sydney tourist attractions for families

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31 things to do in Sydney with kids

Australia’s most populated city is packed with family-friendly activities. In Sydney you can spend the morning at the beach, lunch in the city and the afternoon in the bush. You can swim in the lanes of Olympians, climb into the treetops in unexpected places and sail boats as the sun sets. Use this list of things to do in Sydney with kids for their best holiday ever.

Circular Quay walk

If you only have one day in Sydney with kids, this is the thing you must do. Head to Circular Quay on the train, the bus or the ferry and walk around to the Opera House. This easy flat walk will give you an incredible view of the Harbour Bridge. You can walk up the stairs of the Opera House to see the fascinating tiles up close. If you have time, stop for a drink or a meal at the Opera Bar. It’s particularly lovely at sunset.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Want to meet the cast of Finding Nemo? Walk underwater at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour. The winding tunnels take you on an amazing journey through Australia’s unique aquatic environments. The unique freshwater and marine aquatic environments are home to 13,000 animals from 700 different species. It’s all indoors so a perfect wet weather choice. SEA LIFE consists of 5 different areas. Discovery Kids Rockpool, Sydney Harbour and Shark Valley, home to three-metre sharks and huge smooth rays. Don’t miss the world-first ride-through boat experience that transports explorers through the sub-Antarctic to meet king and gentoo penguins in the Penguin Expedition. On Dugong Island you can meet the aquarium’s cheekiest character Pig the Dugong.

Family experiences include after-hours behind-the-scenes tours, glass-bottom boat tours, shark dives and turtle feeding. Located in Darling Harbour, in the heart of Sydney’s city. For tickets visit visitsealife.com/sydney

Taronga Zoo

With an unbeatable location on Sydney Harbour,  Taronga Zoo Sydney is a great family attraction that is not only fun for kids but educational too. Meet the expert keepers and learn about Taronga’s conservation programme. Then watch the daily animal shows and talks. Taronga Zoo is at Bradley’s Head in Mosman and cares for more 5,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. It also has one of the best views in the world. You can see Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from the giraffe enclosure.

Taronga Zoo holds regular fascinating keeper talks and animal encounters. Check the website as you will need to book some of these in advance. You can also stay overnight in a luxury safari-style tent with the Zoo’s Roar and Snore sleepover . Wake up to the sounds of lions roaring and the zoo’s other inhabitants starting their day.

Coogee to Bondi walk

Start your morning with a coffee next to the beach in Coogee before you attempt (at least part of) the Coogee to Bondi walk . The 6km clifftop coastal walk offers some of the best views in Sydney. In summer, you can stop and swim at any of of the incredible beaches along the way. The walk ends in Bondi, where you can either eat at the world-famous Icebergs, or head to the beach to find a deliciously rich deep fried Mars Bar at the fish and chip shop (The kids will LOVE them).

Sydney Tower Eye

Get the best views in Sydney at Sydney Tower Eye . Explore the unrivalled 360-degree views of the city from Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck and SKYWALK experience. Known as Sydney’s ultimate viewpoint, experience the true beauty of the city from 250 metres in the clouds. You can see all the famous landmarks, including Hyde Park, Darling Harbour, The Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and all the way to the Blue Mountains, 80 kilometres away. Then have a ride on the virtual reality rollercoaster.  Brave children aged from 10 and over 90cm tall can do the SKYWALK experience. Walking around a glass platform 268 metres above the ground on two glass platforms.

Book in advance online and save up to 20% at sydneytowereye.com.au

The Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is Australia’s largest and most diverse museum, taking visitors deep inside the world of technology. L earn about day-to-day life on the International Space Station, see some transport icons of bygone days (including a Catalina flying boat made in 1944), and learn about batteries, lightning and a bunch of other scientific phenomena through experimentation.

Quirky and educational temporary exhibitions featuring innovative engineering and musical instruments complement the eclectic range of permanent displays. The Museum is one of the most interactive things to do in Sydney with kids. The best part? Kids 16 years and under get in for free.

Read: The 10 best museums and art galleries in Australia

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is the home of the Aussie Big 5. Step into an animal adventure in the heart of Darling Harbour and meet your favourite Australian animals. Meet cute Koalas in Gum Tree Valley or have your photo taken with them. Head to Wallaby Cliffs to interact with Ringo the wombat and then hop to Kangaroo Walk-About to frolick amongst the Kangaroos. The Platypus Pools are where you’ll find resident platypus Jackie, before entering the daring world of Kakadu Gorge where you’ll come eye to eye with three Freshwater Crocodiles. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo features interactive displays, entertaining daily keeper talk and enhanced walk-through habitats. Open daily from 10am, book online and save at wildlifesydney.com.au

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Madame Tussauds

Enjoy a day full of interactive experiences at Madame Tussauds Sydney . Walk along the red carpet and go on a star-studded journey. Start off with world leaders as you take a seat with Einstein. Then step into the Royal Academy interactive experience ‘fit for a king’. Take a seat on the throne alongside His Majesty King Charles III. Up next, hit a six with Cricket legends Glenn McGrath and Donald Bradman or catch a wave with Layne Beachley. You can be the headline act of Sydney Live – the music zone features musical big hitters Dua Lipa, Troye Sivan, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. Then power up as you hang with Spider-Man™ and harness Captain Marvel™’s binary powers as you head into battle. Strut your stuff on the catwalk alongside Megan Gale and Elle Macpherson in the Fashion Zone. Your call time is up next as you join iconic actors and actresses on set in the TV & Film Zone to recreate your favourite scenes. Finish your day at a VIP party with the A-listers like Chris Hemsworth and Angelina.

Entry: Adults from $48 Children from $36. Book online to save 20% and guarantee entry.

Cockatoo Island

Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour and just a short ferry ride from the CBD, Cockatoo Island is well-known for its significant historic landmarks. What many people don’t realise, however, is that you can actually spend the night on the World Heritage-listed island, with accommodation ranging from camping to heritage buildings.

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Centennial Parklands

Getting back to nature is easy peasy at Centennial Parklands. Run, jump, play and learn at The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden – which features a water play area, bamboo forest, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds and a treehouse – before renting a pedal car from Centennial Park Cycles to explore on wheels.

Walk along the South Head Heritage Trail

The underrated South Head Heritage Trail has something for everyone: harbour views, pretty beaches, historic landmarks and excellent whale watching opportunities. Starting at Camp Cove, the 1.7-kilometre circuit heads up a cobblestone road to the circus-striped Hornby Lighthouse and a number of gun emplacements from the 1700s.

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Sydney Olympic Park

Re-live Olympic Memories at the home of the “Best Games Ever.” Located within easy reach of the city centre, Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush provides visitors an irresistible choice of sporting-, touring-, cultural-, historical- and nature-based activities.

Spend the day in Bicentennial Park – bring a picnic and your bike or scooter and tackle the 35 kilometres of bike tracks that snake around and through the beautiful parklands.  Or explore a different environment with a walk along the Badu Mangroves Boardwalk nearby and discover the wildlife that calls the swampy mangroves home.

If you are in the mood for a more relaxing afternoon, take the kids to Blaxland Riverside Playground to burn off some energy and afterwards indulge in some lunch on the wharf by the Parramatta River.

Cool off in the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre’s lap pool, water slides, kiddy pool and Rapid River Whirlpool.

Don’t miss their awesome range of school holiday activities.

iFLY Downunder

iFLY Indoor Skydiving  is an ultra-safe, fully controlled environment with a state of the art wind tunnel where guests can experience the thrill of flight! With no limits on skill, indoor skydiving is fit for both beginners and those with experience – whether you’re 3 or 103.

iFLY Downunder located in Penrith in Sydney’s west, was the first indoor skydiving facility in Australia. They now have facilities in Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Welcome aboard Australia’s most-visited maritime museum , now with free entry. Treat the kids to a fascinating day of learning opportunities combined with a sense of adventure. Climb aboard real-life tall ships, warships and a submarine, engage in interactive displays, and take part in hands-on kids activities held during the week, on weekends and school holidays. The museum is a family-friendly place with lots of room to explore.

Formal and sophisticated, going to high tea is a scrumptious way for children to practice good etiquette. And Sydney’s high-end hotels and tea rooms offer the perfect opportunity. Some are more kid-friendly than others and offer seasonal-themed menus. Check out The Four Seasons Hotel, The Langham and The Tea Room at QVB. Its a great opportunity to get dressed up too!

Read : 22 of the best high teas in Sydney

Manly Beach

Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and stroll down the buzzing Promenade to one of Australia’s best beaches. After a day enjoying the sand and surf grab an ice cream from the ice cream parlour across the road from the beach.

For hikers, there are heaps of great walking trails around Shelley Beach and North Head, as well as the popular Manly to Spit walk.

Manly Surf School

Manly Surf School offers mixed lessons for adults and kids, so you and your groms-in-training can tackle the foam together. If you want a more personalised experience, private lessons can be easily arranged and for celebrating littlies, the school offers birthday parties. Across four classes running daily, budding young surfers are matched to a correctly sized board and placed in age-appropriate lessons to have them riding the waves with confidence in no time.

Manly Kayak Hire

Get out onto the harbour with   Manly Kayak Hire . In a double or single kayak, you can paddle from Manly Wharf to some of the beautiful harbour beaches, including Store Beach, which is only accessed from the water. This is one for the older kids, as they must be able to swim 150 metres in order to participate.

Sydney Seaplanes Highlights Flight

The school holidays aren’t just about the kids. Treat yourself to a little holiday fun with a   scenic flight over Sydney Harbour . Though children are also welcome, this experience is one adults will love, with aerial views of Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. You can choose either a 15 minute or 30 minute flight with the option to enjoy brunch or lunch afterwards overlooking Rose Bay.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Choose your favourite flower at the beautiful   Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. This natural haven in the heart of Sydney city is home to over 30 hectares of native Australian and international fauna and flora.

The garden is divided into four major precincts called the Lower Gardens, the Middle Gardens, the Palace Gardens and the Bennelong precinct. Meander through the gardens to find your favourite spot for a p icnic or take the Choo Choo Express train tour of the gardens. On the train you’ll learn about the history, plans and landmarks of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Guided Aboriginal Cultural Tours

All ages can learn about the diverse history and culture of the Cadigal people – the traditional custodians of the Sydney city area – on a guided Aboriginal Cultural Tour in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, which departs every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10am. Feeling peckish? You get to taste bush foods along the way.

There Royal Botanic Gardens also has rotating school holiday programs on offer.

Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Lunch Cruise

Get out onto the harbour and admire Sydney from the water aboard an 1850s-style   timber tall ship . You’ll enjoy a three-course lunch while taking in the views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison and Admiralty House. Your captain will tell you tales of Sydney’s old tall ships and you will even get the opportunity to help hoist and set the sails.

Sydney Cricket Ground

Do you fancy sitting in Michael Clarke or Ricky Ponting’s old spot in the changing area of the Australian Cricket Team dressing room? Or visiting the television commentary box or the press rooms? Or taking in the view from the top of the mighty SCG or Allianz Stadium grandstands?

A guided tour of the SCG Trust precinct is guaranteed to be a smash hit with the whole family. One of Sydney’s coolest historical attractions, the SCG Experience is unforgettable for locals, international visitors and sports fans alike.

Visit Penrith’s Museum of Fire

At Penrith’s Museum of Fire aspiring junior firefighters are invited to take part in a day of feeling hot hot hot through an array of fire safety activities, computer games, puzzles and dress ups. Highlights include taking command of a fire engine simulator, designing your own home escape plan and taking a fire engine ride.

Grab a kid-friendly feed at Three Blue Ducks

Set in a former Rosella tomato sauce factory, Three Blue Ducks Rosebery houses a play restaurant out the back complete with all the wooden ingredients little ones need to dish up some yummy treats – just grab a table outside so you can watch your junior chefs with a wine in hand. A $10 Ducklings menu is also available.

Kids surf lessons with Let’s Go Surfing

Whether your family is wave-watching in beautiful Byron Bay or making a splash at Bondi and Maroubra beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Let’s Go Surfing offers experiences both in and out of the water.

From school holiday programs and after-school lessons to private lessons, classes are perfectly tailored to kids and families. For those who’d prefer to soak up a bit of Bondi surf without getting wet, the Discover Bondi Guided Beach and Coastal Walking Tour is an exciting exploration of surf culture. Oh, and the Let’s Go Surfing crew supports the Australian Marine Conservation Society, so we’re giving double shakas for that!

Axe Throwing

For something a little different, head to Alexandria for   urban indoor axe throwing . Though it sounds a little risky, it’s a safe activity for kids aged 13 and over, and a dedicated coach will teach you all you need to know to successfully throw an axe. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can compete against your family and friends to see who is the best at hitting the wooden targets.

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Sydney Observatory

A visit to this spectacular state-listed heritage site, night or day, is a memorable experience. Sydney Observatory is home to Australia’s most accessible telescope domes, with modern and historic instruments to safely view the sun and other stars, planets and astronomical objects.

Other features include the Sydney Planetarium and 3D Space Theatre immersive astronomy experiences. And the new East Dome, which has a ground-level accessible telescope.

Read: The 8 best stargazing spots in Australia

Q Station Manly

Q Station Manly hold daily tours to teach the history of Quarantine Station, and the migrants who entered the country here. Or you can take a self-guided tour. The heritage buildings have placards to tell the story of the people who passed through. At night spooky ghost tours visit the more haunted sites like the hospital precinct and the morgue, lit only by torchlight. 

You’ll find a number of walks around the property with great views of Sydney Harbour National Park. In winter you can see whales on their annual migration up or down the coast. Pack a picnic or  eat at the on-site Boilerhouse Restaurant & Bar in the evening.

Blue Mountains National Park Abseiling Experience

Get out of the city into the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park for an exhilarating   abseiling experience . Kids over the age of 10 can take part in this safe and exciting activity, departing from Katoomba. Professional instructors will kit you out with all the gear before taking you on an adventure through the stunning national park, where you will descend from 5, 10 and 15 metre high cliffs.

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

Whale watching season is about to begin, with majestic humpback and Southern right whales making the journey from Antarctica along Australia’s east coast to give birth in warmer waters. Take a   cruise   and enjoy seeing the whales breach and play as they travel. 4 hour cruises include either breakfast or lunch and informative commentary by your captain along the way. It is estimated that more than 30,000 humpback whales make the migration, so you’ve got a great chance to spot the beautiful mammals.

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The ultimate guide to family-friendly Sydney 

Nov 20, 2023 • 6 min read

Public transport in Sydney is surprisingly family-friendly – and who doesn't love a ferry trip? © Belinda Howell / Getty Images

Visiting cities typically characterized as traffic-clogged, dense and hectic, it’s easy to balk at the idea of mixing an unknown urban destination with kids. However, harborside, fresh-air-swept Sydney is an exception that feels like it puts families first.

Studded with emerald green parks and playgrounds, Sydney is exploding at its water-sewn seams with kid-friendly activities. It serves up a coveted mix of bucket-list icons, world-class museums, rich cultural activities and free attractions, including over 100 beaches . Paired with its “no worries, mate” vibes, Sydney is a must-visit destination for any family unit.

Is Sydney good for kids?

Sydney is synonymous with sand, sea and sun. It’s also stroller-friendly. The friendly attitude towards children is reflected in its abundance of public amenities; most parks feature restrooms, shelter from the sun, play areas and water fountains.

Breastfeeding in public is widely accepted and navigating your way through neighborhoods is made easy, thanks to a public transport system that accommodates baby buggies with elevators, ramps and wide doorways. 

Even pubs can be surprisingly kid-friendly in Sydney, with some featuring dedicated family eating areas and playgrounds to keep young ones entertained. You won’t have trouble feeding your crew, with everything from Japanese sushi to weekend sausage sizzles (barbecued sausages in bread) at beachside surf clubs.  

Educative explorations include learning more about the traditional custodians of the land – the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation – and early colonists at the Rocks, where Susannah Place Museum depicts working-class life over 150 years. Adrenaline activities include climbing to the top of the Harbour Bridge, or screaming on new rides at the much-loved Luna Park (established in 1935, it was most recently upgraded in 2021). 

Many of Sydney’s best activities are free and ideal for families on a budget, like visiting the Royal National Park , one of the world’s oldest national parks. 

Where are the best areas in Sydney for kids? 

Darling Harbour is a one-stop entertainment shop. Start your day by having breakfast with koalas at Wild Life Sydney Zoo , then side stroke next door to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium to help prepare a dugong its lunch, or clamber into a submarine at the National Maritime Museum . Just next door is Tumbalong Park Playground, one of Sydney’s best with a flying fox, climbing ropes, a splash park for hot days and multiple coffee options within a froth flick.  

For beaches, catch a ferry to Manly or head to Bondi for coastal walks and photo-worthy views. 

For something different though, walk north over the Harbour Bridge to discover under-the-radar family gems, such as Maccallum Seawater Pool . Fed by the ocean waters, it has stellar harbor views with the Sirius St playground nearby. 

Roughly 3km (1.8 miles) further on, you’ll find the Sub Base Platypus . A former torpedo factory recently turned into a recreation area, it features a maritime-theme playground and shaded barbecue facilities. Meanwhile, incredible cafes like parkside The Flying Bear (housed within a sailing shed) ensure no one gets hangry before you visit the exciting tunnels of the Coal Loader , a heritage-listed former industrial site.

The best things to do in Sydney with babies and toddlers

With multiple national parks set on its outskirts, a visit to Sydney isn’t limited to strolling city streets. Less than 15km (9 miles) from the city center, Lane Cove National Park is perfect for baby backpacking on short hikes. Meanwhile, toddlers will love the laughing kookaburras, colorful lorikeets, paddling pool and river fun (with cabins available) at Discovery Parks – Lane Cove .

Other bite-sized hikes include Trumper Park ’s regenerating bushland in the ritzy neighborhood of Paddington. Or take the stroller-friendly Blackwattle Bay Park track, starting with gelato at Forest Lodge Tramsheds (with top-notch Harold Holt Playground found adjacent) and ending at Sydney Fish Markets for fish ‘n' chips. 

Rock-a-bye-baby in a rock pool

Dip into over 30 rock pools stretching from Palm Beach to South Cronulla. Each is completely unique; whether convict-hewn from stone, barricaded by boulders, freeform, or with swimming lanes. 

Near Bondi is McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee, Sydney’s last women-only rock pool popular with new mothers. Nearby, the sheltered Bogey Hole – a semi-enclosed rockpool at the southern end of Bronte Beach – is ideal for tiny tots. However, the ultimate rock pool for the youngest in your party is Fairy Bower Rockpool at Manly. Built in 1929, it’s a hop from the ferry wharf and flat waters of Manly Cove, where a shaded grassy area is kind to crawling babes.

The best things to do in Sydney with young children 

Playground-a-rama.

Sydney’s playgrounds aren’t just limited to a set of swings and a slide; creative parks can be found across the city. Favorites include The Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden at Centennial Parklands. This nature-based playground features a tip-to-toe drenching splash park, bamboo forest, treehouse, and tunnels that run through the native banksia bushes.

Sydney Park Playground in Alexandria has slides built into the hillside and rocket-like climbing nets. It’s just a 20-minute walk to the Grounds of Alexandria , a wonderland of greenery with a sprawling cafe, coffee roastery and an animal farm, where kids can observe residents such as the pig “KB” (Kevin Bacon).  

Honorable mention goes to the Blues Point Reserve Playground on McMahons Point, which has the best Harbour Bridge view in Sydney. 

Spot wildlife

Despite its city status, it’s not hard to encounter wildlife in Sydney. Ring-tailed possums and Australian brushturkeys can be spotted in public parks and a flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos resides in King’s Cross. 

In the twilight hours around Centennial Park, look up: this is when the local colony of flying-foxes (a type of fruit bat) takes flight. No matter where you are, you’ll spot one of Sydney’s beloved/hated “bin chickens” (Australian white ibises) hunting for a snack. 

