Sydney attractions

The largest working fish market in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Fish Market (SFM) rivals some of Japan’s biggest fish markets. Vendors sell approximately 52 tons of seafood per day, and the market is also home to some of the best fish restaurants and retailers in New South Wales.

Nestled between two prominent headlands on the Bondi to Coogee Walk, this slight stretch of golden sand has such a glamorous reputation that it is affectionately known as “Glamarama.” While trendsetters flock to Tamarama simply to be seen, the Sydney beach is also a significant draw for surfers and sunbathers.

Just south of Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach offers all the appeal of its neighbor—golden sands, surf-worthy waves, and scores of sun-bronzed holidaymakers—but its smaller size and lighter traffic make it a local favorite. Head here to enjoy a beachside barbecue in Bronte Park, paddle in the rock pools, or put your surf skills to the test.

Jutting out into Sydney Harbour to the east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay, Garden Island is home to the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of ships and its heritage center. Visit the area to see fortifications from the colonial period, the first grass tennis court in Australia, and a heritage rose garden.

Situated in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley wine region, the Hunter Valley Gardens boast more than 60 acres (24 hectares) of horticultural displays, comprising thousands of trees, flowers, and shrubs in a range of colors and fragrances. There are also 10 feature gardens, each individually planned and planted.

The Australian National Maritime Museum features rich exhibitions ranging from the time of the Eora First People to the First Fleet all the way to the present. Here you can learn about how convicts traveled in dark and damp accommodations and how passengers sailing to a new life survived long ocean journeys.

On Sydney’s North Shore, the harborside village of Balmoral is a less-crowded alternative to the blockbuster beaches of Bondi, Manly, and Coogee. Home to cafés and restaurants specializing in fresh seafood, Balmoral also offers calm waters ideal for swimming.

Hailed as having some of the best views in Sydney, West Head Lookout lets you soak up panoramic vistas of Lion Island Nature Reserve, Hawkesbury River, and the beaches of the central coast—to name just a few. Facing directly out from the lookout in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, you can also see Broken Bay on the left and Pittwater on the right, plus sparkling blue water and lighthouses perched on the headlands.

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.

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.

The Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on zoo and educational center on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Visitors to the park have opportunities to walk alongside a giant Galapagos turtle, take pictures with a koala, feed kangaroos, see tarantulas and venomous snakes, and watch a crocodile named Elvis eat his lunch.

Winding for 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Yarramundi to Broken Bay, the Hawkesbury River is the longest coastal river in New South Wales, and easily accessible from Sydney. With generally calm waters, it’s a popular river for water activities; several historic coastal towns can also be found along its shores.

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.

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.

One of Australia’s oldest and most impressive cave systems, Jenolan Caves are a highlight of any visit to the Blue Mountains. The caves serve up some spectacular scenery, with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, underground rivers, and unusual limestone and crystal formations.

Sydney’s Parliament House is a complex of buildings that has housed the Parliament of New South Wales since 1829. Listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, the site consists of the north wing of the Rum Hospital building (which was built in 1816 as part of the country’s first hospital) flanked by two Neo-gothic buildings.

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.

Known to locals as “the Royal” or “the Nasho,” Australia’s Royal National Park has been a favorite nature escape for Sydney locals since 1879—and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its diverse landscapes range from eucalyptus forests and ancient sandstone cliffs to wildlife-rich wetlands and sandy beaches beckoning for a swim.

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.

Aussies know this long, beautiful beach as the backdrop for the popular soap opera "Home and Away," but travelers love the quiet cove at the tip of a promontory for its white sand, calm waters, and relaxed vibe. Some of Sydney’s most exclusive real estate is nestled among the forested hillsides that surround “Palmie,” as locals call it.

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.

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.

Among the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge links the North Shore with the central business district. For a serious adrenaline rush with fantastic views, don a harness and head out on a guided bridge climb.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.