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!

Blue Mountains Tour and River Cruise

The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Sydney

You will depart Sydney in a luxury air-conditioned coach and head west for the Blue Mountains. 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.

Leura and Katoomba

Your buffet lunch is included at a licensed restaurant in the mountains. See the historic township of Leura and Katoomba, following the scenic cliff drive enjoy the views of the Jamison Valley and Australia's Grand Canyon.

The Three Sisters and the worlds steepest Scenic Railway and Cableway

Visit the Spectacular Three Sisters, a towering rock formation overlooking the Jamison Valley. At our next stop ride the worlds steepest Scenic Railway and Cableway. (own expense) Enjoy a 400m boardwalk.

Spectacular Wentworth Falls

Onto Wentworth Falls for a short optional bushwalk-enjoy the views of the Kings Tableland, Jamison Valley and the spectacular Wentworth Waterfall.

Leura Candy Store

At historic Leura you have some free time to wander through its quaint antique and arts and craft shops, visit the Candy Store, an old-time lolly shop.

Parramatta River Cruise

On the return trip enjoy a relaxing Captain Cook Cruises river experience along the Parramatta River to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay where your tour concludes.

Blue Mountains and River Cruise

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.

Jenolan Caves

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

See the Blue Mountains and Australian Wildlife

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.

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains Links and Information

Blue Mountains Sightseeing

Blue Mountains links

13 I am Sailing

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).

I am Sailing Sydney Harbour

A bareboat or skippered yacht charter is a fantastic way to explore Sydney Harbour. You can join the rich and famous cruising past the iconic Sydney Opera House and under the massive Sydney Harbour Bridge.

You can marvel at the impressive real-estate lining the harbour, enjoy the natural beauty of the North Shore reserves. And if you're lucky you might even see a whale or two breaching just inside the harbour heads.

If you're after peace and quiet Sydney's quieter cousin Pittwater is just 45 minutes from the CBD.

Here's you guide to Sydney yacht charters

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 sight of someone else hauling the ropes.

All that hard work, or hard watching it, is bound to generate an appetite, but "no worries", you will be well catered for as you cruise past many of Sydney's top sights and attractions. Indeed, you will get to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison, Garden Island, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park and Admiralty House to name but a few. Whilst all this magnificence glides past your eyes, just allow a moment or two to let the whole experience embed itself into your memory as the sun gently sets over the beautifully gorgeous Sydney Harbour.

Tall Ship Evening Cruise of Sydney Harbour

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

You may find Taronga Zoo Do's and Don'ts particularly useful if you have kids.

Taronga Zoo Do's and Don'ts

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

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