The 21 best things to do in Sydney

Sydney is one of those cities that grabs your attention long before you get to experience it.

Bodyboarding at Bondi Beachzipping under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a ferry or catching a show at the incredible Sydney Opera House are just a few of the incredible Sydney experiences you’ll want to tick off on your big trip Down Under.

And once you’ve tackled thoseit’s time to explore what else the city has to offer. Here are the best things to do in Sydneywhether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth.

1. Dine on delicious meals delivered with exemplary Sydney hospitality

Sydney's dining scene has never been more inventive and exciting. Restaurants serving food from across the globeoften with a uniquely Australian twistcan be found in every pocket of the city. OKit may be a little faddish and perhaps a bit too obsessed with big-name chefsbut it wouldn't be Sydney if names weren't being dropped. Thankfully the food scene manages to balance with substance.

Fine dining restaurants such as Bennelong, Quay and Oncore by Clare Smyth stand out as world-class on every front – from the views and service to the exquisite menus on offer. Other Sydney hotspots – no less incredible in terms of quality dishes and top-notch hospitality – include NOMADMr WongCafe PaciLong Chim and seafood pioneers Saint Peter.

Howevera takeaway Sri Lankan or a cheap noodles night with BYO wine could just as easily be your Sydney dining highlight.

2. Body-board or learn to surf at Bondi Beach

Bondi is one of the world’s most famous beacheswith consistently good waves and warm sea temperatures. It’s also a great place to learn to surf – Let's Go Surfing is a well-established surf school based in North Bondioffering lessons that cater to practically everyone. There are classes for young surfers (nicknamed locally as grommets) aged 7 to 15as well as adults. Women-only classes are also available.

Alternativelyyou can book a private tutor to share between a couple of people – prices are lower outside the summer peak. Whatever you dobe respectful of other surfers and swimmers: Australians are pretty forgiving but not on the waterso pay attention to the etiquette of local surfers.

Planning tip: In cooler monthsyou can forgo the water and dine with epic views at Icebergs while watching winter swimmers take the plunge.

3. Walkcycle or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydneysiders love their giant coathanger (locals' loving nickname for the Sydney Harbour Bridge)which opened in 1932. The best way to experience this majestic structure is on foot; stairs and elevators climb up the bridge from both shoresleading to a sidewalk on the eastern side (the western side is a bike path). Get the train to Milson's Point Station and walk back toward the city to enjoy the most spectacular viewpoint. Climb the southeastern pylon to the Pylon Lookout or ascend the arc on the popular BridgeClimb experience.

Planning tip: You can now book a trip with a First Nations storyteller who'll share their perspective on the city and country while you look over Sydney’s magnificent harbor from on high.

4. Tour backstage at Sydney Opera House

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzonthis eye-catching building is one of Australia's most iconic landmarks. Visually referencing a yacht's sailsit's a soaringcommanding presence that comprises five performance spaces for danceconcertsopera and theater.

You can wander around the outside to your heart's contentbut the best way to experience the interior is to attend a performance. Taking a guided tour is also highly recommended (and available in several languages). There are a variety on offerincluding backstage toursa food-focused tour and one that zones in on the architectural talent that created the building.

5. Explore secluded beaches and dramatic views from Watsons Bay

Located east of the city center and north of BondiWatsons Bay was once a small fishing village. Heritage cottages are still scattered among the suburb’s narrow streets but they now command a much steeper price. It's a lovely day trip by ferry from Circular Quayand you can explore South Head and have a leisurely lunch at Doyles on the Beach or sunset beers in Watsons Bay Beach Club beer garden.

On the ocean sideThe Gap is a dramatic clifftop lookout. On the harbor sidecloser to Watsons Bay ferryyou'll find the sheltered Camp Cove beach to take a dip.

Detour: If you’ve forgotten to pack your swimsuitLady Bay Beach is a clothing-optional nudist beach on the west side of the bluff just before you arrive at Hornby Lighthouse.

6. Ride the ferry to historic Cockatoo Island

Studded with photogenic industrial relicsconvict architecture and art installationsfascinating UNESCO-listed Cockatoo Island/Wareamah opened to the public in 2007 and has regular ferry servicesa campgroundrental accommodation and two cafés. Information boards and audio guides explain the island's time as a brutal convict prisonshipyard and naval base.

A spooky tunnel passes clear through the middle of the islandand you can explore the remains of the old prison. During WWIImost of the original sandstone buildings were stripped of their roofs and converted into bomb shelters. Solitary confinement cells were unearthed here in 2009 after being filled in and forgotten in the 1890s.

