The NSW school holidays are less than a week away, not sure what to do or where to take them during the break? See below for the top 8 school holiday ideas that will be fun for the kids AND the grown ups :)
8. Disney On Ice: Princesses & Heroes
What could be more magical than combining Disney princesses and ice skating together?
Disney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes show, for 4 days only! Book your tickets for the 10 to 14th of July shows this school holidays. You'll get to see your favourite princesses, heroes and villains - from Ariel the Little Mermaid and Prince Eric, to Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, Cinderella, to Belle, Snow White, Tiana and the brand new member Rapunzel - skate, dance and create magic on ice right before your eyes.
Cost: from $28.50
When: 10th - 14th July 2013
Where: Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park
Tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=DISNEYIC13
Official Website: http://www.disneyonice.com.au
7. Wildlife Sydney Zoo
If you love animals but want to stay in Sydney, visit the Wildlife Sydney Zoo, where you'll get to see all sorts of weird, wacky and wonderful iconic Australian animals. From kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras to possums, lizards, echidnas, frogmouths to quolls - they even have creepy crawlies like giant cockroaches, bull ants and venomous snakes (behind glass of course!). This is sure to be a great day out for the family, with animals and reptiles for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost: from $14.00
When: Open Daily from 9am - 6pm (last entry STRICTLY 5pm)
Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour, Sydney 2000 Australia
Tickets: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/tickets/#single-visit
6. Sydney Sealife Aquarium aka Sydney Aquarium
If you want to see marine and fresh water animals without getting wet, then Sydney Sealife Aquarium is your ultimate destination! From dugongs to huge sharks, massive stingrays, majestic turtles, jellyfish, penguins, sea dragons, thousands of tropical fish, enormous crabs and more, you can experience it all at Sydney Sealife Aquarium this school holiday. The aquarium is like no other place, offering underwater views of sharks and other marine life, to exhibits of freshwater rivers, tropical North waters such as the impressive Great Barrier Reef exhibit and other amazing Australian coastline waterways - all without leaving the city.
Cost: from $15.40
When: Open 365 days a year - 9am to 8pm. Last entries are STRICTLY 7pm.
Where: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Tickets: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/tickets/
5. Madam Tussauds
Do you have older kids? Got teenagers? Then they'll love getting up close to their favourite stars and celebrities at Madam Tussauds wax museum at Darling Harbour! At the same time, they'll get to meet the identical likeness of famous historical figures and villains. Get your photo taken with your idols and other world famous figures, and see what it might be like if you were ever to come across these celebrities in real life!
Here's a short list of some of the wax celebrities you'll see: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Willis, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, Slim Dusty, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and more!
Cost: from $15.40
When: 9:00am to 8:00pm daily (last admission 7pm)
Where: Aquarium Wharf, (next to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium) Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW 2000
Tickets: http://www.madametussauds.com/Sydney/OldBuyTickets/Default.aspx#sthash.jQXnZPCD.dpuf
4. Luna Park Sydney
Want to have wacky, fun rides at an amusement park? Then check out Sydney's iconic Luna Park! There you'll find rides ranging from dodgem cars, giant ferris wheel, flying saucer spinning ride, tumble bug, giant slide called Devil's Drop, spinning spider, mirror maze, wonky walk, to the favourites wild mouse and tango train and much much more! They even have fun rides for the little ones: space shuttle, magic castle and whirly wheel!
Cost: Varies - see here for more info
http://www.lunaparksydney.com/buy-tickets
When: Varies - see here for more info
http://www.lunaparksydney.com/open-hours
Where: 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061, Australia
Tickets: http://www.lunaparksydney.com/buy-tickets
3. Powerhouse Museum
The little kids and the big kids will both love the Powerhouse Museum this school holidays! The museum is jam packed with activities and games for all ages. The Magic Garden is for 2-8 year olds and they'll get to fish in digital ponds and have loads of fun catching butterflies. For the older kids, experience what it's like to fly into space with the Zero Gravity Space Lab where you can experience the illusion of weightlessness!
Like to build stuff? Try the All-day Science Workshops where kids from ages 8-13 can be budding young scientists and engineers where they learn and play with activities designed around architecture. More into chemistry? Want to play with stuff that's slimy, explodes, oozes and sticks? Then Science On Show will sure to prove a hit where kids of any age can learn and play with substances that do weird and wacky things! A bonus for the parents - the museum has FREE WiFi throughout the venue and the cafe.
Cost: from $6.00 (Children under 4 go in free)
When: 10.00am – 5.00pm every day except Christmas Day.
Where: 500 Harris St, Ultimo (behind Chinatown and Darling Harbour)
Tickets: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/hours&charges.php
Kids Activities: http://play.powerhousemuseum.com/whats-on/
2. Sydney Tower Eye aka Sydney Centre Point Tower
If you're not afraid of heights and want to experience the ultimate views of Sydney, you can't go past The Sydney Tower Eye. Wow the kids and add a bit of fear factor with this amazing walk coupled with fantastic views of the city. With a range of tours and walks available, they have packages to suit those of the not-so-faint hearted to people who are afraid of heights. Try the Skywalk Tour where you'll be walking on glass, 268 metres above Sydney streets directly beneath your feet for a bird's-eye view of the bustling city below.
Cost: from $10.50
When: Open 364 days a year from 9am to 10:30pm (last entry STRICTLY 9pm)
Where: Corner of Pitt Street & Market Streets, Sydney 2000 Australia
Tickets: http://www.sydneytowereye.com.au/tickets/#single-visit
1. IMAX Theatre Sydney
If you're feeling cold and a bit lazy, but want to offer the kids a fun day while getting to sit down and enjoy something, then you can't go past watching a movie or a documentary at Sydney's IMAX Theatre - featuring the LARGEST screen
in the world! For the ultimate viewing experience, try a 3D show where objects in the screen seem to come to life right before your eyes. Pre-show ceiling lights also add an aura of amazement for the little ones as the ceiling mimics a clear twinkling night sky. Watch your favourite movie and relax for a family day out.
Cost: from $16.00
When: Monday - Sunday 9:30am to 10:00pm
Where: 31 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour NSW 2000, Australia
Tickets: http://www.imax.com.au/prices/
Need affordable, family-friendly accommodation close to all these top 8 attractions around Sydney?
Metro Hotels offer family-friendly comfortable hotel rooms and apartments around Sydney city that will keep you close these venues and major public transport hubs. So whether you're coming from interstate to Sydney or coming from overseas, we've got you covered!
Each hotel or serviced apartment is close to major train stations, buses or ferries. Because all four are situated in the city, there are plenty of taxis available to catch on the street. Our city also offers a free bus service (it's a completely green bus) that loops around the main streets of Sydney. Many of the attractions can be reached by foot from our hotels. Nearby there are also supermarkets, shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, medical centres and public toilets all within walking distance.
If you'd like to arrange a stay in a Metro Hotel or Apartment, here are some specials available for booking:
http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special
