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A sizzling summer of family fun is just around the corner, so we’re revealing our favourite Sydney-based activities – and we promise these won’t break the bank! In fact, many of these summer holiday must-dos are free.

Western Sydney Parklands is a treasure trove of attractions that tick off every family member’s bucket list – from the adventurous to the laid-back. And there’s something that works with every budget – because let’s be honest, after Christmas and next year’s school book lists, things can be pretty tight!

Let’s dip our toes in these 7 budget-friendly things to do in Sydney this summer, so we can dive straight in as soon as the school bell rings!

Psst … make sure you check out the amazing giveaway to win a summer of fun at the end of this article!

7 Budget-Friendly Things To Do With Your Family In Sydney This Summer

The summer school holidays are all about slapping on the sunscreen and heading out to enjoy the incredible weather with our families. And there’s no better place to do it than in Sydney’s Biggest Backyard – Western Sydney Parklands. The incredible variety of activities, coupled with great value for money means it’s the perfect location for your family’s summer break.

Get out the calendar, it’s time to plan out your family’s (affordable) summer of fun!

Sydney Zoo

Western Sydney Parklands

Childhood memories are made at the zoo, and this summer a visit to the Sydney Zoo should be on your to-do list! A beautifully designed zoo with incredible habitats, you’ll be visiting exotic and native species in welcoming open spaces. With more than 4000 animals (including Sydney’s only rhino!) there’s also the opportunity to get up close and personal with a few of the more cuddly critters.

Sydney Motorsport Park

Western Sydney Parklands

We did say there’s a wide variety of things to do, and we meant it! For the big and little rev-heads in the family a visit to Sydney Motorsport Park will be a day they won’t forget. It’s Sydney’s only permanent racetrack and is home to the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct.

Calmsley Hill City Farm

Western Sydney Parklands

The summer school holidays are the perfect time to spend a day getting up close and personal with the farmyard and native animals that call Calmsley Hill City Farm their home. From cow milking to animal feeding, strolling through the kangaroo wildlife sanctuary and a tractor ride, there’s lots to do!

And you can bring your own picnic lunch or use the free electric BBQs making it a great, affordable day out.

Raging Waters Sydney

Western Sydney Parklands

Hot, sticky days call for somewhere to cool off, and there’s nowhere better to make a splash than Raging Waters Sydney. With more than 40 slides and attractions that cater for the whole family, there’ll be no time to think about the heat!

Treetops Adventure

Western Sydney Parklands

For those who prefer a bit more time with their head in the clouds, Treetops Adventure Western Sydney is the ultimate way to fuel your adrenaline while spending time in nature.

With more than 100 aerial obstacles in the Tree Ropes Course and one of the world’s fastest Zipcoasters, it’s a thrill a minute.

Sydney Dragway

Western Sydney Parklands

Consider the boredom officially busted after planning a trip to Sydney Dragway. With weekly off street events and more than 150 events throughout the year, there’s bound to be an action-packed race to enjoy. And there’s also the chance for non-professional drivers to race their own car or motorbike.

FREE family fun

Western Sydney Parklands

We did mention we had a few free things to do, and we haven’t let you down. From incredible bushwalks (gentle and a little more challenging) to sublime picnic areas and parks, the Wylde MTB & BMX, dog runs, Urban Farms and lookouts, you can fill your days with all sorts of free family fun.

And to make sure your visits to Western Sydney Parklands are even more value-packed, there are some great special deals running over the summer including:

  • Calmsley Hill City Farm: 15% discount on entry to Calmsley Hill City Farm with code: comeandplay

Come, Play And WIN!

Western Sydney Parklands

Here’s your chance to WIN accommodation and entry to some of Sydney’s biggest and best attractions at Western Sydney Parklands, worth over $3000!

