10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sydney
Sydney the oldest, biggest, and most beautiful of all Australian cities, lies amid a seductive intermingling of land and sea. Glide along the glittering harbor on a ferry, see the white sails of the Opera House gleaming in the sunshine, admire the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge, and you'll see why this is one of the world's top cities.
It's hard to imagine this vibrant state capital of New South Wales was once a convict colony. In 1788, it was at Sydney Cove where Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet, established the first British colony in Australia. Today, you can explore Sydney's fabled history in the narrow, cobbled laneways and historic buildings of the Rocks, and learn about the Gadigal Aboriginal people, the traditional custodians of this land, on guided tours and at the city's excellent museums.
Sydney still fizzes with the adventurous spirit of its settlers. Climb the harbor bridge, surf the green-barrel breaks at Sydney's golden beaches, or fly over the city on a scenic tour. And the adventures don't end in the city. Wildlife-rich wilderness areas surround the city providing appealing day trip possibilities.
Discover all the best places to visit in this famous harbor city with our list of the top things to do in Sydney, Australia.
1. See the Sydney Opera House
One of the world's great icons, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the star attraction on the glittering harbor. This graceful building, shaped like shells or billowing sails, perches on a finger of land surrounded by water.
You have several options for visiting the Sydney Opera House. Snap a photo while gliding by on a harbor cruise, relax at one of the restaurants, stroll around its exterior, or take an organized tour of this magnificent structure. Inside, you'll find theaters, studios, exhibition rooms, a concert hall, and a cinema.
Book a Sydney Opera House Guided WalkingTour to learn about the history and get a behind-the-scenes look at this famous building. This is a flexible ticket that allows you to join any one of the tours throughout the day, departing every half hour from 9am to 5pm.
Avid photographers should head to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for one of the best photo opportunities.
The Sydney Opera House just emerged from an almost $300-million "Decade of Renewal." Among the many improvements is a renovated Concert Hall — try and catch a show here when you visit.
Author's Tip: If you happen to be in Sydney in late May or early June during the Sydney Vivid festival, stop by at night to see the white sails lit up with colorful digital art.
Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney, New South Wales
2. The Sydney Harbour Bridge
Nicknamed the "Coathanger," the Sydney Harbour Bridge is another Sydney icon. Supported by massive double piers at each end, it was built in 1932 and remains the world's largest steel arch bridge.
You can drive over it, cruise below it, chug over it on a train, or photograph it from afar. But one of the best ways to appreciate this marvel of engineering, and soak up the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, is on a climb to its 135-meter-high summit.
Scaling the bridge is one of Australia's top outdoor adventures, and you can choose from a range of different tours. Sydney BridgeClimb takes groups on an approximately 3.5-hour climb to the top of the outer arch. Tours run throughout the day, beginning with a dawn climb and ending with a night climb. You can also choose from different types of climbs, including an Indigenous storytelling experience and a climb right across the arch to the other side — the bridge connects the harbor's north and south shores.
Guided ascents of the bridge with BridgeClimbSydney include a pre-climb prep talk, safety gear, and a photo on the summit. Along the way, you'll learn all kinds of entertaining stories about the history of the bridge. One of its most famous workers was Paul Hogan, aka Crocodile Dundee, before he became famous.
To learn more about the fascinating history of the bridge's construction, visit the museum in the southeastern pier.
Address: 5 Cumberland Street, Sydney, New South Wales
3. Stroll around The Rocks
Want to soak up a bit of Sydney history? Take a stroll around The Rocks. Located on a tongue of land protruding into Sydney Harbour, the Rocks historic area was once home to the Gadigal Aboriginal people. Later, it became the country's first site of European settlement.
The Rocks was named for the rocky coast on the west side of Sydney Cove where the convicts pitched their tents. Today, more than 100 heritage sites and buildings jostle along the narrow streets, including Sydney's oldest surviving house, Cadmans Cottage, built in 1816.
