Things to Do in Sydney

Sydney is one of those cities you should visit at least once in your life. Sydney, which is also known as The Harbour City, was established in 1788. It started as a small colony in the Sydney Cove and later expanded to Port Jackson and Botany Bay. The city is now home to over 5 million people and is one of the most visited places in the world.

If you are planning a trip to Sydney, look at our top picks for what to do when you get there.

Sydney Opera House

One of the most iconic locations in Australia is the Sydney Opera House. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and then built in 1973 to become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The construction consists of several shells that together look like a sailing ship. The building is beautiful and breathtaking, so it is no surprise that many people visit Sydney specifically to see Sydney Opera House with their own eyes.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge together define the iconic postcard view of Sydney. Sydney Harbour Bridge was inspired by New York City’s Hell Gate Bridge. It opened in 1932 and was the widest long-span bridge until 2012 when Vancouver’s Port Mann Bridge replaced it.

Besides being one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, Sydney Harbour Bridge also offers a unique tourist attraction called BridgeClimb. With BridgeClimb you can climb to the top of the bridge and enjoy a breathtaking view of Sydney.

Sydney Tower

To get a picture that includes both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, go to Sydney Tower. At 309 meters, Sydney Tower is the tallest building in Australia.

Sydney Tower offers an impressive observation deck with breathtaking views of the city, and it is also full of shops and restaurants. The tower has appeared in popular movies over the years, such as Mission: Impossible, Godzilla, and Finding Nemo.

Bondi Beach

The architecture is second to none in Sydney, but your trip will not be complete until you forgo the buildings and bridges and visit the beach. There are many beaches to choose from in Sydney, but Bondi Beach is probably the most popular. "Bondi" or "Boondi" is an Aboriginal word meaning the sound of water breaking over rocks.

Bondi Beach is about one-kilometer long. The northern part of the beach is safe to swim in, while the southern side is more dangerous and is mostly used for surfing. The beach is famous for its stunning white sand. You will find plenty of cafes and shops next to the beach.

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Darling Harbour

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium first opened in 1988. It is part of Darling Harbour, one of the most impressive tourist attractions in Sydney. The aquarium offers one of the largest aquatic collections in the world with over 13,000 animals and 700 different species. Darling Harbour is also home to the Harbourside Shopping Centre, Paddy’s Markets, Tumbalong Park, and the International Convention Centre Sydney.

Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is located in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Much like San Francisco’s Alcatraz, the island used to have a jail. Unlike Alcatraz, Cockatoo Island offers lodging, as well as camping and backpacking. To get to Cockatoo Island, you will need to take Sydney Ferry.

Sydney Observatory

Sydney Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, was established in 1858. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Australia. Visitors can explore the night sky with a historical 29-centimeter refractor telescope that was built in 1874.