[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187055926{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]If you’re heading or thinking of going to Australia then I’m sure a trip to Sydney is somewhere up there at the top of your list? Rightly so, Sydney is one hell of a place. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world, with beautiful beaches, wonderful cafes, great walks to go on and countless things to do in Sydney.

The only problem you’ll find when getting to Sydney is going from wondering what to do and where to go in Sydney, to coming up with a huge Sydney bucket list and squeezing all of the best things to do in Sydney into the time you have there. From Sydney’s best walks, Sydneys best coffee and brunch spots and Sydney’s Northern beaches all the way to the diverse range of day trips from Sydney – it’s safe to say you won’t be bored in Sydney.

Sydney is a huge city with activities for every kind of traveller. From sipping cocktails on the top floor of city bars, kicking back for a surf lesson on Bondi Beach and hiking in the Blue Mountains to enjoying dinner at the Opera House with views over the Sydney Harbour Bridge… The best things to do in Sydney will easily fill up a 3-day Sydney Itinerary and a 4-day Sydney itinerary.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”21099″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188424598{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Honestly? Planning is key if you’ve got a big Sydney bucket list. For many, Australia is a once in a lifetime trip and in order to not miss any of your favourites, you’ll want to plan it well.

Other posts that may help you plan your trip to Australia:

• Farm work in Australia: How to find work, top tips and advice
• A complete guide to Australia
• A complete guide to Sydney
• My complete guide to solo travel in Australia
• A guide to budgeting for backpacking Australia
• Planning your transport in Australia
• The best things to do in Australia

[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/australia/nsw/sydney/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]SEE ALL MY SYDNEY TRAVEL GUIDES HERE[/mk_button][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#b2dfdb”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1590077829567{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

25 things to do in Sydney, Australia

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Okay so, where to start…

There is SO much to Sydney, and even with a week there, we felt we had only just begun uncovering it.

From the Botanical gardens, Darling Harbour, and it’s stunning beaches to the CBD (central business district), Hyde Park and the Opera house… Sydney caters for every type of traveller.

Get your bucket lists at the ready, here’s a little taste of what your adventure in Sydney could look like and a few things to do whilst in Sydney to help you along the way![/vc_column_text][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-heart-o”]Top tip: If you’re tight on time, check out my perfect 4 day itinerary for Sydney post here or my guide to spending 3 days in Sydney here.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187821231{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

1. Catch sunrise or sunset from Mrs. Macquarie’s Point

For the best sunrise or sunset in Sydney, walk past the Opera House and continue along the waterfront until you reach this point, where you will get a view like no other of the sun over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”violet” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-camera”]Here’s how to improve your travel photography.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188061866{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

2. Wander round Darling Harbour and have dinner by the water.

Darling Harbour is a pedestrianised, family-friendly area on the Sydney waterfront, and home to many cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of options in terms of food, with everything from French, Greek, Brazilian, and Spanish cuisine to Middle Eastern, Malaysian street food, and modern European. The dining options at Darling Harbour caters for all budgets. Whether you want fresh oysters, a coffee to sip on alfresco, street food or 5-star fine dining, all topped off with a gelato.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”warning” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-star-o”]Top tip: Check out more ways to keep fit when you’re travelling in this blog post![/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188100897{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

3. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most popular things to do in Sydney, and I’m not surprised with the views you can get across the city from the top! For more information, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-heart-o”]Top tip: If you’re on a tight budget, a cheaper option would be to climb to Pylon Lookout. For more information click here.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188114218{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

4. Have sunset dinner & drinks at the Opera bar.

Located just beside the Sydney Opera House itself with incredible views over the landmark, grab your favourite cocktail or glass of bubbles and toast to the incredible adventure you are on! Check out their website here.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27989″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188158851{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

5. Take a selfie with the Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Those Sydney Instagram photos have got to be done! If you want tips for improving your selfie game and travel photography, check out this post.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27977″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612188319842{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

6. Take on the Coogee Beach To Bondi Beach walk.

This walk is one of my favourite things to do in Sydney; I absolutely love getting in the fresh air and seeing the city from the ground. Coogee Beach and Bondi are both beautiful so you can take a dip in the water both sides!

• Click here to see my post about this stunning walk. 
• Click here to see more walks you can do in and around Sydney. 

