OVERVIEW

As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is filled with exciting activities and fascinating attractions. From historic landmarks and cultural events to outdoor adventures and unique cuisine, every type of traveler can find plenty to enjoy in this marvelous city.

Although most of Sydney’s marquee attractions are located in the Central Business District (CBD), there are also sites to be seen and experiences to be had throughout its suburbs, coastlines, and the nearby mountains. 

You’ve surely seen plenty of pictures of the iconic Sydney Opera House and massive Sydney Harbour Bridge. But did you know that when staying in Sydney you can also hike along the Pacific Coast, cuddle with a wallaby, and hike through the mystic Blue Mountains?

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to do in Sydney and the surrounding area in no particular order. Hopefully these ideas will help you create the perfect itinerary for your trip to this amazing destination.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY

Sydney Opera House

No visit to Sydney is complete without visiting its most recognizable landmark, the Sydney Opera House. Its unique sail-like design was conceived by the architect Jørn Utzon. The opera house opened in 1973 and attracts over 10 million annual visitors. It stands as one of Australia’s most important cultural icons. 

You can visit the opera house through an organized tour, eating at one of its restaurants, or even watching one of its frequent performing arts shows. Arguably the best way to explore the opera house is walking around its exterior and appreciating how its glossy white shells highlight the Sydney skyline.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The CBD is connected to its northern suburbs via the 3,770 foot long Sydney Harbour Bridge. The bridge is nicknamed “The Coathanger” due to its distinctive shape and arch design. It rises 440 feet across Sydney Harbour and serves as not only a means of transportation, but also a major tourist attraction.

There are a variety of ways to visit and experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A pedestrian walkway runs along the east side of the bridge and takes about 30 minutes to cross on foot.

If feeling a bit more adventurous and willing to spend additional money, you could consider the exhilarating Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb experience. BridgeClimb Sydney is a local tour operator that offers the unique opportunity to summit the bridge with a guide.

We walked up to the bridge from the Harbour Bridge Stairs, located in The Rocks neighborhood in the CBD. From there we walked across the bridge to North Sydney.

On the way we stopped at the South Pylon Lookout. Oliver and Maddie explored the Pylon Museum while completing their scavenger hunt. Afterward we climbed the 200 steps to visit the observation deck, which provided incredible views of the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and Sydney Harbor. 

Interesting Fact: Although an efficient ferry system existed across Sydney Harbor, the British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd designed the bridge to improve transportation between the rapidly expanding populations of Sydney and its northern suburbs. 53,000 tons of steel and approximately 1,400 workers were used in the construction of the bridge. Unfortunately, 16 of these workers lost their lives in the process.

Circular Quay

Between the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge is Circular Quay. In this vibrant gathering area you’ll find loads of cafes, pubs, hotels, and a host of local street performers. 

Circular Quay is also the city’s most pivotal transportation interchange and waterfront precinct. It’s the home to a massive ferry terminal, train station, and several bus stops. Ferries depart from here all hours of the day and in a few minutes can take you to Luna Park, Taronga Zoo, the beach town of Manly, and dozens of other destinations. 

On the western side of Circular Quay is the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s free to visit and in addition to the beautiful art work, it also offers fantastic views of Sydney Harbour. The museum has a small cafe if you need a snack or lunch break during your visit.

Darling Harbour

Initially serving as one of Sydney’s docklands and industrial areas, Darling Harbour underwent a transformation in the 1980’s. It now provides a range of entertainment and cultural attractions. A waterfront promenade leads along the Darling Harbour’s shoreline while the Pyrmont Bridge straddles the harbor.  

The west side of Darling Harbour offers stunning views of Sydney’s skyline and is home to the Australian National Maritime Museum. The east side is where you’ll find the SEA LIFE Aquarium, extravagant yachts, and countless restaurants, hotel complexes, and shopping centers.

Make sure to stop at Tumbalong Park, where there’s several interactive fountains and a playground that can keep kids busy for hours. Head to the nearby Darling Quarter shopping center for an afternoon snack.

The Rocks

As Sydney’s oldest neighborhood and site of its first colony, The Rocks is a historic district characterized by a maze of cobblestone streets, vibrant businesses, and rich cultural heritage. 

The precinct is nestled where the northern end of the CBD meets the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Many of the historic buildings have been restored and converted into modern boutiques, pubs, and cafes, while others remain preserved in essentially their original form.

Some of the popular sites include The Rocks Discovery Museum, the lively weekend open-air market, and Cadmans Cottage, one of Sydney’s oldest surviving buildings. We enjoyed just wandering the alleys, browsing art galleries, and envisioning colonial life in historic Sydney.

