Accessible and sensory-friendly things to do with kids in Sydney

Start here

• Sydney Opera House Sydney

  The Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point stages more than 2000 shows a year, and its Kids & Families program runs shows, concerts and workshops for ages from babies…

  Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card

• Australian Museum - Dinosaur Gallery Sydney

  The Dinosaurs exhibition is a permanent gallery on Level 2 of the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, opposite Hyde Park.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Sensory sessions · Assistance animals

• Australian Museum Darlinghurst

  The Australian Museum at 1 William Street, on the corner of College Street opposite Hyde Park, is a natural history and culture museum with free general entry to its…

  Sensory sessions · All-abilities

• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Sydney

  SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour has more than 4,000 animals from over 300 species, including Pig the rescue dugong, sharks in Shark Valley, and king and…

  Step-free · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Sydney Zoo Bungarribee

  Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney, near Eastern Creek, is home to more than 150 species.

  Step-free · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Australian National Maritime Museum Sydney

  The Australian National Maritime Museum is at 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, next to Pyrmont Bridge.

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Quiet space · Companion Card

Quick check: what each place states

Only what the venue or council says on its own page. A blank means not stated, not no.

Sensory-friendly sessions and quiet spaces

Sensory-friendly places

Venues that run relaxed, low-sensory or autism-friendly sessions, keep a quiet space, or tag themselves sensory-friendly.

• Sydney Opera House Sydney

  The Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point stages more than 2000 shows a year, and its Kids & Families program runs shows, concerts and workshops for ages from babies…

  Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card

• Australian Museum - Dinosaur Gallery Sydney

  The Dinosaurs exhibition is a permanent gallery on Level 2 of the Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, opposite Hyde Park.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Sensory sessions · Assistance animals

• Australian Museum Darlinghurst

  The Australian Museum at 1 William Street, on the corner of College Street opposite Hyde Park, is a natural history and culture museum with free general entry to its…

  Sensory sessions · All-abilities

• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Sydney

  SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour has more than 4,000 animals from over 300 species, including Pig the rescue dugong, sharks in Shark Valley, and king and…

  Step-free · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Sydney Zoo Bungarribee

  Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney, near Eastern Creek, is home to more than 150 species.

  Step-free · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Australian National Maritime Museum Sydney

  The Australian National Maritime Museum is at 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, next to Pyrmont Bridge.

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Quiet space · Companion Card

• Madame Tussauds Sydney Sydney

  Madame Tussauds Sydney is a wax figure attraction on Aquarium Wharf, 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, next to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

  Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Companion Card

• Ritz Cinemas Randwick

  The Ritz is a family-owned, heritage-listed Art Deco cinema at 45 St Pauls Street, Randwick, built in 1937 and now a multiplex.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Companion Card

• Event Cinemas George Street Sydney

  Event Cinemas George Street is a multi-screen cinema at 525 George Street, Sydney, showing current release films with V-Max, Gold Class, Boutique and 4DX sessions.

  Step-free · Sensory sessions

• HOYTS Broadway Broadway

  HOYTS Broadway is a cinema at the corner of Greek and Bay Streets, Broadway, showing new release films daily, including family films.

  Sensory sessions

• Event Cinemas Macquarie Macquarie Park

  Event Cinemas Macquarie is a multi-screen cinema in Macquarie Centre, on the corner of Herring and Waterloo Roads, Macquarie Park, with standard, Gold Class and ScreenX…

  Sensory sessions

• Museum of Fire Penrith

  The Museum of Fire at 1 Museum Drive, Penrith covers the history of fire and firefighting, with permanent exhibits, a heritage fleet of fire engines and a gallery of…

  Sensory sessions

• HOYTS Entertainment Quarter Moore Park

  HOYTS Entertainment Quarter is a multi-screen cinema at Cinemas 1-12, Bent Street, Moore Park, showing new release films daily, including G and PG family films.

  Sensory sessions

• Tumbalong Park Playground Sydney

  Tumbalong Park Playground is a large enclosed playground in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, managed by Place Management NSW rather than the City of Sydney.

  Sensory sessions · All-abilities

• Livvi's Place Ryde Ryde

  Livvi's Place is an all-inclusive playground in Yamble Reserve, Quarry Road, Ryde, where children of all abilities can play, learn and socialise together.

