Sydney attractions

Created to celebrate the sister-city partnership of Sydney and China’s city of Guangzhou, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is one of Sydney’s most picturesque spots. Opened in 1988, this tranquil oasis uses trees, plants, water, and ornamental pavilions to create a Chinese-style retreat in the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD.

A popular day hike from Sydney, the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk also may be one of the world’s most scenic coastal walkways. Stretching 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) south from the famed Bondi Beach, the route follows the cliffs via Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly, providing panoramic views and beach pop-offs along the way.

When Sydney’s original European settlers arrived in Sydney Harbor, they sustained themselves by planting a garden here at Garden Island. Today, after land was reclaimed and filled in with rocks, Garden Island is now a point that juts out into the harbor, and houses the Royal Australian Navy’s eastern fleet of ships. During World War II, a Japanese mini sub infiltrated the harbor and sank an Australian ship—resulting in the death of 21 sailors from the Australian and British navies. Much more history is outlined in depth at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Center—a fascinating museum here on Pott’s Point that’s a must for history or war buffs. Once finished perusing the Heritage Center, which is fantastically free of charge, take a stroll through the gardens and grounds that are hidden behind the museum, where BBQ grills and views of the harbor make the perfect spot for a picnic. From the elevated viewing platform behind the museum, it’s possible to see the Harbor Bridge as well as the Sydney Opera House, and the view stretches all the way out to the heads and the mouth of Sydney Harbor.

Double Bay is the meeting point of Sydney’s prominence–an exclusive shopping district with a European flair full of designer boutiques, jewelers, waterfront properties and world-class restaurants surrounded by Sydney Harbour itself. Here, you will find open parks, stately mansions, tree-lined boulevards and plenty of spots to relax.Within the beautiful surroundings of Guilfoyle Park, Double Bay also hosts Sydney’s most popular organic food market, which is open every Thursday. If you are in the mood for a little bit of glitzy dining, be sure to check out Bay Street with its plethora of fancy bars, including the ever famous Mrs. Sippy. Of course, you can’t leave Double Bay without spending a couple hours soaking in the sun at the idyllic Redleaf Beach and enjoying a swim in Redleaf Pool.Though people see Double Bay primarily as a shopping and café district, it is also home to the Double Bay Street Festival, which regularly draws well over 60,000 people.

This elevated perch in the heart of downtown offers sweeping views of the Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. Dotted with huge Moreton Bay fig trees, grassy ObservatoryPark is a great spot for a picnic and attracts joggers, lunching office workers, and visitors to the Observatory.

One of Australia’s leading galleries, the Art Gallery of New South Wales (NSW in Sydney houses a permanent collection of world-class art. Established in 1871, around a million people a year visit its light-filled spaces to experience everything from Australian, Western, and Asian works to art events and changing exhibitions.

Sprawled across the ground floor of the Market City complex, Paddy’s Market offers everything from street food and fresh produce to souvenirs, fast fashion, and jewelry in the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown. Eclectic and more affordable than many Sydney shopping options, it’s a fun place to browse with a great food court upstairs.

See (and hear) water from the ocean’s force as it is pushed up into the rocks, creating the spout of Kiama Blowhole — the biggest natural blowhole in the world. Kiaram-a is believed the be the Aboriginal phrase meaning “the noise of the sea.” As water entered the enclosed space in the rock formation, the air is compressed and released with a low sound and the upward spouting of the water. Explosions of water can reach up to 80 feet high — quite the natural spectacle.Coastal explorers first discovered the blowhole in 1797, though it had been significant to local Aboriginal communities for centuries prior. There is also a lighthouse overhead and a smaller blowhole fittingly called “Little Blowhole” a few minutes walk away. Picnic facilities and rock pools are present beside the blowhole, as well as a small cafe and visitor information center.

Sydney’s Parliament House is a complex of buildings that has housed the Parliament of New South Wales since 1829. Listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, the site consists of the north wing of the Rum Hospital building (which was built in 1816 as part of the country’s first hospital) flanked by two Neo-gothic buildings.

In bustling Circular Quay, Customs House stands on the spot where modern Australia was founded. This is where, in 1788, the First Fleet came ashore to establish a British penal colony in a faraway land. Built in 1845 in a classically Georgian style, the building is exceptionally well preserved, and the exterior is a sight in itself.

Built in Victorian Romanesque style in 1898, the sumptuously-decorated Queen Victoria Building is Sydney’s most impressive shopping destination. A stained-glass central dome looks down on balconied floors linked by grand staircases. Originally the site of the Sydney Markets, today the complex offers stores that range from stationers and tailors to coffee shops.

The largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Fish Market (SFM) rivals some of Japan’s biggest fish markets. Vendors sell approximately 52 tons of seafood per day, and the market is also home to some of the best fish restaurants and retailers in New South Wales.

