The truth that we’ve been travelling the world full-time since 2008 and this was our first go to to Australia is fairly loopy. For sure, we have been excited to lastly be right here and to see what this iconic metropolis has to supply!
Sydney is a kind of cities that delivers instantly – iconic landmarks, world-class seashores, infinite meals choices, and a laid-back vibe that makes it simple to take pleasure in.
Finest Issues To Do in Sydney
We spent 5 days in Sydney at first of April, and I’m pleased to say that town lived as much as the (excessive) expectations we had. On this submit, I’ll share our favorite issues to do in and round Sydney for first-time guests.
1. Sydney Opera Home
As quickly as I noticed the white “shells”, I had an enormous grin on my face…we had lastly made it to Sydney!
Ask anybody what to do in Sydney, and seeing the Opera Home might be on the prime of their checklist. This UNESCO-listed website has been featured in motion pictures like The Fall Man, Mission Inconceivable and the Nice Gasby. It’s distinctive structure makes it a really recognizable website.
There are a number of methods to expertise the Opera Home. You’ll be able to see it by land or by boat (extra on that beneath), and you’ll (after all) go inside to see a present, or be part of a tour of the constructing.
Tickets to the Opera Home guide up quick! Click on right here to order your spot on a guided tour of the unimaginable constructing, and click on right here to order tickets for a really inexpensive efficiency by Opera Australia.
2. Stroll Throughout the Harbour Bridge
For beautiful views of the harbour and the Opera Home, make your method throughout the Harbour Bridge by foot – both on the bridge, or on prime of it…
That is one thing that I had no need to do!
In case you’re not afraid of heights, one of many coolest issues to do in Sydney is the Bridge Climb throughout the Harbour Bridge. It’s a really secure, thrilling expertise and we noticed plenty of folks doing it whereas we have been in Sydney. Click on right here to study extra and to guide your spot!
If heights aren’t your factor, you may merely cross the bridge on foot on the jap facet. The western facet of the bridge is reserved for cyclists.
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3. Go On a Dinner Cruise
A dinner cruise in Sydney is likely one of the most memorable methods to expertise town after darkish. You’ll cruise previous the Opera Home and Harbour Bridge (each listed above), you’ll take pleasure in a multi-course meal or buffet, which is normally paired with drinks and dwell leisure.
Seeing the skyline throughout the day is nice, however watching it gentle up from the harbour at evening is likely one of the most memorable issues to do in Sydney.
There are many cruises to swimsuit completely different types, from basic dinner cruises to modern glass-boat experiences with panoramic views. Some cruises supply dwell music, cabaret, or DJs, making the night into greater than only a meal.
Whether or not you’re celebrating one thing particular or simply need a distinctive approach to see the harbour, it’s considered one of Sydney’s most iconic nighttime experiences. Click on right here to seek for a cruise and value that fits your fashion.
4. Go to the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Backyard is likely one of the most stunning and accessible inexperienced areas within the metropolis, sitting proper on the sting of Sydney Harbour. It’s only a brief stroll from the CBD, which is the place we have been staying at YEHS Resort, and proper close to the Sydney Opera Home, making it a simple cease whereas exploring town.
We walked by means of these stunning gardens on our approach to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair (extra on that beneath).
The gardens cowl a big space with a mixture of manicured lawns, themed plant collections, and shaded strolling paths – which is at all times good throughout the sizzling days in Sydney! It’s a spot the place you may wander, lay out a picnic, or simply take a break from town with out truly leaving it.
The gardens are free to enter and open every single day, which makes them one of many prime free issues to do in Sydney. You’ll additionally discover guided excursions, cafes close by, and seasonal occasions relying on whenever you go to.
Click on right here for particulars in regards to the gardens, and click on right here for instructions on Google Maps.
5. Sundown at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
You’ve in all probability seen sundown photographs of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera Home and are questioning the place to get that good shot! Effectively, it’s right here at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.
The sandstone chair dates again to 1810 and was carved for Elizabeth Macquarie, the spouse of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. She was recognized to take a seat right here and take within the harbour views. Today, it’s among the finest picture spots in Sydney – particularly at dawn or sundown when the sunshine hits the skyline good.
