10 Fun Things to Do in Sydney, Australia

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Planning your first trip to Sydney and wondering what to see, do and experience? You’re in the right place. Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world. And while it’s amazing to see the iconic sights such as the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, there’s more to this city than the main attractions.

Whether you’re a solo traveller, visiting with friends, travelling around Australia in a campervan or backpacking through Australia on a budget, this guide will help you make the most of your time.

When I visited Sydney, both solo and with friends, I made it my mission to explore the must-sees and the lesser-known gems. From coastal walks and hidden beaches to the buzzing neighbourhoods locals actually hang out in, this post covers it all.

You’ll find practical tips (like where to get the best view of the Opera House—hint: it’s from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair), budget-friendly ideas, and plenty of suggestions to help you figure out how long to stay and what’s really worth your time.

Let’s dive into the best things to do in Sydney, both on and off the beaten path.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Of course, this one goes without saying. You can’t go to Sydney without seeing the famous Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Walking across the bridge and strolling around the Opera House is completely free and one of the best things to do in Sydney. You can also book guided tours if you’d like to learn more about the Opera House.

I would allow at least 3-4 hours to walk across the Harbour Bridge, appreciate the views of the harbour and take in the interesting architecture of the Opera House.

The best view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House is from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Botanical Gardens. This viewpoint is the iconic sight of the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge behind it. What’s more, you’ll get to enjoy a stroll through the Botanical Gardens to get there. This is also a great spot to watch the sunset over the city skyline.

Budget tip: There are dozens of restaurants and bars in and around the Opera House, and although it may seem like a good idea, they are very expensive. Instead, grab a few things from the grocery store and a bottle of Australian wine and enjoy a picnic in the Botanical Gardens. That way, you can soak up the Aussie sun while enjoying beautiful views of the iconic harbour.

Take a Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

This is something I wanted to do for years, and it did not disappoint. I didn’t get to spend as much time there as I would have liked, but it was still spectacular to see.

Katoomba is the most visited town in the Blue Mountains and is known as the gateway to the Blue Mountains National Park. Katoomba is around a 90-minute drive from Sydney, which makes it an easy day trip. If you don’t have your own transport, you can take a train from Sydney, which takes around 2 hours.

From Katoomba, you can walk the short distance down to the Three Sisters lookout point, which provides breathtaking views over the canyon. You can hike down to the Three Sisters and stand among them, but the steps down are very narrow and steep.

With tons of things to do in the area, you could easily spend a week in the Blue Mountains, especially if you are a keen hiker.

Be sure to ride the glass-roofed Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world, or enjoy panoramic views from the Cableway and Scenic Skyway!

The Blue Mountain Explorer Bus operates a hop-on-hop-off service around 29 stops, allowing you the flexibility to plan your day without being stuck to a planned tour.

If you decide to hire a car, I recommend checking prices with Discover Cars, as they offer some of the cheapest deals and great customer service.

Budget tip: Get an Opal Card to benefit from public transport spending caps. Opal Cards are free, but a minimum top-up of $20 applies. You can travel as much as you like within the Opal network, and you’ll never pay more than $19.30 a day (Monday to Thursday), $9.65 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. There is also a $50 a week price cap.

Enjoy the View From the Sydney Tower Observation Deck

The Sydney Tower Observation Deck offers fantastic 360-degree views over the city. You can opt for a general admission ticket for the observation deck, or you can experience Sydney’s highest outdoor adventure with a Skywalk ticket!

The admission price is average for this sort of attraction, and you can choose to book online in advance if you wish, although we found purchasing our tickets on the day to be fine too.

Budget tip: Book your tickets for the Sydney Tower Observation Deck online to save a few dollars. Purchasing online in advance can save you up to $10.

Have Fun at Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo boasts some of the best views of the harbour, and with over 5000 animals from 350 species, it offers a fantastic day out for all ages.

Taronga Zoo operates as a not-for-profit organisation and is heavily involved in wildlife conservation, meaning you are not only having fun but also supporting a good cause.

Budget tip: At $49.50 for an adult ticket, this is not a cheap day out, but if you are lucky enough to visit on your birthday, you can gain entry for $1! Children under 4 go free.

Take a Day Trip to the Figure Eight Pools

About an hour’s drive south of Sydney lie the Figure Eight Pools. Set against a stunning, rugged coastline and framed by beautiful beaches, the natural Figure Eight pools attract hundreds of tourists every day.

The word ‘pools’ can be deceiving as it implies there are several pools in the shape of an 8, but that is not the case. There are hundreds of pools along the coastline, but only one in the shape of a perfect 8.

Be sure to bring your swimsuit to swim in the pools. Make sure you visit at low tide and do not visit if the waves are particularly rough. This is very important, as many people have been severely injured by strong waves that swept them across the rocks.

It’s a 1-hour walk to reach the Figure Eight Pools from the car park on a rugged track, so be sure to wear hiking shoes or comfortable trainers.

Budget tip: Besides your transport and food, it is free to visit the Figure Eight pools!

Hike the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Trail

By far one of my favourite days in Sydney was the day I did a solo hike from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. The coastline along this stretch is beautiful, and the easy-to-walk trail makes for a relaxing 6km hike.

The coastal walk features beaches, parks, stunning views, coves and bays. With plenty of cafes and restaurants along the route, there is heaps of choice when it comes to lunch. Or you could take your own picnic and perch on one of the clifftops, while watching the surfers below.

The walk starts here near Bondi Icebergs.

Budget tip: Aside from transport and refreshments, this hike is one of the best things to do in Sydney for free.

Stroll Around Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is the tourist epicentre of Sydney. With stacks of cafes, restaurants and bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch.

Looking out into the harbour, many of the cafes provide the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a cold drink in the shade.

Darling Harbour is also home to the Australian National Maritime Museum, where you can see a magnificent replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour.

Budget tip: Admission into the National Maritime Museum is free for permanent exhibits. You can also book free guided tours.

Ride the Ferry for the Best Views of Sydney

For only a few dollars, you can ride the ferries around the city and harbour as part of the public transport system. Use your Opal Card to hop on and off at certain points around the city and take in the harbour views as you go. This is a great low-cost way to see the city from the water.

General tip: Download the TripView Lite app onto your smartphone. The app is free and provides live public transport times throughout the day. Type in your starting location and destination, and it will tell you which bus, train or ferry you need and at what time. This app was a lifesaver for me as it made travelling around the city a stress-free experience by telling me which stop to get off at and which platform to board at. 

Explore The Rocks

The Rocks is a trendy neighbourhood with charming cobblestone streets and 19th-century buildings. Check out The Rocks Market, which runs every Saturday and Sunday. The markets can be expensive, but it’s a great way to feel the buzz of the city.

Budget tip: To find out about free events taking place at The Rocks, check out The Rocks website.

Explore Cronulla, Bondi or Manly Beach

After all that sightseeing, you will need to take a day or two to relax. Chill out on the famous Bondi Beach or Manly Beach, or head to one of my favourite spots in Sydney, the beautiful, laid-back suburb of Cronulla. I stayed with friends here and loved the laid-back beachy vibe and relaxing atmosphere.

Cronulla is also one of Sydney’s top surfing spots. Only 50 minutes by train from Sydney’s Central Station, it provides a great opportunity to get out of the city and enjoy a few days of downtime at a slower pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

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