Sydney and surrounds family-friendly travel guide

Sydney and its surrounds are blessed with beautiful weather most of the year, but to make the most of the stunning beaches and water attractions, visiting during summer is the way to go.

A winter visit means you can catch the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba or the incredible light festival of Vivid Sydney.

During summer, average temperatures range from 18.6 to 25.8 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to enjoy Sydney’s abundant beaches when water temperatures rise to around 22 degrees Celsius.

During winter, Sydney reaches an average maximum of 17 degrees Celsius.

Just outside the city centre, Sydney International Airport has a train station where trains head to Central Station regularly (just follow the signs and escalators down). 

Taxis are widely available around Sydney.

Sydney’s public transport includes a range of buses, ferries and trains, depending on where you need to go. Plan your trip here.

The Emerald City is an up-and-comer on the food scene and has plenty of incredible options for the whole family. You’ve got quirky cafes in the Inner West, a multitude of vegan restaurants in Newtown and the Insta-famous Grounds of Alexandria, just to name a few. Foodies among us can find a number of world-renowned restaurants and bars but those in search of a low-key meal are not forgotten in the culinary capital of New South Wales.

There are few things as quintessentially Sydney as a snap of the family enjoying the famous Sydney Harbour. Fortunately, lots of restaurants have capitalised on water-side real estate and you can get that photo while enjoying a delicious meal overlooking the water. Manly is a great area for this and armed with lots of family-friendly restaurants, coffee shops and breakfast spots, as well as beach for little ones to blow off some steam. The Watsons Bay Hotel is a must-visit too with great views and great food, and it neighbours the iconic Doyles seafood café which has been standing since 1885.

The beautiful harbour, parks and beaches in Sydney also lend themselves to a picnic or two, perfect for families who want to enjoy the sunshine with rowdy rug rats. Areas like Shelley Beach are kitted out with barbeques but if you want to play it simple, some bread and cheese make the perfect accompaniment to a Sydney sunset. Finish the evening off with some gelato making sure to visit the Sydney-born Messina for an ice-cream that will delight the tastebuds of parents and children alike.

Like any big city, Sydney has an abundance of places to shop until you drop for any style. The only question left to answer: what kind of shopping do you want to do?

In Sydney CBD there are quite a few shopping centres to explore, all easily accessible via the Sydney rail system. The Queen Victoria Building, fondly known as the QVB, houses both high-end brands and some budget-friendly options, and it’s worth a visit for the architecture alone. Pitt Street Mall is another great little spot with buskers providing the sountrack to your shopping escapades, while The Galeries are just a stone’s throw away for some unique shops and lots of great food. The Westfield Sydney is probably the most well-known of the CBD centres because it is home to the Centre Point Tower, the best lookout point in Sydney. Outside of the city centre, Bondi Junction and Westfield Parramatta are favourite shopping hotspots among Sydneysiders.

If boutiques and one-off shops are more your style, the first place on your list should be Paddington where many Australian designers set up shop and sell their internationally-recognised labels. Military Road in Mosman also has an impressive array of boutiques to browse, tempting your wallet at every twist and turn, while Bondi has curated an amazing collection of shops to entice even the most disciplined of shoppers.

Markets are another big draw in Sydney and you need go no further than Glebe to find an Insta-worthy outfit. The weekly market runs on a Saturday in the ground of the public school, just a quick bus ride from Central Station. Manly and Bondi are also both home to frequent markets if you fancy a stroll on the beach, but another great option is the Winmalee Artisan Markets in the Blue Mountains, especially if you’re hunting for some handmade treasures.

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

In warmer months, New South Wales can be very warm. Pack thongs, singlets, and swimmers! If visiting in winter, be sure to pack a few warmer layers.

Australia is renowned for its laid-back, egalitarian culture. By and large, friendliness is equated with good manners.

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

By and large, Sydney is considered a safe destination, although still exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

Sydney’s most famous and recognisable landmark is also it’s most photographed: the Sydney Opera House. The unique architecture of this Aussie icon makes it perfect for Instagram – break up all those beach shots! The best view is perhaps from Mrs Macquarie Chair, where you can see not only the sails of the Opera House, but the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the harbour itself and the rest of the city skyline.

If you find yourself wandering around the CBD, make sure to take a pit stop at Angel Place. Listen and look up, this quaint laneway connecting Pitt Street and George Street is alive with birdsong, sitting beneath a canopy of 50 birdcages. The art installation has a cool message behind it: the sounds you hear are recordings of birds who once populated the inner Sydney area but were forced out by urbanisation.

Located on the boardwalk at Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art is host to some incredible work from Australian and international artists. While the art is the star of the show, the building itself is striking. The cafe upstairs also offers great views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, making the perfect backdrop for a coffee or cocktail snap.

Here, it starts with a coffee and ends with a enviable brunch shot. The Grounds of Alexandria was created from the remains of a heritage-listed warehouse in Sydney’s Inner West. It is now home to a range of farm animals and visiting the pretty brunch spot has become a rite of passage for Sydneysiders.

Famous the world over for its crescent-shaped golden shoreline, Bondi Beach is the perfect day out for families. Only eight kilometres from Sydney’s city centre, Bondi offers great waves, kid-friendly saltwater sea baths and an array of hip cafes, markets and shopping.

If visiting in October and November you can join the crowds perusing Sculpture by the Sea, an outdoor exhibition of artworks stretching two kilometres along the coastline between Bondi and Coogee.