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6 Reasons Why Sydney Should Be Your Next Family Holiday

This inspirational article is a part of the collaboration between Traveloka and Destination New South Wales (NSW).

Beautiful and different Sydney - a destination complete with stunning beaches, award-winning restaurants and bars, and world-class arts and culture venues. For generations, the capital of New South Wales has been a family favorite for many reasons, with it's relatively close proximity to Jakarta, no language barriers, and a plethora of activities happening every year.

Whether staying at a trendy boutique hotel like the Ovolo Woolloomooloo or the Paramount House Hotel with your cool teen; modern historic properties such as The Fullerton Hotel Sydney or QT Sydney for multi-generational travelers; or a wide selection of serviced apartments, the city has a wide variety of accommodations for all family sizes and styles. A well-connected public transport system and available car rentals also make transportation easy.

Now that you know the basics, here are six reasons why Sydney should be your next family vacation destination.

1. Stunning walking tracks with breath-taking views

A short but fun walk for the whole family is the Bondi to Coogee walk, which stretches for 6 km and features scenic views such as ancient rock pools, beaches, gardens and cliffs. This trek is also suitable for whale watching during the months between May and November. Travelers can also opt for the Bondi to Manly route which passes some of Harborside's most spectacular coastline and suburbs. This stunning 80 km long walking trail rich in pristine natural beauty takes between 4 to 7 days to walk. Highlights of this itinerary include the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, one of Sydney's most beautiful coastal walks, and Reef Beach, which is home to Aboriginal ancestral burial sites and rock carvings.

2. The best nooks and crannies to shop for unique artisanal treasures

Foley Street in Darlinghurst is a must-see for travelers looking for locally made souvenirs that will be a reminder of their stay in Sydney for years to come. A prime example is Studio Enti, a ceramics shop that sells elegant but sturdy porcelain tableware and accessories made with local materials such as Australian porcelain – a fun place for adults to explore. Teens can also take a quick trip to Spunky Bruiser for quirky and eclectic fashion that their friends are sure to envy.

3. Unforgettable road trips out of the city

Road trips are the ideal family vacation experience, especially when traveling with young children. Sydney is surrounded by several stunning regional destinations within hours of driving. To enjoy nature's beauty, the Blue Mountains can be reached in 90 minutes by car - perfect for those planning a short trip out of town. The Greater Blue Mountains is a World Heritage listed area known for its unique plants, wildlife and dramatic scenery. Soak up aboriginal history when you make your way to Echo Point to take in the views, or bask among the vibrant flora and fauna of the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.

Alternatively, a road trip along the famous Grand Pacific Drive would be a great option for the more adventurous traveler to take. The first stop on this coastal journey from Sydney to Kiama is at the Royal National Park - here you can take a hike to Little Marley Beach for beautiful ocean views. When you reach Kiama, don't forget to stop by and see the Kiama Blowhole, the world's largest blowhole! From Kiama, follow the route to spectacular Jervis Bay and see dolphins on a boat cruise, before continuing on to Narooma for an unforgettable swim with seals off Montague Island.

4. Amazing nature and wildlife encounters

Witnessing the beauty of Australia's native wildlife will be one of the most memorable experiences of any trip to Sydney. Stay at the elegant Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat, overlooking sensational Sydney Harbor with your kids, and surrounded by Australian flora and fauna. You can even book one of the Animal View rooms, and wake up to koalas and roaming wildlife right outside your window. The resort also offers animal viewing tours and free access to the zoo.

Take a trip down and marvel at Sydney's marine ecosystem at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. The aquarium has many immersive zones to keep the kids entertained such as the Penguin Expedition, Shark Walk & Shark Valley and Dugong Island - where kids will get to get up close and personal with adorable animals like Pig the Dugong as well as Dave, Chong and Myrtle, the turtles -cute sea turtle in the aquarium.

If you're interested in going a step further, you'll find that the NSW region has so much to offer. Let the kids try their hand at horse and pony rides in Glenworth Valley, where you can also stop for a one-night camping trip under the stars. If you have adventurous kids, take them on ATVs over the soaring sand dunes of Port Stephens –– you can even surf the sand waves and do a little sandboarding, who says you need snow?

5. Family-friendly cafes and Instagrammable hot spots

Sydney is Instagram heaven with plenty of aesthetic cafes and quirky places that are perfect to liven up any teen's Instagram feed. After all, as they say – no photos mean nothing really happened. Our top pick is The Grounds of Alexandria, a leafy green haven built to be a heritage factory as full of aesthetics as their food. For families with young children, the cafe even has an animal farm where they can experience cuddling and feeding adorable goats and pigs. Black Star Pastry is also one to add to the list – try their popular Strawberry Watermelon cake, which is one of the most popular sweet treats on Instagram. If you want something unique, stop by Speedos Café on Bondi Beach. This popular cafe was voted the 'Most Instagramable Cafe' in the world by travel magazine Big Seven Travel, and it's easy to see why by looking at their colorful collection of desserts that are sure to be able to spice up your feed for a long time to come. Adventurous Instagram users can also venture outside the central business district to check out The Boathouse located on Sydney's beautiful Balmoral Beach or Baby Coffee Co in Waterloo complete with pink interior and rainbow-like desserts - yummy! Food aside, you should also take a trip to the Hornby Lighthouse, the iconic lighthouse with vertical red stripes that would make a lovely backdrop for your #OOTD, and don't forget to check out the Bronte Bath Viewpoint for magnificent coastline views.

6. Beautiful family farm and fruit picking activity

For a technology-free getaway that immerses you in the best of Sydney's countryside, we recommend getting away from the city for a few nights at some of the most beautiful family farm stays the region has to offer. Drive 90 minutes to Picton NSW and make Mowbray Park Farmstay your own home. They organize various activities such as horseback riding, bush dancing, boomerang throwing, cattle feeding, cow milking and egg collecting. Additional information –– this farm stay even has a Kids' Club so weary parents can get the rest they need.

Get your kids interested in eating fresh fruit as you pick fruit in Sydney's best orchards. Depending on the season of the year, you will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of fruits from apples, oranges and pears to peaches, nectarines, persimmons, limes and lemons. We recommend heading to Glenbernie Orchard, just an hour from Sydney, where kids can pick baskets of apples at The Apple Shack while adults sample a selection of cider and honey from the orchard itself.

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