Planning tip: A range of tours can be booked at the visitor centerfrom straight-up heritage tours to ghost tours and convict prison tours.

7. Join a female-focused street art tour

There are a number of tours exploring Newtown’s street art and muralsor you can do it yourself with Google Maps and an app like Street Art Cities. HoweverLocal Sauce has developed a self-guided tour that goes the extra mile and puts the spotlight on female artists who are often overlookedstarting from Redfern station.

As well as covering the artists behind the worksguides provide recommendations for cafés where you can re-caffeinate along the way. The street art and food tours also take you to some top Newtown eateries.

8. Get thee to a drag show

Sydney is Australia’s self-professed LGBTIQ+ capitalso don't miss the chance to take in a drag show. Since RuPaul popularized the art of drag on the hit show Drag Racea more mainstream audience has discovered the subverting performances of drag queens and kings. Nowpopular queens can command queues around the block.

In Sydneyyou can dine out while enjoying a show or head to a bingotrivia or competition night with a drag theme. The city's Inner West and Eastern suburbs are where you’ll find most of Sydney’s LGBTIQ+ venuesincluding the Universal nightclub on Oxford Street.

9. Stumble across Aboriginal rock art

It may come as a surprise to stumble across an ancient art form in such a modern citybut Sydney is built on top of a giant gallery of Aboriginal art. Until recentlynot much attention was paid to it and many works were covered over or destroyed.

Todaywith dot paintings from distant deserts being celebratedSydneysiders have started to wake up to the treasure trove in their own backyard. Look for rock art by the original custodians of this place on the headlands around the harboron the coast and in nearby national parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

10. Admire the Art Gallery of New South Wales

With its neoclassical Greek frontage and a 2022 modern expansion that doubled the gallery’s original sizethis much-loved institution plays a prominent and sociable role in Sydney society. Blockbuster international touring exhibitions arrive regularlyalong with special events. While the permanent collection has a substantial amount of 19th- and 20th-century European and Australian artthe highlights are the newer north building’s extensive contemporary Indigenous gallery and a special exhibitions gallery inside an underground WWII fuel tank.

11. Deep dive into the White Rabbit art gallery

Considered by many to be Sydney's best contemporary art galleryWhite Rabbit is tucked away behind the Central Park development in Chippendale. It's the project of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilsonwho has amassed one of the world's largest collections of cutting-edgecontemporary Chinese art (works produced since 2000).

The gallery has so many pieces that only a fraction can be displayed at one time. You'll find art here that is edgyfunnysexy and idiosyncratic. An on-site café does specialty teas and dumplings.

12. Shop Sydney’s Victorian-era arcades

Sydney’s city shopping is concentrated around George Street and Pitt Streetspilling into arcades and side streets from there. Among the many glimmering places to indulge in some intense retail therapythere are several ornate Victorian-era arcades to admire while you browse.

The magnificent Queen Victoria Building (QVB for short) takes up a whole city block and boasts nearly 200 shopsincluding well-known international brands across its five levels. The building itself is a High Victorian neo-Gothic masterpiece – undoubtedly Sydney’s most beautiful shopping center.

Check out the wrought iron balconiesByzantine copper domesstained glass shopfrontsmosaic floorsreplica crown jewelsballroomtinkling baby grand piano (available to play) and hyper-kitsch animated Royal Clockfeaturing the Battle of Hastings and an hourly beheading of Charles I. Nearbythe Strand Arcade is home to a host of Aussie designers as well as an old-school branch of JB Hi-Fi in the basement selling electronicsDVDs and vinyl.

13. Catch one of Sydney's spectacular festivals

Sydney's nocturnal calendar kicks off with a spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display over the harbor and doesn't calm down for months. As soon as the Sydney Festival's myriad openings and events finishthe lights come up on the biggest party of them all – the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras from late February to early March.

Winter brings fashionliterature and film festivals to Sydneywith opening nightscocktail parties and literary soiréesplus the spectacular Vivid Sydney from late May to mid-June lighting up the town with projections and lights. Spring is football finals time – whether it's rugby or Aussie Rulestry to get to a night game for the friendly atmosphere and epic crowds.

14. Kayak to a secret beach

A hidden jewel not far from Manlymagical Store Beach can only be reached by water. Hire a boat or kayak from Manly Kayak Centrethen cruise around (it’ll take approximately 30 to 45 minutes) to the sheltered 200m (656ft) cove beach fringed by trees. The views of the bushy North Harbour give the impression you’ve left the city entirely.