Interesting Fact: In the late 19th century, The Rocks experienced a period of lawlessness and heightened criminal activity. During those years the neighborhood was heavily populated by convicts, sailors, and gangs who engaged in robbery, violence, smuggling and illegal gambling. The most notorious of these gangs was known as the “Rocks Push” gang.

George Street

The main pedestrian thoroughfare of the CBD is George Street, which stretches from The Rocks in the north to Chinatown and Central Station in the south. The street has undergone a relatively recent transformation to prioritize pedestrian access and accommodate the light rail. It now serves as the major commercial artery through downtown Sydney.

The lively street is lined with restaurants, arcades, karaoke bars, and shops selling everything imaginable. Two large upscale shopping complexes, Queen Victoria Building and The Strand Arcade are found on George Street as well.

We walked up and down George Street several times, always finding new shops to explore. Oliver and Maddie played the claw machines under the neon pink arcade lights while Shirlee and I sampled an endless variety of food served along the street.

Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

This large shopping center is located in the crux of the CBD, along George Street.  The historic Victorian-age building was constructed in 1898 and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

The shopping complex is home to several high end chains including Gucci and Swarovski as well as numerous specialty stores and luxury boutiques. We particularly enjoyed the “Art of Dr. Seuss Collection” at Harvey Galleries. 

The real highlight of the QVB lies in its beautiful Victorian and Romanesque architecture, most notably the two elaborate clocks suspended from the ceiling. Other prominent features include its central dome, stained glass windows, intricate tilework, and iron balustrades.

Chinatown

Just south of the CBD is the network of narrow alleyways of Sydney’s Chinatown. The neighborhood is very walkable and connected through the light rail and bus stations. You’ll know when you’ve reached Chinatown by the large paifang archway at Dixon Street. 

This is a great area to sit down at an authentic Asian restauranat and sample some dumplings, dim sum, or even modern fusion cuisine. In fact, our first meal in Sydney was at Nanjing Dumpling, a delicious Asian eatery where we had sticky rice, wonton soup, and pickled veggetables.

Afterward, consider a visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a peaceful retreat consisting of ornate fountains, pagodas, and walkways. We enjoyed just getting lost amongst Chinatown’s neon signs, vintage lanterns, and bustling markets.

Paddy’s Market

In the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown is Paddy’s Market, where you’ll find a maze of kiosks selling anything from counterfeit Louis Vuitton purses and luggage to generic souvenirs and electronics of questionable quality. In the far corner of the market they sell produce and other foods.

Oliver and Maddie loved exploring the aisles in search of their favorite trinkets while haggling prices with the vendors. Oliver settled on a collection of Avenger action figures while Maddie gave in to her sweet tooth and bought an enormous bunny-shaped cotton candy.

Above Paddy’s Market is Market City, a more conventional shopping center. It’s a multi-level complex with a food court and stores selling brand name goods.

Sky Tower Eye

For unparalleled panoramas of Sydney’s skyline, Sydney Harbor, and the surrounding waterways, make sure to stop at the Sky Tower Eye. Standing 1,014 feet tall, the structure is the largest structure in Sydney and the second largest in the southern hemisphere.

You can purchase discounted tickets online or full price at the ticket office on the fifth floor of the tower. Three elevators whiz visitors up to the observation deck for 360 degree views of the city. The tower also contains two rotation restaurants, the Infinity and Skyfeast. 

For a more intense experience you might consider the SKYWALK. These adrenaline-seekers are allowed to step outside the enclosed observation deck onto a glass-bottom platform, giving a much more exciting perspective.

Interesting Facts: Sydney Tower opened in 1981 and is able to withstand earthquakes and extreme wind conditions through the use of 56 cables that stabilize the tower. There are 1504 stairs and three high speed elevators that take 40 seconds to travel from the top to bottom of the tower.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting Sydney. The nearly 4 mile mostly paved path follows the shoreline and provides continuous views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal parklands, and rugged cliffs.

The trail begins on the rainbow steps of Coogee Pavilion and winds along several bays and beaches, each offering a stunning view and an opportunity to swim, snorkel, or sun bath. One of the most popular stops is Tamarama Beach, as it’s a haven for surfing enthusiasts.

Another highlight of the walk is Waverly Cemetery, where a sea of tombstones are perched on the cliffside above the crashing Pacific Ocean waves. 

Just before reaching Bondi Beach sits the iconic Bondi Icebergs Club. The club is home to an oceanfront pool and high end restaurant. It’s an amazing location to sit down for a meal or drink after finishing up the 2-3 hour walk.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is a large urban and crescent shaped beach located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. It’s one of the most famous beaches in Australia and is known for its vast stretch of golden sand, lively atmosphere, and clear blue waters.

