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Australia's Lifestyle and Culture - Tourism Australia

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From laid-back attitudes to a love of nature, the Australian way of life is one of a kind. Delve into the fundamentals of the Aussie lifestyle.

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There are so many interesting animals in Australia! Four out of five animals that live in Australia only can be found there.

Australia is a megadiverse country and is home to an extraordinarily high amount of plant and animal species.

Among the endemic animal species - species that can only be found in Australia - are the monotremes, which are mammals that lay eggs! The platypus and two species of echidna are the world's only egg-laying mammals, so called monotremes.

Australia has almost 400 mammal species and about 140 species of marsupials. A marsupial is an animal that carries the young in her pouch.

Half of the birds that live in Australia, can only be found there. Among the typical Australian bird species are the kookaburra, the emu and the rainbow lorikeet, an especially colourful parrot which has a red beak and a multicolour plumage.

15 Animals in Australia you should know about

Koala

Koalas are marsupials. This means that they are mammals that carry their young in a pouch. They look like cute bears but koalas are definitely not bears!

Koalas live in eucalypt forests along the eastern coastline of Australia. They are fragile animals but grow up to 80 cm/ 2.2 ft in height and weigh only about 14 kg/ 31 lbs. Baby koalas are called 'joeys' and hide in their mothers' pouch for the first six months. Koalas eat lots of eucalyptus leaves (1 kg/ 2.2 lbs per day) and sleep up to 20 hours!

Dingo | Animals in Australia

Dingos are the biggest carnivorous mammals in Australia. Carnivorous means meat-eating. They can be found all over Australia except for Tasmania although they mainly live in the country's outback. A dingo looks similar to a domestic dog, but has a longer muzzle, larger pointed ears and sharper teeth. It has a brown furry coat and bushy tail.

Dingos are wild dogs that feed mainly on small animals. Dingos stay alone, but during mating season the dingo is known to mingle with other wild dogs and to hunt in packs of three to twelve animals.

Kangaroo

There are about 50 million kangaroos living in Australia, that means there are many more kangaroos than people living in Australia! There are 55 different species of kangaroos.

Wallabies are usually smaller than kangaroos but kangaroos come in all sizes. Some weigh only little and are tiny, others weigh up to 90 kg/ 198 lbs. In many rural areas, kangaroos roam in the bushland. One of the best places to experience kangaroos is Pebbly Beach, a four-hour-drive south of Sydney.

Platypus

The platypus is one of the monotremes. The egg-lying animal lives along the river banks in burrows. The platypus has a brown furry body and webbed feet. With a bill like a duck as well as a tail like a beaver it looks truly unique. A platypus can grow up to 60 cm/ 2 ft in length.

Platypus are very shy animals and quickly hide underwater if approached. If they are attacked and cannot flee, however, they inject venom through spurs in their hind legs. The venom is so strong it can kill a dog!

Australia Animals | Echidna

Animals in Australia: The echidna is also a monotreme which only grows up to 40 - 50 cm/ 1.4 ft in length and weighs about 5 - 6 kg/ 11 - 13 lbs.

The echidna has spines on the body, which thus is covered with a prickly coat similar to a porcupine or a hedgehog. The monotreme has a long sticky tongue and eats mainly insects. When frightened, the echidna rolls into a small ball to protect itself.

Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil is an endangered animal and can only be encountered in the wild on the island of Tasmania off the southern coast of Australia. The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial and carries its young in its pouch.

Tasmanian devils are marsupials and carry up to four young. The young live in the pouch for up to four month.

The black coated animal is as tall as a small dog, but very shy and the Tasmanian devil is nocturnal. Nocturnal means the animal is active during the night. Tasmanian devils are the largest carnivorous marsupials and have powerful jaws and teeth.

Animals in Australia
Kookaburra

This bird is the world's largest kingfisher bird and grows up to 46 cm/ 18 inches from beak to tail! The kookaburra is known for its chuckling voice which sounds like human laughter. Laughing kookaburras can be easily heard and thus easily be spotted. Click to listen to the kookaburra's call here.

Wombat

Another one of the native animals to Australia is the wombat. This burrowing animal can get really heavy and can weigh up to 36 kg/ 80 lbs. This is as much as a 10-year-old child weighs!

