6 Kids Birthday Day Trip Ideas from Sydney
- Toddlers
Preschoolers
Kids
Family
By: the ellaslist team
Nov 19, 2018
We throw bigger parties every other year, on the years we don’t, we like to let the kids choose one or two good buddies to come along on a special day out birthday adventure – just as exciting (if not more so than a huge party and certainly less stressful in the planning). Expect A LOT of giggling on the way, and indeed all day long. You’ll be pooped at the end – but they’ll love it.
Here’s some top Birthday Day Trip destinations for your birthday child and their besties in and around Sydney.
1. Go Wild in the Central Coast
Drive Time: 90 mins to 2 hours
What to do:
Get up close and personal the creepy crawlies at the Australian Reptile Park (above). With an option to hire a function room at the park and let the kids enjoy an exclusive reptile show – a very hands-on experience that’s guaranteed to thrill.
If creepy crawlies aren’t up their alley head on to the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park. Meet the fluffier side of our native wildlife, and participate in bush ranger activities including making and wearing ochre face paint, learn to boomerang throw or make bush soap from the native plants.
Afterwards take an easy 30 minute drive down to Avoca Beach for a swim. AquaFun is a great spot with water sport facilities like paddle boards, pedal boats, or kayaks if the kids still have lots more energy to burn.
Where to eat:
- Grab some fish and chips at Avoca Beach Seafoods and chill on the beach front. If you’re planning on whipping out a birthday cake, this is the perfect spot.
2. Outdoor Adventures In The Blue Mountains
Drive Time: 90 mins to 3 hours
What to do:
If you’ve got a mini explorer, there’s plenty of thrills and spills to be had in the mountains. Best for school aged kids and one or two friends.
Head to Scenic World in Katoomba. The kids will have three attractions to choose – a 545 metre journey gently descends into the Jamison Valley on the Scenic Cableway, a breathtaking ride suspended 270 metres above ancient ravines on the electro-glass cabin Scenic Skyway and a thrilling 52 degree incline ride on the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway. And for the less insane, the Scenic Walkway is a fun 2.4km nature walk through an ancient rainforest near the foot of the Three Sisters. For birthday fun on two wheels check out Segway Tours Blue Mountains for kids 9 years+
Another fantastic birthday adventure is to take the kids horse riding at Megalong Valley. The region is such a scenic spot and with over 200 acres of stunning bushland to explore on horseback. Choose from a river ride, ridge ride or wilderness ride tours – and bring a birthday picnic to enjoy the cake against a beautiful eucalyptus forest backdrop.
A little further afield and certainly a birthday day out with a difference, but worth a mention – the 340 million year old Jenolan Caves has 11 spectacular caves waiting to be explored with pure underground rivers and astonishing limestone formations. During the school holidays, Children’s Tours are usually held for kids between 7-11 years where they explore sections of the ‘Imperial Cave’ and ‘Chifley Cave’, the ‘Blue Lake’ and the ’Devil’s Coach House Cave’ where over 100 bizarre species live inside Jenolan caves.
Where to eat:
- Bring a picnic basket with some sausages and snacks to peruse the Jenolan Caves BBQ facilities.
- Savour the birthday cake and delicious tea time treats at the Megalong Tea Room.
- Enjoy lunch and a gorgeous mountain view at one of two Scenic World’s cafes.
3. Animal Encounters At Featherdale Wildlife Park
Drive Time: 40 minutes from the CBD
The ultimate birthday party location for little wildlife lovers, get up-close to all of your furry favourites at Featherdale! Located in Doonside, west of the CBD - and without the queues and parking stress of Taronga! Along with animal encounters of your choice, party packages for up to 10 kids include a private amphitheatre for 90 minutes, a Party Host and food sorted (phew!), FREE admission for two parents and guardians, discounted entry for other adults attending, and loads of other perks. All the details here.
4. Get Ghostly in Manly
Drive Time: 40-60 mins
What to do:
Close to the city yet heaps of things for the kids to keep busy – we love the Northern Beaches as a special birthday day out.
