tourist attractions north sydney

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of Sydney for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Sydney without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Food & Drink Awards
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Area Guides
• Theatre & Dance
• Music & Nightlife
• Restaurants & Cafes
• Bars & Pubs
• Visitor Guide
• Competitions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

North Sydney area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in North Sydney

This northern business district is a bustling metropolis during the week, with thousands of office workers jetting into the heart of the lower North Shore for work. Pockets of the suburb are home to grassy ovals and beautiful views of the harbour, while other parts are dominated by large high schools and high-rise buildings. Whatever your reason for ending up in North Sydney, be sure to drop by the historic  Greenwood Hotel , a sandstone former school dating back to 1844 that in recent years has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the North Shore's most popular meeting spots.

The best restaurants in North Sydney

Bar Lettera

North Sydney has welcomed an Italian/Australian restaurant and wine bar, with a former Bridge Room and Momofuku Seiobo chef heading up the kitchen

• 5 out of 5 stars

An unforgettable North Sydney feast where coastal flavours meet dreamy design

Poetica Bar and Grill

• 4 out of 5 stars

With a dreamy dining room and expertly cooked woodfired proteins, Poetica is sure to light your fire

• price 1 of 4

Cheap and cheerful Japanese hidden within the concrete jungle

The best bars in North Sydney

• 3 out of 5 stars

At last, a green oasis brings weekend vibes to North Sydney

A new sprawling bar and restaurant gives North Sydney-siders the perfect place for an after-work drink and eat

The Union Hotel - North Sydney

The Union Hotel underwent a little makeover not long back and the result is a modern take on the classic pub. There is a redwood bar, faux fireplaces and...

Greenwood Hotel

The Greenwood is all grown up these days

More things to do in North Sydney

Silky Shapes Studio

Throw pottery and turn a ball of clay into something beautiful

Brett Whiteley Place

This recently upgraded public space in North Sydney is a thoroughfare for local workers and hosts community events.

Mary MacKillop Place Museum

Don Bank Museum

It’s not known exactly when this house was built, but parts are thought to date from the 1820s. Originally called St Leonards Cottage (most of North...

What's on in North Sydney

Northside Produce Markets

Shop for veggies, flowers and herbs on the first and third Saturday of every month

Discover Time Out original video

• Acknowledgement of Country
• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Reviews policy
• Competition terms
• About the site
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising
• Report an error
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

• NSW Road trips
• Accommodation
• Be inspired

• destinations
• sydney north
• north sydney

North Sydney Activities

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay connected to Sydney for all the latest news, stories, upcoming events and travel inspiration.

Discover Somewhere New

All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.

Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water.

• NSW Government
• Destination New South Wales (Corporate site)

Sydney.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. © Copyright 2024 Destination NSW. All rights reserved

• North Sydney Tourism
• North Sydney Itineraries
• North Sydney Hotels

Top Tourist Attractions in North Sydney

• New South Wales
• North Sydney
• Things To Do In North Sydney

Best Things To Do in North Sydney, Australia

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at North Sydney.

North Sydney may not be as popular as other cities in Australia, but don’t let that fool you. North Sydney is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

You can definitely plan a few hours of a side trip here while traveling to Sydney or Newcastle. You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at North Sydney.

If you have plans to visit Australia and are not sure if North Sydney should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in North Sydney and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.

• Things to do with Family & Kids in North Sydney
• Leisure Activities in North Sydney

Tourist Attractions in North Sydney

Here is the list of things to do in North Sydney and tourist attractions in city.

St Leonards Park

Address: Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia

Bourke Street Bakery North Sydney

Address: 17/105 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia

The Greens North Sydney

Blues point reserve, meriton suites north sydney, vibe hotel north sydney, 80 william st, north sydney harbourview hotel.

• Things to do in Sydney
• Things to do in Newcastle
• Things to do in Wollongong
• Things to do in Melbourne
• Things to do in Adelaide
• Things to do in Geelong
• What to do in North Sydney in 1 day
• What to do in North Sydney in 2 days

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Popular Attractions in North Sydney (2024)

• Recommended
• Traveler Rating 
• Most Booked
• Distance (Nearest First)

1 . The Big Fiddle

2 . Cape Breton Highlands National Park

3 . Wentworth Park

4 . Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

5 . Low Point Lighthouse

6 . Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

7 . St Patrick's Church Museum

8 . North Sydney Historical Museum

9 . Cape Breton Island

10 . Cineplex Cinemas Sydney

Popular types of attractions in north sydney, popular restaurants in north sydney, popular destinations, recommended attractions at popular destinations.

• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List My Property
• Become a Supplier

Map of North Sydney — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of North Sydney, Australia for travelers! Check out North Sydney’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting North Sydney? See our North Sydney Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in North Sydney. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our North Sydney map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in North Sydney by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 17 attractions in North Sydney

Wendy whiteley's secret garden, luna park sydney.

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Hermitage Foreshore Walk

Cremorne reserve, blues point reserve, ensemble theatre, balls head reserve, may gibbs' nutcote, milson park, hare krishna movement, jeffreys st, don bank museum, mary booth lookout reserve, kirribilli markets, sub base platypus, mary mackillop place, top 10 restaurants in north sydney, green moustache, north sydney hotel.

Ryo's Noodles

The treehouse hotel, lavendra indian, the greens north sydney, rafi north sydney, the botanist, yakitori yurippi, transportation in north sydney, nearby airports, sydney airport, highways and major roads.

• Pacific Highway
• Harbour Bridge
• Cahill Expressway
• Warringah Freeway
• Gore Hill Freeway
• Falcon Street
• Miller Street
• Military Road
• Ernest Street
• Willoughby Road

Popular road trips from North Sydney

What's the weather like in north sydney.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in North Sydney for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in North Sydney in January
• Weather in North Sydney in February
• Weather in North Sydney in March
• Weather in North Sydney in April
• Weather in North Sydney in May
• Weather in North Sydney in June
• Weather in North Sydney in July
• Weather in North Sydney in August
• Weather in North Sydney in September
• Weather in North Sydney in October
• Weather in North Sydney in November
• Weather in North Sydney in December

All road trips from North Sydney

• North Sydney to Canberra drive
• North Sydney to Newcastle drive

Explore nearby places

• North Sydney
• McMahons Point
• Milsons Point
• Neutral Bay
• Cremorne Point
• St Leonards
• Northbridge
• Strathfield
• Port Stephens

All related maps of North Sydney

• Map of Waverton
• Map of McMahons Point
• Map of Kirribilli
• Map of Milsons Point
• Map of Neutral Bay
• Map of Crows Nest
• Map of Cammeray
• Map of Cremorne Point
• Map of St Leonards
• Map of Greenwich
• Map of Cremorne
• Map of Northbridge
• Map of Lane Cove
• Map of Burwood
• Map of Ashfield
• Map of Strathfield
• Map of Liverpool
• Map of Camden
• Map of Fairfield
• Map of Bankstown
• Map of Mosman
• Map of Ryde
• Map of Hornsby
• Map of Maitland
• Map of Parramatta
• Map of Willoughby
• Map of Woollahra
• Map of Port Stephens
• Map of Holroyd
• Map of Waverley

North Sydney throughout the year

• North Sydney in January
• North Sydney in February
• North Sydney in March
• North Sydney in April
• North Sydney in May
• North Sydney in June
• North Sydney in July
• North Sydney in August
• North Sydney in September
• North Sydney in October
• North Sydney in November
• North Sydney in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in North Sydney?

Get inspired for your trip to North Sydney with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day North Sydney Itinerary
• 2-Day North Sydney Itinerary
• 3-Day North Sydney Itinerary
• 4-Day North Sydney Itinerary
• 5-Day North Sydney Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sydney

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Sydney the oldest, biggest, and most beautiful of all Australian cities, lies amid a seductive intermingling of land and sea. Glide along the glittering harbor on a ferry, see the white sails of the Opera House gleaming in the sunshine, admire the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge, and you'll see why this is one of the world's top cities.

