The Wharf Local, TathraCredit: Destination NSW
The Wharf Local cafe with coastal views across Boulder Bay, Tathra
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Fringed by national parks, rainforests and the stunning Sapphire Coast, Tathra is a natural amusement park that’s around six hours’ drive south of Sydney. There are bike trails to explore, rainforests to hike through and sparkling beaches to surf. This thriving community offers an unforgettable seaside escape that the whole family can enjoy.
Get out on the water
At pretty Tathra beach the whole family can learn to surf with Coastlife Adventures, which offers small group and individual surfing lessons throughout the summer and supplies soft G-Boards, full wetsuits and leg ropes. If you want to fast-track your surfing skills, you can book a three-lesson package. Kids will love the Nudie SurfGroms program, which teaches surf safety and board skills for kids between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Tathra Beach is also an idyllic spot to try stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding. Get a kick out of SUP at sunrise, paddling out towards Tathra Wharf into Boulder Bay to watch the cliffs turn tangerine with the sun. You can hire all the equipment you need at Tathra Beach & Bike right on the beach.
Hop on your bike
For a biking adventure, hire mountain bikes, helmets and tackle one of the many trails in and around Tathra. For families and beginners, a 2.5km concrete bike path starts right outside Tathra Beach & Bike shop, taking you to Bega River and Mogareeka inlet. Entry-level mountain bikers will enjoy the beautiful Fords Farm headland ride, a 10km loop back to Tathra Beach. For more experienced mountain bike riders, there is roughly 20km of single track to explore through the Bundadung Trail Network, starting at the Tathra Country Club.
Prefer to travel on foot? Tathra’s walking tracks take in stunning views of the hinterland and coastline. Choose from easy beach loops to more difficult hiking trails through Bournda National Park.
Tathra Region Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Highlights from the untouched region of Tathra on the Far South Coast.
Tathra Region Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Highlights from the untouched region of Tathra on the Far South Coast.
Tathra Beach, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Man heading out for a morning of stand-up paddleboarding at Tathra Beach, Tathra.
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Tathra Beach, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Man heading out for a morning of stand-up paddleboarding at Tathra Beach, Tathra.
Fish for your lunch
Tathra is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, with surf, rock and blue-water fishing, or you can throw in a line at freshwater streams and dams. At Tathra Beach, fish for salmon, tailor or sand whiting, or head to Bega River for bream, flathead and estuary perch. Tathra has a first-rate launching facility at Kianinny Bay, with fish-cleaning tables, ample parking and boat washing facilities too. Picnic tables and barbecue facilities make this a great spot for a cook-up.
Bundadung Trail Network, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a day of riding on the 20km Bundadung Trail Network in Tathra.
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Bundadung Trail Network, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a day of riding on the 20km Bundadung Trail Network in Tathra.
Fishing, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a relaxing day fishing off Tathra Wharf.
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Fishing, Tathra Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a relaxing day fishing off Tathra Wharf.
More Inspirational Stories
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.
#feelnewsydney #ilovesydney
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.