Sydney attractions

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.

Extending out of Sydney Harbour’s north shore, Bradleys Head overlooks many of the sights of Sydney, and visitors flock here for views of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison. Many will come and linger with a picnic or a fishing spot, or take off on one of the many hiking trails. The popular Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk grants even better views of the bay, with the option to continue a longer walk onto the Split Bridge track.The mast of the HMAS Sydney, a ship of the Royal Australian Navy that fought naval battles in World War I, is mounted on the headland as a memorial. Cannons left over from past defenses still stand, and the Athol Hall that once served soldiers their meals now operates as a modern cafe. Bradleys Head is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, and offers a new perspective of the city.

Located in Vaucluse, in eastern Sydney, Nielsen Park is a year-round outdoor recreation destination. Part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, it offers a beach, large expanses of lawn, plenty of shade, a promenade, sheltered picnic areas, a food kiosk, and wonderful harbor views. It’s particularly popular among families with kids.

This rocky 32-acre (13-hectare island in the heart of Port Jackson is as rich in history as it is in sandstone. Once home to an explosives store and later a convict stockade, Goat Island has housed the Sydney Water Police and even served as a film set. These days, it’s part of Sydney Harbour National Park.

A pedestrian area of downtown Sydney, the Pitt Street Mall offers some of the most exciting shopping in the city. In the area of just one block lies several flagship stores and more than 500 retail spaces, housed in some of the most expensive commercial real estate in Australia. Specialty stores to suit all tastes can be found in the seven shopping centers, including The Strand Arcade, Westfield Sydney, Myer, and David Jones. Many of the centers were refurbished as recently as 2011. Shops vary from couture and classic fashion, to budget chain stores, electronics, and the latest in athletic wear.A visit here will certainly include some of the best shopping in Sydney, along with the bustling activity of this urban center. A footbridge runs across the mall, providing ample opportunities to take in the sights of people passing by. Restaurants and cafes provide replenishment from all the action.

Founded in 1991, the Justice and Police Museum is dedicated to the history of crime and the underworld in Sydney. Housed in three 19th-century buildings that served as the Water Police Station, Water Police Court, and Police Court, the museum sheds light on the dark and violent side of the city in the mid-to-late 1800s.

In the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD), the Strand Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping center that houses specialty stores catering to a sophisticated clientele, as well as boutique showrooms representing a selection of high-end Australian designer labels and even a restaurant.

Located in the Northern Beaches area, Avalon Beach is a popular day trip from Sydney. The beautiful and pristine beach is known primarily for its surf, but it’s also ideal for swimming, windsurfing, and fishing. The beach includes plenty of amenities and also offers proximity to quaint cafés and a cute shopping village.

Centered on the Star Casino, The Star Sydney is a landmark entertainment complex on the shores of Sydney’s Darling Harbour. A club, a spa, a theater, three hotels, and a wealth of bars and restaurants surround the signature casino—with games from slots to baccarat—and private gaming areas reserved for elite members.

Located near the historic Anzac Bridge, the White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT) is a busy port and the convenient gateway to Sydney for cruise passengers arriving on smaller vessels. Use the terminal as a jumping-off point for a variety of day trips into the modern, cosmopolitan city, which offers plenty of historical, cultural, and natural attractions.

Among the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge links the North Shore with the central business district. For a serious adrenaline rush with fantastic views, don a harness and head out on a guided bridge climb.

Australia’s two biggest ski resorts, Perisher and Thredbo, are located in New South Wales’ Kosciusko National Park. While each has world-class skiing and riding—along with a fun après ski scene—the two resorts have distinctive personalities. Whether you’re a first-time skier or looking for challenging terrain, here’s what you need to know.

Crowned by the country’s highest mountain, Mt. Kosciuszko, for which the park is named, this national park spans nearly 2,700 square miles (6,900 square km) in the southeastern corner of New South Wales. The park contains Australia's most extensive alpine region, characterized by its Snow Gum forests, glacial lakes, meadows and rivers.

