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.
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See the Sydney Opera House
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 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.
Note that the building is undergoing a 10-year, $275-million upgrade, but it will continue to operate during the restoration.
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Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
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 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 non other than 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.
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Stroll around The Rocks
Want to soak up a bit of Sydney history? Take a stroll around The Rocks. 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, Cadman’s cottage, built in 1816.
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.
Afterwards, 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.
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Hop aboard a Harbor Cruise at Circular Quay
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 take passengers out past Sydney Heads to view these magnificent creatures.
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.
Insider’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.
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Spend a Day at Darling Harbour
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, 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.
The Powerhouse Museum offers interactive exhibits on science, technology, design, and history, and 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, Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel, 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.
Where to Stay in Sydney for Sightseeing
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.