This is a fun group activity for teenagers that they will be talking about for weeks to come. Centrally located in the city centre this is a unique and futuristic experience. This unique museum is home to finely-crafted representations of some of Earth’s most famous figures – both past and present. Musicians, celebrities, sporting stars and celebrities have been immortalised in wax for all to enjoy. Teens can also walk through the chamber of horrors or take a look at replicas of the crown jewels.
In summer, you can stop and swim at any of of the incredible beaches along the way. The walk ends in Bondi, where you can either eat at the world-famous Icebergs, or head to the beach to find a deliciously rich deep fried Mars Bar at the fish and chip shop (The kids will LOVE them). If you are a visitor trying to plan your itinerary, we are sure you will find plenty of ideas here to keep you busy. Take one of our self-guided tours and explore Sydney on a budget! We have created self-guided bus tours, street art walks, history tours and more. It is a great fun activities in sydney day out for families, but to be honest I’ve enjoyed visiting it just as much as my toddler has.

Locals use it every day on their commute to work, but the Manly Ferry voyage is an impossibly beautiful treat. Perched 83 storeys above the streets of the CBD, this quirky, retro-futurist cocktail lounge is among the highest places to drink in Sydney, located on the second-to-highest floor of Sydney Tower. For years, the land was tangled, overgrown and strewn with rubbish, but when Whiteley died in 1992, his widow, Wendy, channelled her grief into creating a place of enchantment.
We mentioned the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia earlier, and it just so happens to be located in the Rocks! This is a really impressive museum, and we love that it’s free to enter and makes for a nice, chill activity. All of the dishes are inspired by the vast and varied landscapes of Australia, from the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef, and all of the ingredients are locally sourced. You can choose between a 4 to 8-course menu, which costs between $220-$385 AUD. You can view the current menu on their website, and wine pairings are available for an additional fee. Sydney is a surfer city, and if you’re visiting in the summer, you absolutely have to try your hand at catching some waves.
Ormeggio at the Spit has been the North Shore’s favourite Italian restaurant since it opened in last 2009. Much like Pilu at Freshwater, a lot of the praise rests out the restaurant’s blockbuster location by the sea, overlooking the water with a superbly relaxed atmosphere. Handmade pasta is generally the best way to go here, and it’s always safe to expect silky, sumptuous dishes that won’t leave you feeling bloated afterwards. Day spas are frequently popping up in Sydney and 2025 will see several new sauna complexes open up around the city. Sydney’s wellness offering is becoming world-class, so take note of all the couple’s treatments available if you want a more relaxed date idea that’ll actually feel like a holiday. While most people immediately think of Paris in any discussion on the world’s most romantic cities, it’s impossible to question Sydney’s uncanny ability to inspire feelings of love, affection and joy.

Sydney’s coastline, stretching from Palm Beach in the north to Cronulla in the south, is dotted with a surprising number of ocean and rock pools. The heritage-listed State Library of New South Wales, located between the Domain and the Royal Botanic Garden, is Australia’s oldest library, established in 1826. Read our guide on pubs in The Rocks to help you plan your day out in this popular area in Sydney. This charming neighbourhood is a great place to explore, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and museums to discover. The museum is housed in two 19th-century courthouses and a former police station, offering an extensive collection of historical artefacts, photographs, and documents related to law enforcement and justice.
HOSSEI’s multidisciplinary background in costume, video and installation brings a unique artistic vision to this family-friendly space. His work celebrates imagination and transformation, creating surreal scenarios that children naturally embrace through play. Perfect for dino lovers of all ages, this immersive experience is packed with Triassic-level fun and adventure. Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, where you can hire a bicycle from Manly Bike Tours and then have a well-earned relax on Manly Beach. From there, walk up to picturesque Shelly Beach which is a protected cove perfect for snorkelling.

One of Sydney’s most popular suburbs, Paddington is many people’s go-to for a good feed or a day of shopping. There are plenty of deals to snatch up, including $22 steak frites at The London, free wine tasting at Five Ways Cellar, 20% off Gift Boxes at Bondi Wash and $10 Negronis at iMaccheroni. The Museum of Sydney’s changing exhibitions trace the evolution of the city since European settlement. Discover convict history at Hyde Park Barracks, uncover the dark side of the city at the Justice & Police Museum and maritime history at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
This let us choose our entry slot (morning or afternoon) so we didn’t have to worry about it being too full when we wanted to go! It was really easy to have our tickets on our phones too, so we could just show up and start exploring. Here, you can view a huge collection of Australian art, including one of the biggest collections of Aboriginal art in the country. On top of that, you can view an extensive collection of British Victorian art, 15th Century European Renaissance artwork, and late 20th Century American art. One of my favorite bars in the world is the spectacularly situated Opera Bar in Circular Quay.

Nestled on the banks of the Georges River is this incredible playground. It has futuristic looking slides, an  exercise zone where you can practice your obstacle course skills and a sky walk. The toddlers are not forgotten here either, with bridges, slides and ropes they will love. When it comes to Sydney Kids entertainment, a visit to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo should definitely be on the cards. You can sight and experience the best of Australia’s wildlife at this venue. It has Tasmanian Devils, Kangaroos, Koalas and Wombats just to name a few.
Our favourite was the Gruffalo Trail which is an interactive trail for kids. This is one of the most popular attractions in the region and it’s well worth the admission entry. If you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney and want to get beyond the city for a day or two, there are some downright epic day trips from Sydney or weekend getaways in the Greater Sydney region. In fact, there’s even a reality TV show based around this popular Sydney beach – Bondi Rescue, following some of the rescues and unusual situations the lifeguards of Bondi encounter. You can do a self-guided audio tour that can be purchased for a few dollars at the visitor centre. Jump on the ferry at Circular Quay, since it can only be reached by boat!
It might feel like an impossible task right now, but with RedBalloon’s family activities in Sydney, it’s a cinch. If you're looking for the best things to do in Sydney, there are plenty of options with RedBalloon, whether you want to explore by sky, land, or sea, let us help you plan the perfect day out. Partway along the Taronga to Balmoral walk, you will find Headland Park. The park is home to Artists Precinct, a collection of studios set up in old military buildings. Home to 21 artists, there are regular exhibitions, and you can often wander into the studios to look around.

There are plenty of operators to choose from, whether you’re after a luxury yacht or a small catamaran. Sydney's spectacular natural environment provides endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Explore coastal walks with breathtaking ocean views, discover national parks within the city limits, or enjoy harbour-side recreation in this outdoor paradise.