19 Of The Best Things To Do In Sydney, Australia

Take A Tour Of The Sydney Opera House

Make the most of your day down at Sydney’s Harbour by taking a tour of the famous Sydney Opera House. Sure, this is a building recognised world over and it’s incredible to see it with your own eyes but only the few that choose to step inside, either for a concert, show, or tour, get to see what the bones of this building’s architecture looks like.

We took a 1-hour guided tour and it was so fascinating. We learned about the land the Sydney Opera House is built on, how the design of the Sydney Opera House was chosen, and how it overcame controversy to become one of the world’s most recognisable and iconic buildings.

My favourite part was learning about how the Sydney Opera House is actually a stronger structure now than it was when it was opened in 1973 thanks to its concrete architecture. I also loved being able to sit in 2 of the Sydney Opera House’s theatres and would love to go back one day to see a live show. While we were there, technicians were preparing the stage ready for that evening’s performance – and although the name might suggest that this venue is just for opera, you can also see singers, theatre shows, film screenings, comedy shows, and ballets here. Upcoming shows in 2026 include My Fair Lady, Great Opera Hits and Madam Butterfly but if you can’t make any of those, or you’re limited on time, there are plenty more options for what’s on at the Sydney Opera House and taking a tour is a really good way to experience the Sydney Opera House.

Climb The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a bucket list thing to tick off your list of things to do in Sydney. It might not be for everyone, you do have to climb quite high above the ground (although do take a look at the Underbridge Walk if you don’t like heights) and it’s an expensive activity, but honestly it’s such a memorable thing to do.

Depending on which activity option you choose, the climb will take you around 3 hours to do. You go through a full safety briefing with your group and guide, literally get shown the ropes, and then before you know it you’re in the belly of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, up close with all the nuts and bolts of this huge steel structure (53,000 tons of steel and 6 million rivets to be precise).

Known as the ‘Coathanger’ by locals thanks to its shape, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, built in 1932,  dominates Sydney’s Harbour. At 503 metres long and 143 meters from the ground at its highest point from the water, you can’t miss it and although it might make a fair dent in your Sydney budget, it’s worth it to learn about this iconic Sydney landmark.

Your guide will lead the way, explaining key information about the bridge’s structure and how it was built and once you’ve climbed a few ladders (don’t worry you’re shown how to safely do this), you’re above street level and on the climb up to the top.

Take in views of Sydney’s CBD, the Sydney Opera House and across to the coast out to Bondi if it’s a clear day. There are plenty of photo stops along the way where your guide will get the best souvenir photos for you to enjoy as a reminder of the trip.

Once you’re at the top, you have plenty of time to take in 360-degree views of Sydney and the surrounding suburbs. Watch the planes come into land, spot Parramatta, and the colourful Luna Park.

Before you know it, you’ll be on your way back down with the impressive skyline of Sydney’s CBD right in front of you. I’d recommend the Summit Climb Twilight Experience if you want to see Sydney’s skyline turn all twinkly as the sunsets – it’s really special!

If you choose a Summit Climb, all the following is included:

• A dedicated guide for your Harbour Bridge Tour
• History and Commentary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney
• A printed photo of your group at the Summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• 360-degree panoramic views of Sydney
• BridgeClimb suit with all your climbing gear
• Commemorative Certificate of Achievement for kids
• BridgeClimb cap

Like I said, I’d recommend the Twilight Climb (I’ve been very lucky enough to do this twice) as you might see an incredible sunset, but I can imagine it’s an incredible experience whatever time of day you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

There are also special event climbs to look out for, for example around events like Vivid Sydney. If you want to know more about the Sydney Harbour Bridge and history of the First Nations, you can also enjoy the Burrawa Climb – a Harbour Bridge Climb with a First Nations Storyteller so you can also understand the history of Sydney from an Aboriginal perspective – ideal if you want a more immersive experience into indigenous culture in Sydney and Australia.