It's hard to imagine this vibrant state capital of New South Wales was once a convict colony. In 1788, it was at Sydney Cove where Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet, established the first British colony in Australia. Today, you can explore Sydney's fabled history in the narrow, cobbled laneways and historic buildings of the Rocks, and learn about the Gadigal Aboriginal people, the traditional custodians of this land, on guided tours and at the city's excellent museums.

Sydney still fizzes with the adventurous spirit of its settlers. Climb the harbor bridge, surf the green-barrel breaks at Sydney's golden beaches, or fly over the city on a scenic tour. And the adventures don't end in the city. Wildlife-rich wilderness areas surround the city providing appealing day trip possibilities .

Discover all the best places to visit in this famous harbor city with our list of the top things to do in Sydney, Australia.

See also: Where to Stay in Sydney

1. See the Sydney Opera House

2. the sydney harbour bridge, 3. stroll around the rocks, 4. hop aboard a harbor cruise at circular quay, 5. spend a day at darling harbour, 6. smell the roses at the royal botanic garden sydney, 7. shop 'til you drop at the queen victoria building, 8. zoom up the sydney tower eye, 9. bask on sydney's beaches, 10. bike or walk around barangaroo reserve, 11. go wild at taronga zoo, 12. wander along george street, 13. enjoy a picnic in hyde park, 14. admire the masterpieces at the art gallery of new south wales, 15. visit st. mary's cathedral, 16. explore macquarie street & the state library of new south wales, 17. enjoy yum cha in chinatown, 18. find vintage treasures and colorful street art in newtown, 19. check out kings cross, where to stay in sydney for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to sydney, sydney, australia - climate chart, more exciting adventures near sydney.

One of the world's great icons, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the star attraction on the glittering harbor. This graceful building, shaped like shells or billowing sails, perches on a finger of land surrounded by water.

You have several options for visiting the Sydney Opera House . Snap a photo while gliding by on a harbor cruise, relax at one of the restaurants, stroll around its exterior, or take an organized tour of this magnificent structure. Inside, you'll find theaters, studios, exhibition rooms, a concert hall, and a cinema.

Book a Sydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour to learn about the history and get a behind-the-scenes look at this famous building. This is a flexible ticket that allows you to join any one of the tours throughout the day, departing every half hour from 9am to 5pm.

Avid photographers should head to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for one of the best photo opportunities.

The Sydney Opera House just emerged from an almost $300-million "Decade of Renewal." Among the many improvements is a renovated Concert Hall — try and catch a show here when you visit.

Author's Tip: If you happen to be in Sydney in late May or early June during the Sydney Vivid festival , stop by at night to see the white sails lit up with colorful digital art.

Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney, New South Wales

Nicknamed the "Coathanger," the Sydney Harbour Bridge is another Sydney icon. Supported by massive double piers at each end, it was built in 1932 and remains the world's largest steel arch bridge .

You can drive over it, cruise below it, chug over it on a train, or photograph it from afar. But one of the best ways to appreciate this marvel of engineering, and soak up the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, is on a climb to its 135-meter-high summit.

Scaling the bridge is one of Australia's top outdoor adventures, and you can choose from a range of different tours. Sydney BridgeClimb takes groups on an approximately 3.5-hour climb to the top of the outer arch. Tours run throughout the day, beginning with a dawn climb and ending with a night climb. You can also choose from different types of climbs, including an Indigenous storytelling experience and a climb right across the arch to the other side — the bridge connects the harbor's north and south shores.

Guided ascents of the bridge with BridgeClimbSydney include a pre-climb prep talk, safety gear, and a photo on the summit. Along the way, you'll learn all kinds of entertaining stories about the history of the bridge. One of its most famous workers was Paul Hogan, aka Crocodile Dundee, before he became famous.

To learn more about the fascinating history of the bridge's construction, visit the museum in the southeastern pier.

Address: 5 Cumberland Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Want to soak up a bit of Sydney history? Take a stroll around The Rocks . Located on a tongue of land protruding into Sydney Harbour, the Rocks historic area was once home to the Gadigal Aboriginal people. Later, it became the country's first site of European settlement.

The Rocks was named for the rocky coast on the west side of Sydney Cove where the convicts pitched their tents. Today, more than 100 heritage sites and buildings jostle along the narrow streets, including Sydney's oldest surviving house, Cadmans Cottage , built in 1816.

The first stop should be a visit to The Rocks Discovery Museum . Here, you can learn about the area's fascinating transformation from traditional Aboriginal lands to convict slum to tourist hot spot. You can also join a 30-minute free guided tour at 1pm and 1:30pm daily.

Afterward, wander around the narrow, cobbled streets. Pick up some souvenirs at the gift shops, buy handcrafted goodies at the market stalls (Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays), and admire Aboriginal and contemporary art in the galleries. You'll also find plenty of atmospheric little restaurants and cafés here.

Guided tours run the gamut, from Aboriginal heritage walks to photographic excursions, and if you're looking for unusual things to do in Sydney, you can book a nighttime ghost tour.

Address: 66 Harrington Street, Level 6, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney is famous for its sparkling waterfront setting, and one of the most popular things to do in Sydney Harbour is a sightseeing cruise. Most harbor cruises depart from Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, which is also home to the city's main ferry terminal.

Short on time? Book the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise , which takes you past all the harbor highlights and to some of the most scenic places in Sydney, including the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison. Learn fascinating facts about the key sights along the way, and keep your camera ready — you'll have plenty of photo ops.

Prefer to spot some wildlife during your tour? During the annual winter whale migration, the Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise takes passengers out past Sydney Heads to view these magnificent creatures.

If you don't have time for a harbor cruise, you can still see some of the top sites on a ferry ride around the harbor. Ferries depart from Circular Quay to prime spots, such as Manly , Watsons Bay , and Taronga Park Zoo .

Author's Tip: From Circular Quay, you can easily walk to other top Sydney tourist attractions . Head south along the waterfront promenade to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and a short walk to the north leads to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Rocks historic area. To the west, the free Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in an Art Deco building, displays cutting-edge, and often controversial, exhibitions.

Darling Harbour has something for everyone. Packed with tourist attractions, this waterfront precinct on the western side of Sydney's CBD is a hub for tourists and locals alike. You'll find everything here, from shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues to museums, a zoo, an aquarium, and an IMAX theater.

Families will love Madame Tussaud's; the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo; and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, which contains the world's largest collection of Australian marine creatures. The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Entrance Ticket is a great way to get ahead of the crowds.

Nautical-minded history buffs can board a replica of Captain Cook's ship, the HMB Endeavour , at the Australian National Maritime Museum. And while you're wandering around, keep an eye out for colorful artwork along the Darling Harbour Street Art Trail .

Younger children will love the carousel, playgrounds, and water park. An IMAX and 9D theater, harbor jet boat rides, simulated flights, and racing car adventures round out the exciting attractions.

Seeking a tranquil patch of green? Slip into the Chinese Garden of Friendship , and sip tea among the willows and koi ponds.

As well as offering a one-stop shop of Sydney attractions for families, Darling Harbour also hosts an exciting line-up of events, from art exhibitions and film festivals to music concerts at the Aware Super Theatre .

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city? Chill out at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in Farm Cove. A visit to this tranquil oasis is one of the many relaxing things to do in the city for free — especially if you're in need of a nature fix — and it's only a short stroll from the Sydney Opera House.

Established in 1816, the gardens are Australia's oldest botanic garden . They encompass 30 hectares of themed gardens with towering trees, palm groves, orchids, ferns, succulents, tropical gardens, rainforest plants, herbs, and Oriental gardens.