For an experience that will blow the collective family mind, it’s glamping at Taronga Zoo in the Roar and Snore tents or at the new, upmarket Wildlife Retreat. Waking up with a koala or kangaroo at the window is an Australia-only lifetime memory waiting to be made. 

Visit a free museum or art gallery

The Museum of Contemporary Art has regular programming for kids (called ARTplay days), while the  Australian Museum ’s spectacular dinosaur collection is always a roaring hit with kids. Best of all, both are free (and air-conditioned; a savior on hot days).

Also costing nada is the interactive Powerhouse Museum , where kids discover science, fashion, design and technology through activities like playing with electromagnets. Alternatively, join a family tour for stargazing at the Sydney Observatory . If you time your visit right, you may be fortunate enough to participate in an Aboriginal astronomy workshop by Wiradjuri astronomer Kirsten Banks.

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Luna Park, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Top things to do in Sydney with kids

From splash pads to roller coasters, Sydney is the ultimate family destination.

By Leah Dobihal

A city of beaches, bridges and bucket-list icons, Sydney is truly a city for all ages. Whether you’re travelling with young children or older teens, Sydney will serve up experiences that become lifelong memories.

Here’s your family-friendly guide to Australia’s Harbour City.

Meet Sydney’s cutest residents

Taronga Zoo, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Add to the excitement and plan your visit during Vivid Sydney , a festival of lights. The event is held annually in May and June.

Where: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman

Taronga Zoo is a wildlife wonderland for families. Meet more than 350 animal species, ride in a cable car over the enclosures and come eye to eye with giant giraffes as you feed them a snack. Taronga Zoo isn’t Sydney’s only wildlife experience suited to young children. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is located in Darling Harbour, while the open-range Featherdale Wildlife Park is just a 45-minute drive away in Doonside.

Visit an enchanted eatery

The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Where: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria

One of Sydney’s most Instagrammable eateries, The Grounds of Alexandria is a place of twinkling lights and arches of vines. Teens will love looking for the perfect photo opp (good luck finding just one). 

If you have younger kids, be sure to meet resident farm animals Selena Goatmez and Lady Baba. Plus, a calendar of events will have your little ones dancing under laneways themed after popular Disney films like Cinderella and Frozen .

Sydney's most kid-friendly museums

Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Where: Various locations

There are a number of museums around the city with incredible programs on offer for kids of all ages. Get creative at the Museum of Contemporary Art where little ones can engage in sensory play and or get hands on and make their own art. At the National Maritime Museum kids can climb aboard real-life ships and submarines, peek below the surface of the harbour or get their hands dirty with printmaking, sculpting and painting. The Powerhouse Museum is great for kids that love science and technology, or discover natural history and Australian culture at the Australian Museum , perfect for tiny dinosaur enthusiasts.

8 of Sydney's best cheap eats

Discover Sydney’s aquatic adventures

The Playground Darling Quarter, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Where: Multiple locations

As Australia’s Harbour City, it’s no surprise that Sydney has aquatic activities for all ages. Older children will find the ultimate thrill on a jet boat ride around the harbour – prepare to be splashed! Centennial Parklands offer wide open spaces and playgrounds for children to release their energy, including the beautiful Ian Potter Children's WILDPLAY Garden . For younger families, one of the country’s top playgrounds can be found at Darling Quarter . With a splash pad, balance ropes, slides and more, it’s a great place to burn some energy. Even better – it’s free!

Ride a roller coaster at Luna Park

Where: 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point

Sydney’s Luna Park was originally opened in 1935, and the family fun continues today. You’ll find amusement for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to mirror mazes. Plus, a selection of great fair food and a glistening harbourside location make Luna Park a must-visit.

Learn about Sydney’s Aboriginal heritage

Dreamtime Southern X, Sydney, New South Wales © Tourism Australia

Where: The Rocks, Sydney

Ready to learn something new about the world’s oldest living culture? Take a leisurely walk along the foreshore with Dreamtime Southern X and your guide will reveal the Indigenous culture that weaves through Sydney today. It’s a great opportunity for kids to start learning about Dreamtime stories, traditional cultural practices and connection to nature.

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THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Sydney

Things to do in sydney with kids.

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

1. Sydney Opera House

2. Sydney Harbour

3. Sydney Ferries

4. Sydney Harbour Bridge

5. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

6. Manly Beach

7. Darling Harbour

8. The Rocks

9. Art Gallery of New South Wales

10. The Opera House to the Botanic Gardens Walk

11. Bondi Beach

12. Circular Quay

13. Chinese Garden of Friendship

14. Watsons Bay

15. Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck

16. Australian National Maritime Museum

17. St. Mary's Cathedral

18. Hyde Park Barracks

19. Pylon Lookout at Sydney Harbour Bridge

20. Manly Scenic Walkway

21. Sydney Observatory

22. Capitol Theatre

23. Hyde Park

24. ATTY Gallery

25. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

26. Coogee Beach

27. Powerhouse Museum

28. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

29. The Rocks Markets

30. Anzac Memorial

What travellers are saying

100 Things To Do in Sydney With Kids

Sydney, Australia’s iconic harbour city, is a treasure trove of excitement and adventure for families seeking unforgettable experiences with their little ones. 

Our comprehensive guide, “100 Things to Do in Sydney with Kids,” is your ultimate roadmap to exploring the city’s plethora of child-friendly attractions, from sun-soaked beaches and thrilling amusement parks to interactive museums and enchanting wildlife encounters. 

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s no shortage of captivating activities that will spark your kids’ curiosity, ignite their imagination, and create cherished memories that last a lifetime.

Top 10 Must-Do Things To Do in Sydney With Kids

Table of Contents

Discover the ultimate family adventure with our curated list of the top 10 must-do activities in Sydney for kids! This vibrant city promises unforgettable experiences for the young ones.

1. Visit Taronga Zoo

Hop on the ferry at Circular Quay to visit Taronga Zoo which is usually rated No.1 of all Sydney attractions for kids.  The magnificent Harbourside setting is breathtaking, these zoo animals have the best views in Sydney.  There are many special features of Taronga Zoo, the Asiatic elephants, the terrific animals talks and shows (my kids love the birds and the seals best.)

Families with kids of all ages will enjoy this classic Sydney family day out.  Taronga is one of the best things to see in Sydney, a visit never disappoints.  Just beware of boiling hot days as the Zoo is set on a slope and walking up hill with kids can be tough.  There is a sky safari which can whip you from the bottom, where the ferry comes in, up to the top from where you can meander downhill, taking in all the interesting exhibitions and animals.

2. Climb or Walk Over Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge, which we locals affectionately refer to as The Coathanger is the city’s second icon, after Sydney Opera House.

Families with children aged  and over might like to take part in an organised (and very safe, but thrilling) climb right to the top of the Bridge.  This is very expensive, a very special treat and one of the most iconic of Sydney adventures.  It’s number one on the list of adventurous things to do in Sydney, that’s for sure.

You can walk across the Harbour Bridge very easily breathtaking walk, either from the city to the north or from Milsons Point on the north side back to The Rocks.

You can pay a small fee to climb up the Pylon and see an exhibit about the Bridge, very interesting and the views from here are spectactular.

If you are staying in the city, start from there and cross to the north side where there are some great kid-friendly options. You could visit Luna Park, have a swim at North Sydney Olympic Pool, eat at one of Kirribili’s many cafes and restaurants or enjoy the fenced playgound at Bradfield Park, on the  corner of  Fitzroy and Alfred Streets.

If the family can be well-behaved then lunch at Ripples Cafe by North Sydney Olympic Pool will be a delight.

If you’d like a longer walk continue past Luna Park and into Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay.

3. Luna Park With Kids

Luna Park is just north of the Harbour Bridge and the huge beaming face that visitors walk through is a well-known Sydney landmark.

Put Luna Park on your Sydney to do list if you and the kids love ferris wheels, merry go rounds, dodgem cars and more modern fairground attractions too. Luna Park does have a lot of vintage charm, with plenty to do for young children as well as school aged kids and teens.

4. Walk In the Royal Botanic Garden

For gentle charm, botanical delights and world class Harbour views, a walk in the Royal National Park is a must. There is plenty of space, a great deal of interesting flora plus the delightful Calyx building which houses exhibitions and shows.

This is one of the best places to visit in Sydney for families who love to walk and explore. Those with an interest in history and fascination with Australian flora will love it too.

There are several places to enjoy a meal, snack or just a drink in the gardens too. We like the kiosk for kids meals, or the lovely Calyx cafe when we have time to sit down for longer.

It’s easy to enjoy the Royal Botanic Gardens as you walk through on your way from the Opera House to the Art Gallery of NSW, you can walk past the famous Mrs Macquaries Chair, enjoying the most famous views in Sydney from there.

If you love to swim you will find the Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool set on the side of Woolloomooloo Bay before the Art Gallery, a wonderful place to cool off, splash and do laps, with a great cafe too.

5. Visit The Australian Museum

Sydney’s pre-eminent museum is a great mix of the old and the new. There are plenty of traditional museum exhibits, all sorts of flora and fauna of interest. There are also modern exhibits with all sorts of new technology to enhance a family visit.

If you are a museum buff then this is a one of your must do things in Sydney. You will learn so much about Sydney and about Australia as a whole.  Kids will adore the hands-on activities and the breadth of things to do.

There’s a special area for the under fives too, plus a fantastic cafe with sweeping city views.

See more details and address and website info on the Museums listing below.

6. Enjoy the Views from Sydney Tower Eye 

Older kids and teens will find the golden globe that is Sydney Tower Eye one of the most fun places in Sydney to visit.  You take a lift up to the Observation Deck 250 metres above the city centre, then gaze over miles and miles of the city spreading out in all directions.

Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in Sydney. You can enjoy meals on the Observation Deck or just enjoy the views.

Sydney Tower Eye soars over a huge shopping centre, so combine with a shopping trip and your teens will be overjoyed.

Sydney Tower Eye Level 5 Westfield Sydney Corner of Pitt St and Market St Sydney, NSW 2000

7.  Visit Darling Harbour’s Myriad Delights

Look, there are so many things to do at Darling Harbour, people call it the centre of all Sydney fun. You can visit Sydney Aquarium, Sydney WILDlife, Madame Tussauds, The National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, the Chinese Gardens.

There are dozens of cafes and restaurants and then, the best thing of all if you have little kids, the playground at Darling Quarter is just fantastic, with excellent water play and a kiosk plus many cafes very close.

8.  Take the Ferry to Manly

Walk along the Corso to the ocean beach, play around the rocks at the south end, then follow the walkway south to Shelly Beach.

Let the kids have a play, enjoy a picnic in the shade or buy some snacks from the kiosk. Then enjoy a snorkel and don’t forget to wave to the fishies.

9.  Walk from Bondi to Coogee

Bondi is an iconic beach in itself. But there’s also the fab walk to Bronte and on to Coogee, if the children are the walking type and not likely to go wild and leap off the cliffs. This coastal path makes the most gorgeous walk, and it’s not too long.

Bronte Beach is the most lovely spot for children, with a terrific playground, great rock pool and the ‘Bogey Hole’ plus a little train for extra mini-thrills.

Read all you need to know about this walk on the Sydney Coast Walks website here, where you can also buy a handy PDF map.

10 Outdoors Things To Do in Sydney With Kids

Bush walk with the kids.

Visitors to the city will find some lovely walks to enjoy even very close to the city centre.  There are delightful coastal walks too, easily accessed from Bondi or from Manly.  You can walk around the Harbour foreshore too at Berry Island and from Watson’s Bay.

The Bondi to Coogee Walk is a classic and easily done by older children, read more here.

You can find links detailed descriptions of many family-friendly Sydney walks on this post:

The Best Family Walks in Sydney

Check out out Sydney’s Best Beaches

The most popular of the outdoor activities Sydney has to offer.   There are more than 70 harbour and ocean beaches within Greater Sydney, many with delightful rock pools too. A visit to a new beach makes a terrific day trip for Sydney families, they are fab to explore with kids.For visitors to the city, the most accessible beaches to visit are the iconic Bondi in the Eastern Suburbs, and Manly on the north side of the Harbour. Both are large and sweeping, with lovely walks, Bondi has a good playground too and excellent rock pools for surf-free swimming, read about Bondi Icebergs Pool here.

See all the beaches described in detail on Hello Sydney Kids here

Read 11 Best Beaches for babies here

Swim At An Outdoor Pool

Splashing and swimming at a spacious outdoor pool is a joy for Sydney families and a great way for visitors to both cool off, get some exercise and mingle with the locals.

For visitors, the best outdoor pools are these, just click the link to read the details info you need to plan a trip:

North Sydney Olympic Pool

Manly Andrew ‘Boy” Charlton Swim Centre

Bondi Icebergs Pool – one of the most cool places in Sydney, in every way!

Go Snorkelling

Even young children can enjoy swimming with fish and seeing Sydney’s beautiful underwater scenery. Here are the best places to snorkel with kids:

Clovelly Beach and Rock Pool in the Eastern Suburbs

Shelly Beach at Manly

Balmoral Beach on the North Shore

Gordons Bay Coogee

Explore Sydney’s Best Harbour Pools

The sheltered waters of Sydney Harbour make for excellent kids beaches and there are also some netted baths, with little beaches and cafes close by.  Some have playgrounds to.  These are very typical Sydney excursions for families, with no surf at all. All you need is a bucket and spade, a hat and some sunscreen lotion and you are off.

Easiest to get to for visitors to Sydney are:

Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay

Parsley Bay at Vaucluse

Watsons Bay Baths

Dawn Fraser Pool, Balmain

Neilsen Park’s Shark Beach

If you can only visit one, I’d advise Parsley Bay or Neilsen Park, click through to read about them in detail.

On the North Shore you will also find these excellent netted baths:

Northbridge Baths

Greenwich Baths

Balmoral Baths 

Clifton Gardens Beach and Baths

Clontarf Beach + Baths 

My favourite is Northbridge Baths, but Greenwich is probably best for younger children, there is a small fee though.

Learn to Surf

Even little kids can learn to surf. Check out our detailed post on surf schools in Sydney here.

Find the Best Sydney Playgrounds

There are so, so many fantastic playgrounds to visit in Sydney and many are a day trip in themselves.

Visitors to Sydney, head for Darling Quarter Playground at Darling Harbour, it’s huge and great for all ages.  You might also like to know that there’s a great playground by the beach at Bondi.

To find the best Sydney playground for your family, check out:

50+ Best Playgrounds in Sydney

Explore A Beautiful Garden

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney’s city centre are of course the best in the city.

Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

RBG website here

Opening hours: The RBG opens at 7am each morning and closes between 5pm and 8pm depending on the season.

You can enter the Royal Botanic Gardens from the Sydney Opera House Forecourt area and also from Macquarie Street. There are 30 hectares of garden to explore, and a terrific exhibition space with cafe called the Calyx.

Garden lovers will find many free activities on offer and there are always activities for children in school holidays.

Getting there:  By car, best places to try are along Mrs Macquaries Road where there is meter parking. But public transport and by foot are best.

Other marvellous Garden to explore include:

Auburn Botanic Gardens, with lovely Japanese Garden

Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, read about it here, and about the playground there here.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mt Tomah makes a great day trip too.

Get Out On A Boat On The Harbour

The Harbour itself provides a host of Sydney family attractions, its beaches, walks, playgrounds and of course the magnificent Sydney views.  It’s a great thing to get out onto the Harbour and see it all from the water.

You don’t need your own boat to enjoy a trip around the Harbour. Just hopping on a ferry to Manly is your cheap and cheerful option, but there are also some other excellent boat trips that kids enjoy.

Check out our post on kid friendly Sydney Harbour boat trips.

Go Fruit Picking With Kids Near Sydney

Hop in the car and just drive beyond the suburbs where you’ll find dozens of orchards with fruits for you to pick.  This is one of the most fun things to do around Sydney, involving the outdoors, learning how our food is farmed and some yumminess too.

Check out a list of them on our Month by month guide to fruit picking in Sydney .

Best Museums, Art Galleries + Historic Places

If you are wondering what to do in Sydney on rainy days and very hot days, then look no further than the many excellent museums and art galleries they city has.  The one negative thing is that most charge entrance fees, with only children under four or five entering free.  Places with no entry charges are notes below.

Susannah Place Museum

Address: 58–64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000

Phone: +61 2 9241 1893

Susannah Place Museum website is here

Learn all about the daily lives of the ordinary citizens of Australia’s oldest suburb in this charming museums. A very popular museum with kids.

Australian Museum

Address:   1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010

Australian Museum website here

Open: 9.30am – 5pm every day except Christmas Day

One of Sydney’s oldest and best museums with both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Some parts of the museum seem rather old-fashioned with traditional exhibits of birds in glass cases, skeletons and so forth. Most of the exhibits are much more modern and interactive, however, with plenty of hands-on activities.

The mineral collections are especially well presented for children; and the Biodiversity and Indigenous Australians exhibitions have plenty of colour and movement.

Most thrilling for the little ones is Kidspace, a special area just for the under fives on level two. This mini museum has five ‘pods’—in cubby houses—which have hands on activities to do and lots of items to touch and explore.

There’s a bug pod, marine pod, volcano pod, observation pod and imagination pod. Another area has been corralled for curious crawlers. Kidspace has plenty of space to park prams and a change and feeding area.

There are excellent cafes in this museum too.

Also visit nearby:   Cook and Phillip Park Poll is just across the road.

Museum Of Sydney

On the Site of First Government House

Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets Sydney 2000

Phone: 9251 5988

Museum of Sydney website is here

Open: Daily 10am–5pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday

Opened in 1995, the museum tells the city’s story from precolonial times to the present day. Storytelling is a major focus and there are several video installations where actors play the parts of characters from the past, spinning tall tales and true.

Aboriginal people explain their people’s history and discuss their contemporary lives in Sydney.

Especially interesting to children are the subterranean excavations under a clear perspex floor and the stainless steel Collectors’ Chests where they can pull out drawers to reveal small exhibits.

Australian National Maritime Museum 

2 Murray Street

Darling Harbour

Website: www.anmm.gov.au

Open: Daily 9.30am–5pm, except Christmas Day.

Boats, yachts, submarines, tankers, destroyers and helicopters— what more could kids desire?

All these and many more nautical delights are displayed inside the maritime museum or berthed on the wharf just outside it. The maritime history of Australia is explained and explored from its Aboriginal beginnings right up to the present day.

There are weekly activities for under fives, plus the popular Sunday Family Fun Days. Great fun also are the special activities during the school holidays. See the website for all the current details.

In addition, some exhibits have elements designed for children and occasionally there will be activities and performances suitable for children.

Also visit nearby:  All the joys of Darling Harbour!

Powerhouse Museum

500 Harris Street

Ultimo 2007

Phone: 9217 0111

Website: www.powerhousemuseum.com

Open: Daily 10am–5pm, except Christmas Day. Under fours free.

The Powerhouse Museum is the very best of the central Sydney museums for children. It is a vast space, spread over four levels. Many of the regular exhibits will send children into transports of rapturous joy, particularly the old trains, suspended planes and the Little Wheels room with its 1600 Matchbox cars.

The several areas designed specially for children under eight years old are called KIDS—Kids’ Interactive Discovery Spaces. These are clearly marked on the museum’s maps. They include KIDS At Home, with domestic activities relating to children’s play; KIDS Music, with a giant piano keyboard thatis played when walked over; and KIDS On Screen, a mini TV studio. All the KIDS spaces have plenty of buttons to press, things to pull and simple activities to try.

Weekly activities are held for under fives with songs, storytelling and craft activities.

Major exhibitions usually also have something to offer the junior visitor. Have a look at the Activities for Kids section of the website. The Powerhouse has permanent and temporary exhibitions, some of which incur an extra charge.

Police and Justice Museum

Hyde Park Barracks

Elizabeth Bay House

Vaucluse House

Rouse Hill House + Farm

Elizabeth Farm

Museum of Fire

Castlereagh Road Penrith 2750

Phone: 4731 3000

Website: www.museumoffire.com.au

Open: Daily 9.30am–4.30pm except Christmas day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday

As far as most children are concerned, this is not the Museum of Fire but the Museum of Fire Engines. There are dozens of them to look at, including plenty of antique ones.

