UPDATING **Currently Updating through 2024** UPDATING

                                                ****  Sydney & Surrounds ****

We love Sydney and its surrounds, its full of creative flare has loads of history and is continuously evolving. Displays of old world architecture offer an old world experience just by walking through the many lane ways. 

Looking outside the main skirts of Sydney, there are also many opportunities to enjoy both long and short adventures, indoors or out family days or solo kinds of adventures. Here are some tried and tested ideas to get your planing underway.... 

** Take the city Ferries  ** 

Location: Circular Quay ,Sydney

Opening Hours: DAILY 

Price: VARIED depending destinations.

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Sydney Harbour is by doing one of the many scenic and practical ferry trips with Sydney Ferries. With lots on offer all you need to do is choose your destination and away you go. Whats more, a ferry trip on the harbour is a lot less expensive than the harbour cruises and you can hop on and off to explore!

 I do suggest you take the ferry to manly and this is purely to get the harbour experience all the way to manly (approx 1/2 hr each way) then when you arrive at Manly enjoy the many markets and shopping opportunities. You may also choose to take residence in one of the eateries overlooking the water for a delicious lunch. 

If manly is not enough there is also the round trip (a family fav) from circular quay and back via Baranagaroo this trip offers you departure points to see sites at darling harbour, the star casino, Baranagaroo high end eateries and of cause the famous Luna Park & Chinese garden! We especially love this trip at night to take in the beauty of the night lights that reflect on the harbour and laminate the famous landmarks. Fantastic during vivid, yet crazy busy! 

You may also like to travel on the *hop on hop off harbour cruise* that allows you to take things at your own pace hopping on and off at sights of interest.

** Chinese Gardens  ** 

Location: Pier Street, Cnr Harbour St, Darling Harbour NSW 2000

Opening Hours: DAILY 10.00am - 5.00pm

Price: ADULT $12pp |under 12yrs  $8.00pp |concessions and family passes available

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a heritage-listed Chinese garden in the Sydney Central Business District, darling harbour side of Sydney, Easy walk from tram stops and downtown areas. 

Modelled after the classic private gardens of the Ming dynasty, the garden offers an insight into Chinese heritage and culture..and sits on just over an acre of prime land including a beautiful koi pond. 

A visit here is breathtaking in Autumn and spectacular during vivid (may & June). 

Spend some time finding your inner calm as you embrace all the gardens offer, including the large Koi pond.

 You may choose to enjoy a morning or afternoon tea at the on-site cafe. Children are also invited to engage during their visit as they hunt down particular hidden gems through the garden in a fun hide an seek adventure (ask at entry) 

Beautiful for photos in abundance can be taken here!!

*** Luna Park  *** 

Location: 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Opening Hours: VARIED - Please see website

Price: FROM $34.00 - please see website

For those  out of town folk Luna Park Sydney is a heritage-listed amusement park located Harbourside in Milsons Point, New South Wales, on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. Packed with family fun for all ages operating to school holidays and weekends mostly post covid.

Our family find this to be a reasonable day out if you play it right. With rides suited mostly to the able bodies of society, we are limited here to a point when it comes to our younger Down syndrome daughter. 

The character interactions are our saving grace here as our daughter engages very well and will dance and play along allowing the other family members the opportunity to sneak off and head to the big rides! Without this distraction I would have to say a visit here (for our family) would be super tricky and possibly avoided! 

Coney Island is fun with lots of old school rides and huge slides that you really do not see outside the park, again a great draw card for something a little different. The carnival games add to the atmosphere and allowed the youngest of our group some additional fun!

Would I consider eating before or after a visit here - Absolutely… while to feed a family of 4 is on par to the rest of Sydney, the variety is not. Very limited to one, maybe two catering outlets  (pending what’s opened) a perfect display of post Covid recovery -  lets get serious, who wants to sit and eat when there is fun to be had… by all means enjoy a snack-  heck have a drink at the bar while you savour the harbour views but do consider the many meal choices outside the park offering bang for its buck!

**  VIVID  ** 

Location: Various Sydney landmarks

Opening Hours: DAILY 9.30am -4.30pm SEASONAL 26th MAY - 17th JUNE, 2023

Price: FREE + bookings

Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music and ideas, held in Sydney, Australia. It includes outdoor immersive light installations and projections, performances by local and international musicians, and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates with leading creative thinkers. 

