Father's Day in Sydney: Our guide to the best things to do

Do you and the father figure in your life enjoying strolling along gentle bush paths, talking (or not talking) about all matters of existence? Make sure you can keep the conversation flowing on one of these gorgeous and easy day hikes in Sydney.  

If throwing large, sharp objects at a target is you and your dad's love language, look no further than Maniax – an axe-throwing warehouse in St Peters. Release your inner Viking warrior, chuck big axes around and eat slow-cooked meats. It's all very masc. 

Ah, dinner with the 'rents. Eating out with your folks isn’t always a simple task. The Sydney dining scene has a lot of quirks that can derail the best-laid plans ("You have to wait an hour for a table?!", "Why is this wine orange?"). And dining with your elders brings a whole host of comfort and accessibility factors that mean the dark, noisy, hip communal-tabled joints are no-go zones. That’s why we’ve come up with this handy dining guide for taking your parents out for dinner in Sydney.

No one needs more materialistic crap that will just end up tossed in the garage. And because we’re all time poor, and don’t want to spend hours trawling through Google looking for ideas, we’ve found five great Father’s Day presents that don’t suck. One thing they have in common? They’re all experiences – rather than things – that you can do with your old man.

In need of a last-minute gift for dad? Sydney’s well-renowned Blak Markets will be returning to Tallawoladah Lawn at The Rocks on September 2 and 3. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience a beautiful celebration of Indigenous culture while supporting First Nations makers, artists and small business owners.

Beer and dads are an age-old cliché, but sometimes clichés exist for a reason. If your dad is partial to a bit of beery exploration, take him to one (or all) of our picks of the best craft breweries in Sydney. No Tooheys allowed.

Brunching is traditionally more Mother's Day territory, but eggs, coffee and good times do not discriminate. Make it a seriously lesuirely day and head to one of these lovely Sydney cafés for a maximum good time.

Fathers, rev your engines – Sydney’s got itself a playground for speed demons and people who want to bring their Mario Kart dreams to life. Unlike a lot of go-karting centres, this one is located just a stone's throw from Sydney CBD. Hyper Karting takes up the fifth floor of the carpark at the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, meaning it’s indoor – so rain or shine, you can get your karting fix. 

When you can’t choose between the beach and a swimming pool, these salty swimming spots deliver the best of both worlds. Dive in as the sun rises and you’ll have the baths to yourself, or wade in at high tide for a thrilling swell as waves crash against the walls. September equals spring, which equals better weather for swimming.

Tiny meats? Chips? Dips? All the cheeses? Fresh air? Nothing hits quite so good as all of the above, plus your family. Head outside on a picnic to one of Sydney's best picnicking spots. What's sweeter than that? 

Fathers and pubs have gone hand in hand since time immemorial. Whether you're after a simple schooner, schnitty or a quiet place to spend a Sunday, we've got you all covered with our pick of the best pubs on the market.

If you wanted to lean into the dad narrative, you can't lean harder than fishing. We’ve found seaside, lakeside and riverside spots where land-based anglers can wet a line, dive and forage for sea prizes, or mix it up and fish from a tinny. The best part? You or your pa will (mostly) get to take them home and prepare a fishy feast.

If your dad is like most dads, he likes steak. That's why we've put together a list of where you can eat the very, very best ones in town. No need for anyone to fire up the barbeque. 

Does your fatherly figure bemoan the good ol' days in Sydney when live music ruled the streets? Show him that a good time still exists and take him to see a gig at one of these sweet pubs and bars that still host local live music. 

When it comes to iconic Sydney locales, the fish market comes out on top. It's the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and you won’t find more varieties of fish on sale anywhere else outside of Japan. It trades more than 100 species a day and more than 1400 tonnes of fish a year. Take your pa for sashimi, and then pick up a really big fish that he could've totally caught given the chance. 

Why spend a Sunday tackling house chores when you could be out at the pub partaking in one of the all-time great weekend feasting traditions? Let the pros take care of the cooking and make yourself comfortable at one of these ace pubs that celebrate English charm. 

It may sound like the plot of all early 2000s family Hollywood movies, but sometimes getting out into nature with your dad figure is all life's really about. We've rounded up the best camping sites near Sydney so you don't have to. 

Whether your dad is an avid lap swimmer, likes a quiet bushland pool, or prefers a turquoise ocean bath, we've got your back with our guide to where to find your personal perfect swimming spot in Sydney..

The Bentley Group’s flagship seafood restaurant Cirrus has been serving up some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in the Emerald City since 2016, and the good news is that the seriously good spot shows no signs of slowing down. This year for Father’s Day, the team has created an eight-course menu designed to make your old man pleased. The set menu costs $130 per person, and is available for lunch and dinner seatings, which you can book here. Matching wines are optional – and we say go for it.

The most challenging part of the Sunrise Kayak and Coffee tour is getting up at 5am – but rising early gives you glassy waters and glorious photo opportunities that’ll make your dad grin and all your mates jealous. You might even see a seal. 

High culture is all over this city, and getting out and about in the midst of it is always a good idea. Head off the beaten track and take your dad to one of these gorgeous art exhibitions on in Sydney this month.