Garden lovers will be in heaven. The Palace Rose Garden blushes with around 1,800 roses. The Glasshouse Latitude 23 and Fernery brims with tropical foliage, begonias, and orchids; and the Cadi Jam Ora - First Encounters Garden tells the story of the Gadigal people, the land's traditional custodians, and explores the relationship between people and plants.

Aboriginal cultural tours and guided walks are offered, as well as events such as bush tucker morning teas and picnics.

Wondering what's nearby? Surrounding the gardens is the Domain , a popular event venue, with open green space and sports areas. And while you're visiting the gardens, you can enjoy views of Government House , the official residence of the governor of New South Wales.

Address: Mrs Macquarie's Road, Sydney, New South Wales

If shopping is high on your agenda, head to the Romanesque-style Queen Victoria Building ("QVB"). Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth a visit just to admire this beautifully restored building and its colorful stained-glass windows and mosaic floors.

A high central dome surrounded by 20 smaller domes crowns this elegant building, which was originally built as a market hall between 1893 and 1898. After decades of neglect and even plans for demolition, this grand sandstone building was restored to its original state in the early 1980s.

Today, more than 200 high-end shops line its light-filled galleries. Australian stores include R.M. Williams, Lorna Jane, and Haigh's chocolates, as well as many Aussie designer boutiques, and you'll also find homeware stores, gift stores, and galleries.

Feeling peckish? The Tea Room QVB hosts a popular High Tea under crystal chandeliers.

You can access the QVB from Town Hall Station through underground arcades.

If you want to learn more about the history of this magnificent heritage building, sign up for a 45-minute QVB History Tour .

Address: 455 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Soaring above the city skyline, the 309-meter-high Sydney Tower Eye is the city's tallest building and one of its great landmarks (other than the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, of course). This golden spire-topped turret rises from the busy Centrepoint shopping mall.

Zooming up the Sydney Tower Eye is one of the popular things to do in the Sydney CBD for tourists. Express lifts whisk visitors to the observation deck at the top, or to SKYWALK, an alfresco glass-floor viewing platform, the perfect spot for sightseeing. While you're up here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs, or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the revolving restaurants or the café.

Also on offer is a 4D cinema experience, which provides an overview of the city's major icons.

Address: 100 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney is famous for its beautiful beaches . Tucked around the harbor are many sheltered coves with calm water and sugary sands.

You don't need to venture far from the CBD to find an inviting stretch of sand and sea. Iconic Bondi Beach is less than a 15-minute drive from the city, with great surf, a buzzing café scene, and a cosmopolitan vibe. For fantastic ocean views, take the coastal walk along the cliffs from Bondi to Coogee Beach .

If you're traveling by public transport, Cronulla is the only beach accessible by train from the city, and Manly Beach is only a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay . Here, you can swim in the surf or the netted ocean pool, take a surf lesson, or stroll along the beachfront promenade and stop in at the excellent shops and restaurants.

Farther north of the city, surfers will find some fantastic breaks at Collaroy , Dee Why , and Narrabeen . Swimming is enjoyable at most Sydney beaches — especially during the summer months — but you should always stay between the red and yellow flags.

Barangaroo Reserve is an excellent example of a successful urban renewal project. Named after the influential female Indigenous leader at the time of European colonization, the area was transformed from an unsightly container terminal and opened to the public in 2015 with a commitment to sustainability and enhancing community wellbeing.

With more than 75,000 native trees and shrubs, as well as walking and cycling tracks, this 22-hectare waterfront precinct is a lovely spot for a stroll or bike along the harbor. You'll also find shops, restaurants, and event and exhibition space here.

One of the most popular things to do at Barangaroo is the Wulugul Walk . This scenic waterfront promenade skirts the six-hectare re-created Sydney Harbour headland at the reserve's northern end and extends for two kilometers between Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour .

Along the way, you can admire an evocative series of public art installations. Keep an eye out for shell wall , a 22-meter-tall vertical panel on the side of a building at the reserve's southern gateway, created by two of Australia's leading Indigenous artists. You can learn about the area's rich Indigenous heritage on an Aboriginal cultural tour .

In 2023, a new recreation space opened in Barangaroo as part of the planned Harbour Park open space on Sydney's foreshore. Bring the kids here to bounce around in the play area and challenge each other to a game of handball. Parents can work out in the outdoor gym or relax in the shady sitting areas.

Barangaroo is only a four-minute walk from Wynyard station, and you can also catch a ferry direct to the new Barangaroo Wharf.

At Taronga Zoo , you can see all your favorite animals, as well as spectacular city views. Nestled on a point along the north side of the harbor, the zoo inhabits prime Sydney real estate in the posh suburb of Mosman, and it's one of the top things to do with kids in Sydney .

Here, you can enjoy close-up encounters with iconic Aussie wildlife and other animals from around the world. Highlights include the African Savannah exhibit, Tiger Trek, chimpanzees, and gorillas.

Daily keeper presentations and animal shows add to all the fun. Feed the giraffes, meet the Asian elephants, get up close to a cuddly koala, or make friends with a meerkat. Another bonus: Entertaining shows are included with your entry ticket, including a Seals for the Wild presentation and a Free Flight Birds show.

The zoo's lively events calendar includes "Roar and Snore" overnight zoo stays and a summer concert series. You can purchase a Sydney Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket in advance, which includes a ride on the Sky Safari gondola.

Want to stay longer? Book a room at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga . This unique eco-retreat on the zoo grounds gives you after-hours viewings of some of the animals, as well as all kinds of other perks.

From the city, buses to the zoo depart from Wynyard. Better still, hop aboard a ferry at Circular Quay .

Address: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales

Bustling George Street, in the heart of the city, is Australia's oldest street. Once a nameless track trodden by convicts fetching supplies of water, it's now one of the city's major traffic arteries. It's worth exploring to feel the pulse of this vibrant city and browse the shops.

You'll see a mix of architectural styles here. Gleaming high-rise office blocks brush shoulders with historic buildings. A highlight is the elegant Romanesque-style Queen Victoria Building replete with graceful domes, stained-glass windows, and high-end stores.

Nearby, the Sydney Town Hall (1869) is a major city landmark sporting a medley of architectural styles (it's been compared to a richly decorated wedding cake). Another architectural standout is the neo-Gothic St. Andrew's Cathedral , completed and consecrated in 1868.

Need a shopping fix? You'll find plenty of high-end shops in the Queen Victoria Building , and designer boutiques and jewelry stores line the Victorian-style Strand Arcade . If you're looking for more accessible name brands, Pitt Street Mall , one block east of George Street, is one of the city's major shopping precincts.

Named after Hyde Park in London, Sydney's Hyde Park is Australia's oldest park . It's a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of the city and a lovely spot for a picnic. Sprawling lawns, shady picnic spots, flowers, fountains, and fig trees provide a welcome escape, and the park offers prime people-watching - especially at lunch when city workers come here to kick off their shoes.

Several monuments and memorials punctuate this popular 16-hectare green space. The park's bronze Archibald Fountain (1932) commemorates Australia's alliance with France during WWI, and the Art Deco Anzac War Memorial (1934), in the southern half of the park, honors its victims.

At the north end of Hyde Park, in Queens Square, are three fine Georgian buildings, masterpieces of the convict architect Sir Francis Greenway: Hyde Park Barracks , St. James' Church , and the Supreme Court . Built by convict labor in 1817-19, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks was restored to its original condition in 1975-84 and now houses a museum on the history of Sydney, portraying the lives of the first involuntary "settlers."

On the east side of Hyde Park is the Australian Museum , with the largest natural history collection in the country.

Address: Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/parks/major-parks/hyde-park

Surrounded by beautiful parklands, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of the country's most distinguished art museums. The building dates from 1885 and houses spacious, light-filled galleries and Grand Courts, with collections ranging from works by European masters and Asian artists to evocative contemporary art from around the world. The gallery also houses one of the largest collections of Aboriginal art in Australia .

