Top Sydney Outdoor Activities

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

Enjoy sweeping views of Sydney Harbour during a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight over Sydney. If you’re short on time in the city or just want to see a lot in one go, take to the skies for a quick flight with stunning panoramic views. Check off Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge without having to walk anywhere or struggle through the crowds.

With spaced-out highlights and an overwhelming mix of transport options, it can be hard to cover the best of Sydney on your own—especially if you're short on time. Keep things simple with this guided tour—with private and small-group options—and maximize your day with an itinerary that checks off plenty in one seamless experience. From the comfort of a private vehicle, visit The Rocks, Bondi Beach, and Watson’s Bay, and enjoy time to linger at sights such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

While Australia has plenty of nature to see, you have to get out of the city and into the bush to experience it best. Escape the crowds of Sydney on a private tour into nearby wilderness areas, where native Australian wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat. With the help of a local guide, visit the best spots to observe kangaroos and diverse birdlife, without the guesswork of finding them yourself.

Enjoy unobstructed views of Sydney Harbour's landmarks from a 35-foot (10.5-meter) catamaran during this evening cruise. Sail past the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the sky shifts from sunset colors to city lights. Light snacks and soft drinks or water are provided on board, and you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages with no corkage fee. Settle in and enjoy the views without the hassle of battling the crowds on land.

Learning to surf on your own means guessing at technique and trying to access equipment—difficult to arrange on vacation. Book a small-group lesson at Bondi Beach with a local instructor to cover surf and safety basics, warm-up, paddling, catching waves, and standing up. All the gear is included, so you can turn up and get straight in the water.

Enjoy a private full-day tour from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the scenic Jamison Valley, Three Sisters rock formations, and have lunch in the quaint village of Leura (not included). Explore the rain forest at Scenic World, which features the Scenic Skyway and Scenic Railway rides (own expense). Admire towering waterfalls, forest-clad mountains, and sculptural rocks, and see native Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park.

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks—but much of it remains hidden to visitors without tickets to a performance. This guided walking tour offers a closer look inside the UNESCO World Heritage–listed building, with access to spaces typically reserved for showgoers. As you explore, your guide shares entertaining stories about the venue’s design, history, and the productions that bring it to life.

Many whale-watching tours head straight into open water, but this cruise begins in Sydney Harbour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue lunch (depending on the option selected). After your meal, sail past sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the Pacific Ocean, in search of migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary along the way, and helps you spot marine life.

Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage as you explore The Rocks on this guided walking tour of the historic precinct. Offering amazing views over the Sydney Harbour and the Campbells Cove Wharves, your guide will lead you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards where you’ll discover some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage, built in 1816 and the Garrison Church, which dates back to the 1840s.

Experience the wonder of the wilderness on this full-day private Blue Mountains tour from Sydney. Leave the city lights far behind as you journey into the lush valleys, waterfalls, gorges, mountains, and forests that have shaped life here for tens of thousands of years. You can also opt to add on a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park or swing by Scenic World and take a trip on the cable car.

Sightseeing around Circular Quay doesn’t have to mean slow ferries and crowded lookouts. This high-speed jet boat ride rockets you across Sydney Harbour for a thrilling spin on classic views. Snap photos of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge before your captain shifts gears into spins, slides, and power maneuvers.

Step beyond the public pathways and discover Taronga Zoo Sydney from a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective. This premium, small-group experience offers an intimate and immersive connection with Australia’s extraordinary wildlife, guided by one of our passionate keepers. With a maximum of just six guests, this personalised tour invites you to slow down, connect deeply, and gain a richer understanding of the animals in our care—and how, together, we can help protect them into the future.

If you’re short on time in Sydney and won’t be able to visit all of its glorious beaches, admire them from the air instead. This scenic half-hour helicopter flight takes you over the beaches at Coogee, Bondi, Manly, and more. You may even see dolphins or whales (in season), and you’ll definitely get great views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.

Sydney’s key sights are spread across the city, and relying on public transport can mean long travel times between stops. This private tour simplifies the experience with a personal chauffeur and luxury SUV or minivan, allowing you to move directly between locations without waiting around. Set a custom itinerary and spend as much time as you like at places such as The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Bondi Beach, The Gap, or the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney and its surroundings from the tallest structure in the city, the Sydney Tower Eye. Standing on the Observation Deck, perched 250 meters (820 feet) above the ground, soak up 360-degree panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, the skyline and the Pacific Ocean. Complimentary use of high-powered binoculars and multilingual state-of-the-art touchscreens enhances your view with an interactive introduction to the city's top sights.

Seeing Sydney Harbour in a limited amount of time works best from the water, without the crowds around you. This private cruise places you aboard a luxury vessel with the itinerary handled for you, allowing time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Take in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as you cruise the harbor, enjoying the breeze and a glass of sparkling wine along the way.

Enjoy an active day outside of Sydney on a small-group day trip into the Blue Mountains. Go beyond the typical tourist spots on a hike to Wentworth Falls, on which you’ll get some exercise and admire the views without getting lost in the bush. Your guide can even show you some short cuts. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park and walk to the must-see Three Sisters Lookout, too.

Maximize your time in Sydney on this 3-in-1 all-day tour—and leave the sightseeing logistics to someone else. Following hotel pickup, you’ll be driven to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See incredible panoramic views of rock formations and waterfalls and ride Scenic World’s cable cars. After stopping for lunch, you’ll head to the famous Sydney Zoo and then enjoy a scenic ferry ride around Sydney Harbour.

Combine sightseeing with wildlife spotting on this Sydney cruise that traverses the harbour and goes out to the open sea. Not only will you search for majestic humpback whales, you’ll also see the skyline and iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water. Enjoy the comfort of the spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating and refreshments for purchase.

Getting from Sydney to the Blue Mountains can be time-consuming if you’re relying on trains and local transport. This day tour connects the region’s highlights without wasting a second of your vacation time. Take in sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, experience the rides at Scenic World, and see native wildlife at either Featherdale Wildlife Park or Sydney Zoo before returning with a relaxing cruise along the Parramatta River.

Enjoy an exhilarating half-day sailing cruise on Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht with an experienced captain. Take in stunning views of Sydney's waterside landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Mrs. Macquaries Chair, Fort Denison, Watsons Bay, Sydney Heads and more. Anchor in a secluded bay in Sydney Harbour National Park with time for beach walks, swimming, snorkeling and a delicious lunch with Australian wine and beer. This small-group tour is limited to eight people, ensuring a personalized experience with your knowledgeable captain.

Relax and admire the sights of Sydney Harbour on a leisurely two-hour cruise. Sit out on the deck or inside in the comfy lounge or at a reserved table as you sip cocktails and snack on a charcuterie board with Australian cheeses. Take great photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and other landmarks as you sail past. On the weekends listen to live music on board.

Save yourself the guesswork of finding a restaurant with a view and secure guaranteed window seating at Sydney Tower’s revolving restaurant. Dine nearly 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the city as the restaurant completes a full rotation, revealing changing views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and even the Blue Mountains on clear days. Enjoy an unlimited buffet with more than 30 dishes, plus an included drink.