Sydney's Top Things to do, in and around, Sydney Harbour

Your Tour of Sydney Harbour (continued)

47 Balmoral Beach

Balmoral can be pricey or classy depending upon the size of your wallet. Balmoral is one of the largest of Sydney's harbour beaches with an extensive esplanade, green reserve in the middle and Bathers Pavilion Balmoral is quite scenic with views out to Sydney Heads. With a mixture of tourists and locals Balmoral is a good spot for soaking up the sun and sights. Cafes, restaurants (including the Watermark, apparently the most expensive restaurant that used to be a public toilet in history but you still have to book. Breakfast is less of everything - food, hassle and hole in pocket). Balmoral boasts a quality fish and chips shop for munching on esplanade or beach and a regular bus service.

50 Nielsen Park / Shark Beach

Shark Beach can get a little crowded as the wealthy and not so get down to their local beach to soak up the sun and admire the panoramic views of Sydney Harbour. For shade there’s the Nielsen Park complete with kiosk.

51 Nielsen Park to Rose Bay

Sydney Harbour views and more harbour views and expensive houses as well as even more Sydney Harbour views and the Hermitage Foreshore Reserve. This five kilometre hike can get muddy and is steep in places. The 325 should take you to the city if you finish the walk at Nielsen Park or catch a Sydney ferry if you finish at Rose Bay.

54 Milsons and McMahons Points

Alight at Milsons Point train station or much better still, catch a Sydney ferry from Circular Quay. Whenever possible always think – can we catch a ferry – it doesn’t matter if it takes a bit longer for journey will be a lot more enjoyable. A stroll under the Sydney Harbour Bridge makes for some interesting camera angles as the Sydney Bridge rears up before you. You can also go for a swim in the excellent Olympic sized pool close by. There's a shallow pool for kids and coffee for the grown ups.

55 Luna (Amusement) Park

Luna Park is close to McMahon's Point. Luna Park is free to get in but the rides are not of course. Loved by many but not much by the locals of McMahon's Point so please scream quietly.
http://www.lunaparksydney.com - For Luna Parks Web site

57 Cremorne Point Walk

A nice views across the Sydney Harbour from the Cremorne Point on the north side of Sydney Harbour. Mostly paved, a little bit of bush, nice houses, gardens, plenty of places for a picnic (best near Cremorne Point its self) . There’s a pool (towards Neutral Bay) and a Mosman Rowers (Mosman Bay) for refreshment.

Click for more details on the Cremorne Point Walk

58 Parasailing / Water Ski Manly

Manly/Narrabeen. If getting thrown around behind the back of a boat or flying high up above one sounds like fun then go for it. Manly wharf is the place to start. If they have banned water skiing in Sydney Harbour (along with Jet Skis) try Manly Damn or Narrabeen in the heart of the Northern Beaches.

More Info

65 Harbour View Hotel - Sydney

The Harbour View Hotel is a pub with a Sydney Harbour view (unsurprisingly) but not from the ground floor – take the stairs, they are located on your left as you approach the pub. The Harbour View Hotel is on the pricey side if you lunch but very pleasant. Nice bar with a veranda perched almost directly under the Harbour Bridge. Pop in for a drink and if you like the look of it book a table.
Harbour View Hotel - Sydney

66 Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge

It takes about half an hour to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge on foot. A wire suicide fence impedes the view a little. Don't forget to smile sympathetically at the bored looking security guards as you go by. You’ll be passed by joggers and have the roar of traffic in your ears but it’s worth it.

If you commence your journey on the city side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge you can catch a train back into the city when you finish your walk. Milsons Point, McMahon’s Point, Kirribilli and North Sydney are all relatively close by if you want to keep walking.

68 Water Taxi

Beauty of these little boats is that they can take you where the ferries can't go. Couple of suggestions, Drummoyne Rowers and Banjo Paterson's (yes the poet, yes it’s a restaurant) in Gladesville. Alternatively you could catch the ferry to Doyle’s at Watsons Bay and water cab it back. A good look as you wade out in front of your fellow dinners and it keeps that feeling of well being going a little bit longer. Splitting the fare by traveling in a group is strongly recommended.

69 Sydney Opera House

Some buildings look more impressive from the outside. Still, worth a visit if only for the tortured story of its birth and after all, the Sydney Opera House is the building in Australia to visit. Its just a shame the politicians sold us all short by not following Utzon's original designs for the interior. Might seem a fairly low ranking but it more reflects the huge amount there is to do and see in Sydney rather than anything else.

