The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Sydney’s best family passes and memberships

By Llynden Singh, ellaslist explorer

If you are at a loss for gift ideas or feel overwhelmed by your family’s countless toys and gadgets, why not give your family an experience? Annual passes and memberships are a great-value way to enjoy Sydney’s best attractions and a perfect present for kids. Not only will it keep the kids busy in the school holidays, but an annual pass is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the whole year! And best of all, you can enjoy some family time together. Here’s our pick of Sydney’s best value family passes and memberships.

Animal Lovers

At Taronga Zoo the Zoo Friends Annual Pass gives you unlimited entry and discounted parking. The pass pays for itself within two visits to the zoo, making it great value for money. Families with younger children can enjoy the freedom to visit the zoo for short amounts of time, while older children will enjoy discounts to Wild Ropes and the Roar and Snore events (glamping). Zoo Friends also receive free entry to Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo and Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth Zoos. A family membership costs $270, and children under four are free.
Get the pass here.

 

An annual pass to Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside allows you to visit Australia’s largest private collection of native animals and birds. Feed a kangaroo or emu, or come face-to-face with a koala. Prices for the family passes range from $165 to $245, and any extra guests receive 20% off their tickets.
Get your pass here.

Experience a stock whip show and sheep shearing show with an annual pass to Calmsley Hill City Farm. The kids will love feeding the animals in the Farmyard Nursery and learning how to milk a cow. An annual family pass will set you back $195.
Get your pass here.

Be Cultured

The Australian Museum’s annual membership provides not only free entry, but discounted prices for school holiday activities, the Tiny Tots program and Mini Explorers program. Under-5s can enjoy Kidspace, a dedicated mini-museum area. Family and dual memberships are available for $88 for one year and $170 for two years.
Join the club here.

 

The Early Start Discovery Centre offer fantastic membership programs that all include unlimited entry for 12 months- perfect because there is just so much to see and do- a second or third visit will take the stress out of your visit. They offer 3 progams- The First Year of Life ($60 for 1 child under 12 months and 1 adult), Cloud ($90 for 1 child over 12 months and 1 adult) or Burst ($150 for 2 adults and 2 children over 12 months old.) Theres special prices to bump on an extra child or so. In addition, you’ll get 10% off at the gift shop (which kids adore), 10% off birthday packages and a $20 credit for an IMB Zoo Account for each member child. Check out more details here.

An annual membership to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences gives you access to the Powerhouse Museum and Sydney Observatory (and the Discovery Centre Castle Hill from April 2016). The membership gives you discounted tickets for school holiday programs and one free entry to a special exhibition. With the popular Wiggles exhibition and a regular program of special exhibitions and events, the Powerhouse has plenty to occupy a family for the whole year. A family or dual membership is $100.
Join the club here.

A Sydney Museums Pass gives you access to four Sydney Living Museums, including the Museum of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice and Police Museum and Susannah Place. Or you can become a member and gain access to all 12 museums and enjoy discounted prices on programs and events. Let the kids roam the rambling pleasure gardens of Vaucluse House or get hands-on at barrier-free Elizabeth Farm. 12 museums & historic houses, one great price (valid for one month): Adult $24, Child/Concession $16, Family $50.
To become a member go here.

Membership with the Maritime Museum gives you entry for the year, plus FREE school holiday programs and kids activities. Little pirates will love exploring the Endeavour replica and submarine. Family memberships cost $130 for one year and $195 for two years.
To become a member go here.

For those with a dramatic flair, try a Multi-Show Package for Kids at the Sydney Opera House. Save money when you buy a package for three or four shows from the fabulous Kids at the House program or three shows from the Babies Proms program.
To get the package go here.

Sports Fans

Cheer on your sports fanatic with a membership to a local sports club. NRL clubs offer various memberships that include tickets to home games and merchandise for the kids. Many memberships start from as little as $5 a month, but check your team’s website for further information.

 

For soccer fans, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers offer various membership packages for families. Wanderers family memberships that include all home games start from $445, while Sydney FC junior memberships start from $70.

Swans or GWS Giants memberships will please all AFL fans, with access to all home games starting from $107 a month.

Big Bash junior memberships are great value for cricket fanatics, providing entry to games and access to junior cricket clinics. Sydney Thunder junior memberships start from $30, and Sydney Sixers junior memberships start from $35.

Thrill Seekers

For the thrill seeker in your family, a Luna Park annual pass will give them the ride of their life! With access to Luna Park rides and discounts on food, the annual pass will cost $99.
Get the annual pass here.

 

Stay cool in summer with a Wet’n’Wild seasonal pass. Younger kids can enjoy the Nickelodean Beach, while adventurous older children will be thrilled on the slides and extreme attractions. No need to travel to the beach if you live in the West! Prices for the seasonal passes start from $99.
Get read to splash around by getting the pass here.

Something for Everyone

An annual Merlin Pass will get you entry to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sydney Tower Eye, Manly Sea Life Sanctuary, and the Illawarra Fly. The pass also includes attractions in Victoria, Queensland and Auckland. With so much on offer, your family will be kept busy for the whole year. Prices range from $216 for a standard family pass to $360 for a premium family pass (check online for the best prices).
Get your pass here.