This is the only Harbour City guide you'll need, covering everything from traditional Sydney bucket list items to amusing local secrets.
Though we may be a little biased, we think Sydney has it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that can compare to its stunning natural surroundings, its extensive and ancient history, and its top-notch professional artistic, culinary, and cultural offerings? You could almost be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed by all there is to see, do, drink, and contemplate here. Don't worry, sweet reader—we've made it easy for you.
Our team, which included our Sydney Editor Alice Ellis and Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, sorted through all the fun things the Big Smoke had to offer and created an ultimate Sydney bucket list. This 2024 Time Out Sydney list of the city's must-do activities will allow you to experience Sydney from all aspects, whether you're a first-time visitor or a native.
The top 15 activities in Sydney for 2024
 |
| The top 15 activities in Sydney for 2024 |
1. Examine the Sydney Opera House internal operations
What's that? This opportunity offers you access to areas of Australia's most famous buildings that are typically closed to the public, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at this architectural marvel.
Why leave? Get together at the stage door to explore the historic stages of the Opera House and gain unauthorized access to the Concert Hall, Drama and Opera Theatres, Playhouse, and Studio dressing rooms. The stories and behind-the-scenes information about everything from soundchecks to sequins to pulleys will enthrall you. You can even experience what it's like to perform live with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a virtual reality program.
2. Look for Wendy Secret Garden, a secret haven.
What's that? Situated at the base of artist Brett Whiteley's Lavender Bay residence, this hidden garden offers sweeping views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is a combination of public and private land.
Why leave? The land had been unkempt, overgrown, and littered with trash for many years, but after Whiteley passed away in 1992, his widow Wendy used her sorrow to transform the area into a magical setting. Sydneysiders visit this hidden oasis for a picnic to get away from the more crowded parks.
Don't miss The opportunity to take a picture of Sydney Harbor encircled by tall fig trees and native flora.
3. Take a ride on the famous Manly Ferry
What's that? Though it's a daily commute for locals going to work, the Manly Ferry ride is a breathtaking experience.
Why leave? Enjoy the soothing sound of the motors as you cruise along Sydney Harbour, passing the Sydney Opera House, the bridge, Taronga Zoo, and popular beaches like Shark Beach and Camp Cove. You'll also be able to visit one of the city's most well-liked beachside suburbs, which is perfect for dining, shopping, and snorkeling.
Don't miss: For breathtaking views of the north and south headlands, we recommend that you get off and explore all or a portion of the Manly to Spit walk.
4. Kayak with Sydney beneath the Coathanger
What's that? A kayak tour at dawn that offers amazing photo ops to make your hangover friends green with envy.
Why leave? Weekly dawn tours, led by instructor Laura Stone and her spouse Ben, take advantage of Sydney Harbour before the majority of people roll over on their pillows and go to sleep. You don't have to paddle very hard to get around Luna Park and into position as the sunlight hits the Sydney Opera House because the harbor water is silky smooth and the kayaks are very stable.
Don't miss: When you're paddling under the bridge, wrangling a camera for the ideal Instagram shot, and bobbing beneath the bridge, flat whites have never tasted more satisfying.
5. Scale the Sydney Harbor Bridge
What's that? An opportunity to climb the renowned "Coathanger."
Why leave? Although it is extremely touristy and ostentatious, seeing Sydney Harbor in all its grandeur is truly an amazing sight. If you're pressed for time, the shorter express climb ascends the interior structure, encircling you in hand-riveted steel and giving you the impression that you're inside a metal skeleton. But if you can, we strongly advise you to take advantage of the newest offering from BridgeClimb: climbing the entire Harbour Bridge arch from beginning to end.
Don't miss: Watching the first light of day and the last embers of the day light up the horizon is an amazing experience at dawn or dusk.
6. Uncover Wattamolla Beach, a hidden treasure.
What's that? There is a sandy oasis deep within the Royal National Park that is truly remarkable. You can relax with a good book under one of the cabbage tree palms or swim in the creek-fed lagoon's emerald waters, which are also excellent for snorkeling. The Wattamolla Waterfall is one of the most photogenic natural wonders in the Greater Sydney area, which is really saying something if you're a budding photographer.
Why leave? Although most people are unaware of this beach's existence, it is well-liked by those in the know due to its remote location far from the city's main thoroughfares and harbor beaches.
Don't miss: If you want to get some striking photos of the untamed sea cliffs, don't forget to walk the short distance to Providential Lookout. Thanks to the well-equipped picnic area, this little slice of paradise offers excellent facilities as well. So, pack a picnic basket and use one of the communal barbecues to prepare a tasty lunch.
7. Visit Taronga Zoo to meet the most untamed residents
What's that? A non-profit zoo with views of the harbor that is home to 4,000 animals, including giraffes, elephants, echidnas, and koalas.
