Sydney is Australia’s largest and oldest city. Nowadays, it is even the fifth most livable city in the world. It is a city full of stories, dreams, and hopes, and it is one of the must-visit destinations for everyone who goes to Australia.
Every person who has travelled to Sydney, none of them will praise its beauty; this beauty is not the prosperous beauty of the metropolis, but a comfortable, pleasant and easy to live in the beauty of life.
Must to See in Sydney
Sydney Opera House
If you come to Sydney and don’t go to the Sydney Opera House, you may have made a trip in vain. Located in the northern part of Sydney’s city centre, it is a Sydney landmark and one of the most distinctive buildings of the 20th century. It is a regular feature in Hollywood films and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007. It was built in 1959, completed in 1973 for A$102 million, and opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
The Sydney Opera House is open to the public daily, and you can pay a fee for a 30-minute tour inside the Opera House. Suggested time: 2-3 hours
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen on news and internet videos around the world, but it’s worth a visit not only on New Year’s Eve but also during regular times.
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is the hub for Sydney’s ferries; you can take a ferry to Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo, or Darling Harbour. Behind it, across a small road, you can see where the British flag was planted when they landed in Australia!
The Rocks
The Rocks is one of Sydney’s liveliest neighbourhoods, nestled between the Harbour Bridge and the northern edge of Sydney’s CBD. It is Australia’s oldest historic street and one of Sydney’s most historic attractions. The Rocks has a long history as a place of exile for early Sydney convicts. It is home to a collection of old colonial buildings and was Australia’s first permanent European settlement.
The Rocks has a Holiday Market on Sundays, which features a variety of Australian specialities and live performances by mariachi entertainers and is well worth a visit.
Suggested time: 1-2 hours. You can visit the market on holidays and weekday evenings; there are free guided tours that explain the area’s history and culture, which are worth listening to.
Australia’s Second Tallest Building – Sydney Tower
Sydney Tower is Australia’s second-tallest building and tourist tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Along with the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is one of the three major landmarks in Sydney. Climbing the 305-metre tower offers a panoramic view of downtown Sydney. Tickets for Sydney Tower can be booked online or purchased on-site, with online bookings being much cheaper (currently AUD$18.55, AUD$26.50 on-site).
Suggested time to visit: 1-2 hours. You can see the total distance in summer or when the weather is good. If you purely enjoy the scenery, an hour or so.
Hyde Park
Sydney Hyde Park is located in the eastern half of the city and covers an area of more than 16 hectares, near the Sydney Hospital, the court and so on. Walking into Hyde Park, you can see dating couples, leisurely readers, and even some travellers enjoying the “right place at the right time”. Among the many parks in Australasia, Hyde Park is one of the most scenic, with no breathtaking views of the sea, but is beautifully surrounded by unobtrusive greenery.
St Mary’s Cathedral is accessible, but remember to keep quiet. The walls and window treatments are worth a look.
Suggested time: 1-2 hours. Lying on the turf in Hyde Park or buying a cup of coffee to sit here can bring one step closer to the Australian life of leisure.
Martin Place
Known as the ‘heart of Sydney,’ Martin Place is Sydney’s commercial and financial centre. In the past, the first news into Sydney came from here, as the General Post Office and the attached Telegraph Office were located here, making it a prime place for people to wait for important news or celebrations.
Suggested time: 1-2 hours.
Best for Couples – Darling Harbour
As the name suggests, Darling Harbour is an excellent place for a date. It’s the perfect romantic place for couples, with bars and nightclubs lining the harbour, firework displays on Saturdays, and occasional themed exhibitions.
Suggested time to visit: 1-2 hours. Chinatown is a ten-minute walk away, and there is a Shopping Mall with several restaurants and bars nearby.
Sydney City Attractions – Chinatown
Almost every big city in Australia has a Chinatown. Adelaide is a short street, but as a traveller, you will inevitably miss the taste of home. In Chinatown, you can find almost all the dishes of China, which is the most suitable for Chinese tourists who are not used to eating Australian food.
Suggested time: 1-2 hours (including meals), after which you can walk to Darling Harbour.
Sydney Fish Market
Sydney Fish Market has also become one of the must-see attractions for Sydney tourists in recent years. The seafood sold in the market is relatively cheap and very fresh. You can taste the food in the fish market or buy lobster and oysters to return to their processing.