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27983″ img_size=”full”][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/type-of-adventure/active-travel/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]SEE ALL MY ACTIVE ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612191399325{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

7. Explore The Blue Mountains (Greater Sydney Region)

The Blue Mountains National Park, a short train ride out of Sydney, is one of my favourite places to visit in Sydney. It’s amazing to get out of the city and be at one with nature, marvel at the rock formations, hike through the forest, and chill out in the waterfalls.

Click here to see my post about my self-guided experience – the cheapest way of doing it. [/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”vista_blue” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-bookmark”]Top tip: If you’d prefer to be on a group tour, book your Coast Warrior Blue Mountain trip through Ratpack Travel using the code MOLLIE10, and you’ll get 10% off this epic excursion! WMGT did this one and it was amazing![/vc_message][vc_single_image image=”15380″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”15364″ img_size=”full”][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/type-of-adventure/budget-travel/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]SEE ALL MY BUDGET ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187627901{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

8. Head over to Toronga Zoo, ‘The Zoo With A View’.

Head down to Circular Quay and hop on a 12 minute ferry to Taronga where you can view over 4,000 animals including Kangaroos & Koalas! Tickets start at $42.30 for an adult day pass, and can be purchased on the website here.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187636374{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

9. Meander through The Rocks.

Wander around one of the oldest parts of Sydney, located just beside Sydney Harbour Bridge. Look around the boutique shops, stroll through the markets and pick up souvenirs, grab lunch in one of the gorgeous cafes, or grab a smoothie on the go.

Paddy’s market is also great![/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”peacoc” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-bed”]If you don’t know where to stay in Sydney, check out my Sydney hostel guide here.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612191467274{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

10. Explore Manly

My favourite place in Sydney! There’s something about the vibe in Manly that is so much more chilled and so much more ‘me’ than any other place in the city. My favourite thing to do in Sydney is to hop over to Manly on the ferry and spend a few days in this more relaxed suburb. See my complete guide to Manly here.[/vc_column_text][mk_fullwidth_slideshow padding=”10″ images=”17611,17600,17584″ stretch_images=”true” slideshow_speed=”2000″ pause_on_hover=”true”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612191524489{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

11. Hop on a ferry from Sydney Harbour to somewhere new.

Watson’s Bay, Double Bay, Cockatoo Island… the world is your oyster! If you’re wondering what to do in Sydney and you’ve had enough of the CBD, try a Sydney day trip! Check out my favourite day trips from Sydney in this post.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17583″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612191756245{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

12. Discover Sydney’s beautiful botanical gardens.

This tranquil Oasis is at the edge of one of the world’s busiest harbours, even though it seems like it could be worlds away. Step inside and enjoy the greenery, the smell of the flowers, and the wildlife that lives there. You can get some great views of the Opera House from the gardens, and it’s also a great place to learn about the city’s aboriginal history.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”turquoise” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-campground”]If you’re looking to save some money on accommodation, check out this guide to freedom camping in Australia.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612192501701{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

13. Have breakfast in Wooloomooloo and take the ocean-side walk to the Opera House.

Once you’ve filled your belly with nutritious goodness, a lovely thing to do in Sydney in the morning sunshine is to walk by the water to find the world-famous Opera House.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27992″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612191623702{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

14. Immerse yourself in Sydney’s nightlife.

Sydney has a thriving night life and one of the best things to do in Sydney after dark is to grab a drink and hit the dancefloor!

Recommendations:

• World Bar (King’s Cross)
• The Ivy (Thursdays student night, free entry but expect queues)
• Chinese Laundry
• Sunday nights at Sash (House music)
• Drinks at The Glenmore Hotel
• St. George’s open air cinema with views over the opera house

[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”purple” icon_fontawesome=”far fa-star”]If you’re worried about making friends while you’re solo travelling, here are all my top tips![/vc_message][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/type-of-adventure/backpacking/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]SEE ALL MY BACKPACKING ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612192723184{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

15. Visit HOME Thai Restaurant, Sussex Street

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Sydney! The beef massaman curry is to DIE for.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”alert-success” icon_fontawesome=”fab fa-envira”]Wanting something healthy during your time in Australia? These are my favourite health cafes in Australia.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187718544{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

16. Eat your way through China Town and pick up some custard puffs from Emperor’s puffs…

Don’t knock em till you’ve tried em.. 30cents each. You’ll also find deep fried timtams and oreos here!. See their website for the dessert shop and the restaurant here.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”violet” icon_fontawesome=”far fa-star”]Check out the best 20 day trips from Sydney in this post.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612192850270{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

