With crisp days, blue skies and so many things to do in Sydney in winter with kids, June to August is a magical time in Sydney.
It’s also the best time to visit Sydney as it allows you to explore the city’s beautiful outdoor attractions and sites more comfortably.
You can also find a lot of free and affordable activities to enjoy with the kids when visiting the Harbour City.
So, if you’re after some ideas on cheap things to do in Sydney and things to do in Sydney with children during winter here are our top picks.
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10 Cool Things To Do In Sydney In Winter With Kids:
1. Vivid Festival Sydney
One of the best, brightest and free ways to enjoy the city is by going on a lighting Sydney walk during the Vivid Lights Festival.
Held usually around May/June, the festival transforms the city into a kaleidoscope full of colour, lights and ideas through the various installations, projections, performances and public talks/debates on display.
What makes the festival so great is it’s very family-friendly and offers a range of fun walking trails to get the most out of your time at the Sydney light festival. A great trail is the 3km light walk from The Rocks to Circular Quay to the Royal Botanic Garden.
On your walking adventure, you can expect to see such landmarks and sites lit up like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Barangaroo.
One of the best spots for the festival is the Vivid Circular Quay location as you’ll get to see numerous installations, projections, live performances and of course the Vivid Harbour Cruises sparkling on the water. If you and the kids (over 3 years) want to experience Vivid on the water, you will love this Tall Ship Vivid Cruise.
TIP: Another must-do during Vivid Lights is to head to Darling Harbour as they light up the sky with a fireworks display on Friday and Saturday nights at around 8.30pm during the festival.
As the festival attracts over two million visitors each year, it’s no wonder it features as one of our top things to do in Sydney at night during winter with the kids.
Where to stay?
If you’re planning on staying in Sydney during the festival here are our most family-friendly Vivid Sydney accommodation picks: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, The Grace Hotel, InterContinental Sydney, Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney.
See here for all the hotels close to the festival and the latest Vivid Sydney accommodation deals.
How to get there: Public transport is the easiest and cheapest option. Catch the train to Circular Quay, Martin Place or Wynyard to be close to the Vivid Lights activities.
2. Coogee to Bondi Walk
It has to be one of the most spectacular cliff coastal walks in Australia, and it’s located in Sydney.
The Coogee to Bondi coastal walk is a 6km stretch in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and features stunning ocean views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools to lap up and admire.
A popular activity for Sydneysiders and in the know tourists, the Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach walk takes about two hours to complete and is a fun and active activity.
Some of the highlights along this trek include Gordon’s Bay, Clovelly Beach and Bowling Club, Waverly Cemetery, Bronte Beach, Tamarama Beach and Bondi Beach.
Along the way, there’s a bunch of picnic spots, BBQs, toilets and change rooms and cafes/restaurants to take advantage of.
If you don’t want to start off from Coogee you can always do the reverse trek being the extremely popular Bondi to Coogee Walk. The only downside is you might be busy with other walkers trailing close behind you.
As the Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk is a medium grade 6km trek featuring hills, stairs and uneven surfaces at times, it’s recommended walkers wear comfortable shoes and clothing; sunscreen; hat and to drink/carry water.
Alternatively, if you want a shorter journey then another great walk is the Bronte to Bondi walk, taking about 40 minutes and is under 3kms long.
Gordons Bay view along Coogee to Bondi Walk.
The best thing about starting in either Coogee or Bronte is you get to finish off at Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi Beach which is also one of the most famous landmarks in Australia.
Plus, it offers ample family-friendly shops, cafes and restaurants to replenish after your walk and is super easy to get back to the CBD via bus (service 333P) and train.
EXTRA: We know it’s not in winter but from October to November, you can see Australia’s largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibition, Sculptures by The Sea.
In Sydney, it’s spread along the Bondi to Tamarama Beach section of the walk and showcases large and impressive artworks.
Location: Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach
When: All year round (winter is a comfortable time)
How to get there: Catch the 373 or 374 buses to Coogee Beach. You can return to CBD from Bondi via 333P bus and train.
