Parks - Lane Cove, Macquarie Park: powered sites and cabins.
- Discovery Park, Kings Langley: powered sites and cabins.
- NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina Beach, on the Central Coast: powered sites and cabins.
- Bouddi National Park: powered sites and cabins.
Details are on the Discovery Parks - Lane Cove page and the Silver Beach Tourist Park page.
Weather and drive times
Sydney's winters are mild and sunny. July averages a maximum of 15.8 C and a minimum of 8.7 C, with about 28 sunny days. January and February are warmest, with February the rainiest at 87.3 mm over 10.5 rain days.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.5 | 19.3 | 67.8 | 9.4 |
| February | 24.9 | 19.2 | 87.3 | 10.5 |
| March | 23.6 | 17.9 | 70.1 | 10.8 |
| April | 21.4 | 15.0 | 54.2 | 7.9 |
| May | 18.6 | 12.0 | 45.8 | 6.5 |
| June | 16.3 | 10.0 | 65.3 | 8.1 |
| July | 15.8 | 8.7 | 35.8 | 5.9 |
| August | 17.0 | 9.0 | 37.2 | 5.1 |
| September | 19.4 | 11.2 | 40.4 | 6.4 |
| October | 21.2 | 13.5 | 50.6 | 7.7 |
| November | 22.5 | 15.5 | 70.3 | 8.9 |
| December | 24.2 | 17.5 | 56.2 | 8.8 |
Day trips by road from the Sydney area: the Central Coast is 78 km (about 72 minutes), Wollongong 84 km (about 81 minutes) and the Blue Mountains 104 km (about 104 minutes). Newcastle is 161 km (about 132 minutes) and the Hunter Valley 165 km (about 140 minutes). Jervis Bay is 201 km, about 184 minutes, a long stretch for little ones. More ideas are on our Sydney activities page, and the official Visit NSW site is a good place for current events. Background on the city is at Wikipedia: Sydney.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest family-friendly tour to start with?
The Flying Fox Experience is 2 hours 30 minutes, from AUD 80, with binoculars and a guide explaining the bats. It is shorter than the full-day options.
When is the best time to visit?
Winter is dry and sunny, with July and August the driest months. Summer is warmer, with maximums around 25 C, but brings more rain days.
Can we stay in a holiday park near Sydney?
Yes. Silver Beach Tourist Park at Kurnell and Discovery Parks - Lane Cove at Macquarie Park both offer powered sites and cabins. Contact the park directly for current rates and availability.