  Sensory sessions · All-abilities

• Hoyts Chatswood Mandarin Chatswood

  HOYTS Chatswood Mandarin is a cinema on the corner of Albert and Victor Streets, Chatswood, showing current release films daily, including family and children's titles,…

  Sensory sessions

• Susannah Place Museum The Rocks

  Susannah Place is a museum in a row of four terrace houses at 58-64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, run by Museums of History NSW.

  Sensory sessions

• Event Cinemas Bondi Bondi Junction

  Event Cinemas Bondi is a multi-screen cinema on Levels 7 and 8 of Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford Street, showing new-release films with standard, V-Max, Gold…

  Sensory sessions

• Baby Sensory Inner West Sydney Rozelle

  Baby Sensory Inner West Sydney runs weekly parent-and-baby sensory classes for babies from birth to 13 months, held in Marrickville, Rozelle, Concord and Five Dock.

  Sensory sessions

• Monkey Baa Theatre Company The Rocks

  Monkey Baa Theatre Company makes live theatre for young audiences, adapting Australian children's books such as Where is the Green Sheep?, Edward the Emu, Diary of a…

  Sensory sessions

• North Shore Gymnastics and Sensory Roseville

  North Shore Gymnastics and Sensory in Roseville runs gymnastics and sensory classes for babies to 12-year-olds.

  Sensory sessions

• Explorers Playgroup North Sydney

  Explorers Playgroup is run by North Sydney Community Centre at 220 Miller Street, North Sydney, for children under 5 and their parents or carers.

  Sensory sessions

• Active8Kids Bondi Junction Bondi Junction

  Active8Kids runs children's gymnastics, ninja and parkour classes at 70 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction.

  Sensory sessions · All-abilities

• Event Cinemas Campbelltown Campbelltown

  Event Cinemas Campbelltown is a multi-screen cinema at Macarthur Square Shopping Centre, Kellicar Road, Campbelltown NSW 2560.

  Sensory sessions

All-abilities playgrounds and parks

Playgrounds built for every body: wide paths, wheelchair-accessible equipment, Liberty swings, sensory play.

• Yamble Reserve Ryde

  Yamble Reserve is a City of Ryde park on Quarry Road, Ryde.

  All-abilities

• King George Park Playground Rozelle

  King George Park Playground, previously known as the Constellation Playground, is an inclusive, fenced council playground by the water in King George Park, Manning…

  All-abilities

• Camperdown Park (Damun Inclusive Playground) Camperdown

  Camperdown Park is an Inner West Council park on Mallett Street, Camperdown, with a playground, basketball courts, a sporting ground, tennis courts, an outdoor fitness…

  All-abilities

• Sydney Park Bike Track Erskineville

  The Sydney Park bike track is a City of Sydney children's cycling track in Sydney Park, next to the car park on Sydney Park Road, Alexandria, opposite Mitchell Road.

  All-abilities

• St Leonards Park Playground North Sydney

  St Leonards Park in North Sydney has a custom playground that North Sydney Council says has many accessible items and activities.

  All-abilities

• Bigge Park Water Play Park Liverpool

  A water play park in Bigge Park, Liverpool (124 Bigge Street, near the tennis courts), run by Liverpool City Council.

  All-abilities

• Carss Bush Park Playspace Carss Park

  Georges River Council grades the Carss Bush Park playspace in Carss Park as regional scale, its top level.

  All-abilities

• Leagues Club Park Playspace Gosford

  Leagues Club Park (Leagues Club Field) on the Gosford waterfront is graded a regional playspace by Central Coast Council.

  All-abilities

• Stante Reserve Water Play Park Middleton Grange

  Liverpool City Council water play park at Stante Reserve on the corner of Stante Close and Hall Circuit.

  All-abilities

• Fagan Park Playground Galston

  A playground in historic Fagan Park, Galston, with a large climbing frame, a flying fox, a liberty swing, play equipment and a sandpit.

  All-abilities

• Casula Parklands Adventure Playground Casula

  Liverpool City Council's adventure playground at Casula Parklands, for toddlers to adults.

