Circular Quay Sydney Opera House
The city's UNESCO-listed masterpiece on Bennelong Point. Take a guided tour beneath the sails, book a concert or play, or grab a drink at the Opera Bar with the Harbour Bridge as your backdrop.
Travel Guide
Things to Do in Sydney
Sydney rewards every kind of visitor — icon-hunters, beach lovers, foodies and families alike. From the harbour's world-famous landmarks to golden surf beaches and buzzing laneways, here's how to make the most of the harbour city during your stay.
Icons & Harbour
Circular Quay 
The Rocks / Milsons Point Sydney Harbour Bridge & BridgeClimb
Walk across the 'Coathanger' for free, climb the Pylon Lookout, or summit the arch on a BridgeClimb for 360° views over the harbour and Opera House.
Harbourside The Rocks
Sydney's oldest quarter, right on the harbour — sandstone laneways, historic pubs, galleries and a lively weekend market with crafts and street food.
Free entry Royal Botanic Garden
Thirty hectares of harbourside gardens wrapping around Farm Cove, ending at Mrs Macquarie's Chair — the classic postcard view back to the Opera House and Bridge.
Beaches & Coast
Eastern Suburbs Bondi Beach
Australia's most famous beach — golden sand, reliable surf, the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool and a buzzing strip of cafes and bars along Campbell Parade.
~2 hr walk Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
A spectacular 6 km clifftop path linking Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee, past ocean pools, sculpture-dotted headlands and swimming spots — allow a couple of hours.
Ferry from Circular Quay Manly & the Northern Beaches
Catch the ferry across the harbour to Manly for ocean surf, sheltered harbour coves and a relaxed seaside village — see our dedicated Things to Do in Manly guide.
Culture & Family
Mosman, by ferry Taronga Zoo
A harbourside zoo with native and exotic wildlife and jaw-dropping skyline views — reach it by ferry and ride the Sky Safari cable car down to the animals.
The Domain · free Art Gallery of NSW
The free-entry state gallery pairs Australian and international masters with the striking new Naala Badu building and Yiribana Gallery of First Nations art.
Cockle Bay Darling Harbour & SEA LIFE
A waterfront precinct built for families — SEA LIFE Aquarium, WILD LIFE, the Australian National Maritime Museum, restaurants and regular fireworks.
Views, Dining & Nightlife
Western harbour Barangaroo
Sydney's newest harbour precinct — waterfront fine dining and bars along Barangaroo Avenue and the native headland park with sunset views over the water.
Inner city Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
The inner city's dining heartland — acclaimed restaurants, small bars, specialty coffee and boutiques packed into leafy Victorian terraces.
Good To Know
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get around Sydney?
- Grab an Opal card (or tap a contactless card) for trains, buses, ferries and light rail. Ferries are the most scenic way to see the harbour — the Manly and Watsons Bay routes are favourites.
- How many days do I need in Sydney?
- Three to four days covers the icons, a couple of beaches and a day trip; a week lets you explore neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace.
- When is the best time to visit Sydney?
- Spring (Sep–Nov) and autumn (Mar–May) bring mild weather and fewer crowds; summer is peak beach season, and events run year-round.
- How far is the airport from the city?
- Sydney Airport is close to the CBD — roughly 20–45 minutes by car or a quick trip on the airport train line, depending on your destination.
Image credits
- sydney opera house: Mfield, Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com — CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- sydney harbour bridge: Diliff — CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- the rocks: Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- royal botanic garden: Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- bondi beach: Maksym Kozlenko — CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- bondi coogee walk: Maurice van Creij — CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- manly beach: Maksym Kozlenko — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- taronga zoo: Jan Derk — Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
- art gallery nsw: Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- darling harbour: Dietmar Rabich — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- barangaroo: Rob Deutscher — CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
- surry hills: Collywolly — CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Where to stay
Make the most of your visit with a fully furnished Avasa Urban serviced apartment — hotel-grade comfort and a home base for exploring.