The first stop should be a visit to The Rocks Discovery Museum. Here, you can learn about the area's fascinating transformation from traditional Aboriginal lands to convict slum to tourist hot spot. You can also join a 30-minute free guided tour at 1pm and 1:30pm daily.
Afterward, wander around the narrow, cobbled streets. Pick up some souvenirs at the gift shops, buy handcrafted goodies at the market stalls (Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays), and admire Aboriginal and contemporary art in the galleries. You'll also find plenty of atmospheric little restaurants and cafés here.
Guided tours run the gamut, from Aboriginal heritage walks to photographic excursions, and if you're looking for unusual things to do in Sydney, you can book a nighttime ghost tour.
Address: 66 Harrington Street, Level 6, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales
4. Hop aboard a Harbor Cruise at Circular Quay
Sydney is famous for its sparkling waterfront setting, and one of the most popular things to do in Sydney Harbour is a sightseeing cruise. Most harbor cruises depart from Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, which is also home to the city's main ferry terminal.
Short on time? Book the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise, which takes you past all the harbor highlights and to some of the most scenic places in Sydney, including the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison. Learn fascinating facts about the key sights along the way, and keep your camera ready — you'll have plenty of photo ops.
Prefer to spot some wildlife during your tour? During the annual winter whale migration, the Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise takes passengers out past Sydney Heads to view these magnificent creatures.
If you don't have time for a harbor cruise, you can still see some of the top sites on a ferry ride around the harbor. Ferries depart from Circular Quay to prime spots, such as Manly, Watsons Bay, and Taronga Park Zoo.
Author's Tip: From Circular Quay, you can easily walk to other top Sydney tourist attractions. Head south along the waterfront promenade to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and a short walk to the north leads to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Rocks historic area. To the west, the free Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in an Art Deco building, displays cutting-edge, and often controversial, exhibitions.
5. Spend a Day at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour has something for everyone. Packed with tourist attractions, this waterfront precinct on the western side of Sydney's CBD is a hub for tourists and locals alike. You'll find everything here, from shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues to museums, a zoo, an aquarium, and an IMAX theater.
Families will love Madame Tussaud's; the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo; and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, which contains the world's largest collection of Australian marine creatures. The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Entrance Ticket is a great way to get ahead of the crowds.
Nautical-minded history buffs can board a replica of Captain Cook's ship, the HMB Endeavour, at the Australian National Maritime Museum. And while you're wandering around, keep an eye out for colorful artwork along the Darling Harbour Street Art Trail.
Younger children will love the carousel, playgrounds, and water park. An IMAX and 9D theater, harbor jet boat rides, simulated flights, and racing car adventures round out the exciting attractions.
Seeking a tranquil patch of green? Slip into the Chinese Garden of Friendship, and sip tea among the willows and koi ponds.
As well as offering a one-stop shop of Sydney attractions for families, Darling Harbour also hosts an exciting line-up of events, from art exhibitions and film festivals to music concerts at the Aware Super Theatre.
6. Smell the Roses at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city? Chill out at The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in Farm Cove. A visit to this tranquil oasis is one of the many relaxing things to do in the city for free — especially if you're in need of a nature fix — and it's only a short stroll from the Sydney Opera House.
Established in 1816, the gardens are Australia's oldest botanic garden. They encompass 30 hectares of themed gardens with towering trees, palm groves, orchids, ferns, succulents, tropical gardens, rainforest plants, herbs, and Oriental gardens.
Garden lovers will be in heaven. The Palace Rose Garden blushes with around 1,800 roses. The Glasshouse Latitude 23 and Fernery brims with tropical foliage, begonias, and orchids; and the Cadi Jam Ora - First Encounters Garden tells the story of the Gadigal people, the land's traditional custodians, and explores the relationship between people and plants.
Aboriginal cultural tours and guided walks are offered, as well as events such as bush tucker morning teas and picnics.
Wondering what's nearby? Surrounding the gardens is the Domain, a popular event venue, with open green space and sports areas. And while you're visiting the gardens, you can enjoy views of Government House, the official residence of the governor of New South Wales.