Why leave? Sightings of numerous Australian animals as well as endangered species are assured. Daily talks, animal encounters, and even glamping sleepovers are offered by the zoo.
Don't miss: Walking along Taronga Zoo's wide, winding paths will reveal the Sydney Opera House and the Bridge almost as frequently as the wildlife. It offers some of the best views of the city's harbor.
8. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) to broaden your mind.
What's that? For both local and international cutting-edge art, the Harbourside MCA is the preferred location.
Why leave? The Museum of Contemporary Art frequently features shows by well-known international artists, such as Grayson Perry, Yoko Ono, and Anish Kapoor.
Don't miss: The MCA features a sculpture terrace and rooftop cafe with amazing views of Circular Quay, including the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge...
9. Enjoy panoramic views from Sydney's tallest bar, Bar 83.
What's that? Situated on the second-to-highest floor of Sydney Tower, this quirky, retro-futurist cocktail lounge is perched 83 stories above the streets of the CBD and is the highest place to drink in Sydney.
Why leave? Reaching all the way to the Pacific horizon in the east, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park in the north, the Blue Mountains in the west, and Cronulla in the south, the views of Greater Sydney from the Golden Bucket are simply breathtaking. There aren't any better views in the city than these ones.
Don't miss: Sydney Tower's renovated rotating restaurant, Infinity, is located one floor above Bar 83. With all those mouthwatering views, you're sure to work up an appetite.
10. Take in the works of art at the Art Gallery of NSW
What's that? one of the most important cultural institutions in Australia, with sizable collections of Asian, European, and Australian artwork. Additionally, the Sydney Modern section is a brand-new, enormous addition.
Why leave? The gallery hosts weekly film screenings, talks, and workshops in addition to its nearly forty annual exhibitions, the majority of which are free to attend.
Don't miss: The newly constructed Sydney Modern structure. It genuinely ranks among the world's most remarkable modern art galleries.
11. Visit Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and swim with sharks.
What's that? Sydney's only cageless shark diving excursion. In Darling Harbour, you can take a 30-minute dive with a colony of grey nurse sharks.
Why leave? Despite their size, which varies from one to three meters in the tank, grey nurse sharks are calm animals that only ever give you the side-eye when they pass by. The assurance of seeing so many sharks in one location is the main advantage of diving with them at the aquarium as opposed to in the open ocean.
The king and gentoo penguin colony that resides in the aquarium is something you shouldn't miss.
12. Take a dip in the Instagrammable Bondi Icebergs Pool.
What is this? Situated at Sydney's most renowned beach, this ocean pool is the most photographed in all of Australia. A popular location for sunbathing, the 50-meter saltwater pool causes traffic jams on the Bondi to Coogee walk.
Why leave? The baths, which have been a Bondi landmark for a century, charge just $9 for casual entry, which grants you access to the sauna and pool.
13. Hang ten with Let's Go Surfing at Bondi Beach
What's that? Everyone should put riding a wave at Bondi on their bucket list. Sign up for a lesson at Let's Go Surfing if you're not too experienced with a surfboard.
Why leave? The school takes great pride in its well-liked two-hour beginners' course, which covers the fundamentals of paddling, wave-catching, and water safety (including Bondi's hazardous rips). Every lesson begins in the sand, so feel free to ask awkward questions.
Don't miss: After your class, stop by one of the great cafés in North Bondi, such as Harry's Bondi or Porch and Parlour.
14. Take a tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens' bush foods.
What's that? Learn about the history of the Indigenous people of the area during a one-hour guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens. You will discover how, prior to colonization, the Gadigal people coexisted and worked with the changing seasons.
Why leave? Sydney's harborside horticultural oasis offers a tour that includes tastings of juicy Davidson plums, stingless bee colonies, and climbing Moreton Bay fig trees. As you stroll around the outskirts of Sydney, you'll pass by some of the city's most well-known sites while taking in views of the Harbour Bridge, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, and the Opera House.
Don't miss: You'll discover the profound relationship with seasonality; for example, stingless bee colonies serve as a natural barometer, and wattles in bloom indicate the migration of whales.
15. Visit Cantina to try the best margarita in town. Alright
What's that? Time Out's 2020 selection for the greatest place to drink in Sydney is this itty-bitty tequila bar, which is surprisingly small and fits into a converted carport down a laneway in the city center.
Why leave? Without a doubt, it serves the greatest margarita in Sydney—and, dare we say, all of Australia. The key? A 50/50 mixture of mezcal and tequila from Mexico, shaken, then poured over shaved ice and drizzled with orange oil.
Don't miss: Allow the silky-smooth varieties of tequila (and its cousin mezcal) to change your perspective on this all-too-often underappreciated spirit if your only experience with it is a nasty, eye-watering shot in the bar.