The tall ships of Sydney Harbour offer a traditional way to see the iconic sights of the Harbour City. The ships, which are characterized by their billowing sails and wooden helms, let you escape the crowds on land and give you unobstructed views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, and the Sydney Opera House.

Located in historic Haymarket, the Capitol Theater began its life in 1892 as the Belmore Markets, which closed in 1916, and later housed a circus and a cinema. It was scheduled to be demolished in the 1980s, but a Heritage Council conservation order saved the theatre transforming it into the world-class theatre that is today.

Lofted above the metropolitan skyline atop the 1,014-foot (309-meter) Sydney Tower, the Sydney Tower Buffet is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s highest revolving restaurants. Soak in 360-degree views of nearby landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and (on a clear day) the Blue Mountains while enjoying lunch or dinner as the restaurant slowly rotates high above the city.

Tucked into The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, the Susannah Place Museum is a row of four terraced homes that housed working-class families from 1844 to the 1980s. Now a museum, the restored homes—incorporating an original corner shop—let visitors chart the lives of some of Sydney’s earliest and poorest residents.

A collaboration between the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Australian Museum, and Sydney Living Museums, the Museums Discovery Centre is one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. There are hundreds of displays to explore and plenty of opportunities to learn about museum collecting, conservation, and research practices.

Humble, proud, and unpretentious, Garrison Church isn’t the largest church in Sydney—nor its most popular or famous—but it holds an honorable, timeless charm for Sydney’s military families. Established back in 1840, Garrison Church was the first military church established in the colony of Australia, and today houses a military museum on the small inside of the church. As it’s located next to The Rocks near downtown, Garrison Church makes an easy detour on a popular visitor route of Sydney, and is a way to experience a sliver of life in Australia’s earliest days. The church itself was actually constructed from the sandstone on nearby Argyle Street, and while modern Sydney has grown up around it into the modern metropolis it is today, Garrison Church exists as an almost forgotten window into the past. While here, marvel at the exquisite stained glass windows that are some of Australia’s best, and reflect on the labor, worksmanship, and care that went into decorating this Anglican Church in Sydney’s burgeoning harbor.

Tobruk Sheep Station is a scenic 50-acre working sheep farm about 45 miles (70 kilometers) north of Sydney. Visitors to the farm get a peek into what life is like for an Australian sheep farmer. From “mustering” (herding) sheep with the help of some hard-working dogs to enjoying an authentic outback BBQ lunch with can-brewed “Billy Tea,” visitors can observe and take part in all aspects of life on the farm.

Botany Bay is a central port of Sydney, significant both in historic and modern times. In 1770, it was the landing spot of Captain James Cook when he first stepped onto Australia after having explored New Zealand extensively. The bay was named for the botanical species found by a naturalist on board his ship. French explorers turned up in 1788, days after the First Fleet had arrived in Australia. The heritage-listed spot is now home to a monument marking the meeting of European and Aboriginal cultures here.Today Botany Bay serves as the site of both Sydney’s major cargo port, Port Botany, as well as two runways of the Sydney airport. To the north and south, Botany Bay National Park sits on La Perouse and Kurnell headlands. This area offers hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, walking tracks, picnic areas, and scenic lookouts out over the bay.

Perched at the top of Sydney Tower, 88 stories above the streets of the Central Business District (CBD), the rotating restaurant 360 Bar and Dining ensures that every corner of the city is visible right from your table. It takes exceptional food to draw your attention away from the view, but the chefs have mastered the challenge.

The Sydney suburb of Rose Bay is one of the city's hottest outdoor and nature regions, with many opportunities for water-related activities. Though it's just 4miles (7 kilometers outside the Central Business District, Rose Bay can feel somewhat rural, with a population of around 10,000 people (actor Russel Crow even lives here.

