Kids Friendly Sydney Travel Guide: Where to Stay with Kids – AirAsia Move

Planning a family trip to Sydney can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. There are flights to book, luggage to manage, transport to plan and, of course, kids to keep entertained along the way.

For creator Peeja, better known on Instagram as @eatsybitsyayden, and her family, travelling to Sydney with AirAsia MOVE and staying at Novotel Sydney City Centre made the trip feel easier from the very beginning. During their 5 day, 4 night stay, the family explored Sydney’s famous harbour, kid friendly attractions, parks, wildlife experiences and city sights, all while using the hotel as a comfortable central base.

If you are planning a Sydney holiday with kids, here are Peeja’s top things to consider before booking your stay.

1. Choose a Hotel in a Convenient Sydney Location

When travelling with kids, location matters. A central hotel can make the whole trip smoother, especially when your itinerary includes sightseeing, meals, public transport and downtime.

For Peeja, Novotel Sydney City Centre was the right choice because it made getting around Sydney simple. The hotel is close to Wynyard Station, which gives families easy access to trains, the light rail and key areas across the city.

This helped the family spend less time worrying about travel logistics and more time enjoying Sydney together.

From Novotel Sydney City Centre, families can easily explore areas such as Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and the wider CBD. For international travellers, this kind of central location can make a big difference, especially on a first visit.

2. Make Airport Access Easy

One of Peeja’s biggest travel tips for families is to think about airport access before booking a hotel.

After an international flight, travelling with kids and luggage can be tiring. That is why direct airport train access was a major benefit for Peeja and her family. From Sydney Airport, families can take the train into the city and arrive close to Novotel Sydney City Centre without needing a complicated transfer.

For parents, this helps reduce stress on both arrival and departure days. It also means you can start your Sydney holiday with less rushing and more ease.

3. Keep the First Day Simple

It can be tempting to plan too much on the first day. However, Peeja recommends keeping arrival day light, especially after a long flight.

After arriving in Sydney, the family made their way to Novotel Sydney City Centre, dropped off their luggage and enjoyed an easy first day around the city. Their day included lunch around Haymarket, time at Darling Quarter Playground, hotel check in, a refresh in the room and a sunset walk around Darling Harbour.

This is a helpful reminder for families visiting Sydney. You do not need to do everything straight away. A central stay allows you to settle in, find food nearby and still enjoy a relaxed city experience.

4. Stay Close to Public Transport and Walkable Attractions

Sydney is a great city to explore by public transport, ferry and on foot. For families, this works best when the hotel is close to major transport connections.

During Peeja’s stay, easy access to trains, light rail and walkable city spots made each day more manageable. The family could move around without overthinking every detail.

This was especially useful for visiting kid friendly attractions such as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. It also made it easier to enjoy ferry rides, which became part of the family experience.

For kids, public transport can be more than just a way to get around. Ferries, trains and city walks can become part of the adventure.

5. Plan Kid Friendly Sydney Activities

Sydney has plenty of activities that work well for families. Peeja’s itinerary included a mix of animal encounters, harbour views, outdoor moments and iconic attractions.

Some of the family friendly highlights included:

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium for sharks, penguins, jellyfish and sea life displays.

Taronga Zoo for Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and other animals.

Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House for classic harbour views and family photos.

Luna Park for a fun stop at one of Sydney’s most recognisable family attractions.

Darling Harbour and Darling Quarter Playground for open space and easy kid friendly time.

Royal Botanic Garden and Hyde Park for slower outdoor moments.

Australian Museum for a short family visit before departure.

Bondi Beach for a final Sydney coastal experience.

For first time visitors, this mix gives families a good balance of iconic Sydney sights and activities that children can enjoy.

6. Add a Day Trip If You Have Enough Time

If you are staying in Sydney for more than a few days, a day trip can be a memorable part of the holiday.

Peeja’s family included a Blue Mountains day trip in their itinerary, with time at Scenic World, Echo Point, the Three Sisters and Leura Village.

This is a bigger day out, so it is best suited for families who have enough time and energy. For a shorter Sydney trip, staying within the city may feel easier. However, for a 5 day itinerary, the Blue Mountains can add a beautiful nature experience beyond the city.

7. Look for Comfort and Value

For families, a hotel needs to be more than just a place to sleep. It needs to feel comfortable, practical and easy after a full day out.

Peeja described Novotel Sydney City Centre as value for money without sacrificing comfort. For her family, the value came from both the hotel experience and the convenience of the location.

After long days exploring Sydney, the room gave the family a simple place to rest, reset and get ready for the next day. This mattered during a 5 day, 4 night stay, especially when travelling with children.

8. Consider Family Friendly Dining Options

Food is another important part of travelling with kids. Staying somewhere central can make dining much easier, especially after a long day.

For Peeja and her family, having walkable food options nearby was helpful. They also appreciated halal meat dining options available at Birdie Bar & Brasserie, located at Novotel Sydney City Centre.

For international families, this kind of convenience can make a stay feel more comfortable and considered.

9. Do Not Overpack the Itinerary

Peeja’s biggest advice for families visiting Sydney with kids is to keep the itinerary simple.

Sydney may look easy to cover on a map, but travel time with kids can take longer than expected. Breaks, meals, playground time and slower moments are all part of the trip.

Instead of trying to do everything, focus on a few key experiences each day. Mix bigger attractions with relaxed walks, ferry rides, parks and time to rest.

This helps the whole family enjoy Sydney without feeling rushed.

A Simple 5 Day Sydney Family Itinerary

Here is a simplified version of Peeja’s Sydney itinerary for families planning their first visit.

Day 1: Arrival and Easy City Exploring

Arrive in Sydney and travel into the city.

Drop off luggage at Novotel Sydney City Centre.

Enjoy lunch around Haymarket.

Visit Darling Quarter Playground.

Check in and freshen up at the hotel.

Take a sunset walk around Darling Harbour.

Day 2: Animal Encounters and Ferry Rides

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

Take a ferry towards Taronga Zoo.

See Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and wallabies.

Enjoy an easy dinner around Darling Harbour.

Day 3: Blue Mountains Day Trip

Travel to the Blue Mountains.

Visit Scenic World.

See Echo Point and the Three Sisters.

Stop by Leura Village.

Return to Sydney for dinner near the hotel.

Day 4: Sydney Icons and City Sightseeing

Visit Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.

Enjoy a slow walk along the waterfront.

Stop by the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Take a ferry to Milsons Point.

Visit Luna Park.

End the day with a Hyde Park walk.

Day 5: Slow Morning Before Departure

Check out and store luggage at the hotel.

Visit the Royal Botanic Garden.

Stop by the Australian Museum.

Head to Bondi Beach for a final Sydney moment.

Return to the hotel and continue to the airport.

Why Novotel Sydney City Centre Works for Families

Novotel Sydney City Centre is a great choice for families visiting Sydney because it makes the trip easier. The hotel’s central location, access to Wynyard Station, direct airport train connection, nearby dining and comfortable rooms all help reduce travel stress.

For international families, this means more time enjoying Sydney and less time managing complicated logistics.

As Peeja from @eatsybitsyayden shared from her own family experience, staying central helped her family explore Sydney with more ease, comfort and flexibility.

Plan Your Sydney Family Stay

Whether you are visiting Sydney for the first time or planning a return family holiday, Novotel Sydney City Centre places you close to transport, dining, harbour attractions and some of the city’s best kid friendly experiences.

Book your next Sydney family stay at Novotel Sydney City Centre and discover how easy a city holiday with kids can be.