Notices declare that visitors must not touch the exhibits and certainly cannot clamber all over them, a tragedy for some young boys, but there is the consolation of the kids’ own area.

The Museum of Fire is also a Fire Safety Education Centre, and has exhibits on home safety, the State Emergency Service, burns and, thrillingly for children, a simulation of a home that has had a serious fire. There are exhibits about bushfires, a wonderful display of fireman’s hats, a collection of model fire engines and a theatre where short videos are shown all day.

A hands-on children’s area has two computers with five different fire-related games to play. There is a tunnel to simulate crawling beneath the smoke to escape fire. Two sections of fire engines can be climbed over and played in, and there are a couple of small areas with chalkboard walls and toys for younger children.

Families and groups are very well catered for with the large and well-equipped playground in the grounds, surrounded by picnic tables. The playground is not enclosed. Large grassy areas surround the museum and there is a toilet block in the grounds, so families can make a day of it.

Art Gallery of NSW

Museum of Contemporary Art 

Circular Quay West

Sydney 2000

Phone: 9245 2416

Website: www.mca.com.au

Open: Daily 10am–5pm except Christmas Day

General admission is free.

Housed in a splendid old building on Circular Quay, the museum has exhibitions of contemporary art in all its forms.

Check the website or call to find out what the current exhibitions are. The museum has no exhibitions especially geared towards children, but does have a program of events and activities for children aged six to 14 years.

For art-loving adults it is an important and popular venue and one that presents no real problems for strollers.

So there you go, no need to wonder where to go in Sydney on hot and cold days, chose one of these lovely places and enjoy a visit, as good for the kids as it is for the adults.

Free Things To Do in Sydney

Although the major museums and art galleries do charge an entry fee, there are many many free Sydney attractions to enjoy as well.  Some of our favourites include the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art, details are above.

Other excellent free places to visit include:

The Parliament of NSW

The State Library of NSW

The Royal Botanic Gardens

Government House and gardens

The Opera House Forecourt and bars

And of course all Sydney’s wonderful walks, beaches and playgrounds are completely free to use.

Do check out this long post:

The Best Free Things To Do in Sydney

How to Pick the Best things to do with kids in Sydney?

Choosing the perfect activities for your kids in Sydney can be a bit of a tall order with so many fantastic options on offer. To help you separate the wheat from the chaff, we’ve put together a list of 10 points to consider when picking the best things to do with your young ones in Harbour City.

1. Consider Your Kids’ Interests

Start by having a chat with your little tackers to get an idea of their favourite hobbies and interests. 

Some kids might love getting their hands dirty with interactive exhibits, while others might prefer splashing about at the beach or meeting furry friends at wildlife parks. Catering to their preferences will ensure a bonzer time for everyone.

2. Factor in Your Budget

Sydney offers a range of activities at various price points, from free attractions like parks and beaches to ticketed events and experiences. Plan your outings around your budget, and keep an eye out for family passes or special deals to make your dollar stretch further.

3. Keep an Eye on The Weather

Sydney’s climate can be unpredictable, so it’s crucial to have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities on your itinerary. 

Check the forecast in advance and consider reserving rainy-day options like museums, indoor play centres, or movie theatres to ensure your plans don’t go awry.

4. Account for Travel Time

Sydney is a sprawling city, and it can take time to travel between attractions. Make sure you factor in travel time and transportation options when planning your outings. 

By clustering activities in the same area or along accessible public transport routes, you can minimise time spent commuting and maximise the fun. Additionally, consider picking up an Opal card for discounted fares on buses, trains, ferries, and light rail.

5. Factor in Age Appropriateness

When selecting activities, it’s essential to consider the age and maturity level of your kids. Sydney offers a wide range of attractions suitable for different age groups, from toddler-friendly play areas to adrenaline-pumping experiences for older kids. 

Make sure the activities you choose are suitable and enjoyable for the entire family.

6. Schedule Breaks and Downtime

While it’s tempting to pack your itinerary with non-stop action, don’t forget to schedule some downtime for rest and relaxation. Kids can get tired and cranky, so make sure you allow for breaks, meals, and even a cheeky arvo nap when necessary.

7. Prioritise Safety

Keep safety in mind when choosing activities for your kids, especially when it comes to water sports, adventure parks, or other high-energy experiences. 

Ensure that the attractions you visit follow proper safety guidelines and provide appropriate safety equipment for all participants.

8. Get Recommendations From Locals

Sometimes the best experiences can be found off the beaten track, so don’t hesitate to ask locals for their favourite kid-friendly spots. This insider knowledge can lead you to hidden gems and less crowded attractions that may not be widely advertised. 

Have a chat with other parents at the playground, strike up a conversation with your accommodation’s staff, or join local Facebook groups to gather recommendations for a more authentic Sydney experience.

9. Embrace Spontaneity

While it’s great to have a plan in place, sometimes the most memorable experiences come from spur-of-the-moment decisions. Keep an open mind and be prepared to change your plans on the fly if you stumble across a festival, market, or another interesting event. 

Embracing a bit of spontaneity can lead to delightful discoveries and make your time in Sydney even more special.

10. Include a Mix of Experiences

To create a well-rounded trip, make sure your itinerary includes a diverse range of activities. Balance outdoor adventures with cultural experiences, educational visits with pure entertainment, and active pursuits with relaxation time. 

This way, your kids will have a chance to explore different aspects of Sydney while keeping engaged and excited throughout the journey.

Enjoy These Fun Things to Do in Sydney With Kids!

In conclusion, mate, Sydney is chock-a-block with incredible activities for the whole family to enjoy. Our guide, ‘100 Things to Do in Sydney with Kids,’ is your go-to resource for making the most of your time in this stunning city, whether you’re an Aussie local or just popping in for a visit. 

From sun-drenched beaches and exhilarating theme parks to educational museums and wildlife adventures, there’s something for every ankle-biter to enjoy. 

So grab your sunnies, pack a picnic, and get ready to explore the best of what Sydney has to offer, creating priceless memories that you and your little tackers will cherish for years to come. No worries!

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26 Of The Best Things To Do With Kids In Sydney

By Kartya Vucetic

17th Apr 2024

Whether it's the weekend or school holidays, every parent needs a go-to itinerary packed with fun, family activities to keep their kids entertained and amazed for hours on end. From underwater adventures to artsy fun, and magical treetop sights, Sydney/Eora, has got it all going on. 

Urban List has wrapped up the most heart-racing, mind-boggling, and eye-opening kid-friendly adventures that will also bring out your own inner big kid. 

Here are the best things to do with kids in Sydney. 

Best Zoos To Visit With Kids In Sydney

Taronga zoo sydney, bradleys head road, mosman.

Lions and tigers and bears oh my, Taronga Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals and Sydney’s only cable car; the Sky Safari. For countless hours of family fun, explore the zoo’s grounds or catch a seal or bird show. Perfect for the aspiring zoo keeper, kids can hear from the expert keepers and learn facts about animals every day of the week, all year round. Catch a ferry across Sydney’s sparkling darling harbour from Circular Quay to make the experience even more fun. 

Sydney Sea Life Aquarium

1-5 wheat road, sydney cbd.

Dive into a magical underwater world at Sydney's  SEA LIFE Aquarium  in Darling Harbour. As one of the world’s largest aquariums, there are nine breathtaking aquatic zones to journey through, home to over 13,000 animals. Get up close with the most adorable penguins at the Penguin Expedition, discover the unmissable Great Barrier Reef experience and face your fears at Shark Valley as sharks and stingrays soar over you in SEA LIFE's submerged tunnels.  Buy tickets here.  

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side at  WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo  located in Darling Harbour where you’ll be able to spot and learn about some of Australia's iconic native and endangered species. Cue Tasmanian Devils, numbats and adorable koalas all in one convenient location. 

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

217 kildare road, doonside.

Those wanting to get out of Sydney and visit a zoo with fewer glass barriers should head to Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park in Doonside. The zoo is smaller and far more interactive, giving kids the opportunity to get up close with some of Australia’s cutest native wildlife. Buy tickets here.

Best Outdoor Activities To Do With Kids In Sydney

Archery centre at sydney olympic park, bennelong parkway, sydney olympic park, parramatta.

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• Sydney's Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants
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Biking In Western Sydney Parklands

Between blacktown and leppington.

There’s plenty of room for everyone to play at the  Western Sydney Parklands , which expand across 27 kilometres. It’s also perfect for bike riding, making it the ideal spot for the kids to have a crack sans training wheels (or not). For the little adventurers, Cecil Park also offers mountain biking and BMX racing grounds. 

Centennial Parklands Horse Riding

Centennial park.

Beginners and pros are all welcome to join in on the many riding trails Centennial Parklands has to offer. There's something for everyone from riding lessons to show-jumping and leisurely meanders across the leafy park. 

Best Indoor Play Centres To Take Kids In Sydney

Planet mino kids club, 10 smith street, chatswood and shop 272/145 old pittwater road, brookvale.

Perfect for littlies needing to burn some energy or host a party, Planet Mino Kids Club  is the ultimate indoor playground with two Sydney locations. Three internal levels, ball pits and an indoor volcano slide are all bound to produce some excited screams while parents can sit back with a cuppa at the cafe. Want to check out even more play centres? We've rounded up all of the  best indoor play centres in Sydney  for your convenience. 

Indoor Rock Climbing

Various locations.

Good news for parents, for kids who won't stop climbing the furniture—there are a tonne of indoor rock climbing centres in Sydney that are kid-friendly. Honourable mentions include Climb Fit Sydney , Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym and Northern Beaches Rockhouse . 

Entertainment Park

361 milperra road, bankstown.

Open 10am to 10pm daily,  Entertainment Park Bankstown  is guaranteed fun for everyone. With 3,500 square metres of indoor go-karting tracks, bowling lanes, virtual reality arenas and racing car simulators, there isn't a better place we could think of for a fun day out in Sydney. 

Best Hands-On Workshops For Kids In Sydney

Children’s workshops at the mca, 140 george street, the rocks.

Class Bento Kid-Friendly Workshops

Get crafty with Class Bento , offering a wide range of workshops and classes with a whole section on its website of activities that are specifically designed for kids. From art workshops to guided meditations, you’ll be amazed by the range on offer. 

Best Adventure Activities With Kids In Sydney

Bridgeclimb sydney, 3 cumberland street, the rocks.

Kids over the age of eight and in need of something a little more exciting than Lego can join the adults on the famous BridgeClimb Sydney . Ascend as a family up the Harbour Bridge (aka the world’s largest steel arch) and take in 360-degree views of the spectacular harbour. The Pylon Lookout and Museum is also perfect for younger kids not old enough to climb the bridge. 

Raging Waters Sydney

427 reservoir road, prospect.

With over 30 rides, slides and attractions, Raging Waters Sydney is the ultimate outdoor theme park destination to cool off during warmer weekends. A tonne of the slides also have relatively low height requirements, meaning everyone can take part in the action.

TreeTops Adventure Western Sydney

Plough & harrow east, 749 elizabeth drive, abbotsbury.

Sydney Tower Eye Skywalk

Level 5/108 market street, sydney cbd.

Taking you to the highest point in Sydney where you can catch 360-degree views of the entire city, the Sydney Tower Eye Skywalk is a 60-minute guided tour not for the faint-hearted of families. Kids won’t feel so small anymore, as they’ll be able to spot landmarks from as far away as the Blue Mountains.

Luna Park Sydney

1 olympic drive, milsons point.

Tick off an adrenaline rush as well as visiting one of Sydney’s most iconic attractions with a visit to  Luna Park Sydney . In operation since the 1930s, the nostalgic theme park to this day is still beloved by both kids and adults. It’s also perched right on top of Sydney Harbour, so you can lap up the cracking views. 

Best Museums And Galleries To Visit With Kids In Sydney

Australian national maritime museum, 2 murray street, sydney cbd.

Located on the waterfront of Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum hosts a range of Australia's largest and most diverse naval fleets—including a replica of Captain Cook’s ship the HMB Endeavour. Six permanent galleries, ongoing exhibitions and the kid-friendly Ripples Cafe makes it the perfect Sunday Funday activity. Buy tickets here.

Children’s Workshops At The Art Gallery Of NSW

Art gallery road, sydney cbd.

Not only are children under five years admitted free into the Art Gallery of NSW , but the gallery offers activity sheets, specialised children’s trails and art labels—making the experience accessible for the whole family. 

The Australian Museum

1 william street, darlinghurst.

Showcasing the most fascinating parts of both science and nature, the Australian Museum regularly hosts new exhibitions that are almost always kid-friendly. Kids can get hands-on in exploring and learning about the world around them, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the adults learned a thing or two as well. 

Best Gardens To Visit With Kids In Sydney

Royal botanic gardens sydney, mrs macquarie's road, sydney cbd.

Situated right next to the Sydney Opera House are the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney , AKA the ultimate family picnic spot come a sunny day. Roam through the grounds and you might even learn a thing or two about some of Australia’s native flora. The gardens also regularly host a range of kids workshops and events. 

Centennial Parklands

Aside from the horse riding, the leafy grounds of Centennial Parklands make it a perfect inner-city location for family picnics and strolls. The park is also bike-friendly and offers an array of school holiday programs and workshops.

Best Historic Sites To Visit With Kids In Sydney

Cockatoo island ( wareamah), sydney harbour.

Just a short boat ride from Circular Quay, Cockatoo Island is renowned for its rich history of housing convicts—making it a perfect day trip to learn of Sydney’s settlement history. Kids' maps and treasure hunt activities are also bound to make it feel less like a history lesson and more like an adventure.

Hyde Park Barracks

Macquarie street, sydney cbd.

Powerhouse Museum

500 harris street, ultimo.

For the little ones into all things tech and science, the Powerhouse Museum  is a great place to immerse themselves in the workshops and exhibitions packed with loads to explore. There are also family-friendly workshops on offer regularly.

Sydney Opera House

Circular quay.

The iconic  Sydney Opera House  is not only an attraction worth visiting in itself, but the institution also hosts an array of kid-friendly performances and productions throughout the year. Stay up to date with what’s on to see what works for the whole family. 

Need ideas for keeping the kids occupied on a rainy day? Check out our wet-weather guide to exploring Sydney with kids here.

For more family-friendly Sydney inspiration, check out

• The Best Things To Do With Kids In Sydney When It's Rainy
• 50 Of The Absolute Best Things To Do In Sydney
• Sydney's Best Art Galleries

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No matter what your kids like, Sydney has something to entertain them. Got a bunch of animal lovers on board? We’ve got zoos and aquariums they’ll adore. Are your kids all action? They’ll sleep like bears after a day of cycling, learning how to surf or climbing the Harbour Bridge. Love learning? Our museums offer enriching experiences for kids of all ages. And for just good old-fashioned fun, it’s hard to beat spots like Luna Park and Raging Waters.

Discover Sydney with the family

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Highlights for families, plan a family weekend in sydney.

With fascinating museums, exciting outdoor activities and lots of delicious food and drink, this 72-hour family itinerary showcases some of the best ways to explore Sydney with kids.

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Things to do in Melbourne with kids

32 Best Things to Do in Sydney with Kids

Sydney is a world-class city that’s right on Melbourne’s doorstep – and hence a fantastic place to visit with kids, even if just for a few days.

In fact, Lonely Planet considers it one of Australia’s Top 10 family-friendly destinations .

If you have limited time here’s a short itinerary of where to play, eat and sleep in Sydney’s CBD and inner suburbs.

Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration

Featured event.

Join a magical celebration like no other! Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration in Sydney honours the Triwizard Tournament’s most iconic tradition in a winter immersive experience overflowing with magic and wonder.

Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration brings one of the Wizarding World’s most iconic scenes to life through hosts, performances, music, themed food & drink, a Yule Ball Market and more!

Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration , Paddington Town Hall, Sydney

June 2023 – Sunday 10 September 2023

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Things to do in Sydney with Kids

1. sea life sydney aquarium , sydney.

SEA Life Sydney Aquarium is a large aquarium exhibition featuring fish, sharks, jellyfish, penguins and more. The newest exhibition is ‘Day and Night in the Reef’ with tanks showing how the reef looks and behaves at different times of the day.

SEA Life Sydney Aquarium , 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 1800 199 657

Check off all of Sydney’s must-do attractions with The Ultimate Sydney Attractions Pass , which includes access to 2, 3 or 4 of these attractions – SEALIFE, WILD LIFE, Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye .

2. Madame Tussauds Sydney

Madame Tussauds Sydney is a branch of the famous Madame Tussa uds waxed figures museum in London. While I don’t think it’s worth visiting as a standalone attraction, when combined with multiple attraction tickets it’s a bit of fun for an hour or two if you have kids old enough to recognise the people or to operate a phone camera.

The waxworks are quite lifelike and positioned in various realistic backdrops. Baby 2.0 (6yo) is freaked out by most of them and refuses to go near enough for photos. Lady AB (8yo) has a great time taking selfies with various celebrities.

Madame Tussauds Sydney , 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 1800 205 851

3. Wild Life Sydney Zoo , Sydney

Wild Life Sydney Zoo is the third exhibition which is part of the complex containing SEA Life Sydney Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Sydney .

It’s a mostly indoor exhibition highlighting Australian animals, particularly the big five – kangaroo, koala, crocodile, platypus and wombat.

We find it quite crowded at certain points and you’re expected to visit in a particular order The enclosures are not very big and there are not very many animals.

As far as zoos go we much prefer Taronga Zoo .  Wild Life Sydney Zoo  is a good option for a rainy day or if you’re an international visitor wanting a quick snapshot of Australian wildlife.

Buy Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket here .

One event that is very unique at  Wild Life Sydney Zoo  is the opportunity to have b reakfast with koalas ! You can buy tickets here.

Wild Life Sydney Zoo , 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 1800 206 158

4. Sydney Tower Eye , Sydney

The fourth attraction that’s part of the multi-attraction pass including Wild Life Sydney Zoo , SEA Life Sydney Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Sydney is Sydney Tower Eye .

Sydney Tower Eye is Sydney’s tallest point and offers a birds-eye view of the city. To be honest the only real point of interest is the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in my view and as such  Sydney Tower Eye is not really worth the entry fee unless you’re a first time visitor to Sydney.

Sydney Tower Eye , 100 Market Street 2000 Sydney +61 1800 258 693

Find Hotels and Airbnbs in Sydney, Australia

5. Junior Adventures Opera House Tour

Every school holidays the Sydney Opera House offer a Junior Adventures tour just for families. It’s a 1-hour walk through of the famous building, with visits to various auditoriums, activities and photo opportunities.

It’s suitable for kids 4+ who are able to walk independently, have a long enough attention span and are able to engage with the tour guide.

Junior Adventures tour , Sydney Opera House , Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 9250 7777

6. Chaos Lab: An Experience for the Whole Family , Sydney

Chaos Lab will be running from Friday 6 January – Sunday 1 October 2023 and is the perfect place to take the kids for some creative laboratory fun. There is a graffiti wall, a slime station, a ball pit and so much more. A ‘mad scientist’ will be your host and take you around the different rooms where kids can create, jump, play and have fun. Get your tickets to Chaos Lab: An Experience for the Whole Family here .

Chaos Lab: An Experience for the Whole Family , Harbourside, 2-10 Darling Dr, Sydney

7. Star Wars: Identities

Star Wars: Identities is a temporary exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum . It uses the stories and characters from Star Wars to explore how people form personal and social identities, as well as including artefacts, costumes and footage from the films for Star Wars fans.  Full review.

Star Wars: Identities , Powerhouse Museum , 500 Harris St Ultimo 2007  Sydney 1300 364 001 

8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl’s famous book comes to life on stage with the musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . The adventures inside Willy Wonka’s factory are wacky, funny and at times, truly magical. Full review .

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Capitol Theatre , 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000, +61 2 9320 5000

9.  Australian Museum

Australian Museum  is a natural sciences museum in the CBD with a great fenced Kidspace learning and play area for under 5s. READ THE REVIEW.