Take A Guided Tour Of The Rocks

The Rocks is one of the most historic areas of Sydney and is well worth an afternoon of your time in the city. There are plenty of shops to peruse, lots of places to eat and drink (I personally enjoyed The Australian Heritage Hotel and The Lord Nelson Brewery and if you want views of Sydney’s Harbour, try out The Glenmore Hotel) It’s also a great place to soak up the city’s culture by paying a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia which houses contemporary works by Australian and global artists.

Another way to get into the history and culture of The Rocks though is by taking a guided walking tour where you’ll discover narrow alleys and lesser known areas of The Rocks which you may not have stumbled across otherwise.

This 90-minute walking tour takes you around the area nestled under the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and brings to life the history of The Rocks. Starting from how this area began as a convict settlement when the British landed in Sydney, to the modern waterfront area it is today, you’ll see this area in a whole new light after your tour.

Enjoy Coffee and Food In Surrey Hills

Surrey Hills is a really cool, creative area of Sydney, and a real hive for independent restaurants, brunch places, and coffee shops. If you want to get into the heart of Sydney, without going to the beach or spending time around the CBD, Surrey Hills is one of the places to be. 

And if you like your coffee, it’s definitely the place to be. Australia does good coffee and there’s plenty of places in Sydney to grab a flat white but Surrey Hills is a haven of independent coffee shops. Single O was the one that kept popping up when we did our research and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed coffee and breakfast here and I’d fully recommend it – try out the banana bread, it’s delicious. Another place for a good breakfast, or to grab some pastries and a takeaway coffee is A.P. Bakery, – a great place for a rooftop brunch when the sun is shining. We happened to pick a day when it was pouring it down with rain and it was still great.

For evening meals, there’s NOMAD Sydney and Kiln among the many other incredible places to eat around this area. If you do want to sample a lot of food in a short time, try out a Surrey Hills Food Tour to enjoy the best of this area’s culinary scene at family eateries and hidden neighbourhood gems.

Spend A Day At Taronga Zoo

If you’re into wildlife or are visiting Sydney with kids, Taronga Zoo is a great day out. Home to over 4,000 animals, including giraffes, red pandas, koalas, Tasmanian devils, lions, gorillas and many more, Taronga Zoo is only 2 minutes by ferry from Sydney’s CBD.

I know zoos aren’t for everyone but Taronga Zoo is a non-profit where every dollar here goes to saving wildlife and Taronga Zoo leads vital work that helps support, save and conserve the world’s animals.

If you want to get up close to the animals, there are several experiences you can enjoy including a koala encounter and giraffe encounter. The giraffes by the way have one of the best views in the world, looking directly over the harbour across to the Sydney Opera House and Sydney’s skyline!

Do The Bondi To Coogee Coastal Walk

If you’re into nature, and like to be out by the coast, hop on a bus to Bondi or Coogee, and do the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Sydney has many coastal walks but this is arguably one of the most popular and most accessible to enjoy from Sydney’s CBD.

Start early, to avoid both the heat and the crowds, and wear comfortable shoes for this 6km (one-way) walk. You can start at either Bondi or Coogee but personally I prefer to start from Coogee to enjoy the views of Bondi as you end your walk.

Along the way, you’ll see Coogee Beach, Gordons Bay, Clovelly Beach, Bronte Beach, Waverley Cemetery, Tamarama Beach, Mackenzies Bay, Bondi Icebergs and Bondi Beach. It’ll take you around 3 hours at a steady pace and every single view, cove, bay and beach is stunning so get your camera ready!

I’ve done this walk a few times and no matter the weather, or the season I’ve done it in, I’ve enjoyed it with no view ever being the same. I’d recommend taking water with you, as well as sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Also take some swimmers with you if you fancy a dip in the sea or a surf. Gordons Bay and Clovelly Beach are well known for their underwater wildlife and Bronte, Tamarama and Bondi Beach all have great surf with Bondi Beach being the place to take some lessons if you want to learn how to catch some waves. 

Bronte Beach is a good pitstop for a bite to eat and a coffee, with places like Coop Cafe and the Bogey Hole offering up good refreshments if you want to stop and take in the views for a while. 

Ending up in Bondi Beach means you can spend the rest of the day there just hanging out on the sand or wandering the busy streets of Bondi and just imagining what it would be like to live there for a moment or two! We enjoyed a bite to eat at Curly Lewis Brewery Co. and then cocktails at Pocket Bondi and North 44!

