Things to Do in Sydney: Top Attractions and Activities

Packed with parklands, sporting venues and entertainment centres, it combines the best of nature with adventurous activities and is perfect for getting the kids active in the fresh air. The bikeways are safe for children and connect to the Bicentennial Park cycleways. With its unique architecture, enviable harbourside position and its varied repertoire of performances, it’s no wonder The Sydney Opera House is a much-visit favourite for anyone visiting Sydney. Just a short walk from the Ferry terminal at Circular Quay, it sits at Bennelong Point, a historic Aboriginal site later developed by European settlers as both a fort and tram shed. Once you’re in your kayak, you can explore some of the most beautiful spots in the Harbour, starting at East Manly Cove Beach. While the two beaches on either side of the Corso are stunning, some might say that the smaller Shelly Beach is Manly’s most beautiful strip of sand.
Bring your racket and ball to take advantage of the ping pong table. Lucy Stones is an experienced freelance writer immersive theater with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She completed  a Bachelor of Communication in Journalism & PR at Griffith University. Specialising in food, beverage and culture coverage, Lucy's ...

Whether you’re solo trekking the area or  taking a guided tour (which is recommended if you want to know the ins and outs of the area), there’s a lot to discover. Sydney offers a diverse array of experiences that cater to every type of traveler. From stunning beaches to cultural landmarks, the city is a vibrant blend of nature, history, and modernity. Each attraction presents a unique chance to explore and appreciate both the natural beauty and dynamic culture of the harbor city.
Beauty and convenience don’t always go hand in hand, but Opera Bar is a glam exception to the rule. It manages to be both one of the most enviably located bars in the city as well as its most advantageous spot for a pre-show drink. This secret garden, with full views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, is part public, part private land at the foot of artist Brett Whiteley’s home in Lavender Bay. One of Sydney’s most beautiful walks, taking you from The Spit Bridge in Mosman to Manly, past secret coves, through lush bush and rewarding you with ridiculous views of the big blue. We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all.
Ormeggio at the Spit has been the North Shore’s favourite Italian restaurant since it opened in last 2009. Much like Pilu at Freshwater, a lot of the praise rests out the restaurant’s blockbuster location by the sea, overlooking the water with a superbly relaxed atmosphere. Handmade pasta is generally the best way to go here, and it’s always safe to expect silky, sumptuous dishes that won’t leave you feeling bloated afterwards. Day spas are frequently popping up in Sydney and 2025 will see several new sauna complexes open up around the city. Sydney’s wellness offering is becoming world-class, so take note of all the couple’s treatments available if you want a more relaxed date idea that’ll actually feel like a holiday. While most people immediately think of Paris in any discussion on the world’s most romantic cities, it’s impossible to question Sydney’s uncanny ability to inspire feelings of love, affection and joy.

One of the smartest considerations when planning a date is how many talking points there will be. The more opportunity for meaningful, intelligent conversation means much more mental stimulation than your typical movie-and-a-meal operation. If your preferences lean towards a darker, sexier and more bohemian style, take a look at QT Sydney.
As a bonus, you can take in the best views of Sydney’s most iconic tourist attraction as the boat glides under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tours operate from Circular Quay between May and September each year. Kids aged eight and up, who are at least 140cm tall, can also tackle the high ropes course, navigating suspension bridges, climbing walls and flying foxes. Families can even stay overnight at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga for a unique animal experience you’ll never forget. You can visit to explore the site and grab a bite to eat, or you can book a tour to learn more about the fascinating history of this historic complex. Shelly Beach is part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected aquatic reserve spanning about 20 hectares.

Celebrating work of living artists and exhibiting international and Australian art brings in over a million visitors each year. If you’re a dumpling fiend then the Queens Chow Manly is the place to be. Dumpling maestro Eric Koh offers up some delightful dumplings that will make any mouth water.
For something different, book a unique 90-minute Tall Ship Cruise with Sydney Harbour Tall Ships. Board one of their traditional tall ships Southern Swan or the impressive Soren Larsen and discover the sights and sounds of Sydney on a unique ‘historic meets modern’ harbour cruise. It’s a great spot to walk around and enjoy the movement of ferries back and forth over the harbour as well as enjoying the buskers performing for commuters and tourists. Aside from the horse riding, the leafy grounds of Centennial Parklands make it a perfect inner-city location for family picnics and strolls. Kids will love the Wildplay Garden, a free, nature playground amid the lush surrounds of the park, open daily from 10am ‘til 5pm.

The area that now forms the Alexandra canal and Cooks River serves as their southern boundary. The heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse, built in 1881, stands 113 metres above sea level on Barrenjoey Headland. Read our Cremorne Point Walk article with a summary of the highlights and photos of this fun walk. The pool is free for all to enjoy, though it does close periodically for cleaning. Be sure to check the North Sydney Council website for exact opening hours. Read our guide on historic buildings in Sydney to plan a fun day out exploring in the Sydney CBD.
Throughout this list, you’ll find a batch of natural rock pools, old-school baths and beautifully built landmarks that are perfect for swimming in with kids. There’s truly no better way to end a ripper day than watching the sunset at one of these top-tier lookout spots. Choose between a leafy perch, a breezy beachside spot or a grassy hill with panoramic harbour views.
The family-friendly Fairlight Walk is a short trail that starts at the ferry wharf in Manly Cove and leads to the Manly Boatshed near North Harbour Reserve. In the spirit of reconciliation, Holidays with Kids acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. You’ll find a number of walks around the property with great views of Sydney Harbour National Park. In winter you can see whales on their annual migration up or down the coast.

It is also the central port for the ferry network, enabling you to get around the harbour by ferry. Wondering where you can enjoy culture late at night in Sydney? The Culture Up Late initiative sees some museums and galleries around Sydney open late with live music, workshops, screenings and more. These include Art After Hours at the Art Gallery of NSW and MCA Late. If a long-haul flight to Europe isn’t on the cards for you anytime soon, you can experience something close to the real deal less than an hour’s drive from Sydney. There’s an Italian-style bed and breakfast in the semi-rural suburb of Arcadia that boasts Tuscan-style gardens, cobblestone laneways and gelato and wine nights.