*Transport information based on travel to/from Sydney CBD.
3. Manly Whale Watching Tour
Want to see one of the ocean’s most majestic creatures? Then why not jump on a Manly Whale Watching tour while in Sydney during winter.
From May to November, these beautiful animals migrate from Antarctica to the warmer waters of tropical north Queensland to give birth and raise their young before heading back south.
BOOK: Amazing Whale Watching Tour Options:
There are a number of operators running whale watching tours during winter in Sydney including the tours above that offers a family-friendly whale watching Sydney experience.
Also, be sure they go to the best whale watching spots Sydney has to offer as well as showcasing Sydney Harbour.
TIP: Be sure to book in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred whale watching departure date.
4. Circular Quay to Manly Ferry
Regardless of the time of year, jumping on the Circular Quay to Manly ferry is a must-do in Sydney.
This iconic trip can take up to 1,100 passengers on-board to enjoy the scenic sites, smells and sounds of Sydney as they sail across the Harbour.
Young and old enjoy the 30-minute voyage to Manly aboard one of the four large Freshwater vessels, making it a classic Sydney adventure for tourists and locals.
When you arrive at the Manly Ferry Terminal you’ll be greeted with numerous waterfront eateries, shops and of course one of Australia’s best beach city suburbs.
Some of our favourite spots to take in the ferry to Manly services coming and going and the water views are Hugo’s Manly and Manly Wharf Hotel.
Beyond the Manly Ferry Terminal, it’s recommended to visit Manly Beach and walk along the foreshore to Shelly Beach for a swim, snorkel or dive in this gorgeous cove style bay. There are showers, toilets, a kiosk, cafes and BBQs in the area to enjoy.
Other family-friendly activities to do while in Manly include taking a surf lesson, hiring a bike to explore the area, going for a dip in the picturesque ocean pool or let the kids run free at the North Steyne Beach Playground.
When travelling via ferry you can get even more time on the water by taking the Darling Harbour to Manly ferry route available. It gives you extra views of the city, the Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour.
To find more information on the Manly Beach Ferry schedule and Sydney ferry tickets visit www.transportnsw.info.
5. Explore Sydney’s Botanical Gardens
Situated in the heart of Sydney is the Royal Botanic Garden, which is an oasis full of colourful plants, lush landscape and stunning views.
With its inner-city location and the fact it wraps spectacularly around the harbour is what makes it one of the best gardens in Sydney to explore with kids.
It’s also one of the oldest attractions in the Harbour City, being founded in 1816 and is home to lots of wildlife (birds, bats and water dragons) and plants.
A great activity to do with the kids at Sydney’s Botanical Garden is jumping on one of their tours such as the Aboriginal Heritage tour running every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1pm. There’s also a free-guided tour available departing at 10.30am from Thursday to Saturday.
Of course, when visiting you’ll likely find yourself walking along Sydney’s Foreshore to/from the gardens. Here you’ll get some of the best views of the Harbour, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
We recommend doing the Botanical Gardens foreshore walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. It provides an amazing view of both the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s also a favourite spot to celebrate NYE in Sydney.
TIP: Best time to take photos at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is in the morning when the sun is still rising behind you.
From the end of May to June, it’s also one of the best gardens to visit in Sydney, as it features as a spot in Vivid Sydney Festival’s Light Walk #VividGarden attraction.
Entry is free and the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney opening hours are from 7.00am-5.30pm daily.
When visiting be sure to check out the Sydney Botanical Gardens map to help you navigate your way.
6. Darling Harbour Kids Activities
Darling Harbour is easily one of the best entertainment precincts in Sydney, especially for kids.
Home to numerous restaurants, shops, park spaces and attractions, you can easily spend a couple of days here experiencing the sites and Darling Harbour activities with the whole family.
From wildlife animal encounters, boarding a submarine, lunch with harbour views, playing in a waterpark to even walking the red carpet, you won’t have an issue with thinking of what do in Darling Harbour.
