Things to do in Sydney

More about Sydney

Sydney is a seriously good-looking city - and she knows it. You’ve got sandstone coves, surf breaks, skyscrapers, sea pools, and that Opera House doing its best impression of a seashell mid-spin. Come for the bridge climbs and harbour cruises, stay for secret gardens, gallery wanders and a beach for every mood. It’s where fine dining meets fish and chips on a ferry, and old laneways lead to high rises. Whether you’re ticking off the big names or sniffing out something fresh, Sydney’s got the views to go with every occasion.

Unique Sydney things you can’t do anywhere else

• Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: Strap in and scale the Harbour Bridge’s arch, 134 m above the harbour. Choose your climb - be it dawn, twilight or summit - with those ridiculously gorgeous city-to-ocean views.
• Sydney Opera House: Walk the waterfront from Barangaroo and catch the sails at sundown. You better believe it’s a world-famous view for a reason. Step inside with tickets to a show or for an official tour.
• Taronga Zoo via ferry: Hop the ferry, cruise across the water, and meet koalas, crocs and giraffes with the harbour behind them. Safari vibes, Sydney skyline.
• Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Step out along sea salt-sprayed cliffs, where every turn brings a new beach, rock pool and sculpture. Walking here is one of the city’s most scenic rituals.
• Ferry to Manly and Northern Beaches: Board at Circular Quay, breeze across the harbour, and land straight in surf-town chill at Manly. The best thing to do? Beach hop all the way to Freshwater and pick your patch for sunning or surfing.

Best Sydney attractions to see

• Sydney Opera House Tour: Step behind the sails and into the story. These tours take you through foyers, stages and design secrets, giving you an insider’s view of this Aussie icon.
• Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK: Up you go to 250 metres above it all. See the city curve into the ocean, then inch out onto the glass-floor Skywalk if you’re game. Watch out though: these views come with butterflies in your stomach.
• Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge: Yep, it’s a double feature. From summit to sunset climbs, you’ll get the same heart-thumping, skyline-spanning, bucket-list-busting bragging rights. Worth every step.
• Harbour Explorer Cruise: Flick through Sydney’s greatest hits - the Opera House, Luna Park, Circular Quay - without stepping off the boat. Just hop on, kick back, and let the skipper do their work.

Best Sydney day trips and tours

• The Rocks guided walking tour: Cobblestones, convict tales and heritage pubs at the foot of the Harbour Bridge in unpack layers of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood. Expect experts with small groups and big stories.
• Featherdale Wildlife Park: This one’s all paws and pouches. You can feed a wallaby, pat a koala, or meet the rarest Aussie creatures just west of Sydney.
• Blue Mountains Full-Day Tour: Trade city for escarpments. See waterfalls crash, mist rise and the Three Sisters standing tall. It’s bush, cliffs and valley views just beyond the villages.
• Big Bus Sydney Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Want Sydney on your schedule? Jump on this double-decker loop. Cruise from Bondi to the Bridge with audio commentary and 360-degree views from up top.

Free things to do in Sydney

• Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair: Green lawns, sea breezes, harbour views for days. Stroll, picnic or just plonk yourself down and watch the ferries glide by.
• Explore Barangaroo Reserve: A transformation from container yard to coastal park. Come to Barangaroo to check out native plantings and water views.
• Swim at Bondi Beach: Icon status aside, Bondi is 100% public and totally free. Paddle in the shallows or join the locals for sunrise laps and a towel-off in the sun.
• Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales: Old masters, First Nations art, and big-name exhibitions between the Domain and the harbour. While some exhibits come with a price tag, there are plenty of others that don’t cost a thing.
• Tour the Museum of Contemporary Art: Hit Circular Quay then walk straight into a world of colour and concept. The MCA serves up free entry, rooftop views and Australia’s boldest creatives.

Budgeting for things to do in Sydney

Sydney’s price tag swings from frugal to full-throttle. So no matter what your budget is, you can find something that fits within it. From free things like beaches, harbourfront walks and window shopping in trendy neighbourhoods, to five-star experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, there’s loads to do.

Great-value picks like the Sydney Tower Eye (AU$28) or SEA LIFE Aquarium (AU$37) pack in the views and creatures without gutting your wallet. Mid-range experiences like the Opera House Tour (AU$48) or Featherdale Wildlife Park (AU$31) sit in that sweet spot around AU$30 to AU$50. 

Looking to splurge? Helicopter flips hit AU$250, or go all-in on a Blue Mountains + 4WD day at AU$1,349. But plenty’s free too, with beaches, botanic gardens and jaw-dropping views that don’t cost a cent.