Top 10 Things To Do In Sydney

7 Open Air Cinema (and Moonlight Cinema)

The Open Air Cinema is another must. The Open Air Cinema, close to Mrs Macquaries Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens, is the most expensive, hardest to get into and the most 'must do' of a number of outdoor cinemas in Sydney. With a drink in hand, big screen with the Sydney City Skyline, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop it is hard to beat. If the movie is getting dull just watch the fruit bats fly off to feed or admire Sydney at its best - at night. Sadly, the Open Air Cinema is only open during the summer.

Book your ticket to the Open Air Cinema well in advance and arrive as early as possible. Reasonably good nosh and drink are available. Reserve your Open Air Cinema seat as soon as you get in and then, if you can, grab a table – or better still, you reserve the seats whilst someone else grabs a table. When you’ve finished eating give the table up to someone else – you’re be sat down for most of the night anyway. Expect to have to wait to get out and it may take you a little while to find a cab. Better option is to drive. If you arrive early enough you should be able to park in the Domain on the road to Mrs Macquaries' Chair. If you’re staying in the city consider walking.

Official information

You'll find the Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park. No seats, more of a BYO (Bring Your Own - see below) affair. See below for the Moonlight Cinemas Web site for details.
Moonlight Outdoor Cinema Centennial Park

BYO - Bring Your Own (Alcohol)

Bring Your Own (BYO) is an Aussie institution favoured by the majority of Sydney restaurants and cafes. The major exception being high class, expensive restaurants. BYO Rules and charges (corkage) vary. BYO may be just limited to wine only. Corkage maybe charged per bottle, other times it is charged per person.

Recommended Sydney Restaurants

8 Palm Beach, Whale and Bilgola Beach

35k trip or so up to Palm Beach will make you feel at Home whilst you're Away - if you like your Aussie soaps that is. An hour or so drive from the airport, Palm Beach was my first stop and should be yours to if you love beautiful beaches.

Palm Beach is a very idyllic location with more than its fair share of resident millionaires. Palm Beach is at the end of the peninsular so the ocean beach and Pittwater are walking distance apart.

You can hire a boat and go for a paddle down Pittwater and grab a coffee and sandwich right on the water at 'Carmels'. Neighbouring Whale Beach is arguably a ‘better’ beach than Palm.

There is also the trek up to the Lighthouse to enjoy although you'll have to 'rough it' slightly as the main path is being upgraded.

There is also the seaplanes to watch land, takeoff or climb into:

Seaplane at Palm Beach

Be blown away by a scenic flight over Sydney Harbour and the Northern Beaches before landing you on the Pittwater at Palm Beach. Dine at the renowned Jonah's Restaurant, before being flown back to Rose Bay. This is a day to dress up for.

Enjoy a scenic seaplane flight over Sydney Harbour, and it's famous beaches. Bring your cameras at the ready to capture the rapture of seeing Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the air.

Your pilot will then descend for a water landing at Palm Beach where you will be collected and taken to Jonah's Restaurant, for a beautiful 3 course a la carte lunch (excluding beverages) whilst enjoying the magnificent views of Whale Beach. You will then be taken back to the seaplane for your flight back to Rose Bay.

Seaplane to Palm Beach from Rose Bay (Sydney Harbour)

Other Sydney Scenic Flights

More on Palm Beach and Whale Beach

Bilgola Beach

Bilgola Beach can be found just south of Palm Beach and Whale beach. A beautiful spot surrounded by bush and if you're lucky, peace and quiet. Bilgola is an excellent chill out if you avoid weekends and/or arrive early. Bilgola has a pleasant kiosk by the beach and an ocean pool if you don't like the look of the Bilgola waves.

Wear Sunscreen

Australia excels in many ways and is, sadly, top of the skin cancer league. Slap it on every time you step outside – the sun here is a killer. As anyone who's experienced it will testify sunstroke is extremely unpleasant and will cost you at least a day or two of your holiday as you recover so bring or buy a hat.

9 Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney is a beautiful park on the foreshore of the most beautiful Sydney Harbour in the world.
A walk through the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens at dusk will make you feel like you’re David Attenborough as the resident flying foxes get in a flap.

There's a cafe in the middle of the Royal Botanic Gardens where you can compete with creatures of various sizes for your lunch. Alternatively bring your own, find a patch of grass and watch the boats go by. The Royal Botanic Gardens is a must place to visit and it won't cost you a cent.

10 Mrs Macquaries' Chair and Point (classic Sydney Harbour Bridge / Sydney Opera House views and a great vantage point for photographs)

The only problem with Mrs Macquaries Chair is its popularity - beware the tourist bus (if you’re riding on one sit at the front and get off first!). Best bet is to arrive early morning or late afternoon. If you want to avoid having the ugly Blues Point Tower appearing in the background of your photographs move south along the point - at the right angle it will be suitable obscured. (Alternatively pop in to see Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and have the monstrosity knocked down).

Sydney Morning City Sights and Bondi Tour - Including Mrs Macquaries' Chair

Bondi Beach

This AAT Kings' tour takes you to the must see sights in Sydney.

• Pass through the historical Rocks area and Circular Quay as your driver/guide points out and tells you about the history and significance of the areas. *
• View the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquarie's Chair. A chair specially designed for the governor's wife to look out over the harbour.
• Travel through Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Kings Cross and Double Bay. *
• Stop at "The Gap", the heads of the Harbour photo opportunities.
• Morning Tea at the world famous Bondi Beach (own expense).

Click To Book and See the Historical Rocks To World Famous Bondi Surf or to find out more

(Bondi Beach currently ranks 21 on the Sydney100 list)