Wombats can quite commonly be spotted in the Blue Mountains National Park near Sydney. Wombats feed on grasses, tips of shrubs and bushes.

Animals in Australia: Emu

The emu is the tallest bird in Australia. It reaches up to 2 m/ 6.5 ft in hight and can run really fast, with speeds up to 50 kmh/ 31 mph. However, emus cannot fly, just like an ostrich. Emus have a varied diet: they feed on grasses and leaves, fruits and insects.

The emus are flightless birds that defend themselves with strong powerful kicks. Their name comes from the Portuguese word ' ema ' which means large bird.

Cassowary

The cassowary is the heaviest flightless bird in Australia. A cassowary has black feathers on the body, but the neck and face is colourful. Cassowaries have a very low frequency call which almost cannot be heard by humans.

The cassowary has a casque, a sponge-like helmet which is covered with keratin. Keratin is the material our fingernails are made of. The cassowary is the most dangerous bird in the world as it has the most powerful kick. The foot has three toes with a dagger-like claw. The cassowary can run and swim very fast, so it easily can escape any dangerous situations.

Sydney Funnel-Web Spider

Animals in Australia: The Sydney funnel-web spider is the world's deadliest spider. The funnel-web spider injects a deadly venom whenever it bites and death occurs within an hour. However, an anti-venom has been developed and for more than 30 years there has been no fatality.

Australians are very aware of the danger of being bitten by a funnel-web spider, so they take precautions when hiking in the bushland or working in the garden.

The big black spiders are hairless and the spider web looks like a massive funnel - therefore it is hard to miss! The webs can be spotted between logs and rocks along the Sydney coastline.

Australian Box Jellyfish

The Australian box jellyfish is the most venomous marine animal. The jellyfish with a box-like shape has long tentacles that inject poison when touched. The dangerous tentacles are up to 3 m/ 10 ft long.

These jellyfish can swim in contrary to most other jellyfish that can only float. So make sure to stay out of the water if there are warning signs during jellyfish season in summer.

Animals in Australia
Crocodiles

Crocodile Dundee told us about them in his adventures and we all know that there are crocodiles in Australia.

Two crocodile species can be found on the Australian continent. The freshwater crocodile which only can be found in Australia and the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. Both can actually live in freshwater and saltwater. The saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest reptiles. Salties, as saltwater crocodiles are referred to by many Australians, grow up to 6 m/ 20 ft long and weigh up to one tonne.

When waiting for prey, crocodiles can remain completely motionless for as long as an hour. When hunting, they lie either half-submerged in water or hide underwater. They can hold their breath for about one hour and have transparent eyelids, so they can see their prey even when underwater.

Great White Shark

Along Australia's coastline there are about 5,500 great white sharks. Great white sharks are not the largest shark species in the world, but certainly impressive. They can become massive, up to 7 m/ 23 ft in length - this is almost half the length of a basketball court!

Once a shark is fully fed, it can live without food for three month without any further meal.

Sharks follow the vibrations in water when sourcing for prey. They have a very good sense of smell and can also detect the scent of blood from about 4.8 km/ 3 miles away.

Animals in Australia
Australian Coastal Taipan

Some of the world's most venomous snakes such as the coastal taipan can be found in Australia. Other dangerous Australian snakes are the inland taipan and the tiger snake.

The coastal taipan grows up to 4 m/ 13 ft in length. However, don't worry too much about encountering snakes in the wild. Snakes like to be left alone and they usually only attack when feeling threatened.

Did you know...?

Animals in Australia: Less people die every year from snake bites or shark attacks in Australia than from bee stings!
Correction: Many Thanks to Kristen Robinson from Australia!
There are no poisonous snakes in Australia. Australian snakes are known for their dangerous bites and they hardly ever spit (such as African cobras!). Australian snakes are thus venomous.

Venomous: If you get bitten or stung, then this is venom.

