Borders are open again! That means it’s time to start planning your next family holiday. If you’re ready to book your vacation, we want to bring you on a discovery of beautiful Sydney and New South Wales (NSW).
The first time I visited Australia with the family was with an infant in tow, a toddler, and a pre-teen and I have to say, Australia is one of the best places to visit with children of all ages. It is so accessible for families and you’ll never run out of fun activities to do with the family.
Whether you’re a foodie or nature seeker or shopaholic, it is a great place to visit.
From road trips to adorable wildlife, gorgeous farm stays and adventurous activities, the list is endless.
Plan The Most Epic Family Trip To Sydney And New South Wales
Scenic view of Sydney Harbour and Luna Park. Source: Destination NSW
Though the flight to Sydney is not too long, especially compared to Europe or America, it’s still worth allocating more holidaying time to make the most of your trip.
Sydney is a labyrinth of fun and excitement with so much to do, so you might not know where to begin on your family trip. Having an itinerary ready will take the stress off parents and allow the whole family to enjoy the trip worry-free.
Find out what you really want out of your holiday with the kids from this list of activities before locking in your travel package:
Discover Wildlife, Nature, And More On Your Family Trip To Sydney
1. Iconic Playgrounds And Parks
Kid enjoying time at Luna Park Sydney
Children love to play, even on holiday! A visit to a theme park, complete with adrenaline rush and cotton candy will be a treat for them. While there are many parks and playgrounds in Sydney, here are two you must not miss on your family trip to Sydney!
- Luna Park Sydney is an exciting mecca of family rides, thrill rides, games, and plenty more. Parents, you’d be glad to know that entry is free and you only pay for the rides. There are lots of IG-worthy photo opportunities here as well! Located on Sydney Harbour, you can take a ferry from Circular Quay to Luna Park.
- Darling Quarter Playground (located in Darling Harbour) is colourful, and exciting. However old or young your kid is, there are plenty of slides, climbing, swings, and waterworks in this vibrant fun factory. This playground combines artful form with function and you’re bound to make a tonne of happy memories with your kids here! Again, this is a free attraction so that’s good news for families with a few kids in tow! There is also plenty of food options nearby so you can taste the best that the locale has to offer.
2. Wildlife
Kids will love to see the cute wildlife up close. Source: Pixabay
Everyone loves animals and a family trip to Sydney and NSW is perfect for cute wildlife encounters. Your kids are bound to love them! Here are some highlights to look forward to:
- Taronga Zoo (located in Mosman, right on Sydney Harbour and easily accessible from Sydney CBD) is home to thousands of fascinating animals including Australian natives like the koala, kangaroo, and platypus. Your ticket to the zoo also entitles you to a ride on the Sky Safari Car Cable from which you can soak in the scenic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline. Sounds like a perfect day out!
- Looking for Overnight Options? Wildlife Retreat at Taronga and Roar & Snore offer overnight experiences featuring intimate animal encounters and safari-style accommodation. Imagined being nestled within the zoo, overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour.
- Between late May to November, take a whale watching cruise to sight humpback whales on their annual migration. Or take a scenic coastal walk to soak in the spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and if you’re lucky you might spot a whale!
- Check out the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk where you can take in uninterrupted panoramic views from the city’s beaches and clifftops.
Your walk begins at Bondi Icebergs, overlooking the beloved Bondi Beach and continues to Bronte Beach, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and finally Coogee on this easy 2-3 hours’ walk. Pretty views aside, parents with kids that have plenty of energy to spare will be glad to let their little ones ride the waves on a true-blue Aussie Let’s Go Surfing experience. Let’s Go Surfing is a fun surf lesson guided by an expert, held in the calmer waters at the north end of Bondi. It’s perfect for beginners!