Located on the south side of Darling Harbor, Cockle Bay is home to Cockle Bay Wharf, a popular waterfront entertainment complex full of lively cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Experience Sydney’s iconic harbor while enjoying stunning views, whimsical sculptures, and alfresco fine dining and entertainment.

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music may very well be the most respected music school in all of Australia. With faculty from the University of Sydney, it was once the site of Australia’s first full orchestra composed of both professionals and students. Today the Conservatorium provides musical education, research, and some of the city’s top performances. Its music library is the largest in the southern hemisphere.The space itself has a remarkable place in Australian national history. Built on what was once Aboriginal land, it then evolved into an early settlement built with sandstone and supported by labor from convicts. It also served as government stables, remnants of which can still be seen in the architecture today. The historic land turned international music school makes for an interesting visit, with part of the school located underneath the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens.

Hungry travelers looking to experience Sydney’s impressive shorefront need look no further than Cockle Bay Wharf. This culinary destination offers visitors easy access to plenty of restaurants with a wide-range of options, from fresh seafood and Italian fare to traditional Australian cuisine. And while there’s plenty to sink your teeth into during the mealtime hours, it’s the late-night scene that draws spirited travelers to the shores of this famous bay. Nightclubs, cocktail bars and speakeasies offer visitors the chance to dance the night away while sipping strong drinks and listening to contemporary tunes in one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations.

Along with its main tributary the Nepean River, the Hawkesbury River circles the area where Sydney is located. Visitors to the Hawkesbury Valley can enjoy boating, riverside dining (the oysters are most popular,) and see the last remaining river boat postman, which delivers mail to a few of the smaller riverside towns. Hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, and fishing are available in the natural surrounding area.The Hawkesbury region is was one of the earliest colonial settlements in Australia. As such there are many historic buildings and Heritage Trails listed with the National Trust. Many travelers also choose to stay on the river in a houseboat, or in one of the small towns. Richmond and Windsor are the most central and well known, but there are various other small settlements to see as well. Or visitors can explore the many farms, orchards, and vineyards of Hawkesbury — 15% of all produce grown in Australia is found here.

The Sydney Jewish Museum serves as a moving tribute to Australia’s Jewish community. It’s devoted to telling the story of the city’s Jewish history and heritage, from the population’s first arrivals in 1788 to the almost 30,000 survivors who started new lives in Australia after World War II and the Holocaust.

To say the Tall ShipJames Craig has had a lengthy history would be a bit of an understatement. Its restoration process took 40 years, and before that it spent 40 years washed up on a Tasmanian beach. Despite that 80-year period, however, when the ship was incapacitated, theJames Craig tall ship still spent 56 years of sailing out on the seas, rounding Cape Horn 23 times and serving her country in World War I when stationed up in New Guinea. Today, after all that hard work restoring the ship and saving it from the sand, she’s the Southern Hemisphere’s only 19th century tall ship that’s fully operational, regularly taking passengers for cruises out on Sydney Harbor and beyond. In total, the ship has 21 different sails and over 140 lines, and for an added fee you can scale the mast and experience swaying nearly 35 feet above the heaving decks. While enjoying a cruise on theJames Craig, take in views of Sydney sights as you make your way out to the Heads, and feel the wind rushing through your hair like salty sailors of old.

The cobbled lanes and colonial buildings of The Rocks are the hallmark of the historic district, and the Nurses Walk is one of its oldest laneways. The Nurses Walk takes its name from Sydney’s first colonial era hospital, which was set up in Sydney Cove to treat the arriving convicts – the narrow walkway served as a shortcut to the hospital, winding its way through the streets and passageways of The Rocks.Today, the atmospheric street is better known for its cluster of vintage shops, independent boutiques and restaurants, and makes a popular inclusion on walking tours of Sydney and The Rocks. It still pays homage to its origins with a plaque devoted to nurse Lucy Osburn on the original walls of the Sydney General Hospital, and information boards detailing its historic importance.