Get The Ferry Across to Manly

An easy ferry ride from Circular Quay takes you across to Manly, one of Sydney’s coolest suburbs. The journey across to Manly is an experience in itself going past the Sydney Opera House and along the coast. 

And then you land in Manly where you can grab a drink at Felons Brewing Co., or you can wander along the shoreline to Shelly Beach where you can enjoy sunset or take a snorkel in the protected marine reserve of Cabbage Tree Bay. Alternatively, head straight down The Corso to Manly Beach where the pine tree backed stretch of sand is a great place to spend a day in the sun. I love it in Manly, there’s some great shops to browse in, wonderful restaurants and coffee shops, and it’s a great place to catch some waves!

Do The Inner West Ale Trail

Newtown is one of my favourite Sydney suburbs. A haven for the free-spirited with tons of independent business and shops, and a lot of the more industrial areas becoming well-frequented spots for local breweries to set up shop. 

If you like your beer, or just brewery vibes in general, spend an afternoon and evening wandering the Ale Trail around Sydney’s Inner West, which includes several breweries in Newtown, Marrickville, and St Peters. In fact, in a 5km radius, you’ll find 15 local breweries, 320 craft beers and 100 wines and ciders to try out. 

Save this activity for a Thursday to Sunday as you’ll have a bigger selection of breweries to try out – our favourites were Young Henry’s and Pickled Monkey Brewing but on our list for next time are The Grifter Brewing Co., The Bob Hawke Leisure Centre, and Wildflower among the rest that feature on this trail. You can find a full map of the Inner West Ale Trail here so tick each one off at leisure tasting a few beers at each one. If you’re not a beer drinker but like the energy of a brewery, many also serve up cider and wine as well as food – very similar to how the breweries in the USA do it with many here also showing sports on TV! There are also a few distilleries and coffee shops around this area including Ester Distillery and Black Market Coffee.

Another great area for breweries in Brookvale, just a short bus ride from Manly. We enjoyed a drink at 7th Day Brewery and Nomad Brewing Co., but Freshwater Brewing also looked pretty lively and it would be great to go back and explore this area a bit more!

Drink The Wine In Sydney’s Hunter Valley

What could be better than a day out in Australia’s Hunter Valley enjoying good wine, travelling around various vineyards and breaking up the day with cheese, chocolate and a restaurant lunch. Try out red wines and white wines and also enjoy a visit to a distillery to sample some spirits. Not only that but you’ll get to see behind the scenes into Australia’s wine production.

This is a full day experience so it’s probably one to do if you’re in Sydney for more than a couple of days, or it’s one to do if you really like wine as this day out will really immerse you into the making and tasting of Australian vino.

Enjoy A Walk Around The Botanic Gardens of Sydney

The Botanic Gardens in Sydney feel miles away from the hustle of the city’s CBD. Although you can see the skyline peeking over the trees from many parts of the Botanical Gardens, you also feel immersed into a quiet paradise full of wonderful flora and ancient trees.

Covering 30 hectares, and trailing from the heart of the city down to Sydney Harbour, Sydney’s Botanic Gardens are the oldest scientific institution in Australia with plants from Australia and Overseas. Highlights include the Palm Grove which is home to one of the world’s oldest trees, the Weeping Lillypilly, the Oriental Garden with more than 2,000 wild and cultivated plants from China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Bhutan, and the Wildflower Meadow with its winding paths.

You can also visit The Wishing Tree, a great Norfolk Island Pine, which, legend has it, you can make a spell by walking around it three times forwards, then walking three times backwards, before making your wish. We watched a group do this and I don’t know if their wishes came true, but I know they looked slightly dizzy by their third walk around the tree!

The Botanic Gardens in Sydney are open from 7am to sunset throughout the year and it’s well worth setting aside a couple of hours, or more, to explore this wonderful green part of Sydney.

Get A Drink At Opera Bar

Sydney’s Opera Bar is one of the most sought after places to enjoy a drink in the city. With priceless views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, you’ve got to be lucky to get a spot here on a sunny day. But if you’re around Circular Quay, or maybe you’ve just finished a tour of the Sydney Opera House or your Bridge Climb, you might as well check it out just in case there’s room.

