A family trip to NSW is incomplete without going to Sydney. To see the famed harbour
city, the spectacular Opera House and experiencing all that the city offers, was on our bucket list, but with conflicting itineraries, we were left with only 24 hours to explore Sydney.
Travelling with my husband, elderly parents and kids meant we had to be thoughtful about how we spent our time. With focus on easy and memorable things to see in Sydney that worked for everyone, here’s how we spent our one full day as a family!
Morning at Clovelly Beach
We started our day at Clovelly Beach, partly because it was closer to our accommodation and partly because it was less crowded than popular ones like Manly and Bondi. The beach was calm and small, more like a saltwater pool rather than a dramatic surfing beach.
It was perfect for the children to swim in and play around without getting lost in the crowds. While my husband and dad walked the coast, admiring the coastline and the cliffs, my mom and I claimed a spot on the sand, watching everything unfold and relaxing. I swam for a bit and then watched my kids chase each other under the warm sun.
Beachside Brunch
By late morning, everyone was hungry so we stopped at ‘Meet Me’ at Clovelly – a popular brunch spot. We ordered across the menu and it was well worth it! Sandwiches, pastries, a couple of the day’s specials and much needed coffee for the adults.
We shared a little bit of everything, my dad commented on the coffee more than once and we were happy just sitting there. It was nice that we could sit comfortably, enjoy the food and look out at the water.
A Mandatory Visit To Taronga Zoo
If you’re travelling to Sydney with kids, Taronga Zoo is a must. After brunch, we caught the ferry over. The harbour views definitely kept everyone entertained and we opted to stand at the rail the entire ride.
The zoo itself was big and we spent close to three hours there. Though we didn’t get to see everything, we saw kangaroos, giraffes, lions and seals – animals my kids are obsessed with. The walk uphill to see the giraffes was well worth it, with the city skyline background making us take a gajillion photos! There were enough benches and shaded spots that made it easy for my parents to take breaks, while the kids pointed out everything from the animals to a leaf on the ground! By the time we left, we were tired but happy.
Dinner On Sydney Harbour With Clearview Cruises
After the zoo, we went back to our airbnb to rest and freshen up for dinner. Since we didn’t get to explore much of the Harbour, we had booked one of the dinner cruises in Sydney that everyone raves about! We reached King Street Wharf, where we boarded the large glass boat. We were shown to our seats by the staff and then set off for a cruise on the famous harbour.
Seeing the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge at night was even better, with the twinkling lights of the city adding to the elegant ambience. We had a four-course dinner that was on par with any fine-dining restaurant in the city and the kids menu that we booked beforehand left the kiddos satisfied. We ordered a few drinks and then headed up to the open deck for a few photo ops against the moving backdrop. It felt like a big finale, especially for my parents, who had never done anything like this before.
Twenty-four hours isn’t much, especially in a city like Sydney where there’s always something new to see and experience. But by keeping things simple and choosing activities that worked for everyone, it turned into one of our best family days out. If you ever find yourself in Sydney with limited time and traveling with family, I’d genuinely recommend an itinerary like this to make the most of the city, Sydney-style.
