By Ainsley Benbow
With the summer holidays being on the cusp of starting, the anticipation for lazy beach days, sunburnt Sundays, Christmas morning traditions with family and the promise for new adventures, are all waiting to unfold.
These coming relaxing weeks will surely be filled with lots of sleeping and at home time or even going on a holiday vacation - for a couple days, a week or even the whole summer holiday! Many people go away for these varying periods of time but for the large majority of people who only go away for a few days or weeks or not at all, we are at home most of the time (or maybe that is just me).
In my personal opinion, there is nothing better than relaxing at home on a summer day in front of the TV with a Zooper Dooper in my hands, however, doing this the entire holidays gets a bit boring and not a lot of fun. Holidays should be spent balancing the time between Netflix and chilling at home with spending time out and about with friends and family!
Sydney has a wide range of activities and things to do, and what better time to do it during the summer holidays where free time is literally our best friend. But sometimes it is hard to figure out what to do with places needing to be accessible for driving or public transport, not too far away, places that don’t need a lot of money and places to get involved with. I know we all love a good beach day and going to the mall, but there is so much more for Sydney to offer either inside or outside of shopping centres that many may not know about.
Here are some of the best places to see, interact with or even spend all your hard earned pocket money in Sydney that I’ve discovered for teenagers to enjoy this summer break instead of staying at home - perfect for creating memories, having fun and making the most of the sunny days ahead!
Escape Room Challenges
Test your problem-solving skills by booking an escape room experience in places throughout Sydney like Newtown, Darling Harbour, Macquarie or even at your local Strike Bowling where they also offer bowling, karaoke rooms, arcades and lazer tag. Working with friends and family, you can choose the experience you can to immerse yourself in and solve puzzles, riddles and finding clues to “escape” before the time runs out. This can include prison breaks, zombie apocalypse, murder mystery and many more.
360 Action Park
Located in Castle Hill, 360 Action Park, formerly known as Flip Out Castle Hill, is an indoor trampoline park with over 100 trampolines to never get bored with! Open everyday of the week, say hello to 2-story laser tag fun, smoke machines and other special effects, arcade games and ‘After Dark’ fun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights infused with dimmed lighting and blasting music.
You can visit their website here: https://360actionpark.au/, but if you are looking for somewhere else to go, there are also a number of other trampoline parks throughout Sydney just waiting to be explored.
Mini Golf at Holey Moley
Play a round of mini golf at one of Australia’s craziest and most unique venues offering features of pop culture references in films and tv shows. They are open all day and everyday for only $12 per person and is a great way to have fun with friends and family if in the area of shopping centre (where they usually are located) or looking to get highly competitive in an intensive round of mini golf.
Water Parks: Raging Waters or Jamberoo Action Park
Checked your weather app and its going to be a very hot week ahead… have a look at going to Raging Waters or Jamberoo Action Park! These amazing locations offer family-friendly and fun activities for hot days and thrill seekers!
Raging Waters is located in Prospect, NSW and is Sydney’s largest water park with over 40 sliders and attractions to create lifelong memories. It is possible to catch public transport to Raging Waters however is more time consuming compared to driving and may be an easier route especially when leaving all drenched and tired from a day of adrenaline-pumping slides.
If you were looking to travel a bit further out of Sydney, Jamberoo Action Park resides in Curramore, NSW, south of Sydney and has a variety of water slides, wave pools and action-packed rides. It is NSW’s largest family-owned and operated water theme park, catering to families, school groups and more.
*Both these locations also offer food and other services for a day of summer fun.
Art Gallery of NSW
Founded as ‘The New South Wales Academy of Art’ in 1872, the know ‘Art Gallery of NSW’ is the largest and most important public gallery in Sydney and Australia. With free admission, you are able to see Australian and international art across the campus which offers viewings of historical paintings, artworks, installations, dynamic designs and even viewings upon the Sydney Harbour. Open daily from 10am-5pm and Wednesdays until 10pm, the Art Gallery of NSW is a magnificent and highly significant place where you can interact and view the art captured between centuries of different cultures and perspectives. Bring a friend, your group or your family for a breathtaking experience in “Sydney’s must-see museum, where art, architecture and landscape connect” (Art Gallery NSW website).
