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Australia
Best Things to Do in Sydney
Looking for the best things to do in Sydney? We've gathered 3 experiences covering the best attractions Sydney is known for — tours in Sydney, food walks, cultural highlights and Sydney day trips — every one bookable directly with GetYourGuide, our trusted partner for skip-the-line tickets and local guides.
Beaches
Sydney’s world-famous beaches
Bondi is the beach that tops almost every list of things to do in Sydney, a golden crescent of surf and sand a short bus ride from the city centre, with the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool perched at its southern end. Go early in summer — the sand fills up fast — and swim between the flags at the patrolled section.
Manly, reached by a scenic ferry across the harbour, is the classic alternative, while Coogee, Bronte and Tamarama line the eastern beaches. For the full planning walkthrough, see our Sydney travel guide.
Wildlife tours
Koalas, kangaroos and whales
Sydney is one of the easiest cities in the world to see native Australian animals. A wildlife park or sanctuary tour lets you get close to koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats, with keepers on hand to explain each species — ideal for families and a guaranteed sighting when time is short.
Between May and November, humpback whales migrate along the coast and a whale-watching cruise from the harbour is one of the most thrilling of all Sydney tours. Many Blue Mountains day trips bundle a wildlife park stop with the scenery.
Coastal walks
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is a six-kilometre clifftop path that traces Sydney’s eastern beaches past sandstone cliffs, rock pools and hidden coves. It passes Tamarama, Bronte and Gordon’s Bay, with ocean pools at each stop and cafés for a long lunch — one of the best free things to do in the city.
Allow a half-day, go in the morning before the sun is fierce, and swim at the patrolled beaches along the way. For more escapes along the coast, read our Sydney day trips guide, or browse every day trip we offer worldwide.
Day trips
Escapes beyond the city
Some of the best things to do in Sydney are actually outside it. The Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters, the Hunter Valley wine region, the Hawkesbury River and the beachside town of Manly all make rewarding Sydney day trips — the easiest worthwhile escapes when you want to see more without changing hotels.
The Blue Mountains are the most iconic, pairing easily with a wildlife park stop on the way back. Browse our day trips hub to compare escapes worldwide, or open the full Sydney travel guide for planning tips.
Frequently asked questions
Sydney travel FAQ
What are the top things to do in Sydney?
The Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and a ferry ride across the harbour headline most first visits. Pair them with a coastal walk, a wildlife tour and a Blue Mountains day trip for a well-rounded trip.
What are the best Sydney tours?
A Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise is the most efficient way to see the Opera House, the bridge and the city skyline from the water, while a guided Opera House tour adds the stories behind the sails. Many Sydney tours bundle a harbour cruise with a coastal walk or a wildlife park visit, which is the most efficient way to cover several highlights in a single day.
Where are the best beaches in Sydney?
Bondi is the famous one, a golden crescent of surf and sand a short bus ride from the city centre, with the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool at its southern end. Manly, reached by a scenic ferry across the harbour, is the classic alternative, while Coogee, Bronte and Tamarama line the eastern beaches and link up on the coastal walk. Go early in summer — the sand fills up fast.
What wildlife tours can I take from Sydney?
Sydney is one of the easiest cities in the world to see native Australian animals. A wildlife park or sanctuary tour lets you see koalas, kangaroos and wallabies up close, while a whale-watching cruise from the harbour puts you alongside migrating humpback whales between May and November. Many Blue Mountains day trips bundle a wildlife park stop with the scenery.
What is the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk?
The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is a six-kilometre clifftop path that traces Sydney’s eastern beaches past sandstone cliffs, rock pools and hidden coves. It passes Tamarama, Bronte and Gordon’s Bay, with ocean pools at each stop and cafés for a long lunch. Allow a half-day, go in the morning before the sun is fierce, and swim at the patrolled beaches along the way.
What day trips can I take from Sydney?
The Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters, the Hunter Valley wine region, the Hawkesbury River and the beachside town of Manly are all reachable as Sydney day trips. The Blue Mountains are the easiest and most iconic, pairing easily with a wildlife park stop on the way back. Browse our day trips hub to compare escapes worldwide.
How many days do I need in Sydney?
Four full days is a comfortable minimum — enough to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, take a coastal walk, fit in a wildlife tour and add one day trip without rushing. Add a fifth day for a second day trip to the Hunter Valley or a second Blue Mountains hike if you want to see more of New South Wales.
What is the best time to visit Sydney?
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) for mild weather and smaller crowds are the most pleasant. Summer (December to February) is hot, busy and beach-perfect, while winter (June to August) is crisp, quiet and clear, with fewer queues at the major sights and whale-watching at its peak along the coast.
Explore Sydney tours
Every Sydney tour above is bookable directly with GetYourGuide — skip-the-line tickets, local guides and free cancellation on most experiences. Ready to dive deeper? Open the full Sydney travel guide.
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