A free day out in Sydney with kids
This is a free day in Sydney with kids, and every stop costs nothing to enter. Four stops are inside 1.1 km of the city centre: Australian Museum, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Observatory Hill Park and Darling Harbour. The Chau Chak Wing Museum in Camperdown is 2.5 km out. It mixes museums for a rainy hour with open green space and a water-play playground.
Begin at the Australian Museum at 10am and finish at Darling Harbour. All the free entry applies to general admission, so check the listings for any ticketed extras. Bring a water bottle, a hat and a picnic, since the garden has lawns for eating on. The plan works any day, but the Chau Chak Wing Museum is shorter on weekends.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Australian Museum
- Late morning: Chau Chak Wing Museum
- Lunch: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
- Afternoon: Observatory Hill Park
- Late afternoon: Darling Harbour
Morning
Start at the Australian Museum
Australian Museum, Darlinghurst · Museums & Science Centres · Ages 3-17 · Free · 4.6 stars (12918 reviews)
A natural history museum in the Sydney CBD with free general entry and the Burra hands-on kids space. It is open daily 10am to 5pm and sits 0.7 km from the centre. Burra gives younger kids something to touch and do, which makes it a good first stop while everyone is fresh.
Tip: Open daily 10am to 5pm.
Late morning
Chau Chak Wing Museum
Chau Chak Wing Museum, Camperdown · Museum · Ages 5-12 · Free · 4.7 stars (817 reviews)
A free University of Sydney museum in Camperdown, 2.5 km from the centre. It has family activities and an Egypt trail for ages 5 to 12. It is open seven days a week. This one suits school-age kids better than toddlers, so skip it if your children are younger.
Tip: Open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Lunch
Picnic in the Royal Botanic Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (25572 reviews)
A free harbourside botanic garden near the city, with lawns for picnics, a duck pond, themed gardens and the Calyx. It is open daily from 7am. Lunch on the grass keeps costs down, and the duck pond is an easy win with younger kids.
Tip: Free entry; open daily from 7am.
Afternoon
Harbour views at Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill Park · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 0-18 · Free · 4.7 stars (2999 reviews)
A City of Sydney harbour-view park on Upper Fort Street, Millers Point, home to Sydney Observatory and near Wynyard and The Rocks. It is open 24 hours and free. Kids can run on the grass while you take in the view. It is 1.1 km from the centre.
Tip: Open 24 hours; check the listing for anything ticketed at the Observatory.
Late afternoon
Splash at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour, Sydney · Markets & Family Outings · Ages 5-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (63215 reviews)
A waterfront precinct in the Sydney CBD with a free water-play playground, free Friday kids yoga, monthly fireworks and family events. End the day here. Kids can play in the water while you sit down, and there is usually something on. It is 1.0 km from the centre.
Tip: Free kids yoga is on Fridays; check the listing for fireworks dates.
Before you go
- Every stop is free to enter, but special exhibitions and tours may cost extra, so check the listings.
- The Chau Chak Wing Museum opens 12pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, so on a weekend go there after lunch instead.
- The Australian Museum is open daily 10am to 5pm.
- Observatory Hill Park and the Royal Botanic Garden are outdoors, so take hats and water.
- Darling Harbour has free kids yoga on Fridays.
Questions parents ask
What are the best free things to do in Sydney with kids?
This plan uses five free stops: the Australian Museum, the Chau Chak Wing Museum, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Observatory Hill Park and Darling Harbour. The museums have kids' spaces and an Egypt trail, the garden has picnic lawns and a duck pond, and Darling Harbour has a free water-play playground.
Is the Australian Museum free for kids?
General entry to the Australian Museum is free, and it includes the Burra hands-on kids space. The museum is in the Sydney CBD, 0.7 km from the centre, and is open daily 10am to 5pm. Special exhibitions may cost extra, so check the listing for current details.
Is there a free water-play area in Sydney?
Yes. Darling Harbour has a free water-play playground, in the Sydney CBD about 1.0 km from the centre. It also has free Friday kids yoga, monthly fireworks and family events. Take a change of clothes. Check the listing for event dates and times before you go.
More days in Sydney with kids
- Your first day in Sydney with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- A rainy day in Sydney with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day in Sydney with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- Sydney with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Sydney with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Sydney with kids: all guides