Things to do in Sydney

For beach lovers

The city is home to the world’s most famous Opera House, and some of the world’s most famous beaches too. Bondi Beach offers travellers the all-year round beach lifestyle, with surfing, swimming and sunbathing no matter what time of year your visit. Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the white sands, take a more challenging walk along the coastline or immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife. You needn’t worry about going hungry on your walk too, as you’ll find the famous Icebergs Dining Room and Bar at the end of the beach, or hop in line at the Gelato Messina, famous for its delicious ice cream specials.

For those who love wildlife

No trip here would be complete without a visit to Taronga Zoo, the city's zoo. The zoo is home to numerous species of animal including the famous Tasmanian Devil and ridiculously cute koala. This is an award-winning zoo with over 4,000 resident animals and showcases both native Australian wildlife with endangered and rarer exotic animals. There have been some exciting developments at Taronga Zoo recently, with the zoo welcoming the first litter of baby echidna in almost 30 years.

For gardeners

The Royal Botanic Garden is Australia’s oldest scientific institution, having opened in 1816, and continues to be one of the foremost botanical institutions in the world. With free access every day of the year, this is a fantastic attraction to enjoy without emptying your wallet too. The 30 hectares of oasis-style greenery features rare and threatened plants from around the world and celebrates the diverse beauty of plant life around the globe.

For shopaholics

We all know someone who loves receiving souvenirs from travels abroad, making the Queen Victoria Building an ideal place to buy something special for your family and friends, or go ahead and treat yourself. This imposing building was built in the 1890s and was erected as a Municipal Market that rivalled the scale of a cathedral. Having been restored and re-opened in 1986, it has since become Sydney’s most popular shopping centre and is worth a visit to see its huge centre dome alone.

For amateur astronomers

Sydney Observatory is located on a hill which has come to be known as Observatory Hill, situated right in the centre of the city. Here you can learn about the origins and history of astronomy, take part in night-time viewings, find out about the technology involved and even take a course to build your own telescope. The hill-top location of the observatory also makes the perfect venue for looking out across Sydney’s glittering lights by night.