Some of the more interesting features of Bondi Beach are the old-school skate park and street art lining the pedestrian walkway. There’s also no shortage of restaurants in the vicinity. We ate a delicious Italian meal at Bondi Trattoria as it was one of the first restaurants we came across after finishing the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk.

Luna Park

Constructed in 1935 on the shores of the northern Sydney suburb of Milsons Point, Luna park is a historic amusement park and one of the most popular attractions in Sydney. Although it has undergone several temporary closings and renovations over the years, it continues to offer an exhilarating experience to its visitors today.

Luna Park’s design was based on the original Luna Park at Coney Island in Brooklyn. The most recognizable feature of the park is its giant main gate in the shape of a smiling and rather disturbing clown’s mouth. 

You’ll feel a real sense of nostalgia at Luna Park and it has become a cultural landmark of Sydney. In addition to classic carnival rides such as the Ferris wheel and carousel, Luna Park also has more modern attractions such as the head thumping and seizure-inducing “Sonic Neon” maze of lights.

Interesting Fact: The famous main gate, known simply as the “Face”, is one of Sydney’s most beloved symbols and has undergone nine revisions since the park’s opening in 1935. The most recent version, built in 1995 creates a rather whimsical entrance to the park and remains one of Sydney’s most popular photo spots.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair

One of Sydney’s most impressive views is found at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, in the northeast corner of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Several paved walkways lead to this viewpoint at the tip of Mrs. Macquarie’s Peninsula, which is a popular location for viewing the sunset.

The path along the western shoreline is particularly scenic as it provides continuous views of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the CBD. On the other side of Mrs. Macquarie’s Peninsula you’ll often see large naval vessels stationed in the waters.

Vivid Sydney

For three weeks in late May and early June, the Sydney skyline transforms into a canvas of neon and 3D projections during the annual Vivid Sydney light festival. From 6 PM – 11 PM every night of the festival, buildings around the city are lit up with fluorescent greens, pinks, and yellows, creating a truly stunning sight.

We would begin our night at Circular Quay, grab dinner from one of the dozens of street vendors, and sit down to watch the 3D light projected on the Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Vivid Sydney Light Walk is a free walking itinerary that showcases many interactive exhibits and cutting-edge art installations spread throughout Sydney. The path takes about 3 hours to complete and leads through Barangaroo Reserve, Darling Harbour, and Chinatown while finishing at Central Station where several food trucks are serving creative dishes.

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

While the renowned Taronga Zoo receives all the headlines and attracts millions of annual visitors, we instead visited the Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. Several Sydney locals recommended Featherdale due to its focus on Australian wildlife with the option to feed and interact on a personal level with the animals.

We were not disappointed with our choice. Oliver and Maddie spent hours feeding birds, cuddling the kangaroos, and getting their own personalized photo petting a koala. We also saw wallabies, dingoes, crocodiles, and dozens of bird species. This was a magical experience and one of our favorite things to do in Sydney.

Blue Mountains

Many people make a day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney as it’s only a 90 minute drive from the CBD. However, there’s a lot to see and do in the area so we actually stayed two nights in the region at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.

Unfortunately, it rained for nearly the entire duration of our time there, but we were determined to make the best of it. We had pre-booked tickets to one of the obligatory Blue Mountain attractions…Scenic World. They operate a skylift, cable car, and train to the lush valley floor, which were worthwhile experiences even in the rain and fog. 

The highlight of our time in the Blue Mountains, however, was hiking the Grand Canyon Track. This is a four mile trek into a densely forested gorge that requires stream crossings, minor boulder scrambling, and a steep ascent back out of the valley. 

The trail cut through the rainforest and we were surrounded by massive ferns, moss covered rocks, and overflowing streams for the entire hike. The recent rainfall made this trail especially challenging and a thrilling adventure.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

The large cosmopolitan city of Sydney attracts millions of visitors annually, and for good reason. With its rich cultural history, amazing architecture, a booming business district, and incredible natural landscapes, there’s no mystery why it’s one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

The urban areas of central Sydney, including the CBD, Darling Harbor, and Chinatown offered no shortage of fascinating attractions, exciting activities, and amazing cuisine.  Sydney Harbour is home to some of the most iconic landmarks of Sydney, including the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the historic neighborhood of The Rocks. 

From the arcades that tempt you with their neon lights to the historic shopping complexes of George Street, there’s enough to see in this area alone to keep you busy for days. We particularly enjoyed the hundreds of restaurants and vendors featuring food from all corners of the world.

Although we loved our time in the city itself, we preferred our time in the outskirts of the city. The coastal walks, Blue Mountains, and personalized animal encounters of Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park were our favorite experiences during our time in Sydney.

Hopefully this list of the best things to do in Sydney will ignite some wanderlust. Pick your favorite attractions from the list, create your own perfect itinerary, and enjoy traveling to this impressive Australian city!