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Things to do in Sydney
Sydney attractions you shouldn't miss
Explore the best things to do in Sydney through customizable private tours led by expert local guides. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, you’ll experience Sydney in ways you never imagined.
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What travellers say
Traveller reviews in Sydney
4.9
(1069)
The tour was a very good quick view of Sydney. The Royal Botanical Gardens were magnificent. Our guides knowledge of the area was very good. Bondi Beach was beautiful. We saw quite a bit of the city in the short time available. Cain was eager to answer questions we had and show us the city. We enjoyed this tour.
Bonnie
Traveller
Sydney (Half day)
We booked this tour of the Blue Mountains and then everyone we talked to said we were wasting out time. We told Helen this and she immediately, on the spot, said she could show us around Sydney and did. This girl's "on the rails". Great tour of Sydney. Lunch at Doyle's. Thank you Helen for
Pam
Traveller
(Full-day) The Blue Mountains
Stephen was amazing! His knowledge and historical context was so fun and interesting and he showed us Sydney from a point of view we would have never discovered ourselves. If you want to learn more about Sydney and tour it in a very unique way definitely book a tour with Stephen!
Ryan
Traveller
Sydney Harbour by Water Private Tour
Wolf was an amazing guide. He promptly picked us up at the Cruise Terminal and took us to the wildlife reserve. He spent time to make sure we were comfortable and then gave us time to experience it alone. He made excellent reservations for lunch ensuring that our table had a great view of the harbor. He was very attuned to the pace of my wheelchair using partner. He provided great information, but didn't drone on. He is well versed in the different parts of the cIty. It was a great day with Wolf.
Melissa
Traveller
Sydney Highlights and Australian Wildlife
More ways to experience Sydney
No city blinks brighter under the southern sun than Sydney. It's where sand-kissed shores meet glossy skyscrapers, creating a vibrant tapestry of culture and color. Top attractions beckon, yet the heart of Sydney beats strongest in its busy cafes, sun-soaked beachfronts, and the hum of lively neighborhoods. The truly curious will find innumerable things to do in Sydney: surf contests in summer, the golden hues of autumn in the Botanic Gardens, intimate jazz bars tucked away in The Rocks. Sydney, in its many layers, offers a journey that keeps on revealing, endlessly welcoming you to dig a little deeper.
Cultural experiences: Join an Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Barangaroo Reserve in the morning to learn stories of Country and taste bush herbs. Later, slow down over tea in the Chinese Garden of Friendship, then grab warm cream puffs from Emperor’s Garden Bakery.
Small museums and galleries: Browse White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale mid-morning; the free shows are bold but the tea room keeps it calm. On weekends, tour Susannah Place Museum in The Rocks to see tight terrace life, room by room. On weekend afternoons, the Justice & Police Museum fills an hour with old charge books and sharp-eyed mugshots.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Aim for Balls Head Reserve at sunset; the city and bridge sit right across the water without the crowds. Or walk Cremorne Point in late afternoon and watch ferries slide past before blue hour at Robertsons Point Lighthouse.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Spend Saturday morning at Carriageworks Farmers Market for honey, bush spices, and chatty producers. For something to pack, pick hand-printed textiles at Utopia Goods in Paddington. Swing through The DEA Store in Redfern for Australian ceramics and small-batch soaps in the afternoon.
Sydney CBD: Explore this bustling hub surrounded by iconic landmarks. Feel the vibrant energy as it resonates around towering skyscrapers, bustling cafes, and high-end boutiques.
The Rocks: Steep yourself in history as you tread along cobbled laneways. Admire well-preserved colonial buildings that tell tales of the city's past, now transformed into eclectic art galleries, pubs, and souvenir shops.
Circular Quay: Absorb the city's rhythm as you navigate through this transport hub. Bask in the stunning views of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, soundtracked by the occasional street musician.
Darling Harbour: Unwind in this leisurely precinct filled with entertainment hotspots. Enjoy the spectacle of shimmering waters, interspersed with captivating attractions such as the Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
Bondi Beach: Surf through the laid-back lifestyle of this world-renowned beach neighbourhood. Delight in the golden sands, sparkling turquoise waters, buzzing eateries, and the dynamic street culture.
Summer: Stake out early swims at Bondi or Manly, then find shade for long lunches by the harbour. Christmas in Sydney runs to beach picnics, twinkling foreshore lights, and a balmy build-up to New Year’s Eve fireworks, while families and couples linger for January’s open-air performances and the Sydney Festival vibe.
