Sydney Travel Forum

Hi -I will be visiting my brother who lives in Sydney. i have been before and loved it. this time I am taking my 4 year old daughter with and we would like to do some exciting stuff- For a day trip or half day, I beleieve that the Hawkesbury River has a lovely boat trip that follows the postal route..any info on this?

Are there any other nice things to do in and around. i enjoy nature and beauty.
Thanks v much
mandy

where does your bro live?

a 4 year old is easy pleased - maybe she would like the powerhouse museum in darling harbour - with a monorail trip beforehand

there is a great tourist info place in The Rocks - it has all the info about the harbour trips - next to it is cadman cottage - the oldest house still standing in sydney - that is where you book and pay for your trips - I went out to pinchgut and enjoyed it a lot

let me see if i can find the link to it

http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/sydneyarea/innersydney/attractions/gardens/sydney-harbour-national-p

this link might help

You might like to try http://www.hawkesburyriverferries.com/ for more info. If you have access to a car in Sydney, the Royal National Park in the southern suburbs is a great day out although it can be quite crowded on weekends. Lots of picnic areas with plenty of room for kiddies to run around or ride a bike; plenty of bushwalks of varying length and difficulty and also beaches. Not all are safe for swimming but Garie Beach should be okay. Don't think it's patrolled on weekdays so you would need to keep a keen eye on your daughter. Row boats and aqua bikes can be hired at Audley on the river, too.
Have a wonderful stay in Sydney.

There are so many natural beauty places for a half or full day - the beaches on the Central Coast (my home town of Terrigal especially recommended!), Brooklyn/Dangar Island, Windsor and the river, Blue Mountains, Royal National Park to the south, even the beaches and coastal areas in Sydney itself, plus the various parks. Your daughter will probably enjoy a native wildlife park such as Featherdale or the Reptile Park (they have cute & furry too!) etc.

Check out our suggestions on the Sydney pages here on VT...

wow thanks so much for all your kind info!!
My brother stays in the eastern suburbs- pretty central
much appreciated.
thanks again
i will be taking all this info with me
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Hey there - sounds like you have some good recommendations.

Two great, great East Burbs Sydney walks -

Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach - this is my favourite Sydney walk. It takes you up and down and around gorgeous beaches, cafes to have a drink at, with the most amazing views and great people watching...a slow walk and it's a 2hr walk? or you can jog it at a pretty good pace in 45min if you're fit.

Watson's Bay - gorgeous ferry ride from Circular Quay, and you can get some fish and chips at Doyle's (the outside takeaway spot is cheaper than the beer garden). There are two little walks - walk straight up the hill after you get off the ferry and there's a 15min walk to gorgeous ocean views and also views back to the city. After, there's a map out in front of Doyle's that guides you to the walk to South Head lighthouse...past Lady Jane beach (close your eyes at it's a nude beach with too many naked old chaps), and there's a 500 metre loop walk that is beautiful.

Also, I just got home from a Centennial Park (in the E Burbs) walk. Walkers, runners, people on horses, soccer games, picnics...so beautiful. Bring some bread with your 4yr old, and there are heaps of lakes in the middle with pelicans, white and black swans. Good photo opps for ya.

Hope that helps!

i love centennial park - i used to live near there and go all the time

there's a cafe in the park near the horse track - or at lest there used to be

What about the aquarium in darling harbour? Will easily please a 4 year old and makes a great half day out. Then visit the Power house museum. Also, take the ferry to Manly beach and spend a day there.

The powerhouse museum is a little old even for four year olds. Been there, tried that, not successful!
The Aquarium and Wildlife World in Darling Harbour are great for this age group and if you buy a daytripper ticket for the train you get a discount on your entry fees! Plus with this ticket you can ferry back around to Circular Quay - my 5yr old god-daughter loves this because you get to go under the bridge!! The park at Tumbalong Park is great for having lunch and a play.
Taronga Zoo is also fantastic, especially if you take the ferry over. Make sure to take the sky safari to the top and then you spend your day walking back down the hill to the ferry! Again, the day tripper ticket covers the cost of the ferry and gives you a discount on the entry fee to the zoo.
We also like the botanical gardens to run around in!
http://www.sydneyschild.com.au/ has lots of child friendly info
and this is a list of things happening in the "Great Outdoors" - there is a month by month search facility
http://www.sydneyschild.com.au/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_cat&offset=1&catid=37&Itemid=37
There is also a book called "Sydney for Under Fives" but this website gives free reader reviews and updated info, so it's even better! (Unless you want to pay for the book!)
http://www.autismhandbook.org/sydney-for-under-fives/Welcome.html

Other places my god-daughter and kindergarten class have enjoyed:
* Fairfield City Farm
* Bundeena (in The Royal National Park)
* The Zig Zag Railway
* Thirlmere Trains
*

Hope all this helps!