During school holidays, many of Sydney’s top hotels offer special family packages that add genuine value to your stay – think breakfast included, late checkouts, and kids’ activity packs. As a Sydney local who’s tested numerous staycation spots with my own family, I’ve carefully evaluated which packages offer real value and which activities are worth your time. Here’s my practical guide to turning your school holiday into a proper break – without the hassle of airports or long car trips.
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Get in quick as these offers are usually pretty popular. Please note these details are correct at the time of publication, but availability may change, so head to the hotel’s website to confirm.
A staycation can be just as memorable and rejuvenating as travelling far and wide; you just need to choose a deal and start planning your days out.
Let’s explore the best areas for family staycations in Sydney, starting with the entertainment hub of Darling Harbour. Each location offers unique advantages, and I’ll show you how to combine comfortable accommodation with budget-friendly activities to create memorable experiences without breaking the bank.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour makes an excellent base for families, particularly those with younger children. The area’s compact layout means you can walk between major attractions in under 10 minutes, and there’s no shortage of spots to rest or grab a meal when kids need a break. With free playgrounds, harbourside walks, and multiple family-friendly attractions, you can easily fill several days without travelling far.
You can forget about transport logistics and focus on enjoying your time together.
Free Activities:
- Darling Harbour Playground – A modern play space with climbing frames, water games and slides. Best for ages 3-12. Allow 1-2 hours.
- Chinese Garden of Friendship – Entry fee applies but kids under 12 are free. School holiday programs often include origami and traditional games. The koi feeding (10am daily) is always popular.
Paid Attractions:
Monkey Baa Theatre – Professional theatre for young audiences. Shows priced from $25. Book ahead as school holiday performances usually sell out.
Australian Maritime Museum – Free entry to main galleries. Extra cost for submarine and vessel tours. School holiday workshops run most days (booking essential).
Merlin Entertainment Pass – Covers SEA LIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds. Save 30% by booking online at least 24 hours ahead.
Hotels in Darling Harbour that are perfect for families
There are several family friendly hotels in Darling Harbour, but it can be hard to get a school holiday deal here. So far we have only uncovered one….
Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites
Oaks have three properties in Sydney, but their Goldsborough Apartments are the closest to Darling Harbour. The apartments are a generous size and the complex has an indoor swimming pool, perfect for winter.
They have a stay two nights and get 30% off deal that you can find directly on their website.
Sydney City
The city centre combines iconic attractions with plenty of free activities, making it perfect for families watching their budget. Staying at a city hotel means you can easily return to your room between activities – essential when travelling with kids of different ages. Here’s what I suggest for each age group:
For Little Ones (2-6):
- Royal Botanic Garden treasure hunts and duck spotting
- The Australian Museum
- Cook and Phillip Park indoor pool
For Primary Schoolers (7-12):
- Sydney’s Museums of History are all free. Visit Hyde Park Barracks for colonial history, the Justice and Police Museum for fascinating crime stories, or Susannah Place Museum in the Rocks for a glimpse of early Sydney life.
- Walk across the Harbour Bridge and climb the Eastern Pylon. For a bigger adventure, BridgeClimb Sydney offers school holiday deals.
- Explore the harbour on the Captain Cook hop-on-hop-off ferry or join a harbour cruise.
For Teens:
- Shopping at QVB and Pitt Street Mall
- Luna Park thrills – from the latest Stranger Things experience to classic rides
- Photography walks across the Harbour Bridge and around Circular Quay
A city-based hotel lets you easily return to your room between activities – essential for managing energy levels with younger children.
City Hotels with Family Packages
Pullman Sydney Hyde Park – SEA LIFE Family Package
Perfect for families who want to combine city convenience with aquatic adventure. This package includes:
- Overnight accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Parking included
- Welcome surprise in your room
- SEA LIFE Aquarium tickets for the whole familyFrom $399 per night. Book directly here
Available for stays until December 31, 2025
The Porter House Hotel Sydney – MGallery Easter Special
Perfect for larger families needing more space:
- 50% off your second room
- Kids eat free
- Central CBD location near major attractions
Book directly here
Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
Perfect for families wanting a harbourside base with plenty of indoor entertainment options. The M-Passport Family Package includes:
- Buffet breakfast at Silvester’s restaurant for 2 adults and 2 children under 12
- Kids’ welcome pack with DIY cupcake box
- $50 food and beverage credit per night
- Late check-out at 12:00pm
- Access to indoor swimming pool
- 24-hour in-room dining service
From $329 per night – Book Now
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
The Sheraton Retreat package is perfect for the whole family. Keep the kids entertained at the indoor rooftop heated pool, while you enjoy the sunshine from a lounger on the terrace. Planning to stay over the weekend?
The Sheraton Retreat package includes:
- Daily buffet Breakfast for two
- 2 Welcome drink vouchers per stay
- Self-parking for one car
- Access to the indoor rooftop heated poolFrom $309 per night. Book directly
For families seeking something more adventurous than a traditional hotel stay, Cockatoo Island offers a unique harbour experience that combines comfort with outdoor fun.
Cockatoo Island
Cockatoo Island offers the perfect “starter camping” experience for families – all the fun of sleeping under the stars, but with proper bathrooms, hot showers and a cafe nearby! Whether you’re new to camping or an experienced outdoor family, this is a fun overnight or weekend escape.
