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🦘What to Do in Sydney (American’s Guide)
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items Sydney’s experiences are just as world-class as its dining, with iconic landmarks, coastal walks, and a lifestyle that blends the outdoors with city sophistication. From climbing the Harbour Bridge to strolling Bondi Beach or wandering through histor...
Map
Sections
6
Sydney Sights
Beaches
Day Trips
Seasonal Activities
Shopping
Local experiences
Sydney Sights
Discover iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, along with vibrant neighborhoods full of culture and charm.
The #1 must-see spot in Sydney - you can get spectacular views of this iconic landmark via the ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay.
Also, check the booking schedule to book a tour, complete with a historical overview of the construction along ...
Sydney Opera House
You can see the harbour bridge from many areas downtown, but there’s only one experience that allows you to climb to the top! Depending on your party, this may or may not be the best way to experience this sight - however, if you’re looking for an ac...
BridgeClimb Sydney
Stroll through these free & lovely gardens just past the Opera House. One way to explore this area is to start at Circular Quay, visit the Opera House, and walk through the RBG heading towards St. Mary’s Cathedral and then head towards the Westfi...
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Located right on the harbour, Luna Park is Sydney’s only theme park. It’s very much a Coney Island vibe and can be a half day activity or full day depending on how many rides/games your party is interested in. I would say it’s definitely worth checki...
Luna Park Sydney
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One of Sydney’s oldest movie theaters, the Orpheum has been home to many movie premieres over the years. The whole place is in art-deco style with beautiful, unique theater spaces. You can catch both movies and live performances, but definitely make ...
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
Beaches
From Bondi to Manly, Sydney’s golden beaches offer perfect spots for swimming, surfing, and soaking up the sun.
Our local beach and my favorite! My experience with Balmoral is often nice and relaxing - not nearly as crowded as some of the other beaches, and with excellent cafe options! There is also a field with a walking track and cricket nets directly across...
Balmoral Beach
Likely the second most popular beach in Sydney, Manly is a gorgeous place to be. For a full beach day, this would be my top recommendation- it’s large enough to not feel too crowded and the surrounding area offers a ton of dining and shopping options...
Manly Beach
Likely Sydney’s most famous beach, Bondi is often a must-see for tourists. It is quite large, but often pretty crowded. The walking path between Bondi and Cougee is my favorite around the city though, so if you are looking for scenic coastal walks, I...
Bondi Beach
Day Trips
Escape the city with easy getaways to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley wineries, or the Central Coast.
While close to the city, this adventure deserves a full day on the itinerary. This is a wonderful family outing with lots of zoo favorites along with Australian native wildlife. The harbour views along the path are stunning, highly recommend for any ...
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Just a bit out of the city, this natural landmark is one of the greater Sydney area’s most famous! This lookout offers stunning views of the Three Sisters surrounded by the Blue Mountains.
The Three Sisters - 3 Sisters Echo Point Katoomba
Seasonal Activities
Enjoy outdoor festivals in summer, whale watching in winter, and colorful blooms in spring gardens.
Depending on the season, you can visit Sydney Cricket Grounds for the Australian traditions of either cricket or AFL style rugby (or footy as locals would say!)
It’s always a fun day out for sport events and I would recommend trying a potato on a st...
Sydney Cricket Ground
Learn to surf in Bondi! I did this in January 2023 and had a great experience - we did 2 hours of learning the basics and trying it out on the waves. The instructors were super kind and helpful, highly recommend this company if you’re looking to try ...
Lets Go Surfing - Bondi
Shopping
Browse everything from luxury boutiques in the CBD to quirky markets and local designer stores.
Beautiful architecture with lots to explore inside! The QVB has multiple levels of shopping with the top floors being high end and moving to more affordable options as you move down. Absolutely a must-see, and you also can grab a train from the attac...
Queen Victoria Building
Downtown mall with all the shopping options for major brands - this mall includes the Sydney Tower Eye for a bird’s eye look at the city and has a great food court for an easy lunch.
Westfield Sydney
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Very much an all inclusive mall - from basics to luxury items, you can find most anything you’re looking for in here!
Westfield Bondi Junction
Zimmermann is a Sydney staple - these pieces are easily spotted for their design and quality. Definitely worth a look, but it is on the higher-end of the budget!
ZIMMERMANN Sydney CBD
The Witchery brand is so sleek and very Sydney! I love these for both work wear and elevated casual looks - this brand can be found at Myer and David Jones along with a few storefront locations around the city.
Witchery
Local experiences
Sydney has so much to offer for its residents - here are a few of our favorite spots for weekends and date nights!
An authentic Japanese-style karaoke spot right in the middle of downtown Sydney! So fun and budget friendly - $20 for an hour with your own room, sing to your heart’s content!
Echo Point
We just recently visited the museum and I am so impressed with the quality and variety in the displays. It was honestly very interesting - great for families and free to the public!
Australian Museum