The Best Things to Do in Sydney (No BS Guide)
Look, Sydney's bloody gorgeous and there's heaps to do whether you're visiting or you've just moved here and want to actually explore the place. Here's my no-filler list of what's actually worth your time.
Climb the Harbour Bridge (Because Why Not?)
Yeah it's touristy, but honestly? The views are insane. You clip onto the bridge and climb right up the arch. Go at sunset if you can swing it – the whole city lights up and it's pretty special. Not cheap though, fair warning.
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The Opera House Isn't Just for Photos
Everyone takes a pic from Mrs Macquarie's Chair (do that too, it's the best angle), but actually go inside the Opera House. Take a tour or catch a show. The building is wild when you're in it – all these concrete shells and weird angles. Plus the bars have killer views.
Book Opera House Tours: [WIDGET: Sydney Opera House Tours]
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This is the one. Six kilometers of absolute coastal perfection. Takes about 2 hours if you don't stop, but you will stop because there are like 5 beaches along the way and rock pools and cafes. Start at Bondi, end at Coogee, have lunch at a pub. Perfection.
The Rocks Markets on Weekends
Bit of history, bit of shopping, lot of food. The Rocks is Sydney's oldest area and it's got these weekend markets that are actually good – local artists, handmade stuff, proper street food. Wander around, grab a coffee, check out the sandstone buildings. Very chill vibe.
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Ferry to Manly (Best $8 You'll Spend)
Forget expensive harbour cruises – just catch the ferry to Manly. Half an hour on the water, past the Opera House and under the bridge, and you end up at a beautiful beach. Manly's got good surf, the Corso for fish and chips, and if you're keen, walk to Shelly Beach for snorkeling.
Book Manly & Harbour Tours: [WIDGET: Sydney Harbour Ferry Tours]
Taronga Zoo
Yeah yeah, it's a zoo, but this one's got giraffes with the harbour bridge in the background. Take the ferry over (sense a theme?), catch the sky safari cable car up, then walk your way down through the animals. The seal show is actually fun and not as cringe as you'd think.
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Royal Botanic Garden
Free, central, massive. Great for a wander, a picnic, or just lying on the grass pretending you've got your life together. Mrs Macquarie's Chair is at one end (remember, best Opera House photo spot). Go in spring for the flowers or literally any time because it's always nice.
Barangaroo Reserve at Sunset
This is a newer spot that locals actually go to. It's a reclaimed headland with native plants and these insane sunset views over the harbour. Bring drinks, sit on the rocks, watch the ferries go by. Way less crowded than Circular Quay.
Blue Mountains Day Trip
Okay this is technically outside Sydney but you can day trip it. Three Sisters rock formation, rainforest walks, waterfalls, cute mountain towns. It's properly beautiful and a totally different vibe from the city. The scenic railway is terrifying and fun.
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Eat Your Way Through Sydney
Hit up Chinatown for dumplings, Newtown for literally everything (it's hipster central), Darlinghurst for fine dining, and grab fish and chips at basically any beach. The food scene here is genuinely world-class. Don't sleep on Vietnamese in Cabramatta if you've got time to venture west.
Book Food Tours: [WIDGET: Sydney Food & Wine Tours]
Swim in the Ocean Pools
Sydney's got these amazing ocean pools built into the rocks – Bondi Icebergs, Bronte, Mahon Pool, Fairy Bower. They're free (except Icebergs), the water's salty and fresh, and you're basically swimming in the ocean but protected from the big waves. Very Sydney.
Catch a Sunset at Watsons Bay
Head to Watsons Bay for sunset drinks at the pub, then walk up to the Gap for dramatic cliff views. Or hit up Camp Cove for a swim – it's sheltered and calm. The whole area's gorgeous and feels a million miles from the city even though it's like 30 minutes away.
Pro tips: Get an Opal card for public transport – it's way cheaper than buying single tickets. Sydney's stupidly expensive so BYO drinks to beaches and parks where you can. And please wear sunscreen, the sun here doesn't muck around.
What'd I miss? Let me know your favorite spots!
The Best Things to Do in Sydney (No BS Guide)
Look, Sydney's bloody gorgeous and there's heaps to do whether you're visiting or you've just moved here and want to actually explore the place. Here's my no-filler list of what's actually worth your time.