Like so many people throughout the USA and around the world, Adam and I face the annual challenge of balancing the many places we want to visit with the limited vacation time we have available. Our irrepressible love of exploring new cities and discovering new ways to experience them usually governs how we allocate our paid time off. That’s why our annual vacation calendars rarely reflect similarities from year to year; we almost never visit the same place twice. It takes a special city to draw us back more than once.
Sydney, Australia is a special kind of city.

We loved everything about Sydney during our first trip, and for years the few days we spent there crept into dozens of conversations that ended with a wistful promise that we would find our way back someday. When Thanksgiving week serendipitously combined with an unexpected flight deal to Sydney, neither one of us thought twice about booking tickets. For once, exploring a new place would have to wait: the call of the familiar could not be denied.
Whether you have never been to Sydney before or, like us, a return trip is on your bucket list, there is no shortage of fun ways to fill your days. In a world where vacation time always comes to an end, paring down your list can be a challenge. If you are deciding what sights you must see and what experiences you must have, here are 15 of our favorite things to do in and around Sydney.
Things to Do in Sydney
► Sydney Opera House

Visiting the Sydney Opera House is a must no matter how much (or little) time you have in the city. During a very short visit, a simple walk to or through the building is a wonderful way to spend even a few minutes. With some extra time, the opera house offers hour-long paid tours of the building which provide a terrific history and overview of architectural choices. If your plans allow for it, perhaps the best way to experience the Sydney Opera House is by enjoying a show there. With everything from mainstage musicals to comedy shows to the ballet, chances are there will be a show of interest to you during your visit.
More Information: SydneyOperaHouse.com
► Circular Quay
If there is one neighborhood to visit in Sydney, Circular Quay is it. In addition to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Circular Quay has enough shopping and restaurant choices to keep you busy for hours. It’s a great jumping off point for just about every attraction of interest for first-time Sydney visitors, and even frequent visitors won’t tire of the sights, sounds, and colors that characterize Circular Quay.
► Australian Museum

More Information: AustralianMuseum.net.au
► Sydney Aquarium
Visiting the Sydney Aquarium is a fun way to learn about the marine life that lives off the shores of the continent—especially if your travels won’t take you to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The aquarium hosts many species, some of which are native to Australia, and there is a lot to learn and a lot to do. The big attractions certainly include the penguins, a favorite of ours (especially after seeing them roam free in Antarctica!), but don’t miss the enormous turtles, sharks, and the famous dugong (a manatee relative). The Sydney Aquarium is a great activity to do when traveling with children, but we also found it to be fun as adults—and a great place to visit if you are battling jetlag and need something fun and interesting that will keep you awake!
More Information: SydneyAquarium.com.au
► Sydney Harbor Bridge
The Sydney Harbor Bridge has served as a critical transportation stalwart and a Sydney icon since it opened in 1932. Offering sweeping views of the harbor, the Sydney Opera House, and Circular Quay, the bridge is both historically and culturally relevant. Providing safe passage to vehicles, trains, cyclists, and pedestrians, the bridge is the tallest steel arch bridge in the world.

More Information: PylonLookout.com.au
► Cockatoo Island
Another great UNESCO World Heritage Site is slightly off the beaten path in Sydney—in fact, you need a boat to get there. Cockatoo Island’s history reflects its role in Aboriginal life as well as the decades it housed a prison complex and served as a shipbuilding facility. Today, regular ferry service connects Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island, so it is easy to spend a few hours exploring on your own. While there are guided tours and paranormal tours, many people enjoy taking a picnic to enjoy before, after, or in place of a formal activity.
More Information: CockatooIsland.gov.au
► Cahill Walk

For anyone looking for an iconic, Instagram-worthy photo of Sydney, the best place to get one is from the Cahill Walk. We found our perfect spot to be beyond the expressway lookout point where most people stopped (a glassed-in area with sheltered benches); we walked further down the road, toward the bridge, and stopped under a variable speed limit sign just before the road slants upward and turns toward the harbor. Although we appreciated the added bonus of moving away from the crowds, the picture angle was unbeatable.
► Luna Park
Standing in Circular Quay and looking out across Sydney Harbor, Luna Park glitters on the horizon in the same way Coney Island shines as an entertainment destination in New York City. Visiting the art deco-styled theme park will take you back in time in a similar way, Dozens of rides from the steep and scary to the slow and steady greet guests of all ages. Although there are a few restaurants onsite, classic fair food like hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream are available—and it’s hard to leave without some “fairy floss,” or cotton candy, to make the ride home a little sweeter.
More Information: LunaParkSydney.com
► Hyde Park

Perhaps the most meaningful monument in Hyde Park is the ANZAC Memorial, which is dedicated to the men and women who have served their country. Visitors passing through Hyde Park can’t miss the tall structure, which you can enter to see spaces like the Hall of Remembrance and the Hall of Silence. The northwest portion of the park hosts a life-sized chess board, and a memorial to the famous Captain Cook is also on display.
More Information: ANZACmemorial.nsw.gov.au
► The Rocks Discovery Museum
The Rocks is a great neighborhood close to the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and it is home to some of Australia’s earliest history. Visitors are educated on events from before European colonization to more current events through interactive exhibits and video presentations, and the museum retains a truly local feel by telling the stories of the people who built their community. The museum is free to visit and is a great way to see some older artifacts and step back into Australian history.
► Queen Victoria Building