You will find:
- Ready-set-up tents with beds and bedding
- Clean, modern bathroom facilities
- Full camp kitchen with BBQs
- Fire pit for marshmallow toasting
- Camp cinema for evening entertainment
What to Bring:
- Swimming gear for daytime activities
- Your own food or pre-order a BBQ pack
- Warm clothes (the harbour gets chilly at night)
- Torches for evening walks
Spend some time exploring the historic site, or just relax and toast some marshmallows.
While Cockatoo Island offers a taste of harbour life, heading west to Parramatta provides families with a different perspective of Sydney, combining rich history with modern entertainment.
Parramatta
Parramatta has transformed into one of Sydney’s most family-friendly destinations, offering a perfect mix of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences and modern entertainment. What makes it especially appealing for families is the combination of wide open spaces and urban amenities, plus it’s typically less crowded than the city centre during school holidays.
Here’s how to make the most of your Parramatta stay:
Outdoor Adventures:
- Lake Parramatta Bushland – This hidden gem offers three marked walking tracks ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, perfect for testing your kids’ hiking legs. The indigenous foods garden provides a great opportunity to teach children about bush tucker.
- Parramatta Park Playgrounds – Two major playgrounds cater to different age groups: Domain Creek Playground for younger children with its water play area, and Paperbark Playground for more adventurous climbers.
Cultural Experiences:
- Old Government House – Australia’s oldest public building comes alive during school holidays with colonial dress-ups and traditional games.
- Riverside Theatre – Book ahead for their school holiday programs, which often include interactive performances where kids can meet the cast afterward.
Modern Entertainment:
- Westfield Parramatta keeps teens happy with the latest fashion brands and a modern cinema complex.
- Church Street’s ‘Eat Street’ has become notably family-friendly, with many restaurants offering kids-eat-free deals during school holidays.
Check out our detailed guide of things to do in Parramatta for ideas.
School Holiday Packages at Novotel Sydney Parramatta
Check in to the Novotel Sydney Parramatta with one of several packages to entice the whole family, including an in-room glamping set-up, kids’ high tea, and their Play Time In Parramatta special offer, where kids always eat free at the buffet breakfast.
It’s Par-Tea Time
- Overnight Accommodation
- In Room High Tea (selection of hot chocolate or milkshakes per stay)
- Glamping pack (kids’ tepee and activity packs)
- Buffet Breakfast
Stay from $289
Playtime in Parramatta
- A delicious high tea
- Tea and coffee selection
- Glass or sparkling or fresh juice on arrival
- Price: $59 per adult, $29 per adult (aged 12 and below)
Available on weekends only from 11am to 2pm.
Just a short distance from Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park transforms a sporting legacy into an active family playground. This vast precinct offers unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Sydney.
Olympic Park
Olympic Park is Sydney’s ultimate destination for active families and sports enthusiasts. This precinct offers something unique: world-class sporting facilities that your kids can actually use, not just watch others using. It’s also surprisingly peaceful outside event days, with extensive parklands and cycling paths.
Active Adventures:
- Swimming sessions at the Olympic pool where Ian Thorpe won gold
- Try archery at the Olympic Archery Centre (equipment provided)
- Join beginner gymnastics sessions in world-class facilities.
- Test your skills at the disc golf course.
- Bike riding on 35km of dedicated paths
Special Events:
- Major sporting matches at Stadium Australia
- School holiday spectaculars like Disney on Ice
- Regular sports clinics run by professional athletes
Nature Breaks:
- Badu Mangroves boardwalk for bird watching
- Bicentennial Park’s peaceful gardens
- Shipwreck lookout for something different
Olympic Park Hotels – Easter Show Special Packages
Pullman Sydney Olympic Park – Easter Show Package 2025
Perfect for families wanting to experience the Royal Easter Show (April 11-22, 2025):
- Overnight accommodation
- Breakfast at Bacar Restaurant
- Royal Easter Show entry tickets
- Just 3 minutes walk to Show entrance
- Optional Champagne and Oyster add-on at Bacar Restaurant
From $429 for one adult and one child. Book directly or call (+61) 2 87621700
Standard School Holiday Package
Both Novotel and Pullman offer:
- Overnight accommodation in Superior twin room (2 adults and 2 kids)
- Breakfast for the family
- Welcome gift for kids
- Complimentary Aquatic Centre tickets
- Access to Novotel’s Kids Zone
- Discounted parking ($25 per night)From $339 at Novotel or $439 at Pullman
Get the full details and pricing for Novotel from $339 or the Pullman from $439
Quick Tips for Booking Your Sydney Staycation
- Book directly with hotels for the best package deals.
- Consider mid-week stays for better rates.
- Check attraction websites for combo tickets that can save you money.
- Look for hotels that include breakfast – it makes mornings much easier with kids.
- Choose locations near public transport to avoid parking costs.
Each of these areas offers something unique:
- Olympic Park: Perfect for active families and sports fanso pack your enthusiasm and get ready to discover the gems hiding in your own backyard.
- Darling Harbour: Best for families who love being in the heart of the action
- City Centre: Perfect for mixing culture with entertainment
- Cockatoo Island: Ideal for adventurous families seeking something different
- Parramatta: Great for combining history with modern amenities
Need more ideas – Check out our full School Holiday Guide for fun things to do.
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