Sydney, the oldest, largest, and most beautiful city in Australia, is surrounded by a stunning mix of land and sea. Ride a ferry across the sparkling harbor, see the Opera House’s white sails shining in the sun, and marvel at the elegant arch of the Harbour Bridge. You’ll quickly understand why Sydney is considered one of the world’s best cities.
It’s amazing to think that this lively capital of New South Wales started as a convict settlement. In 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet set up the first British colony in Australia at Sydney Cove. Today, you can walk through history in the narrow, cobblestone streets and old buildings of the Rocks, and learn about the Gadigal Aboriginal people, the original owners of this land, through guided tours and excellent museums.
Sydney still carries the adventurous spirit of its early settlers. You can climb the Harbour Bridge, surf the waves at Sydney’s beautiful beaches, or take a scenic flight over the city. The excitement isn’t just in the city. Nearby, wildlife-rich wilderness areas offer great day trips.
Discover the best places to visit in this famous harbor city with our list of top things to do in Sydney, Australia.
1. The Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, also called the “Coathanger,” is another famous Sydney landmark. Built in 1932 and supported by massive double piers at each end, it is the world’s largest steel arch bridge.
You can drive over it, cruise under it, take a train across it, or photograph it from afar. But one of the best ways to experience this engineering marvel and enjoy stunning views of Sydney Harbour is by climbing to its 135-meter-high summit. Climbing the bridge is one of Australia’s top outdoor adventures, with various tours available. Sydney BridgeClimb offers a 3.5-hour climb to the top of the outer arch. Tours run all day, starting with a dawn climb and ending with a night climb. You can also choose from different types of climbs, like an Indigenous storytelling experience or a climb across the arch connecting the harbor’s north and south shores.
Guided climbs with BridgeClimb Sydney include a pre-climb briefing, safety gear, and a photo at the summit. Along the way, you’ll hear entertaining stories about the bridge’s history. One of its most famous workers was Paul Hogan, who later became known as Crocodile Dundee.
There is a South Pylon Museum in the southeastern pier where you can learn more about this bridge’s construction history.
Google Maps directions to Sydney Harbour Bridge
Google Maps directions to South Pylon Museum
2. Take a Harbour Cruise at Circular Quay
Sydney is well-known for its stunning waterfront, and one of the best activities in Sydney Harbour is a sightseeing cruise. Most harbour cruises start from Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, which is also the main ferry terminal.
If you’re short on time, try the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise. This cruise takes you past all the harbor’s highlights, including the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison. You’ll hear interesting facts about these sights and have plenty of chances to take photos.
If you want to see wildlife, join the Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise during the winter whale migration. This cruise goes past Sydney Heads to spot these amazing animals. Even without a cruise, you can still visit top sites on a ferry ride around the harbor. Ferries from Circular Quay go to places like Manly, Watsons Bay, and Taronga Park Zoo.
Author’s Tip: From Circular Quay, you can easily walk to other famous Sydney attractions. Go south along the waterfront to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens. A short walk north takes you to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the historic area of the Rocks. To the west, visit the free Museum of Contemporary Art, which is in an Art Deco building and features modern and often controversial exhibitions.
Google Maps directions to Circular Quay
3. Checkout the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the top attraction on the beautiful harbor. This elegant building, resembling shells or sails, sits on a piece of land surrounded by water.
There are many ways to visit the Sydney Opera House. You can take a photo while on a harbor cruise, dine at one of the nearby restaurants, walk around the exterior, or join a guided tour to see inside. Inside, you will find theaters, studios, exhibition rooms, a concert hall, and a cinema. For a deeper understanding, book a Sydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour to learn about its history and get a behind-the-scenes look. Tours run every half hour from 9am to 5pm, and you can join any tour throughout the day with a flexible ticket.
For the best photos, head to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
The Sydney Opera House recently completed a nearly $300-million “Decade of Renewal,” which included a major renovation of the Concert Hall. Try to catch a show here if you can.
Note: Visit during the Sydney Vivid festival in late May or early June to see the sails illuminated with colorful digital art at night.