Many opportunities await from cruising the harbour to underground tunnel adventures and everything in between thinking outside the box may take you to visiting the famous 

Taronga zoo for a fun filled night of lights and entertainment Tickets can be found here . You may choose to stroll the streets at your leisure or take a fancy canapes & Drinks  cruise to take in the lights from a different view point 

Bookings for some exhibits are essential

** The Rocks, Sydney ** 

Location: George street, SydneyNSW 2750

Opening Hours: DAILY & Varied

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases and dining

Right by the spectacular Sydney Harbour, on the doorstep of the harbour bridge and only Minutes from Circular Quay & the boating terminal is where you will discover the area’s rich colonial history know to the locals as *The Rocks*.

 Earning and maintaining its reputation as being in a prime position boasting a thriving entertainment precinct! 

My family and I spend a lot of time here its just our happy place, with opportunities to secure a room for an overnight stay being an added bonus - a welcomed extension to a day in the city that allows us a treat and refresh from the crazy of our families reality. 

If choosing an overnight stay Rooms can offer an expansive view of the harbour or you may secure a spot right in the heart of town embracing the heritage styled rooms. The rocks will also offer both cheap eats & fancy dining options that include cooking your own steaks, ordering from petit Italian nooks, enjoying a simple burger and chips or perhaps you are more for dining  extravagant in this case you may choose to eat at one of the high end hotel restaurants -  its all right here in the rocks! 

Taking a harbour bridge climb make this you base point to enjoy the surrounds pre or post climb! Get lost in the lane ways or wander through the famous rocks markets of a weekend. 

You may even consider taking a walking tour our take on a spooktacular Haunted ghost tour.

*** Hop on Hop off -  BIG Bus TOURS** 

Location: Circular Quay George street , Sydney 

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am - 6pm 

Price: ADULT - from $64| CHILD - From $45

Love this adventure especially if you happen to be visiting from out of town are limited on time or looking to gather your bearings. These hop on hop off options are a great way to get around to all the essential attractions and help to keep you on track if time is a little tight.  

You can find a route to get you as far as Bondi or as close as town hall! 

 We highly recommend this option and do like to do these when travelling as an option that is suited to everyone, the children can take a break and for you this means to continue on a guided tour learning about our cities landmarks and history. 

** Art Gallery  ** 

Location: Art Gallery Road,Sydney NSW 2000

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am -5pm DAILY | 10am -9pm THURSDAYS!

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases and dining

WOW just wow this museum has just launched it new wing and its beautiful!

 The stand out here is how well children are accommodated in a visit here. 

We received a pack on arrival that was full of activities suited to children to enjoy whilst walking through the museum, to be honest we both enjoyed this pack and the adventure it lead us on. We spent a good few hours here letting the activities take us through the entire museum.    

A museum experience is in the eye of those who visit, so I will leave this adventure for you to discover on your visit, be sure to ask for your visitors pack.  

** Power House Museum  ** 

Location: 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007

Opening Hours: DAILY & Varied

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases and dining

 Another fun visit here with the children enjoying the many hands on activities and exhibits on offer that both suited and educated without the need of an educator. TICK! 

Our eldest has always been fond of learning through visual & hands on experiences so there was no doubt this would be a pleasing visit.

 What I was not prepared for was how engaging this was for my Disabled daughter with fun swings, hands on exhibits including  guided craft activities she was able to sit and create a fun themed artwork.  She had a ball and in turn we all could enjoy the visit here. 

The space themed exhibits are amazing with simulator and fun facts we all found interesting. 

There is so much to see and do over the many levels. 

With a bus stop right out the front and many public transport opportunities within walking distance you will find it easy to get to and from this museum. 

** Bridge Climb ** 

Location: 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Opening Hours: DAILY & Varied climbs

Price: From $334.00pp *children aged 8 years and above with a height of no less than 1.2meter

Prices are subject to change and do vary. 

I could not imagine anything more spectacular than a bridge climb during VIVID! 

But if you are unable to take in the 360 degree panorama views during the months of vidid

 you are still in luck. 

With varied climbs daily and through into the evening you can enjoy all the splendour our city has to offer while enjoying this deluxe activity. 

With price points starting at $149.99 this experience is solely for the fully committed and should be considered in full detail.

For climbers wanting the full experience I would suggest The Ultimate Climb a 3 1/2 hour fully guided tour taking you over both the lower and upper Arches of the Harbour Bridge. 

A shorter tour will have you guided along the lower arch turning at the summit point then heading back to base. 

what a perfect way to take in all the harbour has to offer! 

SIDE NOTE - If you are just wanting to take in the site on ground level you will enjoy the simple walk across the harbour bridge  (found by following the many signs from the rocks) . 