Australian Museum , 1 William St Sydney 

10.  Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo  is the most beautiful zoo in Australia! Taking the ferry from Circular Quay to the zoo’s magnificent harbourside setting is a highlight, and that’s before you even see the African animals, splash in the water play area and enjoy the seal show. READ THE REVIEW.

Taronga Zoo , Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman

11.  Powerhouse Museum

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) or Powerhouse Museum is our favourite museum in Sydney. It’s an interactive science and technology museum with a whole permanent  Wiggles exhibition sure to delight toddlers. READ THE REVIEW.

Other reader tips:

• Wet n Wild Sydney

Where to play in inner-city Sydney

12.  wulaba park.

Wulaba Park  is a colourful playground in Waterloo with a huge slide and lots of climbing opportunities. Well worth a special trip with older kids. It’s one of Australia’s 40 best playgrounds . Full review .

Wulaba Park , O’Dea Ave & Amelia Street, Waterloo

13.  Tumbalong Park Darling Quarter

This popular CBD playground is huge and features water play and a carousel.  It’s one of Australia’s 40 best playgrounds . Full review .

14.  Prince Alfred Park

Prince Alfred Park features big grassy meadows, tennis courts, a small playground (with slides and swings set further away) and the Prince Alfred Park Pool .  The pool has a splash pad open at certain times and a lane set aside for water play.

Prince Alfred Park  and Prince Alfred Park Pool , 105 Chalmers Street 2010 Surry Hills +61 2 9319 2727

15. Pirrama Park

At Pyrmont you’ll find Pirrama Park , a water play playground with wonderful harbour and ship views.

The park is inspired by its watery surroundings, with a giant whale embedded into the splash zone. There’s also a large sandpit area with a water pump, a challenging climbing frame, swings and accessible merry-go-round.

Work at the playground is by  Fleetwood Urban , who have also worked at  Pipemakers Park ,  Wulaba Park ,  Atherstone Playground.

There’s a kiosk selling drinks and basic fare next to the playground and change facilities within the public toilet block.

The bus and light rail stops are very close by so there’s no need to scrounge for parking either.

Pirrama Park , Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009  +61 2 9265 9333

• Timbrell Park playground, Livvi’s Place
• Victoria Park playground
• Grant Reserve playground Coogee Beach
• Mort Bay Park, Balmain
• Waterplay Park Marrickville
• Jubilee Playground Glebe
• Sydney Park

Where to eat in Sydney with Kids

16. a1 canteen.

Until recently Chippendale was not my radar for inner-city cool – I’ve always headed to places like Surry Hills, Redfern and Darlinghurst for the trendiest eateries and unique shops.

My first exploration of Chippendale is in search of A1 Canteen and I discover the other exciting eateries at Kensington Street.

The menu is Asian-influenced and high-ceiled space is cool and calm. The toilets are on the upper level so not really suitable for little kids or prams.

The window seating is perfect for people watching.

A1 Canteen , 2-10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008 +61 2 9280 3285

17. Spice Alley

Spice Alley is a collection of hawker stalls nestled in courtyard off Kensington Street. As most of the seating is outdoors and the food is casual it’s suitable for families who are looking for fast, cheap and trendy South-East Asian eats.

We discover Alex Lee Kitchen via Uber Eats and the kids request their Singaporean food delivery three nights in a row! I highly recommend their laksa, chicken satay and roti.

Alex Lee Kitchen , Spice Alley, Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW 2008 +61 2 9281 0822

18. Brickfields

The closest cafe to our Airbnb is Brickfields , famous for their sourdough. The corner location offers up views of the bakers working in the kitchen while the front counter groans with cakes, tarts, pastries and of course bread.

Brickfields , 206 Cleveland St, Chippendale, NSW, 2008 +61 2 9698 7880

19. Whisk and Paddle

Inside Prince Alfred Park and next to Prince Alfred Park Pool is the kid-friendly Whisk and Paddle cafe (formerly Meadow Cafe).

It’s a bright open space with a menu of cafe standards (highly recommend the blueberry pancakes), a few books and toys and best of all, just a hop skip and jump to the small playground so if you have older kids you can sit and enjoy your breakfast while the kids play.

There’s a kids menu, high chairs and change facilities in the public toilet blocks adjoining the cafe.

Whisk and Paddle , 105 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 +61 2 8065 6363

20. Cafe Oratnek

In a leafy back street of Redfern you’ll find Cafe Oratnek , a terrace house transformed into a Japanese inspired cafe by former bills head chef Kenny Takayama.

While the cafe doesn’t have a kids menu or toys, the outdoor courtyard is lovely for wandering and there are high chairs if you don’t want your child wandering!

The most famous menu item is Katsu sandwich, a huge pork katsu between soft white bread with tonkatsu sauce and shredded lettuce. I also have a delicious soba noodle salad and don’t miss the AMAZING matcha brownie!

Prince Alfred Park is just across the road, with its grassy areas, playground and pool.

Cafe Oratnek , 4 Pitt St, Redfern NSW 2016 +61 2 8394 9550

21. North Bondi RSL

North Bondi RSL is surely the most upmarket RSL that I’ve visited! This multi-level building overlooks the most famous beach in Australia and offers cheap eats (especially if you’re a member) and huge portions.

There are high chairs, a kids menu and change facilities.

The North Bondi Children’s pool is perfect for a post-dinner paddle and play.

North Bondi RSL , 118-120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026 +61 2 9130 3152

22. MAAS Cafe

MAAS Cafe is part of the Powerhouse Museum/Museum of Applied Arts and Science s . But you don’t have to visit the museum to eat at the cafe and it’s a great inner city stop for families.

The airy cafe includes an outdoor terrace overlooking the courtyard, high chairs, kids menu, colouring-in activities and change facilities. The kids lunch packs are particularly good, with a choice of sandwich, chicken tenders or vegetarian quiche with fruit, a drink and a cookie.

MAAS Cafe , Level 3 Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007 +61 (02) 9217 0519

23. Opera Kitchen

A visit to the Opera House is a must-do for every Sydney tourist and there are several eateries underneath the sails that you can visit with kids. The Opera Bar is more upmarket, with more refined dishes, while the Opera Kitchen is more of a bistro affair for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Both the  Opera Bar and  Opera Kitchen offer spectacular views of the harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Opera Kitchen Lower Concourse Level Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 9250 7032

24. Food on Five at Westfield Sydney

While food courts are not normally high on my list of want-to-eat-places on the fifth floor of Westfield Sydney (on your way up or down from Sydney Tower Eye ) you’ll find ‘Food on Five. It’s a food court with a difference.

Notable eateries include Din Tai Fung , Sushi Hon and PappaRich , with cuisines and dishes from all corners of the globe. The seating and setting are nice too, with huge floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city streets.

Westfield Sydney Food on Five , 5050 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia, +61 2 8236 9200

25.  Three Williams 

Three Williams  is a cool hipster warehouse cafe that’s also child-friendly! There’s no kids menu but Lady AB loves the crunchy French toast and then afterwards gets creative on the chalkboard. There’s pram access, high chairs and a change table in the disabled toilets and the staff are super friendly.

Three Williams  613a Elizabeth St, Redfern

26. Bitton Gourmet

Bitton Gourmet  is a classic French cafe and providore with pram access, high chairs, kids menu, change table in the toilets – and a self-contained carpeted play room!

Bitton Gourmet  36-37A Copeland St, Alexandria

27. Chefs Gallery

Chefs Gallery  is a huge Chinese restaurant with an open kitchen making noodles, dumplings and roti.  Pram access, high chairs, plastic cutlery and entertainment from the kitchen.

Chefs Gallery  Regent Place, 12/501 George Street, Sydney

28.  Din Tai Fung

Find pram access, high chairs, kids cutlery, fast service and the best xiao long bao you’ll ever have. READ THE REVIEW.

Din Tai Fung  World Square, Level 1, 644 George St Sydney

29.  The Grounds of Alexandria  

Fantastic, fresh and seasonal food in hip, unique surroundings. The kids will go nuts with the Secret Garden play space, delicious baked treats, excellent chocolate hazelnut milkshakes and farm animals.   READ THE REVIEW .

The Grounds of Alexandria  7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria

• Sydney Fish Market, Pyrmont
• Sydney Park Kiosk, St Peters
• Nield Park Pavilion, Rodd Point
• Coogee Pavilion, Coogee
• The Henson Marrickville
• Doyle’s, Watsons Bay
• MCA Cafe, Museum of Contemporary Art
• Opera Kitchen
• The Fine Food Store, The Rocks
• West Juliett, Marrickville
• Petty Cash, Marrickville
• Clover Cafe, Annandale

Where to stay in Sydney with Kids

For great family-friendly accommodation in Sydney I recommend searching for what’s suitable on Airbnb . It provides a home away from home experience and it’s easy to search for family-friendly accommodation in the location that suits you.

30. Airbnb  

We have previously stayed in Ultimo and Chippendale via Airbnb (unfortunately neither of these properties appear to be available any more). I recommend staying in the inner city with good access to family attractions and public transport, such as CBD, Surry Hills, The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

If you have a car then you’ll need to go further afield, as parking in the inner city may be hard to find.

31. Meriton Suites

Meriton Suites  have spacious apartments and suites that are great for families. They are super comfortable and come with stunning views – but of course, it comes at a price. Keep an eye out for any specials for their properties in Sydney CBD .

32.  The Grace Hotel

The Grace Hotel  is an elegant Art Deco and historically significant hotel in Sydney’s CBD. While it’s not the most kid-friendly accommodation I’ve stayed in there are certain aspects of it which made our visit comfortable.

• The location: It’s right in the heart of the CBD which means shops, restaurants, entertainment and public transport (Town Hall railway station and bus stops) are very close. For its location the rooms are very quiet.
• The facilities: The hotel offers interconnecting rooms, free cots, free wifi, rooftop indoor pool (plus spa/sauna/health club) and comfortable king size beds perfect for bouncing on!
• The service: As is befitting a 4.5 star hotel the service was excellent. Staff offered to assist us with luggage and to help me get kids out of the taxi.
• The price: The hotel often has special deals – we stayed in half price rooms. This made it cheaper than other central Sydney Airbnb options.
• The dining: The hotel has its own restaurant the Grace Brasserie which offers a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Downstairs adjoining the hotel (but not part of it) is Vapiano , a kid-friendly restaurant with pizza, pasta and salad. It’s not amazing but it is open for dinner at kiddie hour, convenient to the the hotel and cheap.
• It’s on a busy corner block which means if you arrive by taxi it can be awkward unloading luggage and kids safely onto the narrow pavement. The Clarence Street entrance has steps, the York Street entrance has a small taxi rank for taxis to pull into.
• The Deluxe Room (the most basic room) doesn’t have a bath, just a shower.

The Grace Hotel, 77 York St, Sydney

How to get around Sydney

Bubs Taxi – a specialised taxi service with facilities for babies ie up to three rear-facing or front-facing car seats or use the Discover Cars to rent a car during your vacation.

Opal card – The electronic tap payment card is the only card you’ll need to get around on all public transport including trains, ferries, buses and light rail. Children aged 4-15 years must have their own child card.

My preferred way of getting around Sydney is by ferry. It’s an easy hop and off system, the harbour is breathtaking and it’s so relaxing (albeit a bit windy). The other option is by bike but I’ve not found an easy way to do that with kids. When I’m on my own I love to cycle around hip Surry Hills.

Things to do Sydney CBD

• Sydney Harbour Bridge – Explore Sydney’s iconic skyline by strolling the Sydney Harbour Bridge – accessible from The Rocks in the CBD and Milsons Point in the north.
• The Rocks – Discover the heart of Australia’s history and culture in The Rocks – where European settlement meets Gadigal Aboriginal heritage, offering scenic views and rich heritage sites.
• Observatory Hill Park and the Sydney Observatory – Visit the historic Sydney Observatory in The Rocks, offering a captivating glimpse into the cosmos with family-friendly tours and activities for budding stargazers.
• State Library of NSW – Explore Australia’s oldest library, founded in 1826, for free exhibitions, a new Children’s Library, and family-friendly activities. Don’t miss their engaging events for kids of all ages.
• Justice and Police Museum – Step back in time at the Justice and Police Museum, housed in historic sandstone buildings, and explore 1890s holding cells, forensic evidence, and engaging family-friendly programs.
• Hyde Park Barracks Museum – Experience Sydney’s rich history at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks, a cutting-edge museum that offers immersive experiences and hosts family-friendly programs throughout the year.
• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Domain – Discover year-round beauty at the gardens and Domain, next to the Sydney Opera House. Join the Royal Botanic Gardens’ family programs and let kids enjoy cartwheels, eel watching, and tree climbing.
• The Art Gallery of NSW – Explore five levels of artistic masterpieces at the Art Gallery of NSW, featuring Aboriginal art, European masters, Asian art, and rotating exhibitions, all with free entry
• Cockatoo Island – Board a ferry at Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island and experience one of Australia’s World Heritage-listed convict sites. Enjoy a picnic and family fun with the free Convict Clues Challenge.
• Hyde Park – Hyde Park, Australia’s oldest park, offers a serene oasis in Sydney’s CBD. Explore themed gardens, the ANZAC Memorial, and relax under the shade of its majestic fig trees.
• Barangaroo – Experience Sydney’s newest harbor precinct at Barangaroo, a stunning waterfront transformation from a disused container terminal. Enjoy a picnic, climb rocks, and roll down the hill for family fun.
• Darling Harbour and Pyrmont – Discover a vibrant recreational precinct in Sydney, offering waterfront dining, wildlife, tall ships, an excellent playground, and free kids’ activities during school holidays. Check the event calendar for more fun.
• Australian National Maritime Museum – Australian National Maritime Museum – Enjoy year-round kids’ programs, live shows, and curious wonders to touch. Keep an eye on their event calendar and meet Bailey, the museum dog.
• Madam Tussauds Sydney – Step into the world of wax figures and capture selfies with iconic figures like Barack Obama, Taylor Swift, Steve Irwin, and Ned Kelly at the wax museum.
• Chinese Garden of Friendship – Discover serenity at the Chinese Garden of Friendship, where kids can explore waterfalls, pavilions, and hidden pathways, count koi carp, savor Chinese tea, and don traditional Chinese costumes* for added enjoyment
• Darling Square Library at The Exchange – This library, located within The Exchange ‘bird’s nest’ building, features a fantastic kids’ section with cozy reading nooks and offers family activities during the week and school holidays.
• Yum Cha at Fisherman’s Seafood Restauran t, Pyrmont – Indulge in a delectable variety of dim sum, dumplings, noodles, and spring rolls at Fisherman’s Seafood Restaurant for a kid-friendly yum cha dining experience
• LEGO Certified Store at Broadway Sydney – Explore Sydney’s 2nd LEGO Certified store at Broadway Sydney shopping centre with your little builders. Let them enjoy playing with bricks, creating their minifigures, and more.

THINGS TO DO SYDNEY NORTH

• Fagan Park – Experience Fagan Park in Hornsby, a sprawling 55-hectare oasis featuring themed gardens, playgrounds, historic Netherby Cottage, and an Eco Garden for exploration.
• The Coal Loader – Discover the historic Coal Loader in North Sydney, featuring a vast green space, community garden, elevated platform with harbor views, bush walks, and the Coal Loader Cafe.
• Berry Island Reserve and Playground – Take in stunning Sydney Harbor views from Berry Island Reserve, a bushland island in North Sydney. Explore bushwalks, enjoy picnics, and discover a fantastic adventure playground on this circular island.
• Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden – Explore the 123-hectare native Australian plant garden, perfect for bushwalking, picnics, and environmental education. Kids can ride bikes on the trails and enjoy the playground.
• The Canopy Precinct, Lane Cove – Experience The Canopy, a dynamic new precinct in Lane Cove, offering a village green, children’s playground, restaurants, a living green wall, and a solar arbour.

Things to do Sydney East

Things to do sydney south, things to do sydney west / south west, things to do sydney greater sydney, getting around sydney, where to stay in sydney with kids, where to eat in sydney with kids.

Planning to travel in Australia or internationally? Use Skycanner as your one-stop-shop for comparing flights, accommodation and car rental. Their world-class technology allows you to compare prices from hundreds of providers and an easy way to discover great last-minute and early-bird deals. Go to Skyscanner to start saving time and money now!

This post contains affiliate links. If you book using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission to help keep the site useful and free for you! Thanks in advance – Joyce

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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15 Fun Things To Do With Kids On A Sydney Family Holiday

Fancy a Sydney family holiday? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll provide you with a complete guide for visiting one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Sydney on Australia’s east coast is a bustling metropolis with stunning landmarks and breathtaking views to captivate any tourist. Moreover, for those travelling with children, there are plenty of things for families to do in Sydney.

From climbing the iconic harbour bridge and sunbathing on world-class beaches to visiting beautiful botanic gardens and having fun at Luna Park, this city offers many activities for parents and children alike.

If you’re planning a family trip to Sydney and want to make the most of your time Down Under or out of state, you’re in for a treat!

So please keep reading until the end to discover 15 fun and exciting kids’ activities in Sydney that will create family travel memories you will cherish forever.

Best Time to Visit Sydney

Getting around in sydney, where to stay in sydney with kids, best things to do in sydney for families, more tips for visiting sydney, expanding your trip beyond sydney.

You can find all of our Aussie Road Trip Guides here

Sydney is a city you can visit all year round. Therefore, the best time for you to go there depends very much on factors like what kind of experiences you are looking for, your budget, weather preferences and the age of your children. That said, if you want to visit Sydney with kids, each season has its appeal, as it offers something different.

For instance, the spring months of September to November are a terrific time for a Sydney family holiday. The weather is pretty good, with temperatures averaging between 17°C and 24°C daily. Additionally, visitor numbers tend to be less, so you should have no problem sourcing accommodation and booking tours or attractions.

The same can also be said for the Autumn months of March to May , which features similar temperatures and the added benefit of stunning foliage colours in the city’s gardens, parks and green spaces.

The most popular time of the year to visit Sydney is during the summer months of December to February . At this time, the weather is glorious, with the mercury regularly topping 30°C, which makes it an ideal time for those wanting to enjoy beach trips, water sports activities and outdoor festivals. 

However, this is also the peak tourist season – due to it being the Australian school holidays – so be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices. But having said that, if your family loves the sun and beach activities, summer is the time to go on your Sydney family holiday.

Contrary to what you might think if you live outside of Australia, it can get cold in Sydney during the winter months of June to August, with average temperatures tending to hover between 8°C and 18°C. However, don’t let that stop you from coming to the city then because you’ll pick up some excellent hotel deals during this off-peak tourist season. There are also plenty of family things to do in Sydney that are based indoors – for instance, museums, escape rooms, play centres – if the wind chill factor proves too much.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Sydney for a family holiday depends on your family’s interests and the weather you prefer. Each season offers unique experiences, so you should consider your priorities when planning your trip. 

Spring and autumn are your best choices for avoiding large crowds and enjoying pleasant weather. But if you’re eager for beach time and outdoor activities, summer could be your preferred season. At the same time, winter is the time to come if you want to secure cheaper Sydney accommodation.

Getting around the city during your Sydney family holiday is relatively easy – either via public transport or hiring a car.

Sydney’s public transport system is run by Transport for NSW . It is well-developed and includes buses, trains, ferries and light rail. Between these various modes of transport, you’ll be able to access most parts of the city and surrounding suburbs directly or by changing at least once. They provide a convenient way to reach many attractions, including beaches and parks.

If you intend to use public transportation, it is worth utilising an Opal Card . This contactless smart card conveniently allows you to pay for all forms of public transport. You can purchase and top up Opal Cards at various locations, including train stations, convenience stores and online.

While buses and trains are a fast and efficient way to travel around the city, one of the best things for families to do in Sydney is to take the ferry . Sydney Harbour is famous for its scenic ferry rides, which enable you to reach destinations like Balmain, Manly, Taronga Zoo and Circular Quay. 