  All-abilities

• Warrina Street Oval Playground (water play) Berowra

  Hornsby Shire Council's district-level playground at Warrina Street Oval, Berowra, with a dedicated water play area that is open from September to May.

  All-abilities

• Wollongong Botanic Garden All Abilities Playground Keiraville

  A fenced All Abilities Playground inside Wollongong Botanic Garden, near the Murphys Avenue entrance, for children aged 2 to 12.

  All-abilities

Beaches and pools with access gear

Beach wheelchairs and matting, pool hoists and ramps, from the council or venue page.

• Jamberoo Action Park Jamberoo

  Jamberoo Action Park is a family-owned water theme park at 1215 Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo, with water slides and thrill rides, kids rides, a chairlift, toboggans and more…

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Pool hoist · Companion Card

• Manly Beach Manly

  Manly Beach is a Northern Beaches Council ocean beach that curves about 2 km from South Steyne to North Steyne and Queenscliff, lined with Norfolk pines.

  All-abilities

• Coogee Beach Coogee

  Coogee Beach is a Randwick City Council beach at Beach Street, Coogee, sheltered by Wedding Cake Island, which the council says makes it a calmer swimming beach for…

  All-abilities

• North Wollongong Beach North Wollongong

  North Wollongong (North Beach), on Cliff Road, is Wollongong's busiest beach and is patrolled all year round.

  All-abilities

• Terrigal Beach Terrigal

  Terrigal Beach is a patrolled beach at the southern end of a 2.8 km stretch of sand, with cafes and restaurants overlooking it.

  All-abilities

• Malabar Beach Malabar

  Malabar Beach in Long Bay is popular with families because of its normally placid conditions, according to Randwick Council.

  All-abilities

• Newport Beach Newport

  Newport Beach is 1.3 km long, running from Newport Head in a gentle arc to Little Reef.

  All-abilities

• Collaroy Beach Collaroy

  Collaroy Beach adjoins Narrabeen Beach, and the council describes the beachfront as having facilities for everyone, including people with mobility issues, with a ramp…

  All-abilities

• Bilgola Beach Bilgola Beach

  Bilgola Beach is a 500 m surf beach bordered by Bilgola Head to the north and Newport Head to the south.

  All-abilities

• Killcare Beach Killcare

  Killcare Beach is a patrolled beach with views of the Tasman Sea and Sydney's northern beaches.

  All-abilities

• MacMasters Beach MacMasters Beach

  MacMasters Beach is a patrolled beach with a mix of surf breaks and sheltered swimming areas.

  All-abilities

• Clovelly Beach Clovelly

  Clovelly Beach is a small, tranquil beach at the end of a narrow bay, and Randwick Council says it is popular with families and snorkellers.

  All-abilities

• Continental Pool North Wollongong

  Continental Pool, on Cliff Road between Wollongong Harbour and North Beach, has a 50 m pool, a 45 m pool and a toddlers' pool; the 45 m pool has a ramp entry for people…

  All-abilities

• Cronulla Beach (South Cronulla) Cronulla

  Cronulla Beach, often called South Cronulla, is home to Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and is popular with families, according to Sutherland Shire Council.

  All-abilities

• Maroubra Beach Maroubra

  Maroubra Beach is a kilometre-long surf beach patrolled all year by Randwick City lifeguards (7am to 7pm in summer daylight saving, 7am to 5pm otherwise), with…

  All-abilities

• Watsons Bay Baths Watsons Bay

  Watsons Bay Baths is a fully accessible harbourside tidal enclosure that Woollahra Council says is popular with all age groups.

  All-abilities

• Ocean Beach Ocean Beach

  Ocean Beach at Umina is a patrolled beach protected by Broken Bay.

  All-abilities

• Umina Beach Umina Beach

  Umina Beach is a long patrolled sandy beach that NSW Beachwatch calls one of the Central Coast's most popular beaches for families, for swimming, surfing and…

  All-abilities

• Freshwater Beach Freshwater

  Freshwater is part of the Manly-Freshwater National and World Surfing Reserve, and the council describes it as a good family beach with good swimming conditions.

  All-abilities

• Thirroul Beach Thirroul

  Thirroul Beach, on The Esplanade, is a short walk from the largest town centre in Wollongong's north.

