Image source NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE
BARRENJOEY HEADLAND

The lighthouse is perched on top of Barrenjoey Headland and it can take up to 40 mins to climb up to the summit over steep and uneven ground. Ascend from the car park in Governor Phillip Park (also the site of public toilets - there are none at the summit):  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/barrenjoey-lighthouse

The views are spectacular and even more so during tours by rangers on Sundays when you can go inside the lighthouse and climb to the top up the winding lighthouse stairs and learn about the history of this spot:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/barrenjoey-lighthouse-tour

Image Source Northern Beaches Council

COASTAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
PELICAN PATH, LAKE PARK RD, NORTH NARRABEEN

The CEC is an environmental information and education resource for the community. It holds activites for children and families on weekends or in the evening such as a Bird Show, Australasian Bat Night and Rock Platform Tour:  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/coastal-environment-centre

For babies to 5 years
The centre holds activities for youngsters from time to time such as Nature Play, enjoying a morning connecting with nature for ages 3+:  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/coastal-environment-centre/cec-events

School Holidays
The Kids on the Coast program for 5 to 12 years runs on some weekdays in school holidays with different themes each day such as 'Fossil Fun' and 'Junior Marine Biologist':  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/coastal-environment-centre/cec-events

Image Source Hornsby Model Engineers Co-operative Ltd

GALSTON VALLEY RAILWAY
29 MID DURAL RD, GALSTON

This miniature railway is operted by the Hornsby Model Engineers and open to the public on the second Sunday of the month (rides start at 10am). The track is over 1 km long and winds up the hillside through bushland. There are bridges, a tunnel and scale model signals. Access to the station and picnic areas is over bridges with steps, which is difficult for strollers. There is a kiosk, sausage sizzle and a wood (provided) BBQ, but BYO fire starters and tools. Enclosed shoes must be worn to ride behind the trains (no sandals or thongs):  www.hme.org.au

Image Source Glen Street Theatre

GLEN STREET THEATRE
CNR GLEN STREET & BLACKBUTTS ROAD, BELROSE

Shows for children and families are performed throughout the year, plus schools sometimes use the theatre for performances:  glenstreet.com.au

School Holidays
Family shows often play in school holidays:  glenstreet.com.au/whats-on

Image Source Golden Ridge Animal Farm

GOLDEN RIDGE ANIMAL FARM
686 OLD NORTHERN RD, DURAL. ENTRANCE IN WYOMING RD.

The Farm is open every day except December 25. This farm has the friendliest of animals and families participate together. This includes meeting, patting and feeding big and little animals (feed costs extra), a tour of the farm, holding baby animals and bottle feeding baby lambs, goats or deer. This takes about 90 minutes but families can stay on to explore further, for example a visit to the duck pond, and have a picnic or BBQ. There is also a kiosk. You must book in:  www.goldenridgeanimalfarm.com.au

School Holidays
As well as regular opening activities, there are exra activities in school holidays such as milk a cow, jumping castle, best drressed farmer competition, scarecrow stuffing and some activities that cost extra such as pony rides:  www.goldenridgeanimalfarm.com.au/school-holidays

Photo credit: Wendy Preston

KOALA PARK SANCTUARY
84 CASTLE HILL RD, WEST PENNANT HILLS

There is a Koala Presentation (daily at 10:20am, 11:45am, 2pm, 3pm) and other shows include the Sheep Shearing show which includes a working dog demonstration, the dingo show, lamb feeding where some children get to bottle feed the lambs and kids and the reptile show where you can touch the reptiles. You can feed kangaroos throughout the day, but they are hungriest in the morning.

This sanctuary is probably Sydney's smallest, but this makes it well suited to families with small children for whom a morning or afternoon excursion is long enough. In that time you get to see all the presentations and animals. It is also quite compact which means the children aren't exhausted walking around a huge area. There are picnic shelters and BBQs (booking available) and a kiosk:  koalapark-sanctuary.com.au

Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council

KU-RING-GAI WILDFLOWER GARDEN
420 MONA VALE RD, ST IVES

There are eight walking tracks in the garden, ranging from Caley Track which is 200 m to the challenging Mueller Track which is 4 km. Some of the paths are step-free. There are three picnic areas that can be booked. The Visitor Centre has displays of flowers in bloom and the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Nursery is also located here:  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden

The Junior Rangers Club is an after-school weekly activity on Thursdays for primary kids who love nature. There is a new theme each week and you can book for the term with a limited number of casual places available each week:  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Junior_Rangers_Club

Bush School for Home School Families runs during term for home schooled children in Years K to 6 with younger siblings also welcome: www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Bush_school_for_home_school_families

Bush Birthday Parties are also available:  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Bush_birthday_parties

The Wildflower Art and Garden Festival is held annually at the end of August with guided walks, advice from wildflower experts, native plant sales, food and drink stalls and a Sculpture Walk. Activities for children can include pond dip netting, craft workshops and native animal presentations.