Address: Mrs Macquarie's Road, Sydney, New South Wales
7. Shop 'til You Drop at the Queen Victoria Building
If shopping is high on your agenda, head to the Romanesque-style Queen Victoria Building ("QVB"). Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth a visit just to admire this beautifully restored building and its colorful stained-glass windows and mosaic floors.
A high central dome surrounded by 20 smaller domes crowns this elegant building, which was originally built as a market hall between 1893 and 1898. After decades of neglect and even plans for demolition, this grand sandstone building was restored to its original state in the early 1980s.
Today, more than 200 high-end shops line its light-filled galleries. Australian stores include R.M. Williams, Lorna Jane, and Haigh's chocolates, as well as many Aussie designer boutiques, and you'll also find homeware stores, gift stores, and galleries.
Feeling peckish? The Tea Room QVB hosts a popular High Tea under crystal chandeliers.
You can access the QVB from Town Hall Station through underground arcades.
If you want to learn more about the history of this magnificent heritage building, sign up for a 45-minute QVB History Tour.
Address: 455 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales
8. Zoom up the Sydney Tower Eye
Soaring above the city skyline, the 309-meter-high Sydney Tower Eye is the city's tallest building and one of its great landmarks (other than the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, of course). This golden spire-topped turret rises from the busy Centrepoint shopping mall.
Zooming up the Sydney Tower Eye is one of the popular things to do in the Sydney CBD for tourists. Express lifts whisk visitors to the observation deck at the top, or to SKYWALK, an alfresco glass-floor viewing platform, the perfect spot for sightseeing. While you're up here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs, or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the revolving restaurants or the café.
Also on offer is a 4D cinema experience, which provides an overview of the city's major icons.
Address: 100 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales
9. Bask on Sydney's Beaches
Sydney is famous for its beautiful beaches. Tucked around the harbor are many sheltered coves with calm water and sugary sands.
You don't need to venture far from the CBD to find an inviting stretch of sand and sea. Iconic Bondi Beach is less than a 15-minute drive from the city, with great surf, a buzzing café scene, and a cosmopolitan vibe. For fantastic ocean views, take the coastal walk along the cliffs from Bondi to Coogee Beach.
If you're traveling by public transport, Cronulla is the only beach accessible by train from the city, and Manly Beach is only a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. Here, you can swim in the surf or the netted ocean pool, take a surf lesson, or stroll along the beachfront promenade and stop in at the excellent shops and restaurants.
Farther north of the city, surfers will find some fantastic breaks at Collaroy, Dee Why, and Narrabeen. Swimming is enjoyable at most Sydney beaches — especially during the summer months — but you should always stay between the red and yellow flags.
10. Bike or Walk around Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve is an excellent example of a successful urban renewal project. Named after the influential female Indigenous leader at the time of European colonization, the area was transformed from an unsightly container terminal and opened to the public in 2015 with a commitment to sustainability and enhancing community wellbeing.
With more than 75,000 native trees and shrubs, as well as walking and cycling tracks, this 22-hectare waterfront precinct is a lovely spot for a stroll or bike along the harbor. You'll also find shops, restaurants, and event and exhibition space here.
One of the most popular things to do at Barangaroo is the Wulugul Walk. This scenic waterfront promenade skirts the six-hectare re-created Sydney Harbour headland at the reserve's northern end and extends for two kilometers between Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour.
Along the way, you can admire an evocative series of public art installations. Keep an eye out for shell wall, a 22-meter-tall vertical panel on the side of a building at the reserve's southern gateway, created by two of Australia's leading Indigenous artists. You can learn about the area's rich Indigenous heritage on an Aboriginal cultural tour.
In 2023, a new recreation space opened in Barangaroo as part of the planned Harbour Park open space on Sydney's foreshore. Bring the kids here to bounce around in the play area and challenge each other to a game of handball. Parents can work out in the outdoor gym or relax in the shady sitting areas.
Barangaroo is only a four-minute walk from Wynyard station, and you can also catch a ferry direct to the new Barangaroo Wharf.