What to do in Sydney

Activities, attractions and tours

Sydney
Cronulla Beach showing surf
Sydney
Sydney
Sydney showing a city, night scenes and general coastal views

Places to Visit in Sydney

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Sydney, New South Wales while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Sydney attractions from NZ$4, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Sydney tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 290 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Sydney. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is right up there with Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower, as a brand name for the exclusive elite of global cities. In fact it has long-since ceased to be just an Opera House. It's an icon. A powerful symbol, not just of Sydney, but of the whole of Australia. Those serenely simple, white-curving shells say something unexpected about this youthful nation. That Australians can do bold, as well as brash – and culture as well as brawn. When it opened back in 1973, it was a sign that Sydney, and Australians, were growing up.
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Sydney Opera House showing boating, music and a bay or harbour

2. Circular Quay

Circular Quay isn't just Sydney's premier transport hub, where boats, buses and trains converge in an endless and elegantly choreographed dance. It's the cove where Sydney was christened, and where Australia itself was born as a nation. The first British settlers arrived on this very spot in 1788, as part of the country's founding First Fleet. Sydney Cove it was named, and the 1,300 who made it across the 24,000-kilometre sea journey from Great Britain were to form the nucleus of New South Wales, Australia's first State.
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Circular Quay showing street scenes, a sunset and a square or plaza

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge

You'll be hard-pressed to find a photo of Sydney Harbour Bridge without the Opera House. The two go together like koalas and cute. But the long lines of Sydney's 'coat-hanger' deserve more than just a passing glance. This feat of Oz engineering stands with a majestic yet 'gallant restraint' – a counter-weight to the showy cultural aspirations of the Opera House. This is a bridge that reaches across a mile of sea, held together by six million rivets, and which turned Sydney's separate halves into a true Harbour City.
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Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

4. Manly Beach

Manly. An odd-name for a beach you might think. But then again, you weren't there in 1788 when Captain Philips was greeted by the fine upstanding men of the Cannalgal people and declared their manner as most 'manly'. And so a fitting name for the place was born. What Manly Beach most certainly has now is a haven for beach-lovers, one just “seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care.” A place to swim, surf, bike, and walk – or just let the sun soak in.
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Manly Beach featuring a coastal town and a sandy beach

5. Bondi Beach

The seaside suburb of Bondi is often overshadowed by its near-mythical beach. There’s more to Bondi, however, than just its incredible stretch of sand. With fabulous dining, cool shopping, art deco architecture and residents devoted to the body beautiful, Bondi is a state of mind as well as a destination.
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Bondi Beach in summer in Sydney, Australia.

6. Taronga Zoo

If you want to get up-close to the wild side of Australia – hop with the wallabies, snap a crocodile, or cuddle a koala – you can hire a 4x4, employ a guide, and head out into the outback. Or you can get on the ferry to Taronga Zoo and do all of the above, ice-cream in hand. That's the beauty of a city like Sydney. It may be a sprawling modern metropolis, but it's one packed with open spaces, parks, reserves and botanical gardens. And Taronga Zoo sprawls over just such a wide open green space – 21 hectares of bush land in North Sydney that have been an uncaged refuge for wildlife since 1916.
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Taronga Zoo which includes bird life, skyline and a city

Recommended things to do in Sydney

Number of things to do
290
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
eSIM: Airalo Australian Package: NZ$4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Sydney

Discover the most popular places to visit in Sydney

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

The bold lines of the Sydney Opera House speak more about Sydney than any other part of this cosmopolitan city of four million.

Sydney Opera House
Circular Quay showing street scenes, a city and a sunset

Circular Quay

Trains, buses and boats all make a bee-line for Circular Quay, a place at the heart of Sydney's journeying – and so should you.

Circular Quay
Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge

A colossus of engineering, the Harbour Bridge brings the pieces of Sydney together, and offers you a different perspective on the city's wide-angle drama.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Manly Beach featuring a coastal town, boating and swimming

Manly Beach

Lying just a ferry-ride away, on the north shore of Sydney's harbour, Manly will soon have you surfing and swimming – or just watching others getting all-manly.

Manly Beach
Star Casino which includes a sunset and signage

Star Casino

Why not roll the dice by visiting Star Casino where you can enjoy the entertainment at this popular casino in Sydney? Amble around this vibrant area's waterfront or experience its acclaimed art galleries.

Star Casino
Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

Locals and travelers from all over the world come to worship the sun, sand and clear blue waters of Australia’s most famous beach.

Bondi Beach
Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is just one of the places to see in Sydney, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the acclaimed art galleries and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

Hyde Park
Qudos Bank Arena

Qudos Bank Arena

Catch an event at Qudos Bank Arena during your trip to Sydney. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Qudos Bank Arena
Accor Stadium

Accor Stadium

Catch an event at Accor Stadium during your trip to Sydney. Discover the lively festivals and shops in this walkable area.

Accor Stadium

Explore areas of Sydney

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Sydney Central Business District

4.5/5(8,551 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Sydney Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House, and jump on the metro at Martin Place Station or St. James Station to see more of the city.

Sydney Central Business District
Darling Harbour featuring night scenes, city views and a bay or harbour

Darling Harbour

4.5/5(3,097 area reviews)

The best place to get acquainted with Sidney's nautical passions – sailing, pleasure-boating, whale watching – or the Maritime Museum if you prefer dry land.

Darling Harbour
Bondi Beach showing a coastal town, general coastal views and a sandy beach

Bondi Beach

Travellers to Bondi Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Bondi Beach and Bondi Icebergs.

Bondi Beach
Manly Beach which includes swimming, tropical scenes and a coastal town

Manly

Venture to Sydney’s northern coast to explore this picturesque beach suburb, the perfect spot for surfing, shopping and sunbathing.

Manly
Parramatta showing general coastal views and a city

Parramatta

Discover the cultural diversity, rich heritage and scenic river parks of the second-oldest settlement in Australia, in the heart of the greater Sydney region.

Parramatta
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Sydney Olympic Park

Unique features of Sydney Olympic Park include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Accor Stadium or Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre while you're exploring the area.

Sydney Olympic Park

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Sydney

Wollongong showing a beach, a city and boating

Wollongong

Photo by Shona Guthrie

Emu Plains

Photo by Lauren Abela

Glenbrook

Patonga

Patonga

Frequently asked questions

Is Sydney worth visiting?
With a blend of coastal beaches and culture, there are plenty of things to do in Sydney. When you're here, visit Sydney Opera House, a leading attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Sydney?
Start your day with a visit to Taronga Zoo and Manly Beach. Then, tour different parts of Sydney for tasty eats and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Sydney?
Sydney Opera House is one of the top tourist attractions in Sydney and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Sydney?
Three days in Sydney is enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and Bondi Beach are among the top-rated sights. Want to experience more? Stick around a little longer to explore nearby hotspots like Campbelltown.
Is Sydney a walkable city?
Some top sights in Sydney, including Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.16 kilometres from the city centre of Sydney is Sydney Central Business District and East Sydney is 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Sydney with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities makes all the difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Sydney with kids.

What to do in Sydney for adults?
Archie Rose Distilling Co. And Sydney Town Hall are just a few of the things to do in Sydney. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Sydney?
From visiting parks to strolling around vibrant neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Sydney. If you're looking for inspiration, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Bondi Beach is a great spot for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.

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