Fall: Follow rainbow flags into late-summer Mardi Gras events, then slow the pace with gallery hops and ferry rides as the heat eases. Day-trip to the Blue Mountains for autumn colour or the Hunter for harvest tastings, a gentle rhythm seniors appreciate and an easy answer to things to do in Sydney in fall.
Winter: Wrap up for crisp coastal walks and prime whale watching off Cape Solander or North Head. Be dazzled by Vivid Sydney’s light installations, then settle into historic pubs and waterfront restaurants as nights feel cosy and views stay grand.
Annual festivals and events roll through the calendar: Mardi Gras brightens late summer, Vivid Sydney lights up late May and June, and the Sydney Festival animates January with free and outdoor shows. Spring’s Sculpture by the Sea turns a clifftop stroll into an art trail, while the Biennale of Sydney brings contemporary art to piers and galleries in many years.
Explore Sydney off the beaten path
Skip the hotspots and find alternative things to do, poking into creative corners, coastal nooks, and community spaces where locals slow down and the day opens up.Cultural experiences: Join an Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Barangaroo Reserve in the morning to learn stories of Country and taste bush herbs. Later, slow down over tea in the Chinese Garden of Friendship, then grab warm cream puffs from Emperor’s Garden Bakery.
Small museums and galleries: Browse White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale mid-morning; the free shows are bold but the tea room keeps it calm. On weekends, tour Susannah Place Museum in The Rocks to see tight terrace life, room by room. On weekend afternoons, the Justice & Police Museum fills an hour with old charge books and sharp-eyed mugshots.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Aim for Balls Head Reserve at sunset; the city and bridge sit right across the water without the crowds. Or walk Cremorne Point in late afternoon and watch ferries slide past before blue hour at Robertsons Point Lighthouse.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Spend Saturday morning at Carriageworks Farmers Market for honey, bush spices, and chatty producers. For something to pack, pick hand-printed textiles at Utopia Goods in Paddington. Swing through The DEA Store in Redfern for Australian ceramics and small-batch soaps in the afternoon.
Popular neighbourhoods
Uncovering a city's character can be best done by traversing through its diverse neighbourhoods. Sydney, the cultural capital of Australia, thrives with a plethora of unique districts, each speaking a different story.Sydney CBD: Explore this bustling hub surrounded by iconic landmarks. Feel the vibrant energy as it resonates around towering skyscrapers, bustling cafes, and high-end boutiques.
The Rocks: Steep yourself in history as you tread along cobbled laneways. Admire well-preserved colonial buildings that tell tales of the city's past, now transformed into eclectic art galleries, pubs, and souvenir shops.
Circular Quay: Absorb the city's rhythm as you navigate through this transport hub. Bask in the stunning views of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, soundtracked by the occasional street musician.
Darling Harbour: Unwind in this leisurely precinct filled with entertainment hotspots. Enjoy the spectacle of shimmering waters, interspersed with captivating attractions such as the Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
Bondi Beach: Surf through the laid-back lifestyle of this world-renowned beach neighbourhood. Delight in the golden sands, sparkling turquoise waters, buzzing eateries, and the dynamic street culture.
Things to do in Sydney by season
Spring: Wake up to mild days and purple jacarandas tinting streets from Kirribilli to the University of Sydney. Wander the Bondi to Tamarama headlands during Sculpture by the Sea, catch tail-end whale sightings, and enjoy harbour breezes many call the best time to visit Sydney.Summer: Stake out early swims at Bondi or Manly, then find shade for long lunches by the harbour. Christmas in Sydney runs to beach picnics, twinkling foreshore lights, and a balmy build-up to New Year’s Eve fireworks, while families and couples linger for January’s open-air performances and the Sydney Festival vibe.
Fall: Follow rainbow flags into late-summer Mardi Gras events, then slow the pace with gallery hops and ferry rides as the heat eases. Day-trip to the Blue Mountains for autumn colour or the Hunter for harvest tastings, a gentle rhythm seniors appreciate and an easy answer to things to do in Sydney in fall.
Winter: Wrap up for crisp coastal walks and prime whale watching off Cape Solander or North Head. Be dazzled by Vivid Sydney’s light installations, then settle into historic pubs and waterfront restaurants as nights feel cosy and views stay grand.
Annual festivals and events roll through the calendar: Mardi Gras brightens late summer, Vivid Sydney lights up late May and June, and the Sydney Festival animates January with free and outdoor shows. Spring’s Sculpture by the Sea turns a clifftop stroll into an art trail, while the Biennale of Sydney brings contemporary art to piers and galleries in many years.
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