Skip Sea Life at Darling Harbour - $39-57 per adult depending on when you book, $24-42 kids for standard fish tanks you can see anywhere. That's easily $100+ for our family of five to look at sharks behind glass.

Take kids to Coogee Rock Pools instead (FREE!). Actual marine life in natural habitat. Rock pools filled with anemones, crabs, small fish kids can observe up close without barriers.

Getting there: Bus 373 from Central, 35-50 minutes, around $3.20-4.40 Opal per adult. Walk from Coogee Beach to rock pools is pushchair-friendly. Cafes nearby for lunch. Kids learn about real ocean ecosystems instead of artificial displays.