Sydney is packed with things for kids to do. From the city beaches like Bondi to the world-class zoo and aquarium, you won’t have to think too hard to find something that will entertain your children. Powerhouse Museum has an entire building full of hands-on exhibits, while the Featherdale Wildlife Park gets you as close to native wildlife as possible.

Australian Reptile Park
If your kids have a fascination with snakes, lizards, crocodiles and other slithering creatures, you won’t want to miss this extensive park. Adding to the reptilian world, the park also has a nice population of native mammals such as flying foxes, wallabies and, of course, koalas. A developed trail system allows visitors to walk through the beautiful bushland after checking out the wildlife. The park is located on the Pacific Highway. Phone: +61 2 4340 1022.

Featherdale Wildlife Park
If you want a more personal experience with Australia’s native wildlife, be sure to visit this incredible hands-on park. The animals here are cared for like family, allowing visitors to hand-feed docile kangaroos and wallabies. Though you can’t touch a koala in New South Wales, you can have your picture taken with one at this park. Additionally, the new Reptile Pavilion showcases the country’s 30 native species, many of which rank among the world’s most venomous. The park is located on Kildare road. Phone: +61 2 9622 1644.

Powerhouse Museum
One of the world’s best museums for kids is this extremely interactive wonderland of science, history and gadgets. Many of the exhibits hereare specially designed to be bashed, stroked or fiddled with to the delight of kids. Other displays which cannot be touched are just as interesting for their educational and cultural value. The museum is located on Harris street. Phone: +61 2 9217 0111.

Taronga Zoo
You could come to this hilltop zoo for the staggering panoramic views alone, but there are plenty of great creatures to check out too. The native Australian animals are the highlight here, especially those in the Rainforest Habitat and the Nocturnal Houses where you can watch an adorable bilby and the strange platypus in their natural environments. Koalas, kangaroos, komodo dragons and other cool creatures round out the zoo, which is located on Bradley’s Head road and accessible by boat. Phone: +61 2 9969 2777.

This buzzing town has a great array of cultural activities to keep visitors entertained during their stay. From the historic district of The Rocks to the modern social hub created at Darling Harbour, there is no lack of sites for travellers to immerse themselves in contemporary Sydney culture. A wealth of excellent museums adds a touch of heritage to the city’s life.

Art Gallery of New South Wales
This is the place to go in Sydney if you want to see the artwork of the best Australian and Aboriginal artists. Rounding out these local exhibits are some nice displays by international masters, including a wide selection of Asian art. With four floors, there is plenty to look at, and the gallery’s two cafés are well-known eateries. The gallery is located on Art Gallery road. Phone: +61 2 9225 1744.

Australian National Maritime Museum
Modern Australia was settled by seafaring Europeans, and with such a vast coastline, it’s no surprise that this nation has a long and interesting maritime heritage. To better understand this aspect of Australian life, visit this comprehensive museum showcasing the range of ships that have been used here. From Aboriginal vessels to an Oberton class submarine, there are some interesting things to see. Best of all, you can climb aboard most of them. The museum is located in Darling Harbour. Phone: +61 2 9298 3777.

Darling Harbour
Few places in Sydney represent the relationship between city and sea as well as Darling Harbour. This is the city’s main tourist district, and is packed with things to see and do. Historically a bustling dockland, the entire area was transformed in 1988 into a mecca of entertainment. This vast waterfront area has family flavour too, with the IMAX theatre, Sydney Aquarium, Sega World and Powerhouse Museum among the seemingly endless array of engaging venues. Although the harbour buzzes all year round, the Christmas season sees Darling Harbour really kick into high gear.

Elizabeth Bay House
To get a perspective on what life was like in Sydney’s early days for the upper class, visit this stunning example of colonial architecture near Elizabeth Bay. Built in 1835, this beauty was once the finest home in Australia. Today, visitors can tour the house, which has been restored and furnished in the style of the period. The views from its lofty perch on a headland are worth the visit alone. The house is located on Onslow avenue. Phone: +61 2 9356 3022.

Luna Park
This traditional amusement park was the first of its kind in Sydney when it opened in 1935. It has deliberately retained its old-fashioned ambiance, providing visitors with a rare glimpse at what fun parks looked like nearly a century ago. Don’t expect high-tech thrills at Luna Park. It’s all about old school rides like the Ferris wheel, carousel and bumper cars. An afternoon at this Australian landmark at Milsons Point makes for a great outing. Phone: +61 2 9922 6644.

The Rocks Market
Located under Harbour Bridge, one of the highlights of the wonderful historic district The Rocks is its outdoor market. Dozens of vendors set up stalls here each weekend and sell whatever they like. Items range from souvenirs to antiques, artwork and other quirky things. Street performers are always out to entertain the crowds, and special exhibits and events are regularly scheduled at the northern end of George street. Phone: +61 2 9240 8717.

