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The 13 best things to do in Sydney
From the city's best-known sites to strolling beside the beach, make the most of your time down under with these top attractions
![Sydney, Australia - the best attractions](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/sydney-GettyImages-1066998508.jpg?imwidth=680)
There’s no denying that Sydney is a beach town. From the still waters of the genteel harbour beaches to the rougher surf of coastal beaches like Maroubra, the warmer months are spent stripping off, creaming up and diving in.
But it’s not all surf in the Harbour Town. The city is vast and varied, home to grand museums, boutique galleries, cultural walks, high-end shopping, grungy street art and manicured public parks and gardens.
Read on for our expert's recommendations for the best attractions, while are our guides dedicated to Sydney's best hotels, restaurants, bars, nightlife, beaches and shopping, plus what to do for free and how to spend a weekend in Sydney.
Find things to do by area
City centre
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney's best-known sites; what you may not know is that there are multiple ways to get to the top. A twilight climb showcases Sydney in all its sunset glory. If you're here in June, try the Vivid Climb. It is timed so that climbers reach the summit just as the Vivid lights spectacular lights up the city.
Insider's tip: If you're up for a leisurely exploration of the famed steel structure then take in the three-and-a-half-hour Bridge Climb. If speed is more your thing, sign up for the Express Climb, with fewer steps and stops.
Contact: bridgeclimb.com
Nearest metro: Circular Quay
Price: £££
![Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/Sydney---Attractions---Harbour-bridge.jpg?imwidth=350)
Join an Aboriginal heritage walking tour
There's a lot more to Sydney's oldest district than the story of those who colonised it. Sydney's indigenous history unfolds on this 90-minute walking tour led by an indigenous guide. The concept of 'Dreamtime' (the Aboriginal belief system of the world’s origin, its creation and the story and interconnectedness of all its life fores), traditional plants and objects, and how the culture of Aboriginal people links to the modern Sydney landscape are among the many topics covered.
Insider's tip: Ask about the Dream Time Identity, a special smoking cermeony in which Dream Time Custodians are invited to watch over participants throughout their time in Australia.
Contact: bestof.com
Nearest metro: Circular Quay
Price: ££
Explore the Sydney Tower
The highest point in the city, Sydney Tower stretches 268 metres above the ground, exactly double the height of the Harbour Bridge. The 360-degree views stretch west to the Blue Mountains, north across the Harbour Bridge, east along the headlands and out to the Pacific Ocean, and south to the shores of historic Botany Bay.
Insider's tip: Those feeling more adventurous should take the 45-minute SKYWALK guided tour along the glass-floor viewing platform outside Sydney Tower (those with vertigo need not apply). Booking tickets online is significantly cheaper than buying at the door and you'll skip the queues.
Contact: sydneytowereye.com.au
Nearest metro: Town Hall
Price: ££
![Sydney Tower, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/sydney-tower-eye-australia-p.jpg?imwidth=350)
Visit the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum – the oldest in the country – has been at the helm of Australian history, research and education for almost 200 years, with exhibitions about Indigenous Australia, Australian archaeology, Pacific cultures and world culture. The museum is home to 10 complete dinosaur skeletons, eight life-sized models, and Australia's largest mineral collection.
Insider's tip: If travelling with children in tow, head straight to level two for the excellent (and gated!) under-fives area. For the ultra keen, check out the museum’s Roar and Snore programme; children and their parents get to spend the night with the dinosaurs.
Contact: australianmuseum.net.au
Prices: £
![Australian Museum, Sydney](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/australian-museum-sydney-p.jpg?imwidth=350)
Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens
Located right on Sydney Harbour and adjacent to the Sydney Opera House and the Central Business District, The Royal Botanic Gardens is a perfectly placed 30-hectare oasis. The land upon which the gardens are situated was once home to the Gadigal people. This important history is retold through guided tours in which participants are able to forage for, and eat, traditional native bush foods. The new exhibition space, The Calyx, is home to the largest vertical green wall in the Southern Hemisphere.
Insider's tip: There are free guided walks that run daily, and explore both the heritage of these landmark gardens and the plant varieties.
Contact: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Prices: Free
![Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/sydney-royal-botanic-gardens-p.jpg?imwidth=350)
Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of NSW houses an eclectic mix of Western, Contemporary, Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific and Asian art. There are also regular lectures, film screenings and events, and two restaurants to choose from, including celebrity chef Matt Moran's, Chiswick at The Gallery. The brand new north wing of the gallery, Sydney Modern, is also home to the Yiribana Gallery, which is dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
Insider's tip: The gallery can become very busy when the major exhibitions are on. After 2pm on weekdays is a good time to visit as all the school excursions have finished.
Contact: artgallery.nsw.gov.a
Prices: Free entry for permanent collection
![Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/Free_Art%20Gallery%20of%20NSW.jpg?imwidth=350)
Catch a show at the Sydney Opera House
Hugging the end of Bennelong Point is Australia's most recognisable building, Sydney Opera House. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon in 1956, the 'sails' are created out of over one million white tiles. Catch a show in the Concert Hall if you can to experience the dramatic cathedral-like interiors and superior acoustics. Or take a tour of the house; the tours run for approximately one hour.
