A relaxed 10-day itinerary for 12 across two of Australia's most iconic cities — designed for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between.
12 travellers, 10 days, 2 cities — here's who we are and where we're staying.
3 bed · 3 beds · 2.5 bath · ★ 4.88 · Rooftop pool · Free parking · Bay window with 180° harbour views. Steps from Darling Harbour.
View on Airbnb →Located in Pyrmont, close to the first apartment and walking distance to Darling Harbour. Perfect overflow for the group.
View on Airbnb →Docklands, Melbourne — waterfront location with easy tram access to the CBD, Queen Victoria Market, and laneways.
View on Airbnb →Second Docklands apartment for the rest of the group — close to the first Melbourne apartment for easy coordination.
View on Airbnb →22 – 26 March 2026 · 4 Nights
Noodle Face — Chinese dumplings and noodles, all under $20. Right next to the playground. Spago — Fresh pasta from $12.50, build-your-own option great for fussy kids. Betty's Burgers — Classic burgers from $9.90, kids love the frozen custard. Harry's Café de Wheels — Aussie meat pies from $7.90 if you want something quick.
Eat right here! Get a mixed seafood platter to share, or individual fish & chips for the kids. Budget about $15–25 per person. The bakery inside has great pies and coffee.
Pancakes on the Rocks — A Sydney institution, open late, huge menu for families. Mains $15–25. The Mercantile Hotel — Classic Aussie pub with kids' menu and outdoor seating. Ribs & Burgers — Hearty, casual, around $20–28 per main.
Running 14 March – 14 June 2026, this is Australia's largest free contemporary art event. Exhibition entry is free at all venues including the Art Gallery of NSW (walkable from the Botanic Garden), White Bay Power Station, and projections on the Opera House sails at night (Badu Gili). With 83 artists from 37 countries, there are large-scale installations, community performances, and food activations. Family-friendly programming runs on weekends. You'll literally walk past Biennale venues on your Day 2 route!
Running until 26 March at King Street Wharf (right by Darling Harbour). A pop-up with themed cocktails, gameplay experiences and social setups — fun for the adults in the evening while walking the harbour promenade. The kids may enjoy the vibe too!
The Pantry Manly — Beachfront café with ocean views, great for brunch/lunch. $18–28 per main. Manly Wharf Hotel — Pub with harbourside beer garden, kids' menu. Chica Bonita — Mexican, fun for families, around $15–22 per person.
With 3 young kids and 4 elderly members, we recommend spending the full day in Manly and skipping Bondi. The ferry ride alone is magical, and Manly's sheltered lagoon at Shelly Beach is perfect for little ones. Less rushing = happier holiday.
Doodee King (Darling Quarter) — Thai street food, massive bowls for $18–22. Order mild for kids. Nakano Darling — Japanese izakaya, karaage and gyoza from $14, great for sharing. Cook at home — Use your apartment kitchen! Grab supplies from the Fish Market earlier or Woolworths Darling Square.
Auvers Café (Darling Square) — Famous crab omelette breakfast, excellent coffee. $16–24. Edition Coffee Roasters (Steam Mill Lane) — Japanese-inspired brunch, soufflé pancakes. Great last meal in Sydney.
26 – 31 March 2026 · 5 Nights
Criniti's Docklands — Italian, big portions, right on the water, kid-friendly. $18–30 per main. Nando's / Grill'd — Reliable fast-casual options at Harbour Town Docklands. Or order delivery to the apartment — Melbourne's food delivery options are excellent.
American Doughnut Kitchen — Iconic jam donuts, $1 each, always a queue but worth it. The Borek Shop — Freshly made Turkish borek, spinach & cheese or lamb, around $6–8. Market Lane Coffee — Excellent flat whites. Grab supplies for an apartment dinner too — the produce is wonderful and affordable.
Lunch — Degraves Street: Grab a casual lunch at any of the laneway cafés. Expect $14–20 per person. Dinner — Stalactites (177 Lonsdale St): Melbourne institution for Greek food — generous portions, giros, kids' menu, open late. $16–25 per person. Or try Vapiano (Flinders Lane): build-your-own pasta, spacious, kid-friendly, $16–22.
Right next to Melbourne Museum is the Royal Exhibition Building — a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's stunning from the outside and free to admire. The Carlton Gardens surrounding both buildings are beautiful for a rest.
Lygon Street, Carlton — a 5-minute walk from the museum. Melbourne's "Little Italy" with dozens of Italian restaurants. DOC Espresso — excellent pizza and pasta, $16–24. Brunetti — famous Italian bakery and café, great for a sweet treat. Kids' portions are generous on Lygon St.
ShanDong MaMa (Chinatown) — Hand-pulled noodles and dumplings, around $14–18 per person. Shujinko (Chinatown) — Open late, authentic Japanese ramen, $16–20. Dodee Paidang (laneway off Little Bourke St) — Thai, generous portions, affordable, $15–22.
Pilgrim Bar (Federation Wharf, under Fed Square) — River views, all-day sharing menu, kids' meals available on request, beautiful setting. Riverland Bar (next door) — Casual, kids' menu, great views. $20–35 per person for a proper dinner. Maha (Bond St) — Middle Eastern fine-casual, incredible lamb shoulder for sharing, great for a group celebration. Budget $35–50pp but worth it for a special night.
Pick one from each pair — or skip them entirely for more rest days
Both are world-class zoos. The key question: would you rather go during your Sydney stay or your Melbourne stay?
Melbourne Zoo is the better choice for your group. The flat terrain is significantly easier with elderly members and young children. Free entry for kids under 16 on weekends saves money. And since you have more flex days in Melbourne, it fits the schedule better without sacrificing any must-see Sydney activities.
A dramatic mountain landscape versus a coastal wine-and-beach escape. Both are 1–1.5 hours from the city.
Mornington Peninsula edges it for your group. The flat, gentle terrain is much kinder to elderly members and small children than the Blue Mountains' steep stairs. You'd need to rent 2 cars (or a minivan) for the day, but the combination of beaches, a possible strawberry-picking farm visit, and a coastal fish & chips lunch makes for a wonderfully relaxed day out. If you're feeling indulgent, book a family session at Peninsula Hot Springs — a truly unique Australian experience.