The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Sydney’s best family passes and memberships

By Llynden Singh, ellaslist explorer

If you are at a loss for gift ideas or feel overwhelmed by your family’s countless toys and gadgets, why not give your family an experience? Annual passes and memberships are a great-value way to enjoy Sydney’s best attractions and a perfect present for kids. Not only will it keep the kids busy in the school holidays, but an annual pass is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the whole year! And best of all, you can enjoy some family time together. Here’s our pick of Sydney’s best value family passes and memberships.

Something for Everyone

A Merlin Annual Pass will get you entry to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye, and the Illawarra Fly. The pass also includes attractions in Victoria, Queensland and Auckland. With so much on offer, your family will be kept busy for the whole year. Family memberships are $79 per person compared to $109 per person. 
 

Animal Lovers

At Taronga Zoo the Zoo Friends Annual Pass gives you unlimited entry and discounted parking and children are FREE! That's right - for each adult entry - you get free entry for up to two children aged 0 - 15 years inclusive! The pass also gives you discounts in the Zoo Shops, at Zoofari Lodge, at Roar & Snore at Taronga Zoo (on select days), on Wild Ropes and last but not least exclusive pre-sale opportunities and ticket discounts for events!

An annual pass to Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside allows you to visit Australia’s largest private collection of native animals and birds. Feed a kangaroo or emu, or come face-to-face with a koala. Prices for the family passes range from $115 to $165, and any extra guests receive 20% off their tickets.

Experience a stock whip show and sheep shearing show with an annual pass to Calmsley Hill City Farm. The kids will love feeding the animals in the Farmyard Nursery and learning how to milk a cow. An annual family pass will set you back $195.
 

Be Cultured

The Australian Museum’s annual membership provides not only free entry, but discounted prices for school holiday activities, the Tiny Tots program and Mini Explorers program. Under-5s can enjoy Kidspace, a dedicated mini-museum area. Family and dual memberships are available for $98 for one year and $180 for two years.
 

The Early Start Discovery Centre offer fantastic membership programs that all include unlimited entry for 12 months- perfect because there is just so much to see and do- a second or third visit will take the stress out of your visit. Annual prices start at $50 for one person and go up to $240 for eight people! There are also sorts of other discounts and perks so if you are the kind of family that like to science together - this one is for you! 

An annual membership to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences is one fo the best value membership passes around. With annual household memberships ranging in price $70 to $115, this pass gives you access to the Powerhouse Museum,  Sydney Observatory and the Discovery Centre.  You also get discounted tickets for school holiday programs, discount entry to their special exhibitions. Plus heaps of other splendid benefits. It's a great variety option. 
 

A Sydney Living Museums Membership gives you unlimited year-round access to 12 museums and historic houses. You can visit Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Museum of Sydney, Justice & Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, The Mint, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Elizabeth Bay House, Vaucluse House and Rose Seidler House, or experience country life during colonial times at original homesteads Elizabeth Farm, Rouse Hill House & Farm and Meroogal. A household membership is $144 for a year and includes four kids for free, two free guest passes and loads of other benefits.

Membership with the Maritime Museum gives you entry for the year, plus FREE school holiday programs and kids activities. Little pirates will love exploring the Endeavour replica and submarine. Family memberships cost $130 for one year and $195 for two years - and this includes up to FOUR children aged to 16 years. 

For those with a dramatic flair, try a Multi-Show Package for Kids at the Sydney Opera House. Save money when you buy a package for three or four shows from the fabulous Kids at the House program or three shows from the Babies Proms program.
 

Sports Fans

Cheer on your sports fanatic with a membership to a local sports club. NRL clubs offer various memberships that include tickets to home games and merchandise for the kids. Many memberships start from as little as $5 a month, but check your team’s website for further information.

For soccer fans, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers offer various membership packages for families. Wanderers family memberships that include all home games start from $435, while Sydney FC junior memberships start from $70.

Swans or GWS Giants memberships will please all AFL fans, with family passes starting from $480.

Big Bash junior memberships are great value for cricket fanatics, providing entry to games and access to junior cricket clinics. Sydney Thunder junior memberships start from $75, and Sydney Sixers junior memberships start from $30.

 

Thrill Seekers

For the thrill seeker in your family, a Luna Park annual pass will give them the ride of their life! With access to Luna Park rides, the annual pass will cost $99.

Stay cool in summer with a Wet’n’Wild seasonal pass, 2018 season TBA soon. Younger kids can enjoy the Nickelodean Beach, while adventurous older children will be thrilled on the slides and extreme attractions. No need to travel to the beach if you live in the West! Prices for the seasonal passes usually start from $99.
 

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