Sydney One Day Trip with 10 Year Old Kid

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  djones145 on 10/12/2014 - 07:55

  catch the ferry to manly, that's quite nice

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  the-mal on 10/12/2014 - 08:05

  +4

  Is public transport good enough to travel during the day or do I need to hire a car?

  Around the city public transport would be much easier than a car.

  Apart from Opera House and Harbour Bridge, are there any other attractions suitable for kids?

  There's a Lego Christmas Tree at Pitt St Mall, she might like that.

  There's Sydney Tower, previously Centrepoint Tower for a super high view, right near the Lego Christmas Tree

  Depending on how much $$ you have there is plenty over at Darling Harbour too: Sydney Aquarium has a Kids Go Free offer, IMAX Theatre although it might eat up too much time, Wildlife World is pretty fun and a they have a cool playground around Darling Harbour too.

  All of the stuff above is in walking distance from the CBD.

  You can do the Harbour Bridge from Milson's Point station which is right next to the North Sydney side of the bridge. If you do that it's only a few hundred metres walk to Lunar Park Sydney which is fun for kids (free to walk around, rides cost money).

  Lastly, catch the train back to Circular Quay Station so you can stroll down to the Opera House and if you're not too exhausted you can go for a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens.

  Three locations there, CBD (starting from Town Hall Station) including walking to Darling Harbour, then to Milsons Point Station, then to Circular Quay Station. Easy to get to and a HEAP to do!

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 10/12/2014 - 09:08

    Thanks.

    Lego Christmas tree is certainly interesting.

    I will probably skip the IMAX and the zoo as these attractions are in Melbourne too and she has been to them a few times.

    Playground is also good.

    You can do the Harbour Bridge from Milson's Point station

    Does that mean going to Milson's point station and watching the bridge?

    • 

      the-mal on 10/12/2014 - 12:41

      Does that mean going to Milson's point station and watching the bridge?

      Sorry, yes, I should've been more clear. Milson's Point Station is just on the North Sydney (non-CBD) side of the bridge. Here it is on Google MapsYou can walk down the park and walk under the bridge, see the massive pylons, and look back across to see the city.

      The view of the bridge from near the Opera House is great too though, just not as close up.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 10/12/2014 - 10:08

    Awesome advice the-mal.

    We enjoyed the Sydney Tower and it was a good place to have a seat and rest and a bit of lunch (we took our lunch up with us, not sure what you can buy up there).

    Catching a Ferry is a must, even just a short trip around from Darling harbour to Circular Quay - you'll go under the bridge, past Lunar Park and get a good view of the Opera House as you come in. I wouldn't bother going all the way to Manly as there's not a lot there, the view is great on the boat ride there and back but it's a lot of time in a single day to use up.

    Our kids loved the wax museum at Darling Harbour, which surprised me to tell you the truth, I didn't think they'd find it as interesting as they did.

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  slow on 10/12/2014 - 08:13

  I recently did a short trip with my 7 and 9 year olds. What we did and they really liked…
  - Wander around Opera house area
  - Wander around Darling harbour (where we stayed)- there was lots of street entertainment
  - Ferry to Circular key and Manly.
  - Walk up harbour bridge tower for a great view of Sydney.
  That was probably enough for 1 day - they were pretty knackered by the end

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 10/12/2014 - 09:09

    Sounds like what we might be able to do in a day.

    BTW, is there anything to see in Manly?

    • 

      slow on 10/12/2014 - 11:24

      I'm not from Sydney, but from memory not too much, just grabbed an ice cream and sat on the beach for a short bit. It was more the ferry ride that was of interest

    • 

      the-mal on 10/12/2014 - 12:43

      Not much to see in Manly besides the beach really, at least nothing that'd interest a young'un. She'd love the ferry ride though!

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  pax on 10/12/2014 - 08:21

  I'm taking my son to see Pop to Popism at the NSW art gallery, so that might be an option, especially if it is planned to be hot when you are in town.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 10/12/2014 - 09:10

    Yeah, this I will keep in mind. Thanks.

