The oldest, largest, and most stunning city in Australia is Sydney, which is located in a seductive mix of land and sea. You’ll understand why this is one of the best cities in the world when you ride a ferry along the sparkling harbour, look at the Opera House’s white sails shining in the sun, and take in the graceful arch of the Harbour Bridge.
This vibrant state capital of New South Wales is hard to believe was once a convict colony. The first British colony in Australia was established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by First Fleet commander Captain Arthur Phillip. Today, you can take guided tours and visit the city’s excellent museums to learn about the Gadigal Aboriginal people, the traditional custodians of this land, and learn about Sydney’s famed history in the Rocks’ narrow, cobblestoned laneways and historic buildings.
The adventurous spirit of Sydney’s settlers still permeates the city. Fly over the city on a scenic tour, climb the harbour bridge, or surf the golden beaches’ green barrel breaks. The adventures do not end in the city, either. The city is surrounded by wilderness areas with a lot of wildlife, which make for interesting day trips.
With our list of the best things to do in Sydney, Australia, you can learn about all the best places to visit in this famous harbour city.
1. See the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great icons. It is the main attraction on the sparkling harbour. This elegant structure, resembling sails or shells, is perched on a point of land surrounded by water.
The Sydney Opera House can be visited in a number of different ways. Take a guided tour of this magnificent structure, relax at one of the restaurants, take a photo while gliding by on a harbour cruise, or snap a picture while passing by. There are cinemas, studios, exhibition spaces, a concert hall, and theatres inside.
2. Hop aboard a Harbor Cruise at Circular Quay
A sightseeing cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Sydney Harbour, which is known for its sparkling waterfront. Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, where the city’s main ferry terminal is located, serves as the starting point for most harbour cruises.
Are you running out of time? Take the two-hour Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise, which will take you to the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison, some of Sydney’s most picturesque locations. Keep your camera ready and learn fascinating facts about the most important sights along the way; there will be plenty of opportunities for photos.
3. Shop ’til You Drop at the Queen Victoria Building
Do you have a lot of time to shop? Go to the Queen Victoria Building, also known as the QVB. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, a visit to this beautifully restored building with its vibrant stained-glass windows and mosaic floors is well worth it.
This elegant structure, originally constructed as a market hall between 1893 and 1898, is crowned by a high central dome surrounded by 20 smaller domes. This magnificent sandstone building was restored to its original condition in the early 1980s after decades of neglect and even plans for its demolition.
Today, its light-filled galleries are lined with over 200 high-end shops. You can find homeware shops, gift shops, galleries, R.M. Williams, Lorna Jane, and Haigh’s chocolates, as well as numerous Australian designer boutiques.
4. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Another symbol of Sydney is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, also known as the “Coathanger.” It was constructed in 1932 and is still the largest steel arch bridge in the world, supported by massive double piers at each end. You can drive over it, cruise underneath it, ride a train over it, or take pictures of it from a distance. However, a climb to its 135-metre-high summit is one of the best ways to appreciate this engineering marvel and take in the stunning views of Sydney Harbour.
5. Bask on Sydney’s Beaches
Sydney is well-known for its stunning beaches. Numerous protected coves with calm waters and sugary sands are tucked away around the harbour.
An inviting stretch of sand and sea can be found not far from the CBD. Iconic Bondi Beach has great surf, a pulsating café scene, and a cosmopolitan vibe. It is less than 15 minutes away from the city. Take the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach along the cliffs for stunning views of the ocean.
Manly Beach is only a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, and Cronulla is the only beach that can be reached by train from the city. You can take a surf lesson, swim in the netted ocean pool or the surf, stroll the beachfront promenade, and stop at the excellent shops and restaurants here.
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