Best Things to Do in Sydney for First Time Visitors

Ah, Sydney, Sydney, Sydney – my home for over four years and one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s without a doubt the best city in Australia (sorry, Melbourne) 🙂

Not only is the city easy to navigate, but it’s full to the brim of awesome things to do and places to eat! My top tip is to allow at least 3 days in Sydney.

The biggest city in Australia has something for every type of traveler – whether you want to relax on one of the most famous beaches in the world (hey, Bondi!), explore the iconic Sydney Opera House, or go on a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains, Sydney won’t let you down! It should come as no surprise that over 15 million tourists visit Sydney every year!

Is Sydney worth visiting?

One million per cent yes! If you’re coming to Australia, you absolutely must visit Sydney.

Visiting somewhere new for the first time can be overwhelming. You need to decide what to do, where to stay, and where to eat, as well as book flights.

Well, luckily for you, I’ve done all the research for you and come up with a detailed list of 12 of the most popular things to do in Sydney. This epic city is famous for its beaches, and it’s the home of Bondi Beach, so of course, I’ve recommended visiting there as well as walking the gorgeous Bondi to Coogee coastal trail. It also has the famous Sydney Opera House, lots of excellent restaurants and Cafes, and the very unique Rocks neighborhood.

As I said, we lived in Sydney for over 4 years – it was the first city I moved to after University and it’s where I met my husband – so Sydney holds a big piece of my heart!

BEST Things to do in Sydney

1. Take the ferry to Manly

The ferry ride to Manly (around $8.70 AUD one-way) offers sweeping views of the harbor, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the world-famous Opera House. It’s a picturesque 30-minute ride that offers some of the best views of the harbor and the surrounding area.

Manly, in the Northern Beaches, is famous for its wide beach, big waves (ideal for surfing), and fun nightlife. Manly has a very different vibe to it than downtown Sydney, and (sadly) it’s a part of Sydney that a lot of tourists miss. 

I’ll be honest, it’s one of my favorite areas of Sydney. There are some incredible coastal walking trails on this side of the harbor, too, such as the 10-kilometer (6-mile) Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk.

Shelly Beach is my favorite beach over here, it’s a 15-minute stroll from Manly Beach, and if you fancy going for a swim, I recommend doing so here as the water here is much calmer than in Manly. In fact, it’s more of a cove with bright blue water. I actually celebrated two of my birthdays here at Shelly Beach!

2. Walk across the Harbour Bridge

Almost as iconic as the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built in 1932 as a government employment project during the Great Depression. The project took almost 10 years to complete, and at the time, it was the world’s largest steel arch bridge.

This is one of my favorite things to do in Sydney, and it will take around 30 minutes to walk across the bridge each way. Be sure to take your time as you stroll across, as you’ll have an awesome view of the Sydney Opera House and the harbor as you go!

If you wish, you can climb up the Pylon for uninterrupted views of the city below; this costs around $25 USD per person. And no need to book, just rock up and wait your turn. However, beware, it’s a climb of 200 steps to the lookout!

When you climb down the steps from the bridge into Kirribilli, I recommend walking down to Lavender Bay, which is a short 15-minute walk away. Along the walk, you’ll pass Luna Park, a quirky theme park. Be sure to snap some photos of the funny face at the entrance.

When you’re done exploring the Kirribilli and Milson’s Point neighborhoods, walk back across the bridge.

3. Climb the Harbour Bridge (for adventurous travelers!)

If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker (we definitely love adventurous activities like this), then you MUST do the Sydney BridgeClimb. This bucket-list-worthy experience has you climbing on top of the Harbour Bridge. Yes, you will literally climb on the bridge, attached by a harness! It’s a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience, and you’ll feel on top of the world after accomplishing it. It takes 3 hours, including safety talk, and costs from $364 AUD.

4. Take a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House

Discover the stories, history, and magic of Sydney Opera House with a guided tour. Step beneath the world-famous sails and explore the building that brings to life just under 2,000 performances each year.

On the tour, you get to check out areas that are usually closed off to the public and, better yet, hear some very juicy behind-the-scenes stories! Our guide also told us about the current shows at the Opera House and the lengths that the staff have to go to make these performances happen. Pretty much everyone on Earth recognizes the iconic Opera House building, but relatively few get to learn what really goes on inside!

The building took around 15 years to finish, and it first opened to the public in 1973. Today, would you believe that more than 8 million people visit the Opera House annually, with almost half a million taking a guided tour. As I said, daily guided tours are available for $48 AUD and give you a whole new appreciation for just how challenging the building was to design and build.

Tickets for a show in the Opera House vary depending on the performance, but expect to pay around $90 AUD for popular performances; however, some shows go for as low as $45 AUD, while others are free. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule.

5. Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Trail

A cliff-top coastal walk, the Bondi to Coogee walk extends for six km in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The walk features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays, and rock pools. The beaches and parks offer a place to rest, swim or a chance to eat at one of the cafes, hotels, restaurants or takeaways.

The iconic Bondi to Coogee Walk – arguably one of the most scenic and popular coastal walks in Australia. This 6 km easy trail starts in Bondi and ends in Coogee. Or the other way around. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Sydney’s best beaches like Tamarama, Clovelly, and Bronte.

I’ve done this walk loads of times as I lived in North Bondi for a few years. The views the whole way are breathtaking, you can stop off for a dip in the sea along the way or at the Clovelly Ocean Pool. And there are several coffee shops along the trail too, so you can grab a coffee to-go and walk with it. We like Jenny’s Cafe on Bronte Road in Bronte.

Allow around 3 hours for this walk.

6. Sydney Tower Skywalk

At 286 meters (938 feet), the Sydney Tower Skywalk is as tall as the Eiffel Tower and twice as high as the Harbour Bridge. It offers amazing panoramic views of the city from its Skywalk at the top. I’m not the biggest fan of heights, but even I was impressed by the view!

So first things first: The Sydney Tower Eye is an indoor observation deck that offers 360-degree views of Sydney. The first time that we went, we were a bit disappointed to find out that you can’t actually see the Opera House, but you still get great views of the Harbour Bridge. Plus, on a clear day, you can even see as far as the Blue Mountains (an hour’s drive away). 

We strongly recommend that you book your tickets for the Sydney Tower Eye in advance. We did this, and we were able to breeze past the queues. They cost around $32 AUD, and you can choose between the morning or afternoon option. 

7. Stroll around The Rocks

The Rocks is the oldest part of the city. And most of the buildings here are made of sandstone, and they’re perfectly restored. The oldest building here was constructed way back in 1816. You’ll find it next to the Museum of Contemporary Art (it’s called Cadman’s Cottage).

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander the streets here – my favorite streets to photograph here are Nurse’s Walk and Argyle Street.

For a meal out, I love Luna Lu in Campbell’s Cove in The Rocks – a modern Asian restaurant with picture-perfect views of the harbor. When we dined here, I especially loved their dumplings and dim sum.

Sydney’s oldest bar is also located in The Rocks – The Fortune of War, which was founded back in 1828. It’s a cozy spot that often has live music and I spent many a great night here when I lived in Sydney.

8. Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is a gorgeous wilderness area that’s about an hour outside of Sydney. It’s known for the blue haze that hovers over the landscape, which is a result of the eucalyptus oil from the forest.

Yep, the Blue Mountains boast dramatic cliffs and valleys and incredible rock formations, including the Three Sisters! There’s also Aboriginal rock art, plenty of viewpoints, a wildlife park, and a park with rides that are designed to showcase the beauty of the area.

With so much natural beauty, this makes an awesome day trip from Sydney.

This excellently rated small-group tour promises an amazing day out in the Blue Mountains. You’ll see all the highlights of this area while your guide shares the fascinating stories behind each. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any logistics or driving!

Your first stop will be the Three Sisters in Katoomba. Your guide will teach you all about the story behind this unique rock formation and its significance to Aboriginal Australians.

Then, you’ll visit Scenic World to enjoy the rides. We’re not talking about roller coasters and Ferris wheels here, either. There’s a scenic cableway, skyway, and railway, all of which give you amazing views of the area.

9. Botanic Gardens & Mrs Macquaries Chair

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair provides one of the best views in Sydney and you can get there by strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens, which are free to enter and definitely worth seeing. This is the oldest botanical garden in Australia, and we always enjoy strolling through on a sunny day. 

Then, before long, you’ll reach Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. This is an iconic viewpoint with amazing views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and it’s totally free to visit. The chair itself was carved out by convicts for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of the Governor of New South Wales at the time, who used to love coming to this beautiful vantage point. When you see the views from here, you’ll understand why she was so enamored with it!

After admiring the Opera House from afar, it’s time to stroll down towards it, which should take you about 20 minutes.

10. Have drinks at the Opera Bar

The Opera Bar is one of the most iconic bars in Sydney – and as you can probably guess from the name, it’s right next to the Opera House and provides an insane view of it. Here, you can sit right on the water’s edge as you admire the famous Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

11. Go on a cruise of Sydney Harbor

One of the best things about scenic cruises on Sydney Harbour is that they’re very affordable. You also get to see a lot in a short space of time. We particularly like this harbor cruise because it’s the only one that still includes onboard commentary. You learn a lot about Sydney as you sail past city highlights like the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and Fort Denison. 