Win one of three prizes below:

Adventure prize

  • Fastrack V8 Hot Lap at Sydney Motorsport Park
  • Family pass to Sydney Zoo
  • Overnight Accommodation for 2 Adults + 2 Kids at Atura Blacktown Hotel
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast at Roadhouse Bar & Grill for 2 Adults + 2 Kids (kids eat free for breakfast).
  • One day passes to Raging Waters Sydney for 2 Adults + 2 Kids.
  • General entry admission tickets for Wednesday night Street Meet at Sydney Dragway

Family prize

  • Family pass to Sydney Zoo
  • $200 voucher to Treetops Adventures
  • 2 x passes to School Holiday programs at Western Sydney Parklands
  • Family pass to Raging Waters Sydney

Escape prize

  • Family pass to Sydney Zoo
  • Overnight Accommodation for 2 Adults in Atura Blacktown Hotel’s King Entertainer room + 1pm late check-out
  • Welcome drink for two at Roadhouse Bar
  • Dessert in Roadhouse Restaurant
  • Daily Buffet Breakfast at Roadhouse Bar & Grill for 2 Adults
  • 2x ARDC Enthusiast Plus Membership with Sydney Motorsport Park
  • Yoga in Nature Class at Western Sydney Parklands

To enter, click here

ENTER NOW (1)

 

So what are you waiting for? Come and play at Western Sydney Parklands this summer!

  • We need one of these lists for each area. It’s hard to find things that are budget friendly especially when you have more than one child. It gets expensive very quickly. Even going somewhere for a picnic can add up when you have to pay for parking which seems to be a thing now.

    Reply

  • Fantastic holiday things to do that you have listed there. Such a pity it is all Sydney oriented. I do hope that moms will be able to organise similar things for those of us who live elsewhere such as in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth or even Darwin. We also love participating in these sorts of holiday packages.

    Reply

  • Looks like some fantastic holiday ideas there! They are all things that I haven’t actually done before and I used to live in Newcastle. I would be excited to try out the new Raging Waters and the Calmsley Farm looks super cute! I also didn’t realise that Sydney Zoo was so big- we’ve always gone to Taronga. It would be amazing to win one of the prizes!

    Reply

  • Thank you for the comment below about capped prices for travel; it is incredibly good to have that knowledge for trips and travel to Sydney. It is such a good place to explore and to find interesting and new activities to do and places to visit with the family during the warmer months of the year.

    Reply

  • There is so much to to in Sydney and train, ferry and bus fares are often cheaper on weekends and capped so that you can travel very cheaply.

    Reply

  • Thank you for providing a good list of some things to do in Sydney. I do hope lists for other states and territories and places will be posted too; such a valuable resource to have on hand for the upcoming Summer holidays. There are some fun activities on the list.

    Reply

  • All these activities look like alot of family fun, some are a tad on the costly side, once you add in extras. Over all, a good compiled list of a activities for the family to do together in Sydney. Remember to take ear protection for the kids at the drag strip.

    Reply

  • Sydney has a lot to offer indeed and we did many of these things whilst living in Sydney.
    There are nice offers like combo passes : Whereby you can visit all 4 of these great Sydney attractions for the one low price. WILD LIFE Sydney, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds Sydney! The pass is valid for 60 days from your first visit, giving you freedom and flexibility on your holiday. Price includes one admission into each attraction.
    We also did a full year pass for 4 attractions so you an re visit throughout the year

    Reply

  • I’m not sure I’d call the zoo “budget friendly”, but it’s certainly a great place to visit.

    Reply

  • Some great places there. Calmsley Hill City Farm is a must. I haben’t tried Raging Waters as yet but I’m sure I’ll have to . It ooks amazing. That competition at the bottom is very exciting.

    Reply

  • What fun activities! I love the zoo there. I’ve been looking up what toddler friendly fun things there are to do on the sunny coast while my husband as holidays right now. It’s getting hectic trying to drive anywhere and need a plan to get the bub out of the house haha

    Reply

  • We love Sydney! We often travel up via train to make it even more fun for the kids. We love how there is always something going on in and around around Darling Harbour and most times the activities are free. We certainly get our steps in for the day when we are there!

    Reply

  • There are some really great ideas for those visiting Sydney or live in Sydney. It would be great if an article could be shared for all states as this is really helpful for those looking for activities. If i lived closer, I would have loved to have done a few of these activities.

    Reply

  • Sydney is our favourite family day out, we often catch the train up and spend the day roaming around at the hundreds of free things to do in and around Sydney. Our kids will pick this if we give them the choice of picking a day out. Love school holidays too, so much fun things and often free!

    Reply

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