21 BEST Places to Visit in Sydney including Hidden Gems!
Between the ferry terminal and Manly Beach you’ll find plenty of places for shopping, dining, and coffee. Just like the main beach, everything in the suburb of Manly is a bit more chill and less crowded than in downtown Sydney or Bondi. Like Bondi Beach, it’s also popular with surfers, but Manly Beach has a much more laid-back atmosphere and village-like feel. Of course you can also go the other way around and start at Coogee Beach.
Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad. Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot. For more travel tips and insider guides, head to our stuff to do in sydney Sydney travel guide.
It presents light, music, ideas, and food in collaboration with some of the overstepping thinkers, artists, and musicians of all time. The Australian National Maritime Museum is a hub of rich exhibitions that ranges from the time of Eora First People to the First Fleet and the present. In this museum, you will learn about maritime history and culture in different subject matters, like migration, ocean science, arts and culture, archaeology, and indigenous, and historic vessels. The museum very well highlights the dark and damp accommodations and the stories of passengers that sailed to a survived new-life ocean journey.
Luna Park is Sydney’s favourite most famous amusement park and one of the picturesque spaces by the harbour. There are heaps of things to do at the heritage-listed site including unlimited rides, an immersive dream circus and Sonic Neon — a neon-lit event Instagrammers will love. While going Full Monty in public isn't for everyone, there's something undeniably liberating about taking to the harbour waters in just your birthday suit. One of Sydney's few legal nude beaches, so if you're feeling the au naturale vibe, then shed some layers here. You'll need to park up the hill and walk a fair way to get here – it's at the bottom of a long series of steps, and as far as beaches go, she's a small one. But it's worth it for the gorgeous views of Camp Cove and Parsley, Watsons and Vaucluse Bays in the distance.
Founded in 1827, the Australian Museum was the very first museum to open in Australia. It’s located on the fringes of Hyde Park and houses one of the world’s most significant natural history collections. The fishing industry is a huge deal in Sydney, so it’s no surprise that the city is home to the world’s third largest seafood market. Located in Blackwattle Bay, just a few minutes walk from Darling Harbour, Sydney Fish Market serves up the spoils of the sea in all shapes and sizes.
Some of the tallest and fastest water rides in the world can be found inside this Sydney attraction, making it worthy of a bucket list destination for adventure-seekers of all ages. There are a bunch of reputable operators offering delightful full-day or half-day Sydney cruises as well as lunch and dinner experiences. Investigate Captain Cook Cruises , Magistic Cruises and Sydney Harbour Boat Tours . Grabbing a shot of oneself, arms outstretched, atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a cherished moment for every visitor.
In addition to enjoying the incredible views from high above, you can also enjoy unique dining or drinking experiences at the rotating restaurant. If you’ve never been to Sydney, you might feel overwhelmed by the many attractions this amazing city offers. To help you plan your stay, we have listed the 25 most popular Sydney tourist attractions and the best places to visit. We love a celebration and if you ask us, there’s no better way to commemorate special occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays or milestones than with a holiday.
It’s Sydney’s most popular walking trail, and for very good reasons. Depending on the weather on the day, try to get a seat outside at the front of the vessel for the best views. Otherwise, pick one side of the vessel on the way to Manly and grab a seat on the other side when returning to the city. There is a direct ferry service from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island.
All our favourite excursions are on our day trips from Sydney guide. A great way to see Sydney Harbour and the iconic buildings that surround is from one of the many rooftop bars in the city. The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a heritage-listed tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. It houses high-end artisanal shops, including Haigh’s Chocolates, which is my favourite chocolate anywhere in the world. There are few better spots for lunch on the harbour than Watsons Bay. This thin stretch of sand, backed by beautiful houses, has three excellent eating options.
In his free time, he loves visiting national parks and exploring new destinations around the world. A self-guided tour of the Maritime Museum could take upwards of 3 hours. For those that are fascinated by this side of history, take your time to explore each one of the exhibits. For those that want to enjoy a shorter tour, we recommend the HMAS Vampire (a battleship) and the Tall Ship James Craig, a 19th century barque.
Works represent the expression of life from a Chinese point of view in paintings, installations, and thought-provoking murals. It’s the world’s most significant collection of Chinese contemporary art. But, if you need to drive, there is some paid parking near Bondi Pavillion, but it’s about $10 an hour. While the large crowds could be a deterrent to some people, it’s best to embrace the hectic, fun-loving attitude for all it’s worth. When we spent a month in Sydney at the start of last year, we weren’t expecting to spend much time at the beach. The climb over the top of the bridge takes around 3.5 hours on an organised tour.
Book lovers can find some lovely bookshops and cafes dotted around the city that offer a reprieve from the busyness of city life outside. Cosy up with your next read, drink copious amounts of coffee and while away a weekend at these cosy spots. You can party all night long at Sydney’s many vibrant nightclubs.