Hugging the edge of Sydney Harbour you’ll find some of the city’s oldest areas as well as one of the newest. Discover delicious restaurants, cute cafes, cosy pubs and cool bars in Sydney City. The vista is just as magical, and the prices are more budget-friendly, at more casual venues along the edge of the water. Opera Bar has a prime position underneath the Sydney Opera House, then there’s Hyde Hacienda, Bar Patron, Graze MCA, Cruise Bar, The Glenmore and The Squire’s Landing. Follow Sydney’s main strip, George Street, straight through its vibrant centre packed with shops, restaurants and bars.
Darling Harbour
Affectionately named the ‘Coathanger’ by locals, it’s an intrinsic part of the city; you can walk or cycle across it and even climb to its peak for incredible views. Four of Sydney’s best fine dining restaurants sit on the water’s edge. Quay, Aria and Bennelong, which is set inside the sails of the Sydney Opera House, are all right on the harbour. Café Sydney is on the rooftop of Customs House and the view takes in the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. You’ll discover wonderful places to visit in Sydney, from sun-kissed beaches to fascinating heritage and amazing attractions.
What about with one of the world’s greatest harbours, framed by that striking bridge and home to the architectural masterpiece that is the Sydney Opera House? Or the huge green swathe of the Royal Botanic Garden, smack-dab in the middle of the city? Incredible food (a lot of it with equally incredible views). No matter which direction you head in, the Sydney CBD offers something extraordinary.
Later in the day, while away the afternoon sipping cocktails and watching the sun light up the bridge at Opera Bar or savour a fine dining take on Australian cuisine alongside incredible views at Bennelong. Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water. Dotted around the quay are a range of restaurants and bars, including acclaimed fine-dining restaurants Quay, Aria and Bennelong, which is housed inside one of the Opera House’s white sails.
Sydney isn’t the only global city with a Chinatown, but this one is bigger, better and boasts more than most thanks to the Chinese immigrants that started arriving in the 1800s. You can find everything here, from small specialist stores and sprawling Asian grocers to noodle bars in hidden food halls and tucked-away fine-dining restaurants. Must-visits include the Chinese Garden of Friendship, Paddys Markets, and foodie hotspots Mamak and Gumshara. The Squire’s Landing is a brewhouse boasting world-class views on the northern end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Cruise Bar, in the same building, is all about cocktails.
- The vista is just as stunning at nearby InterContinental Sydney’s rooftop bar Aster.
- Opera Bar has a prime position underneath the Sydney Opera House, then there’s Hyde Hacienda, Bar Patron, Graze MCA, Cruise Bar, The Glenmore and The Squire’s Landing.
- You’ll be amazed with the many wonderful things to do and see throughout the year.
Kids attractions
You’ll treasure the same views dining alfresco at the adjacent House Canteen. Walk along the foreshore and be rewarded with spectacular views. Wander under the world’s largest steel arch bridge to Walsh Bay, a theatre precinct with heritage wharves. Follow the same path along the water and you’ll arrive at Barangaroo Reserve, and if you continue further down, you’ll get to the Barangaroo precinct. In the Barangaroo precinct, a number of venues offer dining with a water view, including Zushi, Lotus and Smoke. Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Sydney takes things to new heights, featuring what has to be the best indoor view of the harbour in the city.
Embark on a whale-watching tour
Getting to Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach from Town Hall is easy on public transport. Enjoy a stroll, pack a picnic lunch, join a free guided tour (the Aboriginal Heritage Tour is a highlight) or come for one of the many memorable events held in the lush antipodean-accented parklands. All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.
There are gorgeous beaches for sunbathing and surfing, sparkling waterways for boating and fishing, and great national parks for bushwalking and cycling. The 309-metre-tall Sydney Tower Eye takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360-degree views. On a clear day, the vistas stretch from the golden beaches of the Eastern Suburbs to the distant Blue Mountains. Starting with the 4D experience – a short film giving you a bird’s-eye view of the city – the visit then takes you to the observation deck, 250 metres above ground.
Family-friendly beaches
On the other side of the harbour, Opera Bar is a favourite with locals and tourists alike for its stunning views. The harbour is also used as an awe-inspiring backdrop to huge events, such as the electrifying Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks. Round out the day by toasting the sunset with a spritz at the Manly Spirits tasting bar.
You’ll love shopping in the markets and boutiques as well. Public transport is available to many of Sydney’s top tourist attractions. Hop on a ferry at Circular Quay for Taronga Zoo and Manly in Sydney’s north, Watsons Bay in Sydney’s east, and UNESCO World Heritage Australian convict sites at both Cockatoo Island and Parramatta in Sydney’s west.
