places to visit in sydney
No trip Down Under is complete without a visit to Australia’s multicultural metropolis.
Why settle for having to choose between a city break and a beach holiday when you can enjoy both? Sydney’s bustling centre offers a diverse variety of cultural attractions, with a choice of stunning golden beaches just a stone’s throw away. It’s not difficult to see why more than ten million tourists visit Australia’s largest city every year.
One of the best ways to get acquainted with Sydney is to take a walking tour. The I’m Free Walking Tours are led by local guides (easily spotted in their bright-green shirts) who explain the stories behind the city’s major sights, and can give you plenty of tips on where to visit, eat and drink during your stay. Although the tours are free, be sure to tip your guide at the end.
Think of Sydney, and the eponymous Opera House immediately springs to mind. Join one of the daily tours to learn more about this unique building’s history, or go behind the scenes with a backstage tour to explore parts of the Sydney Opera House that aren’t otherwise open to the public. For an unforgettable evening, you could book to watch one of the many performances that take to the Sydney Opera House stage each year. Don’t worry if opera’s not your cup of tea there are all kinds of performances to enjoy, including music, theatre, dance, comedy, circus, cabaret and many more. When planning your trip, be sure to check out the upcoming schedule.
Sydney has plenty of other cultural hotspots to visit. The city’s galleries display works of the Old Masters as well as modern, contemporary and indigenous art. Admire the marvellous architecture of the Queen Victoria Building; originally constructed in the 1890s but restored in the 1980s, today it is home to some of Sydney’s finest boutiques. Museums across the city host fascinating exhibits where you can learn more about Sydney’s history, the natural world, science and technology, and more. In particular, the Australian Museum is the country’s oldest, specialising in natural history and anthropology. Its dinosaur exhibition is a guaranteed hit with visitors of all ages.
The city also has a fantastic foodie scene, with a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafés. Sydney’s multicultural character is reflected in its food, and you’ll find flavour influences and fusion cuisine from all over the world. Whether you want a quick bite or a three-course gourmet meal, there will be plenty of choice, no matter what your tastes or budget.
As with many major tourist hubs, Sydney’s hop-on hop-off bus tour is a convenient way to see all the city’s main sights for a reasonable price. A ticket will give you access to two routes: one that circulates the city and another that heads out to Bondi Beach. Both tours include optional pre-recorded audio guides that you can tune into to learn more about the sights you’re passing. 24- and 48-hour tickets are available and, depending on how many of the tours’ locations you’re keen to see, they may save you having to pay for taxis or other public transport during your stay.
Being a harbour city, another great way to explore Sydney is from the water. Take an exhilarating jet-boat ride, paddle around the waterfront in a kayak, or enjoy a luxury cruise. Many popular destinations around Sydney and its suburbs can be reached by ferry from Circular Quay. Head to Darling Harbour for some retail therapy, or hop on a boat to Taronga Zoo and visit more than 4,000 native and exotic animals.
To soak up some of Sydney’s reliable sunshine, many of its beautiful beaches are easy to reach by ferry. One of the most popular spots for sunbathing, surfing and snorkelling is Manly. Learn to ride the waves with lessons at Manly Surf School, or hire a snorkel at the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve for some up-close encounters with the local marine wildlife.
You can also get a ferry to Watsons Bay, where Camp Cove offers a little more peace and quiet than the more popular beaches. From here you can embark on a picturesque walk along the South Head Heritage Trail up to the candy-striped Hornby Lighthouse, where you can admire Sydney Harbour to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot migrating whales between June and September.
By far the most famous stretch of sand in Sydney, if not all of Australia, is Bondi Beach. It’s a popular spot in summer, particularly in the areas close to the bus stops, so head to the northern end of the beach to enjoy a little more space. Campbell Parade has plenty of cafés and restaurants overlooking Bondi where you can get refreshments and watch the world go by.
While staying in Sydney, make sure you take.time to venture out of the city to visit the Blue Mountains, a World Heritage Area about two hours away. The region gets its name from the distinctive azure haze that envelops the mountains and forests here, making for some spectacular scenery. There are many clifftop vantage points and walking paths to explore, and even a glass-bottomed cable car that travels across the valley. For adrenaline junkies there are plenty of more adventurous activities to enjoy in the area, including rock climbing, mountain biking and skydiving. There’s even white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking on offer at Penrith Whitewater Stadium (the course built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics), located at the foot of the mountains.
Sydney’s position on the southeast coast mostly protects it from the extreme heat and tropical storms that affect other parts of Australia. Winters are typically mild and summers are reliably warm to hot, so it’s a great year-round destination.
Don’t forget to consider special events when planning your trip too the Sydney Festival is scheduled for January 2020, and the stunning Vivid Sydney festival of light, music and ideas takes place in May and June each year. Of course, the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are among the best in the world, but be sure to book your activities and accommodation well in advance for that.