Sydney’s melting pot community has created one of the world’s most diverse and innovative culinary scenes. An abundant year-round supply of fresh produce, seafood and prime beef and lamb anchor the menus of the hundreds of restaurants, cafés and take-out joints scattered all over the city. Asia has the strongest influence on the cuisine of Sydney, particularly the creative Pan-Asian fusion restaurants which serve some truly mouthwatering dishes.

This new style of cooking, known around the world as ‘mod Oz’ cuisine, is done especially well in Sydney, where many of the country’s top chefs work their magic. ‘Mod Oz’ blends classic European styles with Asian spices and cooking techniques. At the other end of the eating spectrum is Australian bush-tucker, which reflects the culinary traditions of the Aboriginals. Although it’s not that easy to find in Sydney, a few restaurants have items like kangaroo and emu on their menus.

To sample some of Sydney’s cheaper eateries head to the inner-city neighbourhoods along Newtown’s King street and Darlinghurst’s Crown street. These are great places to dig into the ethnic food of the city. Trendier cafés can be found along the top end of Oxford street in Paddington, and around Kings Cross. Plenty of affordable places are scattered among the upscale restaurants on the seemingly endless Oxford street. For some beach views to go with your meal, take the ferry to Manly, where takeout shops line the Corso and the fun pedestrian mall along the waterfront.

The Sydney Fish market is great place to get fresh seafood. There are dozens of small shops lining the boardwalk selling the cheapest sashimi in town along with cooked fish and other delicacies. Many cafés in Sydney are ‘BYO’ (‘bring your own’) establishments, meaning you can bring your own alcohol and drink it in house. Smoking, however, is not allowed in any eating establishment unless you are dining outside.

Sydney has a diverse shopping scene that rivals its wining and dining options. For a local experience, head to The Rocks which has a wide range of shops ranging from Australian souvenirs to arts, crafts and antiques. Pitt and George streets are also full of interesting small shops.

If you want something more exclusive, go to the North Shore’s Mosman shopping district or Double Bay in the eastern outskirts of the city. The Queen Victoria Building on the corner of George and Market streets is Sydney’s prettiest shopping arcade. With over 200 fashion-minded boutique shops covering four levels, this charming Victorian arcade is a must-see for any serious shopper.

In fact, Sydney is well-known for its shopping arcades. The city centre has a number of pleasant spots such as the Skygarden Arcade, Sydney Central Plaza and Pitt Street Mall. Don’t miss the Strand Arcade, built in 1892, for its charming architecture and quality boutiques and cafés. Oxford street runs straight through the city to Bondi Beach and is lined with hundreds of shops, coffee houses and places to eat. There’s a lot to choose from, so take advantage of the great weather and enjoy the myriad outdoor shopping opportunities in Sydney.

The water plays a major role in the sporting life of Sydney’s residents. City beaches such as Bondi and Manly are among the most entertaining and safe in the world. Best of all, they’re right at the edge of the pavement. Surfing is simply a way of life for most Australians, but when spectator sports like rugby, cricket or Australian rules football are on the television most of the city comes to a stop.

Beaches
If you visit Sydney during the summer from December to February, one of the major highlights is hanging out at the beach. Bondi is one of the world’s most famous beaches for its surfing, bike path, tanned bathers and soft sand. Manly is also right in town and offers the pleasant Corso pedestrian strip along the water. There are 20 other small beaches scattered around the harbours and coastline, and many have great walking paths, lifeguards and facilities. Be careful of riptide currents when swimming, stinging jellyfish during the breeding season, and the occasional shark. The lifeguards post warning flags for all these things, so pay attention.

Golf
There are more than 90 golf courses in and around Sydney, proving that this pastime is extremely popular here. With such amazing weather most of the year, it’s no wonder. Many of the courses are open to the public, and greens fees are surprisingly affordable. Moore Park Golf Club is the nearest championship course to the city limits, but don’t miss Long Reef Golf Club along the Tasman Sea for some serious scenery. Website: www.mooreparkgolf.com.au.

Spectator Sports
In the summer season, everyone in Sydney talks about the cricket. From October through March this sport is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s television set. The Sydney Cricket Ground is an ideal site to catch a one-day match. The other half of the year, Sydney’s passion turns to Australian rules football, or ‘footy’. From May to September you can witness one of the world’s most hardcore sports involving finesse, speed and violence. Think rugby meets American football. The biggest and most exciting venue for football is the Sydney Football Stadium.

Surfing
Both the south and north sides of Sydney Harbour have good surf breaks. Bondi and Tamarama have the best waves on the south side, while Manly, Long Reef, Bilgola, Narrabeen and Collaroy offer good surf on the northern shore. Most public beaches with a surf break have rental shops where you can take lessons or rent boards and wetsuits.