17. Kick back and relax on Bondi Beach.

Coming to Sydney and not visiting Bondi Beach is like going to London and not seeing Big Ben, going to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum, or going to Barcelona and missing the Sagrada Familia off your list. It has to be done. Get your swimmers and enjoy the soft sands and clear waters. If you love beach volleyball, it’s a great place to play![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27984″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612192905292{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

18. Indulge in Sydney’s finest ice-cream.

Messina & Pompei’s are two of my favourites places to get good ice cream in Sydney! There are so many flavours to choose from… so you’ll have to keep going back until you’ve tried them all![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”11732″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612192932242{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

19. Eat at a sustainable fish restaurant.

Many places in Sydney are doing their best to protect the environment while still delivering the exquisite flavours we desire. Try out Love Fish or Fish and Co.

Check out more sustainable travel tips in this blog post.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”vista_blue” icon_fontawesome=”far fa-star”]For the ultimate East Coast Australia bucket list, check out this post.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612193001118{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

20. Hire a car and take a trip down to Hyams Beach.

Nothing quite beats the contrast of the bright blue ocean against the pure white sand at Hyams Beach; I realised immediately why it came so highly recommended.

To find out how to get there and what to expect on your road trip to Hyams Beach, check out this blog post.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1655″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612193340609{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

21. Explore Surry Hills

Surry Hills is the Shoreditch of Sydney. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle to make you forget you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world, but close enough to get stuck into it the next day if you want to. I think one of the most underrated things to do in Sydney is to explore the suburb of Surry Hills: meander along the streets looking at the beautiful foilage, pastel houses and friendly locals, all while you’re eating a gelato from Messina’s.

See my complete guide here.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1638″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612193203874{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

22. Go on a Hunter Valley Wine Tour

I absolutely loved exploring the vineyards in the Hunter Valley (and trying the wine was a bonus!). The Hunter Valley is the perfect place for your Sydney day trip and I can’t wait to go back again. If you’re not into wine, don’t worry; there’s also a brewery, cheese and chocolate factory, and a wildlife park.

See my full experience here.[/vc_column_text][mk_fullwidth_slideshow padding=”20″ images=”15460,15464,15454,15466″ stretch_images=”true” slideshow_speed=”2000″ pause_on_hover=”true”][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/type-of-adventure/roadtrips/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]SEE ALL MY ROAD TRIPS ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187770190{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

23. Enjoy brunch in the city centre.

Sitting amongst my top 3 favourite things about Australia has to be the brunch culture and just how well the ozzies do it. Check out my top brunch spots in Sydney here.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”15791″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612187776864{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

24. Swim at Bondi’s Iceburgs Pool.

One of Sydney’s most instagrammable locations, this ocean pool makes a great day out! It’s $8 casual entry – giving you access to the pool, the sauna and the changing rooms. Click here for more info.[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”alert-warning” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-dollar-sign”]On a backpacker budget? Here’s my complete guide to budgeting for backpacking Australia.[/vc_message][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612193108468{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

25. Walk over the Harbour Bridge and spend the afternoon at Luna Park

Everyone has an inner child… and it’s time to let yours play! One of the most fun things to do in Sydney is to hit the Luna Park with friends and see who ends up with the biggest smile on their face after all the fun, games and rides!

See my 6 walks in Sydney you must go on here.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”27974″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/category/australia/nsw/sydney/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]EXPLORE SYDNEY ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_message message_box_color=”green” icon_fontawesome=”fab fa-whatsapp”]My good friend Sammy owns RatPack Travel (a discounted booking platform for Australia and New Zealand Travels). The team at RatPack are ready to help you plan and book all your trips and transport for your adventure down under.

Click here to send RatPack a WhatsApp message (+61 490 149 348) and start planning your trip today.

Don’t forget you can use my code MOLLIE10 for 10% off any trip or transport booking you make.[/vc_message][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”medium” url=”https://weareglobaltravellers.com/australia” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#7cccc0″ btn_hover_bg=”#b2dfdb”]EXPLORE AUSTRALIA ON MY BLOG HERE[/mk_button][vc_separator][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1556965183905{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Love as always + happy adventuring,

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I can’t do this without you.

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