Here are our top things to do in Darling Harbour for kids during winter:
Get up close with the animals
Want to know where to see koalas in Sydney? Then you’re in luck as in the heart of the CBD you can get up close with these Australian wildlife creatures, as well as some colourful marine animals.
At the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo the whole family can see crocodiles, koalas, wombats and snakes, while at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium there’s huge sharks, rays, turtles and little penguins to see.
What we love about these attractions is they’re situated right on the Darling Harbour boardwalk. This offers aerial views of the harbour from the zoo, while the aquarium allows you to go below and walk through over 100m of glass viewing tunnels.
DEAL: Save up to 45% OFF if you book these attractions together via the Sydney Attraction Pass. Plus you can also add a visit to Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye for a discounted rate.
Find serenity at Chinese Garden Sydney
It’s a spot where you can unwind, let the kids roam freely and step back into a time of ancient Chinese culture, heritage and architecture.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a majestic place in the heart of Darling Harbour and is only a short walk to Sydney’s Chinatown.
This affordable family-friendly attraction has been meticulously designed featuring blissful waterfalls, lakes, exotic plants, pavilions, sculptures and hidden pathways.
You can spend plenty of time taking in the calming surroundings, while the kids explore the hidden pathways and get up close with the coy fish in the Lotus Pond.
There’s even an option for them to dress up in imperial costume as an emperor, princess or warrior from the Ming Ching dynasty era.
TIP: After exploring the Chinese Gardens Darling Harbour why not enjoy some Chinese tea, dumplings and steamed buns at their traditional Teahouse.
Alternatively, Chinatown (Haymarket) is very close and a great spot to grab some cheap eats in Sydney.
Darling Harbour Playground
Let the kids run wild and exert all their energy at the Darling Harbour Children’s Playground located in the Darling Quarter area. As one of Australia’s best city playgrounds it features water games, swings, flying foxes, climbing ropes, slides and more.
it has to be one of the best free activities for toddlers Sydney has to offer.
They can spend hours playing here, and you can grab plenty of snacks or coffee at the onsite kiosk. Also when the kids are finished you all can dine at one of the many Darling Quarter restaurants nearby and sample the best of Darling Harbour food.
Some top kid-friendly restaurants Darling Harbour offers include Hurricanes Grill, Nok Nok Thai Eating House, Pancake on the Rocks, Betty’s Burgers, Waterfront Grill and Hard Rock Café.
If you want a break from the playground, there’s a spacious lawn adjacent to it. Here you can grab one of the lawn chairs often provided for free and simply soak up the views, sun and sounds.
Weekly night fireworks
Visiting Darling Habour at night offers a different experience for families. As you walk about you’ll be in awe of Sydney’s towering skyline brightly lit and the technological colours illuminating the Darling Quarter’s buildings.
It’s a place that really comes alive from dusk with many families, locals and young professionals soaking up the views and enjoying the Darling Harbour food and drinks on offer.
Some favourite family-friendly dining options are listed above, but for a sweet treat be sure to grab ice cream at Gelatissimo or dessert at the Lindt Café in Cockle Bay.
Saturday night is one of the best times to visit Darling Harbour as it offers a lot of fun things to do in Sydney at night.
One great activity, in particular, is the free fireworks display that kicks off at 8.30pm every Saturday.* During Vivid Festival this is every Friday and Saturday night. As it gets busy fast, go early to get a ringside seat around Cockle Bay where it goes off.
*Note: Be sure to check the What’s On Darling Harbour website for the most up-to-date information on the weekly night fireworks and timings.
Board a vessel
Ever wanted to board a tall ship, submarine or naval ship? Then you need to head to the Australian National Maritime Museum.
It’ll serve up a fun and educational maritime experience for the whole family.
Spend hours at this attraction as you wander the many museum’s exhibitions, see their collection of vessels and hear about such sea adventures as Australian naval battles, mutiny and migrant journeys.
