Sydney is Australia´s answer to New York: a cosmopolitan a hive of activity, which never sleeps, but also boasts gorgeous beaches, fantastic weather and mild winters. Sydney has over 4 million residents, making it Australia’s largest city, and is also the most touristed destination in the country, attracting over 32 million visitors per year. The city is very multicultural, so the food on offer is delicious, and it’s also a fantastic shopping destination. The various suburbs have very different atmospheres, so you’ll find something for everyone in this tourist paradise.
Lets explore the best things to do in Sydney:
See a show at the Opera House
The Opera House may be the first thing to come to mind when you think about Sydney, or indeed Australia. The world-heritage listed building is stunning in person, and it is illuminated beautifully at night. There’s always plenty of events and shows going on in the Opera House and the surrounding area, and you can also tour the opera house or enjoy a tasty meal inside the premises.
Get a local perspective with a free walking tour
The “I’m Free” walking tours are a great way to get to know Sydney.
Guided by passionate volunteering locals who want to share their love of the city with you, they’re a wonderful way to get a deeper understanding of the sights that you’re seeing and the history and meaning behind them. There’s 3 tours per day, and what you’ll learn on the tour makes for a great starting point from which to explore the city.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most famous beaches, and a popular hangout for Sydney’s beautiful people, as well as local and international celebrities. It’s always busy here, but usually not too busy, and the atmosphere is exciting. The surrounding suburb has some great retail and dining options. Bondi Beach is on the Australian Heritage List, and is also noteworthy for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot, with 1010 bikini-clad women taking part.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
This iconic bridge is another of the most well-known symbols of Sydney, and is one of the world’s few climbable bridges.You’ll be prepared with health and safety essentials, and any weather-appropriate gear that you’ll need for the climb, and venture out on your climbing adventure with a group of other climbers and an experienced Climb Leader.
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens were established in 1816, making them the oldest botanic gardens in Australia, as well as the oldest scientific institution. They recently celebrated their 200th birthday with a series of popular commemorative events throughout the year. Various guided and self-guided tours are available, and the Choo Choo express offers a quick, scenic way to get around the gardens. You’ll learn many interesting facts about Australian botanical history, as well as being able to enjoy plenty of gorgeous plant-life! The Royal Botanic Gardens are only a few minutes’ walk from the Sydney CBD and the Opera House, and are one of Sydney’s most touristed attractions with over 5 million visitors per year.
Take a cruise or ferry around the lovely Circular Quay and Darling Harbour
Cruising past the opera house and enjoying the stunning views of the water is a wonderful way to relax after a long day of pounding the pavement. There’s various sightseeing cruises available, many of which are catered, but if you’re on a budget, you can enjoy the same views at a much cheaper price via public transport: a trip from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour is under $4.
Check out Sydney’s famous nightlife
Sydney is known as one of the southern hemisphere’s best destinations for nightlife, and for good reason. In particular, Oxford Street (the centre of Sydney’s gay area) has many popular venues that cater for gay, straight and mixed crowds; some popular venues elsewhere include Chinese Laundry and Home. (There’s also plenty of bars and clubs in Kings Cross, but the area can be very seedy at night, so it may be best avoided.)
Enjoy a beautiful panoramic view with a helicopter!!!