Sydney Opera House - Tour links

70 Circular Quay

A mixture of tourists, commuters, street performers (some of them are more than worthy of your loose change but don’t feel you have to) water side cafes and restaurants, and possibly a luxury liner. Circular Quay is an excellent spot to catch a ferry or get off one.

Sydney Harbour - again

Have another look. Sydney Harbour varies with the weather, the time of day and (obviously) from your vantage point. Don't make the mistake of thinking been there - done that, because that’s when you're missing a huge orange moon rise above Sydney Heads, a couple of whales gallivanting off of Darling Harbour or maybe just a realisation that you really need to do something about work. I remember a ferry master claiming to have the best job in the world because Sydney Harbour was different everyday – those who can, and are smart, commute by ferry.

80 Blues Point Reserve

Visit Blues Point Reserve for nice spot for a photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the City as a backdrop. Try to ignore Blues Point Tower unless you're fortunate enough to know someone who lives there. Some buildings look better from the inside. You can walk from McMahon’s Point to Blues Point Reserve via Lavender Bay but unfortunately you will have to take to the streets to complete the journey.

81 Balls Head Reserve

Balls Head is a pleasant little reserve just north west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Nice spot for a picnic and offers nice views of Sydney Harbour and an opportunity to stretch the legs a little. Balls Head Reserve is a ten to fifteen walk from Waverton Train Station one stop after North Sydney northbound (unless you're on an express train - check the board before you get onboard)..

Balls Head Reserve link

97 Sawmillers Reserve

You'll find Sawmillers Reserve between French Street and West Crescent Streets, off Blues Point Road. Sawmillers Reserve is a little hideaway in the heart of the city. Snap up a few more shots of Sydney Harbour with few locals to share it with let alone tourists. Short walk from McMahon’s Point.

102 Hunters Hill / Woolwich

Drive or bus down to Bardelis Cafe Restaurant admiring the buildings along the way - just how do you get that rich(?). Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Stroll first towards Woolwich Dock and then across to Clarke’s Point, one of the more extensive grassy slopes on Sydney Harbour, taking in the view. Ask the staff at Bardelis for directions to be sure. You can also walk up to Kelly’s Bush Reserve.

Hunters Hill / Woolwich is a relatively tourist free area is currently under redevelopment so forgive any fences that may remain and the seemingly dereliction of Woolwich Dock. There is a ferry wharf at Hunters Hill but I doubt if there’s a weekend service.

Sydney Ferry Services and public transport information

114 Sydney Observatory

We are stardust and we are golden. For more than just astronomy check out their web site below. The Observatory is close to The Rocks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Theatre Company.

Sydney Observatory Web site link

115 Sydney Theatre Company

Love the theatre darling! One way to see it without actually having to sit through a performance.

That said the Sydney Theatre Company <STC> productions and performances are highly recommended and must be seen. A live performance is a refreshing change to the big or small screen. I always think I should do this more often but never do of course.

The Sydney Theatre Company lives on a converted wharf close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and not far from Observatory Hill. Apart from the view across Sydney Harbour there are arty things to look at and a café restaurant at the end of pier four in Walsh Bay. If you would like to dine at the Wharf Restaurant I'd suggest you book first (02) 9250 1761

Rumoured they run an organised tour on Thursdays at 10am. Ring to confirm.

116 Chinamans Beach

Chinamans Beach is a nice family friendly spot with a large grassy area that leads down to a small sheltered beach. At low tide it is possible to walk from Chinamans to Balmoral Beach.

Sydney Ferry and public transport information

118 North Sydney Oval

Some pleasant but restricted views across Sydney Harbour from North Sydney Oval’s south eastern corner close to the footbridge. Cricket and Rugby are played at the actual North Sydney Oval and you can enjoy the Star Light Open Air Cinema from January to March. If you can make the periodic market in Miller Street close to the North Sydney CBD grab some food and walk it off in the Oval and/or keep going to the Oaks (large beer garden – big oak tree) in Neutral Bay where you’ll allowed to reward yourself with a beer or a glass of wine.
Star Light Cinema at North Sydney

119 Kirribilli House at Kirribilli

Currently the Kirribilli House of John the warrior PM. Open days are limited to once or twice a year which is pretty poor going really. To compensate the Prime Minister does a power walk /morning constitutional around in a green and gold tracksuit so ask if you can drop by for tea. If he refuses you could try protesting 'Johnny, Johnny, Johnny (let me) in, in ,in’ outside of Kirribilli House. Failing that, an uncomplimentary photo of John Howard could earn you a free trip home

Kirribilli has some nice views but it is difficult to walk very far with hitting the back streets. There is Lady Gowie Lookout for looking out towards Sydney Heads.

A useful map may help

Sydney's Top 100 Plus Things to do