Insider's tip: Get the most out of the house by seeing a show there. Arrive early and hit the forecourt for a sashimi bowl from Opera Kitchen and a glass of Riesling from the Opera Bar. Find a spot along the harbour's edge, with The Bridge to your left and The House to your right. A perfect Sydney night.
Contact: sydneyoperahouse.com
Nearest metro: Circular Quay
Price: ££
![Sydney Opera House, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/commerce-partners/newmarket/Productimage/southboundvoyagetosydney/restricted-newmarket-sydney-product-travel.jpg?imwidth=350)
Explore like a local
Owner of Local Sauce Tours Justin Steele runs a number of small-group tours — from hidden inner-city bar crawls to foodie safaris through Chinatown and Newtown. Steele is a born traveller and has savant-like knowledge of Australian history, which he peppers throughout his tours. All are designed to inform and familiarise guests with the local areas and include samples of food and drink.
Insider tip: Chinatown was especially hard hit during Sydney’s lockdown. The Aussie Chinatown tour seeks out the small hole-in-the-wall family-run businesses that suffered most and are often overlooked, even by locals.
Contact: localsaucetours.com.au
Prices: £
Inner City
Watch a film at the Golden Age Cinema
This 60-seat Golden Age Cinema used to be the screening room in the old Paramount Building and has been artfully refurbished with dark green walls, and mahogany seating filling out its original Art Deco curves. The cinema shows both current arthouse films and golden oldies and the bar is worth coming to even if you don't have an old-school movie stub in your pocket.
Insider's tip: Choctops are made by local ice cream legends Messina and the popcorn comes in three flavours: sriracha and lime, sea salt or chocolate. There is live music in the bar on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Contact: ourgoldenage.com.au
Nearest metro: Central station
Price: £
North Sydney
Ride the ferris wheel at Luna Park
Luna Park occupies prime harbour frontage, situated in picturesque Milsons Point and snuggled under the north tower of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Be sure to have your camera out if you're heading up the ferris wheel. Bring a packed lunch and snacks; the food offerings are low-quality hot dogs and fish and chips, and you'll be fighting the seagulls off for exclusive rights to your lunch.
Insider's tip: Buying tickets online and at least a day in advance will save a few dollars. And take the scenic route — the best way to get there is by ferry from Circular Quay.
Contact: lunaparksydney.com
Nearest metro: Milsons Point
![Luna Park, Sydney, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/luna-park-sydney-australia-p.jpg?imwidth=350)
Get out of town – to the Blue Mountains
The mountains, escarpments, plateaus and valleys that are home to waterfalls, swimming holes, bushwalking, hiking tracks and the famed Three Sisters rock formation are an easy 55-mile (90 km) journey from Sydney. Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath, genteel mountain villages with old world charm, are all worth visiting. Be sure to take in high tea at the famed Carrington Hotel.
Insider's tip: Stop off at The Norman Lindsay Gallery In Faulconbridge; this is where the Australian artist and enfant terrible lived and where much of his work is displayed.
Contact: normanlindsay.com.au
Prices: £
![Blue Mountains, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/Blue%20Mountains%20Australia.jpg?imwidth=350)
Hop on a Sydney Harbour ferry tour
A day out on Sydney Harbour is non-negotiable and the ever-reliable ferries are the best way to explore the many pockets. Captain Cook Cruises' Hop On Hop Off rocket ferry offers a flexible two-day pass which includes a 90-minute guided cruise featuring eleven stops. From Taronga Zoo to Watson's Bay, Barangaroo, Fort Denison and Shark Island; jump on and off to explore many of Sydney's best-known attractions.
Insider's tip: If your visit falls between May and November consider the Whale Watching Cruise. In partnership with Taronga Zoo, the tour consists of a day at the zoo followed by a trip out of Sydney Harbour to watch the annual migration.
Contact: captaincook.com.au; transportnsw.info
Nearest metro: Circular Quay
Prices: £
![Sydney, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/Destinations/Oceania/Australia/Sydney/sydney-ferry-australia-p.jpg?imwidth=350)
Relax on Bondi Beach
Ah Bondi, the queen bee of Sydney's beaches. Take a stroll along the promenade, grab an ice cream, find a spot on the sand, and stretch out. The north end is popular with young families, mainly due to the enclosed rockpool, and there's a great view of the entire beach from up on the grassy hill. At the south end of Bondi you will find Bondi Icebergs Club, home to one of the best-known ocean lap pools in the city. An entry fee of AUD $9 (£5) will give you all-day access to the pool and sauna and unlimited people watching.
Nearest metro: Bondi Junction
Prices: £
![Bondi Beach, Australia](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/2018/September/bondi-iStock-497684042.jpg?imwidth=350)
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
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