ABC

Whether you love having your kids at home on holidays or dread planning activities to keep them occupied, there’s plenty on offer around Sydney to keep the whole family entertained.

If you are planning a staycation for the next two weeks, Sally Webb, a travel writer, author of Travel Without Tears and mum of two children, recommended taking the opportunity to explore the city.

“You don’t have to leave the big smoke to enjoy things people travel the world to see, like the harbour,” she said.

“It’s about doing stuff that you would perhaps wouldn’t prioritise in terms of time or plot around Saturday sport, but it gives you a chance to go to the Botanic Gardens to see the spring flowers or go to the gallery and go and potter for a few hours.”

However, if you want to spend a bit more time away, Ms Webb recommended these day trips out of the city.

Palm Beach

An easy walk for those with strollers or elderly relatives, the walk around Palm Beach and to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a great way to spend part of the day.

“The views are incredible and you get a whole vista down the headland,” Ms Webb said.

“You can then go back down the beach and there’s some great restaurants and cafes or get fish and chips to take to the beach.”

Palm Beach is about a 45-minute drive north of Sydney, or there is a bus that takes nearly two hours starting from Wynyard Station.

For an added activity, there is a ferry that can take you to Patonga, Great Mackerel Beach or the Basin campground.

Katoomba, Blue Mountains

For families who love a good walk or hike, Ms Webb recommended the Scenic Loop.

The Scenic Railway can take you to the forest floor which has several walking trails, while the Scenic Cable Ride offers spectacular views across the valley.

Ms Webb recommended going early in the day as the area could get busy during the school holidays.

For a longer walk, ABC Radio Sydney caller Richard recommended starting from Leura on several walking tracks that lead to the Scenic Railway.