Sydney began as a British penal colony in 1788 on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation; today it’s a glittering harbour city where ancient custodianship meets modern culture. The icons—Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge—anchor a skyline of coves, headlands, and ferries threading the blue.

Beyond the postcard views, Sydney is a city of beaches and bushland, dumplings and flat whites, galleries and playgrounds. Families love how easy it is to get around by ferry and light rail, with parks and ocean pools at nearly every stop.

Expect excellent coffee, fresh seafood, and a relaxed outdoor rhythm. Carry an Opal card for public transport, wear sunscreen year-round, and book popular attractions in advance—especially the Blue Mountains and Taronga Zoo. This 7-day plan balances food, museums, beaches, and local life on a mid-range budget.

Sydney

Sydney’s heart beats around Circular Quay, The Rocks, and the Royal Botanic Garden—where harbour ferries come and go and buskers soundtrack the scene. To the east are surf-famous beaches like Bondi and Coogee; to the north, Manly’s family-friendly sands and sheltered coves beckon.

Top sights include the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, the Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Powerhouse Museum. Foodies can graze at the new Sydney Fish Market, hawker-style Spice Alley, and dozens of excellent casual spots from Surry Hills to Barangaroo.

• Where to stay (handpicked, family-friendly options):
  • Mid-range with views: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour (walk to museums, playgrounds, and the aquarium).
  • Splurge on the water: Park Hyatt Sydney (Opera House views, unbeatable location).
  • Great-value private rooms: Sydney Harbour YHA (rooftop views over The Rocks) and Sydney Central YHA.
  • Private apartments for families: browse VRBO Sydney stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there and around: Search flights to SYD on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical durations: 1.5–2 hrs from Melbourne/Brisbane (from ~A$60–A$180 one-way), ~3 hrs from New Zealand (~A$200–A$350), 10–15 hrs nonstop from North America (~US$900–US$1,400 RT in shoulder seasons). From SYD, the Airport Link train to the CBD takes ~13 minutes (~A$18–A$20 adult). Get an Opal card for trains, ferries, and light rail.

Day 1: Arrival, Circular Quay & The Rocks

Afternoon: Land in Sydney and check in. Stretch your legs along Circular Quay to the Museum of Contemporary Art (free general exhibits) and wander The Rocks’ cobbled lanes. Pop into the small, free Rocks Discovery Museum to introduce the area’s Aboriginal and colonial stories.

Evening: Early dinner with harbour views at Opera Bar (easy kids’ menu and plenty of space), or head to Pancakes on The Rocks for reliable, family-pleasing stacks and pizzas. Grab gelato at Gelato Messina (Circular Quay) and watch the ferries come and go.

Day 2: City Highlights by Hop-On, Hop-Off + Bondi Beach

Morning: Get oriented with the Big Bus Sydney & Bondi hop-on hop-off circuit. Start near Circular Quay and hop off for a stroll in the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for classic bridge-and-sails photos.

Lunch: Alight at Darling Harbour for lunch: The Little Snail (great-value French set menus) or Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour (pastas, pizza, kids’ specials). Let the kids run wild at Tumbalong Park’s excellent playground.

Afternoon: Switch to the Bondi loop. Take a dip at Bondi’s kid-friendly north end or the iconic ocean pool at Bondi Icebergs Club (casual bistro upstairs). Time a short section of the Bondi–Bronte coastal walk for sea views and sculptures if on.

Evening: Dinner options around Bondi: Bondi Icebergs Club Bistro (affordable with a million-dollar view) or burgers at Bonditony’s. Finish with Gelato Messina Bondi.

Book this useful city overview:

Big Bus Sydney and Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour (approx A$65 adult; family passes often available)

Day 3: Museums, Science & Spice Alley

Morning: Coffee and breakfast in Surry Hills at Single O (signature Reservoir blend, excellent avo toast) or Bills (ricotta hotcakes and sweetcorn fritters are Sydney classics). Head to the Australian Museum—dinosaurs, megafauna, and a strong First Nations gallery—great for kids and adults.

Lunch: Walk to Chippendale’s Spice Alley, a lantern-strung laneway of Southeast Asian hawker stalls (Malaysian roti, Singaporean laksa, Thai stir-fries). Plenty of quick, affordable choices and courtyard seating.

Afternoon: Explore the Powerhouse Museum (hands-on science, design, and transport exhibits). If energy remains, the nearby SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour make easy add-ons for young families.

Evening: Casual dinner at Darling Square: Ippudo (ramen), DOPA by Devon (donburi and soufflé pancakes), or Betty’s Burgers. Stroll the harbour foreshore and check if there are weekend fireworks or light shows.

