BEST Things to do in Sydney, Australia

Optical illusions, 3D letters, cartoons are just some of the things they can learn to draw. Returning to Manly between May and February to breed, they seek refuge in their burrows at sunset to evade predators. While not as abundant as Phillip Island, sightings of these penguins in their natural habitat are not always guaranteed. Remember to avoid using flash photography if you do spot them. You can also visit SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo for penguin encounters. Feel free to engage with National Parks and Wildlife Service Volunteer Penguin Wardens to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Once on ground, head to Dawes Point and look at the bridge from underneath. The humungous grey rivets are impressive and bring home how monstrous the Coat Hanger is. Sure, you can get a bird’s-eye perspective from the top of the Coathanger, but to take in the full, gob-smacking scale of Sydney and her water-encroached landscape, you’ll need to ascend to greater heights. If you’d prefer a flight without the fright, Sydney Seaplanes take off from Rose Bay in the city’s east for a gentler experience. Swing like a pendulum on board the 30-metre-high Sledgehammer, whiz down silky-smooth slides in Coney Island and take it nice and slow on the Ferris Wheel. There’s no shortage of fun to be had inside Luna Park Sydney , which was built immersive theater in 1935 and retains its Art Deco aesthetic.

From a basic model to something much more sophisticated (some with handheld screens), teens will be sure to find a drone that is cool enough for them. If they want to impress, encourage your kids to learn how to ride a hoverboard. It even has built in speakers, so they don’t even have to turn off their music to ride. Not only will they love these recipes, but they will (hopefully!) end up with something delicious to show for it. Filled with 100 non-boring recipes, there is sure to be something they want to make. Rainy day activities for teenagers don’t have to be boring – Zero Latency makes sure of it!
It’s 78 kilometers (48 miles) west of Sydney, and the drive is pretty straightforward. It’s best to drive to Katoomba first, since it’s close to all of the attractions we’ve listed above. I think pretty much everyone is familiar with Bondi Beach – which has to be one of the most recognizable beaches worldwide. But, thanks to TV shows like Home & Away, Palm Beach is quickly becoming a popular spot to hang out too. We’ve traveled to Sydney more times than I can count, and Bailey lived here when she first arrived in Australia.
Unfortunately, the show will close prematurely on January 25, 2026, and will not complete its tour of Australia as previously planned. Make sure to support the show and catch it at the Lyric this summer, before it packs up Down Under for good. Kevin hopes his mission will take him to sunny Orlando, Florida, but instead, the mismatched pair are sent to a remote village in Uganda. We won’t spoil the show, but if you want to find out more, read our review here.

Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most flourishing and diverse areas, full of parks and green spaces beside one-off attractions. Surry Hills and Paddington are excellent choices for boutique shopping, vibrant cafes, and a more local, artsy atmosphere. When it comes to booking accommodation in Sydney, choices are abundant, so it all depends on your situation and who you're travelling with. L’Heritage, a quaint French restaurant in an old army drill hall overlooking Chowder Bay, was always going to be an unexpected delight in Sydney.
Taste Cultural Food Tours offer a unique culinary journey through the city's vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods. These guided tours provide an immersive experience, allowing participants to sample a diverse array of dishes from local eateries, markets and hidden gems. From the rich flavors of Asian cuisine in Haymarket to Mediterranean delicacies in Leichhardt, each tour highlights the influence of different diasporas on Sydney's food scene.

Sail with a crew of passionate navigators, explore the natural beauty of the harbour and learn about its history. You can also take a tour of the Opera House to learn the history of this unique building and how it came to be. It’s one of the most iconic things to do with kids in Sydney as it gives them an amazing view of the city and a whole new way of experiencing it. The Observatory also has an immersive family tour to take kids on a journey into space with all sorts of astronomical knowledge. The Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit if your kids love astronomy and science. It is home to over 4,000 animals from around the world, including Australian native wildlife like Kangaroos and Koalas.
This cake is so famous it’s become a tourist attraction and there’s a reason why. It’s textural perfection, light, fresh, and the right amount of sweet. Black Star Pastry has become so renowned from the cake that it’s opening up stores around the world, it’s that good. At Virtual Reality Sydney, the concept of escape rooms and virtual reality are blended with a full 3d cinematic experience to deliver a mind blowing adventure that’s truly unique and immersive. Possibly the most Instagram-able pool in Australia, the Bondi Iceberg Pools are a great option when wondering what to do in Sydney.

The kitchen is particularly good – all the original copper pots and cooking equipment are still there. The gardeners have done an amazing job keeping the colonial plants alive, including some varieties you won’t find anywhere else in Sydney. It’s perfectly positioned for a rest stop before or after walking across the Harbour Bridge, or as part of a historic pub crawl through The Rocks. Australia’s oldest library is worth visiting even if you don’t usually have libraries on your to do list. The Mitchell Reading Room’s soaring ceilings and glass dome make it one of Sydney’s most beautiful spaces.
See the Sydney Sixers battle the Hobart Hurricanes on January 11, then enjoy the Sydney showdown against the Sydney Thunder on January 16, both at the SCG as part of the Big Bash League (BBL). Australia and England meet again at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), after a series of test matches at Perth Stadium, The Gabba (Brisbane), Adelaide Oval and Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Even though Australia already won the Ashes in the third test match, camaraderie, competitiveness, and schooners in the sunshine mean that a day out at the Ashes is always in high demand.
Skip the parking hassle – our guide to reaching Sydney’s best beaches, famous and secret, by bus, train and ferry. Compare Sydney’s major zoos and wildlife parks to find your perfect animal adventure. Honestly… It’s impossible to not get your kids to want to go an indoor trampoline park. Especially not, Gravity X Indoor Trampoline Park, which is fun for the whole family!

There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene in the harbour, the excellent Harbourside Shopping Centre (including laser tag), an aquarium, a Madam Tussauds and much more. The Darling Harbour is a popular recreational complex adjacent to Sydney’s city centre, with breathtaking river views and plenty to keep you well-fed and entertained. While we are sure you already have the DL, if you haven't secured tickets yet, or just want to wrap your head around what's on offer. We've pulled together everything you need to know for his two Sydney shows. Keen to  go to the DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour but don't have tickets secured? There are verified resale tickets still available from Ticketmaster.