For babies to 5 years
Nippers in Nature is a nature-play program designed for preschool children aged 3-5 and their carers. It runs on Monday mornings, in terms of 5 weeks (ie 2 programs per school term):  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Nippers_in_Nature
Toddlers and Tadpoles runs Wednesdays and Thursdays during term with a different bush theme each week and activities include storytelling, craft, creature encounters, stroller-friendly bushwalks and sometimes gardening. You can book for the term or casually:  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Toddlers_and_Tadpoles

School Holidays
Bush Kids runs on selected weekdays in school hloidays. There are environmental activites for ages 0 to 5 years, 4 to 7 years, 6 to 12 years and the Junior Ranger Apprentices program is for high-school aged children. Activity times range from 90 mins to 7 hours:  www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/Services_facilities/Facilities_and_venues/Ku-ring-gai_Wildflower_Garden/Kids_programs_at_the_Wildflower_Garden/Bush_Kids

Image Source Luna Park Sydney

LUNA PARK SYDNEY
1 OLYMPIC PARK DR, MILSONS POINT

Rides include Dodgem City, Rotor, Ferris Wheel, Wild Mouse rollercoaster, Spider, Carousel and a number of attractrions inside Coney Island. There are also small rides for young children such as Whirly Wheel and U Drive. Height limits apply to rides. Sideshow games include Laughing Clowns and the High Striker. There are food outlets and ticket deals can include Twilight Saver, Mini Money Mondays and Multi Visit Passes:  www.lunaparksydney.com

Image Source Macquarie University

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY OBSERVATORY
BUILDING W16A (END OF NORTH 3 CAR PARK), 5 GYMNASIUM RD, MACQUARIE PARK

The observatory is open to the public every Friday and Saturday night from February to mid December (excluding public holidays), subject to bookings, unless the weather is bad (decided by 5pm and posted online). Times vary according to the time of sunset. You will be guided through the night sky by professional astronomy staff, who will show you planets, binary stars, nebulae, star clusters and bright galaxies. Bookings online essential. See how to get there and where to park online:  www.mq.edu.au/about/about-the-university/faculties-and-departments/faculty-of-science-and-engineering/departments-and-centres/department-of-physics-and-astronomy/engage-with-us/astronomical-observatory

Image Source Macquarie University

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY PLANETARIUM
EVENTS MARQUEE NEAR THE MGSM CARPARK, OR 14 SIR CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE AVEUNE (INDOOR COURTYARD), MACQUARIE PARK

Learn about the Sydney skyline including our solar saystem and look deeper into the galaxy.

School Holidays
Public planetarium sessions are held in the evenings of the January and July school holidays. These sessions will seat up to 40 people on the carpeted floor (some chairs available for those who need them). Bookings are essential online. See how to get there and where to park online:  www.mq.edu.au/about/about-the-university/faculties-and-departments/faculty-of-science-and-engineering/departments-and-centres/department-of-physics-and-astronomy/engage-with-us/planetarium

Image Source Northern Beaches Council

MANLY BEACH
SOUTH STEYNE, MANLY

The ocean beach runs for 2 km and is patrolled year round by lifeguards. It is fringed by Norfolk pines and there is a beach front promenade and cycle ways to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike ride. There is a rock pool at the northern end (Queenscliff Beach). At the southern end is a walk (approx 700 m) to Shelley Beach. Part way along there is a rock pool at Fairy Bower. Shelley Beach usually has more sheltered conditions and is a great place to snorkel or scuba dive. Great views back to Manly.
There is a sheltered beach at Manly Cove, West Esplanade (east of Manly Wharf) with a swiming enclosure.
Walks north and south of Manly are part of Sydney's Great Coastal Walk - see below
The Corso with a pedestrian mall, playground and many shops and food outlets connects Manly Wharf to Many Beach.

