The top 10 things to do in Sydney include the Harbour Bridge Climb, the harbour but not the Opera House. The Sydney Opera House does not make the top 10 things to do in Sydney but it is listed. The Open Air Cinema (ranked 7) is a ‘must see’ if you are here when it’s on.
What sort of things can you do on the Sydney Harbour Bridge other than just cross over it? You can climb it, there’s the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb (see below). That’s surely it right? Well no, you can go under it, a ferry to Darling Harbour (ranked 3) will do that quite nicely and then there’s flying over it, which is pretty good too. On special occasions you can run or walk down the middle of it.
The Harbour Bridge Climb is easier than it first appears as the gradient leading to the top of the bridge is not that steep. Negatives are the cost, the long period of preparation and ‘training’ before you go up, no cameras (they will sell you photos) and it can also get a little sweaty in their ‘fashionable’ grey suits.
The Bridge Climb is an experience and a half, a must do, particularly if you like being chained to something.
Around the same size as the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Tower gives you a pretty good view of Sydney. If you choose to Skywalk outside of the Sydney Tower Eye it gets even better with a complete view of the entire city. You could say it is a real eyeful, maybe they should change the name (again) to the Sydney Eyeful Tower.
Being twice as high as the Harbour Bridge, this is the best view in town. It is also a lot cheaper, takes up less time and is easier to do than the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Against this, the Bridge Climb will feel like more of an accomplishment, hey! You have just climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge! There is nothing to stop you from doing both of course. Whichever you do you will be mesmerised by the sight of the most beautiful city in the world stretching out beneath and all around you. You came to see Sydney didn’t you? Now you have.
That would be it for most bridges, but the Harbour Bridge has another quality most others lack. You can look at it! Now that’s daft right? Of course you can look at it! But our bridge gets looked at from all over the place – from Sydney Heads and Sydney’s Harbour Islands to all sorts of wonderful places, it’s there.
There are a few different ways you can make you way across the Bridge. Below you’ll find link to our links page which also covers this topic and should assist you in crossing the bridge by car without incurring a fine.
The Open Air Cinema is another must. Located close to Mrs Macquaries Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens (ranked 9), it is the most expensive, hardest to get into and the most ‘must do’ of a number of outdoor cinemas in Sydney. With drink to hand, big screen in front of you with Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as a backdrop, the Open Air Cinema is sure hard to beat. If the movie is getting dull just admire Sydney at its best – at night. Sadly, the Open Air Cinema is only open during the summer.
Book your ticket well in advance and arrive as early as possible. Reasonably good ‘nosh’ and drink are available. Reserve your seat as soon as you get in and then, if you can, grab a table. When you’ve finished eating please give up the table to someone else. 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.
We urge you to book your tickets ASAP as the best shows will sell out in days, if not hours.
Bring Your Own (BYO) is an Aussie institution favoured by the majority of Sydney restaurants and cafes. The major exception to this being high-class, expensive restaurants. It is a wonderful concept as it means you can drink some of that fantastic wine you bought during your trip to the beautiful Hunter Valley (ranked 25).
The 35 kilometre 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 just walking distance apart.
You can hire a boat and go for a paddle down Pittwater. The excellent ‘Boathouse‘ at Palm Beach is a wonderful spot to grab something to eat, soak up the scenery and watch the seaplanes land and take off.
There is a track up to the Palm Beach Lighthouse to enjoy. There is also a slightly hard to find public footpath at the end of the road, by the swimming pool, at the southern end of Palm Beach.
As mentioned above, there are seaplanes:
Be blown away by a scenic flight over Sydney Harbour and then by the aerial views of Sydney’s gorgeous Northern Beaches before gently splashing down on Pittwater at Palm Beach. Dine in style at the upmarket Jonah’s Restaurant before being flown back to Rose Bay. This will be a very special day that you are unlikely to forget.
The L90 bus regularly runs all the way to Palm Beach from the bus terminus near Central Train Station. It’s a long journey in excess of two hours. On the way you will get to see the Harbour Bridge (as you travel over it), the Opera House, glimpses of Balmoral, Middle Harbour, Long Reef, Narrabeen and magnificent views into Palm Beach. Sounds good doesn’t it. Trouble is you will see far more of the road and traffic than the sights.
The neighbouring Whale Beach is arguably a ‘better’ beach than Palm Beach but it doesn’t have as many cafes and restaurants. The trees along the edge of Whale Beach offer lots of shade, it has BBQ facilities, an ocean pool and a children’s play park right on the beach. Understandably, it is popular with families.
Bilgola Beach can be found just south of Palm Beach and Whale beach. This is 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. You’ll discover a pleasant kiosk by the beach and an ocean pool if you don’t like the look of the Bilgola waves.
The Royal Botanic Gardens is a beautiful park on the foreshore of the most beautiful harbour in the world.
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.
Explore the world of plants and the history of Sydney’s magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable Royal Botanic Gardens volunteer guide. All tours depart from the Information Booth outside the Gardens Shop at the Palm Grove Centre.
If you started off with the top thing to do in Sydney then you may already be starting to wonder how you are going to do it all. After all there is still another 140 plus top things to do in Sydney to consider before you get to the end of this list. Don’t worry about it; just start planning for two visits. 🙂
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