So, the relatives are coming to stay, and they’re bringing the kids. You’ve already ticked off Sydney’s big-ticket icons on past visits: the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and that classic ferry ride to Manly. Now you’re wondering: what can we do this time to keep the kids entertained and genuinely impress the grown-ups?

Luckily, Sydney is bursting with fresh adventures beyond the usual tourist trail. From wild nature escapes to hands-on museums, secret swimming spots, quirky markets and incredible dining with a view, this city is packed with fun for every age. Whether your visitors love animals, art, or just a good playground with a coffee nearby, there’s no shortage of ways to show off Sydney’s best side.

Here’s our guide to the most exciting, outside-the-box places to take kids (and out-of-town guests) for an unforgettable Sydney visit — think local gems, family-friendly favourites, and hidden highlights that make everyone feel like they’ve discovered something new.

Sydney's Top Places to Take the Kids When You Have Out-of-Town Visitors

Check out Sydney's Harbour History at the Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum is making a splash these summer school holidays with a huge program of hands-on activities, creative workshops and immersive play for kids of all ages. Families can step into The Beach, a bright and breezy interactive playscape, get creative in the Kids on Deck maker space, explore tactile objects in the Cabinet of Curiosities and pilot underwater drones in the U-Drone sessions.

Little ones can join Mini-Mariners or special Beach Babies sessions, while Sensory Friendly Days offer a quieter experience for those who need it. With exhibitions to explore, historic vessels to climb aboard and plenty included in general entry, it’s a standout summer day out for curious, active kids.

Talk To The Animals

While Sydney is home to the spectacular and world-class Taronga Zoo, there are a number of exciting animal parks that you might not have considered that offer a more intimate and up-close experience.

Symbio Wildlife Park is a short drive, 45 minutes south of the city and is a sanctuary for tigers and cheetahs, lemurs, red pandas and Australian natives. They also offer fantastic behind-the-scenes tours, including a memorable Keeper for a Day experience, plus a splash park for kids to cool off at in summer.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour offer awesome animal-themed experiences for families right in the heart of the city.

If you're after a slinky, slithery kind of adventure, Australian Reptile Park is another hands-on zoo in a natural bush setting on the NSW Central Coast. Australian native animals roam the grounds, and there are hundreds of exotic reptiles from around the world on show. They also host entertaining live shows, themed exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours.

Go Green

Kids need space to run, and they need plenty of room to do it in. Thankfully, Sydney has a number of glorious gardens that provide a breathtaking reprieve from the city.

A true hidden treasure in Sydney, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Gardens is a quirky, mystical wonderland with something around every corner to delight children and adults. It is one of the best places in Sydney for families to explore, have a picnic and enjoy nature. The surprisingly large garden is lush and green with tree ferns, herbs, flowers, palm and fig trees and has amazing harbour views.

Auburn Botanic Gardens has a magical wonderland of flora at every turn, especially during Cherry Blossom season and is well worth checking out. 

The incredibly iconic Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a must-visit haven for every out-of-towner, with stunning views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and access to Mrs Macquaries Chair, Government House and Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. Within the heart of the Gardens, The Calyx is home to one of the largest green walls in the southern hemisphere and is a hub for exhibitions, events and workshops. 

Further afield, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan boasts 416 hectares of Australian Native plant beauty. Throughout the year, they hold various exhibitions and events, including an annual fun Community Day in August.

Another little slice of heaven on earth, the E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens has enchanting secret gardens full of waterways, walking paths and namesake Camellias. There is a terrific Alice in Wonderland play area and a teahouse that offers delicious food and a Mad Hatter's (high) tea party for the kids.

Take A Walk Or A Ride

There is no better way to absorb the place you are visiting than to simply get amongst it. Sydney is blessed with so many terrific oasis-like parks in the middle of all the urban hustle and bustle. Take the kids’ scooters, bikes and kites and reconnect at some of these amazing locations. 

Build sandcastles, go swimming in the shark-netted beach, dine in the stylish restaurant or picnic in the large picnic areas at Neilson Park in Vaucluse. You can also access the stunning Hermitage Foreshore Track. 

Sydney Park at St Peter's is a treasure trove of activity with an award-winning bike park and a fantastic playground, plus walking tracks, wetlands, picnic areas, a cool cafe and a playing field.

The iconic Centennial Park in the inner east offers a myriad of activities like duck feeding, walking tracks, horse rides, bike riding and playgrounds, including the fantastic, nature-based Ian Potter Wild Play Garden, across 189 hectares of wide open spaces. There are grasslands, woodlands, ponds and vibrant gardens to explore, plus beautiful cafes, restaurants and picnic and BBQ areas. 

The Goods Line in Ultimo is the site of an old freight railway corridor that first opened in 1855. Today, it’s a kilometre-long shared bike path and walkway that runs from Central Station to Darling Harbour, where you'll find incredible playgrounds, water play areas, cafes, restaurants, cultural events and more.

Get Spooked

If you’re a thrill-seeker with a soft spot for spooky stories, Sydney’s ghost tours promise an unforgettable night of chills, history, and eerie encounters.

From haunted hospitals and historic gaols to mysterious harbour islands and ghostly laneways, these tours bring the city’s supernatural side to life.

Perfect for brave families with older kids and teens, you’ll hear bone-chilling tales, explore centuries-old sites, and maybe even meet a spirit or two along the way. Whether you’re wandering through The Rocks by lantern light, exploring Parramatta Gaol after dark, or chasing whispers of Fisher’s Ghost in Campbelltown, Sydney’s Ghost Tours delivers the perfect mix of fright and fascination.

More Things to Do in Sydney

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Kid-friendly Museums in Sydney
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