The 8 Best Things to Do With Kids in Sydney (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 8 picks

The best things to do in Sydney with kids in 2026 are Taronga Zoo, with its harbour views and ferry ride, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the free Australian Museum, Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park for kangaroos and koalas, the Maritime Museum's ships, and the ferry to Manly for the beach.

Sydney is easy with children: ferries are part of the fun, the harbour beaches are calm, and many of the best things (beaches, playgrounds, the Australian Museum) are free. Children under four travel free on public transport, and children and young people pay reduced Opal fares, with a daily cap. School holidays bring crowds and higher prices at the big attractions. See also our best Sydney beaches.

1. Taronga Zoo Sydney — Mosman

Animals with a harbour view, a ferry ride from the city.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

Taronga Zoo sits on a hillside above the harbour, with views of the Opera House from some enclosures. Its Australian animals, the free-flight bird show and the seal show are favourites.

Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo wharf; buses run up to the main entrance, and you can walk back down through the zoo to the ferry.

Good to know: Start at the top entrance and walk downhill to finish near the ferry wharf.

Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088

Google Maps Website

2. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium — Darling Harbour

Sharks, dugongs and a walk-through reef in Darling Harbour.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has underwater tunnels with sharks and rays, a Great Barrier Reef exhibit, penguins and dugongs.

It's next to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds, and combo tickets save money if you'll visit more than one.

Good to know: Buy tickets online in advance; it's cheaper than at the door.

1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

3. Australian Museum — Sydney CBD

Dinosaurs, minerals and Australian animals, free to enter.

Best for Families · Budget

The Australian Museum is the country's oldest museum, with dinosaurs, a big gallery of Australian animals, minerals and First Nations culture. General entry is free.

The Discovery Centre and Hall of Wonders suit curious children, and Hyde Park is across the road for a run-around.

Good to know: Combine it with the Hyde Park playground across the road.

1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010

Google Maps Website

4. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park — Doonside

Hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas in western Sydney.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Featherdale has one of the largest collections of Australian native animals, and children can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies and see koalas, wombats and penguins up close.

It's about 45 minutes west of the city by car or a train and bus ride.

Good to know: Buy a bag of animal food at the entrance; the kangaroos are very friendly.

217-229 Kildare Rd, Doonside NSW 2767

Google Maps Website

5. Australian National Maritime Museum — Darling Harbour

Climb aboard a submarine, a destroyer and a replica of Cook's ship.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

The Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour has historic vessels you can board, including the submarine HMAS Onslow, the destroyer HMAS Vampire and a replica of the Endeavour when in port, plus galleries about the sea.

The ship tours are the highlight for children.

Good to know: Check the ship opening times; some close for maintenance.

2 Murray St, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

6. Manly ferry and beach — Manly

A harbour ferry ride to a beach suburb with calm Shelly Beach.

Best for Families · Budget

The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly crosses the harbour past the Opera House and the Heads in about 30 minutes. In Manly, the Corso leads to the surf beach, and a short walk takes you to calm Shelly Beach for snorkelling.

It's a classic, cheap Sydney day out.

Good to know: Sit on the outside deck on the right going out for the Opera House view.

Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095

Google Maps Website

7. Luna Park Sydney — Milsons Point

A historic harbourside amusement park under the Harbour Bridge.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Luna Park, with its giant smiling face entrance, has rides for small children and teenagers, a big wheel with harbour views and old-fashioned sideshows. Entry is free; you pay for rides.

Get there by ferry or train to Milsons Point.

Good to know: Buy an unlimited-ride pass online if your children will go on lots of rides.

1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Google Maps Website

8. Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden — Centennial Park

A free nature play garden with water, bamboo forest and a creek.

Best for Families · Budget

The Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden in Centennial Park is a nature-based play space with a dry creek bed, water play, a bamboo forest, tunnels and a flying fox.

It suits children from toddlers to about 12, and Centennial Park around it has bike hire and big lawns.

Good to know: Bring a change of clothes for the water play area.

Dickens Dr, Centennial Park NSW 2021

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best thing to do in Sydney with kids?

Taronga Zoo, reached by a ferry from Circular Quay, with Australian animals, a big bird show and views of the harbour. Allow most of a day.

What can kids do in Sydney for free?

The Australian Museum's general galleries, the Darling Quarter playground, the Royal Botanic Garden, beaches and ocean pools, and the Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden in Centennial Park are all free.

Which Sydney beaches are best for small children?

Harbour beaches such as Balmoral, Shelly Beach in Manly and Nielsen Park are calm and shallow. Ocean pools like Bronte and Bondi Icebergs (paid) are good for older children.

Where can kids see kangaroos and koalas in Sydney?

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park in western Sydney lets children hand-feed kangaroos and see koalas up close. Taronga Zoo and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo at Darling Harbour also have Australian animals.

What should we do with kids in Sydney on a rainy day?

The Australian Museum, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Sydney Tower Eye all work in the rain.

1. Taronga Zoo Sydney — Mosman

2. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium — Darling Harbour

3. Australian Museum — Sydney CBD

4. Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park — Doonside

5. Australian National Maritime Museum — Darling Harbour

6. Manly ferry and beach — Manly

7. Luna Park Sydney — Milsons Point

8. Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden — Centennial Park

Frequently asked questions

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