The Sydney Observatory is part of the Sydney Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Built in 1858, the observatory is one of the most important places in Australian scientific history. Visitors can check out exhibits related to astronomy, meteorology, and timekeeping, as well as the planetarium and the oldest working telescope in Australia.
To the east, and within walking distance, of Byron Bay’s town center and main beach, the picturesque, sheltered Wategos Beach is a popular spot for surfing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and making use of the beachside picnic tables and barbecues. Along with a relaxing time and excellent scenery, hiking can be found here as well.
Since 1991, Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art has showcased the works of today’s Australian artists in a gallery on the Circular Quay. Boundary-pushing solo exhibitions are the focus, while the permanent collection includes work from contemporary Aboriginal artists. The museum’s rooftop cafe boasts a fresh menu and harbor views.
Created to celebrate the sister-city partnership of Sydney and China’s city of Guangzhou, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is one of Sydney’s most picturesque spots. Opened in 1988, this tranquil oasis uses trees, plants, water, and ornamental pavilions to create a Chinese-style retreat in the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD.
Opened in 1826 in Sydney, the State Library of New South Wales is the oldest library in Australia. In addition to holding a huge and diverse collection of books, the building is also home to over 1 million photos, maps, and manuscripts. Though it’s grand and austere on the outside, the library has a modern, bright and attractive interior.
Home to some of Sydney’s best shopping, Oxford Street is an edgy thoroughfare that runs east from Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) toward Bondi Junction. Lined with trendy shops and boutiques, it has become a central hub of Sydney’s late-night club scene, as well as the unofficial center of Sydney’s LGBT community.
Woy Woy, a fishing town on New South Wales’ Central Coast, offers beautiful beaches, great seafood, and a chilled-out seaside vibe. On a peninsula north of Sydney, the inlets of the Brisbane Water National Park and the beaches of the Bouddi National Park are nearby. Woy Woy is an idyllic coastal getaway destination for nature lovers.
Step inside Sydney Harbour Bridge and climb 200 steps to reach Pylon Lookout, a 285-foot (87-meter) observation deck with panoramic views of the famed Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and the decorative arches of the world’s largest steel arch bridge.
The golden sands and tranquil waters of Camp Cove make it a popular stop for swimmers and families visiting the Watson’s Bay area. Mostly protected from the wind, the turquoise bay boasts great visibility ideal for snorkeling. Often less crowded than other nearby Sydney beaches, this hidden gem also boasts Aboriginal rock carvings of whales and fish on the rocks lining the beach.
One of around 50 different Shelly Beaches in Australia, Shelly Beach lies in Manly, Sydney. A small sandy cove that’s usually sheltered from Sydney’s notorious swells, it’s one of the city’s top snorkeling and free-diving spots, providing the main access point to the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, which extends to neighboring Manly Beach.
Australia’s longest river and a sacred place to indigenous communities, the mighty Murray River winds its way 1,558 miles (2,508 kilometers) through three Australian states. There are multiple ways—both on and off the water—to experience the river that runs through several Victoria towns and past striking South Australia landscapes.
Set in Vaucluse, just east of Sydney, Vaucluse House is an original mid-1800s manor house that’s now a museum. Built by William Charles Wentworth, a leading light in early colonial New South Wales, the Gothic-style house and gardens remain as they were in his day, providing a glimpse into the lives of Sydney’s 19th-century elite.
Wattamolla Beach is a scenic picnic area within Sydney’s Royal National Park. It’s a popular spot with families in summer, thanks to the calm lagoon ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on an inflatable sun lounger. Wattamolla Beach is also a good starting point for fishing and bushwalking adventures with the park.
Built around the remains of Australia’s first Government House, the Museum of Sydney offers a journey through Sydney’s history and culture. Through a changing program of exhibitions and events, the museum celebrates the people who have shaped the city, especially its First Nations custodians.
On the north shore of Sydney Harbour, Milsons Point may be one of Sydney’s smallest suburbs but it packs a punch when it comes to stellar views, with some of the city’s best of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It’s also home to the iconic Luna Park, Bradfield Park, and the North Sydney Olympic Pool.
