Sydney Attractions

Here we have put together our favourite attractions in and around Sydney for you.

Sydney Map

Here you can see our map of Sydney with all the ferries and the main destinations they serve.

Tip: Download the Sydney Map to your smartphone as an image. That way you can use it offline at any time.

Sydney Opera House

A visit to the opera is a must, and beforehand we recommend treating yourself to an aperitif and maybe a small bite to eat at the Opera Bar. Tip: there are often remaining tickets for the opera, simply ask at the box office shortly before the start. If you are lucky you can spontaneously see an opera for around AUD50. Alternatively you can of course book tickets in advance, which is also advisable for very popular productions, as they sell out quickly. It is possible to join a guided tour, but you do not get to see any more than if you simply visit the opera. We recommend not going to the classic opera, but to a performance in the Concert Hall, the real highlight of the Sydney Opera House. The Concert Hall is considerably bigger and has impressive acoustics, whereas the opera theatre is quite small and unspectacular.

Sunset at Watsons Bay

Sundays are best, because public transport including the ferries only costs 2 dollars on Sundays in Sydney, so you can round off the weekend cheaply and comfortably.

Bridge Climb Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge can be explored on a guided tour. There are different tickets and different price categories. The smaller and cheaper tour goes along the lower arch and then up in the middle to briefly enjoy the view.
The bigger and more expensive tour goes along the upper arch.
The tours are very expensive, very touristy and take up an incredible amount of time, as you spend over an hour getting kitted out and “briefed”. The view is of course fantastic and makes up a little for the time and money.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is a tourist magnet, but it is appealing all the same. There are countless restaurants and bars along the promenade and every Saturday at 9 pm there is a free fireworks display. Our tip: the restaurants are only mediocre and rather touristy, so it is best to have a nice meal beforehand and then come for a drink and the fireworks.

Newtown

The suburb of Newtown, on the other hand, lines up one great restaurant after another; the choice makes it hard to decide. Competition in the area is so fierce that a bad restaurant simply does not survive. Besides good food, this is above all a place to go out in the evening. Because of a law, most restaurants in Sydney close around 10 pm and clubs close around 3 am, and entry after 1 am is usually not possible. This rule was introduced because of increasing vandalism, in order to keep the city a little more under control. Fortunately, Newtown is the only suburb excluded from it. For that reason it is buzzing with young people here.
Newtown is also known for its alternative touch; everything is a bit more laid-back here :)

Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk

The Costal Walk starts in Coogee and leads to Bondi Beach in about 2 - 3 hours. The pure walking time is certainly less, but you like to linger here and there and enjoy the wonderful view.
Tip: Pack your swimming things and stop at one of the many beaches, or of course at the famous Bondi Beach

Rent a boat

Exploring Sydney from the water is worth it: you get a first impression of how beautiful this city is and can take in every corner at your leisure. You can also sail right up to the Sydney Opera House and take a few first-class photos :)
For everyone who has little time and / or money, it is worth simply taking one ferry after another on Sundays for €2 and looking at the different places.

The University of Sydney

Australia's oldest university is one of the 10 most beautiful universities in the world. The main building is built of Australian sandstone in the neo-Gothic style. You feel a little like you are in Hogwarts :)

Taronga Zoo

Of course everyone wants to see the Australian favourites in the wild and not in the zoo. But still, Taronga Zoo has quite a lot to offer. Among other things, the wonderful view of the city.
In total the park has over 4,000 different animals and over 20 informative talks with guides. The park is great for getting an overview of the huge variety of Australian animals. You can see all the kangaroo species, wallabies, platypuses and our favourite - the koala, which you can also have your photo taken with :)

If you are generally planning to see wildlife and are short on time, you can happily skip the zoo.

Blue Mountains

In only 90 minutes you can drive from Sydney into Blue Mountains Park by car.
Tip: on Sundays you can take the train there for only 2 dollars! Around 2 hours travel time.

The Blue Mountains are the perfect weekend getaway for everyone living in Sydney or just passing through. There are numerous hiking options in the park. Many tourists only visit the standard lookout platforms such as Wentworth Falls, Govetts Leap and Echo Point, or take the cable car for the circuit. Not a bad idea if you are short on time.
It is much nicer, though, to take a little more time and hike one of the many trails. Not only do you escape the mass tourism, you also get to see much more :)

Other recommended Sydney Attractions

• Botanic Garden
• Bondi Beach
• Shopping at the Queen Victoria Building
• Chinese Garden of Friendship (Darling Harbour)
• Anyone who likes going out should not miss the Ivy. Admission is usually a bit upmarket, and so is the crowd. On Thursdays admission is free.
• Day trip to the Figure 8 Pools
• Hunter Valley Wine Region

Our restaurant recommendation

In Sydney there is not one single restaurant recommendation; the food and the choice are huge. If you want to be inspired, go either to Newtown or to Crown Street in Surry Hills. Great restaurants are packed side by side here. Popular, also with the locals, is the Chinese restaurant Mister Wong.