Top 40 Things To Do In Sydney

What to do in Sydney?

36 Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon is the 'tower' nearest to the camera

For slightly more than a burger and chips at Circular Quay you can climb the 200 steps to the top of the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Whether as a taster for the Sydney Bridge Climb or for those not sure it's for them this is excellent value.

The climbable pylon is the one nearest to the City on the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is assessable by foot. You'll get a nice view from the top and as much information about the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its construction as you could possibly want.

For example, did you know the Harbour Bridge pylons are cosmetic and do not support the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Then there’s the builder who fell off the Sydney Harbour Bridge but had the presence of mind to throw his tool bag ahead of him thereby breaking the water tension and saving his own life. Back on the job after a few weeks in hospital. Tough times - many died erecting the magnificent structure most now drive across without much thought.

For more details see the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Web site

Free admission to the Sydney Harbour Pylon with a Sydney Attraction Pass

37 Lunch at Cottage Point Kiosk

You can seaplane, ferry cruise (from Palm Beach) or drive to Cottage Point. Lovely spot by the water surrounded by bush. A chill out affair with the option of a bush walk or a visit to West Head if you so desire (Cottage Point sounds like Church Point? – well it is but different).

Lunch at Cottage Point

By Seaplane

The award winning Cottage Point Inn restaurant is renowned for offering exceptional modern Australian cuisine in beautiful and tranquil surrounds. Upon landing your seaplane will taxi right up to the restaurant's seaplane dock, where a warm welcome awaits from Cottage Point Inn's friendly staff.

Cottage Point By Seaplane

Cottage Point Links

38 Government House - Royal Botanic Gardens

Where the Royals go for a cuppa when they come to visit. Worth your time for the views and garden let alone the stately home. The downside is you have to go on a tour, you can't just walk around Government House on your own. Tours run every half an hour so no great inconvenience.

How much does it cost to get into Government House?

This will surprise you - absolutely nothing. Government House is only open Friday to Sunday - 10am to 3pm but the grounds are open every day - 10am to 4pm.

Government House Web site.

39 Helicopter Flights - Sydney Helicopters

Sydney by chopper

Pricey, short lived, noisy and why don't these things screw themselves into the ground(?). When it’s over you’ll probably say something like ‘that was fantastic’ to which will come the reply ‘buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’ unless you kept your earmuffs on. Sydney Helicopters have some interesting tours on offer like trips to out of the way pubs to drink way out beer. Sydney Helicopters is expensive but worth it particularly if you're not doing 'The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb".

Sydney Harbour Helicopters and Northern Beaches

This fantastic 30-minute helicopter flight takes in the best Sydney has to offer...beginning with an aerial tour of Sydney’s beaches, from Coogee to Long Reef and Curl Curl on the Northern beaches before turning around to fly over Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour.

The Grand Tour delivers the best views of Sydney with an incredible aerial tour along thecoastline from Coogee up to Long Reef and Curl Curl on the Northern beaches.

From here, the pilot turns around for the flight into Sydney Harbour, where some absolutely incredible photo opportunities await, seen from 1500ft the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline make for truly breathtaking views.

Helicopter Flights - Sydney Helicopters

40 Bradley Head

Bradley Head with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

To visit Bradley Head alight the ferry at Taronga wharf, climb up the hill taking the right fork into the Sydney Harbour National Park. From a choice of three walks 30 minutes effort will be rewarded by a spectacular view extending from Sydney City to the Heads at the entrance of Sydney Harbour.
The white mast you’ll see belongs to HMAS Sydney, a WW1 battleship. Late or early in the day you might catch a glimpse of some ring-tailed possums and water dragons. Rainbow lorikeets may also droppings to say ‘G’day’.

Athol Hall (9968 4441) for a good place to stop for a drink. You can continue through the peaceful Taylor’s Bay reserve and on to Clifton Gardens, at Chowder Head, where there is a picnic area and ocean pool. It’ll take you around four hours to walk from Taronga Zoo to Chowder Head and back. Like all these walks, the more time you take over it the more you’ll get out of it.