50 Of The Best Things To Do In Sydney In 2026

The Royal Botanic Garden is a beautiful area filled with plenty of lush greenery. The gardens are located right on the Sydney Harbour, which makes it a perfect spot for views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Also included in the gardens are several cafes with some solid brunch options. Australian Artist Brett Whiteley’s widow turned this old railway land into something special. Wendy started planting here in 1992 after he passed away, and locals still find new paths and spots they’ve never seen before.
Admire the terrifying jaws of a saltwater crocodile (crikey!) and discover all of Robert Irwin’s top photography tips for capturing the beauty of Australia’s wildlife. Your family will activities to do in sydney enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the skyline, sweeping from the sparkling shores of Bondi to the majestic Blue Mountains. The utterly gruesome twosome will be at the Sydney Opera House during the school holidays, bringing Roald Dahl’s classic tale to life in an exciting and hilarious theatre production. The show will be full of laughs, life and chaos, as the Twits try to out-nasty the other in a never-ending contest of cruelty.

It's where beaches and skyscrapers meet, where history lives alongside cutting-edge cool. Watsons Bay is a thin stretch of sand backed by a couple of great restaurants. The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel has chic comfortable rooms, many with excellent views. We also include Manly on our best day trips from Sydney, which has rural areas, charming towns, and beaches that are further away. One of Sydney’s most popular walking tracks, the Bondi to Coogee Walk, showcases the stunning beauty of the city’s coastline.
You can choose between a classic or premium ticket and with over 33 hop-on stops all over the city, this is the perfect way to see lots of Sydney if you’re short on time. Darling Harbour is perfect for waterfront views, family-friendly activities, and proximity to entertainment venues. A date here will never go astray and always feels like an occasion. Catch the ferry out to Mosman, and spend a few hours visiting all the animals, including the new penguins and pygmy hippos. And so visiting couples looking for things to do in Sydney would be well-served by taking a harbour cruise and soaking up the famous waterway.
Luna Park Sydney, is a heritage-listed amusement park offering a blend of classic amusements and modern rides. More beaches to check out include Shelly Beach for hidden coves, Palm Beach for a luxurious feel, Coogee Beach for its coastal walk, or Bronte Beach for a chilled atmosphere. Book a “Breakfast with the Koalas” session and enjoy a delicious meal while learning about these gentle giants from a zookeeper.

Wentworth Falls is just 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Katoomba, and the track from the town’s picnic area to the top of its 100-meter-high waterfall is one of the most popular walks in the Blue Mountains. Book this tour with over 2,000 glowing reviews here and get FREE cancellation options before you go. If you also want to save some money, it is considerably cheaper to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the evenings when it is dark. Although we will say the views are better during the day if you have the room in your budget.
Family vacations need a mix of activities, and movies are a teen favourite! Sydney boasts state-of-the-art cinemas perfect for catching the latest movies. Experience one of the most unforgettable experiences on Sydney Harbour. How does a jet boat ride that reaches up to 75 kilometres per hour.

And if you want more boozy fun, you can work your way through Sydney's best bars here. Oh, and you can suss Sydney’s best restaurants and best affordable eats too. Think a 12-metre high treehouse, rock-climbing walls, a huge climbing net, flying foxes and swings. We love that it is spread over 300 metres, meaning lots of space to run and play.
From hatted fine dining restaurants to bustling food markets and waterfront cafes, the city offers an exceptional gastronomic experience. With over 100 beaches scattered along Sydney's coastline, beach culture is at the heart of the Sydney lifestyle. Whether you're looking for world-famous surf breaks, family-friendly swimming spots, or secluded coastal havens, Sydney's beaches offer something for everyone. Hop on a ferry to Manly or book a harbour cruise to soak in the city’s iconic skyline from the water.

Connecting Queenscliff and Freshwater beaches, the tunnel is still the most direct route between the two seafronts without cutting through the suburban streets. Along the way you’ll catch views of the Harbour Bridge and Shark Island, as well as historic Strickland House, a heritage-listed Victorian Italianate mansion built in the 1850s. The gardens are broken down into themed areas that include a Japanese garden, complete with a pond, waterfall and ornamental bridges. Though Sydney has its share of beautiful rooftop bars, it's hard to find a place to drink with vistas as impressive as these. There’s no air of fine-dining pretentiousness here – just an elegant celebration of the land and waters of this sunburnt country. For nine decades, Luna Park has surprised and delighted the fun-seekers of Sydney.
With the vast expanse of the mighty Pacific Ocean to the east and stunning city views to the west, a visit to this beautiful corner of the city is bound to leave you awestruck. You can make a day of it too, by taking the South Head trail from Watsons Bay. It's an easy amble, and you can reward yourself for that lil' bit of cardio with a drink or two at the Watsons Bay Hotel afterward. Shelly Beach feels like a secluded island in comparison to the huge stretch of sand that is Manly Beach. Here, the waves are calmer, the sunbakers are quieter and the mood is more chilled. Getting here is a short cycle or walk around Cabbage Tree Bay and along the walk many people stop and take a seat on the rocks or take a dip in the aqua-coloured Fairy Bower Pool.
With no limits on skill, indoor skydiving is fit for both beginners and those with experience – whether you’re 3 or 103. Sydney Zoo is just a 45-minute drive from the Sydney CBD, making it an easy day trip for families. Brisbane Airport Hotels’ convenient accommodation options now offer all the comforts and attractions of an inner-city hotel without the hassle of a transfer. Carolin is a seasoned travel expert who has been exploring the world since 2014.

Across four classes running daily, budding young surfers are matched to a correctly sized board and placed in age-appropriate lessons to have them riding the waves with confidence in no time. With an unbeatable location on Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo Sydney is a great family attraction that is not only fun for kids but educational too. Meet the expert keepers and learn about Taronga’s conservation programme. Taronga Zoo is at Bradley’s Head in Mosman and cares for more 5,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. You can see Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from the giraffe enclosure. Australia’s most populated city is packed with family-friendly activities.