Are you looking for the best things to do in Sydney Australia?
Sydney is Australia’s biggest city and has a spectacular harbourside location, unique architecture, great food and friendly locals.
The most popular things to do in Sydney include visiting the famous Sydney Opera House, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and spotting celebrities at Bondi Beach but Sydney has much more to offer with a colourful colonial history, beautiful beaches and wilderness areas on the doorstep.
Sydney is my hometown and I think it’s a wonderful city to visit and a great place to live. In this article, I’ll share the top things to do in Sydney from a local perspective. Read on to find the best things to do in Sydney Australia.
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Visit the Sydney Opera House
First on the list of things to do in Sydney is visiting the famous Sydney Opera House. An icon of Australia, the beautiful building is known for its unique design and spectacular location at Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour.
The Opera House is at the heart of Sydney’s Art and Culture scene and it’s the most photographed building in Australia. Simply walking around the outside of the building is exciting. But if, you want to see inside the performance spaces you have to buy a ticket to a concert or take a guided tour.
One of my favourite things to do in Sydney is to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform on the Concert Hall Stage. But if that’s not your thing, you can watch a ballet or an Opera and there are often contemporary music concerts at the Opera House too.
Book your ticket in advance online or head to the box office on the lower level inside the Opera House to see what’s on.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Next on the list of top things to do in Sydney Australia is climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Along with the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge is an icon in Sydney and the best way to enjoy the bridge is to climb it.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge joins the north and south sides of the harbour and has a spectacular waterfront location. From the top of the bridge, there are incredible 360° views and you can see right across the city to Parramatta in the west and the open ocean in the east.
If you’re a bit nervous about the climb, don’t worry, the experience is very safe. You’ll be in a small group with a local guide, and wear a safety harness and special overalls. On the climb, you’ll hear the stories of the construction and history of the bridge and I found this very interesting.
I also have a fabulous photo as a memento with an amazing view of the Sydney Opera House in the background.
I can highly recommend the Harbour Bridge Climb and I found that it wasn’t as hard or as scary as I expected, but if you’re not keen you can always walk across the bridge to the north shore or ride a ferry underneath the bridge.
Relax in the Royal Botanical Gardens
Visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens is right up there with the best things to do in Sydney Australia. I live and work in Sydney, and walking through the gardens is something I love to do. The spectacular location of the Botanical Gardens right on Sydney Harbour beside the Sydney Opera House is hard to beat.
The Royal Botanical Gardens were once the grounds of Old Government House, the home of the governor of New South Wales. They have a prime location in the centre of the city and are a lovely green space to enjoy.
In spring the gardens are full of color and it’s a pleasure to wander around and relax on the lawn with a picnic or a book and enjoy the view. If the weather is hot, there are huge old Moreton Bay Fig Trees that provide shade at the top of the garden.
Watch the sunset from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair sits on Sydney Harbour on the edge of the Royal Botanical Gardens not far from Old Government House. The wife of the fifth governor of New South Wales, Mrs Macquarie used to stroll through the gardens and loved the view from the rock ledge known as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Today there’s a lookout point with a stunning view across the water to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Late afternoon is the best time to go there to see the sun setting over the water behind these Sydney icons. Visiting Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the top things to do in Sydney for photographers.
To get there, follow the path along the water’s edge to the point. It’s a delightful walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens.
If you’re heading to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at dusk, it’s worth remembering that the Botanical Gardens close at sunset and the gates are locked. To get back to the city, follow the road past the Art Gallery to Hyde Park or cut through the Domain to Martin Place.
Swim at Bondi Beach
Swimming at Bondi Beach is high on the list of the best things to do in Sydney. Bondi is Australia’s most famous surf beach, featured in the popular TV programs “Bondi Rescue”, and “Bondi Vet”. It’s a great place for people-watching, celebrity spotting and for relaxing.
The beach itself is a stunning crescent of golden sand and blue ocean. It’s one of Sydney’s many fantastic surf beaches and there’s a laid-back surf scene and a trendy young vibe in town.
It’s free to swim at Bondi Beach but make sure you stay safe. Swim between the flags and wear factor 50+ sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong Australian sun.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, Bondi is the perfect place to learn to surf.
