Incredible Things To Do In Sydney All Year Round

Far along the Southern-east region of the world, lies Australia’s busiest and most loved city, Sydney. A place blessed with natural showers in public gardens, harbor islands, and unspoiled foreshores, which remains many travelers’ sensation. This city is known for its transport system and tailor-made tours. Barring the natural spectacles like Sydney Harbor, the Royal National Park, and the Royal Botanic Garden, the city houses several man-made attractions like Sydney Tower, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the iconic Opera House. A fascinating city awaits you, for Sydney is amongst the top 15 most visited places in the world attracting tourists from across the globe.

Fun Things To Do In Sydney During The Day

Looking for things to do in Sydney during the day? There are a whole lot of activities that can keep you busy throughout the day. Here are 10 ways to explore and experience this place like never before.

Climb The Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing this iconic bridge is one of the top things to do in Sydney. A bridge that fills the gap between civil differences came alive in 1932. Nicknamed “the coathanger,” the Sydney Harbor Bridge is an engineering feat to watch. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this mass structure that spans Sydney Harbor. A more convenient idea, book one of the many ‘BridgeClimb’ expeditions which will take you high into the superstructure. You will be provided with climbing gears and an experienced climb leader who will take you through the expedition. This neither requires you to hone any diving or climbing skills. The climb on this well-known symbols of Sydney gives you a truly different way of experiencing the bridge. Make sure you try this activity while here as this bridge is one of the world’s few climbable bridges.

Go Backstage At The Sydney Opera House

Take a walk around Circular Quay and you will notice why the Sydney Opera House continues to dazzle. The world’s wonder houses one of the city’s busiest music, arts and dance performances. What you see on stage is only half of what actually happens, get a tour of the backstage to find out more. There is valuable information carved in various languages including Japanese, Mandarin and French. This unique tour gives exclusive access to areas normally reserved for the stars and their crew members. Do not miss an opportunity to stand on the magnificent stage where some of the world’s great performing legends once stood. Get a preview of the stars’ dressing rooms and listen to fun facts and history from your guide while on this behind-the-scenes tour. How about ending the tour by indulging in some great food right from the Green Room.

Chitter-Chatter With The Animals At Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

Bring out the animalistic side in you! Witness Taronga Zoo’s incredible waterside spot. The zoo houses more than 700 exotic species which includes, gorillas, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, kangaroos and koalas. The bird collections too are not behind, it exhibits the rarely seen lyrebird, bowerbirds, honeyeaters, fruit pigeons and possesses most of the species of parrots. Circular Quay provides for a short ride to the destination. The zoo is quite big, so if you are not very keen on exploring by foot, try the zoo train and the Sky Safari will help you cover the zoo quicker. To get a bird’s-eye view of the park try the Wild Ropes adventure with its zip-lines and suspension bridges. Roar & Snore package lets you camp overnight at the zoo. Exciting? Don’t wait. Savor the experience first-hand for this is one of the best things to do in Sydney Australia.

Mark The Trails Of Sydney’s Boisterous Bondi To Coogee

Famous beaches surround the beautiful Bondi; Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee make up each side of the town. Confused about what to do in the city? You can participate in the walk from Bondi to Coogee, which links all the oceans and showcases the finest oceanic views. This six kilometer walk features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. The road hosts a plethora of cafés, hotels, restaurants en route, interesting landmarks backed with a few great beaches. These beaches are completely equipped with picnic shelters, BBQ facilities, play areas, kiosks, toilets and changing rooms. This not so difficult walk takes about two hours to complete and add another hour and a half to it if you want to continue your walk to Maroubra. Did you know Bondi Beach is a National Surfing Reserve and a great place for surfers who are trying it for the first time.

