things to do in sydney - opera house

12 Things To Do In Sydney

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Sydney, the largest and most well known city in Australia is one of the world’s must see cities. Set in an incredibly beautiful harbour, this historical city has a lot to offer to travellers, and it would be easy to spend a week or more exploring it’s sites. Here are twelve things to do in Sydney:

Visit the Sydney Opera House

Completed in 1973 and situated on Sydney’s beautiful harbour, the Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most iconic modern buildings. An architectural marvel, the opera house is a very beautiful building to explore with great views of the harbour. You can also attend one of the large range of performances that occur at the venue.

Take a walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens

Located next to the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a large area of beautiful parkland situated around Farm Cove, the location of Australia’s very first farm in 1788. The gardens were founded in 1816, and so hold a lot of historical significance, and make for a beautiful place to spend a morning or afternoon.

Take the ferry to Manly

Manly is one of Sydney’s most popular beach suburbs, and taking a ride on the historical ferry is a great way to get there. Ferries have been taking the route from Circular Quay in the centre of Sydney to Manly Wharf since 1855, and it is also a great way to see the harbour.

Summer in Sydney Manly Beach

Visit Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo was opened in 1916 and is located right on Sydney Harbour close to the city centre. It is a large zoo with many important and endangered species, and with a large focus on conservation. You can easily reach the zoo by taking a ferry from Circular Quay.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Along with the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in Australia, and you can view it from many vantage points (including the opera house) around the harbour. However the best way to experience the bridge is to climb it! With safety harness attached, you can climb up to the top of the giant arch of the bridge, and get incredible views out across Sydney. This has to be one of the best things to do in Sydney.

Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
Sydney Harbour Bridge

Have a cheap and tasty meal in Chinatown

Sydney’s Chinatown dates back to the 1860’s but has been changed and moved a lot over the years. Now you can take a walk down Dixon and Sussex streets and enjoy all that Chinatown has to offer, with many great places to eat some excellent food and at cheap prices!

Go shopping at Paddy’s Market

Located near Chinatown, Paddy’s Market is an historical marketplace where you can find a wide range a things to buy from clothing, souvenirs and even fresh produce. It is a must see for any shopaholic going to Sydney.

Take a Sydney Harbour Cruise

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Sydney Harbour is by taking one of the many cruises that depart daily. There are a wide range of cruises that depart from circular quay, and you can even take a nice romantic dinner cruise to see the city at night.

Visit Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in Australia and is a popular place to visit in Sydney. This small but picturesque beach is well known for it’s dangerous rips, and the Surf Life Savers that help protect people from them. It’s also a great beach for surfing.

Take a walk along Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour sits on the western side of the Sydney CBD, and has a large area dedicated to recreation and pedestrians. The harbour is a pleasant place to take a walk, and you can easily get to Chinatown and Paddy’s Market from here.

Have a drink at The Rocks

The Rocks is a historical area located on Sydney Cove opposite the Opera House. With many old buildings and incredible views of the harbour, opera house and harbour bridge, it makes for an excellent place to enjoy a drink at one of the old historical pubs in the area.

things to do in sydney - the rocks

Visit Shark Island

Shark Island is located in the middle of Sydney Harbour and has an interesting history with some of the best views of Sydney you can find!

These are just a few of the many incredible things to do in Sydney. Time to start planning your trip!