Riding this form of transport also provides you with exceptional close-up views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

The light rail system is another good transportation option, connecting you to areas like the CBD, Darling Harbour and Randwick.

If you are travelling with young children, plan to explore areas outside of Sydney or have specific destinations in mind that are not well-served by public transport, renting a car may be a good option. Most major car rental companies, including Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise, have offices throughout the city, including at the airport and within the CBD.

Bear in mind that navigating Sydney’s city centre can be challenging – particularly if you are used to driving on the opposite side of the road! – due to traffic congestion and expensive parking fees. 

However, renting a car can be convenient when travelling with children, as it allows you more flexibility in schedules and destinations. You can also do practical things like easily store strollers and child seats in a rental car. 

If you want your car to be with you throughout your family holidays in Sydney, be mindful that staying outside the city centre may be more economical. This brings us nicely to…

If you plan a family trip to Sydney, you will need a place to stay. Thankfully, the city has several excellent options for both suburbs and holiday accommodation.

For those visiting Sydney for the first time, Circular Quay and The Rocks are terrific places to base yourself. These areas are in the city’s heart,  making exploring iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge convenient. It’s a lively area with many dining options and cultural experiences.

If this area appeals to you, consider staying at the Shangri-La Hotel if your budget can stretch. This luxury hotel offers stunning views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. It also has an exceptional outdoor pool, babysitting services, and outstanding children’s menus at its onsite restaurant.

Darling Harbour is another good option for those travelling to Sydney with kids. Its vibrant waterfront precinct houses numerous family attractions, including the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney.

A perfect place to stay here is the Novotel Sydney Darling Square, which is centrally located and offers spacious family rooms on a dedicated family floor. It also has an outdoor swimming pool and children’s play area among its facilities.

Manly and Bondi are terrific choices for those wanting to be based near the beach. Both offer different beach experiences, with Manly’s being ideal for families due to its relaxed nature. By contrast, Bondi is a world-class beach known for its beautiful sandy shores and vibrant surf culture.

If you choose to stay in Manly, the Sebel Sydney Manly Beach makes a good choice. It has apartments with kitchenettes perfect for families wanting to self-cater. Additionally, it is right across from Manly Beach, so it is easy to swim in the ocean. The ferry ride to Circular Quay from Manly also provides a scenic commute to the city.

The QT Bondi is a boutique hotel just a short walk from the beach in Bondi. It offers comfortable rooms with kitchenettes and is also centrally located close to several cafes and restaurants.

For those travelling with a caravan and campervan, Sydney doesn’t offer many options within a 20-minute drive of the CBD. However, a little further out, you’ll find some excellent places, including the Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park in Narrabeen . 

This holiday park is situated on the shores of Narrabeen Lagoon and offers powered sites for caravans and campervans. It also has BBQ facilities, a playground and access to the beach, making it an excellent option for those planning a Sydney family holiday.

Overall, Sydney offers many family-friendly places to stay, catering to different budgets and preferences. However, wherever you decide to stay, it is worth booking accommodations well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure the best options for your family. 

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There are lots of different family things to do in Sydney on your holiday, so boredom shouldn’t be an issue!

To help with your travel planning, here are 15 activities you should consider doing during your time in the capital of New South Wales.

Explore Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo , right on the picturesque shores of Sydney Harbour, is an absolute must-visit for families. Home to over 4,000 animals sourced from around the world, this iconic zoo offers an educational and exhilarating experience.

Kids can get up close to cuddly koalas, hop with kangaroos, and even embark on a cable car ride showcasing breathtaking city skyline views.

Additionally, the zoo runs workshops about its conservation efforts that can inspire young minds towards the animal kingdom.

• Combining a trip to Targonga with a ferry over the harbour is the perfect day trip

Explore the Powerhouse Museum

Located in Ultimo, this museum offers hands-on exhibits on science, technology and design. It prides itself on making learning fun for kids of all ages and is a terrific place to go when it’s raining or the sun is too hot.

Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

One of Sydney’s most popular kids’ activities is visiting the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium . Here, children can embark on an aquatic adventure like no other.

Housing an impressive collection of marine life species, including sharks, rays and penguins, it’s an opportunity for young explorers to connect with the wonders of the world’s deepest oceans.

The highlight is the Great Barrier Reef exhibit, a breathtaking recreation of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems that will awe children and adults equally.

Spend a Day at Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach embodies the quintessential Australian beach experience and if you spend a day there, it won’t take you long to discover why it’s such an iconic destination.

With its golden sands, inviting surf and lively atmosphere, Bondi offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Families can build sandcastles, take a dip in the sea, or stroll along the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk for stunning views.

Lifeguards ensure safety, and the surrounding cafes serve delicious meals – so overall, it is easy to enjoy a full day of sun, surf and delicious food there. 

Learn at the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum in Darlinghurst is a terrific destination for older kids wanting to explore the nation’s history and natural wonders. 

It features engaging exhibitions, interactive displays and a fascinating dinosaur gallery – making it an ideal place for children to discover Australia’s rich cultural and scientific heritage.

Picnic at Centennial Parklands

Centennial Parklands is a vast green space where families can picnic, ride bikes or paddle boats and run around in its sprawling playgrounds.

It is a lovely place for parents to relax when the kids need to burn off some energy.

Discover Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a bustling waterfront precinct brimming with family-friendly attractions. The Darling Harbour Carousel, IMAX Theatre and numerous dining options make it a vibrant hub for entertainment and relaxation.

Families can enjoy leisurely walks by the water, visit the Australian National Maritime Museum , or just soak in the lively vibe of this iconic destination. The playground here is superb if kids just need a place to run around.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout

If you’re travelling with teenagers, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an experience they will never forget. The unique vantage point at the top showcases the iconic Sydney skyline while giving you a close-up look at the engineering marvel you are scaling.

Don’t worry if your kids are young; the Pylon Lookout – open to all ages – offers the whole family an alternate and accessible way to enjoy the panoramic views of the city and its famous harbour.

Explore the Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden is a lush oasis in the heart of the city, which provides a lovely change of pace and scene from the frenzy of the CBD.

Encompassing themed gardens, diverse plant species and stunning views of the Sydney Opera House, it’s ideal for leisurely strolls, picnics and educational adventures.

Children can discover the wonders of nature while parents will no doubt relish the tranquillity and scenic vistas!

Experience Luna Park

Big and little kids alike would love visiting Luna Park at Milsons Point. 

Its colourful rides, games and delightful Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking harbour views make it a perfect destination for an exhilarating day out. 

With its vibrant atmosphere and nostalgic charm, this classic amusement park promises endless family fun.

Take a Ferry to Manly

Kids will love the ferry ride across Sydney Harbour to Manly Beach , where they can play in the sand and enjoy family-friendly eateries along the Corso.

Immerse in Aboriginal Culture

For those wanting a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, a terrific place to do this is at the Royal National Park .

Located just south of Sydney, this pristine natural reserve offers guided tours and cultural experiences that provide insight into the region’s rich indigenous history and heritage.

Families can learn about traditional Aboriginal customs, art and storytelling while exploring the land’s stunning landscapes, ancient rock engravings, and spiritual significance.

Overall, it’s a magnificent opportunity for children to foster a greater appreciation of Australia’s First Nations people and their enduring connection to the land.

Catch a Show at the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is an iconic building you should see from the outside at various vantage points in the city. If time permits, though, why not check out one of the regular family-friendly performances and events?

It is a great way to introduce children to the world of arts and culture. Alternatively, a behind-the-scenes tour is highly recommended.

Experience Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Just next door to SEA LIFE, Wild Life Sydney Zoo lets families get acquainted with native Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies and a giant crocodile.

We’ll admit, it’s nowhere near as good as Taronga Zoo, but if you’ve only got a short time in Sydney, seeing these two attractions together in Darling Harbour makes perfect sense (and you save buying the tickets together).

Go Whale Watching

From May to November, Sydney offers fantastic whale-watching opportunities. So why not take the kids on a family-friendly whale-watching tour to witness these magnificent creatures migrate along the coast?

Several whale-watching tours depart from Sydney Harbour and nearby coastal areas, allowing kids to witness humpback and southern right whales breaching and tail-slapping in their natural habitat. It’s an awe-inspiring experience, the memories of which will stay with you for many years.

• Sydney can be an expensive city to eat in for families. So look for food courts, restaurants offering lunchtime specials and supermarkets with a grab-and-go section to reduce costs. Generally speaking, the closer to a major tourist attraction you are, the more expensive the food will be.
• For any attraction you want to visit it is worth booking your tickets online ahead of time. You can waste a lot of time queuing at Sydney attractions. So doing this will allow you to beat the lines and walk straight into the venue. We use and recommend Get Your Guide for pre-booking attraction tickets (we love their flexible cancellation policy should plans change)
• Another wise choice for seeing multiple attractions in Sydney is investing in the Syndey Go City Explore Pas . You can combine many of Sydney’s most prominent attractions, from the zoo to whale watching, walking tours or thrilling harbour rides, for one combined price.
• If you fancy a day trip or two whilst in Sydney, consider visiting the Blue Mountains, Palm Beach (where the TV show Home & Away is filmed), or even Canberra , which all make for great day trips or family weekend getaways.
• We have a detailed guide here to the best easy road trips by car from Sydney.

If Sydney is just the starting point of your Australian adventure, you’re in for a real treat! Once you have a set of wheels and are ready to hit the road, we recommend you check out the following:

• Try one of these scenic driving routes from Sydney to Adelaide
• Take on the Sydney to the Red Centre drive – traversing through three Australian states and two territories on this epic, mulit-week driving itinerary.
• Take the coastal drive from Sydney to Byron Bay for the best of the NSW Coast
• Or extend the coastal drive even further to take in the best of the Queensland coast, following our Sydney to Cairns itinerary

© Family Road Trip

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THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Sydney

Things to do in sydney with kids.

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

1. Sydney Opera House

2. Sydney Harbour

3. Sydney Ferries

4. Sydney Harbour Bridge

5. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

6. Manly Beach

7. Darling Harbour

8. The Rocks

9. Art Gallery of New South Wales

10. The Opera House to the Botanic Gardens Walk

11. Bondi Beach

12. Circular Quay

13. Chinese Garden of Friendship

14. Watsons Bay

15. Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck

16. Australian National Maritime Museum

17. St. Mary's Cathedral

18. Hyde Park Barracks

19. Pylon Lookout at Sydney Harbour Bridge

20. Manly Scenic Walkway

21. Sydney Observatory

22. Capitol Theatre

23. Hyde Park

24. ATTY Gallery

25. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

26. Coogee Beach

27. Powerhouse Museum

28. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

29. The Rocks Markets

30. Anzac Memorial

What travellers are saying

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.

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55 Best Tourist Attractions in Sydney

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When you think “Australia”, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the sweeping red desert surrounding Uluru. For others, it’s the unique and unusual wildlife. But for 95% of travellers, it’s the iconic image of Sydney Harbour – where the white sails of the Opera House contrast the metallic curves of the historic Harbour Bridge.

That image serves as the introduction to Australia’s most visited city — yep, none other than Sydney, where sun-kissed beaches, diverse culture, and a buzzing nightlife come together to make the perfect holiday destination.

But what makes this metropolis really stand out – besides its size and geographical diversity – is the sheer number of fun things to do in Sydney . One moment, you can be climbing the postcard-worthy bridge and seeing Luna Park and The Sydney Tower Eye from afar; the next, you can be lounging on the soft Bondi sands, admiring the flora and fauna at Taronga Zoo, or tackling one of the peaceful Blue Mountains hiking trails on a day trip.

From historic sites to art galleries, world-class stadiums (sports fans, take note), and stunning coastal walks, Sydney has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie looking to sample the city’s finest eats or an adrenaline junkie keen to try some of the world-famous watersports on offer – you won’t be disappointed!

So, without further ado, here are 55 of the fair dinkum best tourist attractions in Sydney — for rainy days, sizzling summers and everything in between.

1 – Sydney Opera House

Undeniably the most renowned Aussie landmark, the Sydney Opera House stands, iconically, over the shores of Sydney Harbour. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, this unmissable piece of architecture welcomes millions of tourists every year.

Whether you opt for a tour of the building, lunch at its restaurant, or just an afternoon stroll around the area as part of one of the many Sydney walking tours , the Sydney Opera House is an absolute must-visit when in town.

And if it’s entertainment you’re after, then look no further than the plethora of shows and concerts held here throughout the year. As one of Australia’s premier performing arts venues, the Sydney Opera House is the go-to spot for theatre, comedy, music, ballet and opera. Grab a front-row seat at one of the 40+ weekly performances, and follow it up with a nightcap at one of the Circular Quay bars for a perfect romantic evening.

Hot tip: You can actually visit the Syndey Opera House for free if you’re not watching a show – just head to the main foyer and take a self-guided tour of the building.

• Sydney Opera House tickets & tours

2 – Sydney Tower Eye

Scraping the skies at 309 meters tall, casting a shadow over Market Street. the Sydney Tower Eye (initially called the Centrepoint Tower) is renowned as the tallest building in Sydney and — thanks to its spectacular views — is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

With 360-degree vistas over the cityscape — the harbour to the north, the Blue Mountains to the west, and Bondi Beach to the east — you’ll be able to appreciate the sheer size of Greater Sydney, and the geographic diversity that you don’t quite grasp from ground level.

If you’re feeling brave enough, step into The Skywalk, an open-air glass platform that encircles the building’s observation deck. And, if you’re looking for a spot of romance, consider booking a dinner table at 360 Bar and Dining. This restaurant offers an enchanting dining experience, serving up delicious Aussie cuisine as you watch the cityscape slowly change as the sun sets.

• Sydney Tower Eye tickets

See also:  Sydney Tower Eye Tickets Price – All You Should Know

3 – Royal Botanic Garden

Officially the oldest scientific institution in Australia, dating all the way back to 1816, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden is an oasis of serenity in the heart of the city. Carpeted with over 8000 species of Australian and international plants — ranging from ancient rainforest trees to delicate desert flowers — this stunning garden is a quintessential retreat for anyone looking to reconnect with nature.

Spread over 30 hectares of land, you’ll find a collection of enchanting, themed gardens (the Palace Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, the Australian Rainforest Garden and the Oriental Garden, to name a few), as well as plenty of green lawns where you can enjoy a picnic or simply lay back and bask in the sunshine as you admire the sparkling Sydney Harbour — as the locals will tell you, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is the best place to do exactly that.

Throughout the year, the gardens also host a number of events and activities, such as concerts, poetry readings, art exhibits, Aboriginal experiences, and educational workshops — so be sure to check out their website for upcoming events.

The best part? This peaceful escape is smack-bang in the city centre, just next to the Opera House, so it’s easily accessible from most of the top Sydney tourist attractions.

4 – Art Gallery of New South Wales

Tucked away just across the road from Royal Botanic Garden and next to the Sydney Modern, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Sydney’s top cultural attractions, playing host to works by some of the world’s most famous international artists, such as Picasso, Monet, and Cézanne, as well as a slew of local talent.

From traditional Aboriginal art to modern post-impressionism and contemporary abstract pieces, you’ll find it all here in this free-to-enter gallery. Explore the 30,000 items at your own pace, meandering through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art or Asian art sections, or join one of the free guided tours, starting daily at 2pm.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales also hosts a number of events throughout the year, such as talks and workshops for adults and youngsters alike, and offers an on-site cafe, restaurant and gift shop — all in all, a top-notch activity for a rainy day.

Hot tip: Attend a late-night exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, a cultured and inspiring thing to do in Sydney at night , with regular events and extended hours.

5 – Luna Park Sydney

Step into a world of fun and excitement at Luna Park Sydney , an iconic amusement park straddling the north shore of Sydney Harbour. With a range of rides and attractions for all ages, this park is a must-visit destination for families and thrill-seekers alike.

Take a spin on the Big Dipper roller coaster or the stomach-churning Hair Raised vertical shooter, ride the 40-meter-high Ferris wheel for stunning views of the harbour, battle it out on the dodgem cars, or try your luck at the Midway games stalls.

At the very least, snap a selfie in front of the big mouth entranceway, an iconic Sydney landmark that’s been attracting tourists since it first opened in 1935.

Hot tip: thanks to its location at Milson’s Point, you have a couple of transport options that are activities in their own right. Walk north across the Harbour Bridge, soaking in the views of the Sydney skyline, or take a ferry from Circular Quay for an even more scenic journey.

6 – Taronga Zoo

When it comes to wildlife, the Land Down Under has more endemic species than any other continent — and the best place to check out some of these fascinating creatures is Taronga Zoo !

Situated on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, this magnificent zoo houses over 4000 animals from no fewer than 350 different species. Its Aussie collection is second to none, with friendly and furry residents including koalas, wombats, crocodiles, kangaroos, kookaburras, platypuses and dingoes.

And, looking further afield, the zoo has countless more animals from all corners of the world — think giant pandas, Sumatran tigers, snow leopards and meerkats!

Apart from its many animal exhibits, Taronga Zoo is also renowned for its up-close encounters; you can sleep in safari-style accommodation, waking up to the sounds of lions roaring (the Roar and Snore program), join in one of the giraffe feedings or koala encounters, or sit front row for an educational meet-and-greet.

Lucky you: visiting during May or June? Vivid Sydney will be in full swing, so you’ll get to enjoy the light show from across the harbour as you wander through the zoo’s limited-time Wild Lights events — a magical way to end any day of sightseeing!

• Taronga Zoo tickets & tours

7 – St Mary’s Cathedral

Capable of accommodating up to 2,000 worshippers, St Mary’s Cathedral is narrowly edged out to be the 2nd largest church in Australia (just behind Melbourn’s Saint Paul’s) — standing 75 meters tall, it has remained one of Sydney’s most beautiful Gothic Revival-style buildings since its inception over a century ago.

Popular with tourists for its grandeur and timeless architecture, St Mary’s is both a place of worship and a venue for major cultural events. Beyond the beautiful stained glass windows, its interior features a stunning organ, intricate wood carvings and towering neo-Gothic arches — all of which highlight the venue’s undeniable beauty.

The cathedral also has its own cafe, a tranquil spot where you can recharge after spending some time exploring the building and its grounds; alternatively, take part in one of their weekly tours (free, every Sunday at 2pm) or special events to learn more about this incredible piece of Sydney history.

8 – Anzac Memorial

Commemorating the fallen soldiers of Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Memorial is a powerful, moving and fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in service of their countries.

Located at the southern end of Hyde Park in the heart of Sydney, just a short walk from the likes of St Mary’s Cathedral and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this impressive building (designed by C. Bruce Dellit) features a range of exhibits and displays that tell the story of Australia’s involvement in World War I.

The memorial also houses a Hall of Memory, which contains multiple works of art meant to honour the 60,000 ANZAC soldiers who fought; here, you can pay your respects to their sacrifice as well as learn more about Australia’s military history.

Simultaneously acting as a museum, the 90-year-old monument also houses close to 7,000 historical objects — from war medals and badges to army uniforms, historical photographs, and more.

To complete your visit, be sure to take a stroll around the site while admiring its beautiful gardens and peaceful atmosphere.

9 – Madame Tussauds

The closest you’ll get to meeting your favourite celebrities, Sydney’s branch of Madame Tussauds takes all the glitz and glam of franchises worldwide and throws on an added splash of Australiana.

With the chance to snap selfies with life-like wax from the world of entertainment, music, sports, politics, pop culture and more, this Darling Harbour tourist attraction makes for a great family-friendly rainy-day activity (especially thanks to its proximity to the IMAX theatre and SEA LIFE).

Hot tip: Don’t miss our guide to 74 Fun Indoor Activities in Sydney when it Rains .

Share the microphone with Beyoncé; mingle with film stars like Tom Hanks and Angelina Jolie; take a few pics of sports legends like Lionel Messi and Usain Bolt; and meet Aussie icons like Steve Irwin, Heath Ledger and the hero outlaw, Ned Kelly.

All up, the building boasts 11 zones of famous faces — from modern-day YouTube sensations like Troye Sivan to historic cult figures like Audrey Hepburn, and every era in between.