We headed right here at sundown and loved epic views of the solar dipping behind the Harbour Bridge – plus, some large battleships have been docked right here. Click on right here for the Google Maps hyperlink.
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6. Be part of a Strolling Tour
Each time we go to a brand new metropolis or nation, we at all times attempt to do a strolling tour. It’s such an effective way to get a lay of the land, study in regards to the historical past and tradition, and naturally, get some native restaurant and bar suggestions!
A number of the strolling excursions are free (tip primarily based), whereas others are paid. We discover the free ones to be fairly good, however you normally find yourself with a giant group of individuals. Whereas the paid ones are extra intimate and customized.
In Sydney, you may be part of this free strolling tour that’ll take you to lots of the most important sights on this article, together with the Opera Home, Royal Bontanic Backyard, The Rocks, Parliament, and extra.
In case you’d somewhat go on a paid strolling tour, this one consists of every little thing listed above, is rated 5.0 and has greater than 500 optimistic evaluations.
Not solely that, however the group tour is small (round 6 folks), and also you get a free craft beer or juice of your alternative! Click on right here to study extra. You’ll be able to reserve your spot now, and pay later (there’s additionally free cancellation as much as 24 hours earlier than the tour).
7. Coastal Stroll from Bondi to Coogee
This was a spotlight of our journey to town and is certainly among the finest day journeys from Sydney. Bondi Seaside has turn into fairly well-known because of the actuality TV present “Bondi Rescue” (I’ve been binge watching these guys on YouTube these days).
The seaside right here is likely one of the busiest in Australia, however circumstances may be unpredictable and tough – at all times adhere to the recommendation of the lifeguards.
Nonetheless, we weren’t there to hangout on Bondi Seaside, we have been there to do the gorgeous coastal walkway from there all the best way to Coogee!
Your complete 6 km (3.7 mile) stroll takes you thru completely different cities, seashores, and coves. All whereas having fun with beautiful views of the ocean alongside the best way. I beloved watching the surfers at Tamarama Seaside!
I like to recommend beginning the stroll earlier within the day because it’s uncovered your complete time. Deliver a hat, a water bottle (there are fill factors alongside the best way), and put on correct footwear as properly (having mentioned that, Nick did this stroll in his flip-flops!). This is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Sydney for positive.
To get right here, you’ll must take the practice to the Bondi Junction. Then, hop on Bus 333 at Stand A3 to Bondi Seaside. Relying on what time of day you allow, and the place you catch the practice from, it may well take between half-hour to an hour.
8. Eat Michelin Ramen
The meals selections in Sydney are infinite. It doesn’t matter what sort of delicacies you’re craving, you’ll discover it right here. For us, having already spent fairly a little bit of time in Australia (and eaten our justifiable share of pies and parmys), throughout our 5 days in Sydney, we went 100% Asian cuisines!
There have been many standouts, however when you’re into ramen, Mensho Tokyo is about down a cool again alleyway and serves up some distinctive bowls of wealthy ramen soup.
The unique branches in San Francisco and Tokyo are Michelin Really helpful, however since there’s no such score in Australia, technically the Sydney department isn’t Michelin advisable – though it claims to be.
Both method, it was excellent. Nick went with the Signature Toripaitan which had only a contact of truffle flavour, and I selected the Traditional Toripaitan and added a wonderfully jammy egg to it. Click on right here for instructions to Mensho Tokyo on Google Maps.
9. Take a Ferry to Manly
Of all of the issues to do in Sydney, a go to to the suberb of Manly was a standout for me! Bondi Seaside will get all of the hype, however for my part, Manly was the winner.
The extensive, sweeping shoreline backed by rows of pine bushes provides it a laid-back, postcard-perfect really feel that’s exhausting to beat.
Getting there may be half the expertise, with the ferry trip throughout the harbour providing among the greatest views in Sydney. When you arrive, there’s a cute pedestrian-only walkway full of outlets, eating places and bars, and a protracted waterfront promenade that runs alongside the seaside.
The format of Manly is nice. We spent a number of hours strolling the pedestrian road, then alongside the beachside, and continued across the headland to Shelly Seaside – which was completely calm and nice for swimming.
In case you’re into Thai meals, take a look at the lunch particular at Manly Thai Gourmand ($12 AUD!), seize a drink on the Boathouse, and end off the day with a tasty gelato at Anita Gelato. Attending to Manly is straightforward on the Manly Quick Ferry from Round Quay. Click on right here for present particulars.