A popular part of the museum is going inside a navy submarine and roaming the decks of the large big gun destroyer vessel, Spirit of Australia.
There’s also a tall ship replica of Captain James Cook’s famous vessel telling the tale of how it was to sail back then.
Another great area in the museum is its under 5s play zone featuring interactive displays, activities and games to spark their imaginative seashore and under the sea journey.
It has to be one of the best free activities for toddlers Sydney offers.
Bowling at Stike Darling Harbour
One of the best places to go bowling with the family is at Strike King Street Wharf.
Offering gorgeous harbour views, the venue has 10 wicked bowling alleys to duke it out.
As you bowl you can order cocktails from the bar (for the parents) plus enjoy the latest DJ style tunes and disco lights.
When you’ve had enough of bowling you can embrace your karaoke side or try the escape rooms (kids need to be 15 years+).
So, if you’re keen to perfect your strike, singing or escape skills then why not go bowling at Strike King Street Wharf with the kids.
How to get to Darling Harbour?
Wondering how to get to Darling Harbour? The good news is there are a bunch of transport options to suit all families and their itineraries.
Below are some easy options for getting to Darling Harbour:
TRAIN: Closest train station to Darling Harbour is Town Hall. There is also Central Station and walking from Central Station to Darling Harbour is only 10-minutes.
PARKING: Best spots for Darling Harbour parking are Wilson Darling Quarter Car Park, Wilson Harbourside Car Park, Secure King Street Parking, Cockle Bay Wharf Parking (Darling Park Car Park) and ICC Sydney.
BUS: Catch the 389 bus stopping at Harris Street near Allen Street. Then it’s about a 10-minute walk.
WATER TAXI: For a remarkable way to travel to Darling Harbour, water taxi is the way to go. You can jump on one from The Rocks, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House or Luna Park.
LIGHTRAIL: There’s a light rail service (Dulwich Hill Line) available and stops nearby at the Exhibition Centre, Convention and Pyrmont Bay.
Places to Stay in Darling Harbour
Being one of our favourite spots to play in Sydney, it’s also an ideal area to stay.
So, if you’re wondering where to stay here is our top five family accommodation Darling Harbour offers:
- Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney
- Hyatt Regency Sydney
- Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour
- PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
- Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments
The above is located in the heart of Darling Harbour, while the likes of Mercure Sydney and The Grace Hotel are great accommodation near Darling Harbour.
DEALS: Book the latest and best Darling Harbour accommodation deals here.
7. Wander the Rocks Markets
Go back in time and stroll up sandstone steps, along cobblestone streets and find hidden alleys in Australia’s oldest settlement. This is the Rocks and it offers an experience like no other in Sydney.
The place boasts million-dollar harbour views and is pack with restaurants, cafes, boutique shops and of course is home to the Rocks Markets.
In the heart of Sydney, the Rocks Markets are held every Saturday and Sunday with families and tourists enjoying the locally designed fashion, jewellery, home-wares, art, photography and food.
With over 150 stalls to explore and being so close to the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, it’s one of the best places to take kids in Sydney and things to do in Sydney for families during the winter.
Being the oldest settled area in Australia, it is home to an enormous amount of history. The kids will not only get the chance to see, hear and sample the offerings of the market but also learn a thing or two about Australia’ first settlement and early years.
Some weekend market stalls the kids will love include: The Village Providore, Son of a Baker and Emporium of Chocolate.
While at the Rocks Market we recommend going early and taking your food to one of the grass areas lining the harbour for a picnic-style dining experience. Here is a list of the food options available at the Rocks Market.
There’s nothing better than digging into the local street food and watching the ferries come and go into Circular Quay.
Also, a great family-friendly activity to do while in the area is to go on The Rocks Walking Tour or for something spookier The Rocks Ghost Tour Sydney. These will help you learn about the historic district and the stories/ legends of those who once called it home.
The Rocks Weekend Market (Sat and Sun 10-5pm)
Jack Mundey Place and Playfair Street
Cost: Free entry
Where to stay in the Rocks?