The Taste of Manly festival is held at the end of May showcasing Manly's restaurants and cafes with live entertainment in and around Manly Beach and Manly Corso:  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/whats-on/taste-of-manly

The Manly Ocean Festival is organised by the Manly Environment Centre and runs for a week at the end of November into early December. Events can include an open air cinema, snorkel and kayak tours, beach clean ups, science projects and the Ocean Care Festival Day with a parade, Indigenous ceremonies and performances, Eco-exhibitors, an Art Tent and Ocean Lab:  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/manly-environment-centre/our-projects

On New Year's Eve there are fireworks at 9pm at Manly Cove. Other Northern Beaches venues are Dee Why and Bayview:  www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/whats-on/new-years-eve

Image Source Marian Street Theatre for Young People

MARIAN STREET THEATRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
CLASSES IN VENUES AROUND KILLARA, SHOWS IN WAHROONGA AND BELROSE

Marian Street Theatre for Young People present three productions for children and families each year that usually include live music and songs, lots of participation for the audience and the chance to meet the cast at the end of the show. Performances are scheduled in the school holidays. Paproductions include Babe the Sheep Pig, The Magic Pudding and Danny in the Toybox. Since the theatre in Killara was closed (but there are plans for it to reopen), performances have been staged in locations around Sydney's North Shore including Knox Cultural Centre in Wahroonga or Glen Street Theatre in Belrose.

Weekly drama classes are held in school term for ages 5 to 18 and include Drama Discovery, Advanced Drama, Musical Theatre, Accessible Drama and Friday Night Youth Theatre.

School Holidays
Drama Holiday Workshops allow children to experience drama and create a performance. Make a Play, or Cry Havoc and learn Shakespeare, or get involved in a one day tester class.

Image source NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

MUOGOMARRA NATURE RESERVE
PACIFIC HWY, APPROXIMATELY 3KM NORTH OF COWAN

This spectacular reserve is only open to the public for 6 weekends a year when the wildflowers are at their peak, from mid August to mid September. There are guided walks ranging from the easy Muogamarra Highlights Walk, to the 10 km Muogamarra Peats Bight Walk (bookings required) and a range of self guided walks with no bookings required and track notes available. As well as wildflowers, you might see animals such as an echidna and birdlife includes wedge-tail eagles and lyrebirds. BYO picnic and binoculars if you have them:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Muogamarra-Nature-Reserve

Image source Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

NORTH HEAD SANCTUARY
NORTH HEAD SCENIC DRIVE, MANLY

The North Head Sanctuary Loop is a self guided walk that takes about 90 min to 2 hours to complete. It passes former School of Artillery buildings, gun emplacements and passes through bushland with birdlife and animals including lizards, snakes, echidnas and bandicoots. The views are spectacular. You can shorten the walk by one third by not taking the path down to the Fairfax Lookouts. There is a Visitor Information Centre and cafe at North Fort:  www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/see-and-do/visit/north-head-sanctuary

North Fort was part of the coastal defence system during WWII. On a guided tour, you visit Australia’s Memorial Walk with monuments to remember the major conflict periods in Australia’s history. See one of the gun emplacements that housed a 9.2 inch caliber gun and then descend via steps into the 200 m long tunnel complex that supported the guns, for example shells were stored here.
Tours take 90 mins and run all year on Sundays at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2pm and on Saturdays at 10:30am and 1pm between November and February:  www.harbourtrust.gov.au/event/tunnel-tour-north-head-sanctuary

Image Source Puppeteria

PUPPETERIA
12H DENAWEN AVE, CASTLE COVE

Puppeteria is the home of the Jeral Puppets. During term, shows for 2 to 5 year olds are presented on selected weekdays and Sundays, usually at 10.30am. There are usually three different shows each term:  www.puppeteria.com

School Holidays
In school holidays there can be up to four different shows, usually with two or three for 2 to 5 year olds at 10.30am and one or two for 4 to 9 year olds at 10.30am or 1.30pm.

