The fact that we’ve been travelling the world full-time since 2008 and this was our first visit to Australia is pretty crazy. Needless to say, we were excited to finally be here and to see what this iconic city has to offer!
Sydney is one of those cities that delivers immediately – iconic landmarks, world-class beaches, endless food options, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to enjoy.
Best Things To Do in Sydney
We spent 5 days in Sydney at the start of April, and I’m happy to say that the city lived up to the (high) expectations we had. In this post, I’ll share our favourite things to do in and around Sydney for first-time visitors.
1. Sydney Opera House
As soon as I saw the white “shells”, I had a huge grin on my face…we had finally made it to Sydney!
Ask anyone what to do in Sydney, and seeing the Opera House will be at the top of their list. This UNESCO-listed site has been featured in movies like The Fall Guy, Mission Impossible and the Great Gasby. It’s unique architecture makes it a very recognizable site.
There are a few ways to experience the Opera House. You can see it by land or by boat (more on that below), and you can (of course) go inside to see a show, or join a tour of the building.
Tickets to the Opera House book up fast! Click here to reserve your spot on a guided tour of the incredible building, and click here to reserve tickets for a very affordable performance by Opera Australia.
2. Walk Across the Harbour Bridge
For stunning views of the harbour and the Opera House, make your way across the Harbour Bridge by foot – either on the bridge, or on top of it…
This is something that I had no desire to do!
If you’re not afraid of heights, one of the coolest things to do in Sydney is the Bridge Climb across the Harbour Bridge. It’s a very safe, thrilling experience and we saw lots of people doing it while we were in Sydney. Click here to learn more and to book your spot!
If heights aren’t your thing, you can simply cross the bridge on foot on the eastern side. The western side of the bridge is reserved for cyclists.
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3. Go On a Dinner Cruise
A dinner cruise in Sydney is one of the most memorable ways to experience the city after dark. You’ll cruise past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (both listed above), you’ll enjoy a multi-course meal or buffet, which is usually paired with drinks and live entertainment.
Seeing the skyline during the day is great, but watching it light up from the harbour at night is one of the most memorable things to do in Sydney.
There are lots of cruises to suit different styles, from classic dinner cruises to sleek glass-boat experiences with panoramic views. Some cruises offer live music, cabaret, or DJs, making the evening into more than just a meal.
Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a unique way to see the harbour, it’s one of Sydney’s most iconic nighttime experiences. Click here to search for a cruise and price that suits your style.
4. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful and accessible green spaces in the city, sitting right on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It’s just a short walk from the CBD, which is where we were staying at YEHS Hotel, and right near the Sydney Opera House, making it an easy stop while exploring the city.
We walked through these beautiful gardens on our way to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair (more on that below).
The gardens cover a large area with a mix of manicured lawns, themed plant collections, and shaded walking paths – which is always nice during the hot days in Sydney! It’s a place where you can wander, lay out a picnic, or just take a break from the city without actually leaving it.
The gardens are free to enter and open every day, which makes them one of the top free things to do in Sydney. You’ll also find guided tours, cafes nearby, and seasonal events depending on when you visit.
Click here for details about the gardens, and click here for directions on Google Maps.
5. Sunset at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
You’ve probably seen sunset photos of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and are wondering where to get that perfect shot! Well, it’s here at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.
The sandstone chair dates back to 1810 and was carved for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. She was known to sit here and take in the harbour views. These days, it’s one of the best photo spots in Sydney – especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the skyline just right.
We headed here at sunset and enjoyed epic views of the sun dipping behind the Harbour Bridge – plus, some huge battleships were docked here. Click here for the Google Maps link.
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6. Join a Walking Tour
Whenever we visit a new city or country, we always try to do a walking tour. It’s such a great way to get a lay of the land, learn about the history and culture, and of course, get some local restaurant and bar recommendations!
Some of the walking tours are free (tip based), while others are paid. We find the free ones to be pretty good, but you usually end up with a big group of people. Whereas the paid ones are more intimate and personalized.
In Sydney, you can join this free walking tour that’ll take you to many of the main sights in this article, including the Opera House, Royal Bontanic Garden, The Rocks, Parliament, and more.
If you’d rather go on a paid walking tour, this one includes everything listed above, is rated 5.0 and has more than 500 positive reviews.
Not only that, but the group tour is small (around 6 people), and you get a free craft beer or juice of your choice! Click here to learn more. You can reserve your spot now, and pay later (there’s also free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour).
7. Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee
This was a highlight of our trip to the city and is definitely one of the best day trips from Sydney. Bondi Beach has become pretty famous due to the reality TV show “Bondi Rescue” (I’ve been binge watching these guys on YouTube lately).
The beach here is one of the busiest in Australia, but conditions can be unpredictable and rough – always adhere to the advice of the lifeguards.
However, we weren’t there to hangout on Bondi Beach, we were there to do the beautiful coastal walkway from there all the way to Coogee!
The entire 6 km (3.7 mile) walk takes you through different towns, beaches, and coves. All while enjoying stunning views of the ocean along the way. I loved watching the surfers at Tamarama Beach!
I recommend starting the walk earlier in the day as it’s exposed the entire time. Bring a hat, a water bottle (there are fill points along the way), and wear proper footwear as well (having said that, Nick did this walk in his flip-flops!). This is one of the best things to do in Sydney for sure.
To get here, you’ll need to take the train to the Bondi Junction. Then, hop on Bus 333 at Stand A3 to Bondi Beach. Depending on what time of day you leave, and where you catch the train from, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour.