With a range of interactive exhibits, including a virtual reality experience and a photo booth, you’ll walk away with plenty of souvenir selfies.

• Madame Tussauds tickets

10 – Chinese Garden of Friendship

As the country’s largest city, things can get a bit hectic in Sydney. Luckily, there’s a peaceful sanctuary right on the edge of Darling Harbour that can help ease your mind and deliver that dose of zen whenever you need it — the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

A gift from Sydney’s sister city, Guangzhou in China, the garden is a stunning recreation of traditional Chinese architecture and landscape design. Here, you’ll find meandering pathways; tranquil ponds full of koi fish that float beneath bridges; leafy bamboo groves; and intricate pavilions and water features that encourage relaxation.

In addition to its beauty and tranquillity, the Garden also serves as a cultural centre for events like Tai Chi classes, calligraphy workshops and Chinese-style tea ceremonies — perfect if you’re looking to expand your knowledge about Eastern culture (just check the website to see what’s coming up).

So take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s CBD and explore this oasis right on our doorstep! And when you’re done exploring what is one of the largest gardens of its type outside Asia, wander down the road to Chinatown for a hearty meal.

11 – Queen Victoria Building

Step back in time and admire the stunning architecture and design of the Queen Victoria Building , a historic shopping centre in the middle of Sydney’s CBD.

Built in the late 19th century, this majestic, five-story complex has evolved over the decades to house modern brands (of Tiffany, Calvin Klein, Pandora, and Ralph Lauren ilk), but retains its old-world charm with tea rooms, florists, jewellery stores and a whole lot more.

With well over 150 stores spread across its interior levels — and hundreds more on the nearby Pitt Street Mall – you’ll be hard-pressed to not find something that tickles your fancy.

If you’re not in the mood for shopping, take a stroll the building’s grandiose interior to window-shop and listen to the Royal Clock strike on the hour. Or pop into Haigh’s Chocolates for a quick treat before moving on to the nearby Sydney Tower Eye. Plus, with occasional art exhibitions, historic displays and live music performances, dull moments are few and far between.

Keep in mind: The Queen Vic Building is a common stop on Sydney walking tours, so you might not have to go out of your way to see it.

12 – Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

A fan favourite for travelling families, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is home to over 700 species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, stingrays and sea-dwellers big and small – some hailing from the darkest depths of our oceans!

Renowned as one of the world’s biggest aquariums (with no less than six million litres of water), SEA LIFE sits on the eastern side of Darling Harbour (arguably Sydney’s most diverse entertainment precinct) and houses over 13,000 marine animals, spread across 9 interactive zones.

Get up close and personal with a dozen sharp-toothed species in the Shark Valley Zone, or embark on an educational boat ride through the Penguin Expedition to meet King and Gentoo Penguins up close. But that’s not all!

Discover the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and meet turtles, dugongs, and stingrays in the Day and Night on the Reef section, or head to the deepest parts of the oceans at the Jurassic Seas section.

Don’t forget to visit the resident dugongs at Dugong Island and say hello to the cheeky octopus. And for the young ones (or the young at heart_, the Discovery Rockpool is the perfect spot to touch sea stars, shark eggs, shells, and sea urchins gently.

• Sea Life Sydney Aquarium tickets

13 – Powerhouse Museum

Looking for an off-the-beaten-track experience that’s a little more on the educational side? Then you’ll love the Powerhouse Museum , an institution dedicated to all things science, technology, design and art,

Sitting in Ultimo (not far from Chinatown), this museum houses an impressive collection of nearly 500,000 objects throughout its exhibits, ranging from Egyptian artefacts to vintage cars, space shuttle pieces, steam engines, and much more.

As the main arm of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse is far from your typical look-don’t-touch attraction; the facility regularly puts on interactive workshops and demonstrations, where you can do things like make your own robots, test out video games or walk through Sydney as it was in the 1800s.

Travelling with kids in tow? Don’t miss the Wiggles exhibition, featuring the beloved Australian children’s music group. The exhibition is chock-full of interactive displays, games, and plenty of music and dancing!

The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (staying open till 9pm on Thursdays, for all you night owls), and tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

14 – Raging Waters Sydney

When the Aussie summer sun beats down in the 30- and 40-degree territory, and when Bondi Beach is packed to the rafters, there’s only one way to cool down: with a visit to Raging Waters Sydney , the city’s biggest water park.

Open from September to April, this family-friendly water park is packed with slides and pools suitable for all ages (just make sure you follow the height restrictions!), plus plenty of attractions like tube rides, wave pools, and a lazy river for those looking for a more relaxed experience.

Highlights include the T5 Intense Water Slide, where you’ll descend into pure darkness; the H2Go racers, where you can challenge your friends in a game of downhill speed; and the high-energy Bombora Water Slide, which you can ride with three of your closest pals.

Little ones can get their very own adventure at the Dinosaur Lagoon, a mini-park designed just for them. There’s also plenty of food and drinks on offer, so you won’t need to worry about going hungry!

Location: Raging Waters is about 40 minutes west of the Sydney CBD, so is best visited on a day trip. You can tick off two of the best tourist attractions in Sydney in one day by checking out the Sydney Zoo around the corner, or stop at the Sydney Olympic Park en route.

15 – Hyde Park

Spanning 16 hectares (40 acres) in the middle of Sydney’s bustling CBD, Hyde Park is renowned as one of the largest and oldest public parks in Australia, dating back to 1792. The park is a perfect oasis for those looking for some peace and relaxation, with a range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.

In the summertime, it acts as a cultural focal point, hosting a range of events, festivals, and exhibitions — think outdoor movie screenings, open-air concerts, and pop-up markets. And, in the cooler months, it still provides the ideal location for a stroll (do as the locals do and walk from Museum Station to the Opera House via Hyde Park and Botanic Gardens).

A beloved Hyde Park landmark is the Archibald Fountain, a grand centrepiece that features a bronze sculpture of Apollo surrounded by mythical creatures — both an excellent photo spot and a popular meeting point. For the history buffs, you’ll also find the ANZAC Memorial and the Captain Cook Memorial, two monuments dedicated to Australia’s different kinds of heroes.

Hyde Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it’s totally free to roam around.

16 – Sydney Harbour Bridge

The infamous Coathanger; one of the world’s largest steel arch bridges; the poster child not only of the city, but of the nation — no matter how you define it, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an icon.

Spanning over 1,000 meters from end to end, connecting The Rocks and the North Shore, this feat of engineering was opened in 1932 and remains as the most important piece of infrastructure in the city, with tens of thousands of cars, buses, and trains crossing it every day.

Feeling adventurous? For a heart-racing experience, consider joining the Harbour Bridge Climb and tackle the steps to its summit for panoramic views over the glistening Sydney Harbour — there’s nothing quite like feeling the wind in your hair as you take in sights such as the Opera House, Luna Park, and Circular Quay.

If heights aren’t your thing, don’t worry! You can still admire its grandeur from below on one of the Sydney ferries or (as one of the most underrated Sydney activities) simply walk across it from Milson’s Point to the city!

• Harbour Bridge Climb tickets

17 – Gunners Barracks

For history buffs and fine-dining foodies alike, Gunners Barracks is a must. This 19th-century military outpost fell under army jurisdiction until the 1970s, but has since been beautifully restored and converted into a stunning tea room and event space, offering visitors the chance to enjoy high tea (with 41 specialty teas for you to choose from) or a romantic lunch with views of the harbour.

Located in Mosman, a quieter part of town just a stone’s throw from the inner city, the venue is easily accessible by public transport or car. While you’re in the area, consider adding the Mosman Art Gallery or Georges Head lookout to the itinerary too.

Keep in mind: Due to its coveted reputation, it’s a hot spot for weddings, birthdays and special events. So make sure to book online and in advance to lock in your preferred visit.

18 – Manly Beach

Since Bondi bears the brunt of the city’s beach buzz, Manly Beach flies under the radar as a lesser-known (but just as happening) beach destination that’s great for sunbathing, swimming, and soaking up the views.

This stunning stretch of sand is located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and is the end-point to a vibrant pedestrian shopping strip full of bars, restaurants, and boutique stores. If you happen to be here on the weekend, make sure to check out the Manly Markets 2095 – an outdoor bazaar of delicious food stalls and local artisans selling handmade jewellery, clothes and a whole lot more.

The beach itself is home to two ocean rock pools (Fairy Bower Pool & Shelly Beach Pool) which are great for a dip if you don’t want the waves. Moreover, there’s even an array of walking trails along the coastal headlands if you’re feeling adventurous.

19 – Boat tours

9 out of 10 postcards of Sydney feature the Opera House and the Harbour Bridget and for good reason. Together, they form part of the most iconic harbour in the world, with its blue waters and bustling activity.

Climbing on board a boat tour is one of the best ways to experience the vastness of the harbour, as well as to learn about its history and culture.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset sail, a tall ship sightseeing cruise (AKA pirate ship), a whale-watching adventure , an adrenaline-filled jet boat ride, or an open-bar party boat to mingle with some fellow travellers, there’s certainly no shortage of Sydney vessels to match your taste.

Either way, these tours offer a unique and unobstructed way to see the city’s landmarks, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and ever-busy Circular Quay, where giant cruise ships often dock.

Budget tip: Want to see the harbour’s sites without breaking the bank? Hop on the Manly Ferry and take a scenic ride from Circular Quay to Manly Beach. The journey takes about 30 minutes and it’s a great way to get your bearings (and see a different part of the city while you’re at it).

• boat tours in Sydney

Read more: Romantic Things to Do in Sydney for Couples

20 – Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Always free to enter, making it a coveted destination for art enthusiasts, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia sports a bevy of modern art from Aussie shores and around the world — covering paintings, sculptures, installations, drawings, and crafty multimedia works that allow you to Immerse yourself in the artistic expressions of diverse cultures.

Across the 4,000-piece collection, the MCA is known for heavily embracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists – meaning that a wander through its rooms can also provide a fascinating look at the longstanding Australian culture.

Don’t miss the stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the rooftop terrace, or the unique gift shop filled with art-inspired merchandise.

Thanks to its location on the western side of Circular Quay, a visit to the museum can also easily be combined with a drink at The Rocks, a stroll through the Botanic Gardens, or a waterside dinner near the Opera House.

21 – Bondi Beach

Without a doubt, Australia’s most iconic beach is the 1-kilometre-long eastern suburbs locale known, infamously, as Bondi.

From the sun-kissed sand to its vibrant community of swimmers, surfers, and tanners, it’s easy to understand why this sweeping beauty has become an essential part of Sydney’s landscape. And sure, the TV shows (Bondi Rescue, Bondi Vet) don’t hurt its publicity either.

Along with its world-renowned waves and near-perfect crescent-shaped shoreline, Bondi is also a coming-together of activities — take a surf lesson with a professional instructor and catch some waves like a local, stroll along the promenade and admire the panoramic views of the coast, take a dip at the Bondi Icebergs swimming club (an Instagrammer’s paradise), or sit down for some fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants.

Feeling active? The 6km, 2-hour Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a local favourite.

The popular track passes by hidden gems like Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach and Tamarama Beach, as well as some unique street art ( like the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition) and cliff-side cafes. Of course, if you’re just after a taste, you can walk a small portion of the way and then turn back.

22 – Featherdale Wildlife Park

Offering a breath of fresh air, located about 45 minutes from Sydney’s CBD (on the way to the Blue Mountains), Featherdale is a haven for animals and animal lovers alike.

It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see a white wallaby, and, thanks to its relatively small size, can offer more intimate meet-and-greets with its furry residents (like wallabies and koalas) compared to the bigger, inner-city establishments like Taronga Zoo and Sydney Zoo.

Despite its small reputation, it still holds the title of having the world’s largest collection of Australian wildlife.

All up, the park is home to over 1,700 animals, from all corners of the country (and beyond). As you stroll around its grounds, you’ll have the chance to see emus, wombats, Tasmanian devils, bilbies, Little penguins, dingoes and native birds — plus a colourful collection of reptiles like snakes and lizards.

Don’t miss the chance to feed some of the friendlier animals (like kangaroos and quokkas) with specially-prepared food from around the park.

For those looking to learn more about protecting the wonderful critters, the park also has a conservation program to help protect endangered species, with regular talks and presentations around the grounds.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park tickets

23 – Darling Harbour

Always buzzing with energy, and with plenty to do and see, Darling Harbour is one of the most popular spots in Sydney for both daytime activity and nightlife.

Covering 20 hectares of waterfront space, the precinct is your starting point for a slew of Sydney tourist attractions — the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the IMAX theatre, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, to name a few.

When you’re done exploring the attractions and shopping outlets, take a break at one of the waterfront restaurants or bars — such as Bungalow 8 (for cocktails), Meat District Co (for steaks), Cafe del Mar Sydney (for Mediterranean flavours) or Nick’s Seafood Restaurant (for oysters)

Darling Harbour is also home to a number of annual events — like Vivid Sydney (from May-June), Chinese New Year (in February) and Christmas at Darling Harbour (December). And even if you’re visiting outside of these times, the slew of street performers, pop-up markets and festivals will keep you entertained.

24 – Australian National Maritime Museum

It’s all hands on deck at the ANMN , the city’s premier maritime attraction. Here, you’ll learn about Australia’s history and relationship with the sea, from its early days of exploration to modern naval feats — all accompanied by an array of interactive displays, full-scale models and replicas (including a replica of Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour).

The star attraction is the Destroyer HMAS Vampire, a decommissioned destroyer that was in service between 1959 and 1990s, joining operations in the Vietnam War among other naval duties.

You can also take part in the museum’s interactive activities — such as sailing classes, cruises on historic vessels, harbour fishing trips and the VR experience.

For those looking to learn even more, several exhibitions focus on topics like the history of surfing in Australia, Indigenous maritime culture, oceanic wildlife photography, and Ocean Wonders.

And of course, no visit would be complete without taking a peek at its impressive collection of artefacts. With closer to 140,000 pieces of oceanic history, you can expect to see everything from maps and paintings to rare items recovered from shipwrecks.

• Australian National Maritime Museum tickets

25 – Cockatoo Island

Smack-bang in the middle of Sydney Harbour, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed island has a storied past, acting as a shipbuilding yard, a Commonwealth naval base, and a convict island at different stages of its decorated history.

These days, Cockatoo Island stands as an open-air museum, with plenty of interactive exhibits and interpretive tours to keep the whole family entertained.

Aside from its rich history, the island also plays host to a variety of events throughout the year – think rock concerts, yoga sessions and outdoor cinemas. Moreover, there are even some camping spots if you feel like waking up to a view of the harbour.

Hot tip: there’s a direct ferry service from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island – and even if you don’t plan on staying long, the views alone are worth the trip.

26 – Museum of Sydney

Fittingly sitting on the site of Australia’s first Government House, the Museum of Sydney dives head-first into the story of how this great metropolis came to be.

From the Indigenous history of Australia, through to the arrival of the First Fleet and beyond, visitors will learn about all aspects of Sydney’s past — with a focus on how it has shaped the present culture (one of sun-seekers, business-goers, and vast art and nightlife).

While the permanent collection includes over 15,000 objects, it’s the forecourt that often steals the show. Here, you’ll find the award-winning Edge of the Trees installation, which uses large-scale art — 29 massive pillars — to represent the region’s 29 Aboriginal clans.

The museum is sandwiched between Circular Quay and the Royal Botanic Garden, so why not combine them into a trio of afternoon sightseeing?

27 – Sydney Town Hall

Considered one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in Australia, the Sydney Town Hall — which sits right across the road from the Queen Victoria Building — is a historic landmark whose history weaves all the way back to the 19th century.

Camera at the ready; the building features a grand staircase, intricate plasterwork, and a magnificent organ, lit by the colours of stained-glass windows.

More than just an aesthetic piece of construction, however, the Town Hall still remains an active community gathering place to this day, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, from concerts and recitals to cultural festivals and public lectures.

Craving an in-depth experience? Visitors can take a guided tour of the building and learn about its history, architecture, and role in the city’s cultural life! Tours are free and last around 45 minutes, but bookings are essential.

28 – The Blue Mountains

While not technically in Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a must-visit day trip for any nature-lover who’s got some time to spare when visiting the New South Wales capital.

Less than two hours west of the CBD, this stunning natural landscape is teeming with lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and gorgeous lookouts over the Jamison Valley — most of which can be accessed via car or train.

A hit for families, Scenic World boasts the glass-bottom Scenic Skyway (which dishes up sweet views of the Three Sisters and Orphan Rock) and a steep incline railway originally used by miners, while the nearby town of Katoomba is home to some of the state’s most rewarding bushwalking trails.

With so much to see in this untouched pocket of the world, you can easily spend a day or two here and still only scratch the surface.

• Blue Mountains tours

29 – Yiribana Gallery

Dedicated to honouring and celebrating Australia’s rich and vibrant First Nations art (and history), the Yiribana Gallery is a fascinating art subsection within the enormous Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The gallery displays rooms full of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, with a collection in excess of 3,000 pieces, making it one of the largest collections of Indigenous art in Australia.

That includes paintings, sculptures, prints, photography and plenty of works on paper too, from names such as Richard Bell, Yhonnie Scarce, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Reko Rennie, and Rover Thomas, to name just a few.

30 – Australian Museum

Australia’s only been around since 1901, right? Wrong. While that does mark the year of Federation, Australia’s history – from modern times, back to settlement, back to the longstanding Aboriginal culture – dates back not just hundreds, but thousands of years.

And if you’re keen to learn more about the country’s rich cultural history, then you’d do well to make your way to the Australian Museum .

Officially opened in 1857, this natural-history museum is one of the oldest museums in Australia and houses a vast collection of artefacts from around the world. And, at over 21 million objects (animals, fossils, minerals, art and more), with a particular focus on what makes Australia unique, we really do mean vast.

Take some time to explore the museum’s permanent galleries, which cover fascinating topics like biodiversity, Australian Indigenous cultures, birds of Australia, sustainability, and natural history; and keep your eye on the temporary exhibition calendar.

Every year, new exhibits debut, covering everything from arts and culture to science, technology, and the unique Aussie environment.

31 – Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Lions, tigers… koalas — oh my! Imagine more than 250 different species, hidden in plain sight, right in the heart of Sydney on the shores of Darling Harbour. That’s Wild Life Sydney Zoo for you.

The most convenient animal attraction in the city for those who don’t want to venture too far, Wild Life is home to over 12,000 animals from across the planet; Interact with beloved local critters like kangaroos and wallabies in the Kangaroo Walkthrough exhibit or check out the daily crocodile talks or bird shows.

Plan to spend around 2 hours here, before moving on to any of the other next-door Sydney tourist attractions — IMAX, the maritime museum, SEA LIFE, or the Chinese Garden of Friendship for example.

• Wild Life Sydney Zoo tickets

32 – Sydney Cricket Ground

Any sports fans in the house? Sydney’s answer to the Roman Colosseum is the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a sporting mecca that lures cricket and footy (AFL) diehards to its seats, year after year.

The SCG, which has hosted over 200 Test matches since 1878 (although did exact for a few decades beforehand), is one of Australia’s most iconic sports stadiums — and it continues to be at the centre of the country’s sporting culture.

With a capacity for 48,000 people — including members-only seating areas and general admission sections — you can expect an energy and an atmosphere like no other when you attend a game (especially a Sydney Swans AFL match).

If attending an event isn’t on the cards, curious sports fans can still experience all that the SCG has to offer with a 90-minute, behind-the-scenes guided tour.

You’ll be able to access typically off-limits areas like the historic SCG Members Reserve and Bradman Stand, as well as clubrooms, media rooms, and the SCG museum, home to a new exhibition covering the history of Woman’s Cricket in Australia.

33 – Sydney Fish Market

Make no mistake, this is no typical seafood market. Sure, the Sydney Fish Market is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere — but it’s also a bustling marketplace, restaurant and bar complex, making it one of the more underrated tourist attractions in Sydney.