If you can’t grab a seat at Opera Bar, wander a bit further down to House Canteen which might be a bit quieter and you can still enjoy a drink with similar views of the harbour. 

Go On The Rides At Luna Park

Luna Park in Sydney first opened in 1935, and although there have been a few closures throughout its history, it has been running in its current form since 2004 and is now a heritage-listed amusement park. Attracting visitors daily, Luna Park is an iconic feature of Sydney Harbour’s skyline with its giant clown face entrance.

Unless you’re visiting for an event, entry to Luna Park is free and you just pay to go on the rides as you go. Choose from rides such as the Big Dipper, the Wild Mouse, or Sledgehammer, or there are more family friendly attractions such as the Silly Sub or Loopy Lighthouse. We loved just walking around, taking in the colourful funfair vibes – a great place to spend an afternoon if you want to have a little fun!

If you’re not a ride person, there are also fun experiences at Luna Park – at the time of writing you can get tickets to the Dream Circus, Stranger Things: The Experience, or Squid Games: The Experience!

See the Fireworks At Darling Harbour

Another seasonal attraction in Sydney are the fireworks at Darling Harbour. Usually running between the beginning of October to mid-Feb, and then selected dates through the winter, the Darling Harbour Fireworks are a real treat to see.

The show usually lasts around 5-10 minutes and can easily be viewed from Cocklebay Wharf or around the waterfront from the W Sydney. They’re pretty spectacular and give you an extremely small taster of what the fireworks are like over new year’s eve celebrations in Sydney.

If you do want to see the Darling Harbour fireworks while you’re in Sydney, check out the current times and dates on the Darling Harbour website for up to date information.

Do A Day Trip To The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are b-e-a-utiful. If you have time, and you’d like to see some of Australia’s spectacular nature, definitely do a day trip to the Blue Mountains.

You can do this through a guided tour – something I’ve done before and is a great way to visit the Blue Mountains if you want everything taken care of for you. Alternatively, you can do a self-guided day trip where you catch the train from Sydney and then enjoy the hop-on, hop-off bus around the Blue Mountains – this is perfect for taking advantage of some of the trails in the Blue Mountains, seeing some alternative views of the Three Sisters rock formation, and if you’re a more confident traveller.

With both of these options, you have the opportunity to visit Scenic World, a really cool place where you can walk a rainforest trail and also enjoy a cable car to the depths of the Blue Mountains Valley. You also get to see gorgeous waterfalls, get out into the countryside, and learn more about Australia’s important flora and fauna.

Learn About History and Culture At The Australian Museum

Museums aren’t usually my thing but a dreadfully wet day in Sydney called for an indoor activity that wasn’t just bar hopping from cocktail to cocktail around the city and the Australian Museum was the perfect rainy day activity.

Holding over 22 million objects including those from Australia’s natural history to scientific discoveries, and the people of Australia, this place is huge and can keep you occupied for hours.

As well as permanent exhibitions, all of which are free to explore, you can enjoy special exhibitions via ticketed entry. Recent special exhibitions include RELICS where vintage objects meet miniature LEGO® brick but you can take a look at what’s on at the Australian Museum here when you visit!

My favourite part of the museum was learning about famous Australians and the impact they’d had on the world but I could see families and kids really enjoying the dinosaur section – some of the models look incredibly lifelike!

Go Shopping In The Queen Victoria Building

Another great rainy day activity, or just a regular day activity if you enjoy shopping, is spending some time browsing the shops in the Queen Victoria Building. The Queen Victoria Building is worth a wander through anyway even if you’re not bothered about the shops. Built in 1898, and named to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, there was a massive renovation in 2009 which harks back to the original version of the building.

Now you can find high street and designer shops with plenty of cafes and places to eat inside too. Some of my favourites to browse were Leica, T2, and Gerwurzhaus. 

There’s also some good shopping to be done along Sydney’s main shopping streets – George Street and Pitt Street – as well as in Myers, Westfield Shopping Centre and David Jones department store.

