BridgeClimb, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
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Gain a fresh perspective on Sydney’s rich heritage on a guided cultural tour. From the Indigenous stories of Sydney Cove — known as Warrane in the language of the Gadigal people — to the hidden historic sites of Sydney Harbour, prepare to be surprised by how much there is to learn about New South Wales’ capital. Here are just a few memorable options to enrich your visit.
Go backstage at an icon
Venture beneath the soaring white sails of the Sydney Opera House on a range of tours bound to leave you with a new appreciation of this showstopping building. Uncover the magic of the Circular Quay-based icon on the recently relaunched Sydney Opera House Tour, hone in on its architectural legacy on the Architectural Tour, or journey through rehearsal spaces not open to the public on the Backstage Tour. Be mesmerised by a private opera recital as part of Cultural Attractions of Australia’s Taste of Opera tour, or wine and dine your way around the venue’s restaurants on the sumptuous Taste of the House guided experience on the last Sunday of the month. And this is just a sampling of the inspiring ways to experience this multi-layered cultural hub.
Connect with Sydney’s First Peoples
Be captivated by Sydney’s Aboriginal history and cultures on the city’s unique Aboriginal-led tours. Learn about the Gadigal peoples’ deep spiritual connection with Sydney Harbour on a walking tour of The Rocks with Dreamtime Southern X, and deepen your knowledge of bush foods and learn how these foods were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate on an Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour hosted in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. You can even climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a First Nations guide on the Burrawa Climb, taking in the stories of Aboriginal life in Sydney before and after colonisation along with the spectacular views. And learn the fascinating backstory of iconic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre on a behind-the-scenes tour.
Dreamtime Southern X, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, Blues Point in Sydney as part of the Dreamtime Southern X experience.
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Dreamtime Southern X, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Margret Campbell performing a smoking ceremony at Blues Point Reserve, Blues Point in Sydney as part of the Dreamtime Southern X experience.
Dive into Australia’s maritime history
Castaway to the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour on the fringe of the city centre for an unforgettable guided experience onboard some of the world’s most storied vessels. Set sail across Sydney Harbour as a passenger on the Duyfken, a stunning replica of the first European ship to reach Australia in 1606. Or learn from the museum’s conservation and restoration team as you enjoy exclusive access to items in the 146,000-strong collection on the private Hidden Gems and Historic Artefacts behind-the-scenes tour.
Spend a thrilling evening immersed in art
Indulge your love of art, culture and food on two memorable evening experiences offered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Treat yourself to an exclusive, after-hours curator-led tour of the gallery and a decadent five-course meal with matched wines on the A Night at the Gallery Experience. Or immerse yourself in the gallery’s renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection with an Indigenous host on the Yiribana Experience, followed by a five-course meal featuring native ingredients and paired wines. With professional photography and a special gift to take home included on both experiences, these special art gallery tours offer memories for a lifetime.
Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.
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Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.
Take the pulse of a multicultural food scene
Get a taste of Sydney’s vibrant and ever-evolving culinary scene on a gourmet food tour. Sink your teeth into everything from a taste sensation Lebanese breakfast to an Afghan feast on a tour with Gourmet Safaris. Discover a love for authentic dishes of Iran, Korea, the Balkans and beyond with Taste Cultural Food Tours, an organisation that provides training for migrants and refugees. Experience Vietnam, China, Italy and Turkey in a mouthful with Mia Cucina. Or join Local Sauce Tours for a food-fuelled expedition to Chinatown or Newtown — and learn something new about Sydney’s food culture with every bite.
Explore Sydney’s lesser-known historic landmarks
Discover extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour that have played a central role in Australia’s First Nations, convict, defence and colonial narratives on a guided tour offered by the Harbour Trust. Journey to Cockatoo Island’s convict and maritime eras and dare to step into the supernatural realm of this storied harbour isle. Learn how the gun emplacements, tunnels and other military relics of Georges Heights at Mosman’s Headland Park once played a crucial role in the defence of Sydney, or explore the remnant military complex and historic cemetery set within the coastal bushland at North Head near Manly. Led by passionate guides, all tours offer insights into Sydney that will stay with you long after your tour wraps.
Al Shami, Merrylands Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink at Al Shami, Syrian Restaurant, Merrylands. Al Shami is an included location for visitors booked on a Taste of Afghanistan and Syria tour with Taste Cultural Food Tours. For more details, visit: https://www.tastetours.com.au/
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Al Shami, Merrylands Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying food and drink at Al Shami, Syrian Restaurant, Merrylands. Al Shami is an included location for visitors booked on a Taste of Afghanistan and Syria tour with Taste Cultural Food Tours. For more details, visit: https://www.tastetours.com.au/
More Inspirational Stories
Mulwala Water Ski Club, MulwalaCredit: Destination NSW
Mulwala Water Ski Club located in the Riverina Murray region in Mulwala, offers an outdoor bar and casual relaxed dining overlooking Lake Mulwala. Learn to water ski on a world-class, private, twin lake the Max Kirwan Ski Park.
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Cool off with an adventure: NSW is a watersports playground
Mulwala Water Ski Club, Mulwala Credit: Destination NSW
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Hot sands, wild rivers, bays with towers of coral and waves that curl like a rockabilly quiff – NSW is a paradise for adventure on and under the water. For adrenaline-chasers, there are world-class waves and whitewater runs, foils and jet boats built for speed, and reefs home to sharks and turtles. For the quiet adventurers, try paddleboard expeditions, fishing for rainbow trout and bass in pristine rivers, and colourful snorkelling spots.
