Beautiful Sydney, the oldest, biggest, and most urbane city in Australia, has something unique to offer each visitor. Travelers looking for fun on the sand and sea will find Harbour City to be the ideal vacation spot thanks to its expansive sandy beaches and gorgeous cruises. Those looking for an enriched trip experience are enticed by world-class cuisine, shopping, and cultural attractions like the historic Sydney Opera House.
Sydney, a small city encircled by national parks, makes a great starting point for explorations of Australia’s various natural landscapes. Sydney is an excellent travel destination, whether you want to scale the heights of the Harbor Bridge or explore the city’s natural tourism attractions.
Sydney still exudes the pioneering spirit of its early inhabitants. Climb the harbour bridge, go surfing at Sydney’s golden beaches, or take a spectacular flight above the city. Furthermore, the adventures don’t stop in the city. Wilderness areas teeming with wildlife surround the city, offering inviting day-trip options.
With this list of the greatest things to do in Sydney, Australia, you can explore all the main destinations in this renowned harbour city.
01. Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, one of the great landmarks of the globe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the main draw on the sparkling harbor. This elegant structure, which resembles shells or billowing sails, is perched on a small peninsula surrounded by the sea.
There are various ways to get to the Sydney Opera House. Take a picture as you cruise past on a harbor cruise, unwind at one of the restaurants, explore the outside, or join a guided tour of this spectacular building. Theaters, studios, exhibition spaces, a music hall, and a movie theater are all located inside.
02. The Queen Victoria Building
The Queen Victoria Building, also known as the QVB, is a five-story shopping center that occupies a full city block and has approximately 200 stores within. The structure, which George McRae built in 1898, was intended to serve as both a market and a concert venue.
The edifice started to deteriorate during the Great Depression, and later tenants used it as office space. Now, QVB is back to its former splendor and function. The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a stunning example of the Romanesque Revival architectural style that gained popularity during Queen Victoria’s reign. It has a sizable glass dome covered in copper, decorative cast-iron railings, and numerous stained glass windows.
03. The Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, also referred to as the “Coathanger,” is another Sydney landmark. It was constructed in 1932 and is still the largest steel arch bridge in the world. It is supported by enormous double piers at each end. You may fly over it, sail beneath it, ride a train over it, take pictures from a distance, or scale its 135-meter peak.
One of Australia’s top outdoor adventures is scaling the bridge, and there are numerous tour options available. Groups are taken on a 3.5-hour climb by Sydney BridgeClimb to the top of the outer arch. Tours take place all day long, starting with a sunrise ascent and concluding with a twilight ascent.
04. The Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is another must-see destination. Famous for having so many attractive surfers and for having so many travelers on Christmas Day. Even if you only have time to undertake the beautiful Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, you should definitely go. Bodybuilders, swimmers, surfers, sunbathers, and others are drawn to the popular Bondi Beach. The south end of the beach is often only used by surfers due to the fiercest waves and worst rip tides there.
Swimmers and sunbathers frequently choose the northern end of the beach, near a patch of grass with coin-operated “barbies. The well-guarded beach has restrooms, and the areas close by are teeming with restaurants, bars, and shops.
05. The Rocks
Circular Quay is only five minutes away from Sydney’s stunning, ancient neighborhood known as The Rocks. The Justice and Police Museum is a great place to learn more about Australia’s history with convicts, and the Rocks Markets every weekend offer superb shopping. Along with some quite upscale stores and galleries, the cobblestone lanes are home to some charming ancient pubs.
This is a genuine blend of the past and present. The rocky coastline on the west side of Sydney Cove, where the convicts set up camp, inspired the name “The Rocks. Today, more than 100 heritage landmarks and structures crowd the winding lanes, including Cadmans Cottage, Sydney’s oldest surviving home, constructed in 1816.
06. The Sydney Tower
The Sydney Tower, the city’s tallest building at 1,073 feet above sea level, provides 360-degree views of the small metropolis, port, and surrounding countryside. The architect Donald Crone was the creator of this structure, which opened to the public in 1981.