Currently, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is undergoing a transformation and expansion -The Sydney Modern Project - which includes the addition of a brand new sustainable building, a public art garden, and a grand forecourt, as well as restoration of the historic building. Once completed in late 2022, the museum will occupy double the exhibition space, flowing between indoor and outdoor spaces, and will continue to be a major destination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

After admiring all the masterpieces, you can relax at the café or restaurant, or browse the gallery gift shop.

Address: Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/

Facing Hyde Park, St. Mary's Cathedral (1868-82) is a symbol of the spiritual beginnings of the Catholic Church in Australia. This striking landmark, in neo-Gothic style, is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney.

Topped by twin spires, the building was modeled on Lincoln Cathedral, and its imposing façade reflects the design of Notre-Dame in Paris. Inside the cathedral, intricate stained-glass windows cast beautiful patterns of light. Christmas is an especially evocative time to visit, when the cathedral is adorned with lights and decorations.

Location: St. Mary's Road and College Street, Sydney, New South Wales

Official site: http://www.stmaryscathedral.org.au/

Stretching from Hyde Park in the south to the Sydney Opera House in the north, Macquarie Street was once Sydney's most fashionable street. Governor Macquarie commissioned the construction of many of the colony's grand public buildings along this strand, some designed by convict architect Francis Greenway. Impressive sandstone residences soon followed, with verandas to capture the beautiful views of the surrounding parklands and Sydney Harbour.

In 1816, the completion of Sydney Hospital on Macquarie Street encouraged doctors to set up offices nearby. However, the hospital's capacity exceeded demand, and legislative offices moved into some of its buildings. Today, Parliament House occupies the hospital's northern wing and is open to the public when the New South Wales Parliament is in session.

A top attraction on Macquarie Street is the State Library of New South Wales , the oldest library in Australia. Among its jewels are the journals of Captain Cook and Joseph Banks , as well as Captain Bligh's log from the Bounty. The permanent and temporary exhibitions here are always worth visiting, and you can relax with a snack in the café or pick up a quirky Australian souvenir at the gift shop.

You'll also find The Mint on Macquarie Street in the southern wing of the former hospital. It's now home to a library, central courtyard, and café.

Official site: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/

Inhale the fragrance of sizzling Szechuan spices, shop for Chinese specialty items, or feast on authentic Asian cuisine at Sydney's Chinatown. Framed by lion gates at each end, this small district lies in the pedestrian zone of Dixon Street, between Darling Harbour and Central Station.

Yum cha is a popular pastime here, and the Friday night market is a feast for the senses, with everything from dim sum and Vietnamese pho to teppanyaki. On the first full moon after January 21, the streets of Chinatown come alive during the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Near Chinatown, Paddy's Markets at Haymarket is a Sydney institution from Wednesdays through Sundays, with hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce, bargain fashions, and souvenirs.

Address: Dixon Street, Haymarket, New South Wales

Fashionistas, take note: fun and funky Newtown is a hot spot for vintage treasures and thrift store shopping. You'll find this hipster-packed inner-city suburb about a 10-minute drive from the city center.

One-of-a-kind pieces cram the racks in the best boutiques here. Favorites include The Wilde Merchant selling everything from retro tees to workwear and Japanese pieces, while Storeroom Vintage displays rare music tees and other hand-picked gems from the 70s to the 2000s. Stitch Up Sydney specializes in collectible band tees and designer sneakers. Real King Vintage also sells vintage T-shirts, as well as sportswear and preloved goodies from top brands like Tommy Hilfiger Nike, Carharrt, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Is Western wear and Americana more your jam? Head to Route 66 .

After hitting all the hottest vintage shops, fuel up with a snack at one of the area's eclectic restaurants and cafés — you'll find everything here from Turkish cuisine and Thai food to Italian trattorias. Then polish it off with an award-winning gelato from Cow & the Moon — their Mandorla Affogato flavor once won the "best in the world" award.

Newtown is also famous for its vibrant street art . Start with the "I have a dream" mural on King Street, and keep your eyes peeled. You'll find other murals popping from the walls on Lennox Street, Mary Street, and Bedford Street to name a few.

Author's Tip: About a five-minute drive from Newtown, the Markets at Glebe is one of the best places to find deals on designer vintage treasures — from pre-loved designer clothing, shoes, and accessories to hand-crafted jewelry and cutting-edge creations from new local designers. The markets are open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

About two kilometers east of the CBD, Kings Cross is Sydney's multi-faceted red light district and the city's nightlife hub . If you're interested in experiencing an edgier part of the city, this is a great place to visit. You can also catch a play at one of the theaters.

Called "The Cross" by locals, it has an intriguing, Bohemian past. The area was an artistic quarter around 1920, until it evolved into a popular haunt for beatniks during the 1950s and later, hippies. During the Vietnam War, the area started its slow slide to depravity when large numbers of American troops came here on "rest and recreation" leave. You can find out more about the area's spicy history on a guided walking tour.

Despite the area's less-than-savory reputation at night, it wears a different face during the day. Backpackers from the many hostels in the area huddle at hip cafés . Boutique hotels shelter fashionistas, and foodies come here to dine at the trendy restaurants.

To find Kings Cross, look for the large Coca-Cola billboard, at the intersection of William Street and Darlinghurst Road. It's a famous Sydney landmark and is often referred to as the "Gateway to The Cross."

For first-time visitors to Sydney, a fantastic base for sightseeing is The Rocks , the city's historic district. Spectacular harbor views, heritage-listed buildings, museums, shops, galleries, and cute courtyard cafés make this a great place to stay. From here, many of Sydney's top tourist attractions are within easy walking distance, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Also a short stroll from here is Circular Quay, the departure point for harbor cruises and ferries. Here are some highly rated hotels in the area :

Luxury Hotels :

• Deluxe hotel options include the harborfront Park Hyatt , one of the country's top hotels; The Langham, Sydney ; and the Four Seasons ; all with stunning harbor views.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Near Wynyard Station, the Little National Hotel Sydney offers affordable, compact rooms with comfy beds.
• For families and travelers seeking apartment-style accommodation, Sky Suites Sydney is a top choice, with studios and one- and two-bedroom suites.
• The 90-room boutique Ovolo 1888 Sydney Harbour occupies a heritage-listed old wool store and factory. Bold, contemporary interior design contrasts with the historic building.

Budget Hotels :

• For cost-conscious travelers, The Australian Heritage Hotel and The Mercantile Hotel offer affordable rooms in a superb location.

In contrast to the regular and spacious layout of the younger Australian cities, Sydney is a complicated maze of one-way streets and narrow lanes. Public transport or tours are highly recommended for first-time visitors.

• See the Sights: For the best introduction to the sights of Sydney, book a Sydney and Bondi Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour , which stops near the major sights in the city center, around the harbor, and Bondi Beach. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours, and you can hop on and off the bus as often as you please.
• Save Money : Planning to visit several Sydney tourist attractions? Save money on admission by purchasing a Sydney Attractions Pass . You can choose from a combination of two, three, or four attractions, such as WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Tower Eye, and more.
• Take a Day Trip : Just a short drive outside the city is some spectacular mountain scenery. If you have time for just one day trip, take the Blue Mountains Nature and Wildlife Day Tour from Sydney . This small group tour provides pickup and drop-off from your hotel, lunch, entrance fee to the Featherdale Wildlife Park, and a guide.

One of the most beautiful cities in Australia, Sydney is surrounded by plenty of enticing day trip destinations. The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains has some of the best hikes in Australia ; the beautiful Hunter Valley is a hot spot for foodies; and Canberra , the nation's capital, is only a three-hour drive away.