As this is a breeding ground for little blue penguinsaccess is prohibited beginning at duskwhen the birds waddle in to settle down for the night. Visitors are also implored to leave the beach in the same condition they found it (or better). Bring snackssunscreen and plenty of water.

15. Hike the coastline around Manly and North Head

This marvelous coastal walk has two major components: a 10km (6.2-mile) western stretch between Manly and Spit Bridgeand a 9.5km (5.9-mile) eastern loop around North Head. The western section traces the complex harbor coastline through upmarket suburbs and then a spectacular section of unspoiled Sydney Harbour National Park. It emerges in Clontarf and winds its way to the Spit Bridge.

The eastern loop is known as the North Head Circuit Trackand the walk takes 2½ to 3½ hours. Make your way through the bush to the spectacular Fairfax Lookout on North Head. From the lookoutwalk the Fairfax Loop and then head back via Australia's Memorial Walk and WWII gun emplacements to the Bluefish Trackwhich descends spectacularly to Shelly Beach. From hereyou can return to Manly Beach via picturesque Fairy Bower Beach. Either download a map or pick one up from the information center near the wharf.

16. Learn about Aboriginal history at the Royal Botanic Garden

Southeast of the Opera Housethis garden was established in 1816 and features plant life from around the world. Within the gardens are hothouses with palms and fernsas well as The Calyxa striking exhibition space featuring a curving glasshouse gallery with a wall of greenery and temporary plant-themed exhibitions. Grab a park map at any of the main entrances to the gardens.

The garden includes the site of the colony's first paltry European vegetable patchbut its history goes back much further than that. Long before the convicts arrivedthis was an initiation ground for the Gadigal people; book ahead for a tour with a First Nations guide sharing their knowledge of Indigenous bush foods.

17. Make a day trip to Palm Beach and Pittwater

Longlovely Palm Beach is a crescent of bliss that's famous as the setting for the cheesy TV soap Home and Away. The 1881 Barrenjoey Lighthouse punctuates the northern tip of the headland in an annex of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The suburb of Palm Beach has two sides – the magnificent ocean beach and a pleasant strip on Pittwaterwhere the calmer strands are suitable for young kids.

From hereyou can get ferries to other picturesque Pittwater destinationsincluding other park sections. To get to the lighthouseyou've got two options on foot for the steep hike to the top – shorter stairs or a winding track – but majestic views across Pittwater and down the peninsula are worth the effort. It’s also a perfect spot for whale watching in winter.

18. Go for a run or a horse ride around Centennial Park

Scratched out of the sand in 1888 in grand Victorian Sydney’s biggest park is a rambling 189-hectare (467-acre) expanse with wide formal avenuespondsstatues and a labyrinth. The park is busy in the warmer months with joggerscyclistsrollerbladers and horse riders.

You’ll also find an equestrian center offering trail rides for kids and adults. Prior riding experience is not requiredbut bookings are essential. If a pony ride isn't their thingchildren will also love the adventures to be had at the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden.

19. Discover the colonial history of The Rocks

Australia's convict history began in the district known as The Rockswith a squalid canvas shanty town on a rocky shore. Its raucous reputation lives on in atmospheric lanes lined with historic buildingswith more than a few still operating as pubs.

Surethe place is overrun with tackyoverpriced koala soft-toy stores and touristsbut there's a great museum and art gallery here as well. A popular old Rocks pub with rooftop views of central SydneyThe Glenmore is a top stop for a meal or drink. When it all gets too muchhead through the Argyle Cut to the revitalized port area of Walsh Bay.

20. Stroll along the Bondi to Coogee Clifftop walk

The simply sensational 6km (3.7-mile) Bondi to Coogee walk leads south from Bondi Beach along the clifftops past the inlets at TamaramaBronte and Clovellyinterweaving panoramic viewspatrolled beachessea-fed bathswaterside parks and plaques recounting Aboriginal history and stories.

The trail begins at the end of Notts Ave and spits you out at the north end of Coogee Beachwhere you have a choice of three ocean pools to swim in if the waves at the beach are ferocious. Pack a picnicplenty of water and your swimsuit.​

21. Get a taste of the high life at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

A 2.5km (1.6-mile) walk from Sydney’s central business districtin the well-heeled enclave of Rushcutters BaySydney’s historic Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is the home of the annual Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. If you want to experience some local Sydney lifethe members-only sundeck café here serves enormous portions of fish and chips with a glass of Riesling – all while gazing upon multimillion dollar yachts. Visitors can sign in for the day.