With world-famous beaches, year-round temperate weather and overflowing with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, design and cuisine, Sydney lives up to its reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world. Inducing envy in citizens of other cities, Sydney is truly unique due to its location next to miles of beautiful ocean coastline, sandy surf beaches yet just an hour away from large national parks and forests. The city itself is also renowned as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in Australia. Sydney is home to two of the most iconic structures on Earth: The Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Without a doubt, Sydney is one of those places where every member of the family will enjoy. Here are some ideas for family-oriented fun:
1. Relax amidst the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden
Considered a bit monotonous, it’s one of the most underrated places in Sydney. Spanning 30 hectares, there are over 7,500 species of plants represented here. Overlooking the harbour bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden encompasses massive gardens and trees that date back centuries. With a clearly-laid out path and maps everywhere, you can wander inside the gardens without ever getting lost. There’s something for everyone here inside the Royal Botanic Garden with a children’s playground, gardens to picnic in and views that make one never want to leave.
2. Immerse in nature at the Royal National Park
If your family wants to escape the city for a day or two, or feel like going on a day-hike, there’s no better place to do it than Sydney. Just past the sprawling suburbia of greater Sydney lies the Royal National Park, which encompasses the city’s South and West. It’s a mesmerising, vast canopy of forests that has several trails, some of them world-famous and historic, like the Charles Darwin Walk. Most of these walks can be done in a day and with several pools, waterfalls and lakes splattered throughout the park, there’s ample opportunity to take a break and rest your feet in the cool, calming waters. The Blue Mountains are also just a couple of hours away by car and definitely worth a visit as their awe-inspiring beauty will make your entire Sydney trip worthwhile.
3. Take a family photo in front of the iconic Opera House along Harbour Bridge
A trip to Sydney always comes with the recommendation of checking out its two most iconic landmarks: the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The former was an architectural wonder when it was built. This historic landmark bridges the city of Sydney’s most famous neighbourhood, The Rocks, with its counterpart in North Sydney. The Rocks constitute a neighbourhood of dining, fashion and shopping. It was one of the first neighbourhoods to be created in Sydney after its colonisation by early Europeans. Darling Harbour, the neighbourhood adjacent to it encompasses both the Harbour Bridge and the iconic Opera House. An entertainment area full of restaurants, clubs, bars, museums and shopping facilities, one can spend the entire day floating between these landmarks whilst browsing through the stores.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the main reasons thousands flock to Sydney every year. Housing multiple performance venues that host over 1,500 performances each year, visitors can spend their entire day and night at the Opera House, taking in the beauty from the outside and then going in for a performance later that evening.
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4. Relax on a scenic beach
There can be no better thing to do with your family than just relaxing on a beach in Sydney. The weather is glorious most of the year, allowing everyone the opportunity to sit themselves down for the majority of the day on any of Sydney’s several beautiful and scenic beaches. Summer in Sydney is a pleasure to experience with a mild temperate breeze always wafting through the ever-present sunshine in the city. Do the Bondi to Coogee beach coastal walk to get in touch with all that Sydney has to offer weather-wise, or go a bit North or South to witness crystal-clear waters and great surfing waves.
Sydney Tour Guide
Jo Henwood
Jo Henwood has been a Tour Guide since 1998, working primarily as a site Guide and Education Officer in many heritage sites around Sydney, building a rich understanding of Sydney’s history and culture, particularly around the Harbour. Jo is passionate about sharing stories about Sydney’s history, leading her own walking tours in Windsor and Liverpool, and women’s history tours of Sydney. Jo is an Accredited Storyteller with Australian Storytellers, an accredited Professional Guide with the Institute of Australian Tour Guides, and a member of Interpretation Australia and the Australian Folklore Network. She coordinates the Australian Fairy Tale Society. Jo’s qualifications include BA (Library Science), Tour Guiding Cert III, Grad Dip Museum Studies, Grad Cert Gifted Ed, and M. Cultural Heritage.
Tours by Jo
5. There’s always a festival going on
When you’re in Sydney, ensure that you ask about what festival is on, because no matter the time of year, there’s a festival happening in the city. Usually taking place at night and overtaking a park or a neighbourhood, these festivals have hundreds upon hundreds of different stalls selling everything from food to clothes to beer. There’s always a children’s section and don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back to these night festivals during your time in Sydney.
Families will fall in love with Sydney
Sydney is known as one of the most liveable cities in the world. It won’t come as any surprise after you arrive in the city and experience it for yourself. Most families fall in love with this city within a day or two; there’s barely anything about it not to love, especially if you have young kids. Look at Sydney as an option if you’re thinking of an excellent holiday or if you’re looking to relocate.
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