Hidden restaurants down historic laneways, famous icons on Sydney Harbour, an endless calendar of events. Sydney Harbour is known for being home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but there’s so much more to discover. Spend some time here and you’ll be awed by its natural beauty, from hidden beaches to pristine bushland and charming islands that are made for exploring. Book into the island’s waterfront camping for unbeatable views of the water. One of the most multicultural cities in the world, Sydney celebrates its cultural diversity and heritage, and passion for arts and sports. Begin your discovery in the cultural heart, Sydney City, where you’ll find the iconic Sydney Opera House near Circular Quay’s trains, ferries and buses.
Revel in the wonder of Australia’s unique native wildlife while taking in million-dollar views of Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Immerse yourself even further with an overnight stay at Taronga’s luxe Wildlife Retreat or let the big cats serenade you as you drift off to sleep in a safari-style tent with the Roar and Snore experience. See Sydney’s most famous landmarks from a different perspective on a Sydney HeliTours helicopter ride with panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and the world-famous surf breaks of Maroubra, Bondi and Coogee. Or watch the city skyline give way to the glittering shores of the Northern Beaches and lush green pockets of Sydney’s national parks on a day trip with Sydney Seaplanes that whisks you from Rose Bay to Palm Beach. For a slower pace, set an alarm for Balloon Aloft Camden’s sunrise hot air balloon tour, an hour-long aerial adventure that takes you over the picturesque Camden Valley on the edge of Sydney, flooded with morning light.
- All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.
- You’ll climb to the bridge’s summit and look down on the shores of Gadigal land; learn the origins of the harbour’s names, from Bennelong Point to Barangaroo; and gain a deeper perspective of the city and its Aboriginal history.
- Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Sydney takes things to new heights, featuring what has to be the best indoor view of the harbour in the city.
- The picturesque 6km track is carved into sandstone cliffs and offers uninterrupted views of the ocean, passing Tamarama Beach and Bronte Beach, before finishing in beautiful Coogee.
Stop for lunch or a coffee at the on-site restaurant, or visit on a Wednesday evening until 10pm for Art After Hours for celebrity talks, music, performances and other special events. Ferries and harbour cruises are a memorable way to experience the beauty of one of the world’s great natural harbours. Indulge in a day of shopping and fine dining, take in a musical or an art exhibition or explore a harbour walk and glistening beaches. An ascent up the Sydney Harbour Bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the city and the harbour from 134m above the water. On the BridgeClimb Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience, you’ll see the city through the lens of thousands of years of Aboriginal history, led by an Aboriginal guide.
Circular Quay is one of Sydney’s major transport hubs, making it a great base to explore the city on public transport. It’s the main ferry terminal in Sydney, plus there’s the light rail, trains and buses which will take you all over the city. The Sydney Opera House isn’t just a World Heritage-listed architectural masterpiece, it also hosts world-class shows.
How many days is enough in Sydney?
Adrenaline junkies should opt for the guided Skywalk – which circumnavigates the tower along an outside ledge – and those interested in a tipple with an unrivalled panorama should head to Bar 83. Aboriginal people have a long connection with Sydney, dating back at least 50,000 years before the First Fleet arrived in 1788. There are fun and informative Aboriginal-guided tours, including in national parks where you can see ancient indigenous ochre hand-paintings and rock engravings.
Housed in the former Maritime Services in Circular Quay, the MCA is Australia’s leading museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art. Featuring more than 4,000 works by homegrown artists, including a strong emphasis on works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the gallery also hosts a continually changing range of exhibitions. Free guided tours are conducted each day and, once you are finished getting an arts and culture fix, the rooftop MCA Cafe and Sculpture Terrace offers modern Australian fare alongside incredible views of Sydney Harbour. Other points of interest in the New South Wales capital are the natural wonders.
Beaches
Nearby, at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours you’ll never taste fresher seafood than sydney name meaning the plump oysters you’ll pluck fresh from the water. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Not only is it the largest steel arch bridge on the planet, but it also spans one of the globe’s finest natural harbours.
Take a train to lovely beachside Cronulla for a ferry to charming Bundeena on the edge of the wilderness near ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. And there are beautiful hidden places in Sydney, from the Royal’s tranquil rainforest to secret beaches. Of course, the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a memorable way to appreciate the beauty of the area.
You can also take a ferry to intriguing Sydney Harbour islands and Parramatta for delicious food and colonial heritage. Or jump aboard a Tribal Warrior cruise and explore Aboriginal culture, the world’s oldest living culture. Circular Quay is one of the first stops on any Sydney schedule because of its prime position on the harbour. This is the place to take in the majesty of its iconic structures which overlook the glittering water. As the city’s main ferry terminal, it’s also a great spot to kick off your sightseeing activities.
Choose from a myriad of harbour cruises, including lunch cruises and tall ships, or go kayaking or boating. To learn about the harbour’s fascinating history, join an Aboriginal tour. Sydney locals looking for a serene waterfront experience head north to the Hawkesbury River, where thick bushland spills down sheer sandstone cliffs to the water’s edge.
