Book Review: Sydney for Kids
More than 400 Fun Activities for Children in and around Sydney
Mar 23, 2008
In conjunction with Choice Publishers, an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to working on behalf of Australian consumers, Wendy Preston has produced a comprehensive guide to activities suitable for families in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs.
Family Information for Sydney Venues
The Choice Guide to Sydney for Kids (Choice, 2007) provides family-relevant information for each of the venues included in the book. Each venue is suitable for children within the age range of babies to 12 year olds, with the specific age range for each location listed.
Each entry provides specific information about the location including contact details (address, phone number and website where possible), opening hours and admission charges, whether there are toilet facilities, what food is available (if applicable) and instructions for getting to the location including street directory reference numbers, whether parking is available and the numbers of the appropriate bus routes for using public transport. A variety of symbols are used to indicate whether the following apply for each venue:
- animals
- bike path
- bushland
- display
- garden/park
- hands-on activities
- little walk for little legs
- organised activities
- playground
- show/presentation
- stroller-friendly walk
- low cost
- free
Venues and Activities in Sydney
Similar activities and locations are grouped into chapters. The chapters cover venues such as historic places, outdoor places, animal parks and galleries, libraries, museums and scientific places. There are also chapters on activities such as swimming spots, shopping and cycling in Sydney.
The first chapter provides information on activities and venues in three areas symbolic of Sydney: Sydney Cove, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. Each of these areas has a variety of places to visit and activities for families including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour excursions and cruises, museums, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.
A chapter on Trains, Trams, Buses and Trucks offers information on a variety of transport museums and miniature train rides that will fascinate train and automotive enthusiasts. Information on actual train, bus and ferry timetables is not available. Bus route numbers are offered with most locations and a contact numbers are provided for relevant information services.
Special Events and Sydney on a Budget
Details for annual events in Sydney will be particularly useful for visitors who are looking to make the most of their time in Sydney. Events are divided into months and include the Sydney Festival, Australia Day Celebrations, Royal Easter Show, Sydney Writers’ Festival, City to Surf Fun Run and the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
For those seeking to enjoy Sydney with minimal cost, a final chapter brings together a listing of all the Freebies and Cheapies available for families. These references are often linked back to entries in previous chapters, providing a convenient central reference for the less expensive activities and locations.
Index and Location Guide
A subject index provides a quick reference for locations and activities. The Location Guide groups activities into different areas of Sydney, helping those not familiar with the area to get the most out of their visit.
The Choice Guide to Sydney for Kids is available through some online bookstores or at mainstream booksellers for a retail price of $22 - $29.
 |