If you aren’t in the mood to shop, it’s still worthwhile to walk into the building to see the Royal Clock. The clock comes to life each hour to display scenes from British history, with events like King John signing the Magna Carta to the execution of King Charles I timed to music. It’s a quick, fun way to experience the QVB.
More Information: QVB.com.au
► Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
On a nice day in Sydney, there is probably no better outdoor activity than the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Starting at Bondi Beach, the walk is fairly easy (save for some staircases and changes in elevation) and rewards your efforts with breathtaking views at every turn. The landscape changes a bit as you go, with golden beaches disappearing behind rocky cliffs, which adds some drama to the coastline and the experience. The walk is a great way to break up a day at the beach as well as a destination in itself. Pack some snacks and take a water bottle; free water stations are available along the path, and the water is clean and safe to drink.
Our Post: Bondi to Coogee Walk: Why It Should Be on Your Sydney Itinerary
► Royal Botanic Gardens

Although there’s no need to preplan your visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens—you can show up and walk through for free anytime—it’s a good idea to have some sense of the events that may be taking place. While beautiful flowers will catch your eye at every turn, the gardens host a number of events and community gatherings during the year. Our visit coincided with an exhibit on “Plants with Bite” featuring carnivorous plants and a whole host of educational materials and activities to expand our knowledge. Be sure to check their website prior to visiting so you don’t miss an exhibition that might be of interest to you!
More Information: RBGsyd.nsw.gov.au
Where to Stay in Sydney
Sydney is a great, safe city that is well connected by rail and bus service, so just about any neighborhood will be a good choice. We like to stay close to Circular Quay because of the convenience; so many of our favorite places are a short walk from that neighborhood. We really love the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, which is a four-minute walk from the train station that directly connects to the airport and a ten-minute walk from the Sydney Opera House. Our most recent stay provided us with a clean, comfortable room that boasted opera house views, and we were grateful that each morning a tray of water bottles was offered to departing guests. The staff was universally cheerful and offered great tips and advice, and the customer service made us feel welcomed and valued.
More Information: Booking.com/Sydney-Habour-Marriott
We found our hotel using Booking.com, and there’s a good chance you’ll find a great Sydney hotel as well!
Interesting Spots to Eat and Drink in Sydney
Sydney is home to some world-class restaurants, and you can plan on a great dining experience at just about any establishment you choose. We have found a few spots that mix great food and drinks with their own personality if you are looking for something just a little different.
► Harry’s Café de Wheels

The line at Harry’s can be long, but it moves quickly. If you don’t know what to order, you can’t go wrong with Harry’s Tiger, which is a meat pie served with mashed potato, mushy green peas, and gravy on top. Sausage rolls and hot dogs are on the menu, too, but don’t skip the pies—especially if you are hungry. If you are in the mood for a snack, get a second fork and share with a fellow traveler; Adam and I shared one, and there was more than enough for both of us as a snack between meals.
More Information: HarrysCafedeWheels.com.au
► Pancakes on the Rocks
We believe breakfast is an anytime food, and Pancakes on the Rocks serves up breakfast favorites and more 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll find plenty of classic combos on the menu, but the specialty pancakes and crepes are a great way to start your day—or end your night. The Ultimate, a pair of raspberry and cream cheese-filled crepes drenched in raspberry coulis, is practically a dessert when served with a scoop of ice cream, but no one bats an eye if you order it for breakfast like I did at 7:30 one morning. Then again, the trio of travelers behind us devoured ribs and wedge fries for their breakfast, so who are we to judge what you eat on vacation?
More Information: PancakesOnTheRocks.com.au
► Fortune of War

More Information: FortuneOfWar.com.au
► Blackstar Pastry
Hidden inside of a shopping center, inside the bookstore on the second floor, Blackstar Pastry is a quirky spot for a sweet snack. The glass case by the register features some of the most beautiful desserts we’ve seen, and for just a few dollars you can try some reasonably exotic flavor combinations that look like artwork. We sampled the strawberry watermelon cake, which layers fresh strawberries on top of a thick slice of watermelon and a meringue-like dacquoise and rose-scented cream. Topped with rose petals and pistachios, it is almost too pretty to eat—but the light, delicate cake is too good to pass up. Other treats like dragon cake (dragon fruit, pineapple cream, and pomegranate jelly on a biscuit crumb crust) and chocolate hazelnut torte will tempt you, too.
More Information: BlackStarPastry.com.au
Sydney Map
Want to plan your own walking tour of Sydney? This map might come in handy; it lists all of the places we recommend visitors experience when in the city. Sydney is a very walkable city, but public transportation is convenient and inexpensive as well.

Enjoy Sydney, Australia!
Sydney is one of the cities we would visit time and time again. With a history that belies its relative youth and a vibrancy that infuses energy into every experience, the only thing we don’t like is just how far away it is from our home.
If Sydney, Australia is on your bucket list, or if you are actively planning a trip, we would love to hear about the spots you are hoping to see—and the spots you love that we didn’t include here. One thing is for certain: no matter what you do when you visit Sydney, it will be time well spent!
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