More on Australia

THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in North Sydney

Things to do in north sydney with kids.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

2. Blues Point Reserve

3. May Gibbs' Nutcote

4. Balls Head Reserve

5. Cremorne Reserve

6. Cremorne Foreshore Walk

7. Luna Park Sydney

8. Milson Park

9. Kirribilli Markets

10. Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace

11. Sydney by Kayak

What travellers are saying

What to Do in Sydney

The 22 best highights in sydney.

Latest update: August 8, 2023

In a nutshell: our Sydney highlights

• Sydney Opera House : Sydney’s iconic landmark and typical postcard motif of the city.
• Harbour Bridge : you have a great view of Sydney from the largest steel arch bridge in the world.
• The Rocks : In this hip district you will find trendy bars and restaurants as well as cool museums.
• Manly Beach : Our favorite beach in Sydney, more laid-back than the famous Bondi Beach.
• Birdcage Alley : Cool street with empty birdcages – a great photo motif!

These were our top 5 sights in Sydney. Do you want to find out more? Then just read on and check out all our highlights in Sydney.

Buy tickets for Sydney sights online in advance

Sydney is a very popular destination for a city trip. Therefore, it is almost inevitable that there will be queues in front of the ticket counters at the top attractions. To avoid waiting in line, you can buy tickets for the most popular highlights in advance.

For these Sydney must-sees, it’s worth buying tickets online before you go:

The most important attractions of Sydney on a map

Finding your way around Sydney can be a bit confusing at first, so we’ve created a handy sightseeing map for you, featuring all the most important sights and attractions.

Click here to download the map for easy access

Sydney Opera House

Every list of the most beautiful sights in Sydney has to start with the Sydney Opera House.

And with good reason: The Sydney Opera House is the most frequently photographed building in all of Australia, the landmark of Sydney , and probably one of the most famous buildings in the world. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The opera offers several one-hour guided tours in small groups during the day. The regularly scheduled tours are held in English.

We really enjoyed ourselves on the tour – it costs A$43 and takes visitors through all the different auditoriums while introducing them to the exciting history of the Opera’s construction.

The easiest way to book a tour is online:

Book a guided tour of the Opera

Our tip: With a bit of luck you’ll be able to buy discounted last-minute tickets to one of the performances after the tour, subject to availability. There’s no guarantee, but your odds are pretty good.

Harbor cruise with a view of the Opera House

We think the Opera House looks the most impressive when viewed from a distance. For the best views , we’d recommend the Harbour Bridge or taking a harbor cruise .

There are several harbor cruises that pass the Opera House. Here’s a selection:

Sydney Harbour: Tall shop lunch cruise Sydney Harbour: 3-hour lunch cruise with live music In the evening: 3-hour harbor cruise with 3-course dinner

Our tip: If you were planning a trip to Manly anyway (see attraction #19), you’ll pass the Opera House on the ferry ride over. So if it’s just the view you’re after, there’s no need to book a harbor cruise.

depends on the selected tour or performance

view on Google Maps

official website

Harbour Bridge

Harbour Bridge is one of the most prominent sights in Sydney , and you should definitely check it out.

Completed in 1932, the magnificent structure spans the full breadth of Sydney Harbour with a length of just over 500 meters and a width of 49 meters. It’s already an impressive sight during the day, but it’s even more stunning when it lights up at night.

While it’s a popular tourist attraction, it’s also a regular traffic and pedestrian bridge, so you can cross it for free and enjoy the breathtaking view of the harbor and Sydney Opera House on the way.

Even higher up on the Pylon Lookout

If the view from the footpath isn’t enough for you, then you can also climb to the top of the southeastern bridge tower. Once you’ve climbed the 200 or so steps, you’ll be treated to one of the most beautiful views of Sydney !

Admission costs A$19, payable only by credit card. Cash payments aren’t accepted.

Sydney Tower Eye

Sydney Tower is the tallest building in the city. Its striking architecture stands out from miles away.

The view from the top is phenomenal. On clear days, you can see as far as the Blue Mountains from the Tower Eye observation deck at a height of 251 meters.

The entrance to the Sydney Tower Eye can be a bit hard to find. It’s located inside Westfield Shopping Centre. Take the entrance at the corner of Market Street and Pitt Street where you’ll find an elevator that goes straight to the entrance to the Tower Eye on the 5th floor.

Our tip: Book your tickets in advance. An online ticket costs A$24.80, which is much cheaper than the A$31 charged at the door.

Book a ticket for Sydney Tower Eye

By the way: There’s a revolving restaurant at the top of the tower, offering stunning a 360° view of the city. Admission to the tower is free if you have a restaurant reservation.

Make a reservation at the Sydney Tower Eye restaurant  

Also on the 5th floor is an excellent food court where you can enjoy a tasty and affordable meal before or after your visit.

Mrs. Macquarie's Point

Mrs. Macquarie’s Point is located at the northeastern tip of a peninsula just outside the Royal Botanic Garden.

It’s named for the name of the wife of the former Governor of New South Wales in the early 19th century, who was so enamored with the view that a stone bench – Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair – was carved for her here, where she would sit for hours gazing out onto the harbor.

We can totally understand why! This lookout point is the perfect place to get a picture of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in a single shot.

Dudley Page Reserve / Dover Heights

If you’re looking for a time out from the concrete jungle with a spectacular view , then head out to Dudley Page Reserve in the eastern coastal suburb of Dover Heights. Locals gather here in the evening for picnics, a game of cricket, or their daily workout.

There are no cafes or restaurants here, not even water fountains, so don’t forget to bring an ample supply of water, especially in the summer.

It’s basically a huge flat green area with no trees, and hence no shade. That means it’s almost entirely deserted during the day. But that’s okay, the view is best in the evening anyway. Plan your trip around sunset to line up some spectacular shots of the Sydney skyline.

To get there, take the T4 to Bondi Junction station. Then catch the 380 bus towards South Head Cemetery. Get off at Military Rd opp Weonga Rd, and you’ll be standing right in front of Dudley Page Reserve.

Our tip : Combine your visit to Dudley Page Reserve with a trip to Bondi Beach. It’s just a few stops from Bondi on the 380 bus, so you can spend the day at the beach and then head to Dover Heights an hour before sunset.

Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden expands just behind the Opera House and is the ideal spot for a picnic or a quick break from sightseeing.

Give yourself enough time to explore the gardens – there’s a lot to discover!

Our personal highlight were the cockatoos all over the park, just going about their day, completely unperturbed by all visitors. You’ll have the best odds of seeing the cockatoos if you plan your visit for the morning or early evening.

At the entrance to the park is the historic, Neo-Gothic Government House , which has been the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales for over 150 years. You can visit Government House for free as part of a guided tour, available every 30 minutes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:30 am to 3 pm.

Important: Bring your passport, you’re going to need it at the entrance.

Hyde Park is a green oasis right in the center of town – the perfect spot to take a break from all the sightseeing, or perhaps even a picnic. Its dense canopy of trees offers some much-needed shade from the summer sun.

The locals obviously agree. Around lunchtime, the park fills up with Sydneysiders (as Sydney residents are known) enjoying their lunch break.

At the north entrance of Hyde Park is St. James’ Church , the oldest church in Sydney. Be sure to take a look inside, it’s really worthwhile.

Just across from the church is the Hyde Park Barracks . The former convict quarters have been refashioned into a living history museum. It’ll give you a pretty good sense of how the deported convicts were treated during Sydney’s early settlement period.

Further down in the southern part of Hyde Park you’ll find the ANZAC Memorial . You can visit the war museum commemorating the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps for free.

The harbor district The Rocks is the birthplace of Sydney. Once the dingy domain of soldiers and sailors riddled with taverns and brothels 200 years ago, its modern-day incarnation is much more sanitized with markets, galleries, museums, and pubs characterizing the quarter nowadays.

Take a stroll down Playfair Street, whose historic workers’ terraces now house boutiques and cafes, or join a guided tour of the neighborhood for a hearty dose of background information and anecdotes.

