How to Plan the Perfect Family Holiday in Sydney

Located a 15-minute ferry ride across the harbour, a visit to the Taronga Zoo offers the perfect combination of entertainment and education. Animal lovers will delight in the zoo’s extensive program of up-close encounters, where visitors can cuddle with meerkats, feed giraffes, get up close and personal with African elephants and more. When it’s time for lunch, Taronga Zoo offers plenty of onsite dining options – we would recommend ordering a takeaway from The View and enjoying a alfresco meal overlooking the beautiful Sydney harbor.

While it might like a daunting venue for a family day out, The Museum of Contemporary Art offers child-friendly programs that encourage little ones to get inspired. ArtPLAY, a long-running MCA program, occurs around once a week and invites parents and children to create art and create reflective of a current in-house exhibit. Otherwise, wandering through the museum’s collection of strange, wonderful and thought-provoking works is a mutually enjoyable way to introduce young ones to the art world. In fact, the Museum of Contemporary Art even offers a helpful guide on how to talk to children about art to peruse before your visit.

The coastal walk that links Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach is iconic for a reason. The 6 kilometer return trip takes trekkers past some of the most breathtaking seaside views in all of Sydney, and the opportunity to dip into the ocean several times along the way certainly doesn’t hurt.  The walk is classed as easy, and with a fully paved path and plenty of spots for toilets breaks, it’s ideal for families with children of all ages as well.

Learn about the region’s traditional landowners – the Gadigal people – with an informative and interactive tour through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Led by a First Nations guide, the Aboriginal Heritage and Harbour Tour offers stories of the Gadigal lifestyle, traditions, and use of land, while an Aboriginal Bush Tucker tour teaches visitors about traditional bush ingredients and their many uses.

With dozens of iconic venues in and around the city, Sydney plays host to an incredible number of live performances and musicals every year. It’s easy to find a show that everyone will appreciate; from harbour-side operas for the sophisticates to joyous family-friendly favourites that transcend the limits of age (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Wicked will both grace Sydney stages this year).

For visitors from further afield, a surf lesson at one of Australia’s most recognizable beaches is an unforgettable family experience. With Bondi’s beginner-friendly swells and instructors at various surfing schools trained to assist all participants of all ages and levels, even total novices will feel at ease. Many schools even offer private family lessons for a flat fee, making the afternoon all the more memorable.

One of the best ways to really see Sydney? A ferry ride through the Harbour and over to beautiful Manly.  The 30 minute journey takes commuters past the icons and out towards the rugged coastline before landing at charming Manly Harbour. Once there, there is plenty for the family to enjoy. Wander along the esplanade, dine on fresh fish and chips or simply lounge in the sun on Manly Beach. Aim for a return trip at sunset for some seriously spectacular visuals.

It’s nearly impossible to walk through a Sydney suburb without passing a gelato shop that someone, somewhere has touted as the best in the city. From nationally acclaimed stalwarts like Messina, to neighbourhood shops such as Mapo Gelato and Ciccone & Sons, sampling at least a scoop a day is a task easily fulfilled. Make it a point to try as many possible can before deciding on a family favourite before the end of the holiday. This guide may help.

Explore the Harbour City from InterContinental Sydney’s prime Circular Quay location. Learn more about our exclusive Family Getaway offer at the link below.