Things to do in Sydney
Sydney has a balmy climate, waterfront location and outdoor lifestyle. Go for a swim at Bondi Beach or take a Sydney Harbour Ferry Ride from Circular Quay. The Sydney Harbour Bridge can be crossed on foot and the Sydney Tower will help you get your bearings. The city's colonial past is dominant in The Rocks and at the Museum of Sydney. Most museums are scattered across the city, such as the Powerhouse Museum at Darling Harbour. They open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
Museum of Sydney
Colonial Sydney exhibits
The sights and sounds of colonial Sydney come alive at the contemporary
Museum of Sydney near Circular Quay. Imaginatively staged exhibits explore
Aboriginal culture and the city's development since 1788. Foundations of the
first Government House are preserved on site.
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Cost
A$10; concessions A$5
Opening Hours
Daily 9.30am-5pm
Address
Corner Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9251 5988
Powerhouse Museum
Interactive science and culture
Powerhouse Museum, housed in a huge former power station near Darling
Harbour, is one of the most creatively curated establishments around. It's
hands-on and child-friendly, with exhibits like the 1930s cinema and
Sydney's first train exploring Australian design, science and culture.
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Cost
A$10; concessions A$6; 4-15s A$5; under 4s free
Opening Hours
Daily 9.30am-5pm
Address
500, Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9217 0111
Brett Whiteley Studio
Modern art master's studio
Brett Whiteley captured Sydney's spirit like no other artist. A visit to the
Brett Whiteley Studio in Sydney's Inner East offers a rare glimpse inside an
artist's life. Unfinished paintings and personal memorabilia seem untouched
since Whiteley's death in 1992.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Sat & Sun 10am-4pm
Address
2, Raper Street, Surry Hills, Sydney 2010
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9225 1740
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Classic art collection
The premier Art Gallery of New South Wales has a commanding position in the
Domain. Significant European, Asian and contemporary collections are
masterfully hung in traditional and modern surrounds. Australian art,
featuring Roberts, Streeton and McCubbin, is particularly good.
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Cost
Free; temporary exhibitions may charge
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (until 9pm Wed)
Address
Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9225 1700
Sydney Aquarium
Marine life and conservation
Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour is hugely popular. Underwater tunnels
re-create Australia's river and ocean habitats, and feeding sessions are
frenzied. The highlight is the Great Barrier Reef theatre and its
mesmerising flurries of fish. Conservation issues are highlighted
throughout.
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Cost
A$31.95; concessions A$22.50; 4-16s A$17.95
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-10pm
Address
Aquarium Pier, Darling Harbour, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 8251 7800
Bondi Beach
Impressive beach and waves
Australia's most famous beach has a long curved stretch of sand and
impressive waves. Bondi Beach lifeguards patrol the shark-netted beach daily
and there are pools for calmer swimming. Cliff-top walks to neighbouring
Tamarama and Bronte beaches are highly recommended.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi, Sydney 2026
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 8362 3406 (Waverley Council's Beach Services Divisions)
Vaucluse House
Mock-gothic mansion
A rare survivor of a colonial harbourside estate, Vaucluse House has formal
gardens, a kitchen wing, stables and outbuildings. The lavish entertaining
rooms feature period furnishings left by the original owners, the powerful
Wentworth family. Refreshments are served in the tearooms.
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Cost
A$8; concessions A$4
Opening Hours
Fri-Sun 9.30am-4pm (daily in Jan and NSW public holidays)
Address
Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, Sydney 2030
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9388 7922
Elizabeth Bay House
Colonial mansion
Below Kings Cross, 1830s Elizabeth Bay House was considered the finest in the
colony. It's still a stunning piece of architecture. Highlights are the
curved staircase topped with an oval dome and the meticulously re-created
interiors evoking aristocratic colonial life.
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Cost
A$8; concessions A$4
Opening Hours
Fri-Sun 9.30am-4pm
Address
7, Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay, Sydney 2011
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9356 3022
Royal Botanic Gardens
Inner-city oasis
Royal Botanic Gardens' inner-city oasis stretches from Circular Quay to
Woolloomooloo. Picnic lawns surround themed gardens exploring herbs,
rainforest, roses and succulents. The Tropical Centre's glass pyramid
displays exotic plants while threatened plants remind visitors of the
gardens' conservation work.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 7am-8pm (until 6.30pm Mar & Oct, 6pm Apr & Sep, 5.30pm May & Aug, 5pm Jun & Jul)
Address
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9231 8111
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Iconic bridge
The unmissable 1930s Sydney Harbour Bridge spans the water from The Rocks to
Milsons Point. Walk across in 20 minutes and climb 200 steps to the pylon
lookout for views and informative exhibits. The brave tackle the challenging
Bridge Climb.
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Cost
Pylon Lookout A$9.50; concessions A$6.50; children A$4
Opening Hours
Pylon Lookout Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Bridge Stairs, Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9240 1100
Sydney Tower
Sky-high observation deck
Soaring over the city, Sydney Tower has views all the way to the Blue
Mountains and harbour heads. Admission includes a virtual-reality show
exploring Australian culture. The brave can don a harness and take the
Skywalk on the tower's roof.
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Cost
A$25; concessions A$19.50; children A$15; Skywalk A$65; children A$45 (over 10s only)
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-10.30pm; closed Christmas Day
Address
100, Market Street, Podium Level, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9333 9222
Taronga Zoo
Harbourside wildlife sanctuary
A classic ferry-trip destination, Taronga Zoo is stunningly located on the
North Shore. The emphasis is on conservation and education, and themed
animal exhibits are housed in revamped enclosures. For photo opportunities
head to the giraffes and koalas.
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Cost
A$41; concessions A$28; 4-15s A$20; under 4s free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm
Address
Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, Sydney 2088
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9969 2777
Horse Riding in Centennial Park
Urban horse ride
Hire an escort and go Horse Riding in Centennial Park, south-east of the city
centre. Boots and helmet are provided. Centennial is a grand park in the
European tradition, with wide avenues, woodlands and formal gardens.
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Cost
A$70; escorted only
Opening Hours
Daily; various hours
Address
Moore Park Stables, Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre, Lang Road, Sydney 2021
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9360 8747
Sydney Observatory Night Visit
Nightime southern skies
It is possible to visit during the day but a Sydney Observatory Night Visit
is much more atmospheric. The two-hour tour includes a visit to the 3-D
space theatre and viewing through telescopes, guided by an experienced
astronomer.
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Cost
A$15; concessions A$12; children A$10
Opening Hours
Daily 6.15pm-10pm (from 8.15pm Oct-Mar)
Address
Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9921 3485
Sydney Harbour Ferry Ride
Sightseeing by boat
No visit is complete without taking a Sydney Harbour Ferry Ride. Ferries
depart from the city centre's Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, Balmain, Manly
or upriver to Parramatta. Watsons Bay is popular for fish and chips and
dramatic cliff-top walks.
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Cost
A$5.20-A$7.70; concessions A$2.60-A$3.80
Opening Hours
Daily, varies according to route
Address
Circular Quay, Sydney 2000
Telephone
+61 (0) 2 9246 8300
