THINGS TO DO WITH TEENAGERS IN SYDNEY

So you’re coming to Sydney with teenagers, let me and mine show you some cool things to do!

I’ve divided this list into sections, it’s got pretty big so here’s a list you can click around.

Outdoor Activities

Learn to surf

This is de rigeur for summer visitors, indeed surf lessons are available all year round.

Read this post where we describe the best three surf schools in Sydney.

Learn to scuba dive

Teenagers aged 12+ can learn to scuba dive in Sydney. There are Discover Scuba half day lessons plus PADI Open Water courses over two days.

At Manly I can recommend Dive Centre Manly, my son has dived with them.

At Bondi there is Dive Centre Bondi.

Other well known companies are Pro Dive and Expedition Dive.

Sydney has some excellent scuba diving, I’ve seen seahorses and a million different fish and rays.

Snorkel at the ocean or Harbour beaches

Ah, there are so many great spots to snorkel. Bring or buy mask, fins and snorkels and check out these top spots to snorkel:

Shelly Beach, Manly

Little Manly Cove, Manly

Clovelly Beach and Pool, Eastern Suburbs

Gordon’s Bay, Eastern Suburbs

Parsley Bay, Eastern Suburbs

Skypeak Adventures

Located in the west of Sydney, accessible by car or public transport is an urban climbing adventure. Check out the video and then the website is below. If you have younger kids too there are courses for them.

Skypeak website here.

Sydney’s Best Walks

If your teenagers enjoy walking, these are the de rigeur Sydney walks to try:

Across the Harbour Bridge 1km each way (written for people with little kids, but all the info you need is there)

Bondi to Coogee 6km return (marvellous views and so many cool cafes)

Manly Scenic Walk 10km one way (brilliant, fab views and cafes at each end, little beaches to explore too.)

Kayaking + Stand Up Paddle Board

Kayak or enjoy SUP in the Harbour from Manly or from The Spit Bridge, more info on these websites.

Manly Kayak Centre (kayak over for a picnic at Store Beach)

Sydney Harbour Kayaks at Spit Bridge

Sydney Bike Tours

Bike with a guide and safely enjoy a fresh air way to see the Sydney sights, with expert commentary.

Check out Sydney Bike Tours here.

Beaches, Baths and Ocean Swimming

Ah, so many great places to choose from…. we love the rock pools and beaches of the Northern Beaches, Bondi and its famous Icebergs pool, Manly and all its little secret beaches nearby.

Read through our fave beaches here.

If you are a good swimmer and are keen to do some ocean swimming in a group, read all about The Bold and The Beautiful Swim Squad, Manly.

Tree Tops Adventure Parks

There are several terrific tree climbing experiences to be enjoyed in Sydney, read about two places here.

Tree Top Adventure Park, Western Sydney

Tree Top Adventure Park, The Hills Cumberland State Forest

Bridgeclimb

Climbing the Harbour Bridge is an iconic Sydney adventure, read about my visit to celebrate a son’s 16th birthday here.

But BridgeClimb is expensive ++, so you might prefer just to walk over the Bridge and visit the Pylon Lookout.

Cables Wake Park

Read all about this wake boarding park in Western Sydney here. The post is aimed at people with kids but you’ll get the picture and the info you need.

Wet n Wild

Sydney’s largest water park is far out to the west and makes a great day trip.

Read all about Wet ‘n’ Wild here.

There are also water slides at Manly, just three but they’re fun for a couple of hours of sliding.

Monster Skate park

There’s a huge skate park at Sydney Olympic Park, but it’s currently closed due to damage. Check the Monster Skate Park website to see if it is open again.

Tours and Touristy Things

See a wide selection of great Sydney tours here. It’s a great idea to buy some multipass tickets to attractions.

There are ones we highly recommend:

Sydney Aquarium or Manly Oceanworld: do the Shark Dive

Sydney Tower Eye; do the scary Skywalk

Taronga Zoo: do the Wild Ropes course

Madame Tussauds

Sydney Jetboats

Sydney Heli-Tours

The Rocks Ghost Tours

Hop On Hop Off Bus

Check out the best Sydney Sydney tours and tickets here.

Luna Park Sydney

Totally not to be missed if you enjoy theme parks, visit early or late to avoid huge crows though. Right on the Harbour, visit after a walk across the bridge, have a swim at North Sydney Olympic Pool afterwards.

Indoor Activities

Shopping

Here’s a list of places to explore if shopping is your thing.

The Queen Victoria Building – deluxe boutiques
Birkenhead Point, huge centre full of outlet stores, catch the Shopper Hopper ferry from the city.
The Strand Arcade – same
Pitt Street Mall – the big stores
King Street, Newtown – edgy, groovy bars, cafes and shops
Glebe Point Road – same
Darling Street, Balmain – trendy and groovy shops and cafes
Oxford Street, Paddington – upmarket boutiques and stores

Markets

Cinemas

Shows: Music, Theatre and the Arts

Check Time Out Sydney What’s On This Week to see who’s playing where, when and with whom.

It’s always great to know what’s on at Sydney Opera House too, click here.

Escape Hunt Australia

There are escape rooms in the centre of Sydney. I can’t stand them myself but teens seem to love the challenge!

Sydney Escape Hunt website here.

Carriageworks

The old railway yards in Redfern are now a multi-arts space with a bar and cafe.

Carriageworks website here

Skyzone

Skyzone is a rather amazing indoor trampoline park in Alexandria. There’s a splendid climbing area too.

Read a kids-eye view of Skyzone and see photos on our post here.

Skyzone website is here.

iFly

iFly is an indoor skydiving centre in Western Sydney. We’ve posted a childs-eye view of iFly here.

Check out the iFly Downunder website here.