A Fun Day Out in Sydney: Beach, Zoos and a Harbour Cruise

Beaches, zoos, and then a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise? As much as I love to rhyme, I also really love to plan. So here’s a fun itinerary for an entire day of activities with your family and kids (sure to make them feel exhausted right in time for bed) that ends up with a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Curious? Then keep reading. We also have another fun dinner cruise option in the city for the parents who are dreaming of a child-free date night at the end!

I’m sure all the readers with children below the age of 10 can relate—it isn’t easy planning a day of unique family excursions without taking a chunk out of your pockets! Family-friendly holidays, especially around the school holidays, increase their prices to unaffordable and frankly avoidable standards. But ain’t no one got time (or the budget) for that!

Once everyone’s up and ready to go, you can start the day by packing a picnic to the beach. You may be wondering why anyone would suggest going to a beach, when it’s literally the most cliched Australian thing to do on a sunny day. And that’s exactly why- it IS also the most fun thing to do! A few hours at Sydney’s Bondi beach could be the best start to any holiday, so bask in the glory of that much-needed Vitamin D (and don’t forget Vitamin Sea). Carry your sunscreen, ensure everyone’s well-hydrated and simply have a blast. Build sandcastles on the shore, take a dip in the ocean or catch a surf. Once you have your desired tan-tint (and hunger) going, dig into your picnic basket because all that happy-ing around is sure to work up an appetite!

After a good morning spent in Bondi, head over to the Taronga Zoo, which interestingly true to its name of Aboriginal origins, means ‘beautiful view’. At the heart of the city with real estate rates soaring as high as its skyscrapers, you can be all jealous that the animals housed in this zoo are gifted with the crème de la crème of Sydney’s skyline views! The Australian walkabout is surely the highlight of any visit here with the koalas and sugar gliders scuttling around and the kangaroos and wallabies galloping around. The little kids, let alone us the big kids, are sure to be happy thanks to all the animals around.

Next up, I’d recommend attending a high-tea with the family. Finding a good high-tea in Sydney to suit your budget could be a no-brainer. However, chances are you get major brownie (and scone and sandwich) points from the kids and befriend them(if you weren’t yet). Once the day is up, we want you to spill the "tea", and tell us if it worked!

With an hour or two to kill until your dinner, saunter along the popular Circular Quay towards Kings Street Wharf where your mighty chariot for the night is docked. For the older kids, you can maybe consider renting a bike to explore the surroundings. The setting sun and its radiance, the smiling kids and that marvellous Sydney vista are sure to remind you that life is indeed good!

Now, for the highlight of the night, the Sydney Harbour cruise! If, by this point, the kids haven’t yet gotten on your nerves (or vice versa) and everything is hunky-dory, then tag them along for a family-friendly dinner cruise. Catch the spectacular panoramic vistas and enjoy a lavish buffet spread with all of the family members on board.

If you’ve made arrangements to leave behind your kids and go on a date night, we have another wonderful suggestion for you! A Sydney Harbour dinner cruise with good food, drinks and a cabaret show to redefine your date nights. The glitz and glamour of the entire experience, the charm of an authentic paddlewheeler complementing the modern city skyline and the scrumptious food are all sure to rekindle the passion!

You can thank us later!

In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.