Australia, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Many say that this country in the Pacific is full of surprises at every turn. This is the country where the world’s oldest cultures converge with stylish roads, captivating blue waters, and vast plains. Millions of tourists visit Australia every year. If you are headed here, among the best cities to travel to is Sydney. There are a wide range of things to do in Sydney. 

“Wow!” – there is no other word to express how wondrous this city in Australia is. Sydney is amazingly draped around its pristine beaches and glorious harbor. Things only get better and better as you go further into exploring. 

Nestled on the southeastern coast of the Land Down Under, Sydney beckons every adventurer with its irresistible charm. From iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House to the sun-kissed shores of Bondi Beach, there are so many things to do in Sydney. Let’s go ahead and unravel.

Some Of The Best Things To Do In Sydney

Let’s do it together. Let’s find out 11 of the best things to do in Sydney. 

1. Catch A Performance, Or Do A Backstage Tour At Sydney Opera House

Of course, the most iconic landmark in Sydney, Australia is the Sydney Opera House. You are literally missing a lot if you skip this on your itinerary. 

Sydney Opera House is designed like a sailboat, you can see it. Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed this building and submitted his design during an international design competition in the 1950s. Did you know that it features over a million tiles on its four roof shells? It also has six theater and music venues that still offer top-notch acoustics even if it has been decades since it was built. 

Here, you can get sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There are a lot of things to do in Sydney while you’re here. First, you can catch a concert or opera performance. But for those who want to discover more, they can go on a tour around the structure, or a backstage tour to get a behind-the-scenes look.

2. Literally Climb On Top Of Sydney Harbour Bridge

Just a few minutes from the Sydney Opera House is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or what the locals call as their “giant Coathanger.” Like the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge is also a little old, opened in 1932. 

The best way to experience this large steel bridge is on foot. You can literally climb up the bridge from both shores, leading on a walking trail on the eastern side. Right over the western side, meanwhile, is a bike path. 

You can either choose to climb the southeastern pylon to the Pylon Lookout where you can get great views of the surrounding areas, or ascend the arc on the in-demand BridgeClimb experience. This tour is led by an Indigenous storyteller who will share insights about Sydney and Australia while you view the city’s picturesque harbor from high above.

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3. Take A Ferry Ride At Sunset At Sydney Harbour

The Sydney Harbour Bridge towers above the waters of Sydney Harbour, which many visitors hail as the most beautiful natural harbor in the world. While things are unofficial here, once you see this place in person, you’ll prove them right.  

Blue waters lap up to the sandy shores over which you can find landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden. For the best views of the Sydney Harbour, it is recommended that you visit Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, sitting at the tip of one of the peninsulas in the area. 

There are also so many things to do in Sydney while you’re here. Aside from visiting the various shops and restaurants around, you can ride a ferry at sunset to see the harbor from such a beautiful perspective. Plus, Sydney Harbour is also where the city’s New Year’s Eve countdown takes place. Don’t you dare miss this.

4. Bask In The Sun And People-Watch At The World-Famous Bondi Beach

Let’s pause for a while and do a question-and-answer right now. How many famous beaches do you know of? Perhaps you’ll enumerate Copacabana in Brazil, Anse Source D’Argent in Seychelles, and the Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos. But also on the list of the best beaches in the world is Sydney’s Bondi Beach. 

Being one of the world’s most famous beaches, Bondi Beach is notable for its consistently good waves – best for surfers, and warm sea temperatures – best for families. And did we drop its white sands? Here, things to do in Sydney are in every corner.  

The beach’s waves draw surfers from across the globe, and locals love watching the Icebergs – a renowned swimming club – swim all year round, while the coffee lovers lounge at the laid-back cafés around Hall Street and backpackers revel at the casual pubs located in the area. Bondi Beach also has a clifftop and a coastal walk where walkers and joggers get treated to dramatic sceneries. 

5. Dig In To Delicious Meals Served By Sydney Hospitality

Sydney’s dining scene is well-loved internationally. In this Australian city, you’ll find restaurants serving food made from various recipes from all corners of the globe, but with a local twist. This gastronomic experience is certainly one of the things to do in Sydney that you shouldn’t ever miss. 

Fine dining enthusiasts love Quay and Oncore by Clare Smyth, world-class in every aspect, from the views you’ll get from these restaurants, to the service, and to the mouth-watering menu options. Other trending dining spots in Sydney are NOMAD, Mr. Wong, Cafe Paci, Long Chim, and Saint Peter. These restaurants serve a variety, from Thai food, to seafood and even Cantonese dishes. Dig in.

Did you know that visiting the Sydney Opera House, one of the best things to do in Sydney listed here, is also included on our list of the Top 25 photographic locations in the world? Click here for the story.

6. Experience 360-Degree Views While Dining At Sydney Tower

More food adventures await you as you enjoy the various things to do in Sydney, such as the gastronomic pleasures at Sydney Tower. Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in Sydney, and also the second-tallest observation tower all over the Southern Hemisphere. Here, you can experience 360-degree views while tasting the city’s best cuisines. 

Choose whether you want a lunch or dinner buffet at Sydney Tower revolving restaurant. Yes, the restaurant moves. From your vantage point, the views change as the restaurant slowly revolves as you have fun with your meal. The restaurant’s windows reveal iconic sights such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbor, and the Blue Mountains in the distance. The dishes, well, incredibly tasty.

