Things to do in Sydney and Brisbane with kids

[scotjls]

Hi, going to both cities in July. Kids are 5, 7, and 9. Any recommendations of things to do, places to see? We've been to Sydney before, a few years ago, so have covered some attractions but keen for new ideas. Thanks.

For Brisbane: it's tricky because it will be the middle of winter here! But, if it's not too chilly South Bank is fun. New Fark Park is great. If you don't mind driving to the Sunshine Coast Australia Zoo is great. You have all the theme parks Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld about an hour south of Brisbane on the gold coast.
The Museum/Science Centre at South Brisbane is good, lots of hands on stuff for kids about that age in the Science Centre.

Sydney: less familiar with but there is Aquarium/Madame Tussaud's/wildlife centre all in one spot at Circular Quay, could do them all in a day and they do a joint pass.
Luna Park. Just going for a ride on the ferry in the harbour is lovely.

Sydney will be cold, so be prepared. My kids loved Wildlife World and the Aquarium in Darling Harbour when they were younger. We had annual passes and they begged to go regularly. Featherdale Wildlife Park is out of the city but if you want to see Roos etc outdoors it's good. Scenic World in the Blue Mountains is certainty worth a day trip or overnight stay, google it. There is a Winter festival in Katoomba one weekend in July which you might hit. We had family over a couple of years back and did the Blue.p Mountains then stopped at Featherdale in the way back to Sydney but you would need to hire a car. I think the ice rink at Bondi beach might be open then, it is totally surreal seeing people ice skate with Bondi beach and a big blue sky as their backdrop. Check out the City of Sydney website, there's always lots happening here and a lot of things are free.

Forgot to say, on Sundays in Sydney all day public transport is capped at $2.70 for adults, half that for kids, so it is a good day to do the ferries which are otherwise quite expensive. The Manly ferry is great but gets busy, if the queue is too long go to Watson's Bay for fish and chips if it's not too cold.

We went last August, didn't spend long in Sydney as weather not great then, but did with hire car breakfast with koalas at Featherdale then Port Stephens for a whale watching boat and sandboarding and Blue Mountains. Saw loads of whales and dolphins, think you can also take whale watching boats from Sydney that time of year. In Blue Mountains in Glenbrook ? We saw kangaroos. We did beach too but weather not really up to it. And Hunter Valley

These are great suggestions, thank you. I think we'll go with a list, and see what fits with the weather/jetlag! Thank you all.