Sydney Top Ten Things to Do

Blessed with sparkling blue waters, a gracious harbour and perennial good weather, Sydney is not only Australia’s largest city, but also, to my biased opinion, the most beautiful. Some visitors may feel like this world-class city lacks truly spectacular sights, but the best part of Sydney (like so much of Australia) lies in the great outdoors. Whether you are here as a short term visitor or if you’re here longer term, you should immerse yourself in Sydney’s sights by starting with these top ten things to do and see.

The Sydney Opera House at sunset (Pic from http://www.cloudfront.net)

1. Sydney Opera House

Iconic and unique, the Sydney Opera House is a symbol not just of Sydney, but Australia, and is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. For most travellers, a quick visit to the external façade, coupled with a walk around the surrounding Botanical Gardens are more than sufficient, but if you are interested in the internal workings of the world’s most famous opera house, take one of the Sydney Opera House Tours on offer to learn more of this storied building’s inner workings. The views of the Opera House are most stunning from Mrs Macquarie’s Point, at sunset, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.

Susannah Place Museum, The Rocks (Pic from http://www.topsightseeing.com)

2. The Rocks

The oldest part of Sydney is also the city’s most charming. Cobble stoned streets, winding alley ways and centuries-old pubs are amongst the many delightful discoveries that await you at The Rocks. This is the original settlement area for the convicts and soldiers that first arrived in Australia, and its history is best appreciated via the Rocks Walking Tour. Other options include a self-guided version, or for those with a taste for the macabre, the Rocks ghost tour. Also located in the Rocks is Susannah Place Museum, a tiny, original working class terrace from the mid 19th century. The Museum recreates the lives of its inhabitants, tracking the details of how they lived and worked in Sydney’s colonial past.

Inside the Hero of Waterloo (Pic from http://www.gdaypubs.com.au)

For those with less of a taste for history, The Rocks also offers excellent, atmospheric watering holes. Three of the most famous in the area are The Lord Nelson, the Fortune of War and the Hero of Waterloo. On Friday nights during the summer, The Rocks also plays host to the Village Bizarre, a “Friday night playground of Markets and Mystery.”

Sydney Harbour Bridge (Pic from http://www.marquetteturner.com)

3. The Harbour Bridge

When it comes to Sydney icons, the Harbour Bridge ranks a close second to the Sydney Opera House. Affectionately nicknamed the Coathanger by locals, the Bridge is a graceful expanse of steel arcing across the blue water of the Harbour. You can drive over it or take a train to cross it but to really enjoy the views while crossing the bridge, you should either cycle, walk or run across it. For the more adventurous, even climb it! The Bridge Climb is most magical at dawn or sunset, but the privilege of scaling a world icon comes at a price. If you still want a million dollar view without the accompanying price tag, try doing it yourself and climb up the bridge pylon instead.

The coastal walk (Pic from http://youonlyliveonce.com.au)

4. Bondi – Bronte coastal walk

Almost every tourist brochure of Australia will have an image of Bondi Beach’s shimmering golden sands and turquoise waters. Sydney’s beaches are strung out like a necklace along the eastern seaboard, and are deservedly famous. The best way to enjoy Sydney’s beaches is to take to the coastal walk between Bondi and Bronte beaches. The track is well maintained, the views spectacular and the beaches just varied enough to be interesting. There’s plenty to see, from Bondi’s beautiful people to the surfers at Tamarama and Bronte. An added plus is the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit during the month of November. If you prefer, you can even go further along the coastal walk, to the calm waters of Clovelly Beach, past Waverly Cemetery and the lawn bowls club to end at Coogee Beach.

Grey eastern kangaroo (Pic from http://www.nationalgeographic.com)

5. Meet the locals

Australia’s flora and fauna are unique compared to the rest of the world, and there are some excellent critter encounters available to Sydney visitors. The grandest and biggest is undoubtedly Taronga Zoo. Reachable by bus or a scenic ferry ride, the zoo boasts both local Australian wildlife as well as more familiar faces, all in a stunning setting of water and city views. There are options available to get up close and personal with the animals either through a keeper tour or a sleep over in a safari tent. Other options include the Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife World, both located in Darling Harbour. If you prefer to see animals out in the wild, go on a whale watching tour between June to November, hike in the Royal National Park (keep an eye out for the colourful birdlife and sunning skinks!) or snorkel at one of Sydney’s beaches instead.

Kayaking in Sydney Harbour (Pic from http://www.theodora.com)

6. See Sydney from the water

Sydney is known as the Harbour City, and justifiably so. Exploring the sandstone cliffs and heads of Sydney harbour via kayak is a fantastic way of seeing the city from another perspective. Sydney Harbour Kayaks offer eco tours around Middle Harbour, or if you prefer to go independently, pick up a rental kayak from Kayak Adventure Sports at the Spit, Manly Kayak Centre at Manly Beach or from Oz Paddle at Rose Bay. If you’re really keen, Sydney’s best kayaking spots are located away from the city and are well worth a visit.

Ricotta pancakes from Bills (Pic from http://www.au.timeout.com)

7. Weekend brunch

New York may have invented brunch, but Sydney has made it her own, with an Australian twist. Brunch is also an institution here, and there are great places to go for good coffee and delicious nosh almost everywhere in Sydney. You can join the throngs of Asian families at a local dim sum restaurant or sit down with the surfers at a beachside café – the choice is yours. If however, you’re looking for something a little different, take your pick from the Three Blue Ducks at Bronte Beach, Bills in Darlinghurst, or The Grounds of Alexandria.

Museum of Contemporary Art (Pic from http://www.artistprofile.com.au)

8. Museums and galleries

Sydney’s museums and galleries offer a glimpse into the local psyche – the Museum of Contemporary Art hosts the works of local artists, while the NSW Gallery showcases the classics. The White Rabbit Gallery usually displays works from Asian artists. To understand Australia’s unique history, geography and culture better, pop into the Museum of Sydney and/or the Australian Museum. The former gives you the opportunity to learn about Sydney’s first people – the Cadigal, view models of the First Fleet ships and learn about what makes the city of Sydney so unique. The Australian Museum, on the other hand, showcases Sydney’s natural history – check out the always-popular Skeleton Hall!

Boutique in Paddington (Pic from http://www.au.timeout.com)x

9. Sydney shopping streets

Cool local designers congregate along Oxford and William streets in the leafy suburb of Paddington, in Sydney’s east. There are edgy boutiques like the Corner Shop, up and coming Australian labels like Minty Meets Munt, as well as more established shops like Alannah Hill and Sass & Bide. For vintage style, fashionistas in the know head to King Street in Newtown or Crown Street in Surry Hills for alternative clothing. High street Australian brands like Country Road, Sportscraft and Saba can be found in Pitt Street mall, along with a wealth of other fashion and homeware shops.

 

Eveleigh Farmers Markets (Pic from http://www.visitnsw.com)

10. To market, to market

There are plenty of weekend markets in Sydney selling everything from fashion, to homewares, arts and crafts, jewelry, fresh produce. Some of the best include Bondi Beach Market (fresh produce and food on Saturdays, everything else on Sundays), Paddington Market (specialising in up and coming designers), Glebe Market (Saturdays only, a little bit of everything) and Eveleigh Farmers Markets (Saturdays, bring your own shopping trolley/bag).