Whale Beach is a lovely crescent of golden sand in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, located between the better-known Palm Beach and Avalon Beach. As well as a beach, it’s also a suburb. Situated on a narrow Peninsula, the beach faces the Pacific Ocean, while some of the suburb’s buildings face the calm Pittwater inlet.
Mainland Australia’s most easterly point, Cape Byron juts out into the Pacific Ocean above the seaside town of Byron Bay, topped with the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse. A walking loop delivers sweeping views of the bay and beaches, while the headland and life-filled waters below it form the Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
Located in Vaucluse, in eastern Sydney, Nielsen Park is a year-round outdoor recreation destination. Part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, it offers a beach, large expanses of lawn, plenty of shade, a promenade, sheltered picnic areas, a food kiosk, and wonderful harbor views. It’s particularly popular among families with kids.
Part of eastern Australia’s UNESCO-listed Gondwanaland Rainforest World Heritage Area, Nightcap National Park is an ancient subtropical rainforest with great hiking, wildlife-watching, and waterfall-chasing. Visitors come to check out the 330-foot (100-meter) high Minyon Falls, hike the various walking and mountain biking tracks, and see the birds, lizards, and rare frogs that call the park home.
Located in New South Wales, between Port Macquarie and Newcastle along Australia’s eastern coast, the village of Seal Rocks is renowned for its undeveloped beaches and prime surfing opportunities. Visitors also come to see the impressive Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, which offers stunning views.
You’ll find plenty of beaches around Byron Bay and dotting the coastline of the expanded region. But for those that wish to get far out of the town and away from typical surfing and swimming hot spots, expansive Seven Mile Beach calls. This peaceful stretch of sand is ideal for those who prefer a quieter escape and fewer crowds.
This rocky 32-acre (13-hectare island in the heart of Port Jackson is as rich in history as it is in sandstone. Once home to an explosives store and later a convict stockade, Goat Island has housed the Sydney Water Police and even served as a film set. These days, it’s part of Sydney Harbour National Park.
If you’re on a large cruise ship stopping in Sydney, you might pass through the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Situated in the heart of Australia’s biggest city, the port aims to make it as convenient as possible to get off (and back on) the ship, and also connects travelers to a plethora of sightseeing options.
With 175 acres (65 hectares) of fruit orchards open to visitors, Tropical Fruit World is one of the Gold Coast’s most unique tourist attractions. The eco-friendly, family-run working farm grows over 500 varieties of tropical fruits, and visitors can go behind the scenes to get a glimpse into farming life.
With a bohemian soul plus a party-hearty student population, Sydney’s Inner West suburb of Newtown offers street art, live music, retail therapy, performance spaces, and a wealth of bars, cafés, and restaurants. Head to King Street, the main drag, for bookshops, vintage stores, vinyl outlets, young designers—and plenty of food.
Since opening in 2009 in an industrial building in Sydney’s then-rundown Chippendale neighborhood, billionaire Judith Neilson’s White Rabbit Gallery has blazed a trail for contemporary Chinese art—not just in Australia, but globally. It makes highlights of Neilson’s collection available for everyone to enjoy—free of charge.
The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic coastal drive that stretches from the Royal National Park about an hour south of central Sydney, through the seaside New South Wales villages and towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven. Visitors can choose their own adventure with numerous coastal and rainforest walks, surfing, swimming, shopping, and endless dining options along the route.
Tumbling 330 feet (100 meters) over a sheer cliff surrounded by ancient rainforest, the spectacular Minyon Falls is a highlight of Byron Bay’s hinterland and the epicenter of Nightcap National Park. When conditions allow, you can swim in the plunge pool at the base of the falls or admire them from the Minyon Falls Lookout up top.
With everything from a classic F-111 to the first Australian-built Vampire F-30 fighter, Fighter World boasts an impressive collection of Australian fighter jets. The aviation museum, located on the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Williamtown, offers the chance to peek behind the scenes and climb into the cockpits.
Extending out of Sydney Harbour’s north shore, Bradleys Head overlooks many of the city’s most iconic sights—you’re sure to capture some great shots of Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison from here. Part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, it’s also home to the mast of the naval ship HMAS Sydney, which is mounted on the headland as a memorial.
