Family Friendly Things to Do in Darling Harbour

In a city famous for dazzling waterfronts, Darling Harbour has stealthily grown to be Sydney’s number one blue bit when it comes to families. Make your way along the boardwalk and you’ll find a carefully curated blend of kid-friendly cafes, green spaces for toddling, and fabulous museums that leave everyone happily exhausted.

Sure, there are a lot of bright lights and busy bars, but there’s also a genuine effort to embrace families. If you’re a parent looking for a place where kids can run wild, while you sip a very good coffee, this is it. Here are our favourite family-friendly things to do in Darling Harbour. 

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Start at the southern end of Darling Harbour with the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a true slice of zen that’s been charming Sydney for nearly four decades. It’s genuinely hard to believe you’re in the centre of Australia’s biggest city once you cross the ornate gates. There are waterfalls gracefully meandering into koi ponds, weeping willows, twisting pathways, bonsai trees, and pockets of secret garden for off-screen play. Best of all, children under 12 are welcomed in for free. 

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour

To round out the perfect family day in Darling Harbour, walk 15 minutes north from the gardens to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. The bright neon fish, adorable penguins, giant rays and, the star of the show - a chilled-out dugong named Pig, draw you into a watery world of wonder. There’s an element of the surreal when you’re wandering the glowing blue tunnels, teeming with everything from sharks and seahorses to luminous jellyfish, while the rest of the city moves on just outside.

Madame Tussauds

Next door is Madame Tussauds, featuring a line-up of extraordinarily lifelike celebrity dupes. Let the kids delight in cosying up to waxen Taylor Swift or posing next to Captain Marvel while you wonder why Harry Styles’ wax double still has better hair than you somehow.

Wild Life Sydney Zoo

In the same complex koalas snooze in gum trees, kangaroos lounge around looking like they’re watching the footy and crocodiles lurk in watery lairs at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. It’s astonishing how many animals - including the Aussie big five - they’ve made a home for in what deceptively looks like a modest sized building from the outside. 

Australian National Maritime Museum

Just across the Pyrmont bridge, one of the oldest electrically operated swing ridges in the world, the Australian National Maritime Museum has fantastic exhibitions paired with an always-on roster things like tours for babies and carers (because it’s never too early to appreciate maritime history) and painting sessions by the water. Kids get to climb aboard the decommissioned vessels and imagine life at sea in the minuscule sailor’s quarters.

Pro Tip: You can combine your Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds passes and save up to 50 per cent on your ticket price.

Address: 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney NSW 2000

Darling Harbour Art Trail

Children and art might sound like a recipe for meltdown, but the Darling Harbour Art Trail defies that by swapping out stuffy gallery spaces for an outdoor walk spread out across the district. There are over 20 pieces of permanent public art making it the perfect free, culturally fun thing to do with kids. 

Put feet to boardwalk and make a game out of ticking off each piece based on the names and descriptions. Start in Barangaroo at ‘Shell Wall’ by Esme Timbery and finish up at the gargantuan 10 storey mural of Wiradjuri Elder Jenny Munro near Novotel Darling Square. Much of the art on the trail is an homage to the Aboriginal culture of the Eora Nation and the people who have been fishing Darling Harbour for thousands of years.

Darling Harbour Playground

When you’re craving a coffee and a shady sit down, set up in the expanse of Tumbalong Park. With several distinct zones, kids will love the labyrinth of climbing nets, slides, and water features. Toddlers go wild for the man-made creek with pumps, wheels, and gates kids can manipulate, giving them a safe place for hands-on water play. Further down, fountains create a miniature splash park, so pack a towel. There’s also a packed calendar of free music and shows on the beautifully designed stage. 

Barangaroo Reserve

Or, if you head north to Barangaroo Reserve, you’ll get to a glorious stretch of greenery: seven-and-a-half hectares of native trees, open lawns, and terraced sandstone. This path also leads you right to Marrinawi Cove, a hidden spot where you can take a dip in Sydney Harbour. Kids love the cove’s calm waters, with the Harbour Bridge and city skyline the background. It’s a snapshot of classic Sydney - blue water, sandstone blocks, and seagulls eyeing off your hot chips. 

Pro Tip: Time your visit to include a Saturday night to take advantage of the free fireworks show that erupts over Darling Harbour, illuminating the waterfront in beautiful bursts of colour. Core memory stuff right there. 

When the I’m hungryyyyys reach tipping point Darling Harbour’s restaurants are very practiced at catering to picky palettes. Fratelli Fresh has quality, home-style Italian that bambinos can’t resist with a gorgeous menu for adults, too. Comforting bowls of pasta and pizzas with just the right amount of cheese. Children under 12 eat free on Sundays, which is a golden ticket if you’re rolling with a brood.

TWO 88 Bar and Kitchen truly understands the kids’ menu, offering everything from toasties to fish and chips, crumbed chicken tenders to chocolate brownies for dessert. It’s open all day, great when the kids suddenly demand a meal at 3pm. Likewise Betty’s Burgers is a no fuss crowd-pleaser open from 10am to 10pm most days with kids’ menu options starting around $7.50. Don’t miss out on their amazing frozen custard desserts.

And a short walk from Tumbalong Park Nakano Darling has a beautiful menu of Japanese fare that even the trickiest eater will have a go at. It’s a fun, vibrant atmosphere and if you go on a Sunday kids eat free until 8pm.

Pro Tip: Blow their minds with Love Bomb Candy Cafe. Step inside, and you’re greeted by bursts of neon colour, shelves stacked with gleaming lollies, and the sweet aroma of freshly spun fairy floss. The menu is a dizzying array of artisanal candies, ice-cream sundaes, and whimsical milkshakes brimming with all manner of toppings.

Address: Cockle Bay Wharf, Shop 104, Sydney 2000

Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour is the hands-down favourite for families, from the family sized suites - with the option for interconnecting rooms - to the outdoor pool and tennis court. 

The Ternary, their standout restaurant, brings together a Grill Kitchen, Asian Kitchen, and Wine Bar in one bright, open space, with floor-to-ceiling views of the Sydney skyline. Going further afield than Darling Harbour is easy, just hop on the light rail (Convention station is closest), take a ferry, or wander over from Central or Town Hall stations in about ten minutes. 

Pro Tip: Kids up to 16 stay and eat breakfast for free when sharing a family room with their parents and Novotel often have special family packages available at booking.

Address: 100 Murray Street, Darling Harbour