Kids in Sydney
Expat kids living in Sydney have the best of both worlds: the city is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and residents have access to internationally acclaimed cultural experiences in restaurants, museums and theatres.
The beach lifestyle and mild climate mean kids in Sydney spend a great deal of time outdoors. If they’re not at the beach, kids hang out with their families at the local reserve, or they enjoy picnics cooked on one of the many public BBQs. Most suburbs have well equipped playgrounds every few blocks, so there's no time to waste sitting-still or vegetating indoors.
For parents who thrive in a city environment but want their kids to have an outdoor upbringing Sydney can tick all the boxes; northern and eastern beach suburbs are particularly family friendly.
As you’d expect from Australia’s most populated city, there is a broad range of education choices.
Day care and preschool places in the most popular suburbs get filled up quickly. It’s common to waitlist children years ahead of their required start date, so expat parents should attempt to enrol their kids well before their move.
For primary education, children can start school in January (the beginning of the academic year) if they are five or going to turn five before 31st July. It is not compulsory for children to start primary school until they are six.
Sydney suburbs tend to have public primary schools, as well as a local Catholic primary school. Catholic schools are fee paying but usually not as expensive as independent private schools; most accept some non-Catholic students. There are several other private or independent primary schools in Sydney including The International Grammar School and Inner Sydney Montessori School.
Public schools have catchment areas (zones) and it’s common for parents to select accommodation based on area in order to gain access to the best schools.
Suburbs feed into a local public high school, but kids are likely to enter ‘private’ or academically selective education for senior school. This might mean attending a Catholic high School, independent school or government run academically selective school. Well known government run academically selective high schools are Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools.
Kids in Sydney need costumes (swimsuits or swimmers) and a towel. Although the beach is the star attraction, it’s not the only option. Ocean Pools is a great place to
explore marine wildlife and is a safe place for younger children to swim. There are aquatic centres in most suburbs offering indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and swimming lessons.
To the west of Sydney’s city centre, Sydney Olympic Park has a broad range of activities including a swimming pool with water playground and whirlpool, bicycle and walking tracks, trapeze and archery lessons.
For a break from the sand and water there’s plenty to see and do; outdoor options include Centennial Park and Sydney Park – both have bicycle tracks, playgrounds, and a kiosk or café. Centennial Park has an extensive school holiday program.
Skate parks are also popular in Sydney; skateboard and scooter-mad kids will fit right in.
Stand out museums for children in Sydney include Australian Museum and The Powerhouse Museum. Wildlife lovers can’t get enough of Taronga Zoo, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. Most facilities offer annual passes that mean repeat visits cost a fraction of the price you’d pay by purchasing one-off tickets.
Sydney Opera House has an annual "Kid’s at the House" series of theatre and musical productions, including Babies Proms for children aged 2 to 5.
Moore Park Entertainment Quarter (EQ) has regular kids’ activities on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, including farm animals, rock climbing, and jumping castles. The EQ is also home to Hoyts IMAX cinema, which has regular kids’ sessions.
Café culture is big in Sydney, and kids frequently get their own menu at local restaurants. Fish and chips is a popular takeaway option.
In Sydney’s City Centre, China Town is a great place to head for a kid friendly meal. Yum Cha (lunch) usually served from 10am to 3pm, is a great experience for the whole family. Marigold Restaurant on George Street is highly recommended.
The beach lifestyle and mild climate mean kids in Sydney spend a great deal of time outdoors. If they’re not at the beach, kids hang out with their families at the local reserve, or they enjoy picnics cooked on one of the many public BBQs. Most suburbs have well equipped playgrounds every few blocks, so there's no time to waste sitting-still or vegetating indoors.For parents who thrive in a city environment but want their kids to have an outdoor upbringing Sydney can tick all the boxes; northern and eastern beach suburbs are particularly family friendly.
Education and schools for kids in Sydney
As you’d expect from Australia’s most populated city, there is a broad range of education choices.
Day care and preschool places in the most popular suburbs get filled up quickly. It’s common to waitlist children years ahead of their required start date, so expat parents should attempt to enrol their kids well before their move.
For primary education, children can start school in January (the beginning of the academic year) if they are five or going to turn five before 31st July. It is not compulsory for children to start primary school until they are six.
Sydney suburbs tend to have public primary schools, as well as a local Catholic primary school. Catholic schools are fee paying but usually not as expensive as independent private schools; most accept some non-Catholic students. There are several other private or independent primary schools in Sydney including The International Grammar School and Inner Sydney Montessori School.
Public schools have catchment areas (zones) and it’s common for parents to select accommodation based on area in order to gain access to the best schools.
Suburbs feed into a local public high school, but kids are likely to enter ‘private’ or academically selective education for senior school. This might mean attending a Catholic high School, independent school or government run academically selective school. Well known government run academically selective high schools are Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools.
Out and about for kids in Sydney
Kids in Sydney need costumes (swimsuits or swimmers) and a towel. Although the beach is the star attraction, it’s not the only option. Ocean Pools is a great place to
explore marine wildlife and is a safe place for younger children to swim. There are aquatic centres in most suburbs offering indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and swimming lessons.To the west of Sydney’s city centre, Sydney Olympic Park has a broad range of activities including a swimming pool with water playground and whirlpool, bicycle and walking tracks, trapeze and archery lessons.
For a break from the sand and water there’s plenty to see and do; outdoor options include Centennial Park and Sydney Park – both have bicycle tracks, playgrounds, and a kiosk or café. Centennial Park has an extensive school holiday program.
Skate parks are also popular in Sydney; skateboard and scooter-mad kids will fit right in.
Arts and entertainment for kids in Sydney
Stand out museums for children in Sydney include Australian Museum and The Powerhouse Museum. Wildlife lovers can’t get enough of Taronga Zoo, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. Most facilities offer annual passes that mean repeat visits cost a fraction of the price you’d pay by purchasing one-off tickets.
Sydney Opera House has an annual "Kid’s at the House" series of theatre and musical productions, including Babies Proms for children aged 2 to 5.
Moore Park Entertainment Quarter (EQ) has regular kids’ activities on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, including farm animals, rock climbing, and jumping castles. The EQ is also home to Hoyts IMAX cinema, which has regular kids’ sessions.
Dining out with kids in Sydney
Café culture is big in Sydney, and kids frequently get their own menu at local restaurants. Fish and chips is a popular takeaway option.
In Sydney’s City Centre, China Town is a great place to head for a kid friendly meal. Yum Cha (lunch) usually served from 10am to 3pm, is a great experience for the whole family. Marigold Restaurant on George Street is highly recommended.
