Morsilla

One day in Sydney, Australia

One day in Sydney with children can start at 09:30 on the Circular Quay ferry to Taronga Zoo Sydney, return to Circular Quay at midday for the Museum of Sydney and Hyde Park Barracks on Macquarie Street, and finish at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.

Children are 2 to 11 years old; infants are under 2.

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Updated 23 October 2026

Plan your trip to Sydney

Taronga Zoo Sydney across the harbour in the morning

Start your morning at Circular Quay Wharf 4 on the 12-minute harbour ferry across to Taronga Zoo Sydney on Bradleys Head Road in Mosman (also reachable on the 30-minute Route 100 bus from the Queen Victoria Building in the city). Open 365 days a year, the zoo welcomes visitors from 09:30 to 17:00 in summer (September to April) and from 09:30 to 16:30 in winter (May to August).

Spanning 28 hectares of leafy harbourside paths, the zoo is home to koalas, red kangaroos, platypuses, Australian sea lions, giraffes, Sumatran tigers, red pandas and the Backyard to Bush Farm, alongside more than 15 daily keeper talks and the scenic Taronga Wildlife Express Train. Taronga operates as a cashless venue and provides parent rooms, picnic areas, first aid, wheelchair and mobility scooter hire, and sensory support.

Museum of Sydney and Hyde Park Barracks on Macquarie Street at midday

Take the ferry back to Circular Quay and walk one block inland to the corner of Phillip and Bridge Streets for the Museum of Sydney. Built over the archaeological remains of Australia's first Government House, the museum offers free entry (online pre-booking recommended) and opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Families can explore the Edge of the Trees forecourt installation, the First Fleet Ships and Yura Nura displays, the Unearthed archaeology exhibition and the hands-on Dig It! dig space, or join a free 15-minute guided introduction at 11:00 or 15:00. Level wheelchair entry is on Bridge Street with lift access to all floors.

Walk south down Macquarie Street (or ride the train to St James or Martin Place station) to Queens Square for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks. Entry is free with online pre-booking recommended, and the museum opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 16:30 (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Sessions for the 90-minute location-aware audio tour depart every 30 minutes and include a dedicated Kids' trail where children listen for clues and spot rats through the historic rooms; free self-cloaking lockers, lift and ramp access, and a family room with a change table are provided on site.

Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour in the afternoon

Cross the CBD to Darling Harbour (by ferry from Circular Quay, light rail, bus, train, or on foot across Pyrmont Bridge) to finish at the Australian National Maritime Museum at 2 Murray Street. The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 16:00 with last vessel boarding at 15:10, and extends its hours during school holidays to 09:30 to 17:00 with last vessel boarding at 16:10 (closed Christmas Day, 25 December).

Inside the main building and along the wharves—all connected by ramps and lifts—families can explore Australia's maritime history galleries and view historic vessels including the replica tall ship HMB Endeavour, the destroyer HMAS Vampire, the submarine HMAS Onslow and the replica ship Duyfken. Free Sensory Backpacks can be borrowed at the museum, and courtesy wheelchairs are available when pre-booked by phone.

Plan your one day in Sydney

Pace your midday transfer so you arrive at the Australian National Maritime Museum before the 15:10 last vessel boarding cutoff during regular term dates (16:10 during school holidays), and note that height restrictions apply for children boarding the historic vessels and wheelchair access is not available aboard the ships. Also check daily vessel availability on arrival, as the Action Stations exhibition is closed for conversion into the new Navy Pavilion (opening late 2026) and temporary vessel closures apply between 19 October and 28 November.

Pre-book your free tickets online for both the Museum of Sydney and the Hyde Park Barracks, where children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and visitors can bring their own 3.5 mm or Apple Lightning headphones for the Barracks audio tour. Remember to bring a card or contactless payment device for Taronga Zoo Sydney, as the zoo is completely cashless.

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Frequently asked questions

Which Sydney attractions on this family itinerary have free admission?

Both the Museum of Sydney (at Phillip and Bridge Streets) and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks (at Queens Square on Macquarie Street) offer free admission, including the Hyde Park Barracks self-guided audio experience and Kids' trail. Online ticket pre-booking is recommended for both museums.

How do you get from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Sydney?

You can catch a 12-minute harbour ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 4 directly to Taronga Zoo, or take the 30-minute Route 100 bus from the Queen Victoria Building in the city.

What time is last boarding for the ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum?

During regular hours (10:00 to 16:00), last vessel boarding is at 15:10; during school holiday hours (09:30 to 17:00), last vessel boarding is at 16:10. Height restrictions apply for children on the vessels, and daily ship openings should be confirmed on arrival during the Navy Pavilion transformation works.

Does Taronga Zoo Sydney accept cash?

No. Taronga Zoo Sydney is a cashless venue. A vending machine is available on site to purchase pre-paid EFTPOS cards if needed.