When it comes to summer holidays, Sydney is hard to beat. With its family-friendly activities, never-ending coastline, fringed by clean warm waters, food for every taste bud and a buzzing atmosphere - magical family memories are in the making.
If you're planning a staycation this year and are looking for the ultimate holiday destination in Australia, get ready to experience a whole new side of Sydney with the entire family. Spend crazy days exploring the best that the city has to offer before retreating to the quiet tranquillity of Coogee Beach for some much-needed family downtime.
Spend evenings snuggled up on the beach star spotting. Dig into delicious eats that are sure to satisfy hungry tummies. Relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city - yet make your way there in less than 20 minutes. To help you plan the perfect itinerary, here are the top things to do with kids & family in Sydney this summer.
Sea, Surf, Swimming and Scuba
Sydney beaches leave you spoiled for choice when it comes to family days out by the sea. From fantastic surfing spots to ocean pools and scuba diving, finding somewhere to throw down your beach towels is easy. The hardest part is choosing which beach to visit in the first place. Of course, Bondi Beach is a must, but don't let it's fame overshadow the character that surrounds it.
Outdoor Pools
Coogee Beach is the perfect place to head if you want to enjoy swimming in fresh seawater without venturing into the ocean. With three different ocean pools, including Wylie Baths, McIver Baths and Giles Baths, there's something for everyone. Spend the day poolside enjoying the sounds, sights and smells of the beach minus the sand, surf and potential stingers.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a fantastic way for families to explore the mystical marine world beneath the waves. Some of the very best places to scuba dive include Chowder Bay, Camp Cove, Shelly Beach and South Head. Finding a scuba school is easy and they are in most beachside locations. If scuba diving feels like too much for you, pack a snorkel and swimming goggles and take a peek at the abundant marine life near the shoreline.
Sydney Surfing Spots
Sydney is a surfer's paradise and doesn't fail to deliver when it comes to riding those waves. From Umina Beach and Palm Beach to Bondi Beach and Long Reef Beach to name a few, you're literally spoiled for choice. Out of all of these, Bondi Beach is possibly the most popular due to its family-friendly vibe and availability of surf schools.
Best Eats at Coogee Beach
When it comes to the best family-friendly places to eat in Sydney, Coogee Beach is loaded with variety. Dig into traditional Australian and European cuisine, sample authentic southeast Asian flavours and enjoy mouthwatering desserts - with a view.
Barzura
Serving up family-friendly food from Breakfast to dinner, Barzura is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and recharge. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients, the menu changes throughout the year and caters to children, vegetarians, vegans, gluten and lactose intolerant customers.
Start your day with smoked salmon, avocado, halloumi and bacon, served with hotcakes. Share sea salt & rosemary focaccia. Dine on fresh, sustainably sourced seafood. And tuck into chocolate mousse, tiramisu and vanilla panna cotta.
Breakfast 7 am to 12 pm; Lunch 12 pm to 4 pm; Dinner 4pm to 10pm
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Banana Palm
Famed for Phó, egg noodles and steamed buns, Banana Palm Vietnamese restaurant dishes up traditional dishes set to satisfy those hunger pangs. Dig into seared scallops, spicy pan-fried snapper, oodles of noodles, green tea creme brulé and much more in the heart of Coogee Beach.
Open 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm Monday to Saturday
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Spice Thai
Still pulling focus on South East Asian cuisine, Spice Thai serves up authentic Thai cuisine that every age will enjoy. Spice lovers can dig into mountains of fiery Som Tam and hot bowls of Tom Yam soup. Kids will enjoy the mild and sweet Pad Thai followed with coconut sticky rice. Or perhaps try the famous green curry, accompanied with fresh spring rolls and salad.
Open 5 pm to 10.30 pm 7 days a week
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Shutters
Located at Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach, Shutters Restaurant is the perfect place to start your day with a choice of mouth-watering a la carte breakfast items. Enjoy dining on the terrace with options including poached eggs on toast, french toast, Bircher muesli and much more. While the buffet menu is currently unavailable, guests with an inclusive breakfast package can keep ordering from the menu until they are full.
Shutters is the perfect place to hold your next Corporate or Social event with beachfront views of Coogee Beach. With three separate offerings within Shutters – the Restaurant & Terrace, the Bar and the Lounge makes this the ideal venue for groups gathering to celebrate.
Open from 7 am to 11 am daily
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Sydney Summer Kids Activities
Taronga Zoo
Located on the shores of the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo is as educational as it is entertaining. Journey through the African Savanna, get up close and personal with marine wildlife, for the canopy at Wild Ropes and much more at this family-friendly Sydney attraction. Open 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Raging Waters Sydney
With more than 42 rides and slides set among 25 hectares of land, Raging Waters is Sydney's biggest and best family waterpark. Speed along the H2GO racers, get your adrenaline pumping on 360 Rush or relax by the beach while the kids have fun. Sliding into summer fun has never looked so good. Best of all, it's less than 40-minutes away from Coogee, making it perfect as part of your 'explore Sydney' itinerary.
Powerhouse Museum
Located just 20 minutes from Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach is an educational yet fun attraction in the heart of Sydney, perfect for the entire family. Exhibits and workshops, including Fantastical Worlds, Locomotive No.1 and Space will engage little minds while keeping adults entertained too. Explore a magical world of science, history and the future with guided tours, interactive displays and much more this summer.
Monkey Mania EQ
Just a 10-minute drive from Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach, you'll find Monkey Mania EQ. Located in the former Fox Studios, this fun zone is loaded with inflatable jumping castles, ball arenas, slides, climbing structures and a maze of safe play zones for younger kids and toddlers. Let the little ones burn off some energy while the adults kick back with a coffee and watch them having the time of their lives.
Sydney Festival January 2021
Kicking off on Wednesday 6th of January and running through tho Tuesday 26th January, Sydney Festival returns for the city's biggest celebration of the year. World-class performance artists, musicians and visual artists come together for a mind-blowing show you won't want to miss.
Spread out across the city, from Parramatta to Sydney CBD - fun-filled shows, interactive activities and live performances can be found at Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park Festival Village, Sydney Town Hall, Carriageworks, the Domain, Riverside Theatres and many more.
Enjoy the best of the festival together, experiencing the beating heart of Sydney before heading back to the peace and tranquility of Coogee Beach at the end of the day. If you're planning a family holiday after the new year, the Sydney Festival is well worth the visit.
Stay, Explore, Relax
Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach is the ultimate Sydney beachside destination. Relax next to pristine beaches, calm waters and direct access into Sydney CBD in rooms and suites with stunning ocean views. family-friendly accommodation, an outdoor pool, plenty of places to eat and drink and the beach right on your doorstep makes it the perfect choice for the kid’s summer holiday and weekend escapes.
Better yet, our close proximity to Sydney CBD means you can explore the heart of the city in less than 15-minutes from the hotel. Enjoy the best things to do in Sydney with kids, build magical family memories and enjoy the relaxed coastal vibe of Coogee on your next family vacation.