10. Get a Chicken’s Eye View in a Helicopter
Seeing Sydney by boat or on foot is nice, positive…however seeing it from above could be actually subsequent degree!
We’ve taken scenic helicopter rides in a number of different locations (like Chicago and once we received engaged in France!), however sadly, we didn’t have an opportunity to do it in Sydney.
Nonetheless, we noticed plenty of helicopters flying round (each for sightseeing and discovering sharks) and the views they’d be seeing could be unbelievable.
Take a look at this highly-rated, 20 minute flight over Sydney – it’s an effective way to see all of the sights in a single go! This 5 star firm lets you reserve now, and pay later, and affords cancellation as much as 2 days earlier than the journey. Click on right here for extra particulars.
11. See the Sydney Tower Eye
One other superior approach to see Sydney from above – and to get your bearings within the metropolis – is the Sydney Tower Eye. Dominating the skyline, this landmark rises above the CBD and affords a totally completely different perspective on town.
Take the elevator as much as the commentary deck (which is round 250 meters above the streets beneath), and also you’ll be rewarded with unimaginable 360-degree views.
Flooring-to-ceiling home windows make it simple to take all of it in, however when you’re after one thing a bit extra memorable (or terrifying, relying on the way you have a look at it!), the Skywalk enables you to safely step outdoors onto a glass platform above town. Click on right here to study extra in regards to the Skywalk and reserve your tickets.
12. See Hyde Park & St. Mary’s Cathedral
Proper within the coronary heart of Sydney, Hyde Park is town’s oldest public park and an ideal place to chill out and wander round. That is precisely what we did after our flight landed in Sydney and we checked into our resort.
With its extensive pathways, towering fig bushes, and open lawns, it’s a terrific place to take a fast break from the busy streets. You’ll additionally see St. Mary’s Cathedral from right here – it’s exhausting to overlook its tall Gothic towers. You’ll be able to merely test it out from the park, or go inside to see the stained glass, excessive ceilings, and quiet inside. Click on right here to search out Hyde Park on Google Maps.
13. Store (or gawk) at Queen Victoria Constructing
Each time we stepped out of our resort, we have been greeted by this grand constructing – and it by no means received previous! Constructed within the late 1800s, it was initially designed as a market however as we speak it’s a chic purchasing middle proper within the coronary heart of the CBD.
What makes it particular isn’t simply the purchasing, however the structure. Inside, you’ll discover towering ceilings, stained glass home windows, intricate ironwork, and a sequence of grand domes that make it really feel extra like a cathedral than a mall.
The constructing stretches for a whole metropolis block alongside George Road, and strolling by means of it’s an expertise in itself. Click on right here to search out the QVB on the map.
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14. Wander Round The Rocks
The Rocks is about proper beneath the Harbour Bridge and is likely one of the most character-filled areas in Sydney. With its cobblestone laneways, historic sandstone buildings, and mixture of cafés, outlets, and bars, it’s a terrific place to wander round.
Our Aussie mates instructed us we should go to the oldest neighbourhood in Sydney. Sadly, the day we deliberate to go to The Rocks, we weren’t feeling properly, so we solely actually noticed one lane close to the harbor!
This space is touristy after all, however for good purpose. After exploring the streets, pop into Fortune of Conflict, which is Sydney’s oldest pub! Click on right here to search out The Rocks on Google Maps.
15. Study to Surf
Australia and browsing go hand in hand, and also you don’t need to go removed from Sydney to search out some good waves – for rookies or extra superior surfers.
Once we did day journeys to Manly and Bondi Seaside, we noticed plenty of folks having fun with the surf. In case you’re a newbie, it’s greatest to study from an expert. Take a look at this 2-hour lesson with a information, it’s good when you’ve by no means surfed earlier than, or if you would like a little bit of a refresher.
In Conclusion
Having 5 days within the metropolis was a very good period of time, however we may’ve simply spent per week in Sydney! We actually preferred how town was laid out and the way simple it was to get round by metro, foot, and ferry. Whether or not you’re into seashores, tradition, meals, or craft beer, Sydney has one thing for everybody.
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