Travelling with a toddler is one of those things people warn you about. You hear the horror stories, the meltdowns, the logistics, the naps that never happen. So when we booked a short trip to Sydney with our 16‑month‑old, I braced myself for chaos.
And yes, there was chaos — but there was also so much joy. More than I expected.
The Chaotic Start
The first day was rough. My husband was working, and I was home trying to finish packing, clean, and do last‑minute checks. My plan was to do everything during my son’s nap… but of course, he didn’t nap. He definitely sensed the stress.
The weather didn’t help either — pouring rain, classic travel timing. But somehow, we made it to the airport on time, didn’t forget anything major, and the best surprise of all: he slept most of the three‑hour flight. I even watched a series in peace. A miracle.
Once we landed in Sydney, things shifted.
Adjusting to Sydney
Our accommodation was a bit outside the city, so we commuted every day. Our son is used to being chauffeured around in a car (not because we’re fancy — because New Zealand public transport is… questionable), so we weren’t sure how he’d handle buses and trains.
Turns out, he loved it.
He became the unofficial celebrity of every carriage — smiling at everyone, waving, trying to make friends, and charming his way through the whole train. Not everyone is a kid person, but it was lovely to see how many people interacted with him. Maybe I’m biased, but he really does spread joy.
Exploring the City
We squeezed a lot into a short trip — probably too much, but it was worth it.
- Harbour Bridge
- Opera House
- Botanical Garden
- Museums
- The Zoo
- Manly Beach
- The Blue Mountains
It was a lot of moving around, and by the end we were all ready for a break. I missed our comfy bed and the luxury of doing nothing. But seeing Sydney through his eyes made everything feel fresh and exciting.
The Nap Rollercoaster
Naps were… unpredictable. Day one: zero nap. Too much excitement, too many new things. I tried, but he was buzzing. Thankfully, the next day he passed out at the zoo and even stayed asleep when we transferred him to the stroller. How he wakes up at home from the sound of a leaf falling outside, but sleeps through screaming children and city traffic, is one of life’s great mysteries.
He even fell asleep on his own twice — a big improvement for us. Travelling really does shake up routines in unexpected ways.
Mornings Were the Hardest
Because we often got back around his bedtime, we couldn’t prep for the next day. Sometimes he woke us early, which made everything slower. The room wasn’t toddler‑friendly, so one of us had to take him to the balcony to watch traffic while the other got ready. He loved it — probably saw more cars in ten minutes than he sees in a whole week at home.
Breakfast, showers, packing the day bag… everything took three times longer than it should. But that’s parenting. Time bends.
Airbnb vs Hotel
We stayed in an Airbnb, and honestly, I still don’t know which is better with a toddler. Both can feel claustrophobic. And you’re always worried about noise — crying, early wake‑ups, running, the occasional scream. You can’t exactly tell a toddler, “Please lower your volume, the neighbours are sleeping.”
At least the Airbnb had a kitchen and some space to move. A hotel room would’ve been tight. But the walls still felt paper‑thin, and I kept imagining the neighbours hearing every squeal.
The Journey Home
The trip back felt endless. I hoped he’d sleep the whole flight, but he woke halfway through. I braced myself — but he was amazing. He looked out the window, played with us, studied the kids’ map, and charmed the passengers around us.
Our best trick was finding a quiet corner far from the gate so he could run around before boarding. Burning that energy definitely helped.
Final Thoughts
In the end, we both agreed this was one of our best trips — mostly because of our son. Yes, it was messy and unpredictable. Yes, we were tired. But travelling with him made everything feel new again. The ferry rides, the trains, the crowds, the views — he experienced all of it with this wide‑eyed wonder that reminded us why we wanted to travel as a family in the first place.
It wasn’t a “relaxing” holiday, but it was a joyful one. And that joy outweighed every nap battle, every early wake‑up, every moment of chaos. We came home exhausted, but also full — full of memories, full of gratitude, and full of the quiet confidence that we can actually do this. Travel with a toddler isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.
What We Learned About Travelling With a Toddler
- Don’t expect naps — celebrate them when they happen.
- Burn energy before boarding anything.
- Public transport is entertainment.
- Airbnb space matters more than hotel convenience.
- Toddlers sense your stress, but they also sense your joy.
- The trip is never perfect — but the memories are.
If you’re planning your first trip with a little one, I also wrote about our experience travelling with a baby — what worked, what didn’t, and what I wish I’d known.