3. Vivid Sydney 2022 (27 May To 18 June)
Vivid Sydney is a stunning lights festival that whole family can enjoy. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Vivid Sydney unearths Sydney’s creative soul through contemporary, innovative light works in truly unexpected spaces. See Sydney’s icons light up with a kaleidoscope of colours and designs. There are also experiences especially crafted for kids such as Vivid Kids @ Tumbalong Park and Wild Lights @ Tarongo Zoo as well as Sydney Infinity @ Darling Harbour.
This will be a one-of-a-kind experience that will ignite the senses! You can easily fit this in with the Chan Brothers’ 5D Vivid Sydney Flexi Holiday package, which includes a Vivid Sydney Lights Cruise, offering the perfect vantage point to take in all the lustrous light displays along Sydney Harbour.
Epic Getaways Within 1-2 Hours’ Drive From Sydney
1. Blue Mountains: Breathtaking Nature
Sun setting Grose Valley in Blue Mountains National Park. Source: Destination NSW
Known as Sydney’s backyard wilderness, the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park is a 90-minute drive from the centre of Sydney and home to the famous rock formation, The Three Sisters.
Scenic views across Blue Mountains National Park and The Three Sisters in Katoomba. Source: Destination NSW
Breathe in the fresh, eucalyptus-scented air, stand at scenic lookouts such as Echo Point and Pulpit Rock, and peer out across the forested valleys cloaked in blue haze.
Small group enjoying a tour through a cave system at Jenolan Caves in Blue Mountains. Source: Destination NSW
Get aboard the Scenic World Railway, the world’s steepest passenger railway and descend into an ancient rainforest or take a trip to the Jenolan Caves, and explore the world’s oldest open caves, where you can discover limestone crystals and underground rivers. There’s so much for your kids to learn!
Family enjoying a day of apple picking at Shields Orchard, Bilpin. Source: Destination NSW
Further afield from the Blue Mountains (less than a 1-hour drive), go fruit picking in Bilpin and pick your own apples or strawberries (seasonal), or stay overnight to experience interactive stargazing tours or go on glow worm tours.
2. Port Stephens: An Aquatic Playground And Holiday Haven
Aerial overlooking Shoal Bay, Tomaree Head and Mount Yacaaba in Port Stephens. Source: Destination NSW
A holiday in Port Stephens (2.5 hours’ drive away from Sydney) is all about the sea and sand, tasting freshly caught seafood, getting up close with dolphins (all-year round) and whales during migration season from late May to November, and sandboarding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes.
Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. Source: Destination NSW
Port Stephens is an idyllic beach getaway and the dolphin capital of NSW. Go on a dolphin watching cruise, visit Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters for an interactive experience with the marine animals, get up close to koalas or even stay overnight in glamping tents in a bushland setting at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
People enjoying a camel riding experience with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides along Birubi Beach, Anna Bay. Source: Destination NSW
Take a 45-minute invigorating walk to the summit of Tomaree Head and be rewarded with panoramic views of Port Stephens. Or go sandboarding or take a camel ride at Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Top tip:
The Central Coast is en route to Port Stephens and a 1-hour drive from Sydney. It’s the perfect spot for nature and adventure-loving families.
Children enjoying a visit to TreeTops Central Coast, Wyong Creek. Source: Destination NSW
Don’t miss out on horse riding at Glenworth Valley, have breakfast with the alpacas at Iris Lodge Alpacas, visit a chocolate factory and have a thrilling treetop adventure through eucalyptus forests in the Central Coast at TreeTops Adventure.
With the range of activities to choose from in Port Stephens, Chan Brothers’ 8D Sydney Care & Easy package allows you the flexibility to choose based on your kids’ interests – whether they are little adventure junkies or wildlife lovers.
3. Hunter Valley: Soar Over Vineyards And Get Up Close To Adorable Wildlife
Hot air balloons flying over Pokolbin in Hunter Valley. Source: Destination NSW
Surrounded by magnificent natural beauty, and only 2 hours from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine growing region with an abundance of family-friendly activities.