Opened in 1826, Sydney’s State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia and a repository for a huge and diverse collection of books. The iconic building is also home to over 1 million photos, maps and manuscripts. Architecturally grand from the outside, inside is modern, bright and attractive, and the Mitchell Library looks straight out of a movie with its book-lined walls.The library also has five historic galleries in the Mitchell Wing which host both permanent and temporary free exhibitions — from collections of 18th-century Australian natural history illustrations to the diaries of Australian men and women writing in WWI.Next to Parliament House and the Royal Botanic Gardens on Macquarie Street, the State Library of New South Wales also has its own book club. And on a regular basis there are also talks on literary, historical, and contemporary issues. Film screenings and workshops are often held at the library too.You can also get to know the library better on one of its tours — there’s an introductory one if you want to get to know the services and resources, and there are also regular history and heritage tours. In the verandah and reading rooms are express computers that can be used for up to half an hour without a library card. There’s also free wifi available throughout the library, and, as well as having an onsite bookstore and gift shop, the library has its own cafe, Cafe Trim where you can pick up coffee and cake or a sandwich.

The Sydney Observatory is part of the Sydney Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Built in 1858, the observatory is one of the most important places in Australian scientific history. Visitors can check out exhibits related to astronomy, meteorology, and timekeeping, as well as the planetarium and the oldest working telescope in Australia.

The Australian National Maritime Museum features rich exhibitions ranging from the time of the Eora First People to the First Fleet all the way to the present. Here you can learn about how convicts traveled in dark and damp accommodations and how passengers sailing to a new life survived long ocean journeys.

Built for the 2000 Olympic Games, this world-class facility still draws travelers and locals looking to experience the Olympic spirit. The park is made up of several venues, including the ANZ Stadium, the Sydney Showground, the Athletic Centre, the Aquatic Centre (which is also open to the public for swimming, and even a skatepark.

Just south of Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach offers all the appeal of its neighbor—golden sands, surf-worthy waves, and scores of sun-bronzed holidaymakers—but its smaller size and lighter traffic make it a local favorite. Head here to enjoy a beachside barbecue in Bronte Park, paddle in the rock pools, or put your surf skills to the test.

Just on the outskirts of the city, the West Head Lookout offers panoramic views of Sydney, which many consider the best of the area. The bright, blue waters of the bay, headlands with lighthouses, the Lion Island Nature Reserve, Hawkesbury River, and beaches of the central coast are all visible from this point. Facing directly out from the lookout, one can see Broken Bay on the left and Pittwater on the right. Sandstone signs lead the way, benches allow for rest and relaxation, and an Aboriginal Heritage Walk allows for some insight into the origins of the area. The calm McCarrs Creek flows directly next to the lookout, or walk down to the West Head Beach to enjoy a small stretch of golden sand. In winter and spring, you may even catch a glimpse of some local wildflowers in bloom.

Whether you call it CBD or simply "the City," Sydney Central Business District is at the heart of the action in Australia's trendiest city. Home to iconic destinations such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Rocks, plus bars, restaurants, museums, galleries, and malls, it’s almost impossible to visit Sydney without swinging by.

Life in Sydney isn’t all about the beach and surfing, but about culture as well. Located inside the walls of a majestic building from 1788, the former residence of Gov. Arthur Phillip, the Museum of Sydney informs visitors about the history of New South Wales’ capital in an entertaining way. The collection displays archaeological finds, utensils from the everyday life of the Aborigines and the first settlers, as well as documents and pictures about the development of Sydney to Australia’s largest city.Multimedia presentations and computer animations bring the history of the former penal colony to life, and although the museum mostly informs guests about the city’s history, it also takes a critical look at the clash of cultures that happened between the Aborigines and European immigrants.The museum's location in itself is deeply symbolic. It was here that in 1788, the Cadigal, a group of Aborigines inhabiting the area, and the English first encountered each other. The sculptures in front of the museum, called the “Edge of Trees,” accordingly symbolize the Cadigal looking on from the edge of the trees as Arthur Philip’s fleet anchored in the Bay of Sydney and hoisted the Union Jack to formally found the first British colony on Australian ground.

In addition to the Bridge Climb, there is a cheap alternative to get the famous view from the top of town on the Sydney Harbour Bridge–the Pylon Lookout. The bridge walkway leads to the South East Pylon and to the entrance of the lookout, from where 200 steps lead up to the viewing platform located 285 feet (87 meters) above sea level.From here enjoy fantastic panorama views of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the two arches of the Harbour Bridge. You'll also be able to observe the daring bridge climbers.The Pylon Lookout doesn't only consist of the viewing platform though, but is made up of three levels of exhibits. A visit to the small museum located inside the Pylon is included in an admission ticket and includes information about the history and construction of the bridge, including the dangerous working conditions of the riveters, stonemasons and riggers who constructed it. Hear incredible stories, such as the tale of a worker who survived a fall from the bridge, and watch a film that features the building process and artifacts that were crucial to the accurate construction of one of Australia’s most famous icons.