Selling (with real volume and gravitas) over 100 different species of seafood, including Sydney rock oysters, lobster, and tuna, the market’s stalls are open from the early hours of the morning until late afternoon every day of the year (except Christmas) — perfect for those who want to stock up on fresh seafood goodies before dinner.

Plus, you can purchase a range of prepared meals here, like fish and chips or sushi, if you’re just looking for a quick bite.

For that extra fishy experience, don the chef’s hat for a paella or seafood cooking class, or join one of the behind-the-scenes tours (or private tours) for an in-depth look at the market’s operations — these start bright and early at around 6:30am, but you’ll get to witness the auctioning process, meet some of the fishermen who supply the market, and learn about sustainable fishing practices.

Once all your shopping is done (or even if it’s not), take some time to explore the other attractions in the area. Blackwattle Bay sits right around the corner from Darling Harbour, where you’ll find the likes of Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

34 – The Rocks

Hidden away beneath the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an area steeped in history, character and charm — with cobblestoned streets, hilly alleys and a long list of independent shops and bars/eateries, it’s The Rocks.

In the 19th century, The Rocks was home to a mix of sailors, traders and immigrants from all around the world. Today, you can explore this part of Sydney on foot (or by bike), uncovering its stories through the many museums (like the Museum of Contemporary Art), galleries and historical buildings scattered throughout the area.

After you’re Rocks tour, why not wet your whistle? The area is home to many of Sydney’s oldest buildings and pubs, including The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, which dates back to 1841!

Hot tip: if you can, book a Rocks tour on a Saturday or Sunday – this is when the eccentric Rocks Markets takes place.

• The Rocks tours

35 – The Rocks Discovery Museum

Deserving a mention of its own, The Rocks Discovery Museum is one of the most unique attractions in Sydney.

Housed inside a heritage-listed sandstone building that dates back to the 1850s, this museum offers an interactive experience that takes you on a journey through time — from the days of Indigenous Australians and convicts settlers to modern-day Sydneysiders.

Full of fascinating insights, the museum is broken up into four distinct periods: Warrane (pre-1788), Colony (1788–1820), Port (1820–1900), and Transformations (1900–present). Interesting artefacts, audio recordings, photographs and intriguing stories are part of the experience in all four.

The family-friendly museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm and is free to visit, so why not check it out?

36 – Sydney Jewish Museum

Beyond the postcard-worthy landscapes, a significant part of Sydney’s appeal is its multiculturalism. The city is a melting pot of traditions and cultures; and, among them, Sydney’s Jewish heritage is one of the most influential.

The Sydney Jewish Museum , located in Darlinghurst, about 15 minutes walk from Hyde Park, offers a rich insight into Jewish life and culture both in Australia and around the world. With a range of interactive displays, exhibitions and educational programs (like lectures, workshops and film screenings), this museum highlights different aspects of Judaism through its collections.

Honouring those who lost their lives in the Holocaust, and celebrating the many stories of resilience under difficult circumstances through survivor testimonials, this museum’s deep dive into WWII is both powerful and grounding.

It also covers topics like the history of Jews in Australia, Israel-Palestine relations, Jewish Involvement in Australian Military History, human rights, and cultural identity.

The museum is open from Sunday to Friday, from roughly 10am to 4pm.

37 – Customs House

A former immigration centre turned modern museum, heritage-listed Customs House is a stunning historical building that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, an arm’s length from Circular Quay. Step inside and you’ll be immersed in a world of art, culture, and creativity.

Discover a range of exciting exhibits and activities, from cutting-edge art exhibitions to engaging film screenings; there’s always something new and exciting to discover at Customs House.

Check out the scale model of 10 square kilometres of downtown Sydney; pop over to the Visitor Information Centre for tips on what to see in the area, or head up to level 2 where you’ll find a library with 50,000 different materials to while away an afternoon.

And that’s not all! The award-winning Cafe Sydney, perched on its rooftop, offers you the chance to Indulge in some delicious Aussie fare while enjoying the breathtaking views that overlook the sparkling harbour and the city skyline.

38 – Australian Reptile Park

Australia’s reputation hones in on slithy, slimy, creepy crawlies — so you might as well embrace the stereotype and see what all the fuss is about, right?

If you fancy a day trip and an escape from the chaos of the city, jump on the M1 and head north for an hour to The Australian Reptile Park in Somersby – a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Australia’s native animals and educating visitors about them.

Here, where kangaroos roam free, you can get up close and personal with some of the nation’s most celebrated (and feared) critters, such as koalas, wallabies and quokkas… or crocodiles, snakes and turtles.

This award-winning zoo also puts on a selection of free animal shows throughout the day — bother educational and entertaining, these events (like the Galapagos Tortoise Talk, Komodo Dragon Walk or Alligator Photobooth) are always a hit with families.

• Australian Reptile Park tickets

39 – Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

The northernmost point of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is a delightful lookout point with an interesting history to boot.

First and foremost, the sandstone rock formation (shaped like a chair, hence the name) was carved out of the headland in 1810 by convicts for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife, Elizabeth; who allegedly loved to sit here and watch the ships sail into Sydney Harbour.

But there’s more to this landmark than just a chair-shaped stone. From the top of this clifftop vantage point, you’ll be treated to some incredible panoramic views that stretch all the way from Circular Quay and The Bridge in one direction, to Bradleys Head and the north shore in the other, with the Alcatraz-like Fort Denison in the middle.

40 – Sydney Observatory

Calling all astronomy enthusiasts! The Sydney Observatory is considered one of the best tourist attractions in Sydney for stargazers and anyone with an inkling to explore the mysteries of the universe.

Besides offering visitors the chance to stargaze through telescopes and participate in exciting educational programs, the Observatory is an attraction in its own right — dating back to 1858 and boasting a fascinating history of timekeeping, astronomical research, and public education.

Located at Millers Point (the southern end of Sydney Harbour Bridget, right next to The Rocks) on the highest natural point in the area, the Sydney Observatory provides top-tier views of the harbour too.

Want a more in-depth experience? Consider joining one of the 1-hour walking tours. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll climb the building’s narrow staircases, learn about the bombproof shelter, and get to see a range of telescopes, lenses and other scientific instruments up close.

41 – Virtual Room Sydney

Need a break from reality? Step into another dimension at Virtual Room Sydney, where virtual reality technology takes you on an unforgettable adventure.

Perfect for gamers and thrill-seekers, this attraction serves up a selection of four different interactive experiences — taking you back to Ancient Egypt or as far as the moon, with a little time travel thrown in for good measure. You can even immerse yourself in the Assassins Creed storyline, if that’s more up your alley.

Most missions take around 40 to 50 minutes to complete, and you can tackle them in pairs or groups, perfect for boiling up a bit of competitive spirit.

The main VR venue is located in the heart of the CBD near the Town Hall, however, you can also sign up for missions at the Macquarie Centre, the Eastlakes Shopping Centre, or the Westfield Eastgardens Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction.

• Virtual Room Sydney tickets

42 – Sydney Lyric Theatre

Experience the magic of the stage at the 2,000-seat Sydney Lyric Theatre , a world-renowned venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, from Broadway shows to international music acts and a peppering of ballet, opera and comedy in the nights between!

Over the decades, since it opened its doors in 1997, the Sydney Lyric Theatre has put on showstopping performances like Wicked, Hamilton, Chicago, The Book Of Mormon, and The Lion King, to name a few, with new shows debuting roughly every 6-12 months.

A focal point of the bustling Darling Harbour precinct, the Sydney Lyric Theatre is the perfect destination for thespians and those seeking a touch of entertainment before a night out on the town.

With a packed schedule of events and shows, there’s always something new and exciting to discover – simply check the website to see what’s on during your stay.

43 – State Library of New South Wales

Bookworms, listen up. Officially the oldest library in Australia, the State Library of New South Wales houses some of the nation’s most important collections and documents, alongside a stellar selection of digital content.

Take a guided tour to explore the library’s rare books and manuscripts, or admire its architecture — it’s one of Sydney’s oldest public buildings at nearly 160 years old! Then browse through exhibitions featuring the stories of local Aboriginal people, information about World War I, and a range of other special collections.

Of course, you’ll never run out of books to read here either. All up, the venue houses 2 million books, spread across its 140 kilometres worth of shelves. When the weather’s dreary or you’ve got some work to do, the State Library is an ideal destination to while away the hours.

44 – Royal National Park (and its rock pools)

An easy one-hour drive from Sydney’s CBD, the Royal National Park is a stunning nature reserve that borders the coast.

Stretching over 151 square kilometres and boasting some of the country’s most pristine coastal landscapes, the park is home to a variety of wildlife and plenty of opportunities for good old-fashioned two-footed (or four-wheeled) exploration.

For an afternoon escape from the city, tackle the Lady Carrington’s Drive hike — one of the park’s most beautiful routes — before stopping off at Figure Eight Pools near Burning Palms Beach.

These unique rock pools form naturally in the sandstone and are the perfect spot to cool off after a long day of exploring.

• Royal National Park tours

45 – Chinatown

An eclectic mix of cultures, Chinatown is the beating heart of Sydney’s Asian community and one of the largest Chinatowns in the world, sporting a history that dates back to the 1920s (and showcasing the stories of Chinese immigrants who started arriving even earlier, in the 1800s).

A visit to this vibrant part of town starts with a stroll down Dixon Street — it’s here you’ll find an array of shops selling everything from Chinese medicinal herbs to hand-crafted chopsticks and quirky souvenirs.

Foodies will be in heaven, with a dizzying selection of restaurants and bakeries to explore – don’t miss East Ocean if you’re a seafood lover or Chinese Noodle House for mouthwatering cheap eats. And you can always buy some groceries to cook up your own Chinese feast later on at the handful of Asian supermarkets in the area.

Out partying? If you’re after some late-night karaoke, Chinatown is the place to be.

Lucky you: If you’re visiting around early February, don’t miss the annual Chinese New Year celebrations — a high-energy concoction of colourful parades, dragon dances, and fireworks out the wazoo.

Or, if you’re around from May to July, this is when the area comes alive with 50+ market stalls, as part of the Chinatown Night Market.

46 – White Rabbit Gallery

One of the top Sydney tourist attractions for art connoisseurs looking to escape the crowds of the main museums, the White Rabbit Gallery is an independent gallery focused on modern Chinese art (pieces made in the 21st century).

Housed in a former warehouse in Chippendale (an area that’s a little out of the way but quickly developing a reputation for its cutting-edge creative scene), this unique space features a constantly rotating selection of works by some of Asia’s most renowned contemporary artists – from sculptures and installations to paintings and photography.

It’s also well known for its tea house, which serves as a lovely way to wind down after your visit.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and the best part? It’s free to enter, giving you the perfect excuse to make multiple trips.

47 – Koala Park Sanctuary Sydney

A furry funland, full of fantastic photo opportunities, the Koala Park Sanctuary Sydney is a great spot to visit if you’re looking for an animal-filled day out.

You’ll find all sorts of creatures here, from kangaroos, dingoes and wallabies to farm animals and reptiles – but, of course, as the name suggests, the star of the show is Australia’s much-loved koala bear.

There are plenty of chances to get up close and personal with these cuddly critters and snap some photos (even hold them), with several keeper-led presentations throughout the day.

And, thanks to its setting on 10 acres of beautiful, lush Rainforest, it makes for a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

• Koala Park Sanctuary tickets

48 – Government House

One of the many notable landmarks spread throughout Sydney’s enchanting Royal Botanic Garden, Government House is the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales. But, politics and status aside, it’s more famously a grandiose building with stunning gardens and a decorated history (with Queen visits, no less).

Dating back to 1845, the house features a beautiful ballroom, a state dining room, and an elegant drawing room (full of impressive chandeliers and impressive artwork) which are all available to see first-hand on public tours.

The House is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:30am to 3pm, with expert-led guided tours operating about every 30 minutes.

Pop into it for a quick look in between stops at the Sydney Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.

49 – Capitol Theatre

If you’re a fan of musicals, the Capitol Theatre is considered one of the top-tier tourist attractions in Sydney (but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t attract locals like moths to a flame either).

The ornate theatre, which you’ll find in the Haymarket district, is one of the city’s longest-operating performance venues, and – thanks to its sparkling chandeliers, intricate plasterwork, and eyecatching marble staircase – has developed a reputation for opulence.

The heritage-listed performance space first opened its doors in 1892, and since then it’s seen the likes of Miss Saigon, Moulin Rouge, Hairspray, Beauty And The Beast and Les Miserables grace its stage. It’s also home to a permanent orchestra pit – which is great for fans of classical music.

If a Broadway show isn’t quite your cup of tea, fret not — the roster is far more diverse, with plenty of concerts, ballets, opera recitals, and comedy shows held all year round. In bygone years, it’s hosted names like Kylie Minogue and INXS, so keep your eyes peeled for the A-grade name planned to take the spotlight during your visit.

Keen to level up your experience? Consider booking one of the behind-the-scenes tours. These walkthroughs last approximately 2 hours and are led by locals, guaranteeing that you’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation of the theatre’s history and all its inner workings.

50 – Bronte Beach

Just a kilometre south of Bondi, Bronte Beach is a stunning spot for an afternoon picnic.

Offering swimming in both the ocean and in the Bronte Baths saltwater pool, as well as a grassy park backdrop if you don’t feel like relaxing on the sand, there’s plenty to do here on a warm summer’s day — especially if you’re looking for something a little more low-key than its nearby neighbour.

If you fancy a stroll, keep walking south along the coastal trail and you’ll pass by the aptly-named Lookout Point, as well as the Waverley Cemetery Lookout, both of which provide sweeping views of the ocean and the surrounding suburbs.

51 – Bus tours

Short on time? Or, simply enough, can’t be bothered walking up and down Sydney’s hilly streets? Then lean fully into the tourist stereotype and take a hop-on/hop-off bus tour — an experience that will help you get your bearings, see dozens of attractions in one day and learn a little something about the city’s history thanks to the onboard audio tour.

Depending on which of the comprehensive bus tours you choose, you can expect to zoom past Sydney landmarks like St Mary’s Cathedral, The Rocks, Bondi Beach, and the Sydney Tower Eye, with plenty of opportunities to disembark at Sydney’s best tourist attractions.

Generally speaking, these highlight-reel tickets are valid for 24 hours, so you can jump on and off as much as you like in that time frame (and, for all you budget-conscious travellers), you won’t have to pay for any other public transport).

Hot tip: for the best bang for your buck, think about booking one of the combination packages which includes a harbour cruise or a ticket to the Taronga Zoo.

• bus tours in Sydney

52 – Paddy’s Market

A staple part of the Sydney shopping scene for close to 150 years, Paddy’s Market is a bustling bazaar that sits right around the corner from Chinatown and has long been the local go-to for cheap clothes, knick-knacks, souvenirs and fresh produce for generations.

The market, which embodies the thrifty, flea-market vibe that Sydneysiders love, is open 5 days a week (Wednesday to Sunday) and is home to a treasure trove of stalls selling everything from hand-crafted jewellery, to vintage records and handmade Chinese lanterns.

You’ll also find aisles of fresh fruit and veg, dairy products and bakery goods for sale, if you’re feeling peckish.

Hot tip: If it lines up with your trip, try to check out the Paddy’s Night Markets, held on the first Saturday evening of every month from 6 pm onwards

53 – Justice & Police Museum

Certainly one of the hidden gems of Sydney’s tourist scene, the Justice & Police Museum is a quirky tribute to the city’s storied and often dark legal past.

The museum, which is held in a former police station that’s been around since the 1850s, houses an array of fascinating artefacts from Sydney’s criminal history — including court records, police uniforms, mug shots and old prison cells — all of which have been carefully curated over the years by diligent historians.

With topics like forensic science, police investigations, notorious bushrangers and murderers, and courtroom dramas ready to be explored, this Rocks district attraction is the go-to if you’re fascinated by crime and law enforcement.

Perhaps most interestingly, the museum dives into the different types of crimes that were common in Sydney during different eras. Once smuggling, now petty theft, or maybe a little bit of burglary? You’ll have to visit to find out.

54 – State Theatre

If you’re on the hunt for an evening of luxury and entertainment, then this stunning Art Deco-style theatre holds firmly as a top contender. Located in Sydney’s CBD, the theatre was built in 1929 and has been beautifully restored to its former glory — with rich red seats, glistening golden features throughout the 2,000-seat auditorium, and no fewer than 13 hand-cut chandeliers hanging from above to top it all off.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the theatre to learn about its history and architecture – and check out the exotic Butterfly Room and Pioneer Room, exclusive areas typically off-limits to the general public.

Or, if you’re more about the showbiz than the history, the theatre also hosts a wide range of performances – think comedy shows, film festivals, rockstar tributes, concerts, ballets, and plays.

Simply check the website to see what’s on, and make sure to arrive early to grab something from the classic concession stand.

55 – CommBank Stadium

In Melbourne, AFL is the craze. In Sydney, locals live and breathe rugby league – and if you’re a fan of the NRL’s Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers, or Canterbury Bulldogs, or the NSW Waratahs (rugby union) then a visit to the CommBank Stadium , where the roar echoes in electric fashion, is an absolute must.

This multi-purpose, modern stadium (opened in just 2019) can hold up to 30,000 people and hosts some of Australia’s biggest games. But it doesn’t end at rugby — the stadium is also the stomping ground for the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers (soccer), and occasionally welcomes concerts and special events to boot

The stadium is located in the heart of Parramatta, an easy train ride from Sydney, and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for both viewing and dining, making it a great destination for sports enthusiasts.

Booking several Sydney attractions?

For all of you bargain-hunters, first-time visitors or returning travellers, you can save big by booking a bundle of Sydney attractions at once. From the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge to the world-famous Taronga Zoo – there are dozens of combinations ready to be slapped into one big ticket thanks to the various Sydney attraction passes on offer.

Take the Iventure Pass , for example. This flexible sightseeing pass grants access to over 30 top Sydney tourist attractions and experiences, such as the Sydney Opera House, Oz Jetboating excursion, Featherdale Wildlife Parks, Sydney Tower Eye and much more. Choose from 3, 5, or 7-attraction passes, and save up to 50% on the original ticket prices.

Visiting Sydney on a budget?

It’s not exactly breaking news that Sydney is a rather expensive city. However, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank in order to enjoy it!

There are plenty of activities and attractions for budget-conscious travellers — from bushwalking on the outskirts of town (or along the coastal trails) to free museum visits, art galleries, and outdoor cinema screenings.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park, Chinatown, Darling Harbour and Manly Beach are all completely free of charge to explore too. Plus, if you want to head out onto the harbour without an expensive boat tour, simply hop on one of the ferries that crisscross the city.

Locals recommend joining one of the many free walking tours in Sydney too; they’re a great way to get acquainted with the city without spending a cent (however, donations are expected at the end of the tour).

Looking for the best Sydney tours?

Whether you’re a foodie looking to sample the best of Sydney’s eateries, an outdoor enthusiast eager for some adventure-packed activities, or a history buff searching for the city’s hidden gems – there are plenty of amazing tours in Sydney to choose from.

From luxury sightseeing cruises around the harbour and bar crawls in Kings Cross to beer-tasting sessions or guided kayak tours, there’s something for everyone.

Plus, if you’re keen to explore beyond the city limits, there are plenty of Sydney day trips and extended tours that take you away from town — such as a trip to the Hunter Valley wine region or an overnight camping trip in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Final thoughts

Well, that was a fair dinkum rundown and a half, wasn’t it? As you can see, there’s a lot to do in Sydney. Whether you’re after adventure and discovery or simply want to kick back and relax – this Aussie city has something for everyone.

So grab your mates and get ready for a few days of fun Down Under as you check off the best tourist attractions in Sydney, one by one.

45 Best Sydney Tourist Attractions With Hidden Gems 2024 Guide

Visiting Sydney for the first time and looking to know what are the best Sydney tourist attractions? As expat locals, we’ve been tourists too, so we’re sharing what you really shouldn’t miss when you’re visiting this city.