Poisonous: If you eat, like, swallow, inhale or absorb a dangerous substance through your skin, this is poison. If u can die when you touch it, the object is poisonous (such as a poison dart frog)
Resource: Stephanie Root. "Venomous versus poisonous." US National Park Service. 18 July 2018. Last accessed 28 February 2023
Popular Pages

Resources | Animals in Australia

Australian Koala Foundation. "Interesting Facts About Koalas". SaveTheKoala. Last accessed 28 February 2023

New South Wales Government. "Platypus and other native animals in Australia". NSW Government. Last accessed 28 February 2023

Wildlife Alliance. "The Cassowary". San Diego Zoo. Last accessed 28 February 2023

Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife. "Tasmanian Devil". ParksTasmania. Last accessed 28 February 2023

Shannon Verhagen. "World's Deadliest Spider: The Funnel Web." Australian Geographic. 13 February 2017. Last accessed 28 February 2023

Gemma Chilton. "Welcome to Croc Country." Australia Geographic. 29 March 2016. Last accessed 28 February 2023

National Ocean Service. "Australian Box Jellyfish". . Last accessed 28 February 2023

Allie Metz. "Guide to Australia's Animals". Tourism Australia. Last accessed 28 February 2023

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Animals in Australia | Australian Animals you should know | Wildlife

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There are so many interesting animals in Australia! Kangaroo, platypus and koala are the best known Australian animals. Which other animals do you know?

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Aussie Cuisine Kids will Love

Don't miss out on these tasty Australian food for kids to try on your family vacation. Australians love their food! You will find restaurants offering cuisine from around the world.

The usual fast food restaurants are also commonly found. There are many family friendly restaurants and cafes in the cities and some delicious sea side eateries offering fresh seafood.

Most famous is the Ozzie BBQ! Walking around residential area you will undoubtedly smell the BBQ going! This is a very popular way to eat especially in the summer months. Many parks and beaches have free BBQ facilities-so pick up some shrimp and meats for your own family feast at the local grocery store.

Lots of traditional Aussie food has its roots in the UK. Popular Australian food for kids to sample includes the Aussie meat pie which can be found at most local cafes or bakeries. Fillings include steak, mince or chicken and are always served with tomato sauce (ketchup)!

Traveling to Australia? Read more here!

Our Favorites!

More Australian Food Kids Love!

Try a Pie Floater which is a meat pie floating in a thick green pea soup. Mint sauce and tomato sauce can be added.

Roast Dinner is also a popular choice and you will find even food courts in the malls will have a roast dinner outlet! Roast beef, lamb or chicken served with roast or baked potatoes, vegetables and smothered in gravy make a delicious meal for your family.

Fish-n-Chips is another popular food in Australia and there is a chippy in every suburb. Lots of people grab it to go and eat at the beach! The kids will love this.

Lamingtons are the traditional Aussie dessert of choice here-a sponge cake with chocolate icing covered in coconut. All kids like this one!

Vegemite is a paste made from yeast extract. It is very popular on toast, in sandwiches or with crackers. It has a salty taste and is dark brown in color. You buy it in a jar like jam! This makes a great souvenir to bring home.

Wedges are of course not a truly Australian dish, but these spiced potato wedges are served at lots of restaurants and cafes. My kids couldn't get enough of them. They are served with a variety of dipping sauces including aioli and sweet chili. Makes a great snack!

Fresh Seafood dishes are popular at the local restaurants. Oysters, fish, and shell fish are commonly served. With such a huge coastline-you will find plenty of tasty fresh seafood entrées.

Australian Fruit makes a great snack for the kids. Check out the local markets for the fruit that is in season. Mangoes, cherries, papayas and pineapples will make a great treat.

Want to learn more about Australian food facts for kids? Download the Fly it Quiet Australia Travel Guide for kids full of cultural activities and Australia country facts and games!

For more Australian foods, read more here!

More World Foods Kids Love
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Australian Food For Kids - Delicious Cuisine from Down Under!

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Don't miss out on these tasty Australian food for kids to try on your family vacation. Australians love their food! You will find restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. The usual fast food restaurants are also commonly found. There are many family friendly restaurants and cafes in the cities and some delicious sea side eateries offering fresh seafood.

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Written by Karen Hastings
Dec 23, 2019

We may earn a commission from affiliate links ()

One of the world's most beautiful cities, Sydney is crammed with kid-friendly cultural attractions and outdoor adventures. Near the city center, the waterfront pedestrian precinct of Darling Harbour features a dizzying array of family attractions, including an aquarium, IMAX theaters, and harbor jet boat rides.

Hop aboard a ferry to see the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from a new perspective. Better still, older kids can climb to the top of the bridge for spectacular harbor views, while kids of all ages can zoom to the top of Sydney Tower, the city's tallest building.

