Bathurst Winter FestivalCredit: David Roma
The historic city of Bathurst lights up for the annual Bathurst Winter Festival.
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A three-hour road trip west from Sydney leads you to the historic inland city of Bathurst, a thriving regional centre and the heart of the gold-rush era. Its rich colonial history, fascinating museums and natural beauty make this an exciting destination for the whole family.
Go for gold
There are plenty of ways to put kids directly in touch with the region’s gold-rush history. Bathurst Goldfields is an educational place to start. This reconstructed gold-mining village is designed to teach visitors everything about the history of gold in New South Wales. Original documents from the era are on display, along with mining tools and minerals. There’s also a miner’s hut, operating steam engines and a working stamper battery that crushes ore.
Around an hour northwest of Bathurst you’ll find two gold-rush towns worth a visit. Head to Sofala, Australia’s oldest surviving gold-mining town, to explore the History Hill Museum & Underground Mine — it’s home to 10,000 artefacts and historic photos from the goldfields of the 1800s.
A little further on, Hill End is where the largest single piece of reef gold in the world — the Beyers and Holtermann Nugget — was discovered in 1872. The whole family will enjoy exploring this heritage town, where you can wander around the old Victorian buildings and see the relics of old mines.
Book in for a tour of Bald Hill Tourist Mine, where you’ll have the chance to walk down original mine shafts and see demonstrations of the old hammer-and-tap mining techniques. Visitors also have the option of climbing the 30m ladder to exit the mine via the ventilation shaft. v
History Hill Museum & Underground Mine, Sofala Credit: Ribbon Gang Media Agency
The History Hill Museum in the gold-rush town of Sofala, near Bathurst.
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History Hill Museum & Underground Mine, Sofala Credit: Ribbon Gang Media Agency
The History Hill Museum in the gold-rush town of Sofala, near Bathurst.
Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum, Bathurst Credit: Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum
Dinosaur display at the Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum, Bathurst.
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Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum, Bathurst Credit: Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum
Dinosaur display at the Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum, Bathurst.
Museum magic
One of the key attractions at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a real Tyrannosaurus rex specimen — the ferocious predator that has long fascinated kids of all ages. This is also the home of the Somerville Collection, which celebrates local university professor Warren Somerville by exhibiting the vast number of fine and rare minerals and fossils he gathered during his lifetime. There are over 5,000 objects on display, and young visitors are guaranteed to come away with a stronger understanding of early life on Earth.
Race-car enthusiasts will learn about the rich history of Australian motor sport at the National Motor Racing Museum. Located on the famed Mount Panorama, home of the annual Bathurst 1000 touring car race, this is where you can see a constantly changing line-up of over 100 racing cars and motor bikes that have left their mark on the sport across the country. Get the family totally revved up in the Immersive Room, where historic footage brings the excitement of motor racing to life.
Make some furry friends
At Amaroo Cottage Farmstay, owners Angela and Howard Sinclair invite guests of all ages to help with daily chores on their 760-hectare property. Located 25 minutes south of Bathurst, the cottage is self-contained and there is an abundance of furry and feathered critters — it’s a fantastic opportunity for family members of all ages to see farm animals, wildlife and multiple bird species up close. The night skies sparkle with stars and the extensive district views encourage you to relax into rural life.
Another way to see the beautiful countryside is on horseback at Yarrabin, in the O’Connell Valley. Guided tours take you through this spectacular horse, sheep and cattle property, which features established riding trails and well-natured horses suited to all ages and abilities. It’s a wonderful way for young family members to see the countryside and appreciate the beauty and intelligence of horses.
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Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo Sydney Credit: Taronga Zoo
Roar and Snore tents at Taronga Zoo Sydney overlooking Sydney Harbour.
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Gain a new perspective on Sydney as you observe through the eyes of children the best this magnificent city has to offer – be sure to stay on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to be close to world-class attractions for all ages.
Make Sydney your playground
Bond as a family with the exhilarating experience of climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge at twilight with BridgeClimb Sydney. Kids aged eight years and up (and at least 1.2m tall) can join in the fun and take in the 360-degree views of this iconic Sydney landmark.
Take in the sights from two wheels as you pedal past the city’s parks, harbour and iconic sites with Bonza Bike Tours, which caters to all ages by providing kids’ bikes, ‘trail-alongs’ and baby seats, and Sydney Harbour Bike Tours, which offers guided e-bike tours.