Set in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney, the cool climate of the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden (previously known as Mt. Tomah Botanic Garden) nurtures thousands of species of plants, from all over the world. The plants are arranged geographically, allowing for a walk among the greenery of different regions of the southern hemisphere. At 1,000 meters above sea level, there are magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and World Heritage Park. At this higher elevation rich volcanic and clay soil called basalt, along with heavy rainfall, creates conditions perfect for producing and cultivating unique plants found only in this climate. The 28-hectare estate has both manicured gardens and wilder “jungle” sections, as well as accommodation for those wishing to stay in the park.The Blue Mountain Botanic Gardens are also focused on conservation, with a World Heritage Exhibition Center has educational displays for a variety of plants, animals, and for local history.

Spread out over four spacious floors, Sydney's trendsetting White Rabbit Gallery is the largest collection of Chinese contemporary art found outside of China. Privately owned by Judith Neilson, the gallery features work from hundreds of artists and completely changes every six months to feature a new collection.The White Rabbit Gallery styles its exhibitions from over 2,000 pieces of modern art personally sourced by Neilson on trips to China and Taiwan. Thought provoking and visually fierce, the featured art has included everything from paintings and sculptures to calligraphy, photography, and games. Opened in 2009, the White Rabbit Gallery as become a fixture in Sydney's art scene and is a popular stop on private art tours in the city.

Known to locals as “the Royal” or “the Nasho,” Australia’s Royal National Park has been a favorite nature escape for Sydney locals since 1879—and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its diverse landscapes range from eucalyptus forests and ancient sandstone cliffs to wildlife-rich wetlands and sandy beaches beckoning for a swim.

Forget the urban, corporate bustle of Sydney’s CBD, and escape to the artsy, brick alleyways of the nearby Newtown suburb. Once a rough and tumble area to the south of downtown Sydney, the gentrified suburb has been completely revitalized as an outpost of foodies and shoppers. When walking the streets of funky Newtown—which are often speckled with graffiti—browse through trendy shopping boutiques or hip little corner cafés. Enjoy live music at the dozens of pubs and theaters scattered across town, and absorb the eclectic, creative vibes of this bohemian Sydney suburb. On King Street, vintage bookshops and music stores ironically sit next to antique shops, and the alternative, grunge, counterculture collective makes for some of the city’s best people watching. From here, it’s only a short drive to Sydney’s beaches or the lights of Darling Harbor, but given Newtown’s creative grit and casual sense of refinement, there’s an indie sense of disconnect from the Sydney most travelers know.

Home to some of Sydney’s best shopping, Oxford Street is an edgy thoroughfare that runs east from Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) toward Bondi Junction. Lined with trendy shops and boutiques, it has become a central hub of Sydney’s late-night club scene, as well as the unofficial center of Sydney’s LGBT community.

If you’re visiting Sydney and watching the sunset while standing out on the sand, then you must be standing on Shelly Beach—the only westward facing beach on Australia’s eastern coast.Located south of popular Manly, Shelly Beach is a smaller and quieter place to soak up some sun. The waters here in Cabbage Tree Bay are part of a protected reserve, where a small reef creates calm conditions for snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Over 150 species of marine life inhabit Cabbage Tree Bay—and the shallow waters of 30 feet or less means there’s actually a good chance of finding them.On Shelley’s western end, out towards the reef, watch as surfers rip apart waves at the surf spot known as “Bower’s,” and even when the waves are overhead, Shelley Beach is still protected when compared to east-facing Manly. On the short stroll from Manly to Shelly, stop to admire the Fairy Bower pool that juts out into the sea, or grab a bite at Le Kiosk restaurant across the street from the sand. Above the beach, on the rocky headland, a small bush trail leads to a viewpoint gazing back towards Manly, where the pine-lined shore and golden sands combine to form one of Sydney’s most classic coastal scenes.

Camp Cove is a small golden beach popular with swimmers and families. As the turquoise bay is for the most part protected from surf and winds, it is often completely calm. Often less crowded than other nearby Sydney beaches, it is considered a bit of hidden gem by locals. Indigenous rock carvings made by Aboriginals of whales and fish can still be viewed on the rocks lining the beach. Officers of the First Fleet frequently visited Camp Cove as well.Just sitting on the beach allows for a great vantage point of the surrounding sea and Sydney skyline. Boats docked just off shore dot the coastline. Furthermore, the calm conditions provide an opportunity to easily view the natural wildlife. Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving from the shore is common.

Set in Vaucluse, just east of Sydney, Vaucluse House is an original mid-1800s manor house that’s now a museum. Built by William Charles Wentworth, a leading light in early colonial New South Wales, the Gothic-style house and gardens remain as they were in his day, providing a glimpse into the lives of Sydney’s 19th-century elite.

Since 1879, the Powerhouse Museum has served as the main attraction for Sydney's Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Its impressive halls are filled with all things technological—from science and communication to transport and computers—even massive steam engines.Jam-packed with more than 400,000 artifacts, this Sydney staple has become a destination for train lovers, engineers, computer nerds, scientists, and the curious. While the permanent collection is pretty incredible on its own, popular temporary exhibitions, such as those that have showcasedStar Trek,The Lord of the Rings, Fabergé and even singer Kylie Minogue, keep this classic museum contemporary and up to date.Please note the museum is undergoing a staged closure from June 2020, and will be closing fully in June 2021 to relocate to a different Sydney location.