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Syndey is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. It is beloved by both native Aussies and visitors from overseas thanks to its fascinating history, beautiful beaches, and bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere.
In this travel guide, we’ve compiled a list of things to do to inspire your next trip. It includes many of Sydney’s top attractions, best-known areas, and most fun activities so that you can create an itinerary to suit your interests and pace.
1. View, Walk, and Scale Sydney Harbour Bridge
One of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or ‘The Coathanger’, as it is affectionately known by locals. You can get fantastic views of the bridge from various vantage points along the harbor waterside, but the bridge itself offers impressive views of the Sydney Central Business District skyline.
You can also see the renowned smiling face of the moon, which marks the entrance of Luna Park, a century-old amusement park that sits on the North Shore.
For a truly unique experience, consider doing the Sydney Bridge Climb. It takes more than three hours to scale the outer arch of the bridge, and your guide will share entertaining stories about the bridge and its history along the way. At the arch’s summit, you’ll get incredible views of the Blue Mountains to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
2. Sample Australian Wine in the Hunter Valley
Australia exports some of the best wine in the world, and much of it is produced in the Hunter Valley. More than 150 wineries operate in this region, offering guided tours and wine tastings.
It takes around 2.5 hours to reach Hunter Valley by car. There are plenty of coach tours available, or you could arrange a private tour for a customized experience. Another option is to book accommodation in the Hunter Valley for a night or two so you can leisurely make your way around some of the region’s best vineyards.
3. Take Ferry Rides Across Sydney Harbour
One of the best ways to get around in Sydney is by ferry. This popular method of public transport is fast and affordable, and it lets you take in the ever-impressive skyline of the Central Business District. Here are some of the most popular ferry rides to take.
Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island
Having been a popular Aboriginal meeting point, a colonial prison, an industrial school, a naval training school, a ship-building dock, and a Royal Navy base, Cockatoo Island has a fascinating history. You can easily spend a full day here learning about the island’s past.
Circular Quay to Darling Harbour
You’ll travel under Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House during this 20-minute journey. Darling Harbour is an elegant harbourside complex packed with museums, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
Circular Quay to Manly
Manly ferries depart every 30 minutes, making it easy to travel the seven miles to this peaceful suburb. Manly Beach is a popular spot for sunbathers, surfers, and snorkelers alike.
Pyrmont Bay to Watsons Bay
The ferry to Watsons Bay departs from Pyrmont and passes Garden Island, Darling Point, Double Bay, and Rose Bay. Watsons Bay is a pretty fishing village where you can enjoy a refreshing coastal walk in the morning, followed by fish and chips and a few drinks in the afternoon.
4. Shop in Style in the Queen Victoria Building
The QVB, as Sydneysiders call it, was built in 1989 and ever since has been one of Sydney’s most luxurious shopping destinations. It’s a lavish building originally constructed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Stained-glass windows and a mosaic floor adorn the interior, while the roof is crowned by a great dome.
Over 180 shops, boutiques, and jewelers can be found in the QVB, including some luxury fashion houses. You can also grab a coffee or a bite to eat at the range of cafes and restaurants here.
5. Go Sightseeing on a Big Bus Tour of Sydney
The Big Bus Sydney double-decker buses provide a hop-on hop-off service so you can easily get around the city’s biggest attractions. An audio commentary is available so that you can learn about the city’s landmarks and history en route.
There are two Big Bus tour routes available. The Red Line covers the city center and includes stops at Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Chinatown. The Blue Line covers Bondi Beach and the Eastern Bays, including the popular suburbs of Rose Bay and Double Bay.
6. Go Behind the Scenes in Sydney Opera House
A trip to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Sydney Opera House, which is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed building. With more than 1,600 dance, music, and theatre performances taking place each year, it should be easy to catch a world-class performance here during your visit.
For a more intimate experience, consider taking a guided tour of the Opera House. This lets you witness the impressive theater spaces while they’re empty and gives you behind-the-scenes insights into the building’s history. You can also grab a cocktail at the Opera House, with the Opera Bar offering the best views of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
7. Relax and Unwind on Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is both a suburb of Sydney and a crescent-shaped golden sands beach that’s popular with surfers. You can catch a bus to Bondi from central Sydney CBD for a laid-back day trip out of the city. You can take surfing lessons, lounge in the sun, swim in the seawater Bondi Icebergs pools, or simply wander around the shops and grab food and drinks from the array of bars and eateries here.
There are also great opportunities for hiking from Bondi Beach. The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a particularly popular route. It’s 3.7 miles long and passes both Tamarama Beach and Bronte Beach so you can take in some of Sydney’s lesser-known stretches of sand which are just as beautiful as Bondi.
8. Get Lost in Nature in the Blue Mountains National Park
The world heritage site Blue Mountains National Park covers 4,400 square miles, and there’s no shortage of hiking trails to explore here. Katoomba, which sits at the foot of the rugged region, can be reached by train or bus from Central Station within a couple of hours. Head to Scenic World for incredible panoramic views of the region via railway, cableway, skyway, and walkway.
More than 400 different animal species reside in the Blue Mountains. You might catch a glimpse of some of them when you explore the forested wilderness or visit some of the quaint countryside towns and villages here. Be sure to check out The Three Sisters, a natural sandstone formation that is a fabulous photo op.