Enjoy Margaritas At Cantina OK!

One of the many bars I was desperate to try out in Sydney was Cantina OK! As soon as I saw the words ‘specialist margarita and mezcal bar’ I was sold. The fact this place only serves drinks with those two spirits was enough to get me in the door but then you realise Cantina OK! is a compact, hole-in-the-wall kind of bar that has standing room only for around 12 people, then it becomes a place you have to visit no matter what. It even describes itself as a ‘micro mezcal mecca’ and I couldn’t think of a better way to describe it. Back in 2021, it was also voted number 23 in the world’s best 50 bars.

We arrived around 10 minutes after opening (just after 4pm) and there were already a couple of people resting at the bar with a tequila or two. Welcomed in by friendly staff, we got given a spot right in the heart of the action at the bar, opposite their dreamy manually operated ice shaving machine. 

With around 5 core drinks on their menu, as well as a non-alcoholic option and wine and beer, the menu may be small but it packs a punch with each individual drink. I tried out the classic margarita (the Margarita OK! on the Cantina OK! menu) and the Stingray OK!, a wonderfully fruity and tart drink with a mound of shaved iced included.

The staff here were super friendly, striking up easy conversations with us throughout the evening and recommending other cocktail bars in the area to try out while we were staying in Sydney. The service alone would make me go back but the drinks are the reason to stay here for more than one.

Try Out Surfing

You can’t come to Australia and not try out the surf, right? Well, yeah I know you could but if you ever have wanted to try surfing, surely Sydney is the place to do it.

Surf schools at Bondi and Manly are the best places to book yourself in for a lesson with qualified instructors safely teaching you the way of the ocean and helping you to hopefully catch your first wave! 

See The Jacarandas On McDougall Street

This one is a seasonal activity for your list of things to do in Sydney, but if you visit Sydney from around mid-October to late November you’ll see Sydney’s bright purple Jacaranda trees in bloom. 

Bursting out around Sydney in little colour explosions of blue, Jacaranda trees are Sydney’s equivalent to Japan’s cherry blossom season and add that extra bit of brightness to an already vivid colour palette around Sydney.

You’ll see the Jacarandas dotted around the city, with some beautiful trees around the harbour and the Botanical Gardens. However, you’ll find a big concentration of Jacaranda trees in Kirribilli on McDougall Street.

We visited here on a circular north shore walk which took us from Milson’s Point, and then round Lavender Bay to Blue Points Reserve. We then ventured a bit more inland up towards North Sydney towards Sub Base Platypus for views across Neutral Bay and then back on ourselves towards McDougall Street. Let me tell you, this place gets busy and, I don’t know if this always happens during Jacaranda season, but the street was shut and pedestrianised so that people could fully enjoy the purple blooms.

If you’re a photographer, or want to enjoy this street with fewer people, I’d recommend getting up and out early, but otherwise, go and enjoy the sight of a street lined with these gorgeous blossoming trees. There’s also Milson Park next to McDougall Street along with a coffee shop edging on to the harbour water if you fancy a relax.

Go Up The Sydney Tower Eye

A journey up the Sydney Tower Eye is a great way to see 360 degree views of the city of Sydney from above. The Sydney Tower is Sydney’s tallest structure at 250 metres tall, so on a clear day, you can see right across to the Blue Mountains as well as more iconic sights such as the Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park and The Botanic Gardens.

Going up the Sydney Tower Eye is a great way to get an idea of Sydney’s layout and there are interactive touch screens where you can learn more about Sydney’s landmarks and skyline. If you want a close up view of what you’re looking at, take advantage of the complimentary binoculars to have a better look. I loved going up here around sunset on my very first visit to Sydney, I got to see the city in the daylight and as it turned golden in the evening light – absolutely magical.

You can enjoy general admission tickets which takes you up to the observation deck and also includes a Digi Photo Pass with 8 photos included. Alternatively, if you fancy a more daredevil experience, add on the SKYWALK to your ticket, a 1-hour guided experience which takes you around the top of the outside of the Sydney Tower. For an added experience, try out the VR Tower Coaster – a thrilling virtual ride over the skyline of Sydney!