Are you getting ready for a trip from Melbourne to Sydney?
Travelling from the two largest cities in Australia is completely doable by plane, train or car.
But since there is a lot to cover and prepare for so The Travelling Souk are sharing their guide to travelling between the two cities, especially with kids!Â
Below you can find everything from flight prices to the best Sydney accommodation and activities.
1. Book Your Melbourne to Sydney Flights
If you are travelling from Melbourne to Sydney, you are amongst one of the 15 million who travel to Sydney every year. In fact, in 2022, there were 6.4 domestic overnight flights – talk about a popular city!
Due to the Melbourne-Sydney route’s popularity, you want to book your flights well in advance and with specific carriers, especially during the peak season of December – February when the kids are out of school.
The good news is, a flight from Melbourne to Sydney can be cheaper and definitely shorter than a road trip.
To make your trip preparation as seamless as possible, you can find a table below of ballpark flight prices for Melbourne to Sydney through December – February for a family of 4, and a trip of 2 weeks.
Flight costs from Melbourne→ Sydney
| December | January | February | |
| Jetstar | $535 | $452 | $482 |
| Qantas | $749 | $701 | $749 |
| Virgin Australia | $757 | $563 | $563 |
| Rex Airlines | $803 | $424 | $750 |
Melbourne Airport Parking
If you are flying out of Melbourne Airport and plan to keep your car at the airport whilst away, a great way to save money is to book airport parking Melbourne online and in advance to avoid exorbitant drive-up costs.
Flyparks offers dozens of reputable, secure airport car parks to keep your car in whilst away across New Zealand and Australia. Simply type in the dates you need a car park for and you will get results within seconds and be able to book your spot in less than 2 minutes. Flyparks charge no hidden costs or booking fees either!
2. Plan Your Route
If you plan to make your trip to Sydney a road trip, prepare for a long drive!
Driving from Melbourne to Sydney in one day will take you about 9 hours and 880 km. We recommend this route if you can wake up early, around 6 a.m., so you don’t get caught in rush hour traffic on your drive.
You can also opt for a longer, more coastal route with plenty of stops along the way, and spend two to four days on the road.
We have included both options below with stops to enjoy for both routes. For the coastal route, we have included different places to stop depending on your personal preference and time schedule!
The Direct Route:
- Merge on to City Link / M2 from State Route 50 or Queen St – approx. 15 minutes
- Follow National Highway M 31 and take Sir John Young Cres, Sydney. Exit on City N from M 1 – approx 8 hours 45 minutes
- Continue on Sir John Cres and take Hunter St or Pitt St onto King St – approx 6 minutes
During this direct route, you are going to find most restaurants and petrol stations in cities like Shepparton, Wodonga, and Alburty that are located along the way.
The Coastal Route:
This coastal trip will take you around 5 days if you plan to spend a half-day or full-day in any of the cities and towns mentioned below. Since you are likely travelling with your family, the stops below are catered for family-friendly activities and destinations that have something for both the toddler and the grandparent!
- Melbourne → Walhalla
- Visit: Walhalla Goldfields Railway or the famous Corner Store
- Wallaha → Metung
- Visit: Chinaman’s Creek; Riviera Nautic; Lake King Jetty
- Metung → Lakes Entrance:
- Visit: Lakes Entrance Beach; Lakes Entrance Aqua Park; Esplanade Mini Golf
- Lakes Entrance → Eden
- Visit: Croajingolong National Park; WWII Bunker Museum; Bastion Point
- Eden → Batemans Bay
- Visit: Murramarang National Park; Mogo Wildlife Park; Surfside Beach; Kayak Tour
- Batemans Bay → Sydney
- Visit: Seven Mile Beach; Wollongong; Ulladulla; Royal National Park
3. Plan your Accommodation
Depending on your preferred style of accommodation and budget, you will likely be deciding between an AirBnB or a Hotel during your stay in Sydney.
We have narrowed down the choices below to include reasonable, highly-rated accommodation options for a family of 4 or more.
Hotels in Sydney
- Sydney Boutique Hotel: $213 per night, 4.0/5
- Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay: $212 per night, 4.â…—
- Ibis Budget Sydney East: $110 per night, 3.8/5
- The Palms Hotel: $84 per night, 3.36/5
- Mercure Sydney: $219 per night, 4.1/5
Family-Friendly Hostels in Sydney
There are also a few hostels that are family and kid-friendly in Sydney if you prefer to save money during your travels. The options can be seen below:
- YHA Sydney Central: $59 per night, 4.1/5
- Original Backpackers Sydney: $159,45 per night, 4.0/5
- YHA Sydney Harbour – The Rocks: $243,96 per night, 4.5/5
- YHA Pittwater Eco: $208,88 per night, 4.8/5
Family-Friendly Activities in Sydney
There are a ton of activities to do in Sydney and it can be difficult to narrow down what to do, especially if you are only in the city and its surrounding area for a week.
The great thing is, no matter what you do here you and your family are bound to have a great time as it offers an experience for every age and every type of traveller. We’ve listed some of our favourites below.
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Open every day from 9:30- 5 pm, you can find over 150 indigenous Australian animals here, and some of the most famous by the names of Porntip, Gung, and Pathi Harn. If you want to see a seal show, make sure to visit the zoo from 11-11:30 am and 2-2:30 every day. Also offered are the Tiger Trek, Backyard to Bush, and Southern Oceans exhibitions which are perfect for kids of all ages.
Buy tickets to Taronga Zoo
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
The Sydney Aquarium is open from 10 am-4 pm every day, contains over 700+ species, and is great for curious kids and adults alike.
With nine themed zones throughout the aquarium like the Shark Valley or Great Barrier Reef (the largest Great Barrier Reef exhibition in the world), you are bound to learn new information and be in awe.
Buy tickets to SEALife Sydney Aquarium
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Built to symbolise the friendship of Sydney and Guangzhou, China, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is free of cost and allows you to see over 1.03 hectares of gardens in central Sydney while learning about Chinese history, culture, and the relationship formed between the Chinese and Aussies. If you or a member of your family wish to pet turtles and tortoises, there is a $5 charge for adults and a $3 charge for kids.
Luna Park Sydney
In operation since 1935, Luna Park Sydney is a vital piece of this city’s heritage and remains a must-visit upon visiting the city today. There is a ride for every age and every kind of thrill-seeker, from the extreme to the more cautious.
Buy tickets to Luna Park
Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse is a popular contemporary museum in the heart of Sydney where you can find over 500,000 objects that have been collected by experts for over a century. The museum is 35 years old and contains educational and cultural matters related to indigenous Australian culture, historic artifacts, technological advancements and scientific exhibitions.
Buy tickets to Powerhouse Museum
Sydney Harbour Bridge
As the largest steel arch bridge to ever exist, it is no wonder the Harbour Bridge is a classic attraction. It is an attraction that everyone must visit at least once! You can walk across the bridge at your leisure or cycle, either way, you will witness incredible views.
Bronte Beach
Bronte Beach is an excellent family-friendly beach to explore. Whether you have toddlers or children well into their teen years, you can find a huge playground here as well as cafes, a rock pool, and secluded ‘baths.
By now, you should be well-prepared for your trip to Sydney from Melbourne. Don’t forget to leave at least 1-2 days in your itinerary open for relaxing or just walking around the city and finding cool shops to pop into. Save some time for the beaches as they are an iconic feature of Sydney!
