New South Wales attractions

Positioned on a headland in The Domain park, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is a sandstone bench offering spectacular Sydney Harbour views. Hand-carved by convicts in 1810 as a viewpoint for the then Governor’s wife—Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie—it now features on most Sydney visitor bucket lists.

Wentworth Falls is a charming town located in the Blue Mountains Heritage Site about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west from Sydney. Known for its eponymous waterfalls, the town has a number of walking and hiking trails, picnic and BBQ areas, a well-preserved Aboriginal site, and a charming downtown with historic buildings and gourmet coffee shops.

The lively suburb of Manly is one of Sydney’s most vibrant seaside areas and a popular destination for surfers from across the globe. Visit Manly Beach to enjoy the golden sand, catch world-class waves, and shop and eat along the lively Corso promenade, which is lined with cafes and restaurants.

Paddington is an upmarket suburb of eastern central Sydney that’s famous for its heritage terraced houses with attractive wrought-iron balconies and fences, as well as boutiques and fine dining. The Saturday Paddington Markets stretch along the main road, Oxford Street, and are a popular place to find local arts, crafts, and fashion.

Built for the 2000 Olympic Games, this world-class facility still draws travelers and locals looking to experience the Olympic spirit. The park is made up of several venues, including the ANZ Stadium, the Sydney Showground, the Athletic Centre, the Aquatic Centre (which is also open to the public for swimming, and even a skatepark.

The Southern Highlands are a popular getaway destination for Sydneysiders, and it’s easy to see why. Small towns at a pleasantly cool altitude, wineries, restaurants, waterfalls, forests, and hiking trails are the major drawcards. Whether you visit on a weekend trip or detour on a road trip through New South Wales, the Southern Highlands are worth your time.

Watson’s Bay is a Sydney suburb that forms the eastern edge of Sydney Harbour. It claims to be Australia’s oldest fishing village, and is still a popular place to dine on seafood. With city views, white-sand beaches, coastal walks, parks, and plenty of restaurants and boutiques, Watsons Bay appeals to all kinds of travelers.

What is now a popular destination for history buffs once served as a defense facility that kept watch over the bay. Fort Denison Island, located northeast of the Royal Botanic Gardens, was where some of the most gruesome acts against convicted felons took place. Today, travelers can wander the grounds of this recently restored island and see the gibbet where criminals were hanged. Explore the fort built to protect the island from invaders and climb the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind in the country. The island is home to an informative museum, as well as a number of landmarks that illustrate its dark and violent past. Please note: Fort Denison is currently closed for maintenance. The reopening is scheduled for late 2021.

The SEA LIFE® Sydney Aquarium encapsulates the diversity of Australia’s aquatic life. Wander exhibits that showcase everything from saltwater crocs and Southern Ocean penguins to turtles from the Great Barrier Reef and jellyfish. Plus, its prime Darling Harbour location lets you combine the aquarium with other family-friendly stops.

Take selfies with all your favorite celebrities, right on Darling Harbour. Opened in 2012, the Sydney outpost of the Madame Tussauds museum features incredibly lifelike wax replicas of famous figures—from Australian pop idols to sports heroes, movie stars, and politicians.

Easily the wildest place in the city, Taronga Zoo Sydney is a sprawling wildlife sanctuary where more than 4,000 animals crawl and chirp just minutes from the heart of downtown. Admire fuzzy-faced koalas, playful lemurs, distinctive Malaysian sun bears, saltwater crocs, and other animals before enjoying tours, keeper talks, animal shows, and activities suitable for kids and adults alike.

The harbor-side amusement park Luna Park Sydney has been entertaining locals and travelers with a lively midway, carnival games, rides, and big top concerts since 1935. More than 20 attractions range from the tame to thrilling, and although it’s small compared to modern amusement parks, Luna Park remains a Sydney family favorite with a nostalgic draw.

The Sydney suburb of Rose Bay is one of the city's hottest outdoor and nature regions, with many opportunities for water-related activities. Though it's just 4miles (7 kilometers outside the Central Business District, Rose Bay can feel somewhat rural, with a population of around 10,000 people (actor Russel Crow even lives here.

Kings Cross is Sydney’s late-night entertainment hub. Although the area has begun to shed its rakish reputation—thanks to the emergence of many trendy cafés and bars—it’s still considered the red-light district of Australia. Kings Cross is well-policed at night, but visitors are encouraged to shed their inhibitions before visiting.

