When I first visited Sydney in 2007, I spent the majority of my time in the botanical garden, reading a good book and admiring both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The end of my journey was near, and I just wanted to relax.
As a child, I was always told how beautiful Sydney was.
It was true. Sydney was gorgeous. I never read my book. I was too busy watching the harbor and relaxing in the gardens.
I have visited Sydney several times over the years and explored it more each time. I have made many local friends who have shown me their city. I’ve visited all the major sites and stayed in many of the neighborhoods. I have also seen the majority of smaller attractions. I know all the restaurants, bars, markets, and trails.
Sydney is unlike any other city I’ve ever seen.
Here is my list to help you plan your Sydney trip. It includes fun activities, unusual sights, and not-so-touristy experiences. This list will help you experience the best of Sydney and enjoy an authentic, memorable visit.
Explore the Rocks
The oldest part of Sydney is The Rocks. This neighborhood, with its narrow streets, colonial-style buildings, sandstone church, and Australia’s first pubs, was the first to be settled by the British when they first arrived in Australia in 1788. The area used to be much larger but was unfortunately almost destroyed in the 1970s to make way for high-rises and ugly structures.
Citizens took action to preserve some of the old buildings. They have now been transformed into modern homes, businesses, and tourist attractions.
You can take a detailed walking tour around the neighborhood for 35 AUD. For 35 AUD, you can take an exact time of the area.
Enjoy the beach
Sydney’s beaches and world-class surf are synonymous with the city. The city is known for its strong beach culture. Locals enjoy the warm weather and sunshine most of the time. They also like to swim and surf. Sydney has over 100 beaches.
Sydney offers a variety of beaches, from the Palm Beaches and Manlys in the north down to Bondi and Coogee in the south. The beaches are easily accessible by public transport or car, and they are lined with restaurants and surf shops. A coastal path connects the beaches.
Remember that beaches, particularly the most famous, can get very crowded on weekends.
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens to see Mrs. Macquarie’s chair
The Royal Botanic Gardens is home to Australia’s first veggie garden, as well as a treasure chest of trees, ferns, and flowers. The gardens opened in 1816, and you can see locals lazing on the lawns to soak up the sun.
The gardens, which are home to Australia’s oldest scientific institution, are among the most popular areas of Australia. You can also find Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair here, a carved seat into a stone wall, from which you can gaze out over the harbor. Flying foxes used to live in the gardens until 2010. However, they caused too much damage and were removed.
Manly Beach Ferry
The ferry ride from Sydney to Manly costs 10.20 AUD (one-way). It offers spectacular views of the harbor, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House. This scenic 30-minute ferry ride provides the best view of the harbor area and the surrounding area at the lowest price.
Manly is a suburb located in the north of the city. It’s known for its large beach, giant surf, and sassy nightlife. It’s a different area of town than the central city, and many tourists don’t know about it. This is one of my favorite areas in Sydney. On this side of Sydney’s harbor, you can also find some amazing coastal walking trails. For example, the Manly to Spitbridge Coastal Walk is a 10-kilometer (6-mile) walk.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is almost as famous as the Opera House. It was built by the government in 1932 to create jobs during the Great Depression. It took nearly ten years for the project to be completed. At the time, it was the largest steel arch in the world.
It is now the 7th longest-spanning arch bridge in the entire world. It is the tallest and widest steel arch bridge in the world, stretching 1,149 meters over the water. Bill Bryson said, “This bridge is great.”
Sydney Opera House – A marvelous sight
It is perhaps the most famous site in Sydney, if not Australia. The Opera House’s white-shelled, curved roof is a feat of engineering.
It took 15 years for the building to be completed and opened to the public in 1974. More than 8 million visitors visit the Opera House each year, and almost half of them take a tour. For 43 AUD, daily guided tours allow you to appreciate the challenges of designing and constructing this building.
Tickets to a performance at the Opera House can vary based on the show. For popular shows, expect to pay 60 AUD. However, some versions have tickets for as little as 20 AUD, while others are completely free. The most current schedule can be found on the website.
Blue Mountains
The ancient sandstone in this national park, which dates back millennia, has weathered to create gorges that are surrounded by cliffs separated by narrow ridges. The Three Sisters rock formation is a must-see in the Blue Mountains. It’s especially stunning under floodlights and at sunset. You can also hike along the paths to enjoy the spectacular views of the valley and the sheer rock walls.
You can reach the area by train in around two hours from Sydney. It’s better to stay the night if you plan to explore further. If you want to get your legs moving, here are some other hiking trails you may enjoy:
Grand Canyon Track is a 6-kilometer trail (3.7 miles) that will take you through some of the most beautiful areas in the park. It is a challenging hike that takes about 2.5 hours, but it is well worth the effort.
Katoomba Falls This easy 2-kilometer (1.2 mile) circuit takes about an hour and leads you to the waterfall, as well as great views.
The Six Foot Track is a 44-kilometer hike that takes three days to complete. This is the perfect hike for those who want to spend some time under the stars and get away from the grid.