If interested in staying in this historic district here are our top five family-friendly the Rocks accommodation options available and nearby:
- Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks
- Rydges Sydney Harbour
- Shangri-La Hotel
- The Sebel Quay West Suites Sydney
- Park Hyatt Sydney
DEALS: To book the latest and best The Rocks accommodation deals.
8. Winter Festivals and Outdoor Ice Skating Sydney
One of the coolest places to visit in Sydney in winter with kids has to be in Darling Harbour for their Darling Harbour Winter Festival.
Over two weeks in June/ July, they transform Darling Habour into a winter wonderland serving up open air winter wonderland ice skating, winter foodie market, giant ice slide, live performances, DJs and live performances.
Also the festival will put on two firework shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7.30pm and 9pm during the solstice. It has to be one of the best winter and outdoor ice skating Sydney city experiences for families this year.
If you’re after something a little fancy why not book a luxurious private igloo for the family at Pier One Sydney. It’ll be one cool memorable experience for your tribe!
WANT MORE? Another cool place to have an ice skating Sydney city experience is in Bondi. Over a couple of weeks in June to July, Bondi host the Bondi Festival, which celebrates winter beachside and features ice rinks, rides and events for the whole family to enjoy.
9. Cronulla Beach Walk
Yes, you get amazing views with the Coogee to Bondi Walk, however, a firm favourite of ours is the Cronulla Coastal Walk and Cronulla Beach Walk.
Due to its local community vibe, Cronulla is less touristy and gives a more authentic Sydney experience.
It’s a relaxed coastal suburb, south of Sydney featuring white sandy beaches, lush parklands, postcard-worthy rock pools and plenty of seaside cafes and restaurants. So, overall the perfect place to explore by foot.
Being the only Sydney beach accessible by train, it’s an easy destination to get to from the CBD, taking around 50 minutes travel time from Sydney to Cronulla.
Starting at Wanda Beach this 4km Cronulla Beach walk is a leisurely experience and will have you following the shoreline of the peninsula coming across ocean rock pools, playgrounds, beaches, BBQ picnic spots and impressive multimillion-dollar homes.
Some amazing spots along the walk include Oak Park Beach, Shelly Beach and Bass and Flinders Point.
After your trek, why not stop by the town centre to recharge at one of the many Cronulla cafes or even grab some ice cream and sit on the grassy hill area overlooking Cronulla Beach.
With so much on offer, you could easily spend a couple of days here, so I advise finding the perfect family friendly Cronulla accommodation.
The best accommodation options available are the Rydges Cronulla Beachside and Quest Cronulla Beach. Both are central and have views of the ocean and beach.
Also by staying in Cronulla it allows you to experience our final Sydney winter activity for kids being the Royal National Park as it’s not too far away.
10. Royal National Park Day Trip
Did you know the Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world?
Established in 1879, the park also known as ‘Nasho’ offers plenty of sights and activities for families.
From secluded beaches, whale watching, fishing, bird watching, watering holes, barbecues, picnic spots and various Royal National Park hikes and the Royal National Park coastal walk you’ll be spoilt for choice.
So before you visit be sure to plan out your trip so you get the most out of your time.
A great resource to help with your planning is the Royal National Park walks map, which highlights all the Royal National Park bushwalks and key sights.
Winter is a great time of year to experience the Royal National Park beaches, Royal National Park waterfall, trails, leisure spots and lookouts.
With an average temperature from 6-17 degrees celsius, the June to August months offers a more comfortable time to explore without breaking out into a major sweat.
Some of the popular park spots families enjoy include the Figure Eight Pools, Bonnie Vale picnic area, coastal Wattamolla picnic area, Garie Beach and Forest path hike.
TIP: Wear comfy shoes when going on the Royal National Park bushwalks. When finished stop by the Audley area for a picnic/lunch and try your hand at rowing a cute little lake boat.
What are your top things to do in Sydney in winter with kids?
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