Best Suburbs in Sydney for Family Photos (and Something Fun After)

Family photos don’t have to end when the camera goes away. The best shoots flow into your everyday life — whether that’s grabbing dinner, hitting the beach, or enjoying a drink in the sunshine while the kids play.

Here are some of the best suburbs in Sydney for family photography if you want relaxed photos and a fun way to finish your shoot.

Newtown

Murals, laneways, and endless character.

Something fun: Duck into a record store on King Street or go op shopping in one of Newtown’s many vintage shops.
Wander: Street art, colourful terraces, and buzzing backstreets.
Finish up: Camperdown Memorial Rest Park — wide lawns for kids to run around.

Balmain

Colourful terraces, leafy streets, and harbour views.

Something fun: End your shoot at the Dry Dock Hotel — one of Sydney’s oldest pubs, with a relaxed, family-friendly feel.
Wander: Mix of heritage shopfronts, terraces, and foreshore strolls.
Finish up: Illoura Reserve for a play with water views.

Bronte

Classic Sydney with sand, surf, and family vibes.

Something fun: After photos, take a dip in the Bogey Hole pool or just chill on the sand together.
Wander: Lifeguard tower, rocks, and beachside backdrops.
Finish up: Bronte Beach playground right beside the sand.

Bondi

Big, bold, and iconic.

Something fun: Grab your board and go for a surf, or check out the skate park at the Pavilion.
Wander: Murals, the Pavilion, and buzzing beach energy.
Finish up: Bondi’s beachfront playgrounds are perfect for toddlers to let loose.

Surry Hills

Polished, leafy, and full of character.

Something fun: Settle in at The Winery — a glass of wine for you, garden space for the kids. Or try The Norfolk, with its relaxed covered courtyard.
Wander: Terrace-lined streets and leafy corners.
Finish up: Shannon Street Reserve for a play.

Redfern

Vibrant, colourful, and full of grit and charm.

Something fun: Grab dinner at The Redfern pub, where kids eat free on weekends.
Wander: Murals and heritage terraces for bold, candid backdrops.
Finish up: Redfern Park with its playground and open lawns.

Paddington

Iconic pastel terraces and leafy streets.

Something fun: Pack a picnic for Paddington Reservoir Gardens, or head to the Light Brigade rooftop for dinner with city views.
Wander: Pastel terraces and leafy laneways.
Finish up: Oxford Street Reserve playground close by.

Marrickville

Eclectic, colourful, and buzzing with Inner West energy.

Something fun: Wrap up your shoot at one of Marrickville’s many family-friendly breweries (locals love them), or grab gelato at Messina HQ straight from the source.
Wander: Warehouse walls, street art, and vibrant laneways.
Finish up: Jarvie Park playground nearby for kids to burn off the sugar (or the energy).

Alexandria

Industrial cool mixed with family-friendly vibes.

Something fun: Explore The Grounds of Alexandria — a mini wonderland with a farm, soft play, and endless kid-friendly corners (note: no photos inside, but a great place to finish the outing).
Wander: Industrial laneways, leafy courtyards, and brick textures.
Finish up: Sydney Park, with huge playgrounds and wide lawns.

Summer Hill

Relaxed, local, and full of family energy.

Something fun: End your shoot with a low-key dinner at one of the suburb’s family-friendly restaurants.
Wander: Federation homes and leafy suburban streets.
Finish up: Darrell Jackson Gardens playground in the heart of Summer Hill.

Chippendale

Small pocket, big personality.

Something fun: Stop at The Rose or The Duck Inn — both have outdoor courtyards that work well for kids.
Wander: Heritage buildings and colourful laneways add character.
Finish up: Victoria Park playground with its big slides and climbing frames.

Randwick

Close to both beach and park, Randwick gives you options.

Something fun: After your photos, head straight into Centennial Park and let the kids run wild at the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden.
Wander: Leafy federation streets and Queens Park.
Finish up: Big playgrounds and open lawns nearby.

Oatley

Leafy, relaxed, and full of charm further south.

Something fun: End your shoot at the Oatley Hotel — heaps of space, epic pizzas, and a welcoming vibe for families.
Wander: Quiet heritage streets and leafy foreshore.
Finish up: Oatley Park — bushland, playgrounds, and space to roam.

Sydney CBD

Dramatic, textured, and full of icons.

Something fun: Grab an ice cream on Circular Quay, or head to Zia Pina in The Rocks for an easy family pizza dinner.
Wander: Sandstone at Town Hall, cobblestones in The Rocks, or leafy Hyde Park.
Finish up: Circular Quay foreshore, with Opera House and Harbour Bridge views.

North Sydney

Harbour views and classic Sydney fun.

Something fun: End the shoot at Luna Park — rides, colour, and a fairground atmosphere kids adore.
Wander: Foreshore paths with iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge backdrops.
Finish up: Kirribilli cafés or a stroll through Bradfield Park.

Ready to Plan Your Fun-Filled Family Photoshoot?

Whether it’s record stores in Newtown, a surf at Bondi, breweries in Marrickville, or Luna Park in North Sydney, your photoshoot doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be an outing — with fun stops, real moments, and memories that last long after the camera is put away.

👉 Enquire about your family photoshoot here

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