The building’s Sydney Tower Eye is an enclosed observation platform that completely encircles the structure and is located 260 meters (850 feet) above ground. Three dining options are available in the tower, including the 360 Bar and Dining rotating restaurant. A “4D” theater, the newest addition to the Tower, improves the theatrical experience with added effects like wind and bubbles.
07. Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour was renovated in the 1980s with culture and tourism in mind after serving as the site of Sydney’s industrial docks and wharves for many years. The Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, Aboriginal Center, and an IMAX cinema with the biggest screen in the world are just a few of the most well-liked tourist attractions in Sydney that are now housed in the neighborhood right next to the Central Business District.
The family-friendly Harbourside Shopping Center has a laser tag area, a jet flight simulator, and a bowling alley. Elegant stores, bars, and eateries may be found on the waterfront’s east side.
08. The Royal Botanic Garden
Do you need a break from the city’s bustle? Relax in Farm Cove’s Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. One of the numerous free, relaxing activities in the city is a trip to this serene retreat. The park is free to enter, and free guided excursions are also provided.
The gardens are Australia’s first botanic garden, having opened their doors in 1816. They cover 30 hectares of themed gardens with tall trees, palm groves, succulents, orchids, ferns, tropical gardens, flora from the jungle, and Oriental gardens. The Tropical Center, which houses plants in greenhouses with pyramidal shapes, and the Rare and Threatened Species Garden, which has an old Wollemi Pine, are two noteworthy collections.
09. Taronga Zoo
You may visit all your favorite animals at Taronga Zoo, in addition to breathtaking cityscapes. One of the best things to do with kids in Sydney is visit the zoo, which is located in the affluent suburb of Mosman on a point along the north side of the bay.
Here, you can get up close and personal with famous Australian fauna as well as other species from across the globe. The African Savannah exhibit, Tiger Trek, the chimpanzees, and the gorillas are among the highlights. Although a car or bus can be used to get to the zoo, most tourists choose to take a quick ferry to the closest wharf. From there, a quick gondola ride will take you to the zoo’s entrance.
10. Island Cockatoo
Cockatoo Island, a unique destination, is located in the center of Sydney Harbour and is easily accessible by ferry. It was only made accessible to the general public in 2007, although it offers visitors tents and seaside eateries. You can go around the sizable island to observe all its distinctive features on guided historical and eerie tours.
The island has served as a prison, naval camp, and shipyard throughout its history, and its rusty industrial artifacts and old cells make for some amazing photographs. You can take in beautiful harbor views, learn about its intriguing past, or go to one of its frequent concerts and cultural events.
11. The Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the nation’s most renowned art institutions and is surrounded by lovely parklands. The 1885-built structure is home to expansive, well-lit galleries and grand courts, as well as collections of everything from compelling modern art from all over the world to pieces by European masters and Asian artists. One of Australia’s largest collections of Aboriginal art is also housed in the gallery.
The Sydney Modern Project, which is transforming and expanding the Art Gallery of New South Wales, will incorporate a brand-new sustainable structure, a public art garden, and a grand forecourt in addition to renovating the existing historic structure.
12. Hyde Park
The CBD’s Hyde Park, which was inspired by London’s Hyde Park, offers a welcome respite from the rush of the city. There are remarkable statues and monuments all across the park, including the well-known Archibald fountain. Of course, you might just relax and take advantage of the sun in this sizable park, which is the oldest in Australia.
The Art Deco Anzac War Memorial (1934), located on the park’s southern side, pays tribute to its victims, while the bronze Archibald Fountain (1932) remembers Australia’s partnership with France during World War I. Hyde Park Barracks, St. James’ Church, and the Supreme Court are three beautiful Georgian structures located in Queens Square at the northern end of Hyde Park. These structures were designed by Sir Francis Greenway, a convict.
Above is our selection of the top places to visit in Sydney. We understand that you don’t want to be a tourist and that you want to do activities that are somewhat different from what everyone else is doing. Though it’s unlikely that you’ll have another opportunity to travel to Australia, there are several Sydney sites that you simply must see!
Sydney, a small city encircled by national parks, makes a great starting point for explorations of Australia’s various natural landscapes. Sydney is an excellent travel destination, whether you want to scale the heights of the Harbour Bridge or explore the city’s natural tourism attractions. Make sure to share this with your friends.
