If Sydney was a person, he or she would be young, brash and boisterous – much like the stereotypical Australian.
It’s a city with swagger, boasting a very attractive skyline and one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. Sydney consistently ranks near the top of most “world’s best cities to live in” lists, which should surprise no-one who’s spent time here, chilling at one of its stunning beaches or soaking up the modern, cosmopolitan vibe in the central city.
Here are five of my favourite things to see and do in Sydney, Australia.
Cruise Sydney harbour
We’ll start with the most obvious one first and a must-do for all visitors – going for a cruise on Sydney’s spectacular harbour.
Marvel at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the stunning city skyline and the emerald blue of the harbour itself, as you take photograph after photograph of this picturesque city from the water. Sydney, like most cities, is definitely best viewed from the water.
Bondi Beach
I’m a huge fan of the TV show Bondi Rescue, which is probably because I enjoyed the beach so much (I normally hate reality TV).
Bondi isn’t the most beautiful beach in the world but it’s one of the liveliest. And it’s the closest beach to central Sydney, which is partly the reason it gets so packed during the Australian summer. Regardless, it’s worth putting up with the crowds and going for a swim – or surf – at Bondi Beach.
When or if you get tired of hanging out at the beach, there are tons of restaurants and cafes in Bondi – not to mention some pretty sweet bars.
Taronga Zoo
Speaking of the water, you should definitely take the ferry over to Taronga Zoo, which takes less than 20 minutes from Sydney’s Circular Quay.
It’s one of the best zoos I’ve ever visited, and I’m not normally the biggest fan of zoos. Here you’ll be able to see all kinds of animals, including tons of snakes and native Australian wildlife. Entry isn’t cheap ($44 Australian dollars for adults) but you can easily spend a day here.
Sydney Opera House
Nothing is more symbolic of Sydney than its famous opera house, surrounded on three sides by the harbour.
The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. Unsurprisingly, it is Sydney’s most visited tourist attraction. You can book a tour or try to watch a performance here but, for me, it was enough to get my photo taken next to it.
Luna Park
Luna Park is a 1930s amusement park on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, which I like a whole lot better than Australia’s better-known theme parks like Warner Bros Movie World and Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
There’s just something really very charming about Luna Park, whether it’s because of its old-school feel or the fact that it, too, boasts great views of the city and the harbour (have I mentioned how much I love Sydney’s harbour?).
And that, my friends, is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of fun things to see and do in Sydney. You might enjoy Australia’s safest beach and other highlights from 100 blog posts at Man vs World.
I’d love to hear your recommendations for things to do in Sydney in the comments section below!
Cool. We’re going to be in Sydney soon so very useful.
Awesome! Have a great trip!
Wot no aquarium? That’s the best for us!
It would have made my top 10, promise!