Do something different and get the kids spooked with a Q Station Manly Ghostly Birthday Tour. Designed to educate, the ghost & paranormal tours will also get the kids reliving the history of the quarantine station. Recommended for un-scarable kids aged 5 to 14!
A little less chilling but more adrenalin pumping is a party at Manly Surf n Slide (pictured above). With four fully supervised giant slides and a large spectator viewing area, Manly Waterworks is the perfect place for an action packed, fun, safe and easy birthday day out with a small group of kids.
Where to eat:
- Big appetites can be fed real easily because you’re spoilt for choice around Manly. Choose from do-it-yourself fajitas at Bench Cafe, burgers at the The Manly Wharf Hotel or smiley-faced pizzas at Ironbark Woodfired Pizzas.
5. Back to Nature in the Sutherland Shire
Drive Time: 30-40 mins
What to do:
Sutherland Shire with its gorgeous beaches and the Royal National Park is a great day out destination that’s not too far from home, and yet feels like a world away! Best for kids 5 years + with a couple of friends.
Head to Cronulla and take the kids on a rustic ferry ride across to Bundeena. Simply enjoy a beach picnic party and let the kids run wild with their own games in the sun. Or take the party on an easy 5km adventure coastal bushwalk to the gorgeous Jibbon Head. For an educational spin, book an Aboriginal guided walk as the Jibbon headlands has rock engravings carved during ceremonies 1,000 years ago.
Another more active option, accessible by car, would be to head down to the Audley Boatshed along Hacking River on the western side of the Royal National Park. The boatshed is a must-visit institution with heaps of adventures to be had – row a boat, paddle a canoe or kayak, mountain bike the bush trails or hire an aqua bike – great fun for all the family and the kids will have a blast on them!
If wildlife encounters are strike your kid’s fancy, then why not make a visit to Symbio Wildlife Park (pictured above), just 20 mins south from Audley. Book a Zoo Party with cool native wildlife encounters, or make a full birthday experience out of it where the kids can become a Keeper for a Day.
Where to eat:
- If you’re at Audley Boatshed enjoying a wild time, head on to the Dance Hall Cafe to tone it down for the birthday cake. A lovely little cafe with amazing views of the Hacking River, the kids can enjoy the chill out time with tea and cake, or even picnic basket at the cafe grounds.
- At Bundeena, pop in to Passionfruit Cafe or Cafe Cookie for a light lunch of sambos, mini pizzas or hot dogs.
6. Sydney CBD & Harbour
Drive Time: 10-30 mins
What to do:
So you want to make a day out of your child’s birthday but prefer not to drive, or can’t. No worries. We live in the most awesomest city in the world – so of course it would be one of the top places for a birthday day trip! Best for 4 years + with one or two friends.
You’ll be crazy not to suggest Luna Park to your kid. Buy an Unlimited Rides Pass for the day or book a party room and get unlimited rides as part of your package. Either way the kids will love you for this!
Make Darling Harbour your base for the day and you’ll be spoilt for choices of birthday activities – Australian Maritime Museum, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Or for something different, you could hire a tall ship, go on one of the many themed kids party harbour cruise adventures, an adrenalin pumping jet boat ride or simply hop on and off the Sydney Harbour Eco Hopper service to include other spots along the harbour (like Taronga Zoo!).
Where to eat:
- Get on top of the world at Sydney Tower Buffet in their awesome revolving restaurant. Kids 3-12yrs eat for free Mondays and Tuesdays for lunch and dinner all year round. Or book a birthday party buffet lunch here from $27.50 per head.
- Fancy a High Tea? The Stamford hotel in Circular Quay has a gorgeous high tea menu for 5-12 year olds. Nothing like tea with the Queen to make your little one feel like a princess or prince for the day!
Want More Birthday Party Inspo? Find It Here:
- Best Birthday Party Entertainers In Sydney
- The Salisbury Hotel: Birthday Party Venue
- Best Birthday Parties With A Twist
To discover more family inspiration, events and news click here.
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