FULLY ACCESSIBLE 

** Jet boat ** 

Location: Circular Quay, NSW 2007

Opening Hours: DAILY & Varied

Price: Adult $84.00 | Child $49

Those looking for adventure and Thrills get excited! taking a trip around the harbour just kicked up a notch! Who knew taking in the sights could be so much fun?

Jump into one of the Jet boats and you will embark on a high speed guided tour of spins and speed leading you right back to your staring point aprox 45+ mins later. 

This is a highlight of our visits into the City where my 11yr old  begs for this adventure EVERY SINGLE TIME! - so if your looking for a family fun day out or for a fun birthday surprise this could be it!  Departing Circular Quay makes this point the perfect base for many other fun attractions and meal options to be considered also!  

** Art Gallery  ** 

Location: Art Gallery Road,Sydney NSW 2000

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am -5pm DAILY | 10am -9pm THURSDAYS!

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases and dining

WOW just wow this museum has just launched it new wing and its beautiful!

 The stand out here is how well children are accommodated in a visit here. 

We received a pack on arrival that was full of activities suited to children to enjoy whilst walking through the museum, to be honest we both enjoyed this pack and the adventure it lead us on. We spent a good few hours here letting the activities take us through the entire museum.    

A museum experience is in the eye of those who visit, so I will leave this adventure for you to discover on your visit, be sure to ask for your visitors pack.  

** Justice & Police museum  ** 

Location: Cnr Phillip St &, Albert St, Sydney NSW 2000

Opening Hours: Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm 

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases 

Easy to miss and not at all advertised in favour to the locals or visitors yet only a 3 minute walk from Circular Quay train station or light rail Or 5 minutes from the botanic gardens & Opera house.

 This heritage - listed museum sits inside a former water police station & courthouse. Drawing you into a world of crime & policing uncovering tails of theft, smuggling and more. Original 1890 holding cells, courts & charging rooms a visit here will have you seeing the darker side of Sydney View the weapons of the underworld in the well lit galleries, hear tails of criminal activity and read many tales of the past, Our daughter in particular enjoyed completing the activity booklet and running her courtroom.

 A smaller museum than those hosting Art and science yet its well worth the visit and can have you here for a good few hours if you are fully invested in reading and listening to all this Museum has to offer!

** Hyde Park Barracks ** 

Location: Queen Square Macquarie Street, Sydney 

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am - 6pm 

Price: Free to Roam + Purchases and dining ( may require donation)

The Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney is a heritage-listed museum  once home to former barracks, a hospital, a convict accommodation, a mint and courthouse, today we enjoy a visit taking us back in time and embracing the history.

Now operating in a fully modern world led by audio technology, you’ll follow in the footsteps of real people touched by this place. Stand where they stood. Listen to their stories. With immersive installations, this is not simply a walk through history. It’s living it.

A visit here will surely offer appreciation for Sydneys ancestry and should not be missed.

** Berrylicious Strawberry Farm  -  ** 

Location: 200B W Parade, Thirlmere NSW 2572

Opening Hours: Mostly weekends see site for information

Price: ADULT $20pp |2-10yrs  $10pp |Under 2 FREE (prices do change)

** BOOKING PREFERRED **

Just past Camden, located in Thirlmere -sits a Berrylicious Strawberry farm, open to the public mostly over the weekends.
Grow in a unique system inside greenhouses, in the air and pesticide free environment you can pick and eat strawberries ( yes you can eat as you pick) till your heart is content! 

** Town of Berry  ** 

Location: Queen street Berry NSW 

Opening Hours: DAILY varied

Price: FREE + Shopping, Treats & EATS

A day can easily be spent here enjoying all this adorable small village has to offer from long lunches at one of the  wineries overlooking the ocean,  a sip at The Berry Tea shop, a sneaky treat from The treat Factory, a warm donut from the famous Donut Van located on main street or you may choose Ice cream a good Pub Feed for lunch the list  goes on and on .. a visit to the museum, some shopping a trip to the farmers markets. There really is a whole lot to see here! 

** Museum of Fire -  ** 

Location: 1 Museum Dr, Penrith NSW 2750

Opening Hours: DAILY 9.30am -4.30pm

Price: ADULT $15pp |2-13yrs  $7.50 pp |Under 2 FREE| family passes and other prices available

This is a fun day out and I have to say works well for family's. Attended  on a Sunday around 10am  (very quite) and almost felt like we were the only one'e there.. Our daughter was the main beneficiary of this trip, being Down Syndrome (aged 8) with complex additional needs that are not physically obvious to the population the quite environment allowed her to take her time settling into the adventure. 

may it be that we just got lucky with limited visitors that day or could it have been the opportunity for her to engage as a child in this museum? 

