Best family activities in Sydney

Sydney's scale and variety means family activities are available at every price point and every energy level, from the free beaches and harbour parks to the premium wildlife and theme park experiences that draw families from across Australia and internationally.

Taronga Zoo — the zoo on the harbour's north shore combines the wildlife collection (360 species, 4,000 animals) with the most spectacular zoo setting in Australia. The aerial safari zip line, the nocturnal house, and the Great Southern Oceans exhibit are highlights. The ferry from Circular Quay is part of the experience.

Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour — the 6,000-animal aquarium in Darling Harbour contains the Great Barrier Reef exhibit, the shark walk-through tunnel, the dugong habitat, and the penguin expedition that create a marine wildlife experience comparable to snorkelling the actual reef without the travel or boat trip.

Australian Museum — the natural history and human cultures museum on College Street, Sydney, provides the dinosaur galleries (Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton), the mineral collection, and the Indigenous cultures collection that form the most comprehensive natural history museum in Australia for family educational visits.

Manly Beach and corso — the ferry trip from Circular Quay to Manly (30 minutes, harbour views) followed by the corso walk to the beach and the Sea Life Sanctuary on the harbour side creates a full family day that combines the best of Sydney Harbour and the Northern Beaches coast.

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