Australian Museum
Open from 10am-5pm and Wednesdays until 9pm, the Australian Museum was founded in 1827 in Darlinghurst NSW where it continues to influence our society today with being Australia’s oldest museum having an expansive collection of zoology and anthropology. This is an amazing location which experiences the art of science, culture, nature and history, which includes immersive and visual displays for visitors to explore all 7 continents and materials from cultures of people throughout history and the world. The general admission is free for all adults, children and families which is very accommodating to all and also has a variety of food and activity options for people looking to get more involved.
It is important to note that there is no on-site parking however the nearest train stations are St James, Museum and Town Hall and if travelling by bus, there are stops near Town Hall or Hyde Park.
Laugh Inn (Newtown Hotel)
From just $7 or buying in person for $10, you can view the next big star and pro-comedian at the Open Mic Stand Up Comedy night, located on the top floor (cinema room) of the Newtown Hotel. Shows are every Wednesday at 9pm where you are able to discover a performers jokes and stories first hand - you are even able to try it out and sign up for yourself by putting your name in the bucket on the night and get 3-4min each to try out your own material, jokes and possible future career!
*Age limit not said or required so be sure to ask parental permission or seek other information if you are interested
The Rocks Markets and Glee Markets
Every weekend on Saturday (9am-1pm) and Sunday (10am-4pm), at Bondi Beach Public School, they have open-aired markets on school grounds with stalls filled with sustainable products, sweet treats, vintage jewellery, hidden treasures, local produce and more all within close range of “Sydney’s most polarising beach” scoring to Time Out magazine. They also have a large variety of other activities like pop-up yoga classes, live music and more to get involved with before, after or during the stalls.
Open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm, the Glebe Markets offer a range of stalls and activities including live music, homeware and crafts, vintage clothing, collectables, fashion and jewellery, fresh produce and much more. Check it out at Glebe Public School or for more information, look on their website linked above.
Discover unique products, art, craftsmanship and more at The Rocks Markets in Sydney at George St and Playfair St where you can walk around immersing yourself in live music, unforgettable culinary delights and clear skies in the summer holidays. Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, you are able to experience the waterfront markets full of local crafts and trinkets, and especially during Christmas time, the Markets are transformed into magical wonderlands of Christmas spirit and joy - the markets around Christmas time are longer hours on Saturday and Sunday as well as additional markets on Friday nights. Have a look at their website for more information and updates for the joyous festivities you can do with friends, family and others.
Open every weekend on Saturday and Sunday, the Manly Markets are located on Sydney Road in Manly, only 100m from the world famous Manly Beach and is easily accessible by ferry, bus, car, Uber and foot. From emerging designers to micro business, all of the stalls possess a passion for selling quality products with great attitudes allowing them to offer unique products including original art, eco-friendly items, artisan products, handcrafted jewelry and more. From 9am to 5pm, they are a great place to visit with friends and family when going to Manly beach for a swim and looking for something more to do, explore or spend money.
The Rozelle Collectors Markets are open every Saturday from 9am to 3pm which has been hosted in Rozelle Public School for over 20 years. With one of Sydney’s favourite outdoor second-hand and antique markets, these markets are complete with vintage fashion and home items as well as food vendors for friends and families of all sizes to explore the variety of all products within the stalls. They have parking available but is especially challenging on weekends however they offer a guide to getting to Rozelle from your suburb on their website.
Darling Harbour Fireworks
Want to see the sky light up in a blaze, colour, chemical masterpiece and magic… go and watch the fireworks at one of Sydney’s most famous waterfront locations known as Darling Harbour. What better way to eat dinner, walking around or purely just watching the night sky than seeing fireworks light up the night. Every Saturday night at 9pm, from anywhere along Darling Harbour’s edge, you can have a magical experience shared with friends and/or family in the city viewing these very fireworks.
Axe Throwing in Maniax
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush and something different, check out Maniax Axe throwing in Marrickville. With sessions starting at $25 per person and different timed sessions, this is a great way to try something new in a safe environment and have a good time - keep in mine that the minimum age to book is 11 years old and if you are under 18 years old you must be accompanied by and have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.
Taronga Zoo Sydney
From birds and snakes to tigers and even turtles, Taronga Zoo holds over 350 separate species in captivity for the public to see and sometimes even interact with. It is a staple piece within Sydney’s culture and identity by being on the harbourside, possessing beautiful views, and is a great place to see animals and walk around for the day. Opening at 9:30am and closing at 5pm everyday, the zoo has multiple activities and events spanning throughout the day including the classic seal show, tiger trek and Sky Safari which has transported more than 20 million passengers since its first installation in 1987.
