For those that are fascinated by this side of history, take your time to explore each one of the exhibits. For those that want to enjoy a shorter tour, we recommend the HMAS Vampire (a battleship) and the Tall Ship James Craig, a 19th century barque. Booking a Skywalk experience is the best way to enjoy the views of Sydney’s skyline from the Sydney Tower Eye. On this 30-minute guided tour, you’ll circle the outside of the tower on metal walkways and walk over a few glass floors to remind you just how high up you truly are. Before stepping outside, you’ll change into a stylish jumpsuit with a built-in clip system that attaches to the outside railings. It's 26 kilometres of national park with stunning coastline walks, secluded beaches, natural rock pools and rock formations that are Insta-worthy.Why go?
Sydney punches well above its weight for free cultural experiences. Most major institutions 9d cinema offer free general admission to their permanent collections, so you might only pay for select ticketed temporary exhibitions. Depending on where you go, pub trivia can have free entry and prizes to win, so you’re only covering the cost of a drink or two. Let's Work TogetherWe would love to work together on your next travel project! Here you can ride the world’s steepest passenger rail, the steepest cableway in the Southern Hemisphere and ride the cable car between the mountains.
Boat Harbour holds historical significance as part of the site where Captain Cook first landed in 1770. The nearby Kurnell National Park adds to the area's natural charm, offering visitors a tranquil escape within easy reach of Sydney's bustling city center. Taste Cultural Food Tours offer a unique culinary journey through the city's vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods. These guided tours provide an immersive experience, allowing participants to sample a diverse array of dishes from local eateries, markets and hidden gems.
However, there is another revolving venue in the CBD that is often overlooked. Visitors can either stop in for a drink — order the martini and enjoy the spectacle of having your glass chilled with liquid nitrogen tableside — or a sit-down meal, featuring modern Australian cuisine. The tour visits animals such as giant spiders and Tasmanian devils at the Australia Reptile Park and also takes you to seek the allusive bottlenose dolphins in Nelsons Bay. Reaching the Blue Mountains, you will gaze and natural beauty spots such as the Three Sisters and the Megalong Valley, ending the day with a cruise down the Parramatta River. Fans of the TV show Home and Away will love this official Home and Away Tour.
Free guided tours of this spectacular house of worship take place every Sunday at 2pm. There is something for everyone here with fashionable restaurants, an extremely cosmopolitan rooftop pool bar, and epic club night parties (including one of the city’s biggest gay parties every Saturday). Built on the ruins of the house of New South Wales’ first Governor, the museum uses objects, pictures, and new digital media techniques to celebrate the people and events that have shaped this city’s soul. Catwalks and ladders take you to the top of the outer arch, where the steady incline to the summit leaves you free to focus on the view. The view from this separate area of the bridge still allows you to see the vast city below and the Blue Mountains to the west on a clear day.
For those visiting on the weekend, the Bondi Markets are a must and one of the best things to do in Sydney. This bridge is famous for being one of the longest single-arch bridges in the world. It also has a breathtaking view, allowing you to see the Opera House, harbour, and endless ocean.
It’s based on the first Luna Park on Coney Island, New York in 1903. There were three Luna Parks that opened in Australia, and it’s been a tumultuous ride with closures and re-openings peppered throughout its history. Today, Luna Park Sydney is now recognised as an iconic feature of Sydney Harbour and the north shore. It is absolutely worth your time to join a daily tour, for both the artful insight and secret rooms that even locals often miss. Previous exhibits have included Japanese Lacquer and Australian connections, which also offered ceramic workshops with Japanese artists.
Read our guide on the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk for more details about this exciting walking trail, including photos. Many of these landmarks are located along Macquarie Street, including the Hyde Park Barracks, the Sydney Mint, and Parliament House. Read our Barangaroo Reserve article to learn more about this unique area so close to the city. Read our guide with hidden gems in Sydney for more of these unique places to visit. These gardens incorporate the former Paddington Reservoir, which was part of Sydney’s third water supply system in the 19th century.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip for the family, a romantic date, a spot with stunning views or a hidden gem, we’ve got the perfect picnic spot for you. Our list will showcase the best hotels with views of the opera house, the harbour bridge and the harbour from your room, as well as a hostel that has one of the best panoramic views in Sydney. Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains and grab an Blue Mountains Hop on Hop off pass – kids ride free – and you can travel to the mountains using Sydney Trains to save on costly guided tours. Affectionately known by locals as the “Coat hanger” (although not for the faint of heart), if you’re brave enough to be on top of one of the world’s most iconic bridges, this is one experience worth having.
Basically, it's an oasis in the heart of Sydney and one of the best free activities to add to your bucket list. Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden isn't your typical, sprawling garden, nor is it a park in any sense. It's best described as a hidden oasis, and the more observant of you will notice Wendy shares a surname with the artist Brett Whiteley we covered above. The museum also has a lovely teahouse with a delightful selection of Chinese teas and snacks. Stroll through historic laneways, uncover quirky street art, and soak up the buzz of vibrant neighbourhoods.
Some of the most notable museums are the Australian Museum, which showcases everything related to natural history. Located 268 metres above the city streets below, you can see the city from a new angle as you look down through a glass floor. Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest park and the city’s central open green space.
Then step into the Royal Academy interactive experience ‘fit for a king’. Take a seat on the throne alongside His Majesty King Charles III. Up next, hit a six with Cricket legends Glenn McGrath and Donald Bradman or catch a wave with Layne Beachley.
Queens Park is 26 hectares, with sports fields, playgrounds, free BBQ facilities and great views of Sydney. Centennial Park is one of the biggest parks in Sydney with more than 189 hectares of open spaces, located just 4km from the Sydney CBD. It has been a favourite among locals and visitors alike since it opened in 1935.
Asian food ranks high on our list of favorites, and Australia does not disappoint. Last time we were in Sydney, we joined this guided tour of the Opera House and had a fantastic experience! Our guide took us behind the scenes of this iconic landmark where they told us stories about the building and its history, some of which were pretty juicy! We even got to see some areas that are closed off to the public, which made this experience even more impressive. For another unique and interesting perspective of the city, why not take flight in a helicopter? Helicopter tours are one of the most unique attractions in Sydney and a great way to see the iconic monuments, beaches, coves, harbour precincts, and city skyline.
Top things to do in Sydney Top attractions, events & more
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