Kids can hand-feed wallabies and kangaroos in three walk-through habitats, then wander through the lorikeet aviary. Around 50 koalas live across six habitats, so even busy days give everyone a look. The park opens 8am to 5pm daily, and children under three get in free.

Sydney Zoo sits on the Great Western Highway at Bungarribee, with free parking on site. It opens 9am to 5pm every day, and you pick a visit date and arrival time when you book. Under-threes need no ticket, and paid keeper encounters include lions, hyenas and koalas.

The old Raging Waters park at Prospect now runs as Sydney Action Park. Little Rippers is open to every age, while most big slides need riders over 122cm, or 110cm with an adult. Open days change with the seasons and school holidays, so check the calendar first; kids three and under go free.

The 'Bridge to Bridge' loop runs about 6.4km between the M4 bridge and the Yandhai Nepean Bridge. It suits walkers, bikes and scooters, with playgrounds, picnic spots and cafés along the way. One stretch near Regatta Park is closed for flood repairs, so check the council's river map first.

This 63-hectare bushland park in Doonside has Chinese gardens and five playspaces, including an inclusive adventure one. The miniature railway runs on the third Sunday of each month. The water play park opens 10am to 3.30pm in spring and 9am to 6.30pm in summer.

Fire engines, fire safety displays and kids' interactive areas fill this Penrith museum. It opens 9.30am to 4.30pm daily, and a family ticket covers two adults and two children for $40. Fire engine rides cost $4.50 on Tuesdays and Fridays, when volunteers are available.

Zambi is an exotic animal sanctuary 20 minutes from Penrith, seen only on two-hour, small-group tours led by a zookeeper. Kids may get to hand-feed baboons, macaques and macaws, at the keeper's discretion. Book ahead for a weekend tour; under-16s need a paying adult, and peanuts are used in feeding.

Kids can grind flour, churn butter and feed the animals in an 1810 village streetscape at Wilberforce. Train and hay wagon rides cost extra, and you can picnic by the Hawkesbury River. It opens Sundays 10am to 4pm, with family entry $25 for two adults and two kids.

Kids love the adventure playground, and the tracks suit scooters and bikes. A short walk leads to historic Rouse Hill Estate. The park opens 8am to 8pm from September to April, and dogs are welcome.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden grows cool-climate plants on Bells Line of Road. Its Forest Boardwalk runs nearly 100m through the treetops to a view over the mountains, and strollers can use it. The garden opens 9am to 5pm daily.