A short ferry ride from the CBD, kids can come face to face with a friendly cast of animals at Taronga Zoo, explore interactive exhibits at world-class museums, and ride a Ferris wheel at a 1930s-style amusement park. Horseback riding, trapeze lessons, "Rapid River" pools, and beaches round out all the fun.

Depending on the timing of your visit, the city hosts a fun calendar of festivals and events; favorites are the Royal Easter Show in March and the Festival of Sydney in January.

Finally, if you plan to explore the city on a Sunday with the kids, check out the good-value Family Funday Sunday fares, which offer unlimited travel on most public transport routes throughout the city. For more ideas, read our list of the top things to do in Sydney with kids.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

1. Spend a Day at Darling Harbour

If you're looking for things to do in the city with kids, it's hard to beat Darling Harbour. It's a one-stop wonderland of kid-friendly fun.

In addition to shops, restaurants, exhibitions, and entertainment venues, this waterfront pedestrian precinct, about a 10-minute walk from the city center, is packed with family-friendly attractions. Highlights include the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, which takes you on a journey through Australia's different ecosystems; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, with the world's largest collection of Australian marine creatures, including the platypus and dugong; Madame Tussaud's; and the Australian National Maritime Museum, where kids can learn about Australia's seafaring history and board a replica of Captain Cook's ship, the HMS Endeavor.

Other top tourist attractions here are the 9D theater and IMAX theater with the world's largest cinema screen, as well as Laser Skirmish, bowling, harbor jet boat rides, simulated flights, and racing car adventures.

Little ones will love the playground with swings, slides, sandpits, and ziplines, as well as the water park, and if you're looking for more things to do with toddlers in Sydney, make a beeline for Darling Harbour's new Caterpillar Lane interactive play area with digital displays, climbing equipment, a soft toy play area, and light projection games.

After all the excitement, you can take the kids for a peaceful stroll through the Chinese Garden of Friendship, replete with willows and koi ponds.

2. Come Face to Face with Kangaroos at Taronga Zoo

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Taronga is a zoo with a spectacular view. Kids love the collection of more than 4,000 animals here, including native Aussie wildlife, such as kangaroos, emus, bilbies, and koalas, as well as exotic species like lions, tigers, black rhinos, lemurs, Asian elephants, and western lowland gorillas.

When little legs get tired from wandering around all the exhibits, you can relax and enjoy some of the live shows, including the popular free-flight bird show and seal show. For a bird's-eye view of the animals, hop aboard the Sky Safari, or tire the kids out at the Wild Ropes climbing course with suspension bridges and ziplines.

Another kid-focused exhibit is Backyard to Bush with a playground and water-play area, interactive displays, a farmyard barn, and a garden filled with fragrant plants.

For an extra fee, budding zoologists can also enjoy close-up encounters with some of the animals, such as reptiles and giraffes, which you can book upon arrival.

Buses to the zoo depart from Wynyard in the city center. Even better, kids will love catching a ferry from Circular Quay (about 12 minutes).

Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales

Official site: http://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo

3. Ride a Roller Coaster at Luna Park Sydney

"Just for fun" is the slogan of this iconic 1930s amusement park, which sits on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, and it delivers on this promise for kids of all ages.

Overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, the park reopened in 2004 after a rocky history, with revamped rides and new additions, and some of its buildings now sit on the State Heritage Register.

Little ones will love attractions like the restored Ferris wheel, the carousel, the Whirly Wheel, and the Mirror Maze. Older kids love the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, the Rotor, Devil's Drop, and Tango Train, and Coney Island is always a favorite.

Sideshow games, dodgem cars, and cotton candy add to the festive old-time atmosphere. Ticket prices are based on the height of your child, as this will determine the appropriate rides, but entry to the park is free if you plan to sit out; a bonus for vertigo-challenged parents.

Address: 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.lunaparksydney.com/

4. Build a Sand Castle at Balmoral Beach

Sydney is famous for its beautiful beaches, and Balmoral, on the north side of the city, is one of the most kid-friendly of all the city's golden shores.

Since this is a harbor beach, the water is calm and perfect for pint-sized paddlers, and netted pools provide peace of mind. Kids can snorkel, learn to sail, dig in the sand, or kayak in the calm waters.

If you want to explore the area with older kids, you can follow the easy walking trail from Balmoral Beach to Chowder Bay with beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and the headlands, or you can walk the footbridge to Rocky Point.

Take a picnic lunch or relax at one of the cafés along the Esplanade. Parking can be a challenge here, so it's a good idea to arrive earlier in the day.

5. Zoom to the Top of the Sydney Tower Eye

At Sydney Tower Eye, kids can zoom up to the top of the city's tallest building and see spectacular 360-degree views of the city. At 309-meters high, this distinctive spire-topped tower in the city center, above the Centrepoint shopping mall, offers panoramic views all the way to Blue Mountains National Park.

Tickets include a 4D cinematic tour of the city, with special effects, as well as access to the observation deck, with high-powered binoculars and interactive touch-screen panels, so kids can learn all about the Sydney landmarks visible from the tower.

For an extra fee, kids aged eight years and older can try the exhilarating SKYWALK, an outdoor glass platform perched 260 meters above the city (more than twice the height of the harbor bridge), but they must don a special suit and harness and be accompanied by an adult.

After your adventure, you can refuel at one of the tower's revolving restaurants or the café.

Address: 100 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.sydneytowereye.com.au/

6. Climb or Cruise by the Sydney Harbor Bridge

A trip to Sydney isn't complete without a close-up view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the city's icons. A great way to see this 134-meter-high engineering feat with young kids is to hop aboard a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, Mosman, or Taronga Zoo and view the bridge from the harbor.

Catching a ferry from Luna Park or McMahons Point takes you directly beneath the bridge, and for a more historical experience, you can also hop aboard an 1850s-style tall ship.

Children eight years and older, and taller than 120 centimeters have another exciting option: They can climb the bridge on a guided ascent, one of Australia's top outdoor adventures. Included in the climb is a prep talk, safety gear, a photo at the summit, and fascinating stories about the history of the bridge during the climb. Standing at the top overlooking the sparkling harbor is an experience kids will remember forever.

7. Join a Junior Tour of the Opera House

When children think of Sydney, no doubt the Opera House comes to mind, but a visit here doesn't have to be all about the adults. The venue hosts a fantastic kids program, with performances such as Storytime Ballet, children's musicals, and toddler-friendly shows.

In Australian school holidays, kids can join a Junior Tour of this architectural wonder, which was designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon. During the tour, kids become "Opera House experts" and enjoy interactive activities and games, dressing up in some of the performers costumes, and learning about special features of the building.

Family packages are also available during school holidays and include a junior tour, discounted show tickets, and lunch at one of the family-friendly restaurants here.

Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney, New South Wales

8. Swim, Bike & Soar on a Trapeze at Sydney Olympic Park

Trapeze at Sydney Olympic Park | Mark Setchell / photo modified

Home of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sydney Olympic Park is probably the best place for kids in Western Sydney. It's only about 16 kilometers from the city center and offers an exciting schedule of family-friendly activities and events.

Aspiring acrobats can swing on a trapeze at the Circus Arts Flying Trapeze workshop, and somersault through the air with expert instructors.

The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre here is also excellent, with four indoor heated pools, a giant water slide, and Rapid River ride. Little ones will love Splasher's Water Playground. Replete with dumping buckets, water slides, and water cannons, this attraction is one of the most popular things to do with toddlers in Western Sydney.

Also here is an Archery Centre with courses for kids aged 10 years and older, and Laser Tag adds plenty of excitement during the Aussie school holidays.

Looking for fun on two (or three) wheels? Biking on the 35 kilometers of cycling pathways is another popular thing to do here with kids. You can tour the Olympic venues on a bike, as well as ride through parklands and mangroves along the Parramatta River. Three Bike Safari Circuits cater to kids ages five years and older, and more adventurous cyclists can try the BMX track and Mountain X Tracks. Bike rentals are available on-site, including dragsters, mountain bikes, tandems, and trikes.

During the Australian school holidays, Kids in the Park is a fun-filled school vacation program with everything from pizza and pasta-making classes to sand art and writing workshops. Check the website for current activities and events.

Address: 8 Australia Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/

9. Treat the Kids to High Tea

Need a pick-me-up after a long morning of shopping or sightseeing with the kids? High tea is the perfect way to refuel, and you'll find plenty of elegant venues to host your kid-friendly experience.

One of the most popular and affordable options is The Tea Room at the Queen Victoria Building, a heritage-listed building filled with boutique shops and restaurants. Your kids will feel like royalty perched upon a soft, velvet chair under crystal chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom. You'll find all the mouthwatering favorites here: scones with clotted cream, cucumber finger sandwiches, and 29 different teas, as well as plenty of petite and pretty sugar-laced treats for the kids.

Many Sydney hotels host special children's high teas. The Langham, Sydney pampers kids with themed high teas during Aussie school holidays, like The Tale of Mr. Rabbit afternoon tea, and the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour presents a Parisian high tea themed around the children's book, Claris, The Chicest Mouse in Paris-kids will even receive a souvenir gift bag. Feel like dressing up? Head to the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney for a Kids in the City High Tea, designed by kids for kids.

For breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House, choose the posh Park Hyatt Sydney with floor-to-ceiling windows. Kids will love watching the boats and ferries ply the sapphire-blue harbor.

10. Horseback Ride at Centennial Parklands

One of the world's only urban parklands with riding facilities, Centennial Park, about 10 minutes from the city center, is a fun venue for young equestrians. The park is home to 210 stables and five riding schools, with lessons customized for your children's age and skill level. All the equipment is provided. First-time riders can book a pony ride to ease into the experience.

The park is also home to well-maintained cycling paths for kids who prefer to ride a bike rather than a horse, and you'll also find the fantastic nature-based Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden here, with a treehouse, slides, and a magical bamboo forest.

After all your adventures, you can relax with a picnic under the large trees or head to one of the excellent cafés or kiosks.

Official site: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/

11. Enjoy a Picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden

Fragrant frangipanis, flocks of wild cockatoos, fountains, and magnificent views of Sydney Harbour-what's not to love? The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a sensory feast for pint-sized green thumbs. It's also the perfect place for a picnic, with rolling green lawns and glorious water views.

Kids can spark their senses with all the vibrant scents, colors, and textures. Inhale the aroma of rosemary and sage at the herb garden, taste Australian bush tucker on an aboriginal heritage tour, smell the roses, and feel a feathery fern. If little legs are tired, you can hop aboard the Choo Choo Express for a 25-minute tour around the gardens.

On Thursdays, the Dandy Lions program treats parents and kids up to five years old to a morning of gardening, storytelling, nature-themed crafts, walking tours, and music, and on the last Friday of every month, kids can feed crickets to carnivorous plants at the Plants with Bite experience.

After you've explored the gardens, stroll down to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for one of the best views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, New South Wales

Official site: https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

Where to Stay in Sydney with Kids

Luxury Hotels: Stylish and elegant, offers spacious rooms, as well as one- and two-bedroom suites, so families can spread out. Kids love the high tea and the indoor heated pool with a star-spangled ceiling. For even more space, choose the . Its two- and three-bedroom suites are more than three times as large as an average hotel room and come with gourmet kitchens, living and dining space, and in-room laundry amenities. If you want to be near all the family-friendly attractions of Darling Harbour, the overlooks this family hot spot, with fantastic views from the rooms and infinity pool.

Mid-Range Hotels: In the heart of the city, the boutique welcomes families with friendly staff and large suites and apartments with fully-equipped kitchens. Another boutique hotel, sits in a convenient central location, a short walk from Darling Harbour and the Queen Victoria Building, and the is a home away from home, steps from Darling Harbour. The spacious apartments come with full kitchens, in-room laundry facilities, and wonderful views.

Budget Hotels: Smack bang in the middle of Darling Harbour, the bed-and-breakfast-style offers family rooms that accommodate up to eight people. The also has family rooms, and the rooftop deck with spectacular city views is worth the stay alone.

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Sydney with Kids: 11 Top Things to Do | PlanetWare

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Written by Karen Hastings Dec 23, 2019 We may earn a commission from affiliate links () One of the world's most beautiful cities, Sydney is crammed with kid-friendly cultural attractions and outdoor adventures. Near the city center, the waterfront pedestrian precinct of Darling Harbour features a dizzying array of family attractions, including an aquarium, IMAX theaters, and harbor jet boat rides.

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Kids View - What to do in Sydney  (Insider tips from local kids)

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Grab your suncream, shades and snorkels, gang - because we're heading Down Under with these fab Australia facts!

Australia facts

OFFICIAL NAME: Commonwealth of Australia
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal parliamentary democracy
CAPITAL: Canberra
POPULATION: 23, 856, 103
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English
MONEY: Australian dollar
AREA: 7,692,024 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Great Dividing Range, Macdonnell Ranges
MAJOR RIVERS: Murray-Darling, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan

Australian flag

Map of Australia

Australia: geography and landscape

Australia is one of the largest countries on Earth, and the only country that covers an entire continent. Although it is rich in natural resources and has a lot of fertile land, more than one-third of Australia is desert.

Most Australian cities and farms are located in the southwest and southeast, where the climate is more comfortable. The famous outback (remote rural areas) contains the country's largest deserts, where there are scorching temperatures, little water and almost no vegetation. In the northeast, there are dense rainforests where lush vegetation grows.

Running around the eastern and southeastern edge of Australia is the Great Dividing Range. This 3,700-kilometre stretch of mountain sends water down into Australia's most important rivers and the Great Artesian Basin, the largest groundwater source in the world.

Australia's amazing nature!

Australia's ecosystem is an unusual one. Because of its remote location, many animal species that occur here are found nowhere else on Earth, such as the platypus, kangaroo, echidna and koala. Australia has 516 national parks to protect its unique plants and animals.

There are several types of rainforests in Australia. Tropical rainforests, mainly found in the northeast, are the richest in plant and animal species. Subtropical rainforests are found near the mid-eastern coast, and broadleaf rainforests grow in the southeast and on the island of Tasmania.

Australia also boasts the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island, which stretches over 120km along the southern coast of Queensland. You can check out our cool fascinating Fraser Island facts, here!

One of Australia's most amazing sites is called Uluru (or Ayers Rock) - a sacred natural rock which rises like an enormous whale's back from a flat red-soil desert called the Red Centre. Standing a massive 335 metres tall, it's one of the largest rocks in the world!

Did you know Australia is home to many of the deadliest species of animals on the planet? There are 36 species of poisonous funnel-web spiders found in this incredible country and 20 species of venomous snakes, including the world's most venomous snake - the taipan. This slithery reptile releases enough venom in one bite to kill 100 people. Yikes!

Australian history

Aboriginal people arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago. It's believed they travelled from Asia across land bridges that were exposed when sea levels were lower. The hardy Aborigines have learned to live in the harsh conditions of the outback.

Dutch explorers first landed in Australia in 1606, and the British began to settle there in 1788. Many settlers were criminals sent to live in Australia as punishment. For a short time, the newcomers lived peacefully with the Aboriginal people. But soon, fighting broke out over who owned the land.

In 1851, gold was discovered in Australia. A rush to find riches came as a result, bringing thousands of new immigrants to the country. By 1859 six separate colonies existed, and in 1901 these colonies joined to form the Federation of Australia.

Australia: people and culture

Australia is one of the world's most ethnically diverse nations. Nearly a quarter of the people who live in Australia were born in other countries. Many come from the United Kingdom and other European countries, as well as from China, Vietnam, North Africa and the Middle East.

Australia's warm, sunny climate and abundance of open spaces give the population a love of the outdoors. The people are also passionate about sports, including swimming, surfing, sailing, tennis, soccer, cricket, rugby and their own invention - Australian rules football!

Australia's government and economy

As a commonwealth of the United Kingdom, Australia's head of state is the British monarch. Many Australians think the country should end its ties to Britain and become a republic. In a vote in 1999, Australians decided against separating from the UK, but the vote was close and the debate continues.

Australia is an important exporter of agricultural goods like wool, wheat, beef and fruit. The country is also rich in minerals and metals and is the world's fourth largest producer of gold.

Picture Credits: Opera House in Sydney Harbour, Australia: Xvaldes, Dreamstime. People swimming at Bondi Beach, Australia: Dan Breckwoldt, Dreamstime. Picture of people snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Liverbird, Dreamstime. All other images: Getty Images UK

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Australia facts for kids: let's head down under! | National Geographic Kids

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Learn fascinating facts about Australia, from Australian history, culture, wildlife and geography, stunning pictures plus, see a map of Australia!