Suggested visiting time: 2 hours; it is recommended to avoid the dining time, as the crowd is enormous, and even the location is difficult to find.
If you want to rent a Sydney student accommodation or other types of flat near these attractions, we can recommend a few more popular ones. For example: Scape Redfern, Scape Glebe, Scape Quay.
Must to Do in Sydney
Things to Do at Bondi Beach in Sydney
Just minutes from Sydney’s CBD, Bondi Beach has a mile-long stretch of golden beach, red-tiled houses, flats, and green spaces. It attracts people who enjoy swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and working out. Bondi Beach is arguably Sydney’s favourite beach.
During the sunny summer, many Sydneysiders gather on the beach to sunbathe and surf in the ocean. At the same time, Bondi Beach is a very inclusive neighbourhood where topless sunbathing is allowed. You can also walk along the Bondi to Coogee Cliff Viewing Path, taking your time to wander and swim and stopping at a cafe for coffee. Suggested time to visit: half a day to get a good tan and enjoy the sunny beaches of the southern hemisphere!
Things to Do in Sydney with Kids-Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is a paradise for animal lovers on the north coast of Australia. It’s worth noting that Taronga is open not only to children but also to adults. The zoo is home to hundreds of animals and a wide range of species from home and abroad. The boat ride from Circular Quay to the zoo offers views of the Opera House, the Rocks, the Harbour Bridge and much more, making it one of the perfect routes to enjoy the beauty of Sydney Harbour. Taronga Zoo is also known for its incredible views over Sydney City.
Blue Mountain – Experience Nature’s Magic
Located 104 kilometres west of Sydney, Blue Mountain Park is one of the world’s natural heritage sites, with geological features similar to the Grand Canyon in the United States. The entire scenic air area is filled with eucalyptus resin volatile blue light, hence the name Blue Mountains. The Three Sisters Peak symbolises the Blue Mountains, a rare geographical wonder. Visit the Blue Mountains National Park to see spectacular views of the Blue Mountains and beautiful waterfalls, overlook the famous Three Sisters and Jamison Valley from Echo Point, take the world’s steepest train ride down to the valley floor, and take a cable car ride across the Jamison Valley and overlooking the entire Blue Mountains landscape.
Blue Ocean Road
Australia’s Great Ocean Road must be familiar, but not many people know about the Blue Ocean Road in Sydney’s suburbs. The Blue Ocean Road, the paradise of self-drivers, is 140 kilometres long, built along the cliffs and the sea. It starts from the Royal National Park in the south of Sydney and ends at Shoalhaven Heads in the Southern Bays. It connects Sydney to the Wollongong Scenic Byway, one of the best routes from Sydney to the Southern Bays.
The Blue Ocean Road includes endless seascapes, green undulating farmland, charming fishing harbours, and various exciting activities. Everywhere, breathtaking, unforgettable scenery is scattered to create a beautiful mood. This is the Blue Ocean Road driving journey in the most significant harvest!
Interesting Things to Do in Sydney-Hunter Valley
The largest river valley in New South Wales and Australia’s most famous winemaking region is home to some of Australia’s most renowned wines, including the crisp Hunter Valley Semillon and the rich Hunter Valley Syrah. More than 120 wineries, apart from the beach, make it a favourite destination for locals. Tour the wineries, taste the wines and visit the winemaking school. You can also take a hot air balloon or helicopter ride to enjoy the chic and idyllic views.
Port Stephen
It is located 190 kilometres north of Sydney and is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. Port Stephens” is not just a harbour but a generic term for the area. Its beautiful harbour attracts visitors from all over the world. It is known as the “Blue Water Paradise” for its water sports and famous dolphins. This is undoubtedly the best beach in Sydney for water sports, whether swimming, water skiing or fishing. You can enjoy the activities here, such as dolphin watching and sandboarding, which are also very special. If you’re thirsty and tired, you can enter the vineyards to watch the wine-making process and taste the wines.
Things to Do Inside Sydney-Read a Quiet Book at the State Library
The State Library of New South Wales is the premier library for the people of New South Wales, Australia. The Library’s collection documents Australia’s and Oceania’s heritage and is one of the nation’s most valuable assets. By building, preserving and delivering its collections, including digital materials born today, the Library enables Australians to ask questions about our past and imagine our future.
