If you’re a Sydney migrant like me, you’ll likely have the parents visit once or twice a year, causing you to wrack your brains trying to think of things to do with them.
If you’re also like me, you’ve probably ticked off all the obvious activities: Taronga Zoo, done. Captain Cook Cruises of Sydney Harbour, done. The ferry to Manly, well in my case not done, as I still haven’t been able to convince Mum that crossing the Heads is not akin to passing Cape Horn.
You’ve also ticked off Palm Beach and the Blue Mountains, and now you’re well and truly scraping at the bottom of the Tim Tam packet for things to do when your parents visit Sydney.
We’ll I’ve got some new tried and tested ideas:
Dinner at the Sydney Tower Buffet
I haven’t been able to accomplish the impossible and get Mum on the Manly ferry, but somehow I defied the odds and got her to the top of the tallest structure in Sydney. Go me!
On level 85 of the Sydney Tower, there’s a buffet-style dining experience that’s just perfect for visiting parentals. I mean it’s so touristy with its gaudy gold ‘80s interior, but the views make up for the cheese.
The panorama of the city, harbour and out to the Blue Mountains is just epic, while the food’s not terrible either. But, the best bit? With 55 dishes, covering everything from seafood, sushi and salads to Asian, Mexican and Italian, there’s enough choice to keep the fussiest of dads happy.
Prices vary from $60–$85, depending on what time of day and week you’re visiting. And be prepared, you’re on a stopwatch. You have 90 minutes to travel the sky lift, place a drinks order, enjoy some entrees, get disoriented and lose your table, pile up your plate with mains, get lost again and then scoff down as many desserts as you can before your 90 minutes is up. Even the revolving restaurant moves fast, sprinting you around the city, so you can soak up your full 360-degrees worth of views.
Image credit: Destination NSW
Visit Hyde Park Barracks Museum
If you look at the bustling, wealthy streets of modern day Sydney, it’s hard to imagine that they once crawled with shackled convicts doing hard labour, with no SPF. That’s more burnt Brits than a sunny day at Bondi.
But, you can get a peak back on this era at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. And parents eat this historical stuff up for breakfast. I also found it quite interesting.
The barracks were originally built in 1817 to house male convicts arriving in Port Jackson. The building is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and tells the story of Sydney’s early convict years. The steps are worn, the stories pull at the heart strings and the ghosts are definitely real.
You can visit single admission, or roll your entry up into a Sydney Museums Pass for $24, giving you access to 12 museums and historic houses, and a Bachelor of Sydney History in the process. On the list of places you can visit is the Museum of Sydney, The Mint and Vaucluse House.
High tea at somewhere very Sydney
Of course, if you’re visiting Vaucluse House, you have to take Mum to the Vaucluse House Tearooms for high tea.
Other great spots in Sydney for scones, smoked salmon finger sandwiches and a glass of breakfast bubbly include Gunners’ Barracks in Mosman, The Tea Room QVB and The Langham Sydney.
Go behind the scenes at Sydney Aquarium
Ok Sydney Aquarium isn’t really all that an inventive idea. But if you combine your Darling Harbour visit with one of the exclusive behind the scenes aquarium experiences on offer, this can be a unique day out.
You can put your parents on a glass bottom boat cruise of the Great Barrier Reef exhibit or get them out on the ice in the penguin arena. Although the Shark Dive Xtreme experience might be a little extreme.
Alternatively, you can just channel your inner childhood and hide between your Mum’s legs walking through Shark Valley, scream when you see Nemo or insist Dad purchases you a gift shop toy that you’ll never play with.
A lunch cruise on the Hawkesbury River
On Mum and Dad’s last visit to Sydney, we did a lunch cruise on the Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler, which I think was a success. I mean it packages up history, views, Baby Boomer-era music and a home-cooked BBQ lunch – how could it not be a hit with the folks? Plus there’s a senior’s discount.
Departing from the historic river town of Windsor, the paddlewheeler travels downstream towards Wilberforce, and back, in a sedate and leisurely manner, allowing us non-Sydneysiders to see a different angle of the city. The town is also a cute place to traipse through afterwards, full of history and markets.
Alternatively, you can also explore the other end of the Hawkesbury River. Next parent visit we will be doing the 4.5-hour Palm Beach River Cruise, travelling from Palm Beach to Bobbin Head in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, and back. Get excited Mum and Dad!
Follow the scenic Grand Pacific Drive
If your parents don’t like walking, this one’s a winner. Starting in the Royal National Park and heading south, this driving route takes in 140 kilometres of luscious rainforest, gorgeous coastal scenery and cliff top views.
You’ll drive past Bald Hill Lookout where hordes of bad asses are hang-gliding off the cliff. You’ll also cross the Sea Cliff Bridge (you know the bridge that snakes over the water and has been in every car commercial ever made).
Stop for lunch in Wollongong. I recommend Ziggy’s House of Nomms (dumplings), Bombora Seafood (for seafood and views) or Caveau (for fancy fine dining, and preferably when the parents are paying). Then head on to the coastal town of Kiama and visit its infamous blowhole, before moseying on back to Sydney.
