Things to Do in Sydney: Top Attractions and Activities

In this post, you’ll learn what are some fun things to do in Sydney Australia, and what amazing things to see and delicious food to eat to help you plan your Sydney travel smoothly. Generally, a few days in Sydney is enough to explore the attractions, but you could easily spend longer if you wanted to do a few day trips. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and it has plenty of family activities, including both indoor and outdoor activities to suit kids and families. There are day trips by coach from Sydney as well or consider staying for a night or two so you can explore a little deeper.
Find plenty of indoor fun, from breaking out of an escape room to challenging yourself at a climbing centre. Sydney’s most famous beach is worth the 40-minute bus trip, but be warned you’ll be sharing the sand with  thousands of tourists in summer. It’s one helluva spot to learn to surf, or sit and dream of owning one of the beachside pads. Get brekky at one of Bondi’s many cafés, browse the boutiques on Gould Street and settle in on a patch of gold with a good read and a bottle of factor 50+. You’ll walk around the Opera House, past roped-off areas and learn all there is to know about Sydney’s famous home of art and culture. The guided tour goes for one hour, things to do in sydney and there's plenty of time to take photos and revel in the beauty of this phenomenal building.

There are also free art exhibitions at public galleries, and exploring historic neighbourhoods like The Rocks or Circular Quay is always a great day out. Even just wandering the city on foot can lead you to hidden gems and great people-watching spots. Enjoy gorgeous beaches, devastatingly beautiful cliff tops, bay’s and little pit stops like cafes and shops along the Bondi to Coogee walk . It’s just 6km so it’s not too long and can take anywhere from 2-3 hours until you reach the shores of Coogee Beach. Local brewer Young Henrys is the perfect spot to enjoy one of Sydney’s best local brewers. Sit and sample one of the several offerings of Young Henry’s beers while watching the brewing process take place right in the bar.
Canadian circus artist Spencer Craig, who specialises in aerial loop, will be hosting the show as charismatic yet mysterious Gatsby. Soaring by his side will be daring Caitlin Thomson-Moylan, who will play his eternal (but doomed) love Daisy. They return to Sydney after a sold-out run in 2022, with concerts also scheduled in Christchurch, Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Drop by Olympic Park to hear the dulcet tones of Wesley Schultz and sway along to their soulful songs.
The Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest structure in Sydney, and it offers 360-degree views of the city from its observation deck, which is 250 meters (820 feet) tall. This speed boat whale watching tour is a great option for those looking for a quick trip. This two-hour tour costs $129 AUD and will have you cruising past Sydney Harbour. While this tour doesn’t offer a guarantee, their expert skippers know what they’re looking for, and they’ll tell you when to get your camera ready. If you want to visit the Blue Mountains independently, then renting a car and driving is the easiest way.

Easily accessible by car or public transport, a day in the Blue Mountains will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Potts Point is a great spot for nightlife, charming cafes, beautiful Victorian-style properties, and affordable hotels. Read our Cockatoo Island guide to learn more about this unique spot in Sydney Harbour. The area is also home to diverse wildlife and native flora, best explored on the scenic Manly North Head Circuit walking track.
We provide detailed itineraries, location guides, and useful travel tips to help you plan the perfect trip. There are lots of boutique hotels in Potts Point, but Spicer Potts Point is our pick. The number 311 bus heads into the city from the doorstep or it’s a thirty-minute walk through the Botanic Gardens.

This unique Sydney experience smashes it’s way around Sydney Harbour. The ANMM at Darling Harbour is open daily and offers a variety of ticket options to suit your interests. This world-famous wax museum lets you get up close and personal with incredibly life-like wax figures of celebrities, historical icons, and even fictional characters.
Kirribilli is the northern suburbs’ oldest area and full of great cafes and restaurants. Many of these offer outdoor dining and stunning water views – the perfect spot to rest your feet for a while. No visit to Sydney is complete without dipping your toes into the water at the famous Bondi Beach. Whether you make the trip to swim or to soak up the rays, the atmosphere is sure to be buzzing, as always. Bondi Beach attracts locals and visitors alike and is generally busy every day. But don’t let that deter you, Bondi has plenty of sand and sea to accommodate everyone!

If you love shopping, then searching for unique clothing, jewelry, and other wares at a local Sydney market is likely right up your street! Luckily, there are heaps of markets in Sydney where you can “grab yourself a  bargain,” as the locals say. Aussie Rules football is a fast and physical sport that’s popular in Australia. If you’re in Sydney during the footy season (which runs from March to September), watching a game is a great way to experience some of the local culture.
Beyond swimming, it’s a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, with plenty of marine life to discover in its shallow waters. The popular Fairfax Walk on Manly’s North Head features one of Sydney’s best viewpoints, the Burragula Lookout, offering stunning Harbour views with the city skyline visible in the distance. If you’re in Manly, there’s a good chance you arrived by ferry from Circular Quay. But even if you didn’t, it’s worth taking a quick return ferry trip from Manly Wharf to the city and back. This list of 20 under-the-radar attractions and lesser-known outings — including unique tours, one-of-a-kind diners and secret nature retreats — reveals a whole new side to Sydney. Life was just as harsh in Wisemans Ferry, where convicts spent 10 years building the Old Great North Road connecting Sydney with the Hunter Valley.
If the sun’s shining, gather the crew and head to one of Sydney’s top rooftop bars, or knock back a pint in a sunny beer garden at one of the city’s best pubs. Afterwards, dress up and visit one of Sydney’s best restaurants – or save a few dollars and work your way through our guide to these fab cheap eats. St. Mary’s Cathedral is another nearby landmark that locals and tourists regularly visit. An architectural feast for the eyes, its Gothic Revival style dates back to the European medieval cathedrals. From the outside, you can see many artistic statues from saintly heads to looming gargoyles.

You can also expect live painting, immersive installations, an emerging artists showcase, plus the brand-new Children’s Art Studio. Sydney’s signature day-to-night party is back this November, bringing world-class DJs plus local talent to the Liberty Hall Courts, one of the city’s funkiest venues. Fans of dance music can groove from 3pm to 3am, enjoy sets from a killer lineup featuring 1tbsp, 2touch, Bryson Hill, Club Angel, Crÿbaby and Ninajirachi.