Picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's ChairCredit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoy a picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Sydney is a city best explored with all five senses. Beyond its postcard-perfect harbour and sun-drenched beaches lies a rich tapestry of local experiences that invite you to taste, sip and wander through its vibrant neighbourhoods. Whether you're a visitor or a local looking to rediscover your city, Sydney’s food tours, distillery visits and cultural adventures offer a deeper connection to its creative spirit.
Picnic Adventures with a twist
One of the most playful ways to explore Sydney is through AmazingCo’s Mystery Picnics. These self-guided experiences combine puzzle-solving with gourmet indulgence. Participants receive clues that lead them to artisan producers, boutique cafes and scenic picnic spots, collecting delicious items along the way. Each route is thoughtfully designed to showcase a different part of the city, from the lush Royal Botanic Gardens to the coastal charm of Manly or the creative buzz of the Inner West. It’s a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, ideal for couples, families or curious solo explorers.
Sydney Seafood School in Pyrmont Credit: Sydney Fish Market
Jump into one of the fun-filled classes to learn about Australian seafood, cook and eat some delicious dishes.
Sydney Seafood School in Pyrmont Credit: Sydney Fish Market
Jump into one of the fun-filled classes to learn about Australian seafood, cook and eat some delicious dishes.
A deep dive into Sydney’s seafood scene
The Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont is more than just a place to buy fresh seafood. It’s a living, breathing hub of marine culture and commerce. The newly launched Taste of Sydney Fish Market tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the daily fish auction, where buyers bid on the freshest catch straight from the boats. Guests meet fishmongers, learn about sustainable fishing practices and sample oysters, prawns and sashimi. For those who want to take their culinary skills further, the Sydney Seafood School hosts cooking classes led by top chefs, covering dishes like paella, Thai curries and seafood barbecues.
Walking with flavour and story
Local Sauce Tours offers a unique way to experience Sydney’s multicultural food scene. Their Chinatown Food and Stories tour blends history, street art and mouthwatering bites from hidden eateries. Guests taste dumplings, noodles and regional Chinese specialties while learning about the evolution of Sydney’s largest Asian precinct. Other tours explore Redfern’s Indigenous heritage, Newtown’s street art and Surry Hills’ café culture, each offering a fresh perspective on the city’s layered identity.
Crown Street, Surry Hills Credit: Destination NSW
Young people walking down the streets of Surry Hills in Sydney
Crown Street, Surry Hills Credit: Destination NSW
Young people walking down the streets of Surry Hills in Sydney
Italian soul in Darlinghurst
For lovers of Italian cuisine, Mia Cucina Food Tours provide a heartfelt journey through Sydney’s Little Italy in Darlinghurst. Led by passionate guides, these tours visit family-run delis, bakeries and trattorias. Guests sample handmade pasta, cannoli and espresso while hearing stories of migration, tradition and culinary craftsmanship. It’s a celebration of community and culture, wrapped in the comforting aroma of garlic and espresso. You can also experience Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian and Greek food tours with Mia Cucina Food Tours.
Craft spirits and local brews in the Inner West
Sydney’s Inner West has become a hotspot for craft beverage enthusiasts. From Marrickville to Newtown, boutique distilleries and independent breweries offer immersive tasting experiences. Poor Toms Gin Hall is known for its inventive cocktails and sleek design, while Young Henrys Brewery blends rock and roll energy with award-winning beers. Willie the Boatman adds a quirky, community-driven vibe to the mix. Guided tours like those offered by Dave’s Travel Group take guests behind the scenes, introducing them to the makers and their brewing techniques while offering generous tastings of beer, gin and whiskey.
Willie The Boatman, St. Peters Credit: Destination NSW
Couple ordering beers at Willie The Boatman, St. Peters.
Willie The Boatman, St. Peters Credit: Destination NSW
Couple ordering beers at Willie The Boatman, St. Peters.
Native flavours and sustainable spirits
For something truly distinctive, the Meet the Makers tour combines native Australian ingredients with boutique spirits. Guests sample kangaroo salami, bush cheeses and native dips alongside small-batch rum and gin. This experience celebrates Indigenous flavours and sustainable practices, offering a deeper connection to Australia’s culinary roots and the people who preserve them.
More ways to explore Sydney
Sydney’s local experiences extend beyond food and drink. The Rocks Historical Pub Tour takes guests through the city’s oldest pubs while uncovering convict tales and colonial history. A Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise offers dining with panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Street art and food tours in Newtown and Enmore reveal the city’s creative side, paired with bites from vegan cafes and fusion eateries.
Dave's Tours, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Meet the passionate brewmasters, winemakers, and distillers and learn about their history and techniques in crafting locally made brews and beverages with a behind-the-scenes look at Australia's craft drinks scene on Dave's Tours Sydney.