Sydney is unique city in New South Wales, and home to the famous Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, vibrant suburbs, national parks and wildlife all in one beautiful city. You can go from relaxing beach sunrises to meeting kangaroos, and ending the day having cocktails in the tallest building. How cool is that?!

Not only that, you can get a 2, 3 or 5 day unlimited pass to tourist attractions in Sydney! So save money and start ticking off these Sydney attractions bucket list today.

Table of Contents

1. Meet kangaroos and wombats in Sydney

One of the most popular Sydney tourist places easily has to involve getting up close to kangaroos! Pre-book this wildlife experience here which takes you up close and personal with wild wombats and kangaroos at a Budderoo National Park and Moreton National Park, just two hours away.

The best way to experience any wildlife is in its natural habitat so hop on board for the closest viewpoint.

Included in the ticket is a classic Aussie BBQ (another bucket list tick), soft drinks and transport from the Central Station in Sydney as well as visiting two waterfalls in a sub-tropical rainforest.

2. Half day city tour of Sydney

If you want to see the highlights of Sydney, then let an expert guide show you the way on this half day city tour . See the oldest street in Australia in an area called The Rocks, get the best viewpoints of Sydney Harbour Bridge, experience our famous coasts including Bondi Beach and discover some vibrant and historic suburbs and the CBD (Central Business District).

One of the best ways to experience a city is with a local and that’s what this tour is all about, taking you through cool streets and pointing out landmarks you may miss on your own. Best of all, learning the history and significance of these places to visit will make it much more memorable.

3. Let a local show you the secret beaches in Sydney

Another local guide, another awesome highlight. Sydney is full of stunning secret beaches you can access by boat so jump on board this secret beaches tour.

Starting at Circular Quay on Sydney Harbour, you can get perfect boat pictures in front of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge before heading past many landmarks along the Harbour. Anchor down at a secret National park beach for a swim and you may even spot a colony of fairy penguins! Perfect day living like a luxurious local around the Sydney Harbor Sea Bridge.

4. Climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Arguably one of the most famous Sydney attractions is climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge !

Saying you have completed the Sydney Harbour Bridge 1,322 step climb is a top-level Sydney bucket list achievement. The climb is also not as scary as you may think either, you are harnessed and follow a safe walkway up one side and down the other. It is so worth the thrill for the viewpoint at the top.

If you can, book on for the Twilight climb as you are lucky enough to have three views, daylight, sunset over the blue mountains and night time with the bright Sydney City skyline as a backdrop. Remember to book in advance as time slots do fill up!

5. Take a tour around the Sydney Opera House

One of the best places to visit in Sydney is obviously doing an iconic Sydney Opera House tour. You’ll get a chance to learn all about the history of the building as well as see the 300 corridors within the building.

It’s such a unique building, you will want to have an expert guide amaze you with facts and stories. Best of all, it only takes an hour so you can spend the rest of your day wondering around the many vantage points to take a million photos. Honestly taking photos of the Sydney Opera House NEVER gets old.

6. Visit the set locations of Home & Away at Palm Beach

If you’re like me and you’ve grown up watching Home & Away, then you have to go and visit Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay. If you’re lucky, you might even catch them filming in the area.

Make sure you go to The Boat House for lunch and walk up to the top of the famous Lighthouse. Oh and of course, go and see the Home & Away Kiosk where you can actually buy Alf Stewart memorabilia. I know. You can book this Home & Away tour to Palm Beach which makes a fun day trip.

If you’re not bothered about Home & Away, read our Best Things To Do In Palm Beach guide before you go up there. I recommend hiring a car, but you can get the bus as well.

6. See the Sydney sights on a bike tour

Zip through the city streets on this exciting bike tour .

Sometimes walking takes too long and buses don’t give us the best photo opportunities! So get on your bike and see the best views of Sydney. From Darling Harbour to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney has so many places you can cycle through peacefully.

The tour is lead by a local guide too so you can get the insider tips and see the city through the eyes of a local.

7. Go snorkelling in Manly

Sydney is literally surrounded by water so you must take a dive under and there is no place better than this Manly Beach snorkelling tour .

You don’t need previous experience to snorkel and all equipment is included so just bring your swimmers and get ready to explore under the sea at one of the most iconic beaches in New South Wales.

Manly Beach and Shelley Beach are full of pristine waters, colourful marine life and rocky reefs, you may even spot a famous blue groper! The tour is personalised by a local guide with knowledge of the marine and are an eco-tourism company to protect the wildlife so generations to come can enjoy the same view.

8. You must do a day trip to Blue Mountains!

You will be amazed by how massive and magnificent the Blue Mountains are! Book this full day Blue Mountains tour to truly take in the beauty of this national park, visit a wild life Sydney zoo and

Be picked up from Sydney Central Business District on a comfortable coach and stop by Featherdale Wildlife Park, Leura Village, Echo Point to see the famous three sisters rock formation and even get access to Scenic World. With cable cars, a skyway gondala and steep train rides, Scenic world adds a unique view to the Blue Mountains.

Finish the day with a river cruise into the Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay, making it one of the best day trips from Sydney.

9. Sky dive over a Sydney beach!

Are you brave enough to sky dive over a Sydney beach? We think so!

With this adventure, you can free fall for 60 seconds from 15,000 feet before cruising under the canopy for 5 minutes enjoying the Sydney coastline view. At just an hours drive from Sydney CBD to Wollongong in New South wales, a Sky dive in Sydney should be on your bucket list and is one of the best places in NSW to go sky diving.

Don’t leave this one till last minute, it does book up and you don’t want to be disappointed, so pre-book your skydive here .

10. Sydney Opera House performance

No trip to Sydney would be complete without going to Sydney Opera House to see a performance.

If you’re looking to go to see a performance you can get  cheap tickets to Sydney Opera House for an absolutely unforgettable night. Seeing Opera in the Opera House? Yes please!

If you really want to make a night out it, check out our favourite Fine Dining Restaurants In Sydney guide to help you choose some of the fabulous places to eat near the Opera House.

11. Visit The National Maritime Museum

No city trip is complete without a museum visit, right? The Australian National Maritime Museum is one of the best Sydney attractions!

With one of the most unique and diverse water fleets in the world, the Australian National Maritime Museum is great for adults and kids to spend a day. Pre-book your entrance tickets here , jump on board a historic war ship, learn about Aboriginal maritime customs and even view the worlds fastest boat! All located in Darling harbour, you can have a full day of nautical fun.

12. Go to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Wondering where everyone gets stunning shots of the Opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge? Head to Mrs Macquaries Chair! It is loved by locals and is one tourist attractions that everyone loves because of its location.

Here, you’ll be able to get the perfect photo of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge any time of day. But make sure you go at sunset, this is the time of the day when Sydney Harbour really puts on a show.

13. Bondi Beach walking tour

Bondi beach is famous around the world for its top surfing, chilled vibe and of course the Bondi Rescue TV show!

Join a Bondi Beach walking tour and get shown the best highlights, viewpoints, Aboriginal rock carvings and marine life by a local. Bondi Beach has a colourful history you can learn all about on this tour! If you’re looking to do some self-guided walks, check out our Best Walks in Bondi to see some of the mot well known places and hidden gems of the Eastern Suburbs

14. Walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney is something every tourist in Sydney needs to visit for themselves. Nestled in between middle of Sydney CBD and Sydney Harbour, you’ll be able to walk around and visit the many gardens and of course the new Calyx building. Here they have lots of events on including an astronomy class which looks awesome.

As Australia’s oldest botanic garden, the Royal Botanical Gardens is truly picturesque and full to the brim of native flowers and plants to learn about. If you’re looking for somewhere to chill out between all of the walking around, then the Royal Botanical Garden is the place to visit.

15. Have lunch or dinner at Sydney Tower Eye

Sydney Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the Sydney skyline which is also known as the Westfield Tower. You can pre-book tickets to go up to the viewing platform near the top of Sydney Tower.

If you decide to explore it in the day time, go up on a clear day and you might be able to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Blue Mountains from there. I know, it’s actually true because we’ve been able to see the Sydney tower from Anvil Lookout in Blue Mountains!

You can also pre-book the  Revolving Buffet Restaurant  in Sydney Tower as you’ll have lunch or dinner at the top of Sydney’s tallest building. As it’s a revolving restaurant, this means you’ll constantly see a different view during your dining experience. I did this experience when I first came to Sydney and I promise you won’t find a more unique dining experience in Sydney.

16. Go on a special Sydney tall ships cruise

I went on a Sydney tall ships cruise on my 30th Birthday and absolutely loved it! We drank too much wine and ate all of the canapes being served up and loved sailing back into Circular Quay while the city lit up at night time.

Hand on heart, I’ll always remember it being one of the best things I’ve done in Sydney because it felt so special. I recommend you book Sydney Tall Ships Cruise here to make sure you can get on one of their cruises.

17. Visit Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

Meet Australia’s only Rhino at Taronga Zoo, one of the most iconic Sydney attractions. Get up close and personal to the squirrel monkeys or go behind the scenes in the Elephant enclosure.

Sydney Zoo is an awesome attraction for big and little kids alike, with over 40 species to marvel at and talks to learn from. Pre-book your entrance fee which also includes a return ferry ride from Circular Qua.

18. Indulge in the best fine dining restaurants in Sydney

Food is one of the best things about travelling. Experiencing a culture through their cuisine is not only delicious but a travel bucket list for sure!

Sydney is full of luxurious fine dining restaurants and we have put together our list of favourites which you can read here, 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Sydney . From digestation tasting menus to sipping cocktails opposite Sydney Harbour Bridge, there is a fine dining restaurant to add a little sparkle to your Sydney trip.

As Australia is close to Asia, you can experience some incredible Asian cuisine here so it’s worth including in your itinerary.

19. Join the popular Sydney crime tour

Discover the creepy and unbelievable true crime stories of Sydney on this interesting tour .

Strolling through Sydney’s beautiful streets in daylight, you wouldn’t believe it had a dark side to tell. An expert local guide reveals all of the weird and wonderful crime history of Sydney which you won’t find in a history book. Perfect for true crime lovers, this tour will leave you guessing on the gaps in the crime stories!

20. Discover the beautiful Chinese Garden of Friendship

Situated right in the heart of Darling Harbour, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a beautiful hidden gem of Sydney.

Modelled after the ancient gardens of China, this stunning Chinese garden in the heart of the city is a tranquil place to spend your day. Discover exotic plants, a lake and stay for Chinese tea at The Gardens by Lotus.

After you’ve finished, take a walk all the way around Darling Harbour and around to Barangaroo.

21. Sydney Thrill Ride

Another one for the adventurous, Sydney Harbor jet boat rides zoom along the harbour for a truly thrilling ride.

Sydney Thrill Ride hurls at up to 75 km an hour while you take in the iconic Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other coastal landmarks. Jump on board for one of the most exhilarating attractions in Sydney.

22. The Rocks Walking Tour

Discover the oldest part of Sydney on the Rocks Walking Tour . When the first fleet arrived at Sydney Harbour, The Rocks and Australia’s first ever official street, George Street is some of the oldest parts of Australia. It is the best places to visit to explore some of the oldest pubs, learn the history and marvel at historic archways and convict stories.

23. Big top Hop-on-hop-off bus

No city trip is complete without a hop-on-hop-off bus tour , right?

With two routes of places to visit around Sydney, a commentary sound system and a Sydney Harbour cruise included in the deluxe ticket, you can’t go wrong with a hop-on-hop-off bus. See the Opera House of Sydney, and Sydney Aquarium on the red route or join to blue route past Hyde Park to Bondi Beach.

24. Watch the New Years Eve Fireworks

Sydney New Year’s Eve Fireworks is a tourist attraction you really don’t want to miss. It is known as the world’s best fireworks, I have to say that statement is true. It’s a sight like no other.

The best way to see the fireworks is on a boat in the Harbour, so make sure you check out our Best Places To Watch The Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks.

Otherwise Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is very popular spot which is also free to view the fireworks. Bare in mind this spot gets very crowded – I experienced it during my first New Years in Sydney.

I also recommend going to the other side of the bridge and viewing the fireworks from Kirribilli. It’s not as busy and you’ll be able to get super close to the Bridge, even under it!

25. Visit Vivid Festival

While many people visit Sydney in the Summer months, visiting in Winter has its highlights too. For a couple of weeks between May and June each year sees one of Sydney’s biggest calendar events – Vivid Festival. Circular Quay and loads of other areas around Sydney join together and are lit up in one of the biggest light festivals in the world. It’s amazing and a must visit. If you’re visiting in Winter, check out our Best Things To Do In Sydney In Winter guide!

26. Check out Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney is definitely worth a visit if you have time in Sydney. Located at Circular Quay, it’s one of the awesome free things to do in Sydney.

Make sure you check out the cafe on the rooftop of the art gallery, it’s got a fantastic view of the Opera House as well. Check out our full guide for the Best Art Galleries In Sydney which includes hidden gems.

27. Go on a ghost tour around The Rocks

Looking for fun things to do in Sydney that also involve learning a bit about the city? Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night you can take a 90 minute  Ghost Tour  around The Rocks. Discover the creepy Sydney of a Sydney attraction and Sydney’s CBD.

After the tour has finished, check out some of our favourite Rooftop BarsIn Sydney .

28. Do the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is one of the most popular Sydney activities because it’s so beautiful! If you walk the whole way, it will take around 2 hours. Highlights include the cemetery, Bronte, Gordon’s Bay and of course Coogee Beach!

If you’d prefer to do a shorter walk, you can do the Bondi to Bronte walk in about 1 hour. Stop at Bronte for lunch at the Bronte Cafe and go for a swim in the famous Bronte Rock Pool!

29. Swim at Bondi Icebergs

Bondi Icebergs  is one of THE most famous Australia tourist attractions. The iconic ocean pool brings in many photographers and it’s easy to see why! Make sure you get there for sunrise, it’s incredible! It’s also not expensive to swim here at the pool, with a cafe downstairs and fine dining restaurant upstairs.

30. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach

A hugely iconic thing to do in Sydney is to learn to surf at Bondi Beach. There are plenty of companies to choose from but we recommend doing this two hour fun lesson  where you’ll learn the basics and have a hand at catching your first wave!

31. Manly to Spit walk

Fancy doing a coastal walk in Manly? Why not tackle the Manly to Spit walk which is a 10km walk. It takes you right around the coast and through Ku-ring-gai National Park so you’ll get to see what it’s like walking through the bush in the middle of Sydney.

There’s some lovely beaches to visit along the way like Clontarf Beach but this walk takes a good two hours and you need to be at a reasonable level of fitness. When you get to The Spit, you can either get a bus back into Sydney CBD or back to Manly.

Check out our guide for the Best Walks in Manly to help you prepare for your visit to this iconic part of Sydney.

32. Go on the rides at Luna Park

Luna Park in Sydney is a great family day out and it’s in an awesome location, right on Sydney Harbour! Definitely make sure you go on ferris wheel and if you can stomach any other ride too. Then take a walk around the Harbour path and up to  Wendy’s Secret Garden  (one of our favourite spots in Sydney!).

34. Go to an outdoor cinema

There are so many outdoor cinemas in Sydney during Summertime, make sure you book in advance for a screening. Most of the outdoor cinemas in Sydney start at the end of November and finish around March time.

Our favourite is the West Pac Open Air Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Point known as the most beautiful cinema in the world! To get the full lowdown of the best outdoor cinemas, check out our guide for the Best Cinemas in Sydney .

35. Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a really beautiful and touristy part of Sydney, all tourists should visit. With plenty of restuarants to choose from (eat on the Barangaroo side), an amazing kids playground and lots of Sydney Harbour cruises departing from here, spend the day walking around here and enjoy the views.

36. Whale Watching tour

If you’re visiting Sydney between June to November, you’ll more than likely come across the whale migration which is a massive Sydney activity you need to see in person for yourself

Every year, 30,000 humpback whales migrate along the East Coast and will pass by Sydney. Make sure you book a whale watching tour to get close to them, you can read our Whale Watching In Sydney review before you book. It’s an amazing sight to be seen.

37. Visit Sea life Sydney Aquarium

A visit to Sydney wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the  SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium . Here you’ll find more than 700 species with more than 13,000 fish from Australia’s water habitats!You can also go swimming with sharks in the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium if you’re brave enough!

38. The Rocks Market

The Rocks Market is a brilliant visitor attraction in the middle of Sydney where you can buy some beautiful gifts like Australian hand made pieces as well as photography prints for your home. The Rocks Market takes place on Saturdays between Friday – Sunday.

39. Buy Tacky Tourist Gifts From Paddy’s Market

Paddy’s Market is a huge market in China Town which is home to plenty of touristy stalls. This is a good market if you want to buy some cheap gifts, but bear in mind, the gifts are proper cheap – like they’ve fallen off a back of a lorry!

39. Visit the set locations of Home & Away at Palm Beach

39. Check out the best pubs in Sydney

Looking for the best pubs in Sydney? Finding decent pubs in Sydney really needs a local to show you the way. There’s no better way to have a drink than at a rooftop bar so check out our Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney guide to help you choose where to go. If you fancy a slice of England, check out our Best English Pubs in Sydney or our Best Irish Pubs in Sydney guides as well.

40. Check out the trendy suburb of Newtown in Sydney

Want to see more of Sydney? Check out the local suburb of Newtown in Sydney which is the trendy area of the city. Expect really cool small bars, breweries, pubs, vintage shops and some of the best restaurants in Sydney to explore. To find out more, check out our Best Things To Do In Newtown guide.

41. Walk around Hyde Park

Get the train to Town Hall Station and wonder around Queen Victoria Building before making your way over to Hyde Park. You’ll pass by Art Gallery of New South Wales which is definitely worth stopping by and checking it out. As you continue walking through Hyde Park, you can either walk through the Royal Botanic Garden of Sydney or continue along to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Bring your swimmers and go for a swim at Andrew Boy Charlton Swimming Pool.

42. Spend the day at the oldest national park in the world

Enjoy a day trip from Sydney at the oldest national park in the world called The Royal National Park. You can book this day trip where a local will take you to some of the best sights you need to see in person. Expect to see the insta famous Wedding Cake Rock and one of my favourite beaches in Sydney which is called Marley Beach.

If you’ve not heard much about this place before, check out our Best Walks In Royal National Park guide to help you plan your trip.

43. Go kayaking in Sydney

I highly recommend getting on the water on Sydney Harbour by jumping on a Sydney kayaking tour. As one of the best Sydney attractions, enjoy spending sunrise or the morning kayaking around the best sights in Sydney. You Can read more about it in our Best Places To Go Kayaking In Sydney guide.

44. Watch an iconic Sydney sunrise

You absolutely must get up and see a Sydney sunrise for yourself when you’re visiting Australia. See Bondi Beach packed full of locals working out, see Sydney Harbour come alive and enjoy a very special moment in this beautiful city. Check out our Best Places To Watch A Sydney Sunset guide to decide which places you want to see it from.

45. Check out the Hollywood movies filmed in Sydney

Did you know Sydney is home to the set location for many famous Hollywood movies? Check out our Hollywood Movies Filmed In Sydney guide and go and see the iconic locations where the Matrix and Superman were filmed. You’ll be walking around the city seeing so many places to visit that remind you of familiar places including the locations for The Great Gatsby with Leonardo Di Caprio, Mission Impossible 2 and so many more!

Where to stay in Sydney

Need some help you figure out where to stay in Sydney? You can read our guides for the Best Sydney Hotels and Best Hostels In Sydney.

But, to make it easier, here’s our top recommendations.

1. Best Luxurious hotel in Sydney – Park Hyatt Hotel

2. Best mid range hotel in Sydney – Old Clare Hotel

3. Best cheap hotel in Sydney – Rydges Sydney Central

4. Best budget friendly family hostel – Sydney Harbour YHA

5. Best party hostel in Sydney – Wake Up! Sydney Central

More Sydney inspiration to read

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30 Best Day Trips From Sydney

10 Best Secluded Beaches In Sydney

18 Hollywood Movies Filmed In Sydney

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