Enjoy Sydney Harbour at Night
Walking to the Opera House in the evening when the city lights up is one of the best things to do in Sydney at night and should not be missed. I love to walk along the promenade from Circular Quay to the Opera House and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere and the location on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours.
Grab a meal and a cocktail at the Opera House Bar, enjoy the spectacular view and see Sydney Harbour light up at night. Or take an evening harbour cruise and enjoy the city lights from the water.
Explore The Rocks
Exploring The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest suburb is one of the most unique things to do in Sydney and a great way to discover Sydney’s colourful history. Wander through the cobblestone laneways, walk on convict-built stairs, stroll through the Argyle Cut, and visit Cadman’s Cottage, one of Sydney’s oldest dwellings.
Exploring The Rocks independently is easy but, you can opt for a guided tour to hear tales of the colonial days in Old Sydney Town.
Once a slum area full of drunken sailors, convicts, and opium dens, the Rocks is now one of Sydney’s most exclusive areas with stunning harbor views and a prime location at the heart of the city. It’s also at the center of Sydney’s entertainment precinct with performance spaces, art galleries, and museums on every corner.
On weekends, The Rocks host a colorful arts and crafts market. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Sydney, this is the perfect place to shop for gifts and souvenirs.
Lunch at Circular Quay
Visiting Circular Quay for lunch is something I enjoy and one of many fun things to do in Sydney. Circular Quay is a transport hub with a spectacular waterside location at Sydney Cove in the center of the city. There’s a bustling atmosphere with street performers and ferries, trains, and buses coming and going.
There are lots of cafes to choose from but I recommend stopping at a café on the promenade to the Opera House. I’ve had many enjoyable coffees at the at Circular Quay which is in a great spot for people-watching with spectacular harbour views.
I also enjoy the café at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) This waterside café is part of the Art Gallery and has scenic views of Sydney Harbour.
Another favorite of mine is . It’s a small outdoor café with a green outlook at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens on Macquarie Street. The coffee is good and you can choose from a selection of tasty rolls. It’s a good place to go if you’re after a less expensive lunch near Circular Quay.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Catch the Ferry to Manly
Catching the ferry to Manly is a lovely day out and one of the top things to do in Sydney. It’s a very budget-friendly way to get out on the water and experience the gorgeous scenery of Sydney Harbour.
The Manly ferry leaves Circular Quay and sails around Bennelong Point, right past the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The views are amazing so choose your spot carefully when you get on the ferry and have your camera ready as soon as the ferry leaves the dock. It takes around 30 minutes to reach Manly.
When you arrive, stroll through the shops on Manly Corso to Manly Beach, one of Sydney’s most famous surf beaches, buy an ice cream, walk around the point to the Fairy Bower Rock Pool or take a dip at the beach.
Bushwalk in the Blue Mountains
One of my favourite things to do in Sydney is to escape the city and head to the beautiful Blue Mountains where the air is crisp and fresh and the scenery is stunning. The Blue Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness area just 90 minutes west of Sydney.
With dramatic sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and deep forested valleys, the Blue Mountains are a wonderful place to enjoy panoramic views, bushwalking and quaint mountain villages.
Spend a day exploring the hiking trails, enjoy the stunning scenery and get back to nature on a day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney.
Final Thoughts on the best things to do in Sydney Australia
The top things to do in Sydney Australia can be covered in a few days but there are many more amazing things to see and do. If you have the time, it’s worth visiting Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Chinatown Town.
Sydney also has some good Art Galleries and museums to enjoy and many stunning beaches, coastal walks, and National Parks. And the list goes on….
I think it’s fair to say that there’s no shortage of great things to do in Sydney. Don’t hesitate to visit. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
This article was written by Linda Stacy from Muy Linda Travels
Sydney Map of Accommodation
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Trademark Hostel Sydney
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👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Sydney?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Author’s Bio
Linda is a travel blogger and teacher from Australia. She has spent most of her life living in Sydney and has extensive local knowledge. Linda loves to travel solo and over the years, she’s visited around 50 countries on 5 different continents.
Her recent trips include swimming with sea turtles on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, exploring the stunning beaches and historical sites of Thailand, and a jaunt to Java and Bali climbing volcanos, visiting ancient sacred places and zipping around on the back of a motorbike.
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