Dave's Tours, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Meet the passionate brewmasters, winemakers, and distillers and learn about their history and techniques in crafting locally made brews and beverages with a behind-the-scenes look at Australia's craft drinks scene on Dave's Tours Sydney.
A city that surprises and delights
Sydney’s tours and experiences are more than just activities. They are invitations to connect with the city’s culture, creativity and community. Whether you’re solving clues on a mystery picnic, slurping noodles in Chinatown or sipping gin in a converted warehouse, each experience offers a new way to see Sydney. Come hungry, bring your curiosity and let the city surprise you.
More Inspirational Stories
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in BondiCredit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
A beloved café-bookstore that feels like stepping into a seasoned traveller’s living room, walls are lined with both second-hand and new books ready to be discovered.
From BookTok to Bookshelves: Discover Sydney's Best Bookshops
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Craving your next read and the feel of a real book in hand? Sydney’s new and second-hand bookstores offer a mix of trending page-turners and vintage classics all through the city and beyond.
Step off your screen, wander the shelves, and let friendly staff help you uncover hidden gems while enjoying the atmosphere only a physical bookstore can provide.
Gertude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Where: Bondi
Named after literally figures Getrude Stein and Alice B Toklas, you wouldn’t expect to find a rustic gem like Gertrude & Alice tucked away in beachy Bondi. A beloved café-bookstore that feels like stepping into a seasoned traveller’s living room, walls are lined with both second-hand and new books ready to be discovered. Cozy corners, mismatched furniture, and a small menu make it perfect for a losing a few hours on a lazy day.
Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore
Where: Paddington
Set in a historic terrace on Oxford Street, Ampersand is an unassuming Eastern Suburbs favourite for literary lovers and brunch seekers alike. With shelves stacked with over 30,000 titles, it offers everything from rare finds to best sellers. Don’t sleep on the cafe though, the excellent coffee and menu is best enjoyed in the leafy courtyard while you start on your latest page-turner. The venue was also voted the sixth most beautiful book-cafe in the word by 1000 libraries.
Kinokuniya
Where: Sydney CBD
In the heart of the city, facing the Queen Victoria Building, Kinokuniya is a vast, light-filled bookstore that feels like a literary metropolis. Houses one of Australia’s most impressive collections of international, non-English titles, alongside art, design, and pop culture gems. Manga enthusiasts will find paradise here, while curated stationery and gifts add to the allure. Grab a seat in front of their many light filled windows and watch the hustle of Sydney CBD go by.
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Girl reading a book inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Girl reading a book inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Better Read than Dead
Where: Newtown
A must-visit when exploring Newtown's vibrant King Street, Better Dead Than Read is a haven for unconventional book lovers. Spread across two floors, it specialises in cult classics, counterculture titles, and hard-to-find literary gems, offering a treasure trove for adventurous readers. Vintage posters, eclectic décor, and a quirky mix of furniture create a space that feels lived-in and distinctly rebellious.
Beyond books, the store hosts underground zines, rare editions, and occasional author events, making it a hub for Sydney’s alternative literary scene. Whether you’re hunting for obscure reads, seeking inspiration, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, BDTR rewards curiosity at every turn.
Potts Point Bookshop
Where: Potts Point
A favourite of many a discerning reader, including Nigella Lawson, Macleay Street’s Potts Point Bookshop is a refined haven for discerning readers. Though small, the collection is thoughtfully curated, with knowledgeable and helpful staff making each visit feel personal. Perfect for picking up a gift for a loved one or just yourself, it’s the kind of neighbourhood bookstore that invites lingering and rewards curiosity perfectly matching Potts Point’s stylish village vibe.
Hill of Content
Where: Balmain
Head to Sydney’s Inner West to experience Hill of Content. This independent bookstore feels authentic and has become a real centrepiece of the community and a short stroll from Balmain’s picture-perfect water views. Stacks of literary fiction, children’s books, art, non-fiction and beautifully bound gifts line its shelves. Whether for a thoughtful present or peaceful browse, it’s the kind of store you come away having discovered something special.
Bookoccino
Where: Avalon Beach
Prefer to drink some wine while deep in a novel? This Northern Beaches location is the place for you. Its shelves feature a mix of contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, chosen for quality rather than quantity. Owned by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ray Bonner and local bibliophile Sally Tabner, the store also hosts talks, community events, and small performances, making it a lively gathering spot.
Better Read Than Dead Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Better Read Than Dead Bookshop, King street, Newtown
Better Read Than Dead Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Better Read Than Dead Bookshop, King street, Newtown
Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing at Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach.
Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing at Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach.