How to make your iso-buddy's birthday actually fun

Ah, the summer holidays. No other holiday during the year packs quite the same punch as the summer break. Despite this, keeping kids entertained over this six-week-long break can be a tough task, which is why we have you covered with an ultimate list of the best activities and experiences happening in Sydney these summer school holidays, as well as some indoor fun in the mix for those wet-weather days. 

The Sydney Jewish Museum’s new exhibition, Reverberations: A Future for Memory is a moving encounter with history that feels very much alive. Their new interactive experience came about because most of the survivors are in their nineties or older – so the museum team started brainstorming ways they could preserve their stories in innovative ways for future generations. This resulted in an inspired application of artificial intelligence (AI). The team filmed interviews with survivors, asking 1,000 questions about their experiences, their lives in Sydney, their fears, what brings them happiness, sadness and everything in between.

The most significant cultural development to be established in the Harbour City since the Sydney Opera House will open its doors to the public this Saturday, December 3, with some 15,000 eager people already registered to visit over the opening weekend. Sidled up next to the existing Art Gallery of New South Wales, the new standalone building is the centrepiece of the Sydney Modern expansion, and has been in the works for the past decade. Even if you can't get in this weekend, keep your eyes on this one. It is honestly (no hyberbole) completely astoundingly incredible. 

Christmas in coming to Sydneytown and (fingers crossed) this year looks like a good one. Nothing says Christmas quite like a gander of extravagant Christmas light displays, and when it comes to Sydney and its twinkly festive additions, we're hard pressed for choice. Whether you, your kids or your mates want to get out in Sydney to see the Christmas lights in 2022, we have you covered with our guide to all the best places in Sydney's CBD, surrounding suburbs that go all out (not to play favourites, but we're really looking forward to this), and all the places just out of Sydneytown that do truly incredible festive light displays. 

From arts and design treasure troves to festive food fares, these Christmas markets have all the yuletide goods you need to make the silly season really special. If the thought of going to a shopping mall in late December gives you full body chills, you might want to think about paying a visit to one of these delightfully wholesome Christmas gift markets that are set to pop up all throughout Sydney across December. 

We've tried and tested some of our favourite campgrounds, located in New South Wales’ most breathtaking and secluded spots. Whether you're hoping to wake up next to the Harbour, to the sound of crashing ocean waves, deep within unspoilt national parkland, or not too far from some creature comforts, these picture-perfect camping spots have got you (quite literally) pegged.

Sydneysiders are a lucky bunch. Jump in the car and within just a few hours you can find yourself in some of the most beautiful spots in the state. But with so many options to choose from, it begs the question: where should you visit first? You're certainly spoilt for choice, so we've cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips from the city – featuring quaint villages, seaside hangouts and mountain escapes. 

From the industry legends that brought us Sydney institutions Tio’s, Cantina OK and the Cliff Dive comes the next great nocturnal adventure: Bar Planet, a psychedelic Inner West dive-bar re-imagining the world's most divisive cocktail, the Martini. Located smack-bang on gritty, emerging drink and dine strip Enmore Road, Bar Planet illuminates the well trod sidewalk with its signage’s neon blue hue. Inside, bent-up wrought iron light fittings reminiscent of space junk, loom over patrons while they snack on paper bags full of popcorn at the intergalactic themed bar.

If you’ve ever wanted to get seriously close to a Sumatran tiger (without there being a terrible ethical or safety problem in the way) then now is your chance. Taronga Zoo is celebrating the fifth birthday of its incredible Tiger Trek experience. All big cat fans are advised to come by and meet these magnificent feline residents while also helping in their conservation.

Crustless cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and tiered plates of petit fours.  Sydney loves a pinky-lifting high tea, and with good reason. Once you've got baked goodies, tea selections for every palette and beautiful surrounds – maybe harbour views, like at the Mosman Barracks, or cultivated gardens at historic Vaucluse House – you've got all the elements of an aspirational afternoon of ever-so fancy leisure.

Sydney, we stand before you empty-lunged and sweaty-browed. We've hit up Sydney's karaoke dens to discern for you the best spots around the city to bust a lung and break hearts on the private dancefloor. The criteria? The room, the sound system, the song list and that special something – we'll call it k-factor.

Read on, and you may discover that you'll find it for yourself too.

The Harbour City is not always a great place for fun in the sun, as this year's persistent rains have proven. But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, you don't need to hunker down at home. Why not take shelter in style with our guide to the most fun things to do indoors in Sydney? Whether you're in search of a crafternoon, a cultural adventure, or a cocktail with a view, there's something for everyone on our list of fun venues and activities where you can stay warm and dry, all year round.

You’ve no doubt heard of smash rooms, splash rooms and escape rooms. Well, now Sydneysiders are the first people in the world to get up close and personal with ‘challenge rooms’. Plucked from the madcap minds of the team at Funlab, the Hijinx Hotel is a brand new concept that pairs silly good times with a competitive edge, with added cocktails FTW.

 Sydney is back. Weekends are back. Life is back. And with this great resurgence of good times, we are also welcoming back one of our most beloved cultural institutions - the humble weekend market. Snaffling fried brunchy fare on the grass, hanging with dogs, uncovering a mint condition leather jacket beneath some dusty leggings, jiving to a live saxaphone player before 10am - all these myriad of delights are available at pretty much any Sydney market, and the good news is that now, you get to experience it too.

Suspend your reality for a moment. Imagine it's 1980s Australia and you're a True Blue Bruce. This is truly your time. On the cusp of its five year birthday, Hawke's Brewing Company, the brewery co-founded by former prime minister Bob Hawke, has thrown open the doors of a flagship venue, housed inside its newly built 2,100 square-meter brewery in Marrickville.

Sydneysiders are a lucky bunch. Jump in the car and within just a few hours you can find yourself in some of the most beautiful spots in the state. But with so many options to choose from, it begs the question: where should you visit first? You're certainly spoilt for choice, so we've cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips from the city – featuring quaint villages, seaside hangouts and mountain escapes.

Aboriginal Australia has a rich culture that’s survived more than 60,000 years. Aboriginal people have survived catastrophic changes to their cultures and ways of life brought about by Europeans since 1788, and there’s a lot that visitors can learn from the oldest living culture in the world. Really get to know the city of Sydney through the connection to land that its First Nations peoples have and continue to uphold through these four Sydney tours.

Are you ready to chase arty escapades around the city? The Biennale of Sydney has unleashed a packed program for 2022, with over 330 artworks by 89 participants and 400 events, which are showing over three months. The largest contemporary art event of its kind in Australia, as always, the Biennale is free to visit and open to the public. Check out our highlight picks.

What's in a name? Well, if that name is Odd Culture Newtown, there's not much left to the imagination. King Street's newest natty joint is going hard on the ferments, wild yeasts and all things bubbly. Taking over the coveted Happy Chef space (vale), Odd Culture is a two-level craft beer, natural wine and ferment-happy diner from the group that brought us the Oxford Tav, the Old Fitz and the Duke of Enmore. With friends like that, you know it's going to be all killer, no filler. 

Everyone's favourite party circus, basement dwelling Ramblin' Rascals are all grown up and shifting gears. Yes, the debauchery remains, but after nearly a decade of liver-smashing, whiskey shooting and rollicking party intensity, the team is letting some of Sydney's finest musos take charge by putting on gigs every dang week with a revolving line up of local acts, so there's a little something to please everyone. 

Sydney is home to some pretty fascinating museums, places where you can learn about ships, time, military history, society, the police force and more. Rain or shine, head out on a journey of discovery at these all-weather-friendly houses of knowledge. You'll learn about fascinating natural histories, scientific endeavours, design innovations and the many surprising stories that have made this city everything it is today.

From easy breezy coastal walks to half-day bush hikes and multi-day expeditions, Sydney’s blessed with many different walking paths that’ll suit amblers of all abilities. Take a look at our list of 13 walks in Sydney that’ll take you over dramatic sandstone cliffs, cobbled stone paths, sandy inlets and well-trodden boardwalks.

Love art? Enjoy a bracing stroll? Well, we've got good news for any Sydneysiders looking to combine their cardio with a little culture. Our streets are positively littered, in the very best way, with incredible public artworks and street art hotspots you can enjoy during your outdoor exercise.