Your next adrenaline hit
Surfing may be the famous action-hero of the NSW watersports scene, but the state’s rivers, lakes, bays and beaches also host a huge diversity of aquatic adventures to get the heart racing. Take in Sydney Harbour’s icons, while spinning, splashing and thundering past in a jet boat with Oz Jet Boating or Thunder Jet Boat. In Western Sydney, Penrith is a hub for adventure. Penrith Whitewater Stadium, purpose-built for the 2000 Olympics, is uniquely set up for both beginner paddling and intense raft adventures, as well as kayak courses where you can test yourself against Olympic times; Cables Wake Park teaches you to wakeboard via zipline (jumps and obstacles included); and Jet Pack Adventures lets you feel like a water-powered Iron Man.
In Brooklyn, on the Hawkesbury River, Jet Ski Safaris will take you around the bends of the river at 30 knots, while Fliteschool Manly and OzFoiling (with multiple locations on the Mid North Coast) will teach you how to cruise the coastline via eFoil, a motorised surfboard that glides above the water like an elegant seabird. Outside of Sydney, on the Murray River, encounter one of the greatest and oldest waterski clubs in the world at Mulwala Water Ski Club.
Find a wave
With reliable breaks on some of the world’s most picturesque beaches, NSW is a premium spot on the international surf circuit. Surfers with their own board and years of experience behind them can find world-class waves all up the coast while newbies can join in on a surfing lesson, all you have to do is choose which one and which beach. You can also practice on a perfectly shaped, perfectly reliable wave (with multiple options suitable for beginners or experts) at URBNSURF, Olympic Park’s surf park, and finish off with a meal at RAFI, the onsite Applejack-run restaurant and bar that overlooks the waves.
URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack_Sandy’s_URBNSURF Sydney
URBNSURF Sydney
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URBNSURF Sydney Credit: Applejack_Sandy’s_URBNSURF Sydney
URBNSURF Sydney
Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
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Oz Jet Boating, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the incredible speed of the red shark boats as they blast across Sydney harbour at high speed with Oz Jet Boating.
Explore NSW’s coral reefs
The pristine, ecologically rich seas of NSW have seen the development of 10 protected marine parks covering more than 100,000 square kilometres, offering a haven to wildly diverse range of sea life. Beyond those areas, in the harbour and the bays of the coastal cities, there are also vibrant ecosystems ripe for snorkel or scuba dive trips. Self-guided snorkelling can be done in most places along the coast and, provided you have the equipment and training, so can diving. Or learn the ropes with a tour. Woebegone Expeditions and Courses will teach you how to explore the reefs of the South Coast with safe, freediving techniques; Region X Snorkel Tours has you jumping off a kayak with a snorkel around Batemans Bay; and Ecotreasures fits in a headland walk between time in the aquatic reserve around Manly. For new divers, you can explore the lower North Coast with Jetty Dive Centre or the tropical far North Coast with Cooly Eco Adventures. While Sydney Underwater Scooters will set you up with a handheld swim-assister and show you the clear waters and underwater fauna of Sydney’s Gordon’s Bay.
Paddling sunrise to sunset
Every river, bay and lake has a different scene and a different story, and cruising on a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lets you discover at your own pace. NSW is also full of explorers and local experts ready to guide you along the way. In Sydney, Sydney Harbour Kayaks and Sydney by Kayak will introduce you to the harbour at its multicolour best with dawn and dusk paddles. Manly Kayak Centre has both hire and guided options for kayaks and SUP, as well as giving you the opportunity to try your hand at SUPBALL, which is like polo but replaces the horse with a SUP. Cronulla SUP and Balmoral Paddlesurf let you explore less famous, but no less beautiful, beaches of Sydney’s south and north respectively.
On the Sapphire Coast combine your next river adventure with a story, like on Navigate Expeditions’ Aboriginal Culture Tour, where you journey into the land’s Indigenous heritage, or a Kayak and Shuck Tour where you visit the oyster farms. On the North Coast, social enterprise and SUP tour guides Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours offers cultural eco-tourism on a paddleboard around the pristine waters of Solitary Island Marine Park. Not far away in The Tweed, Watersports Guru offers SUP lessons and hire, allowing you to cruise the waters Cudgen Creek while taking in the local birdlife – if you’re lucky you may even see a pod of dolphins.
Reel in a new experience
With pristine rivers and wild oceans, NSW is a dream for fishing for both newbies and those looking for the next big catch. Out on the oceans of the South Coast Kiama Charter Service will help you pull in your first deep-sea fish (go for blue-eye trevalla, gemfish or hapuka). While Port Macquarie Fishing Charters, Reel Ocean Adventures (in Tuncurry) and Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters, provide the boats, deep-sea equipment and vibes on the North Coast. Inland, learn traditional yabbying in the bush at Narrabri Fish Farm, or set up your own line on NSW’s most epic jetties at Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie and Lake St Clair in the Hunter Valley. If you know the ways of a fly fisher, the Snowy Mountains and Blue Mountains are the hot spots.
Kayaking, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of kayaking on Sydney Harbour.
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Kayaking, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of kayaking on Sydney Harbour.
Navigate Expeditions, Kalaru Credit: Destination NSW
Guests on a walking tour with Navigate Expeditions in Kalaru
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Navigate Expeditions, Kalaru Credit: Destination NSW
Guests on a walking tour with Navigate Expeditions in Kalaru