If you are headed Down Under, chances are visiting beautiful Sydney is on your bucket list. Capital of New South Wales, Sydney attracts millions of tourists each year, from backpackers to families to couples on their honeymoon. From the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to world-class museums, galleries, beaches and parks, Sydney has something for everyone.
Before visiting and when thinking of Australia, I always imagined Sydney being the perfect city to represent what life is Down Under. A vibrant, bustling city that boasts a rich history, with chill vibes and plenty of outdoor activities thanks to the easy access to numerous beaches, nature walks and where the sun shines most of the year? What more could you ask for?
That is why Sydney is the first place I visited when doing my Working-Holiday Visa. And because it lived up to the hype, the city is where I stayed the longest during my time in Australia.
Having had plenty of time to discover what Sydney has to offer, let me help you plan your trip to this vibrant city and make the most of your experience by visiting the must-see sights in Sydney. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, you won’t want to miss these top attractions.
Sydney Harbour
This is the one spot you cannot miss. The Sydney Harbour is where you will find the two biggest landmarks of the city, and arguably the two biggest manmade landmarks of the country: the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Take the time here to walk around the Opera House to see it from every angles and to walk towards the Harbour Bridge to get a proper sense of how huge it is.
You can enjoy these landmarks from the outside only, but if you want to push the experience a little further you have a couple of activities available: from a guided or self-guided tour of the Opera, to booking a show there or even climbing on top of the Bridge! Locals told me that the view from the Bridge probably is the best on city.
Once you’ve enjoyed your time in the Harbour, I highly recommend walking around The Rocks neighborhood. It is full of bars and restaurants, and if you happen to be there during the weekend, there is even a market where you can find plenty of things, from food and art to jewelry.
Royal Botanic Gardens
If you are at the Harbour, might as well visit the Royal Botanic Gardens! Just like the the Opera House and the Bridge, I believe this is a spot you cannot miss.
One of its entrance, the Queen Elisabeth II Gate, is on the side of the Sydney Opera House, and as soon as you walk through the gate, you feel like you’ve left the busy city. Take all the time you need here to truly enjoy the views.
Walk along the river all the way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair landmark for one of the best vantage points on both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Take the time to walk around the Gardens to admire the flora and the birds, some that you’ve probably never seen before. And why not have a picnic there, facing the CBD skyline with the distant sound of waves in the background. I personally call the Royal Botanic Gardens a little Oasis in the city, and I’m sure you’ll agree once you’ve visited.
Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral
At a walking distance from the Royal Botanic Gardens are Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral.
Hyde Park reminds me in a way of Washington Square Park in New York, as it is similar in size and form. Surrounded by skyscrapers, it is made of long alleys, on which you walk under the trees, and with a fountain at each end. One of these fountains is actually part of the Anzac War Memorial. Free, it is a museum focused on bringing the lights on the Australians soldiers that fought during World War One. With testimonies from soldiers and their family, stories and objects from the war, it is a short visit worth taking the time for.
Near Hyde Park, on the North East side of it, is St Mary’s Cathedral. It is a old, European looking, gothic cathedral (which isn’t the case for every church Down Under) that brings quite a lot of contrast in its modern surroundings. The historical aspect the cathedral brings reminds you that Australia is part of the commonwealth. Although this isn’t the biggest cathedral, it does have the greatest length of any church in the country. The building is an impressive sight, both inside and out.
Bondi Beach
I mean no surprise here! Who hasn’t heard of Bondi Beach? Probably the most famous beach in Australia, this is another must see when visiting Sydney. I’m sure one of the images (if not the main one) you have of Australia, is a long beach with waves and surfers everywhere. Well, this is it. A live cliché, and what a pleasure it is to see it.
Apart from surfing or tanning on the beach, there are a few other things to see and do. You can start by walking the length of the beach all the way North to the tiny Sydney National Park. From there you’ll have a great view of the entire beach, and here is a little not so well known tip: this is a great place to watch sunset! Take the time also to stroll the couple of commercial streets in the Bondi neighborhood, you will have plenty of choices for great coffee or to grab a bite. Then head South to Bondi Icebergs: the most famous outdoor pool in the world. It is both great to see when the sun is shining for the various shades of blue waters, but also when the sky is grey and the sea agitated for waves crashing full force on the side of the pool.
Last but not least in the area, is the Bondi to Coogee Beach coastal walk. Featuring stunning views, blue waters and cliff tops, the walks takes you from beaches to beaches. It can be divided into two sections, with Bronte Beach being the halfway point. You can end your walk there, but I highly recommend pushing all the way to Coogee Beach. It is a fairly easy walk, no need to be in top physical health, and what I believe to be the best sight of the walk is just past Bronte with the cliffs at Waverley Cemetery. Also, Coogee is a delight, both the beach and the neighborhood and it would be a shame to miss it!
Manly and the Northern Beaches
In my opinion wrongly overshadowed by Bondi, this is a place that I had not heard of before coming to Sydney. And let me tell you, Manly is the best! Of all my time in Sydney this is the suburb where I stayed the longest.
Located on the city’s North side, it is a short 20 minutes ferry ride from the Sydney Harbour (faster than taking a bus to the eastern beaches). The ferry ride itself is worth the Manly visit, as it gives you fantastic views on the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the entire inner coast of Sydney.
The neighborhood feels like a little beach town except it has easy and fast access to the city . It has more of a family, chill and authentic atmosphere compared to the Los Angeles vibes Bondi gives off (if you know what I mean). Plenty of shopping and restaurants on the Wharf or the Corso, and lots of activities to do, such as surf, snorkeling the Cabbage Tree By Aquatic Reserve, and a few coastal walks. You also have an easy access, by walk or by public transport, to the rest of the Northern Beaches that look and feel more untouched than the smaller city ones.