Google Maps directions to Sydney Opera House
Google Maps directions to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
4. Wonder around The Rocks at Sydney Harbour
If you want to know more about Sydney’s history? Take a stroll around The Rocks. This historic area, located on a piece of land jutting into Sydney Harbour, was originally home to the Gadigal Aboriginal people and later became the first site of European settlement in the country.
The Rocks got its name from the rocky shore on the west side of Sydney Cove where convicts set up their tents. Today, more than 100 heritage sites and buildings line the narrow streets, including Cadmans Cottage, Sydney’s oldest surviving house, built in 1816.
Your first stop should be The Rocks Discovery Museum. Here, you can learn about the area’s transformation from traditional Aboriginal lands to a convict slum and finally to a tourist hot spot. Daily at 1pm and 1:30pm, you can join a free 30-minute guided tour. After the museum, wander around the narrow, cobblestone streets. Pick up souvenirs at the gift shops, buy handcrafted items at the market stalls (open Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays), and admire Aboriginal and contemporary art in the galleries. There are also plenty of charming restaurants and cafés to explore.
Guided tours in The Rocks cover everything from Aboriginal heritage walks to photography excursions. For something unique, consider booking a nighttime ghost tour.
Google Maps directions to The Rocks at Sydney Harbour
5. Wonder around in The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
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When you are done with the city’s hustle and bustle? Relax at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in Farm Cove. This peaceful spot is perfect for a nature escape and is just a short walk from the Sydney Opera House.
Established in 1816, The Royal Botanic Garden is the oldest in Australia. It covers 30 hectares of themed gardens filled with tall trees, palm groves, orchids, ferns, succulents, tropical plants, rainforest flora, herbs, and Oriental gardens.
If you love garden then you would love this place. The Palace Rose Garden has about 1,800 roses. The Glasshouse Latitude 23 and Fernery is full of tropical plants, begonias, and orchids. The Cadi Jam Ora – First Encounters Garden tells the story of the Gadigal people, the original caretakers of the land, and explores their connection with plants.
If you want, you can join Aboriginal cultural tours and guided walks, and attend events like bush tucker morning teas and picnics.
Nearby, the Domain offers open green spaces and sports areas and is a popular event venue. While visiting the gardens, you can also enjoy views of Government House, the official residence of the governor of New South Wales.
Google Maps directions to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
6. Enjoy Sydney’s Beaches
Sydney is renowned for its stunning beaches, many of which are nestled in the harbor’s sheltered coves with calm waters and soft sands.
You don’t have to go far from the CBD to find a welcoming beach. Bondi Beach, just a 15-minute drive from the city, offers great surf, a vibrant café scene, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. For breathtaking ocean views, take the scenic coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach.
If you’re using public transport, Cronulla is the only beach accessible by train from the city, while Manly Beach is a scenic 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. At Manly, you can swim in the surf or the netted ocean pool, take a surf lesson, or stroll along the beachfront promenade with its excellent shops and restaurants.
Further north, surfers can find great waves at Collaroy, Dee Why, and Narrabeen. Swimming is enjoyable at most Sydney beaches, especially in the summer, but always swim between the red and yellow flags for safety.
Map of all the best beaches in Sydney New South Wales
7. Spend some time with animals at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo offers a chance to see your favorite animals along with stunning city views. Located in the upscale suburb of Mosman on the north side of the harbor, this zoo is a top attraction for families in Sydney.
At Taronga Zoo, you can get close to famous Australian wildlife and animals from around the globe. Highlights include the African Savannah exhibit, Tiger Trek, and enclosures for chimpanzees and gorillas.
Daily keeper talks and animal shows make the visit even more enjoyable. You can feed the giraffes, meet the Asian elephants, get close to a koala, or make friends with a meerkat. The ticket price includes entertaining shows like the Seals for the Wild presentation and the Free Flight Birds show.
The zoo also hosts special events, such as the “Roar and Snore” overnight stays and a summer concert series. You can buy a Sydney Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket in advance, which includes a ride on the Sky Safari gondola.
For a longer stay, book a room at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga. This eco-friendly retreat within the zoo offers exclusive after-hours animal viewings and other perks.
Getting to the zoo is easy: take a bus from Wynyard, or enjoy a ferry ride from Circular Quay.
Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
If you choose to pre book your tickets visit Taronga Zoo official website
Google Maps directions to Taronga Zoo Sydney
8. Have a Picnic in Hyde Park Sydney
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Hyde Park in Sydney, named after London’s Hyde Park, is Australia’s oldest park. This peaceful sanctuary in the city center is a great spot for a picnic. With sprawling lawns, shady areas, flowers, fountains, and fig trees, it offers a refreshing escape and excellent people-watching, especially at lunchtime when city workers come to relax.
The 16-hectare park features several monuments and memorials. The Archibald Fountain (1932) celebrates Australia’s alliance with France during WWI, and the Anzac War Memorial (1934) in the park’s southern half honors the war’s victims.
At the north end, in Queens Square, you’ll find three notable Georgian buildings designed by convict architect Sir Francis Greenway: Hyde Park Barracks, St. James’ Church, and the Supreme Court. Built by convict labor between 1817 and 1819, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks was restored between 1975 and 1984 and now hosts a museum about Sydney’s history and the lives of the first involuntary settlers.
Note: on the east side of the park is the Australian Museum, home to the country’s largest natural history collection.
Address: Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
Google Maps directions to Hyde Park Sydney
9. Walk or Bike around Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve is a prime example of successful urban renewal. Named after an influential Indigenous leader from the time of European colonization, this area was transformed from an unattractive container terminal into a beautiful public space in 2015, with a focus on sustainability and community wellbeing.
This 22-hectare waterfront area features over 75,000 native trees and shrubs, along with walking and cycling tracks, making it a great place for a stroll or bike ride along the harbor. The reserve also includes shops, restaurants, and spaces for events and exhibitions.
One of the highlights of Barangaroo is the Wulugul Walk. This scenic waterfront path runs for two kilometers, from Walsh Bay to Darling Harbour, and skirts the six-hectare re-created Sydney Harbour headland at the reserve’s northern end.
As you walk, you’ll encounter impressive public art installations, including the Shell Wall, a 22-meter-tall vertical panel created by leading Indigenous artists at the southern gateway of the reserve. An Aboriginal cultural tour can provide more insights into the area’s rich Indigenous heritage.
In 2023, a new recreation area opened in Barangaroo as part of the planned Harbour Park on Sydney’s foreshore. Kids can enjoy the play area and handball courts, while parents can work out in the outdoor gym or relax in shady sitting areas.
Barangaroo is easily accessible, just a four-minute walk from Wynyard Station, and there’s also a ferry service to the new Barangaroo Wharf.
Address: Hickson Rd, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Google Maps directions to Barangaroo Reserve
10. Get a great view from the Sydney Tower Eye
Just like Melbourne’s Eureka Tower, Sydney also has its rising above the city at 309 meters, the Sydney Tower Eye. It is the tallest building in Sydney and a major landmark, along with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This golden spire-topped tower sits atop the busy Centrepoint shopping mall.
Visiting the Sydney Tower Eye is a must-do activity for tourists in the Sydney CBD. Express lifts quickly take you to the observation deck at the top, or to SKYWALK, an outdoor glass-floor viewing platform perfect for sightseeing. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sydney and its suburbs or have a meal at one of the revolving restaurants or the café.
Additionally, there’s a 4D cinema experience that offers an overview of the city’s major attractions.
Address: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Google Maps directions to Sydney Tower Eye
11. Spend sometime at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour has something for everyone, just like Docklands in Melbourne. This waterfront area on the western side of Sydney’s CBD is a hotspot for both tourists and locals, featuring shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, a zoo, an aquarium, and an IMAX theater.
Families will enjoy Madame Tussaud’s, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, home to the world’s largest collection of Australian marine creatures. It’s a good idea to get the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Entrance Ticket to skip the lines.
History buffs can explore a replica of Captain Cook’s ship, the HMB Endeavour, at the Australian National Maritime Museum. As you walk around, look for the colorful art along the Darling Harbour Street Art Trail. Young children will love the carousel, playgrounds, and water park. Additional attractions include an IMAX and 9D theater, harbor jet boat rides, simulated flights, and racing car adventures.
For a peaceful retreat, visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship and enjoy tea among the willows and koi ponds.
Darling Harbour also hosts a variety of events, from art exhibitions and film festivals to music concerts at the Aware Super Theatre.
Google Maps directions to Darling Harbour Sydney
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