Book a guided tour of The Rocks

The Rocks Market sets up on George Street every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. There are over 200 stalls selling jewelry, souvenirs, clothes, and lots of trinkets.

Another interesting place to visit here is Susannah Place Museum . You can see what life in this neighborhood was like for workers in the 1840s, including a colonial goods store.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is ground zero for tourism in Sydney . The whole area was extensively redeveloped in the run-up to the 2000 Olympic Games.

If we’re being honest, we weren’t all too keen on Darling Harbour. It’s just way too touristy for our liking. But it’s certainly a nice place for a sightseeing stroll .

Darling Harbour may also be a good place for you to stay in Sydney – it’s very central, all the major sights are nearby, and there are plenty of hotels.

Besides hotels and restaurants, it has all the same classic attractions as every other global city these days: a SEA LIFE Aquarium with 650 different species of aquatic animals, a WILD LIFE Zoo, and a Madame Tussauds.

So if you’re ever cursed with a rainy day in Sydney, Darling Harbour is a decent enough bad-weather alternative with these attractions.

You can pre-purchase tickets for all three Darling Harbour highlights online:

Book tickets for SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Book tickets for WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Book tickets for Madame Tussauds Sydney

If you want to visit all three attractions, or even just two of them, a combination ticket is real bargain.

You can choose from Sydney Tower Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE Zoo, or Madame Tussauds at a greatly discounted rate of A$65 for two attractions or A$75 for three.

Book a combination ticket for 2, 3, or 4 attractions

Bonus tip for kids: The Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour is a real highlight for children. Admission to the permanent exhibit is free.

Paddington and Surry Hills

Paddington and Surry Hills are two of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Sydney. The two neighborhoods border each other directly and are among the hippest areas in Sydney today. You’ll find several galleries, bookstores, boutiques, and cafés there.

Just don’t expect to find any major tourist attractions in Paddington or Surry Hills. The neighborhoods are a sight in their own right with their semi-detached Victorian houses and pretty little stores.

Visiting Paddington is even more worthwhile on Saturdays. From 10 am to 4 pm, you can wander through Paddington Market and shop for clothes and souvenirs.

Sydney was a bit too polished for us in many places. Even the hipster havens of Paddington and Surry Hills seemed way too neat and tidy.

Where was the cool part of town where things are a bit more offbeat and rough around the edges? After searching high and low, we finally struck gold: Newtown was exactly what we were looking for!

Newtown is located off to the southwest of the CBD and Surry Hills. Take a walk down King Street for an eclectic selections of quirky stores, second hand and vintage boutiques, and lots of restaurants and bars.

And if you’re into street art , then Newtown an absolute must-see, there’s so much more here than in any other part of Sydney.

Chinatown & Paddy's Markets

If you head south from Darling Harbour, pretty soon you’ll find yourself in the heart of Chinatown. As you enter Dixon Street, you’ll be greeted by the typical gate that marks the entrance to every Chinatown in Western cities.

Even the street signs here are bilingual. There are countless stores selling traditional Chinese trinkets, and above all plenty of opportunities for excellent Chinese food .

Friday evenings are the best time to visit. The Chinatown Friday Night Market sets up shop on Dixon Street from 4 pm to 11 pm, so you can stroll through its stalls and indulge in the delicacies on offer.

At the southern end of Dixon Street is Paddy’s Markets , a huge indoor complex of stores and flea markets, where you can find pretty much anything under the sun: clothes, fruit and vegetables, soap, spices, sunglasses, towels, cooking pots, shoes, handbags, jewelry, souvenirs, knick-knacks, you name it.

Bondi Beach

If you’ve seen enough of the city and want to spend a day at the beach for a change of pace, Australia’s most famous surfer beach awaits.

The eastern suburb of Bondi is bustling with water sports enthusiasts, families, and lots of beautiful people on the beach. That’s right, Bondi is all about seeing and being seen.

The restaurant at the southern end of the beach has the most beautiful view . Bondi Icebergs is actually a clubhouse for the local swimming club, but it’s open to visitors. Treat yourself to an ocean-view lunch above the seawater pool.

Bondi is the perfect place to get your feet wet if you’ve never been on a board before and want to give it a shot. You can take a 2-hour crash course here.

Book a surfing course at Bondi Beach

The only way to get to Bondi Beach is by bus. First, take the T4 train to the Bondi Junction terminus. Then take the 333 or 380 bus and get off at Bondi Beach.

The 333 bus originates at Circular Quay in the center of Sydney, so if you want, you can go the whole way by bus. It just takes a little longer.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

If you go to Bondi, make sure to do the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. We personally liked it better than Bondi Beach itself.

The six-kilometer coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee runs right along the seafront, with one spectacular view chasing the next .

If you don’t want to hike the full distance, you can just walk to Bronte Beach . That’s only about 2 kilometers. Keep an eye on the sea if you’re here anytime between May and November: You might be lucky enough to spot a humpback whale migrating along this part of the coast.

Of course you can also go the other way around and start at Coogee Beach. If you head out north from there in the early morning, you should make it to Bondi Beach by noon. Spend the afternoon at the beach and leave for the lookout point in Dover Heights about an hour before sunset as the crowning moment of an amazing day.

To get to Coogee, take the T4 train to Bondi Junction and then take the 353 bus to Coogee. Get off at “Arden St opp Coogee Bay Rd”.

Manly Beach

The most beautiful beach in northern Sydney is Manly Beach. Like Bondi Beach, it’s also popular with surfers, but Manly Beach has a much more laid-back atmosphere and village-like feel. Overall, we preferred Manly to Bondi.

Between the ferry terminal and Manly Beach you’ll find plenty of places for shopping, dining, and coffee. Just like the main beach, everything in the suburb of Manly is a bit more chill and less crowded than in downtown Sydney or Bondi.

If the sea is too rough for swimming, head for one of the two seawater pools instead. Queenscliff Rockpool is located at the northern end of Manly Beach.

The picturesque Fairy Bower Sea Pool is only about a five-minute walk from Manly Beach. Just head down the Marine Parade at the southern tip of the beach. The pool is easy to spot once you get there.

Manly also has plenty of smaller beaches if you’re looking for something a bit more subdued.

Our tip: There’s a really pretty bay just a few minutes southeast of Manly Beach: Shelly Beach. The beach is great for families, but the walk itself is already worthwhile.

A short walk from the ferry terminal is Little Manly Beach, another great spot for kids . The beach sheltered by a cove with virtually no currents. There’s a fenced off area in the water for added safety and a playground for when your little ones have had enough off the sea.

To get there, take the direct ferry service from Circular Quay to Manly. It’s super-convenient and offers spectacular views of Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as an added bonus.

Queen Victoria Building

Located just a few meters from Sydney Tower is the Queen Victoria Building. Inside is a mall, but not just any mall: This historic building from 1898 is a real Victorian shopping gem .

The building was almost demolished around 1950, but fortunately there was a huge public outcry in Sydney once the demolition was announced, and the plan was quickly abandoned.

In 1986, the building was restored and now shines in new splendor as one of Sydney’s architectural highlights . Don’t forget to bring your camera because the building has an astonishing array of beautiful photo opportunities in store for you.

Of course, you can also go a huge shopping spree in the most city’s most exclusive shopping center. More than 180 stores and boutiques await.

Birdcage Alley / Angel Place

Birdcage Alley is a very cool photo spot . The small backstreet in the heart of the Central Business District is officially known as Angel Place.

Suspended above the street is an assemblage of empty birdcages , kind of like a surreal mobile. The installation was created by the artist Michael Thomas Hill , who dubbed his work “Forgotten Songs”.

The empty birdcages are supposed to symbolize the bird species that were native to the region before the city of Sydney was built.

You’ll hear different species of birds chirping from hidden loudspeakers . The bird songs change depending on the time of day and the biological rhythms of the individual avian species.