Carousel ride and entrance to Storybook Garden located in Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin. Source: Destination NSW
Take your very own llama for a 1-hour guided walk through the beautiful Ben Ean Vineyard in Hunter Valley or experience childhood dreams, memories and fantasies at the Hunter Valley Garden’s Storybook Garden. Let your tweens revisit childhood dreams and memories at this magical place. Or take them on a junior tasting experience of soft drinks paired with snacks and check hot air ballooning off your bucket list complete with spectacular sunrise views of the vineyards.
Top tip:
For somewhere unique to stay with your family, Starline Alpacas Farmstay offers stunning views of the vineyards and the company of farm animals including alpacas.
4. Grand Pacific Drive: Road Trip Past Epic Coastal Towns
Aerial of a car taking the scenic route over Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton. Source: Destination NSW
The Grand Pacific Drive is one of Australia’s prettiest routes, winding through rainforests, seaside villages along a curvaceous coastline.
Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in Royal National Park, Sydney. Source: Destination NSW
Start your journey from the Royal National Park, one of the world’s oldest parks and home to an abundance of walking trails, waterfalls and stunning rock formations. Afterwards, drive over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge that hugs the cliffs and sweeps out over the Pacific Ocean.
Friendly koala at Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh in Illawarra region. Source: Destination NSW
Get up close and personal with koalas at Symbio Wildlife Park or check out Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a stroll along the treetop walk or cruise along the highest zipline in Australia.
The perfect glamping spot for the family Paperbark Camp, Woollamia is nestled in lush woods. Source: Destination NSW
Top tip:
Go further down south to Jervis Bay with its white-sand beaches, fresh local seafood and one of the best spots to sight dolphins and whales (seasonal). Stay at the safari-style tents in Paperbark Camp with Chan Brothers’ 9D Glamping Up Sydney & Grand Pacific Self Drive package and explore all the charming coastal towns along Grand Pacific Drive.
5. Snowy Mountains: A Winter Wonderland
Chair lifts at Charlotte Pass Ski Resort in Snowy Mountains. Source: Destination NSW
From building a snowman to skiing on pristine snow and staying at beautiful resorts with glorious mountain views to lively night festivals with flare runs and fireworks, the Snowy Mountains is a winter wonderland. It is also home to Australia’s highest mountain – the spectacular Mount Kosciuszko.
Family building a snowman at Perisher Ski Village in Snowy Mountains after a day of skiing. Source: Destination NSW
Enjoy snow play and skiing activities at Thredbo and Perisher. Thredbo is an award-winning resort in the Snowy Mountains which boasts a varied terrain for skiers of all skill levels. It is also famous for its flare run and fireworks (happening every Saturday from 11 June to 1 October). Don’t forget to get on the Skitube at Perisher, the longest underground train tunnel in Australia.
Travelling On Your Family Trip To Sydney And New South Wales: Safe Travel Tips To Take Note Of
So once you’ve decided on which package you want to make the most out of your family trip to Sydney and New South Wales, it’s time to take note of the SOPs you will need to adhere to before travelling.
Measures and rules are constantly changing so make sure to bookmark the NSW official website to be in the know of the protocols and safety measures while travelling.
While things are mostly returning to normal, we are still not completely out of the woods. Here are some things to take note of when travelling to Sydney:
- Be fully vaccinated with valid visas and proof of receiving two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Travellers who meet this criteria will not need to apply for a travel exemption.
- Complete the Digital Passenger Declaration seven days before your flight and submit it within 72 hours before your departure for Australia.
- Check the official travel guidelines for Sydney and New South Wales for latest updates.
So there you go, a complete guide to a family trip to Sydney and New South Wales! Visit the Chan Brothers’ website for more information and to look for a package that suits your family!
To get in touch directly, call Chan Brothers Travel at 6438 8880, email [email protected] or follow Chan Brothers Travel on socials so you will never miss out on a fabulous promotion: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
The lead image of this article was sourced from Destination NSW.