7. Encounter Koalas And Kangaroos At Blue Mountains

Just a very short trip from the Sydney city center is the scenic Blue Mountains. It’s so beautiful here that many travel agencies offer tours to this place on top of their choices. 

The Blue Mountains is a world heritage wilderness where you can do a lot of activities. Spending a day visiting the mountains is a cool addition to your Sydney itinerary.

The place is home to various attractions, such as the Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can encounter some koalas or kangaroos, famous animals in Australia. You can also enjoy a striking view of the Three Sisters rocks from Echo Point. 

After taking your lunch, the tour takes you to Scenic World where you ride the Cableway, Skyway, and Railway for unbeatable aerial views of the Katoomba Falls and Jamison Valley.

The tour ends with a leisurely cruise along the Parramatta River, heading to the Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

8. Board A Ferry To The Historic – And Spooky – Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island may be Australia’s answer to Alcatraz Island in California, and indeed, it is. From 1839 to 1869, this island in Sydney operated as a penal ground, where convicts endured harsh living conditions and backbreaking work. 

Today, Cockatoo Island is a Unesco-listed site that opened to the public in 2007 where they can see the industrial relics, and convict architecture and art installations. Take on an adventure and board a ferry to this island. 

One of its famous spots for tourists is the spooky tunnel that passes through the center of the island. From here, you can explore the remnants of the old prison. During the Second World War, most of its original sandstone buildings were stripped of their roofs so they could be turned into bomb shelters. 

You can choose from heritage tours, ghost and paranormal tours, and tours that tell about its convicts’ escape attempts. If you are looking for rather odd things to do in Sydney, this is the choice.

Looking to have fun with the many things to do in Sydney this October? Yes, we’ve listed Sydney as one of the best October destinations to visit. Click here to read the article! 

9. Stumble Across Rock Art Created By The Aborigines

Long before the arrival of the British colonizers, it was the Aboriginal Australians who first inhabited the land. This group of people are the various First Nations peoples of the Australian mainland. They’re culture is pretty remarkable, and this is evident upon their artistic work. However, unfortunately, many of these artworks were forgotten in the past, and it is only recently where people paid attention to them once again, waking up to a treasure trove right in their own backyard, and when you visit Sydney, you can see them around. 

Rock art by the Aborigines can be spotted around Sydney’s harbor, on its coast, and in nearby national parks. Learn about Australia’s past. 

10. Take A Break From The Hustle And Bustle Of City Life At The Royal Botanic Garden, Founded In 1816

You’ll notice that many of Sydney’s landmarks are quite old, such as its Royal Botanic Garden founded during the 19th century. But despite existing for several decades already, the gardens are well-loved not only by Sydney’s locals but also by international tourists. 

This 74-acre garden is laden with bright and colorful flora and fauna. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the park is divided into various areas, such as the Australian Rainforest Garden and the Palm Grove, home to the tallest trees in these gardens. 

If you want more drama, you can head over to Royal Botanic Garden’s Palace Rose Garden that houses thousands of lovely roses. Tourists who have been here note that the views of the Harbour Bridge are one-of-a-kind here, and there are also biking tours that make a stop at this park. Definitely one of the things to do in Sydney that’s a must-try.

11. Go For A Horse Ride Around Centennial Park, Sydney’s Biggest Park

If the park experience you got from the Royal Botanic Garden isn’t enough, you might want to head over to Centennial Park, which is Sydney’s biggest park. Believe it or not, it was scratched out of the sands during the late 19th century in grand Victorian style, making it a spot dotted with avenues, ponds, statues, and even a labyrinth. Centennial Park gets busy in the warmer months with cyclists, joggers, rollerbladers, and horse riders. You can give horse-riding here a try as there is an equestrian center here that offers trail rides for both children and adults.

That wraps up our things to do in Sydney guide for now. But we have more stories to tell you! Be sure to browse around this website.

Make The Most Of The Things To Do In Sydney: Know The Essential Travel Tips

As a traveler looking to enjoy the various things to do in Sydney and explore the city, you don’t deserve any mishaps. So, we’re presenting here the most essential travel tips for Sydney tourists. Know these before you go. 

• No need to overpack. Locals here are stylish, but they keep it casual. You’ll find tours where you’ll literally come from a yacht before heading to an opera. 
• The best places in Sydney must be booked in advance, specifically at least a few months before your visit – unless you want to partake in the heavy queues.
• Sydneysiders are friendly people. Even if you are just waiting for a bus, for instance, expect some locals to pick up a conversation with you.
• Honesty systems are sacred in Australia. For example, if it’s raining and you’re visiting a restaurant, you can drop your umbrella in the rack outside and for sure, you’ll still find it there once you go out. 

This Is Sydney, Feel Its Heartbeat

Though it may seem improbable, did you know that Sydney, being the first colony in Australia established by the British, was once a convict colony? But today, you can see how it has transformed into becoming one of the most vibrant and best cities to visit in the world. 

With every step taken here in this city at the Land Down Under, every sight beheld, you’ll realize that Sydney is more than just a place. It is a feeling, a principle, a sensation, and an adventure that will and can ignite the wanderlust in you. 

Whether you want to body-board at Bondi Beach, ride a ferry under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, catch a spectacular performance at the magnificent Sydney Opera House, a bit of these, or all of them, the things to do in Sydney will always captivate.