  All-abilities

• Copacabana Beach Copacabana

  Copacabana Beach is a patrolled surf beach.

  All-abilities

• Pearl Beach Rock Pool Pearl Beach

  Pearl Beach Rock Pool is a protected ocean pool at the southern end of Pearl Beach.

  All-abilities

• Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool Shellharbour

  Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool is a 50 m saltwater pool at the southern end of the Shellharbour Village foreshore, with a shaded children's pool.

  All-abilities

• Bilgola Rockpool Bilgola Beach

  Bilgola Rockpool is an 8-lane, 50 m ocean pool with concrete walls and floor at the southern end of Bilgola Beach, and the council says it provides disability access.

  All-abilities

• Camp Cove Beach Watsons Bay

  Camp Cove Beach is a sandy Sydney Harbour beach beside Sydney Harbour National Park at Watsons Bay.

  All-abilities

• Toowoon Bay Toowoon Bay

  Toowoon Bay is a patrolled beach between The Entrance and Shelly Beach.

  All-abilities

• Wamberal Beach Wamberal

  Wamberal Beach is a patrolled surf beach north of Terrigal.

  All-abilities

• Soldiers Beach Norah Head

  Soldiers Beach at Norah Head is a patrolled Central Coast surf beach.

  All-abilities

• Austinmer Beach Austinmer

  Austinmer Beach, on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, has two rock pools at its southern end and a beach pavilion, with a play area and local shops nearby.

  All-abilities

• Gunnamatta Park Tidal Baths Cronulla

  Gunnamatta Park Tidal Baths are large netted swimming baths with a sandy beach beside Gunnamatta Park on Gunnamatta Bay.

  All-abilities

• North Avoca Beach North Avoca

  North Avoca Beach is a patrolled beach that NSW Beachwatch describes as family-friendly, known for its birdlife, and dog-friendly.

  All-abilities

• Whitlam Leisure Centre Liverpool

  Liverpool City Council leisure centre with five heated swimming pools, indoor and outdoor, plus an indoor spa and sauna.

  All-abilities

• Avoca Beach Avoca Beach

  Avoca Beach is a patrolled beach with a wide, sandy shore between two headlands.

  All-abilities

• Mount Annan Leisure Centre Mount Annan

  Camden Council leisure centre run by BlueFit with three heated indoor pools: an 8-lane 25 m pool, a leisure pool with a kids area and splash pad, and a warm program…

  All-abilities

• Beaton Park Pool Gwynneville

  Wollongong City Council 25 m indoor heated pool inside Beaton Park Leisure Centre, for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

  All-abilities

Step-free museums, zoos and rainy-day places

Indoor and under-cover places whose own page says entry and paths are step-free.

• Taronga Zoo Sydney Mosman

  Taronga Zoo Sydney is a 28-hectare zoo on Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, overlooking Sydney Harbour.

  Partly accessible · Accessible parking · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney

  The Art Gallery of New South Wales is on Art Gallery Road in The Domain, Sydney.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Changing Places · Accessible parking

• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park Doonside

  Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside, cares for about 2000 Australian native animals.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Australian Reptile Park Somersby

  The Australian Reptile Park at Somersby on the Central Coast is a wildlife park with reptiles, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, free-range…

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Hyper Karting Moore Park

  Hyper Karting is an electric go-kart venue on Level 5 of the Entertainment Quarter car park in Moore Park, with four tracks by age: the Mini Track for ages 3-6 (or…

  Step-free · Companion Card

• Symbio Wildlife Park Helensburgh

  Symbio Wildlife Park is a zoo at 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh, open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Sydney Observatory

  Sydney Observatory, run by Powerhouse, is a heritage site and museum at 1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point, on the highest natural point in Sydney Cove.

  Partly accessible · Companion Card

• Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne

  The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace at 380 Military Road, Cremorne, is an independent six-screen art deco cinema and performing arts venue that has operated since 1935.

  Partly accessible

• Hyde Park Barracks Sydney

  Hyde Park Barracks is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-era building on Queens Square, Macquarie Street, run by Museums of History NSW.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Assistance animals

• White Rabbit Gallery Chippendale

  White Rabbit Gallery at 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale, shows 21st-century Chinese contemporary art from Judith Neilson's collection across four levels.