Things to Do Inside Sydney-Sydney IMAX Theater
Sydney IMAX Theater, the largest IMAX theatre in the southern hemisphere, has only one screen in one room, measuring 35.7m X 29.7m, or 1060 square metres in simple maths. This is the best IMAX for blockbusters, bar none. However, Sydney IMAX Theater is being upgraded, and we believe that in 2019, IMAX Theater will bring us an even more fantastic viewing experience!
Things to Do in Sydney for Young Adults-Take a Drift
Penrith Whitewater, 1-hour drive from Sydney, is the only man-made river rafting place in the southern hemisphere, which offers single surf boats, multi-person rafting boats and other camping adventure facilities; pick a weekend and go wild with friends and family here.
Forest of Tranquility
Find a sea of firefly light in the Forest of Tranquility, a rainforest about an hour’s drive north of Sydney. Thousands of fireflies gather here at the end of November and December every year. Every night after 7 pm, this rainforest will be lit by fireflies, just like a fairy tale world coming down to earth!
Unusual Things to Do in Sydney-Balloon Aloft Camden Valley
Call out the names of your loved ones on a hot air balloon ride…
Camden Valley, located southwest of Sydney and a 50-minute drive from the city centre, is an entire of historical sites. It is also where Australia’s first passenger hot air balloon flight occurred. From the moment the balloon slowly rises into the sky, national parks, lake districts, rivers, and other landscapes come into view, and you can take in the entire region.
Unusual Things to Do in Sydney-Figure 8 Lakes
Take a dive and a dip at Figure 8 Lakes, a short hike, camping, and fishing trip in Royal National Park, 30 kilometres south of Sydney. Figure 8 Lakes is named after the unique shape of the lake, which is the result of nature’s ingenious work to create a stunning landscape that resembles the number “8.” It’s a beautiful shape resembles the number “8” by nature’s ingenious work. Jump in and take a relaxing dip while gazing out over the open sea.
Long Jetty
Head to the Long Jetty for a gentle pink sunset. The afterglow of the setting sun is never less than the light of the sunrise. It covers the entire sky and spreads over the clouds. Whether the clouds are large and connected or scaly and scattered, they are all painted in the softest pink sunset. On the Long Jetty, you can sit quietly and watch the paintings in the sky.
Catherine Hill Bay
Experience the tranquillity of a small town in Catherine Hill Bay, a New Zealand Heritage Reserve and an Australian National Heritage Site. Nearly 7 TV series have been filmed here. For most people, this is an extraordinary place. Just looking at the beautiful scenery is intoxicating!
Cool Things to Do in Sydney-Skydivers
Take a skydive and feel the leap from 15,000 feet in the air. Free-falling from 15,000 feet at a staggering speed of 200 kilometres per hour makes skydiving an unrivalled adventure experience. And the moment the parachute opens, you’ll travel through the clouds and get a bird’s eye view of Sydney. That is a cool thing to do in Sydney.
Fun Things to Do in Sydney at Night-New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks and countdown to the new year’s arrival with 1.6 million people of all colours and languages. Welcome to the new year together! As the clock strikes New Year’s Eve, millions wait to be amazed by the world’s most beautiful fireworks. It is the most significant visual feast in the southern hemisphere and a mind-blowing life experience.
Free Things to Do in Sydney-The Colour Run
Experience the kindness and love of the world with The Colour Run, the happiest 5km rainbow run on earth. This unique run has no ranking, no prizes, just enthusiastic runners immersed in the colours. They use the healthiest way to proclaim their positive attitude towards life, goodwill, and love for the world.
Conclusion
With its vibrant blend of natural beauty, iconic architecture, and lively cultural scene, Sydney offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor. From the majestic sails of the Sydney Opera House to the tranquil waters of Bondi Beach, there’s a diverse range of attractions to explore. The city’s rich cultural tapestry is reflected in its eclectic cuisine, bustling markets, and dynamic arts scene, making it a must-visit destination on any travel itinerary.
FAQ
What is the top attraction to visit in Sydney?
The Sydney Opera House, with its iconic architecture, is the top must-see attraction. Offering guided tours and live performances, it’s a cultural landmark not to be missed.
Is there a beach close to Sydney's city centre?
Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous beaches, is just a short drive or bus ride from the city centre, offering surf, sun, and sand.t
Are there any free activities to do in Sydney?
Yes, Sydney offers many free activities, including walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visiting the Royal Botanic Garden, and exploring contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s permanent collection.
