Itineraries for Your Trip to Sydney
3 Days in Sydney for Families
With miles of sandy coastlines, panoramic views, and walking trails, Sydney is a city that draws you outside—and I’ve got the freckles to prove it. From famous beaches like Bondi and Manly to beautiful parks and fun zones like Luna Park, Harbour City has enough outdoor attractions to keep you soaking up the vitamin D all day long.
While it’s hard to squeeze all of Sydney into just three days—especially if you’re joined by little legs—visiting with kids in tow offers an opportunity to lean into the city’s fun side. In fact, even the transportation can be part of the experience if you pick options that double as sightseeing opportunities, like a harbor ferry or the North Shore train. Here’s what to do with a 3-day visit.
Make room for indoor activities (like museums) if it’s rainy or too hot outside.
If you only go to one attraction, make it Taronga Zoo, home to more than 5,000 animals and panoramic harbor views.
Make your way to Darling Harbour, where you have your pick of visiting the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, or the Australian National Maritime Museum. If you’re traveling with younger kids, your next stop is the Darling Harbour Kids Playground, home to a 21-meter flying fox, giant slides, and water play areas.
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, you can scope out Darling Harbour's huge strip of cafés and restaurants geared to little eaters, including Rashays and Blackbird Cafe. After all that adventure, finish the day on a zen note at the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
Today is about exploring the harbor from all angles. Start at Milsons Point and wander through Luna Park for a carnival atmosphere. (Entry is free without rides.) Alternatively, take in sweeping water views from local vantage points such as the Jeffrey Street Wharf, Dr Mary Booth Lookout, or Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden.
From there, walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (with an optional stop at the Pylon Lookout and Museum), which leads to The Rocks—Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. Weave through the cobbled streets and pay a visit to Susannah’s Place for a taste of 19th Century Sydney, or the Museum of Contemporary Art for a cultural experience.
Get back to nature with a brunch picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens where you can once again enjoy panoramic views of the harbor. From there, walk over to its iconic neighbor, the Sydney Opera House for some Instagrammable family photos on the stairs and a quick tour.
If it’s a beautiful day, hop on a ferry at Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. From there, you can enter a 3-mile (5-kilometer) harborside walk—past Bradley’s Head—which brings you to Chowder Bay (also known as Clifton Gardens). While not as famous as its Balmoral neighbor, this beach comes complete with cafés, barbecue pits, changerooms, playground, and Ferry wharf.