Day 4: Full-Day Blue Mountains Adventure

Set off early for towering sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, eucalyptus mist, and the legendary Three Sisters at Echo Point. Your small-group tour includes Scenic World’s rides (Railway, Skyway, Cableway) and a stop to meet Australian wildlife, with a relaxing ferry ride back along the Parramatta River to Circular Quay near sunset. Wear layers, comfortable shoes, and pack a refillable water bottle—temperatures are cooler in the mountains.

Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour from Sydney with Scenic World, Sydney Zoo & Ferry (often ~A$170–A$230 adult, hotel pickups included)

Day 5: Taronga Zoo by Ferry + Barangaroo Eats

Morning: Hop the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo—one of the world’s best-located zoos—with sweeping views back to the skyline. Begin at the Australian Walkabout to see kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas before the Free Flight Bird Show (spectacular harbour backdrop; check times).

Lunch: Picnic with a view (there are dedicated areas), or grab an easy bite at Taronga Food Market; for a sit-down option, The View Restaurant offers classic fare and kids’ meals.

Afternoon: Continue through African Savannah and Tiger Trek, then ferry back. Walk the foreshore from Circular Quay to Barangaroo Reserve—a beautifully landscaped headland park where kids can scramble on sandstone steps.

Evening: Dinner in Barangaroo: love.fish (sustainable local seafood, kids’ menu) or Tequila Daisy (Mexican plates on the waterfront; relaxed vibe). Stroll Wynyard Walk back to the CBD.

Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry - Sydney Harbour (combo tickets from ~A$60–A$75 adult; kids discounts)

Day 6: Opera House Tour, Harbour Gardens & Local Flavours

Morning: Take the official guided tour of the Sydney Opera House to learn how Jorn Utzon’s audacious design went from controversy to UNESCO icon. You’ll step into the theatres and foyers while guides share behind-the-scenes stories.

Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour (from ~A$45 adult; family tickets available)

Lunch: Picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden (seek out the Calyx) or dine bayside at Opera Kitchen (casual). Walk the foreshore path to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for unbeatable vistas.

Afternoon: Explore The Rocks more deeply: nurse a flat white at The Fine Food Store or La Renaissance Patisserie, and browse galleries and weekend markets (if applicable). If energy permits, visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the new Sydney Modern building.

Evening: Family cooking class night: look for pizza, pasta, dumpling, or seafood classes at Sydney Seafood School (inside the new Sydney Fish Market) or VIVE Cooking School in Rosebery—both run hands-on sessions suitable for teens and many for kids; book ahead. Backup dinner nearby: Mr. Wong (Cantonese, share plates) or Chat Thai (fast, flavorful Thai) in the CBD.

Day 7: Manly by Ferry, Snorkels & Brunch (Departure Day)

Morning: Ferry to Manly—one of Sydney’s great rides. Brunch at The Boathouse Shelly Beach (airy, beachside) or Rollers Bakehouse (creative croissants). Stroll the flat, pram-friendly path to Shelly Beach.

Afternoon: Snorkel the calm Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (often you’ll spot blue gropers); rent gear from local shops if needed. Quick pizza at Hugos Manly or a relaxed bite at 4 Pines Brewpub (great for families before late afternoon). Head back to your hotel to collect luggage and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight.

If your final morning is a Saturday: Consider an early visit to Carriageworks Farmers Market for top-produce tastings. If it’s Sunday, The Rocks Markets are a great last souvenir stop. Food lovers can also graze at the new Sydney Fish Market—grab fresh prawns, oysters, or a sushi box for an easy lunch.

Practical Tips to Keep Your Budget Comfortable (~50/100)

• Use ferries and light rail with an Opal card; kids’ fares are deeply discounted and daily caps keep costs in check.
• Alternate ticketed days (Blue Mountains, Taronga, Opera House) with free days (beaches, parks, museums with free entry) to balance spending.
• Eat like a local at food courts and markets: Spice Alley, the Fish Market, and suburban bakeries (try sausage rolls and meat pies).

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Time)

• Harbour cruise at golden hour for photos and easy sightseeing: Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise (short and family-friendly).
• Bondi Icebergs ocean pool swim day with a casual lunch upstairs.
• Museum of Contemporary Art family programs (check schedules).

Lodging Quick Picks by Budget

• Mid-range (great for families): Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour; apartment-style VRBOs: VRBO Sydney.
• Value: Sydney Harbour YHA (family rooms) or Sydney Central YHA.
• Splurge: Park Hyatt Sydney for once-in-a-lifetime Opera House views.

Essential Bookings

• Flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com
• City overview: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus
• Nature day trip: Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour
• Wildlife + ferry: Taronga Zoo Entry & Ferry
• Culture: Opera House Guided Tour

In one week, you’ll taste Sydney’s foodie side, explore its museums, cruise its harbour, meet native wildlife, and breathe the eucalyptus air of the Blue Mountains. With ferries, beaches, and parks woven between meals and culture, it’s a relaxed, kid-approved rhythm. You’ll leave with sandy shoes, full bellies, and a list of reasons to come back.