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking

• Timezone Chatswood Chatswood

  Timezone Chatswood is an arcade on Level 6 of Westfield Chatswood, 1 Anderson Street.

  Partly accessible

• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Darling Harbour

  WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is an Australian wildlife attraction on the waterfront at Darling Harbour, where visitors walk through habitats to see kangaroos, koalas, a wombat,…

  Step-free · Accessible toilet · Companion Card · Assistance animals

• Calmsley Hill City Farm Abbotsbury

  Calmsley Hill City Farm is a working farm attraction at 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury.

  Step-free · Accessible parking

• Timezone Haymarket Haymarket

  Timezone Haymarket is an arcade on Level 3 of Market City, 9-13 Hay Street, above Paddy's Markets.

  Partly accessible

• Museum of Sydney Sydney

  The Museum of Sydney, run by Museums of History NSW, is built over and around the remains of Sydney's first Government House on the corner of Phillip and Bridge streets.

  Step-free · Assistance animals

Accessible walks and gardens

Boardwalks, sealed loops and gardens the park service rates wheelchair-accessible.

• Robertson lookout, Mount Keira Mount Keira

  An easily accessible lookout on the edge of the Illawarra escarpment in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, above Wollongong, with a wooden viewing…

  Step-free · All-abilities

• Govetts Leap lookout, Blackheath Blackheath

  An accessible lookout at Blackheath in Blue Mountains National Park with views over the Grose Valley and Bridal Veil waterfall, which drops 180 m to the base of the…

  Step-free · All-abilities

• Bungoona lookout and path, Royal National Park Royal National Park

  A 0.92 km return path (about 30 minutes, Grade 1) near Audley in Royal National Park, leading up to a lookout over the Hacking River.

  Step-free · All-abilities

• Fairfax walk, North Head Manly

  A paved 1 km loop (30 minutes to 1 hour, Grade 1) at the end of North Head Scenic Drive in Sydney Harbour National Park.

  Step-free · All-abilities

• West Head lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park West Head

  A large sandstone viewing area at West Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park looking over Broken Bay, Pittwater, Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse, Lion Island and…

  Step-free · All-abilities

• Fairfax Heritage walking track, Blackheath Blackheath

  A 1.8 km one-way track (30 to 45 minutes, Grade 1) between the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and Govetts Leap lookout at Blackheath, Blue Mountains National Park.

  Step-free · All-abilities

More accessible places

Everything else whose own page states step-free access or an accessible toilet.

• Scenic World Katoomba

  Scenic World in Katoomba, about 90 minutes from Sydney, has three rides into and over the Jamison Valley: the Scenic Railway (listed by Guinness as the world's steepest…

  Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Companion Card · Assistance animals

Questions parents ask

Which Sydney beaches have beach wheelchairs or matting?

Several councils along the coast lend beach wheelchairs through the surf club or lifeguards and lay access matting in summer. The beach listings on this page say which, the hours and how to book; book a day or two ahead on weekends.

Which museums run sensory-friendly mornings?

The Australian Museum, the Powerhouse, the maritime museum and the aquarium all run quiet or relaxed sessions and lend sensory bags, usually in the school holidays. The table links each venue's page because the dates change each term.

Is Taronga Zoo manageable in a wheelchair?

The zoo is on a steep hillside, but it publishes an access map with the gentler routes, has a ferry-and-cable-car arrival that avoids the climb, and lends wheelchairs. The listing links its access page.

Where are the all-abilities playgrounds?

Many councils have built inclusive playgrounds, from the big Livvi's Place parks to smaller local ones with Liberty swings and wheelchair carousels. The playgrounds section lists the ones whose council page names the equipment.

More in Sydney

• Things to do with teenagers in Sydney
• Visiting Sydney with kids: day plans
• Free things to do with kids in Sydney
• Kids eat free in Sydney
• School holiday activities in Sydney
• All kids activities in Sydney

Accessible things to do with kids in other cities

• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Cairns
• Canberra
• Hobart
• Darwin
• Sunshine Coast
• Newcastle