Pine Cone

For people with primary school and toddler age kids, who aren't into weekend sports, how do you spend your leisure time in Sydney? Where do you go, how much does it cost and how crowded does it get?

We'll be doing a few months of some serious hard saving once we've moved, to recoup the moving costs. I'm looking for activities and family annual passes that will allow us to get out and about every weekend without any additional expenses except for transport.

So far I've seen the Merlin Pass ( http://www.merlinannualpass.com.au/ ) which seemed to good for a few places we might want to visit more than once.

Taronga Zoo has been recommended to me also, but joining the Zoo is quite expensive, so is it worth it? Is it somewhere kids would like to visit quite often or is it a once per year trip?

Anywhere else?

I'm going to miss the Waitakere Ranges outside Auckland. Which national parks around Sydney are worth visiting regularly, and which end up with major traffic congestion at the weekend? I can see that you need to get an annual parking/driving permit for some of them, or pay each time you visit.

Lastly, the best museums?

Pine Cone

Surely someone out there has some suggestions? I doubt you all spend every weekend sat in front of a computer on BE.....

spottydog

I don't have kids but my friends that do tend to look at free things at the weekend like a day at the beach or in one of the forests. A number also go away camping for weekends.

Personally I love the zoo but it is expensive.

NickyC

Families can go anywhere within the public transport system (buses, trains, light rail or ferries) for $2.50 per person on Sundays. Kids under 4 are free. You can cover a different beach, park, river, bush walk, suburb etc each weekend. No parking problems and excellent value.
http://my.sydney.com/Family_Funday_Sunday_p3480.aspx

carolinephillips

This is excellent value- especially if you use it to explore different areas of Sydney. The ferry ride to Manly from Circular Quay is a must do.