Places to Visit & Things to Do in Sydney

In Sydney, you’re never far from the serene aquamarine of the ocean, glorious beaches, and eucalyptus-filled mountains – as well as some of the best food and wine in the world. ‘Harbour City’ has all the ingredients to inspire the hearts, minds, and appetites of travellers.

Sights and Attractions in Sydney

First, stop by Circular Quay to take a walk past the buzzing bars and restaurants right on the water’s edge. You’ll get a close-up view of the white ‘sails’ of the Opera House. Stroll through the 30-hectare Royal Botanic Garden, which hosts community festivals and exhibitions.  The Rocks, a historic neighbourhood south of the Harbour Bridge, is buzzing with pubs, buskers and open-air markets.   Test your mettle with the BridgeClimb experience and observe the city from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For a great view with a little less exertion, head into the central business district and ascend The Sydney Tower Eye for 360-degree views of the city and beyond. Swimming or surfing at Sydney’s signature Bondi Beach is always a winner, as are Bondi’s cafés and its chilled-out vibe.    

Art, Culture and Museums in Sydney

You can count on catching some of the nation’s best productions at the Sydney Theatre Company at Walsh Bay, which launched Aussie Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett. Around the bay, Sydney Opera House plays host to symphonies, orchestras, ballets, musical theatre and dance, with productions from the Australian Ballet and Sydney Symphony Orchestra held year-round.  A spacious, art deco building in The Rocks is home to The Museum of Contemporary Art which has over 4,000 works of Australian art in its collection and a special focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander   The Art Gallery of New South Wales is a cultural stalwart that presents around forty exhibitions a year and houses major collections of Australian, European and Asian art.   If you’re in town in late June/early July, be sure to pay a visit to the National Indigenous Art Fair. The ethical marketplace allows you to buy direct from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is a cultural stalwart that presents around forty exhibitions a year and houses major collections of Australian, European and Asian art.   If you’re in town in late June/early July, be sure to pay a visit to the National Indigenous Art Fair. The ethical marketplace allows you to buy direct from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. 

Shopping in Sydney

Beautiful, sustainably mined Australian opals are a favourite with tourists. Reputable places to buy them include Altmann & Cherry and the National Opal Collection. For hand-crafted and intricate jewellery with an Australian touch, head to Kailis Pearls – available at David Jones and Calleija Jewellers – and Nicola Bannerman at the Bridget Kennedy Project Space.   For international high-street brands, start at Pitt Street Mall, then head up and down Market Street, King Street and Castlereagh Streets. Find top Australian designers at David Jones, or head to Paddington (Glenmore Road) for unique finds and new-gen designers at indie boutiques. There are many markets around Sydney held on Saturdays too – check out those at Bondi Beach and Rozelle for second-hand treasures and new looks for the season ahead.

Food and Drink in Sydney

Sydney’s food and drink scene is all about paddock-to-plate produce, bespoke cocktails and craft beer. Landmark eateries Quay, Tetsuya’s and Rockpool are the stars of the show, while brasserie Restaurant Hubert dominates headlines for a swinging cocktail-food experience and specialities such as whole Australian rock lobster in Armoricaine sauce with cognac and chives.  Quench your thirst in the tiny, homely setting of Ambi’s Chai which offers traditionally brewed Afro-Punjabi sweet and spicy teas, made by Ambi himself, as well as delicious rotis.

 

Pubs in the leafy Paddington district have also been trending on the Sydney scene, with gastro drinking holes The Bellevue, Four in Hand and The Paddington all serving hearty pub grub. For fresh seafood with marvellous views over the beach, both North Bondi Fish and Icebergs are a good bet.

 

Westwards from Bondi is Bennelong, situated in the Opera House. It’s fine dining Aussie-style with dishes like roasted coral trout and a fantastic wine list - and breath-taking views of the harbour and bridge.  

Sights unique to Sydney

Firmly, uniquely Sydney is, of course, the Harbour: a true global treasure, Sydneysiders swim in it, fish in it, sunbathe next to it, boat on it and set fireworks off on it. But, while the Harbour Bridge and Opera House that occupy it are the two standout structures people know the city for, they also come here for the beach life – and few realise you’ll find beaches as nice as Bondi without the big waves (most of the time) and crowds, plus small fishing villages loaded with great eateries, national parks where you can walk for kms without seeing a single soul but meet plenty of wildlife – including whales and dolphins. Top spots include Watsons Bay, Manly, Double Bay, the brilliant Taronga Zoo (get that selfie with the giraffe and the Harbour Bridge behind) and Balmoral. The city is also paradise for sport experiences: watch the Sydney Swans playing Australian rules football on their home turf, the Sydney Cricket Ground or catch a Rugby League/Rugby Union game at the Accor Stadium.

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