Your kids will be delighted when they realise half the fun of getting to Taronga Zoo Sydney is taking the ferry from Circular Quay or jumping in a water taxi. They’ll also love seeing the Sumatran tigers, the incredible Free Flight Birds show and the popular Seals for the Wild presentation, and riding the cable car across the zoo.
Thrill to the colourful rides at Luna Park, a restored 1930s-era amusement park at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and keep the excitement flowing by visiting Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour, where the kids can meet king penguins, sharks, turtles and a cheeky dugong named Pig.
Let the kids burn off any untapped reserves of energy at one of Sydney’s family-friendly beaches on the harbour, or head to the vast Centennial Parklands, a short drive from the city centre in the inner east, to let them loose in the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden.
Expand the family’s horizons
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Seedlings Nature School, where little ones (2.5 to 5 years old) are encouraged to enjoy nature play. Help your kids connect with the oldest living culture in the world on The Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, with your Aboriginal tour guide taking you through the Cadi Jam Ora garden so you can learn about native plants and try some bush foods.
Explore an amazing collection of Aboriginal and other Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, next to the Royal Botanic Garden. Inspire the family on a self-guided tour or head to the ticketing desk to find out about the latest family-friendly offerings.
Be intrigued by the ever-changing array of artworks and installations at the Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks before taking in amazing harbour views as your crew recharges with a snack from the healthy menu at the top-floor MCA Café.
Immerse in the worlds of science, technology, design and more at the fascinating Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, where the interactive displays offer the whole family insights into Australia’s unique culture. In nearby Darling Harbour, kids can climb aboard tall ships, a cold war submarine and many other vessels at the entertaining Australian National Maritime Museum.
BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
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BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
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Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
Refuel and recharge for round two
You’ll find most Sydney eateries cater for children. Keep hungry kids happy with a snack from the bakery menu or something more substantial from the hawker-style pan-Asian fusion selection at House Canteen at the Sydney Opera House. Or take in spectacular views of Sydney’s most iconic building from across the waters of Circular Quay at The Glenmore on Cumberland Street in The Rocks – it’s a great dinner spot that offers a fun atmosphere, with the kid’s menu including favourites such as popcorn chicken and fish and chips.
Perk up flagging kids with a slice of the ‘world’s most Instagrammed cake’ — the exquisite strawberry watermelon cake — at Black Star Pastry, in The Galeries on George Street. And top off a visit to Darling Harbour with some moreish Italian fare at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, which offers a special kids’ menu featuring the perennial favourites of pizza and spaghetti (children under 12 can eat free on Sundays). Reward yourself with a grown-up Tokyo-style burger while the little ones feast on Japanese fried chicken or eat from the kids’ menu at Ume Burger, in nearby Darling Square. Then enjoy an after-dinner treat at Gelato Messina, which has an outlet at Darling Square as well as at Gateway at Circular Quay and at Martin Place in the city centre.
Play where you stay
Indulge in the Family Fun package at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney and you’ll be perfectly placed to experience the best of the stunning harbour and city centre as well as delight in treating your children. The package includes gifts for the kids, an in-room kids’ movie experience, daily breakfast at Mode Kitchen & Bar for two adults and two children aged under 12, a family pass to Taronga Zoo, themed linen and a magical tent experience.
Make the family pet part of your holiday with a Family Playcation package at the Langham Sydney in Millers Point – bring the pooch and put the kids in an interconnecting room, where they can be entertained with an in-house movie and popcorn after a busy day exploring the city.
Inject some adventure into your Sydney sojourn by swapping out the five-star suite for sleeping under the stars. The whole family will thrill to an exclusive night safari guided by zookeepers and guides before falling asleep to the sounds of wild animals calling out as you camp in safari tents on a Roar and Snore experience at Taronga Zoo.
Or leave Sydney with indelible memories when you glamp in the waterfront campground or stay in heritage house or apartment on Cockatoo Island, a short ferry ride from Circular Quay in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Here you can explore the fascinating industrial relics of this former naval shipyard and convict prison before cooking a barbecue dinner with one of the best views in town, while your children make new friends with fellow camping kids.
Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
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Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.
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The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.