Top 15 Things To Do In Sydney

What to do in Sydney?

You'll find information and links to Sydney's top attractions and tours as well as local tips and advice. Please bookmark before you start clicking in case you lose us.

11 The Three Sisters in Sydney's Blue Mountains

Drive for an hour and half - go up a hill, turn left into Katoomba, follow the signs to Echo Point / Three Sisters, look around for a park then gape at the view. It's just incredible that a place like the Three Sisters can exist so close to a city the size of Sydney.

I was tempted not to give a link to, or image of, the Three Sisters as in some ways having no idea what you're going see there adds to the experience. I obviously did but you don't have to look! (just click 'Top 20' on your left then 'Blue Mountains' on your right!)

Blue Mountains Tour and River Cruise

The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Sydney

If you are in Sydney on a short stay, this tour will suit you.

As well as the essential Blue Mountains tourist destinations - Echo Point and the Three Sisters, Scenic Railway and Skyway, Candy Store at Leura - view breathtaking waterfalls and finish the day on a relaxing river cruise right up the middle of the river into one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

Blue Mountains Wentworth Falls

Visit an award winning interactive wildlife park, all you can eat from the beautiful buffet lunch, easy bush walk to Wentworth Falls.

River Cruise

Beat the traffic home on our privately chartered cruise catamaran right up the middle of the Parramatta River.

The specially built five star coaches will take you there in luxury, driven by our experienced senior coach captains whose fully informed and researched commentary will make your discovery tour a delight to remember.

You leave the city in our luxury air-conditioned coach and head west for the Blue Mountains.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

At the award winning Featherdale Wildlife Park make friends with cuddly koalas and wombats, hand feed kangaroos and emus in the fantastic people friendly interactive enclosures. See dingoes, reptiles and a large variety of birds.

Your buffet lunch is included at a licensed restaurant in the mountains.

Leura and Katoomba Blue Mountains

See the historic township of Leura and Katoomba, following the scenic cliff drive we take in the Jamison Valley and Australia's Grand Canyon.

Visit the Spectacular Three Sisters, a towering rock formation overlooking the Jamison Valley.

The next stop is a ride on the world's steepest Scenic Railway and Sceniscender. (Own Expense).

Thrill seekers can get a birds eye view of the Blue Mountains from the Skyway cable car.

Onto Wentworth Falls for a short optional bush walk- enjoy the views of the Kings Tableland - Jamison Valley and the spectacular waterfall.

On the return trip enjoy a relaxing Matilda river cruise along the Parramatta River to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay where the tour concludes.

Blue Mountains Tour and River Cruise

Click the above link to book or find out more about the Blue Mountains and River Cruise.

More Three Sisters - Blue Mountains Links

How do I get to the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains?

12 Blue Mountains – After the Three Sisters

Much to see and experience in the Blue Mountains. Wentworth Falls, Train ride down a cliff (the excellent Scenic Railway), Skyway Cable Car, Grand Canyon, Federal Pass and many other excellent walks and a lot of Blue Mountain lookouts to look out from.

Worth it if you can overnight or two or three. Once you've 'done' The Three Sisters visit the Blue Mountains Tourist Information Centre in Katoomba.

Are the Blue Mountains really Blue?

On a hazy day the Blue Mountains may earn their name, perhaps. The official explanation is that fine droplets of aromatic oil released by the eucalypt trees refracts the sunlight making the mountains appear blue from a distance.

Whilst on the subject of weather - if its cloudy be patient as it may just blow away - if the weather has set in consider a trip out to Jenolan Caves (but be careful as mountain roads can be challenging in poor weather)

Jenolan Caves and Blue Mountains Tour

Blue Mountains & Australian Wildlife

The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Sydney

Travel west beyond the suburban sprawl of Sydney into the rugged beauty of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park.

See magnificent steep valleys, canyons and the Three Sisters on the Skyway, Scenic Railway or Cableway.

Enjoy a walk among the native bush and visit an Australian wildlife park with an opportunity to touch a cuddly koala and see kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and other unique Australian

See the Blue Mountains and Australian Wildlife

A great opportunity see Sydney, renown Australian wildlife and the beautiful Blue Mountains in one trip.

Blue Mountains Bells Line of Road

The Bells Line of Road to the North is my preferred route in and out of the mountains. Stop at the Botanical Gardens and Birds / Kurrajong Hills for nice views back into town.

You should also take the Kurmond / Freemans Reach Turnoff the main road to avoid Richmond and Windsor and a few traffic lights (potentially cheap petrol at the BP Station just before the turn off but these things change so make you're own judgment)

Hopefully helpful links

Whatever you do please be careful, stick to the paths and don’t go abseiling without a rope.

13 I am Sailing (Sydney Harbour)

Arguable the best way to see and experience Sydney Harbour. Wind in your hair, the sound of water against the fronty bit and in the sheet thing above. "Land ahoy!" "There she blows!" "Shiver me timbers"- its in our blood (or television anyway).

Tall Ship Twilight BBQ Dinner Cruise

Step back in time as you step aboard the tall ship. Welcome to the 1800's when Sydney was still an infant colony. You'll be entertained throughout the cruise by many stories about the discovery of Sydney Harbour. Everyone is encouraged to get involved. Haul on the ropes and help set the sails or simply sit back enjoy the magnificent views as the sun sets over Sydney Harbour.

