Please bookmark Sydney100 before you click anything Bookmark

120 of the best things to do in Sydney

What to do in Sydney? - Take High Tea!

111 (141) Afternoon or High Tea at the Victoria Room - Darlinghurst

The British (or was it really the Chinese?) gave us the enduring, and growing in popularity, "High Tea". You can posh it up in most major cities around the world and Sydney is no exception.

Royal High Tea

High Tea at the Victoria Room is the whole works that could take you back to a time of the royals and the British-Raj. Try out a few 'my husband and I' or maybe a 'we are not amused' and see how it feels. Maybe give a royal hand-wave a try as you leave.

High Tea plus

The Victoria Room does more than High Tea including periodic complimentary musical treats on the posh scale.

So what is High Tea anyway?

So what is High Tea? Well it comprises of a traditional selection of sandwiches, cakes and the finest tea and champagne. High Tea is available on Saturdays 12pm - 5pm and on Sundays 1pm - 5pm. High life and tiffin, apparently, bring a friend(s).

112 Macquarie Street

If you enjoyed Hyde Park Barracks you might enjoy a walk along Macquarie Street. Macquarie Street has more 'old' buildings including Sydney Hospital and New South Wales Parliament House (that's State not Federal). There's also a nice coffee house in the hospital grounds not far from the Domain.

Macquarie Street

113 (99) Steam Trains (Southern Highlands)

If you'd like a steamy trip out of Sydney to the Southern Highlands and other 'places of interest' this could be for you. The steam trains periodically depart from Central Railway Station; follow the link below for when:

Link to Steam Trains

114 Sydney Observatory

We are stardust and we are golden. The Sydney Observatory is close to the Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Theatre Company.

Sydney Observatory includes the 3D Space Theatre

A 3-D space theatre shows both short films and interactive content dealing with astronomy and space exploration themes. The Sydney Observatory has some interesting exhibits on the robotic exploration of Mars. Perhaps even more exciting are the discoveries being made by the Cassini Spacecraft currently orbiting Saturn and its largest moon Titan. Titan has rivers, lakes and an atmosphere. Take the opportunity to ask lots of questions.

Sydney Observatory Web site

115 Sydney Theatre Company

Love the theatre darling! This is one way to see it without actually having to sit through a performance. The Sydney Theatre Company (STC) resides 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 bar at the end of the wharf.

Tours

The STC also run an occasional organised tour. Follow the link below for more details.

Sydney Theatre Company

116 Chinaman's Beach

Chinaman's 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 to Balmoral Beach.

Chinaman's Beach

117 Circular Quay

From Circular Quay you can see and photograph the Sydney Opera House at one end of Sydney Cove and the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the other. Circular Quay is the first place many visitors get to see the two great Sydney icons close up. In case you are wondering, the building in the picture above is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

The First Fleet and Circular Quay

The First Fleet were the first Europeans to arrive at Circular Quay and they said, "What a great spot!" Which, of course it is. Circular Quay has now become the Central Station of Sydney Harbour. 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

118 North Sydney Oval

North Sydney Oval possesses some nice but restricted views across Sydney Harbour from the Oval’s south eastern corner close to the footbridge. Cricket and Rugby are played at the North Sydney Oval itself. There is also the Star Light Cinema which operates out of North Sydney Stadium 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, a glass of wine or something stronger.

Star Light Cinema at North Sydney

119 Kirribilli House, Kirribilli

Kirribilli House is in a great location, has a fabulous history but open days are limited to once or twice a year. Ok, so the Prime Minister lives there, might get distracted etc. but the Queen allows visitors through Buck Palace so why can’t our PM? Follow the link to the Kirribilli House web site and hope you can get in.

Lady Gowrie Lookout

Kirribilli has some nice views but it can be difficult to walk very far without hitting the back streets. There is Lady Gowrie Lookout for looking out towards Sydney Heads.

Kirribilli House

120 Casino – The Star (aka Star City), Darling Harbour

Apart from lots of pokies there are lots of ways to gamble including cards, roulette and all the rest. The Star (Star City Casino) has some nice comfy chairs for watching sport, numerous bars, night clubs and shows. Gamble for fun and not to win and you can't lose.

The Star Casino near Darling Harbour