Image Source Quarantine Station

Q STATION
1 NORTH HEAD SCENIC DRIVE, MANLY

Q Station is located at North Head and is on the site of the former Quarantine Station for migrants arriving in Australia and was in use up until 1984. Q Station has accomodation and also welcomes day visitors. There are guided tours or you can wander the site yourself, a cafe and restaurant, an exhibition space at the Visitor's Centre and at Quarantine Beach you can swim or hire kayaks, paddleboards or snorkels. Events throughout the year include Open Days with activities for families, historical tours and / or shows and live music; special tours for Halloween and viewing the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on December 26:  www.qstation.com.au

The Ghost Trackers Family Tour for ages 8 to 14 and their accompnying adult/s runs on selected Friday and Saturday nights in the evening, with additional tours in school holidays. Hear ghost stories and go ghost hunting, bookings essential:  www.qstation.com.au/ghost-tours.html

Image Source Sydney Coast Walks

SYDNEY'S GREAT COASTAL WALK
FROM PALM BEACH TO CRONULLA

Sydney's Great Coastal Walk runs 200 km from Palm Beach to Cronulla but this distance can be broken down into day walks or even walks that take only 2 or 4 hours. They include a selection of beach walks, harbour walks, cliff walks, bush walks and walks to see Aboriginal sites:  www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au

Image Source Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society

SYDNEY LIVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY OPEN DAY
CNR ANTHONY RD & BETTS ST, WEST RYDE

There are three miniature railway tracks to try and room for picnics and birthday parties (arrive early). Enclosed shoes must be worn to ride behind the trains (no sandals or thongs). There is also a kiosk. The venue opens to the public on the third Saturday of the month from 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Entry costs adults $4, children $2 and rides cost $2 each for all ages:  www.slsls.asn.au

Image Source Taronga Zoo

TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY
BRADLEYS HEAD ROAD, MOSMAN

Taronga Zoo has Australian animals such as echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, parrots, platypuses and wombats and exotic animals such as elephants, giraffes, gorillas, meerkats, otters and tigers. There are Keeper Talks throughout the day, animals include Asian elephant, gorilla, koala, meerkat, penguin and spider. Shows include the Seal Show and the QBE Free Flight Bird Show. You can also 'Farm Feed' and 'Pat a Pet':  taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo

There are a number of additional programs that cost extra. 'Animal Encounters' allow you to get up close to certain animals such as a koala, try feeding a giraffe or go behind-the-scenes with the Elephant Keepers. Adults can be a 'Keeper for a Day', 'Cadet Keeper' is for ages 12 - 17 and 'Junior Keeper' for ages 8 to 11:  taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/special-experiences

'Wild Ropes' has two courses for children aged three to eight. Juniors aged eight to 17 and adults can choose from four courses (children aged eight to 13 must be accompanied by an adult with the ration of 1:4 and the minimum height is 140 cm):  taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/wild-ropes

School Holidays
Zoo Adventures is a school holiday program for kids aged 5 to 10 years old  taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/special-experiences/zoo-adventures

Image source NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

THE BASIN CAMPGROUND
BY FERRY FROM PALM BEACH OR WALKING VIA THE BASIN TRACK OFF WEST HEAD RD (2.8KM)

The Basin is a lovely spot for a day visit or to camp (BYO tent). This lovely flat and shady area has Pittwater on one side and an inland lagoon on the other. The lagoon is surrounded by steep sandstone outcrops and natural woodland down to the water's edge. There are picnic tables and barbecue facilities. It is very popular and you need to book your camping spot well in advance:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/the-basin-campground

Photo credit: Wendy Preston

THE CONCOURSE
409 VICTORIA AV, CHATSWOOD

The Concourse has a Concert Hall, Theatre, an Art Space and outdoor Urban Screen. Chatswood Library is also located here. There are also cafes and restaurants. As well as being a venue for performances for families, many events are held here including the Chatswood Family Festival in January with children's shows, 'Family Flix' on the Urban Screen and the Chatswood Family Fun Day; the Lunar New Year Festival; light installations during the Vivid Sydney Festival starting in May; the Emerge Festival in September and the Festival Oasis in the Spring school holidays with workshops, shows, outdoor films and drop in activities.

Image Source North Sydney Council

TWILIGHT FOOD FAIR
TED MACK CIVIC PARK, 200 MILLER ST, NORTH SYDNEY

The Fair is on Friday evenings from November to early March with International food stalls, live entertainment and activities for children:  www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Recreation_Facilities/Markets/Twilight_Food_Fair