BridgeClimb SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
360-degree panoramic views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge BridgeClimb Sydney experience.
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Exploring such an iconic city as Sydney for the first time is exhilarating. It can also be hard to know just where to begin exploring this exciting, beautiful metropolis. From gazing down at the glittering harbour spread out below you while climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to exploring hidden rooms on a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House and hopping from one fabulous bar to another, here are 10 ways to make the most out of your very first visit to the harbour city.
Heighten your senses at Taronga Zoo after dark
Visiting harbourside Taronga Zoo Sydney to meet Australia’s incredibly diverse animals is an unforgettable daytime experience, but spending a night here will have you buzzing. Catch your breath as you catch the eye of a koala munching on eucalyptus leaves right outside your window in one of the stylish guest rooms at the zoo’s luxurious Wildlife Retreat. Or get up close to native wildlife on a guided sunset tour before drifting off to sleep in a safari-style tent listening to a cacophony of bird and animal calls on a Roar and Snore experience.
Marvel at Sydney Harbour on the Manly ferry
For an exhilarating thrill, for first-time visitors and locals alike, board the public ferry bound for Manly at Circular Quay, take an outside seat and watch in wonder as you surge past the Sydney Opera House and find the deep blue expanses of Sydney Harbour unfolding in front of you. Over the next 30 minutes you’ll share the waves with sailboats and glide by sandstone cliffs, secluded beaches and picture-perfect waterfront homes until you arrive at the beachside suburb of Manly. Step off the ferry and indulge in champagne and oysters at Hugos Manly on the wharf. Then wander along the Corso mall to Manly Beach and gaze at the ocean while sipping a refreshing drink at Little Pearl or the Rooftop Garden Bar at the New Brighton Hotel.
Connect with nature in the heart of the city
Renew your view and immerse yourself in untouched wilderness, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling metropolis of the city. Survey Sydney’s skyline from the harbour foreshore before stepping into the protected bushland of Sydney Harbour National Park to be transported far away in moments. Imagine you’re a modern-day explorer as you find hidden beaches and secluded lookouts all along Sydney’s dramatic coastline. Blend in with the locals on the 2.5km Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, beginning at the legendary Bondi Icebergs ocean pool then venturing south on a clifftop tour of the eastern shore, feeling your heart race as you spot dolphins and seasonal migrating whales in the deep blue water.
Reflect on a memorable day with a cocktail
As the sun sets on Sydney’s beautiful harbour, ease into a padded chair at one of the city’s welcoming bars for a pre-dinner drink and let all you’ve experienced that day sink in. Watch on in amazement as Maybe Sammy‘s award-winning mixologists shake and stir you a highly creative cocktail in an art deco-inspired space in The Rocks. Settle into your seat with a house-distilled gin at nearby Hickson House, or watch the ferries dock in Circular Quay from your perch at Hyde Hacienda. Enjoy a sundowner at the grand Menzies Bar & Bistro at Shell House or the decadent Dean & Nancy in the city centre, or feel like you’re on top of the world at CIRQ on the 26th floor of Crown Sydney in Barangaroo.
Enlighten yourself with art after dark
Join the locals in the know and see a different side of the Art Gallery of NSW as you delve into inspiring exhibitions, learn fascinating facts on a tour, catch a movie and then enjoy a drink at the bar until 9pm each Wednesday night as part of its Art After Hours program. Deep-dive into modern Australian art at the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay until 9pm on Fridays in summer, with sunset beats live from the rooftop bar terrace. Or be intrigued by stories of how the Sydney Opera House was conceived and constructed on an architectural tour of this iconic performance venue.
Taronga Zoo, Mosman Credit: Destination NSW
Resident giraffes at Taronga Zoo, Mosman in Sydney.
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Taronga Zoo, Mosman Credit: Destination NSW
Resident giraffes at Taronga Zoo, Mosman in Sydney.
Manly Ferry, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Manly ferry service arriving at Manly Wharf.
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Manly Ferry, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Manly ferry service arriving at Manly Wharf.
Fall into the rhythm of Sydney's brunch culture
You’ll truly understand what’s so special about the laidback Sydney lifestyle when you start your morning with a refreshing dip in the ocean or a harbour stroll before finding the perfect spot for brunch. Enjoy the city’s signature carefree meal that’s not quite breakfast and not quite lunch at cafés across the city, from the inner-city chic of Paramount Coffee Project in Surry Hills to beachside goodness at Bondi’s Porch & Parlour.
