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.

A range of fine and casual dining, all the way to accessible chain restaurants, are available in Sydney and its surrounds.

In the city, head to its quirky inner-west to find a range of chic cafes such as local favourite West Juliette or hit the Bondi Markets for some fresh local produce.

A number of local artists’ markets can be found in New South Wales. The Rozelle Collectors Markets always deliver a rare find or the Winmalee Artisan Markets in the Blue Mountains showcase a range of local handmade crafts.

A range of upscale shopping centres can be found around Sydney, with Bondi Junction a local favourite.

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.