Tall Ship Evening Cruise of Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour Dinner Bed & Breakfast Tour For Two

When it comes to romantic evenings, this is as good as it gets.... lazing on a luxury yacht, enjoying delicious cuisine and fine champagne. Watching the lights of our city reflecting on the waters of Sydney Harbour. Your stay aboard will see you waking up on the beautiful Harbour!

Yacht B'n'B on the Sea, the ultimate in pleasure. Indulge yourself and your partner on an evening never to be forgotten.

Arriving at Darling Harbour at 5.00pm, you will be greeted by an experienced skipper who will show you onboard one of our luxury yachts. These yachts are the height of luxury, fully appointed with state of the art equipment. The skipper will then take you to a secluded bay on Sydney Harbour and drop anchor.

Once secure, you will be left for the evening. For dinner, you will be thoroughly spoiled with a delightful feast consisting of professionally catered gourmet foods, accompanied by a complimentary bottle of fine champagne. After dinner, settle back to an evening of music and romance.

Awake to a breath-taking view of Sydney Harbour whilst enjoying a coffee. The skipper will return at approximately 8.00 am to take you back to Darling Harbour where you will be treated to breakfast at a Harbourside Café.

Sydney Harbour Dinner Bed & Breakfast Tour

Learn to Sail at Balmoral, Sydney Harbour

Hello Sailor

Here is your chance to try your hand at sailing in the sheltered waters off Balmoral Beach. During your sailing course you will learn all the basic stuff from launching to landing, All equipment is provided including buoyancy aids, wetsuits and sailing dinghy. :)

Learn to Sail at Balmoral on Sydney Harbour

Yacht Charter on Sydney Harbour

The challenge, should you care to accept it, is to sail this rig through the most beautiful city harbour in the world. This is the ultimate sailing experience. Charter (hire) your own boat and sail it under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

You can also hire a professional skipper if you don't want to sail the boat yourself.

Sail Your Own On Sydney Harbour

Americas Cup Yacht For Hire

America's Cup Yacht sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge

You'll need some bodies to help you to do this.

The ultimate racing yacht, 'Spirit' is Australia's International America's Cup Class Yacht from the San Diego Challenge in 1992. A state-of-the-art Carbon fibre match racing yacht, 'Spirit' is an awesome spectacle and provides a once in a lifetime sailing experience. She is provided with a small crew of professionals so you can participate in the sailing as much or as little as you wish.

America's Cup Yacht for hire

14 Taronga Zoo - Sydney's premier Zoo

Everybody loves the zoo - well maybe some of the lions might look a little fed up with it but most humans seem to enjoy it. Taronga Zoo also boasts classic views across Sydney Harbour including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay.

Taronga Zoo Sydney Harbour Views

Anything less than a dozen pictures with the Sydney Opera House/ Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background and you are just not trying. There is a cable car leading from the ferry wharf to the Zoo or you can bus your way up the hill. Don't walk it unless you are mad.

Specifically for families Taronga Zoo includes a kiddies zoo, an excellent well shaded play-ground and farm animals for brave under fives to pat. These areas are a little away from the major attractions so can be a pleasant escape from the crowds assuming you are used to screaming kids. But maybe it's the screaming kids that keep the crowds away..

The facilities at Taronga Zoo are surprisingly good with a number of food options from traditional fast food to the pleasant Tree Tops cafe with excellent, if partially obscured, views of Sydney Harbour.

Taronga Zoo Do's and Don'ts

Taronga Zoo Do's and Don'ts is particular useful if you plan on going more than once and/or you have kids.

Taronga Zoo Do's and Don'ts

Smartvisit Card

Taronga Zoo's admission prices have been rising faster than a fast thing. One way you can reduce the cost and this and other Sydney things to do is be smart and buy a Smartvisit card.

Sydney Smartvisit Card

Family Friendly Zoo Pass? - Not Yet :(

Follow this link to Taronga Zoo anyway and ask them if they have a family friendly pass / flexible ticket. If enough people ask maybe Taronga Zoo might reconsider their ticketing options.

15 (21) Bondi Beach

The Peoples Beach. Bondi Beach is home to a diverse crowd, and Bondi can get crowded at times. Cafes and drinks are available by the Pavilion. When its open, the Bondi Pavilion Balcony is a neat place to watch the waves, wavers and other passerbys. There is a bar upstairs allowing you to take drinks out onto the balcony but opening times vary.

The Bondi Pavilion has exhibits and show plays, particularly during the Sydney Festival. Some are fun and some aren't but they are often short and you can take your drinks in with you.

If you want to try your hand at surfing why not learn how to at Bondi Beach:

Learn to Surf at Bondi Beach

Surfing Bondi Beach

Recommended by: Sydney Top Ten - The Guardian (UK) and
What's Doing in Sydney, The New York Times.

This popular beginner surf session teaches you how to safely get out and up onto your first wave.

Here you'll be taught in a small group setting of 6 students or less, so you get plenty of hands-on help.

You'll be amazed at how easy, safe and enjoyable it can be to learn to surf.

Learn to Surf at Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach from Sydney Harbour

The best way to get to Bondi Beach and avoid the traffic from Bondi Junction.

Bondi Beach from Sydney Harbour

Bondi Beach

When you arrive you could just have a splash in the Bondi waves and try your body at body surfing. If you have no inclination to get wet you can just stroll on or along side the beach (but really should give surfing a try whilst you're here..)

Ok, you are allowed to experience Bondi without Getting Wet

Bondi Tour and Sydney Highlights

For more information on Bondi