Sydney, Australia

Sydney’s most famous site is the Opera Building and breathtaking as it is, it is just a drop in the ocean of Sydney’s splendor. We believe this beautiful water-locked cosmopolitan city in Australia is one of the world’s best kept secrets.

Fun Things for Kids in Sydney:

Sydney is a ridiculously kid-friendly city primarily due to the refreshingly relaxed and healthy outdoorsy lifestyle of the Aussies. Further, Sydney is not a transient city like many of the world’s metropolitan ones, so in a place where generations live a few blocks from each other, family life and kids are a central part of their existence (along with beaches and bbq.. aahh!).

In earnest, there are so many things to do with kids it’s hard to come up with a list. But I love challenges so here we go:

1. Spend an afternoon at Circular Quay and indulge in a beer and the best fish-n-chips with a view at the Opera Bar. Weekend afternoons feature a live jazz band and it’s not unusual to see a bubby or two getting down on the dance floor.
2. Pack a picnic and head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for a lounge under the tree while taking in spectacular views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney harbour. Don’t forget to check out the fruit bats, one of Sydney’s less aesthetically pleasing but definitely most aesthetically pleasing sites.
3. Catch a kid’s show at the world-famous Sydney Opera house
4. Meet some wildly fascinating creatures at the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour – makes you realize just how different things are on the other side of the hemisphere.
5. Explore Sydney’s amazing beaches: world-famous Bondi as well as some of the harbour beaches more popular with the locals.
6. Take the ferry over to the Taronga Zoo to pose with a koala like Oprah did
7. Catch the Saturday market in Paddington for a great vibe and a fantastic overview of Aussie-wares like soon-to-be designer clothing, homewares and kids’ clothing and accessories.
8. Experience the world of “Mums-n-Bubs” activities that Sydney takes to a whole new level: catch a movie or take a pole dancing class with your kids in tow!
9. Stroll through The Rocks for a feel of Sydney’s history with its cobblestone streets and antique stores.
10. Take a whale-watching expedition that will transport you out of the harbour into the great, wide Pacific Ocean.

Watch this great video of the Sydney Aquarium to get inspired:

Getting to Sydney

The downside is that Australia is far from most anywhere (except for New Zealand). Sydney is on Australia’s East coast which makes it even further. Qantas, the Australian national airline flies to many destinations in Asia, Europe and America. If you are traveling within Australia, it’s best to fly as distances are far. That being said, the drive from Melbourne to Sydney takes about 8 hours and covers some of the world’s most beautiful coastline. The web is full of information on how to get to Sydney so do your research.

Getting Around Sydney:

Sydney is divided into the Central Business District or CBD which is what people refer to when they say “the city” or “downtown” and it’s  basically the financial district. Everything outside of that is the “suburbs” even though they are technically within the cities. You have the very posh Eastern Suburbs (where every Aussie celeb worth his/her steak lives), the eclectic Western suburbs (ethnic communities and student towns) and the North Shore with upscale suburbs like Kirribilli and Balmoral.

The buses and trains access these different locations quite easily, but the real novelty is the ferry lines, that form part of the regular ecosystem of Sydney’s public transportation. Taxis are easy to hail down in the CBD but harder in other parts, so ensure that you have a number handy. Car seats are mandatory in taxis and the larger wagon cabs usually have one, but to be absolutely sure, call Lime Taxis. Similarly, buses without handicap access will require you to fold up your stroller but ferries and trains are easier to get onto. Most major train stations have elevators (or lifts) but some like Martin Place surprisingly do not.

Where to Stay in Sydney:

Sydney’s neighborhood culture is very strong in that people tend to stick to their suburb or group of suburbs. Therefore, you can spend your entire trip in the Western suburbs and not even know that you missed out on the rest of the city. I would recommend you stay:

• In the CBD: That’s where the major hotel chains are. Some like the Four Seasons are more geared towards business travelers while others like the Park Hyatt (reopening at the end of 2011) located right on Circular Quay are better for tourists. The CBD is great for access around Sydney and some of the largest tourist attractions like Circular Quay and Darling Harbor are in it. The downside is that it lacks the “neighborhood” feel which is so special in Sydney and is virtually a ghost town on the weekends.
• In the Eastern Suburbs: As mentioned before, the Eastern suburbs is one of the poshest parts of the city and allegedly “where the beautiful people live”. (It’s true, everyone here is toned, tanned and trendy). But you can get a hotel or service apartment in Potts Point, Paddington or by the beach at Coogee or Bondi and experience real Sydney. Beware that Kings Cross in the Eastern Suburbs is Sydney’s late-night district full of late-night revelers and strip-bars. It’s fine during the day but not exactly family-friendly once the sun sets.
• In the North Shore: Kirribilli being just on the other side of the Harbour Bridge offers the most spectacular views of the Opera House in a quaint residential neighbourhood. Nearby Mosman is also offers many options. From the North Shore you can access many of Sydney’s beautiful Northern beaches as well as the CBD.

The Best Time to Visit Sydney:

If you are coming from the Northern Hemisphere remember the seasons here are reversed and Sydney really comes alive between November and February. Granted the city doesn’t experience a very harsh winter but it’s nowhere near as magical as it is in the summer. Some of the summer highlights include the Sydney Festival, (the CBD turns into the world’s largest dance floor), the St. George Open Air Cinema (new releases on a suspended screen and a backdrop of the Opera house and if you are able, charter a boat and experience New Years on the Sydney harbor (expensive but totally worth it).

Dining and Shopping in Sydney:

Sydney’s food scene is pretty eclectic although not as sophisticated as Melbourne’s some may say. But there is no dearth of great eateries all over the city and its suburbs. The British influence is clear in the local food offerings such as fish and chips, pies and afternoon tea, but the large Asian population ensures that you have a great selection of Thai, Malay and Chinese (dim-sum is called yum-cha here) options as well. Finally, don’t forget that Aussies will throw anything on a BBQ and kangaroo meat is readily available in local supermarkets. Locals use eatabilility.com for reviews. Here are our picks for great family-friendly brunches in Sydney and of course if you can get a babysitter and experience the gastronomical delights of Sydney’s “Three-Hat” restaurants, you will be in for a treat (and a very large bill but it’s worth it). Finally, try the confectionery: mind-blowing!

If you are looking for baby food, I recommend the Only Organic brand hailing from New Zealand and available at all local supermarkets.

In terms of shopping the important thing to know is that Australians are not into their “stuff” like the Americans and the Asians are. The result: smaller variety of items, higher quality and higher prices. Melbourne is allegedly the fashion capital of Australia but Sydney has its share of great shopping in the malls in the CBD, the boutiques of Paddington, and the wonderful selection of kids’ stuff at the Westfield Bondi Junction.

How Kid-Friendly is Sydney?

As mentioned earlier, Sydney’s culture and laid-back philosophy to life make it a very kid-friendly place.