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  [Deactivated] on 10/12/2014 - 09:04

  Thanks a lot for the replies. Looks like plenty of things to do around the CBD.

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  aggregate on 10/12/2014 - 11:06

  As mentioned by everyone so far, there are quite a bit of activity you can do in the city. A trip to Manly is nice, especially your daughter has never been on one before, but this can be time consuming and tiring. It probably all depends on how much energy your daughter has and if she likes walking.

  You arrive at the Sydney airport at around 8. Catch the train to the city and you can probably arrive at Town Hall station at around 9am.

  • FYI: There is a Woolworths right outside Town Hall station.
  • Grab something to eat and take a short stroll to Darling Harbour (you could also check out the aquarium - book online for cheaper ticket).
  • Walk or catch a short ferry ride to Circular Quay. If you are walking, take a small detour to the Pitt St mall. Once you get to Circular Quay, you can wander around the Rocks then backtrack to the Opera House.
  • There is a guided mini-train ride near an entrance to the Botanic Gardens, next to the Opera House. it is not very expensive and I see a lot of families on it so presumably it is good.
  • The Botanic Gardens is pretty big, there are plenty of places for a picnic
  • Mrs Macquarie's Chair is a popular tourist destination, which over sees both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and is on the east side of the Gardens.
  • I suggest you eventually head south towards the fernary and tropical centre.
  • I believe the parliament house is open on 29 December. You could also go to the Art Gallery near to Domain Park.
  • Check out Hyde Park and the RBA currency museum.
  • There are plenty of restaurants in the city. Seek urbanspoon.
  • 

    pax on 10/12/2014 - 11:32

    I also hasten to add that there is a free bus from Circular Quay to Central via George St (inc Town Hall) (http://www.transportnsw.info/en/tickets/free-shuttles.page - route 555) which would be nicer than staring at a train tunnel.

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  jrad0 on 10/12/2014 - 11:20

  Good deal on Centrepoint tower
  http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/sydney/ga-sydney-tower-eye/7…

  Get a ferry to Lunar park from circular quay, grab some fish and chips and chill on the grass overlooking the harbour on the other side of the bridge (Opera house and up close bridge views) then walk back across the Harbour bridge (you can climb the sandstone towers along the way for I think $20ish but not sure on this price - views are spectacular) and have a look through The Rocks area back to circular quay and get close to the Opera House for some pictures. Darling harbour has many nice restaurants along the water that are quite affordable (around $20 mains, cheaper for kids)

  For the transport - get an opal card and you wont pay more than $15 for transport as it is capped at this price per day. Ferrys can be expensive otherwise. (excluding airport station access fee around $17pp)

  Enjoy

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  hello007 on 10/12/2014 - 11:32

  +2

  Sydney Freebies:

  1. Customs House City Library - Circular Quay - across street from McDonalds - Ground floor - Glass Floor - giant model of Sydney CBD - walk on top of Opera House and the Harbour Bridge = Free.

  2. 9am-5pm Mon-Friday - Level three Customs House - Opera House administration office - in foyer is giant perspex model of the Opera House used by engineers/architects to design the building before the advent of CAD/CAM. See almost every component part of Opera House - one of Sydney's best free hidden secrets!

  3. Circular Quay - East end - take glass lift to expressway above Circulat Quay station - walk from there across Harbour Bridge - take staircase down at Milsons Point station - walk to ferry terminal under Harbour Bridge - take the perfect selfies - you, Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Circular Quay.

  • 

    mskeggs on 10/12/2014 - 11:39

    This is a great answer.

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  Baghern on 10/12/2014 - 16:47

  +1

  Get an Opal card

  http://sydneyexpert.com/sydney-transport/opal-cards-visitors…

  Max $15 a day all publix transport ($2.50 on Sunday)
  Except Airport access - sorry thats $15 or so each way

  Sydney Airport – You can purchase Opal cards at either of the Airport terminal stations or at Newslink or WH Smith book shops at either terminal