So be sure to take a detour into the tiny alley for a short reprieve from the constant thrum of the urban jungle. If you close your eyes and listen intently, you can almost imagine yourself being transported back in time to a different type of biotope.

Spice Alley

For delicious food , consider a detour to Kensington Street.

Just a few years ago, Kensington Street was in a sorry state. Every other building looked like it was about to collapse if the wind turned the wrong way.

Fortunately, things have turned around dramatically. Many of the quaint little houses have been restored, with plenty of brand-new buildings sprinkled in between.

Since 2015, Kensington Street has made a name for itself as a paradise for foodies , attracting flocks of hungry locals and tourists alike.

We really fell in love with Spice Alley, a vibrant open-air food court featuring a panoply of eateries serving delicious pan-Asian street food , including dishes from Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, all at relatively affordable prices.

Sydney Fish Market

The fishing industry is a huge deal in Sydney, so it’s no surprise that the city is home to the world’s third largest seafood market . Located in Blackwattle Bay, just a few minutes walk from Darling Harbour, Sydney Fish Market serves up the spoils of the sea in all shapes and sizes.

Primarily a haven for wholesalers, many of the market stalls also cater to the general public . If seafood is your thing, you’re in for a real treat ! You can feast on a cornucopia of fresh fish, sashimi, seafood, and even oysters.

Australian Museum

Founded in 1827, the Australian Museum was the very first museum to open in Australia. It’s located on the fringes of Hyde Park and houses one of the world’s most significant natural history collections .

If you’re interested in natural history, zoology, paleontology, or anthropology, the Australian Museum has you covered. The main focus is on Australia’s unique wildlife , with a few sections devoted to Aboriginal history and Polynesian culture.

St. Mary's Cathedral

At the fringe of Hyde Park stands St. Mary’s Cathedral, built of sandstone. Built in 1868, the cathedral is one of the most beautiful Neo-Gothic buildings in the world .

Its full name is Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians. That’s quite a mouthful, but if you just say St. Mary’s, everyone will know what you mean.

The best time to visit the cathedral is just before sunset , when the light of the setting sun hits the stained glass windows, creating a beautiful effect.

If you have the time, stick around until nightfall. The outdoor lighting in the evening is really pretty. And if you happen to be in Sydney around Christmas, the light projection displays on the church’s facade are absolutely spectacular!

Taronga Zoo

We usually aren’t big fans of zoos, but Taronga Zoo definitely deserves a spot on our list of Sydney’s top attractions .

The zoo in northern Sydney offers its animals and visitors an incredible view . The giraffes probably have the best view of Sydney’s skyline .

Almost 4,000 animals from different climate zones all around the world live at Taronga Zoo. On nine different trails you’ll come face-to-face with giraffes, reptiles, tigers, wombats, monkeys, koalas, and many birds.

Speaking of, the Sky Safari cable car also offers a fantastic bird’s eye view of the zoo. It’s already included in the admission price.

The zoo is huge, so you should plan at least half a day for your visit. If you have kids, you can easily spend the whole day at the zoo.

The best way to get to the zoo is to just take the F2 ferry from Circular Quay, conveniently payable by credit card or Opal Card. One of the main entrances to the zoo is located right by the ferry dock.

Tickets cost A$51 and are also available online:

Book a ticket to Taronga Zoo

General travel tips: The best way to see Sydney’s sights

Before we get to our 22 favorite attractions in Sydney, here are a few general travel tips to help you make the most of your time in Sydney.

#1: Choosing the right area to stay

Sydney is a vast and sprawling city, so choosing the right neighborhood to stay is essential.

If your number one priority in Sydney is sightseeing, we recommend booking a hotel in the Central Business District (CBD). That way, you’ll be within walking distance of Sydney’s major attractions with the best public transport connections to the rest of the city.

Check out our post on where to stay in Sydney for in-depth information on choosing the best neighborhood for your stay , with specific hotel tips for every budget:

Where to stay in Sydney: The best areas

#2 Getting around: Public transport in Sydney

The most convenient way to get around in Sydney is by public transport. There’s an extensive network of trains , a metro line, light rail, buses, and even ferries that stop near all the major sights .

Prices are relatively cheap compared to most major European and American cities. Your fare is determined by a combination of different factors: the type of transport (bus, light rail, train, etc.), the number of kilometers traveled, and the time of day (it’s more expensive during rush hour).

If that sounds really complicated, don’t worry, there’s no advance math requirement – the ticketing system does all the work for you. That’s actually the best part: You’ll never have to buy a ticket for public transport in Sydney. If you have a credit card that supports contactless payment, you can just use it tap on and tap off before entering/exiting a station or vehicle.

The fare is simply charged to your credit card at the end of each journey. That’s all! No paper tickets, no broken vending machines, no heated arguments with ticket inspectors because you bought the wrong ticket. Everything’s taken care of automatically in Sydney.

What’s more, there’s a daily fare cap of A$16.30 per day (or A$8.15 on weekends). That means no matter how much you travel, you’ll never pay more than that amount per day.

For that to work, each passenger will need their own credit card. If anyone in your group doesn’t have a contactless credit card, you can buy an Opal Card at one of the stations, including the airport, or from a licensed vendor (e.g. a 7-Eleven) in Sydney.

The Opal Card is a top-up travel card for public transport in Sydney. It basically works the same way as a credit card, you just tap on and off every time you travel. Just make sure there’s enough money on your card to cover your fare.

#3: Save time and money with a Sydney city pass

A Sydney city pass can save you a lot of money if you’re planning on doing a ton of sightseeing. What’s more, it also includes fast-track admission to many of the attractions, which can save you a lot of time you’d have wasted waiting in line otherwise.

We chose the Sydney Explorer Pass from Go City for our visit. It lets you to pick a certain number of attractions you want to visit at a considerable discount compared to paying for each one individually.

There are two other options available: The Sydney Flexi Attractions Pass , which is similar to the Go Sydney Pass, but with a slightly different line-up of available attractions, and the Unlimited Attractions Pass , which is the perfect choice for real sightseeing hounds, allowing 3 or 7-day access to all included attractions for a flat fee.

What else can you recommend to see and do in Sydney?

That wraps up our list of the 22 best sights in Sydney! Have you been to Sydney and do you have any tips to share? Then we’d love to hear from you in the comments!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Explore the world with Singapore Airlines

Travel Tips

9 of the most underrated, non-touristy things to do in Sydney

Go on a self-guided gin distillery tour, wander through a colourful secret garden and catch a flick at a charming movie theatre

Story By Rachel Eva Lim

Published On September 1, 2022

When it comes to boasting iconic, Instagrammable tourist sights, Sydney has it in spades. There’s the famous Bondi Icebergs swimming pool with its impossibly azure waters and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean; striking architectural icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge; Bondi Beach, where sun worshippers flock to regardless of the season; and the Royal Botanic Garden that houses a bevy of manicured landscapes and rare, colourful flora.

The next time you find yourself in Sydney, consider taking a gander off the well-trodden tourist trail to explore some less-known – but equally, if not more, exciting – activities and attractions that are sure to delight both returning travellers as well as first-time visitors. Here are a few to consider when you next make it to the capital of New South Wales.

1. Explore niche galleries and museums

Besides more well-known offerings such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney is home to plenty of smaller establishments that deal with more specialised topics. Fans of Chinese contemporary art can visit White Rabbit Gallery , which is located on the site of a former Rolls-Royce showroom in the vibrant Chippendale enclave. It boasts one of the world’s most extensive collections of the genre, and focuses on works produced from 2000 onwards.

Meanwhile, a visit to the Sydney Bus Museum –where they are accepting bookings for visitors on the first and third Sunday’s of every month – will allow you to view over 70 single- and double-decker vintage buses, most of which operated in the city from the 1920s to the 1990s. And if you’re a history buff who wants to gain a deeper insight into Sydney’s working-class roots, do visit the Susannah Place Museum in The Rocks suburb, where you can find out more as you explore four historic terrace houses.

