40 Epic Things to Do in Sydney, Australia
The creation of Barangaroo caused some controversy (did Sydney really need another casino?!) but the resulting suburb is impressive. If dining is high on your list of things to do in Sydney, then head to Barangaroo. Sure, it has some of the more weird side of modern art, but there is enough beautiful pieces to make it worthwhile. Entry is free and it also has a coffee shop on the top floor with an amazing view.
If you weren't interested in learning about the quarantines of yore before 2020, you might be now. Q Station was on the frontline of immersive theater the last global health emergency in 1918, and the rich history of this heritage-listed site offers a fascinating lens on the experiences of the past year. The gardens were first planted in 1968 as a sanctuary for Indigenous plants and animals.
Manly Beach is a mile-long strip of golden sand lined with shops, restaurants, and Norfolk pines. The ferry runs 7 days a week, departing from Circular Quay and Manly every 30 minutes. At Watsons Bay Beach, you can relax on the beach or go stand up paddle boarding. Walk the South Head Heritage Trail, a short walk along the end of the peninsula that takes you past Lady Bay Beach to the Hornby Lighthouse. Along this walk, you can see the Sydney skyline in the distance. During the winter into early spring, it’s possible to see humpback whales from Hornby Lighthouse.
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. 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. 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.
Go BIG and save money by combining your WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo ticket with more top attractions including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and Sydney Tower Eye with a Sydney Big Ticket combo pass. Go BIG and save money by combining your WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo ticket with more top attractions including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, and Madame Tussauds Sydney. This checkout is for gift shop purchases only.Please click Tickets to purchase passes and experiences. Book a stay in our coastal cabins, cottages, lighthouses for a memorable holiday. Make the most of an Outback NSW or Murray-Riverina escape with a stay in unique heritage accommodation.
The gardens are located right on the Sydney Harbour, which makes it a perfect spot for views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Also included in the gardens are several cafes with some solid brunch options. You absolutely must get up and see a Sydney sunrise for yourself when you’re visiting Australia.
This secret garden, with full views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, is part public, part private land at the foot of artist Brett Whiteley’s home in Lavender Bay. For nine decades, Luna Park has surprised and delighted the fun-seekers of Sydney. One of Sydney’s most beautiful walks, taking you from The Spit Bridge in Mosman to Manly, past secret coves, through lush bush and rewarding you with ridiculous views of the big blue. Sip a flat white from a local café and take a stroll along the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Australia is a huge country and traveling between cities or getting to some of the most scenic spots requires driving. While public transit is sometimes an option, it often adds a lot of time.
But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon. Sky-rise towers and endless commotion clutter the city by day but come nightfall, the clear evening sky is often littered with stardust.
Finish the day with a river cruise into the Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay, making it one of the best day trips from Sydney. If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s . Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle.
If you're in Sydneytown between May and November, you're in luck. 'Tis whale season, when all the cutest (and biggest) fish in the sea travel past Sydney on their way to their inaugral sabbatical in Antartica. Or, if you're planning on exploring the park solo, you'll only need to pay the entrance fee.
Sydney’s high tea offerings are the perfect opportunity to sit back and relax with some delicious nibbles and drinks. From classic English tea to more contemporary versions, check out the best high tea spots in Sydney here. Music, art, food, nature and the year’s biggest parties—these are very best things to do and see right now, anywhere in the world. It takes a chef of rare skill to perfect a complex dish, but a true genius in the kitchen to elevate a dish to legendary status that essentially has just one main ingredient. People queue down the street every weekend to get a taste of these light-as-a-feather, pillowy eggs, and for good reason.
Book lovers can find some lovely bookshops and cafes dotted around the city that offer a reprieve from the busyness of city life outside. Cosy up with your next read, drink copious amounts of coffee and while away a weekend at these cosy spots. You can party all night long at Sydney’s many vibrant nightclubs.