Hailed as one of the finest examples of an English-style Gothic cathedral in the world, St. Mary’s Cathedral wows you with its sandstone exterior, stained glass windows, and ornate crypt, which features a mosaic floor and an exhibition on the first Australian Catholics. Plus, a visit to the cathedral affords great views of the skyscrapers in Sydney CBD.

The Gap is a large and attractive cliff on Sydney’s South Head Peninsula, in the Watsons Bay neighborhood, to the east of the central city. There are walking trails along the top of the cliff that offer great views of the ocean and the area’s layered sandstone formations.

Woolloomooloo Wharf was built in 1915 and for the next 70-odd years handled the export of much of Australia’s wool, and served as a disembarking point for new migrants arriving to the country. It has since been converted into a fashionable complex, housing some of Sydney’s finest restaurants and most stylish residential flats.

Located between Echo Point and Scenic World, Katoomba Falls is one of the most popular and accessible waterfalls in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains. A beautiful, segmented waterfall, Katoomba Falls drops about 492 feet (150 meters) in two main stages into Jamison Valley and can be viewed from a number of lookouts in the area.

As Sydney’s tallest structure, the Sydney Tower Eye is an integral part of the city’s skyline. At twice the height of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the 1,000-foot-high (309-meter) tower provides panoramic views that take in the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach; on a clear day, you can even see as far as the Blue Mountains.

Boasting the title of Australia’s oldest park, Sydney Hyde Park is home to the ANZAC Memorial and themed gardens brimming with water features and public art. In addition to almost 600 mature trees, the park also hosts the Archibald Fountain, crowned by a sculpture of Apollo; a Captain Cook statue; and the poignant Pool of Reflection.

The steps in front of this iconic building serve as a popular meet-up spot for locals, but it is what’s found within its walls that make a visit worthwhile. Built in the 1880s, this sandstone structure is the political powerhouse of the city, housing the Sydney City Council chamber and the offices of the lord mayor and city councilors.

Located on Gadigal Country—just a 15-minute walk from the city center—the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia’s premier cultural attractions. The unique art campus features two stunning buildings, Naala Nura and Naala Badu, and an art garden with Harbour views. Spend a day browsing historical and contemporary art (including the Yiribana Gallery, a permanent space showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art), then book one of the museum’s tours or check out dining experiences from renowned Australian chefs. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Australian culture and stories within one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts.

A popular day hike from Sydney, the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk also may be one of the world’s most scenic coastal walkways. Stretching 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) south from the famed Bondi Beach, the route follows the cliffs via Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly, providing panoramic views and beach pop-offs along the way.

The foundations of Sydney were built on convict labor, and the Hyde Park Barracks are where criminals who were sentenced to live out the rest of their days in Australia were housed. Now, as a museum, the barracks tell the stories of those unlucky enough to pass through its doors.

One of eastern Sydney’s prettiest areas, the ritzy suburb of Double Bay attracts well-heeled travelers and locals to its top-flight boutiques and restaurants. Surrounded by Sydney Harbour, it’s also a great spot to relax in a leafy park or soak up the sun on the beach.

Witness the ocean’s force as it pushes water up through the rocks, creating the spout of the Kiama Blowhole—the biggest natural blowhole in the world. Kiarama-a is believed to be the Aboriginal term, meaning “the noise of the sea.” Explosions of water can reach up to 80 feet (25 meters), which makes for quite the natural spectacle.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is on Mt. Tomah in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Previously known as the Mt. Tomah Botanic Garden, the 69-acre (28-hectare) garden is set within a UNESCO-listed area at around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) and contains local and international plants and views of the Blue Mountains.

Spiders, snakes, and saltwater crocs are just some of the Australian species on display at this Sydney zoo. From the Outback to Tasmania, the country’s diverse ecosystems are represented in 10 themed zones. Enter the nocturnal section of the zoo to see sugar gliders, wombats, and other creatures you’re unlikely to spot in the wild.

A favorite of campers, hikers, and nature lovers, Ku-ring-gai Chase is Australia’s second-oldest national park. The lush rain forest landscape, quiet creeks, and mountain passes just might make you forget you’re still within Sydney city limits.

While you could always venture into the outback in search of Australia’s natural wonders, the Australian Museum makes getting up close to the wild a whole lot easier. Wander through air-conditioned hallways filled with more than 40,000 artifacts, including examples of rare native minerals and exotic tropical birds.