Things to Do in Sydney 45 Attractions

The Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre  with several theatres, rehearsal studios, two main halls, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is not only one of Sydney’s top tourist attractions, it is also considered one of the most famous and distinctive buildings of the 20th century. Our rankings are cleverly generated from the algorithmic analysis of thousands of customer reviews about products, brands, merchant’s customer service levels, popularity trends, and more. The rankings reflect our opinion and should be a good starting point for shopping.
Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad. Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot. For more travel tips and insider guides, head to our sydney city what to do Sydney travel guide.

For the ultimate way to see Sydney Harbour, book this Sydney Harbour Tour by helicopter here. There are multiple free viewpoints around Sydney where you can catch a glimpse of the famous Harbour Bridge. One of the most famous is Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which we’ll talk about in a bit, but you can also get great views just by hanging out in Circular Quay and while exploring the Opera House. And if you’re worried about fitting it all in, you can always take this half-day private sightseeing tour. It includes all of the must-see places in Sydney like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, as well as taking you to Bondi Beach.
From Bennelong to Hubert, start planning an extra special date night at some of Sydney’s most romantic restaurants here. Another signature Sydney landmark, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is regarded as the largest steel arch bridge on the planet. Colloquially referred to as the Coathanger by locals, the Harbour Bridge climb is a bucket list experience and presents a bird’s eye view of the city worth the trek and the dollars. In a city that’s far from shy about showing off its natural beauty, it’s a surprise that one of its prettiest corners may well be one of its best-kept secrets. Adjacent to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney’s north, there’s a whopping 123 hectares of wildflower gardens surrounded by Sydney sandstone bushland.

It's a super special, super accessible way to explore Sydney's beautiful Middle Harbour. The word 'epic' gets thrown around a bit, but sitting down to watch a movie under the stars and by the harbour truly is. There’s something really romantic about seeing a film in the open air, and we reckon it may help you fall in love with Sydney just a little bit more. On the leading edge of the South Head, you'll find one of Sydney's cutest lighthouses overlooking the calm waters of Camp Cove.
Rain, hail or shine the guys from I’m Free Walking Tours walk every day at 10.30am and 6.00pm. The Tramsheds are a unique architectural gem and the inner west’s home of flavour, culture, people and ideas. Harold Park is a 3.8 hectare green space where you can link through to other parks and Glebe’s foreshore, or enjoy an extensive playground with picnic areas, public art and a wildlife corridor. The café scene is thoroughly devoted to supporting the social lifestyle. The Royal (as locals call it) is more than a park – it's Sydney's wild side! Imagine bushwalks to hidden waterfalls, empty beaches perfect for surfing, and maybe even spotting whales from the cliffs.
The Inner West Bay Run is a scenic, flat 7km loop around Iron Cove, perfect for jogging, cycling, or walking. This family-friendly route runs along the shoreline, offering picturesque views and a serene atmosphere. Despite its beauty, tourists often overlook the Bay Run, providing a local experience away from the usual tourist spots. The vibe at these ocean pools and rock pools is serene and communal, making it a perfect way to start your beach day.

The Spit to Manly walk is one of the most famous treks in the Sydney area. This 10km (6.2 mile) adventure is filled with a variety of breathtaking lookouts and beaches. The trail begins at the Spit Bridge, which is located about 10 km north of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District) and ends directly east, at the quaint beach suburb of Manly. One of the best parts about visiting the zoo is the journey to get here.
However, the island was mostly used for shipbuilding and repairs. Today, the island is run by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, which runs different types of tours. And if in the evening you’re  in the mood to visit a pub, head to the New Brighton Hotel.

Housed in an impressive art deco building right at the waterfront, the MCA is dedicated to exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the work of today’s contemporary artists. Established in 1827, the heritage-listed Australian Museum (AM) is the oldest museum in Australia, boasting a collection of almost 20 million objects related to Australian culture and history. If you plan to do both of these walks combined, you will be doing one of the best Sydney city walks, which allows you to see all the iconic landmarks in one fantastic walking track.
The place was opened in 1816 which makes it one of the oldest scientific institution not only in Australia but in the whole world and it is one of the finest places to visit in Sydney. There’s just something so bloody exciting—and a little terrifying—about being locked in a room and solving your way out. Perfect for date nights,  rainy days, or group challenges, Sydney’s best escape rooms guarantee a pulse-raising good time. Flight Club is a social darts venue in The Rocks with epic high-tech that keeps track of the points for you. There are multiple oches (playing areas) for up to 12 people, and you can even order cocktails, tap beers, wine, and fried snacks straight to your game from QR codes in your ochre. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is an unskippable Sydney experience.
One of the best ways to experience a city is with a local and that’s what this tour is all about, taking you through cool streets and pointing out landmarks you may miss on your own. Best of all, learning the history and significance of these places to visit will make it much more memorable. Visiting Sydney for the first time and looking to know what are the best Sydney tourist attractions? As expat locals, we’ve been tourists too, so we’re sharing what you really shouldn’t miss when you’re visiting this city.