Soak up the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge
Scale the heights of Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb Sydney and you’ll be rewarded with views of a dazzling harbour that’ll take your breath away. See the city’s lights twinkle on a twilight or night climb, or tackle an Ultimate daytime walk across the entire span of the bridge. Or forge an authentic connection to the city’s Aboriginal history and culture on BridgeClimb’s Burrawa Indigenous Experience. You won’t forget the feeling of wonder as your Indigenous Storyteller guide reveals stories of the harbour dating back tens of thousands of years as you ascend to the summit of the bridge.
Wow the kids at Darling Harbour
Give your children memories to last a lifetime at inner-city precinct Darling Harbour’s family-friendly attractions. Earn bragging rights back home while enjoying close encounters with koalas and crocodiles at Wild Life Sydney Zoo, and dive into a colourful underwater world at Sea Life Sydney aquarium. Young adventurers will love splashing around in the water features of the Darling Quarter Playground, which also has impressive climbing nets and a hill of slides.
Lose yourself in Centennial Park
Spend a glorious sun-soaked day unwinding and exploring the 360 hectares of undulating parkland, woods and ponds at Centennial Parklands in Sydney’s inner east. Covering interlinked Centennial Park, Queens Park and Moore Park, the parklands are a haven for outdoor pursuits. Feel the wind in your hair on a memorable horse ride at the Equestrian Centre; explore expansive cycleways on two wheels (or four, in a two-seater pedal car); rollerblade through looping driveways or simply take in the sites on foot – the choice is yours!
Breathe in the crisp mountain air
Recharge in grand-scale nature in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, just 90 minutes’ drive west of Sydney. Follow walking trails through rugged bushland to epic landscapes of waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. Be transported to a more genteel era with charming guesthouses and grand formal gardens in and around historic towns like Wentworth Falls and Leura. Then use Katoomba as your base to explore the Blue Mountains National Park, Mount Victoria and the Megalong Valley. Continue on to Blackheath village to while away blissful hours in storied cafés and galleries — stopping to admire the grand Hydro Majestic Hotel, opened in 1904 and restored to its glory. Venture further to be amazed by the limestone formations and underground rivers of the Jenolan Caves.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Young boy enjoying his visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour.
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SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Young boy enjoying his visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour.
Three Sisters, Blue Mountains Credit: Filippo Rivetti
Sunrise over the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary in the Blue Mountains National Park, Katoomba.
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Three Sisters, Blue Mountains Credit: Filippo Rivetti
Sunrise over the Three Sisters and Mount Solitary in the Blue Mountains National Park, Katoomba.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm BeachCredit: Destination NSW
Along the walk from Barrenjoey to Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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While famous coastal walks like Bondi to Coogee are busy with locals and tourists alike, Sydney’s lesser-known beaches are hiding coastal hikes that are just as spectacular but far less trafficked. Make the most of the warmer weather by heading outdoors and planning a whole weekend around one of these scenic coastal walks: book into waterside glamour and spend the days finding serene strolls, adventurous clifftop climbs and everything in between. Once you’ve seen the stunning views, picnicked the secluded sands and swum in the pristine waters, settle in for a meal beside the water with the satisfaction of feeling like you’ve uncovered a local’s secret
Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Avalon Beach, Northern Beaches
The walk begins at the most northernmost point of Sydney’s coastline with a steep hike up Barrenjoey Headland, giving spectacular views of Pittwater on one side, Broken Bay on the other, and the century-old, sandstone Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the headland itself. The walk then traverses Palm Beach, the serene bushland of McKay Reserve (a popular spot for weddings), Whale Beach, the rugged Bangalley Head (the highest point on the Northern Beaches coastline) and finishes at Avalon Beach. Pick out the five species of banksias as you walk, then stand still for a moment to see if you can catch a glimpse of the delicate honeyeaters that come to sup on the plants.
