Top 10 Things to do in Sydney
1. Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a popular destination for locals and tourist alike who want to escape the city. It will take you around 1:30h to drive to the Blue Mountains from Sydney. You can either do it as a daytrip or stay a few days. I suggest you skip the Scenic World and rather pack your trekking shoes. This is my suggestion for a daytrip: go to the outlook for the 3 Sisters and park your car. From the 3 Sisters follow the walking trail to Katoomba Falls. This will take approximately 45 minutes. Come back to your car and head to Grand Canyon Walking Track. You will climb many stairs to get down and back up but it’s worth it as the walk is very scenic.
2. Free Walking Tour
The local guides will take you on a 2 hours walk around the city, show you sights and talk about their origin. They will also recommend further places to visit and restaurants in the area. Free tours are always a good starting point when visiting a new city.
3. Bondi-Bronte Walk
One of the most popular beach walks in Sydney is the Bondi to Bronte Walk. It is 2.5 km one direction and free of charge. You can either go to Bondi Junction (if you are using public transport) or park at Bronte Beach (if you are driving) as it is cheaper than parking at Bondi Beach.
4. Ferry to Manly
The ferry to Manly departs regularly from Circular Quay and can be paid using the Sydney Opal Card. This is why it is best to go to Manly on a Sunday as Opal Card has a travel cap of 2.70 AUD on Sundays making the trip a bargain. From the ferry you will have a nice view of Sydney harbor with the Opera House and Harbor Bridge.
5. Opera House
The most iconic building of Sydney would have to be the Opera House. You can walk up to the Opera House, sit on the stairs and use the toilet for free – unfortunately those are the only things you can do for free. If you want to see the interiour you can either go on a guided tour or see a performance. To guarantee a seat you should book tickets for performances in advance as they are very popular and book out quickly.
6. Harbor Bridge
There are three options to experience the bridge. The most expensive one is to climb Harbor Bridge. It will cost 170AUD and you won’t be allowed to take pictures. The second option is to climb Pylon Lookout (15AUD). The cheapest option is to walk across the bridge and take the T1 train back to Circular Quay.
7. Queen Victoria Building
The Queen Victoria Building is a late-nineteenth-century building designed by the architect George McRae and a beautiful landmark in the Heart of Sydney. It served several purposes throughout history and was almost demolished at some point. Fortunately that never happend and the QVB is now a shopping center. Check out the inside even if you don’t want to buy anything. The domes and the two huge clocks are worth seeing.
8. Darling Harbor
The area at Darling Harbor is almost completely dedicated to entertainment and tourism. You will find an exhibition space, a convention centre, the National Maritime Museum and aquarium as well as many bars and restaurants and a shopping center. It even offers free attractions on weekends.
9. Markets at the Rocks
Friday and Saturday are market days at the Rocks. Here you will find authentic Australian Products. The perfect place for some shopping.
10. Symbio Wildlife Park
If you want to hand-feed kangaroos, Symbio Wildlife Park is the right place for you. It’s only 50 minutes south of Sydney and a nice destination for a daytrip. They have several presentations throughout the day but there is still enough time to go around exploring on your own.