9. Discover Sydney’s History at The Rocks Museums
The Rocks is where European Settlers first landed in Australia, but Aboriginal people resided in the area long before that. This historic part of the city is home to a variety of museums where you can learn about events that shaped the Sydney, New South Wales, and Australia we know today.
- The Museum of Sydney celebrates the heritage of New South Wales while preserving Australia’s first government house which was once home to Arthur Philip, the founding governor of NSW.
- The Justice and Police Museum provides insight into New South Wales’ biggest legal proceedings of the 19th century and houses the city’s original holding cells.
- The Museum of Contemporary Art has more than 4,000 works by native artists, with a focus on art created by Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Australian National Maritime Museum has a variety of permanent and rotating exhibitions that show what life was like to live, work and explore the world on the high seas.
- The Art Gallery of New South Wales displays a vast collection of works from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Australian, European, and Asian artists.
10. Get to Know Australian Wildlife
Australia is home to some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife, so be sure to make time to visit one of Sydney’s animal-based attractions.
Taronga Zoo
The award-winning Taronga Zoo boasts more than 4,000 animals, including native and non-native species. Daily keeper talks allow you to learn about your favorite critters, including kangaroos, koalas, chimpanzees, and tigers.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
With more than 13,000 animals spanning 700 species, SEA LIFE Sydney is one of the world’s biggest and most popular aquariums. It is split into nine themed zones, including Shark Valley, the Great Barrier Reef, and Macquarie Island, where you can visit penguins.
Whale watching cruises
The whale watching season in Syndey runs from May to November, but June and July are the best months for spotting whales as they pass along the Australian coastline. Cruises set off from various locations in Sydney Harbour.
11. Immerse Yourself in Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Hyde Park Barracks Museum offers unique insight into the colonial history of Australia. The barracks here were originally used to house convicts, but over the years, they’ve served as an immigration and asylum depot, law courts, and government offices.
Visiting Hyde Park Barracks is an immersive experience that tells the stories of the thousands of people that have been housed there over the years. It’s also an excellent way to learn about colonial expansion’s impact on Aboriginal communities.
12. Take Bush Tucker Tours with Aboriginal Guides
Bush tucker is food found in Australia’s outback — wild plants and animals that have sustained the Aboriginal people for centuries. The Royal Botanic Garden has a popular Aboriginal bush tucker tour which highlights a huge array of native plants used as food and medicine.
There are several other places to take bush tucker tours outside of central Sydney, including:
- Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Campbelltown Bush Explorers walks and workshops
13. Go Snorkeling at Dive Centre Manly
Snorkeling is a popular pastime in Sydney because there’s a wealth of beautiful sea life beneath the surface of the Harbor. Manly is one of the best destinations for snorkeling because the waters here are relatively calm.
Although you can simply head out on your own steam to snorkel, a tour is a great way to maximize your chances of seeing the most marine life. The Dive Centre in Manly runs Snorkel Safaris to help you spot the likes of cockatoo fish, sea urchins, leatherjackets, goatfish, and more.
14. Get Panoramic Views from Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in Sydney and it offers awe-inspiring panoramic views of the city. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Blue Mountains from its observation deck.
If you’re looking for a kick of adrenaline, try the Skywalk. This guided tour circumnavigates the tower via an exterior ledge with a glass floor. You can calm your racing heart with a relaxing drink at the tower’s Bar 83 afterward.
15. Take a Quirky Walking Tour of Newtown
Newtown is a bohemian suburb that has an eclectic character reminiscent of New York’s Brooklyn or London’s Shoreditch. There’s no shortage of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, cocktail bars, and entertainment venues here, making it the perfect spot to find thriving nightlife.
During the day, you can while away the hours exploring Newtown’s quirky boutiques, bakeries, laid-back cafes, and street art installations. If you want a lazy day that leads into a fun night, take the train to Newtown from Central Station and let yourself wander.
16. Explore Sydney’s Bushwalking Tracks and Coastal Hikes
Sydney has a unique combination of rugged bushland and lush green parklands, as well as extensive coastal paths. There’s no shortage of bushwalking tracks and forest hiking trails to explore. Highlights include:
- Blue Gum Forest, Hornsby (2.6 miles out and back)
- America Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park (1.24 miles out and back)
- Great North Walk, Berowra to Cowan (8 miles one way)
- Hermitage Foreshore, Rose Bay (1.4 miles one way)
- Patonga to Pearl Beach (1.8 miles one way)
17. Learn How to Surf on Sydney’s Waves
Australia is one of the best countries in the world for surfing, but its impressive waters are also great for other watersports such as kayaking and scuba diving. If you’re new to watersports, you can easily find lessons and rent equipment to join in the fun at many of Sydney’s beaches.
In addition to Bondi and Manly, which we’ve already covered, keen surfers should also check out Palm Beach. It takes about an hour to get there from central Sydney, but it’s worth the trip for a chance to spot whales and dolphins.
Discover Your Favorite Sydney Attractions
There’s no shortage of fantastic attractions and fun activities to get up to in New South Wales, but you’ll only find your favorites once you visit Sydney for yourself. Use this list as a starting point to plan your next visit to this huge Aussie city.
Featured Image Credit: Ira Sokolovskaya