Eat, stay, play:
Palm Beach has as many one-of-a-kind stays as it does world class beaches. Families and groups should book the ocean view luxury of Rockridge or the five-bedroom, magnesium pool and cedar hot tub of Crane Lodge, a private retreat surrounded by angophora bushland. Couples can get a romantic room at local boutique hotel Jonah’s (check out the award-winning restaurant, too) or a loft above the cute Barrenjoey House where you can pick up fish and chips or an Italian-inflected three-course meal. If you book the latter, it’s a short walk to the Palm Beach Headland at night where you can see one of the clearest night skies in Sydney (Australia’s first Urban Night Sky Place). The next morning, drop into The Joey for coffee on the water then book in with Salty Safaris for a Northern Beaches adventure that includes a surf lesson and a Bush to Bowl-led Indigenous cultural tour.
Narrabeen Lagoon to Manly Lagoon, Northern Beaches
This 12km Northern Beaches walk has it all: headlands, beaches, rock pools, lagoons and, if the season is right, bright wildflower blooms. Begin at the foreshore of Narrabeen Lagoon (also known as Narrabeen Lake), then wind your way across the long sands of Narrabeen and Collaroy Beach. Snap a photo of the view at the Long Reef Headland then pass the lagoons and beaches of Dee Why, Curl Curl and Freshwater, dropping in for a revitalising swim at each. The hike will take most of the day, but if you want to cut it short, there are bus stops at various points along the trail.
Eat, stay, play:
The walk can be done in either direction and regardless of which way you go, you can end the day in a room overlooking the water. On the north end, book one of 47 sunny balcony rooms at the Narrabeen Sands Hotel and on the southern end, you can check into the stylish luxury at the Manly Pacific (recently renovated to the tune of $30 million). Instead of packing lunch, stroll up to a table at Pilu in Freshwater for a luxurious Sardinian experience or the Harbord Hotel in Manly for a classy pub meal. On your recovery day, forage, feast and learn about native produce with a bush tucker and Indigenous cultural tour run in collaboration with social enterprise Bush to Bowl and locally owned and operated tour company Australia by Nature.
Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
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Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
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North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
Botany Bay Coastal Walk, southern Sydney
Venture to Kurnell, a rugged headland at the mouth of Botany Bay, for a 13km trail winding through the Kamay Botany Bay National Park and down the coast to Cronulla, passing sand dunes, rock formations, heathland, hanging swamps and one of the most spectacular and underrated headlands in the state, Cape Solander. The headland’s lookout and track are one of the best spots for whale watching during the migration season from May to November. The trail also passes through Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, which is great for snorkelling and birdwatching (spot the endangered sooty oystercatchers and migratory waders). From the aquatic reserve, it’s a short walk down to the famous, long sands of Cronulla Beach.
Eat, stay, play:
Begin with a morning cuppa and a brekky roll at the waterside cafe Cook at Kurnell. When you reach your destination of Cronulla, The Shire’s cultural capital, treat yourself with beach views at Rydges Cronulla Beachside or, just to the north, Quest Woolooware Bay. There are countless quality dining options in walking distance. Embrace the local spirit and go for a stylish al fresco table at Italian-inspired Bobby’s or the relaxed modern Australian menu of Next Door. Use the next day to meander on Cronulla’s sands for 4km to Bass and Flinders Point, or get the historic ferry to Bundeena (the oldest operating commuter ferry in Australia) to explore the majestic Royal National Park, Australia’s first national park.
Jibbon Loop Track, Royal National Park
The 6.8km Jibbon Loop Track takes you from the pretty southern Sydney township of Bundeena and along a serene coast of the Royal National Park, introducing you to the wild scrub of the region, Aboriginal engravings and secluded beaches. You’ll quickly feel like you’re much further away from the city than just an hours’ drive. Take a little detour from the walk to check out Little Jibbon Beach, which has great views across to Cronulla, as well as Aboriginal engravings of local wildlife. Further along is Shelley Beach, a rocky bay that feels wild and isolated, and hosts expansive views off an unofficial lookout.
Eat, stay, play:
Start the walk early so you can finish the day with a dreamy kayak cruise of Bundeena and the Royal National Park with the eco-certified tour company Bundeena Kayaks. Before driving south, book into a Shared Knowledge tour where an Arakwal and Bundjalung guide will take you through the region’s Aboriginal culture, history and foods. Down south, wash off the salt water before an evening drink in front of water views from your room (or the bar) at Headlands on Austinmer Beach. Pick a South Coast beach to swim at the next day, drop into Darkes Glenbernie Orchard for an idyllic fruit picking experience and find out why Franco Pizza Bar is one of the most loved restaurants on this part of the coast.
Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
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Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.
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Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.