Located in Mosman, the Taronga Zoo tickets are around $45 per person and separately offers food, beverages, souvenir shop and many more for a fun day trip to enjoy the animals, hot summer days and Sydney views.
Outdoor Cinema: Centennial Park or Bondi
Book in advance, bring your friends, blankets, lots of snacks (popcorn of course) and enjoy a movie under the stars at the Moonlight Cinema at either Centennial Park or Bondi. These pop-up cinemas are iconic to summers in Sydney and are a fun way to get out of the house for a night filled with laughter, memories and engaging fun with friends. You are able to book when you go with different nights having different movie options which include major new releases including Gladiator II, Barbie, Mean Girls, ELF, Home Alone and Wicked, all to be soaked up in the cool summer breeze. This is the perfect night activity and way to get involved in the spirit of Christmas during the holiday season.
Find out more about the specific dates, time and locations at these links for: Moonlight Cinema Centennial Park Sydney and The Sunset Cinema at Bondi (these are two separate companies so information about the Centennial Park cinema will not be on the Sunset Cinema website).
Queen Victoria Building
Filled with many cafes, amusements and places to shop, the Queen Victoria Building is filled with wonders, special to the Christmas break as within it, every year they have a big Christmas tree inside. This is a great place to buy Christmas presents, shop with friends in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and visit a historical monumental 5 level shopping centre which has been there since 1898. The mind blowing architecture and neighbouring buildings are breathtaking , capturing the essence of the time periods in which they were built.
If you are interesting in places to look around, shop and have a fun time in the city with friends and family, also check out ‘The Strand Arcade’ which similarly is a multileveled shopping centre fammed for its classy look and preserved 1891 style.
Beach Volleyball at Manly
Head over to Manly or Coogee Beach, where public volleyball nets are available for you to bring your ow ball and play some casual games with friends. This is a great way to get involved with physical activity and some fun competitive games with friends over the holidays and at the beach instead of purely tanning or… burning.
Macquarie Ice Rink
Want to show off your incredible skating skills, head over the Macquarie Ice Rink which, located in Macquarie Shopping Centre, is able to be easily accessed by metros, buses and car parks all in walking distance. The public skating centre opened in 1981 which has a variety of opening and closing hours throughout each day of the week for maintenance and cleaning but is easily viewed on their website or online in general. Incapsulate yourself in the winter Christmas spirit seen on your screens in the holiday movies and go for a skate with your friends or family during the holidays between the prices of $30-$12 (check out their website for price changes depending of age and days).
Dice Inn
Throughout Sydney there are lots of Board Game and Arcade Cafes to which I only realised were an actual thing when writing this article. Dice Inn is one of these cafes where on everyday of the week opening at 1pm and closing at 1am, you are able to have fun with friends and family playing games. Founded by boardgame enthusiasts, Sydney Dice Inn “focuses on the social joys of board gaming to enhance player happiness” (Dice Inn Website). Their beautiful decoration, cost-effective activities, comfortable environment, kind and considerate staff and diverse selections of board games accommodating to different cultures, languages and overall activities, makes this Cafe famous to the community of Sydney.
Check out their website here and if you are interested or in the area looking for some fun, their experience at 401/630 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Enjoy nature and want to get out and about, check out the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia’s oldest botanical garden and natural masterpiece. It is a heritage-listed major 30-hectare botanical garden and is completely free to walk around and spend a day picnicing or hanging out with friends. Its beautiful naturous experience and view of the Sydney Harbour has made it a staple-piece to Australian tourists and locals since its opening in 1816 and an incredible site to see especially during the summer season.
Go Karting at Moore Park
Want to test out your driving skills in an ultimate race of competition and fun, head over the Moore Park, NSW, where on Level 5 of the Entertainment Quarter carpark, you can check out Hyper Karting. Book a time and amount of people for a spin around the adult track (must be 140cm or taller), the mini track (people aged 3-8 - for younger siblings) or even virtual reality (ages 8 and up). Take a spin around Australia’s longest indoor electric go-karting track with friends or family on any day of the week where your dreams to start, improve or show off your driving can been displayed in a safe and professional environment.
Book in advance, check the location and opening times on their website linked here if you are interested: https://www.entertainmentquarter.com.au/venue/hyper-karting/
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