Sydney with the Family

When it comes to iconic sights in exotic destinations, few are as iconic as the Sydney Opera House. Luckily, there is much more to the Australian city.

The first thing: Book a hotel. Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney is the 5-star stay your family deserves. There are usually offers to entice families, making exploring the city easy and affordable.

Once you have a home base set up, it is time to explore the surrounding area. Sydney is filled with excellent activities for the entire family to explore, from aquariums and zoos to feats of architectural excellence.

First off, the Sea Life Aquarium is one of the biggest in Australia. For many marine life enthusiasts, the aquarium is a main draw to Sydney. The aquarium features more than 12,000 animals and 650 species across seven zones, each home to a number of different animals. Seeing all the aquarium has to offer will definitely take some time, so plan for an entire afternoon here.

After the aquarium, next on your family’s list of priorities should be Circular Quay. This is Sydney’s main harbor transport hub, home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks and buildings. The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge are just two of the incredible stops guests will want to make. While nearby, catch a show or tour the opera house.

Bird show at Taronga zoo. Photo: Julien Viry | Dreamstime.com

A short trip from Circular Quay by ferry, Taronga Zoo is a great way to introduce kids to even more animals. One of the zoo’s standouts is the chimpanzees. Due to their nature, most zoos leave chimpanzees to the rehabilitation and research institutes. The Taronga Zoo works with the Jane Goodall Institute Australia’s Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo to rescue and house chimpanzees orphaned and threatened by war, disease and other problems. The zoo is also home to a number of unique animals, like Sun Bears, Tree Kangaroos and Asian Elephants.

If your family isn’t into animals, or you just want to do something else, consider spending some time in Sydney’s Luna Park. The giant, smiling face is the park’s symbol and is emblematic of the city as a whole. The park is similar in objective and scope to Coney Island, so get ready for some rides and carnival food.

If you are worried the trip is missing a little educational functionality, consider a family trip to Powerhouse Museum. The museum’s rotating exhibits are interactive and sure to keep the attention of even the most distracted family members

Get some perspective at the Sydney Tower or enjoy a harbor cruise on a sightseeing tour. Experience the harbor with cocktails, tea and more, or take a daytrip and get out of the city. The Blue Mountains National Park is part of the Great Dividing Range. Coming in at more than 1,000 square miles, the park is a huge expanse west of Sydney. Hiking trails make this a must visit for any nature-centered families visiting the region.