Sydney Family Trip: the Best of Sydney in a Day

Sydney's wonderful climate and urban coastal location makes it one of the most popular Australian holiday destinations.

But wouldn't you like to find out for yourself what all the fuss is about? Well, grab your best swimsuit and get the camera and sunscreen ready, because Sydney is waiting for you and your family to explore.

Start your day with a hearty buffet breakfast at your Sydney hotel. Whether you're after scrambled eggs and toast, cereals and fresh fruit, or croissants and danishes, a buffet breakfast is the perfect way to make sure the whole family is fuelled up and ready for a big day exploring the sights of Sydney.

Manly Beach is one of the Sydney's best beaches, and first thing in a morning is a great time to visit. Keen local surfers and swimmers will be out and about but arriving early in the day will see you beat the crowds.

If you stayed at one of Accor's beachfront Manly hotels, you can walk across the road and find yourself at the beach. If you stayed at a hotel in Sydney CBD, a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly is the best way to make the journey to Manly Beach from the city.

When you arrive, pitch your sun umbrella and prepare the beach towels, ready for the fun in the sun to begin. There are plenty of activities to keep the whole family occupied: the kids build sand castles, swim, play and safely explore while you get stuck into a good novel, savouring the early morning tranquility. Who said holidays were designed for sleeping in?  

It's time to head to the Sydney CBD. Take the ferry from Manly wharf across the harbour to Circular Quay. When you arrive, it's a short walk around Circular Quay, past the Sydney Opera House to reach the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Follow the children as they explore every nook and cranny of the gardens in search of white cockatoos and giant bats! When the hunger gets the better of you, stop for a well-deserved picnic at the water's edge. Seated on the green grass in between exotic plants, you'll enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour.

A short stroll from the Botanic Garden, the prehistoric mastodons await you at the Australian Museum. Your children will be mesmerised by the impressive T-Rex skeletons, and perhaps slightly frightened by the life-size reproductions of the terrifying velociraptor! If you have young kids, to avoid nightmares tonight, it's best to go to the area specially designed for under-fives, where they can have tonnes of fun while learning. Entertaining and educational, your Sydney trip fits the bill for the whole familly.

Holding onto the rail of the ferry as it departs Circular Quay, tell the children that it's time to leave behind the dinosaurs for now and meet Australia's most famous animals. Once you arrive at Taronga Zoo, you'll have to move quickly to hold back your little ones who are likely already running towards the koala enclosure to see the irresistibly cute marsupial. And when they catch a glimpse of the kangaroos from afar, good luck catching up with them!

The zoo closes its gates at 4:30pm in winter and 5pm in summer, so it's time to take the ferry back to the city. There's plenty of places to dine in Sydney CBD. For something close to Circular Quay, try Gateway Sydney where you can enjoy dining options like burgers, Mexican, or Thai food.

Alternatively, take a connecting ferry from Circular Quay around to Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, a popular part of Sydney CBD with plenty of restaurants to choose from. Walking along the jetty, your children get excited when they see Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. But it'll have to wait until tomorrow; in the meantime you grab a table to dig into mouthwatering meals while enjoying the view over the harbour and the city... there's nothing quite like Sydney by night!