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

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

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. 

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 barbecue. 

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

Do you and the father figure in your life enjoying strolling along gentle bush paths, shooting the breeze about this and that? Make sure you can keep the conversation flowing on one of these gorgeous and easy day hikes in Sydney.  

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

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.

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

Why spend Father's Day Sunday slaving over a hot stove 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. Yorkshire pudding, anyone?

Father's Day marks the start of spring. If you dad loves the water but 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.

When it comes to iconic Sydney locales, the all new Sydney Fish Market comes out on top. It's the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and sells more than 1400 tonnes of fish a year. If your dad loves nothing better than the freshest fish, prawns, crabs and oysters, this is the place to be.

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 and your pa will get to take them home and prepare a fishy feast.

It may sound like the plot of a Hollywood family movie, but sometimes getting out into nature with your dad is the best thing you can do together. We've rounded up the best camping sites near Sydney so you don't have to. 

Chips and dips? A picnic blanket and beers? Fresh air and fun times? Check, check, check. Spring is in the air and nothing feels better than some family fun in the sun to celebrate dad. So pack that Esky and head outside on a picnic to one of Sydney's best picnicking spots. 

Does your father 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 pubs and bars that still host local live music. 

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.

If you dad is the arty kind, there's culture is all over this city. 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 that are on in Sydney.