The cruise is available Wednesdays through Sundays. It lasts for 1.5 hours. It costs $55 AUD per person, or $65 AUD if you want, you can upgrade to include a cheese board and a complimentary welcome drink.

Or if you’re visiting between May and November, then you must go on a whale-watching cruise in Sydney. During whale season in Sydney, you’ll be treated to humpback whales breaching and playing in Sydney Harbor. Would you believe that around 20,000 humpback whales make their way to Sydney from the Antarctic every year in May?

⭐⭐ This 2.5-hour cruise from Circular Quay is the tour we did and we really enjoyed it. It costs $82 AUD per person.

12. Fly over Sydney in a helicopter (one for the bucket list!)

On this flight, you not only get stunning views of the world-famous Sydney Harbour, but you also get to soar over Sydney’s gorgeous eastern coastline. This means you get fantastic aerial views of Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Manly Cove, so you really get a sense of just how beautiful and varied Sydney’s landscape really is.

The views alone would have been enough for us to recommend this well rated tour, but our pilot was also amazing and delivered such interesting commentary. We know Sydney really well, but we still learned new things and were super entertained!

Where to Stay in Sydney

I’ve tried to include something for everyone in the list below from a self-catering apartment in Bondi to a hostel in The Rocks to a luxury 4.5-star hotel in Darling Harbour.

Novotel on Darling Harbour – 

Conveniently located in buzzing Darling Harbour, this huge hotel features an outdoor pool, gym and tennis court. And the rooms are spacious and comfortable and many offer a view of Darling Harbour. A room here costs around $250 AUD per night.

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park – 

Located in a quieter part of the city, next door to leafy Hyde Park this hotel is still within walking distance to all of Sydney’s top attractions. It boasts a rooftop pool with epic city views, a gym, and stylish rooms (many with city views). Expect to pay approx. $250 AUD per night here.

Miss Baker’s Boutique Accommodation Bondi Beach –

Located a couple of blocks back from the world-famous Bondi Beach, this studio apartment with a balcony is a brilliant option. The studio comes with a kitchenette, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and access to a communal garden. Rates average $260 AUD per night.

YHA Sydney Harbour (The Rocks) – 

This hostel was actually around the corner from my house in The Rocks and it’s a large, luxurious hostel (as hostels go). It’s got quite a bohemian clientele and it boasts a fabulous rooftop pool. Rooms here range from ensuite doubles to an 8-bed dorm.

Best (Casual) Restaurants in Sydney

• Fratelli Fresh – A casual Italian chain of restaurants that serve up fresh pasta dishes, their location in Darling Harbour is my personal favorite as it’s spacious.

• Grill’d – Another restaurant chain, Grill’d, is a sort of fancier fast food spot that serves up incredible burgers, fries, and more. They have locations throughout the city, including at Westfield Shopping Centre and World Square (near Chinatown).

• Pancakes on the Rocks – Located on Playfair Street in The Rocks, this is a firm-favorite family-friendly restaurant in Sydney CBD. It reminds me of an American diner with its layout and large portions. Their pancake dishes are, of course, a must-try!

• The Grounds of Alexandria – although not in the city center (it’s a 10-minute drive away), I highly recommend visiting ‘the grounds’ as locals call it. The restaurant here offer homely dishes and it’s set within a former brick factory, and it has a huge garden with a chicken run and, at certain times of the year, petting zoos.

Getting Around Sydney

As I said, Sydney is a very walkable city, which means that you can easily walk between most parts of the city center. For example, walking from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour will take around 15-20 minutes. 

For longer distances, like if you wanted to get to Bondi Beach from the CBD, your best bet is to catch a bus (the 333 bus takes around 15 minutes, without traffic). You can also catch the train in Sydney if you need to travel greater distances; there’s a train station at Milson’s Point (the small town on the other side of the Harbour Bridge) if you don’t fancy walking back across the bridge.

For me, though, ferries are my favorite mode of transport in Sydney, and you can catch the ferry to many of the best places in the area (Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watson’s Bay). These ferries leave from Circular Quay.

As for getting into Sydney from the airport – we find, the train is the easiest way to get into the city with the Airport Link operating about every 10 minutes into downtown and the suburbs.

Thanks for Reading!

And there you have it 12 of the best things to do in Sydney, it truly is a stunning city with lots of fun activities and epic beaches a short drive away from the city center. I hope this blog post has given you lots of inspiration for your visit to my favorite city in Australia!

You may also enjoy reading –

3 Days in Sydney With Kids (Fun Weekend Sydney Itinerary)

Our Favorite Day Trips from Sydney (All Less than 2 Hours from the city!)

Top 10 Weekend Getaways from Sydney

Last Updated on February 4, 2026 by snaphappytravel