8. Eat Michelin Ramen
The food choices in Sydney are endless. No matter what type of cuisine you’re craving, you’ll find it here. For us, having already spent quite a bit of time in Australia (and eaten our fair share of pies and parmys), during our 5 days in Sydney, we went 100% Asian cuisines!
There were many standouts, but if you’re into ramen, Mensho Tokyo is set down a cool back alleyway and serves up some unique bowls of rich ramen soup.
The original branches in San Francisco and Tokyo are Michelin Recommended, but since there’s no such rating in Australia, technically the Sydney branch isn’t Michelin recommended – even though it claims to be.
Either way, it was very good. Nick went with the Signature Toripaitan which had just a touch of truffle flavour, and I chose the Classic Toripaitan and added a perfectly jammy egg to it. Click here for directions to Mensho Tokyo on Google Maps.
9. Take a Ferry to Manly
Of all the things to do in Sydney, a visit to the suberb of Manly was a standout for me! Bondi Beach gets all the hype, but in my opinion, Manly was the winner.
The wide, sweeping shoreline backed by rows of pine trees gives it a laid-back, postcard-perfect feel that’s hard to beat.
Getting there is half the experience, with the ferry ride across the harbour offering some of the best views in Sydney. Once you arrive, there’s a cute pedestrian-only walkway filled with shops, restaurants and bars, and a long waterfront promenade that runs along the beach.
The layout of Manly is great. We spent a few hours walking the pedestrian street, then along the beachside, and continued around the headland to Shelly Beach – which was perfectly calm and great for swimming.
If you’re into Thai food, check out the lunch special at Manly Thai Gourmet ($12 AUD!), grab a drink at the Boathouse, and finish off the day with a tasty gelato at Anita Gelato. Getting to Manly is easy on the Manly Fast Ferry from Circular Quay. Click here for current details.
10. Get a Bird’s Eye View in a Helicopter
Seeing Sydney by boat or on foot is great, sure…but seeing it from above would be truly next level!
We’ve taken scenic helicopter rides in a few other places (like Chicago and when we got engaged in France!), but unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to do it in Sydney.
Still, we saw lots of helicopters flying around (both for sightseeing and finding sharks) and the views they’d be seeing would be fantastic.
Check out this highly-rated, 20 minute flight over Sydney – it’s a great way to see all the sights in one go! This 5 star company allows you to reserve now, and pay later, and offers cancellation up to 2 days before the trip. Click here for more details.
11. See the Sydney Tower Eye
Another awesome way to see Sydney from above – and to get your bearings in the city – is the Sydney Tower Eye. Dominating the skyline, this landmark rises above the CBD and offers a completely different perspective on the city.
Take the elevator up to the observation deck (which is around 250 meters above the streets below), and you’ll be rewarded with incredible 360-degree views.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to take it all in, but if you’re after something a bit more memorable (or terrifying, depending on how you look at it!), the Skywalk lets you safely step outside onto a glass platform above the city. Click here to learn more about the Skywalk and reserve your tickets.
12. See Hyde Park & St. Mary’s Cathedral
Right in the heart of Sydney, Hyde Park is the city’s oldest public park and a perfect place to relax and wander around. This is exactly what we did after our flight landed in Sydney and we checked into our hotel.
With its wide pathways, towering fig trees, and open lawns, it’s a great place to take a quick break from the busy streets. You’ll also see St. Mary’s Cathedral from here – it’s hard to miss its tall Gothic towers. You can simply check it out from the park, or go inside to see the stained glass, high ceilings, and quiet interior. Click here to find Hyde Park on Google Maps.
13. Shop (or gawk) at Queen Victoria Building
Every time we stepped out of our hotel, we were greeted by this grand building – and it never got old! Built in the late 1800s, it was originally designed as a marketplace but today it’s an elegant shopping center right in the heart of the CBD.
What makes it special isn’t just the shopping, but the architecture. Inside, you’ll find towering ceilings, stained glass windows, intricate ironwork, and a series of grand domes that make it feel more like a cathedral than a mall.
The building stretches for an entire city block along George Street, and walking through it is an experience in itself. Click here to find the QVB on the map.
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14. Wander Around The Rocks
The Rocks is set right beneath the Harbour Bridge and is one of the most character-filled areas in Sydney. With its cobblestone laneways, historic sandstone buildings, and mix of cafés, shops, and bars, it’s a great place to wander around.
Our Aussie friends told us we must visit the oldest neighbourhood in Sydney. Unfortunately, the day we planned to go to The Rocks, we weren’t feeling well, so we only really saw one lane near the harbor!
This area is touristy of course, but for good reason. After exploring the streets, pop into Fortune of War, which is Sydney’s oldest pub! Click here to find The Rocks on Google Maps.
15. Learn to Surf
Australia and surfing go hand in hand, and you don’t have to go far from Sydney to find some good waves – for beginners or more advanced surfers.
When we did day trips to Manly and Bondi Beach, we saw lots of people enjoying the surf. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to learn from a professional. Check out this 2-hour lesson with a guide, it’s perfect if you’ve never surfed before, or if you want a bit of a refresher.
In Conclusion
Having 5 days in the city was a good amount of time, but we could’ve easily spent a week in Sydney! We really liked how the city was laid out and how easy it was to get around by metro, foot, and ferry. Whether you’re into beaches, culture, food, or craft beer, Sydney has something for everyone.