Im saying both, from our arrival there was many engagement opportunities as we head into the museum so she was able to touch and explore straight away this was a win for us with Puzzles set aside for her to enjoy in areas that adults could take time to read listen and look knowing 

** NSW rail Museum   ** 

Location: 10 Barbour Rd, Thirlmere NSW 2572

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am -4pm|9am-5pm Sat & Sun

Price: ADULT $35pp |2-17yrs  $15 pp | concession $25pp|Under 2 FREE

**TICKET INCLUDES TRAIN RIDE... entry fee is available without taking train ride

The NSW Rail Museum is the main railway museum in New South Wales, and houses Australia's largest collection of locomotives and railways carriages. Hosting 3 main areas of interest all Accessible, some with viewing opportunities via windows where you are able to watch maintenance and repairs being undertaken during your visit. 

Work your way through the many carriages and take in the experience of what life may have been like back in yesteryear for example a visit to the mail room carriage will have you wondering if there was such a need for todays tec when it seemed to run with such proficiently originally, the dining carts, the steam engines all offer unique surrounds sweeping you back into history. 

Don't forget to enjoy the steam train ride departing and returning to the museum throughout the day. 

**The Grounds of Alexandria -  ** 

Location: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Opening Hours: DAILY 7.00am -9.00pm weekends 7.30am -9.30pm

Price: FREE + Purchases

Homestyle food with a modern touch specialty cafe’s and coffee options - all here in a former pie factory with brick walls and an organic garden. The shed offers function facilities and an amazing atmosphere for diners all day and into the night. 

I particularly love to visit here after the announcement of re decorating. The grounds ever popular themed ally ways (Mary Poppins, Disney, Beauty and the beast just to name a few) are an adventure all of their own making for a special visit with VERY insta worthy backdrops! 

 Bookings may be advisable especially if there is a function taking place or a new exhibit on display - Bring your smiles an empty belly and allow yourself to get lost in this secrets gem right on the outskirts of the CBD!  

** Camden Valley Inn ** 

Location:  290 Remembrance Drive, Cawdor NSW 2570

Opening Hours: DAILY 7am -12am

Price: FREE to visit + Meals

Whats not to love about a stop here, you can incorporate a sleep over if needed in one of the onsite rooms in a newly refreshed 1930s Tudor-style building, plus the offerings of modern brasserie dining of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy fire pits an outdoor pool (for overnight guests), mini petting farm  facility, a children's play area and a sports bar!

Boasting spacious seating both indoor and out, dining areas with beautiful gardens and lake views at which you can witness spectacular sunrises/sunsets and capture some lovely photos to conclude your visit here! 

It is not unusual to witness celebrations at this fine venue as locals enjoy the atmosphere here and choose it to feature as backdrops to weddings, anniversaries, birthday's and other special celebrations.

Maybe you would like to consider a romantic hot air ballon ride? Find out more here! 

** Scenic World ** 

Location: Violet St &, Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780

Opening Hours: DAILY 10am -4.00pm|9am-5pm Sat & Sun

Price: ADULT $15pp |2-13yrs  $7.50 pp |Under 2 FREE

Scenic World is a private, family-owned tourist attraction located in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales about 100 kilometres west of Sydney and has a bunch of fun to enjoy. A weekend here would still not be enough with its fast offerings from bush walking, guided tours 

you may choose to enjoy our world's-first, premium experience, Beyond Skyway 

allowing guests to enjoy twilight over the Jamison Valley from the rooftop of the skyway - imagine that! 

Don't feel like taking the drive yourself - take a one day tour instead showing off all the blue mountains has to offer 

** Sydney Zoo ** 

Location: 700 Great Western Hwy, Bungarribee NSW 2767

Opening Hours: DAILY 9am -5pm

Price: ADULT $44.99pp |3-15yrs $19.95 pp |Concession $24.99 |Under 3 FREE

** FREE PARKING & ACCESSIBLE **

Western Sydney has a New zoo and it offers seasonal events and school holiday additions. Time it right and enjoy the GLOW festival late Autumn heading into winter with night festivities and rides to keep everyone entertained.

 A visit here would be best described as fare paced, lots of room especially if you  take in a weekday visit for less crowds. 

Enjoy many of the fun exhibits as you take yourself around the accessible parkland route  including the largest Reptile & nocturnal house in the world, a primate boulevard and aquarium this zoo is currently the only combined zoo & Aquarium in NSW! 

Of cause you can enjoy dining options and shopping whilst here also. 

NO HILLS - NO STEPS .. making this a perfectly Accessible day out at the zoo - with free parking!