2. Feast on delicious regional Thai dishes

The truth is that you probably didn’t come all the way to Sydney to eat pad Thai or som tum. That being said, you would be remiss not to drop by at least one of Sydney’s top-notch Thai restaurants, some of which specialise in hard-to-find regional dishes. First on your list should be David Thompson’s (the maestro behind the Michelin-starred Nahm in London, as well as its Bangkok outpost of the same name) Long Chim . The latter specialises in flavour-packed street food fare, with dishes such as Sakoo Sai Gai (sticky chicken and tapioca dumplings) and Sweet Potato and Mustard Greens Hung Leh (a curry that includes banana blossom, shallots and pickled garlic).

Other standouts include the one-man-show Joe’s Table for moreish stir-fried dishes and the must-order fermented sweet glutinous rice served with mango and coconut cream; and Caysorn for food from Southern Thailand, such as a punchy pork rib curry and crispy fried fish battered with turmeric and garlic.

3. Wander through hidden parks and gardens

After you’ve strolled through the famous Royal Botanic Garden, you can continue your exploration of the city’s green spaces at a number of other urban oases. At the top of your itinerary should be Wendy Whitely’s Secret Garden . Located at Lavender Bay, the not-so-secret attraction is a lush and landscaped retreat that offers sweeping views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance. As for how to enter? Once you’re in the vicinity, keep your eyes peeled for a giant Moreton Bay fig tree and the white tower atop the property’s four-storey house.

In the Paddington suburb, there’s the heritage-listed Paddington Reservoir Gardens public park, which once operated as a water reservoir. The site contains a sunken garden with a pond, rooftop reserve and gorgeous murals on the walls. Finally, the Lex and Ruby Graham Garden on the eastern end of Cremorne Point Reserve merits a visit for its exotic foliage and narrow winding paths that lead down to the water’s edge.

4. Embark on a gin-tasting adventure

Australian gin distilleries have been steadily making their mark on the industry in recent years, with Melbourne-based Four Pillars clinching the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) International Gin Producer of the Year award in 2020 for the second year running. Sydney, for its part, boasts a clutch of forward-thinking distilleries that offer a refreshing local twist on the juniper-infused classic.

Begin your self-guided gin tour at Poor Toms Gin Hall in Marrickville, which is known for its delicate and refreshing Sydney Dry Gin that contains notes of fresh green apple, native strawberry gum leaf and chamomile. Over at Archie Rose Distilling Co . in Rosebery, you can sample their Signature Dry Gin that’s made with Australian botanicals such as blood lime, Dorrigo pepperleaf, river mint and lemon myrtle. Another brand worth sampling is Manly Spirits Co. , which produces unique gins that are flavoured with novel Australian and marine botanicals: think sea lettuce, anise myrtle and rosella.

5. Go for a swim in remote rock pools

As far as rock pools go, the famous Bondi Icebergs is undoubtedly Sydney’s calling card. But there are plenty of other options should you wish to go for a dip while avoiding the accompanying tourist crowds. Over in the beachy suburb of Manly, there’s the triangular-shaped Fairy Bower Pool , which is known for the sculpture of sea nymphs ( Oceanides by Helen Leete) perched on its edge. There’s also the Murray Rose Pool in the calm waters of Double Bay, which boasts views of the harbour, city and boats bobbing along the water. Bronte Baths is another solid option: founded in 1887, it’s one of the oldest rock pools on the coast and overlooks the crashing ocean waves, not unlike its more famous neighbour, Bondi Icebergs. Finally, the 25m-long rock pool at North Curl Curl in Sydney’s Northern Beaches offers a tranquil spot for a languorous afternoon swim.

6. Catch a flick at a gorgeous boutique cinema

Switch up your film experience by opting for an independent cinema over a run-of-the-mill big franchise movie theatre. Sydney has plenty of atmospheric picture houses that bring to mind the magic and thrill that an evening at the movies used to evoke. For starters, there’s Golden Age in Surry Hills, located in the former screening room of the heritage-listed Paramount Pictures Building. The movie hall is fitted out with 1940s cinema seats upholstered with plush leather, and there’s also an on-site bar where you can grab a couple of tipples to enjoy with your flick. Another solid bet is the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace , a heritage-listed Art Deco movie theatre known for its eye-catching neon blue and pink signage and screening halls that bring to mind old Hollywood glamour. A few other places worth checking out are The Chauvel Cinema in Paddington; the recently opened Event Boutique luxury picture house; and Ritz Cinema in Randwick, another heritage-listed gem.

7. Browse the racks at homegrown stores

No vacation is complete without some retail therapy, and Sydney has a wide selection to choose from: be it behemoth department stores or small retail outlets. For something more unique, we like patronising independent designers or multi-brand boutiques that carry a well-curated mix of local and international names. A few to consider are Aje , which specialises in modern and feminine womenswear and counts Madonna and Kate Moss among its devotees; Incu , which retails a selection of emerging Australian brands, a spiffy in-house label and cult favourites such as A.P.C. and Ganni; quirky concept store Poepke that takes its name from a Flemish term of endearment; The Standard Store in Surry Hills for hard-to-find garments from European, Scandinavian and American brands; and Manning Cartell , a sustainable luxury womenswear outfit that produces each of their impeccably tailored pieces right here in Sydney.

8. Marvel at public art installations

Whether suspended above a pedestrian street or incorporated into the design of a railway station, Sydney is filled with thought-provoking public art installations that rival those found within the walls of its galleries and museums. You’ll find the   Tower of Love at Central Park Mall in Chippendale – a bronze sculpture by artists Gillie and Marc that depicts various endangered animals balancing precariously on top of one another. Then there’s In Between Two Worlds by artist Jason Wing along Little Hay Street. Comprised of wall and floor cloud mural patterns and suspended figures, the installation is illuminated at night, adding an at-once futuristic and otherworldly vibe to the alley.

Over at Wynard Station, you’ll chance upon Interloop . This giant sculptural work by artist Chris Fox hangs above the escalators and pays tribute to the building’s heritage: it’s composed of the original escalator tracks. And artist Reko Rennie’s Remember Me at Carriageworks – created in response to the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s first landfall at Botany Bay – is a stirring tribute to Australia’s original Aboriginal inhabitants.

9. Soak up the sun at secluded beaches

No trip to Sydney is complete without logging in some serious sun and surf time. But when big-name spots such as Bondi Beach and Manly Beach are overrun with fellow sun-seekers and you don’t feel like fighting for your slice of sand, you can simply hit up one of these less-crowded alternatives. Chinamans Beach in Mosman, with its long and narrow strip of sand, is a firm favourite among locals. It’s not visible from the road, so you’ll have to wander through Roscherville Reserve to get to shore. Another solid option is Collins Flat Beach , which is located a few minutes away from the ultra-popular Manly Beach. It’s a secluded, idyllic alcove that’s perfect for an afternoon of lounging and picnicking. Two other stellar beaches are Little Bay Beach in Randwick and Shark Beach in Vaucluse: the former is protected from large coastal swells and is ideal for swimming and snorkelling; while the latter offers great views of the harbour and an adjoining park.

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com . For updates and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website .

This article was originally published in January 2021. 

Recommended

Bars & Clubs

Homegrown bars around Colombo are reinventing arrack, a once-overlooked Sri Lankan spirit

Off-the-Beaten Path

8 reasons to visit one of Bali’s best-kept secrets

Beaches & Islands

How to find your own paradise on Koh Samui

Attractions

7 paths to the pulse of Johannesburg

• Advertise With Us
• Singapore Airlines
• SingaporeAir Mobile App
• Privacy Policy
• Conditions of Access
• New York City
• Inspiration
• Journey with SIA
• Explore Our Cabins
• Get Insider Insights
• Discover Our Partners