This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
If you’re planning a trip to New South Wales, or you’re lucky enough to be moving here, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Sydney.
Sydney attractions include over 100 beaches, including famous Bondi, a multitude of coastal walks, beautiful national parks and a huge choice of cafes and restaurants.
I’ve been living in Sydney since 2016 and still constantly find new places to explore. To help you plan your trip or get to know your new home, here are my top 15 things to do in Sydney.
Either read on or watch my YouTube video below!
1. Visit Sydney Opera House
Visiting one of the most iconic landmarks of modern Australia, the Sydney Opera House, will probably be number one on your list of things to do in Sydney. Seeing this Danish-designed structure up close is really quite breathtaking; pictures don’t do justice to its grand size and scale.
You can take a tour, stroll around the perimeter, or enjoy a meal or drink whilst watching ferries pass you by in the outdoor area of Opera Bar, which has spectacular views across Circular Quay. If you time it right you’ll even get to watch the sun go down behind the Harbour Bridge.
2. Stroll Around the Royal Botanic Garden
Adjacent to Sydney Opera House is the Royal Botanic Garden, which is well worth strolling around. With Sydney skyscrapers as its backdrop and awesome views from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, I’d thoroughly recommend a visit.
3. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Along with Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge is another recognisable landmark that you’ll probably want to visit while you’re here.
Lots of people choose to do the bridge climb, but for a cheaper alternative you can simply walk across it for free or climb the pylon lookout for $15. Once on the other side you can visit Luna Park or walk down to the water to see the city from afar.
4. Go Back in Time at The Rocks
With buildings over 100 years old tucked down narrow laneways, The Rocks is where you can get a feel for how Sydney used to be before tourists and city workers took the place of sailors and convicts.
Learn more at free-to-enter The Rocks Discovery Museum, enjoy brunch at one of the many eateries such as the Fine Food Store, drink at rooftop bar The Glenmore or wander over to Observatory Hill for fantastic views of the city.
5. Explore the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains National Park is less than two hours west of the city, and one of the best day trips you can do from Sydney.
Here are my top walks in the Blue Mountains, if you want to go hiking. It’s a hiker’s paradise!
You can either join a guided tour or follow my Blue Mountains day trip itinerary, which can be followed by car or public transport. Check out the views from these beautiful lookouts in the Blue Mountains for inspiration!
6. Do the Bondi to Coogee Walk
Sydney has a multitude of fabulous walks to choose from, but the most famous of all has to be the 6km coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee.
The scenery is absolutely stunning, and it’s hard to believe it’s so close to the centre of a major city. For a shorter walk, start from Bronte, but once you reach Bondi you can reward yourself with dinner or drinks on the balcony at Bondi Icebergs to savour the view.
7. Catch the Ferry to Manly Beach
For a slightly more chilled-out vibe than Bondi, pay a visit to the large and well-known Manly beach which lies on the north side of Sydney Harbour.
If you’re travelling from the city you can kill two birds with one stone and enjoy a cheap and picturesque ride along the river by catching the Manly ferry from Circular Quay.
8. Visit an Art Gallery
If you’re looking for more cultural things to do in Sydney, check out some of its art galleries. Try the large Art Gallery of New South Wales near the Royal Botanic Garden, the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, or White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Chinese art.
9. Dine at Darling Harbour or Barangaroo
Darling Harbour and Barangaroo are neighbouring areas lined with waterfront restaurants and bars that make a fun night out if you’re looking for things to do in Sydney in the evening.
You can get the ferry there from Circular Quay, which is lovely at night time when you can see the city lights sparkle. During the daytime you can also visit Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
10. Picnic & Swim at Cremorne Point
While walking around Circular Quay is a must, the best way to appreciate the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline, and capture the view all in one photograph, is by crossing the bridge and gazing out across the water.
For a beautiful short walk that includes a picnic spot and free swimming pool with perfect views of the city, check out my post on the Mosman Bay to Cremorne Point walk, just a short ferry ride from the city.
11. Peruse Sydney’s Weekend Markets
Sydney has plenty of interesting weekend markets to visit, but my personal favourite is Glebe, which not only has great pre-loved clothing but hot food, live music and a bongo band!
If you head down after 2pm a lot of stallholders drop their clothing prices to $5 or less to try and empty their stock. Some other great Sydney weekend markets are Paddington, Balmain, Bondi, The Rocks and Kirribilli.
12. Spend the Day at Palm Beach
If you’ve ever watched Aussie soap opera Home and Away, you’ll recognise the sweeping golden sand leading up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Situated just over an hour north of Sydney CBD, Palm Beach is not only a filming location, but a stunning beachside suburb set at the tip of a narrow peninsula with crashing ocean waves to the east, amazing views of Ku-Ring-Gai National Park across calm Pittwater to the west and an array of million-dollar mansions set into the surrounding green hills.
You can visit the Summer Bay Surf Club, climb the hill to the lighthouse, eat at waterside restaurant The Boathouse or catch a ferry across to Mackerel in Ku-Ring-Gai to escape the tourists and enjoy more isolated beaches. Hop on the L90 bus from Wynyard Station to get there.
13. Shop, Eat & Drink in Quirky Newtown
To see Sydney’s artistic side and get out of the tourist traps, catch the train to Newtown. You can easily lose a few hours shopping in the quirky boutiques and vintage stores, sipping lattes and people watching in the numerous cafes, and eating and drinking in the long strip of pubs and restaurants. It’s one of my favourite things to do in Sydney on a Saturday.
14. Spend a Day in Watsons Bay
At the mouth of Sydney Harbour lies the pretty seaside suburb of Watsons Bay.
With killer views of the city, waterside eateries, a short walk through the national park to the recognisable Hornby Lighthouse and a choice of lovely beaches, Watsons Bay makes a great day out in Sydney for visitors of all ages. Read my post on how to spend a day in Watsons Bay for more details.
15. Visit the Royal National Park
If the hustle and bustle of the city gets too much, do as Sydneysiders do and escape to “The Royal” for the day. With beautiful beaches, coastal hikes and picturesque waterside villages, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
If you have access to a car, read my post on the lovely Wattamolla Beach, which has a swimming lagoon, viewpoints and access to the Royal Coast Track.
If you’re travelling by public transport, you can get to Bundeena and Maianbar, two beautiful villages at the northern tip of the park, by a short vintage ferry ride from Cronulla.
They have a monthly art trail and markets, stunning beaches, a beachside campsite and easy access to walking tracks down to Wedding Cake Rock and beyond.
If you need to book accommodation, make sure you read my post on the best places to stay in Sydney.
If you’re thinking of moving to Sydney, take a look at my post on living in Sydney, which covers everything from lifestyle and beaches to property and public transport. You’ll also find my comprehensive guide on where to live in Sydney useful.
Like it? Pin it!
Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.