Fine Dining At Sydney’s Finest Restaurants

While here, eating at some of the finest restaurants with a view is the one of the best things to do in Sydney. There’s always something about eating surrounded by natural beauty. Clean up the day with fine dining at Quay accompanied by stunning views of Harbor – regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world. The Winner of Australian Restaurant of the Year features Japanese-inspired contemporary food and wine. When you get this far, don’t go back without witnessing Rockpool, a fine-dining gem that blends sophisticated classics with Asian flavors. With more fine dining options, we picked these top two choices for you, hope you like it. Some of the top chefs are here in Sydney to present their restaurant concepts and culinary prowess. So get ready to experience a culinary adventure like never before.

Spend A Day At The Darling Harbour

Discover Darling Harbour by foot, all it takes is a short walk from the city center to reach this magnificent place. True to its name, Darling Harbour is the darling of Sydney. From shopping centers to Maritime Museum, Casinos to entertainment venues, zoo to aquarium this place has it all. It is packed with attractions and has something to offer for everyone. If you are visiting with family, keep your kids engaged for hours with various activities like water games, rope climbing, slides and swings. Other popular attractions in the Harbor include, the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Carousel, National Maritime Museum, Paddy’s Markets, Tumbalong Park, beautiful Dockside Pavilion, Madame Tussauds and much more.

Meet The Water Creatures At Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

With 700 species and over 13000 fishes, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has the world’s largest collection of aquatic life. The huge public aquarium is divided into 14 zones based on themes like Discovery Rockpool, Jurassic Seas, Great Barrier Reef display and Shark Walk. Learn more about marine life during your journey through these 14 zones. Get close with turtles, jellyfish, platypus, penguins, thousands of tropical fish and understand the habitats of these sea creatures. Don’t miss out on the glass-bottom boat tour and Shark Reef Snorkel tour which are some of the top things to do in Sydney. The thrilling underwater experiences like snorkeling with the sharks is sure to make this visit quite a memorable one.

Go Wild At The Royal National Park

Founded in the year 1879, the Royal National Park is one of the oldest national parks of Sydney. This National Park is blessed with many natural trails: The Coast Track, Karloo Walking Track, The Lady Carrington Drive, Forest Path, Bundeena Drive, Uloola Walking Track, and Loftus Loop Trail. Explore the National park in its fullest by participating in at least one of these nature trails. Beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, littoral rainforests, ancient aboriginal cultural heritages and varieties of trees are the highlights of this place. Not to forget a wide array of the bird species like, black cockatoos, wrens, kookaburras, lyrebirds, whistlers and many more that come here. May to November is the best time for Whale watching and the Royal National Park is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of them. A visit to the Royal National Park guarantees an adventure-filled day.

Chill At The Royal Botanic Garden

A visit to this tranquil oasis is one of the many things to do in Sydney for free. Royal Botanic Garden is Australia’s first vegetable garden opened as early as in the 1816’s. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Sydney Opera House brings you to this 30 hectares of garden that’s home to over 5000 Flora. Don’t be surprised to see locals in large numbers sprawled out all over the lawns soaking up the sun. Out of the three major botanical gardens open to the public, Royal Gardens is the largest and the most visited one. An approximate of over 5 million visitors come here every year. Here you can also see Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, Garden Exhibition Palace, Tropical Centre, National Herbarium, Government House and The Pond. It’s a heaven for nature lovers as they will be able to enjoy astounding plant-life.

Board A Harbor Cruise From Circular Quay

All the wonderful things that Sydney Harbour has to offer starts from here. Most harbor cruises depart from Circular Quay in Sydney Cove, making it the main ferry terminal in Sydney. Cruising past the opera house, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoying the stunning views of the water is a wonderful way to relax. Hop on to a two-hour Harbor Cruise, which will take you past all major landmarks of Sydney and learn fascinating facts about the scenic places along the way. Keep your cameras ready for some amazing clicks. There are various sightseeing cruises options available, choose one that is right for you and enjoy the experience. Sightseeing cruise with sparkling waterfront setting is a must try activity as it is one of the most popular things to do in Sydney.

Also Read: 12 Best Places to Visit in Sydney, Australia

Fun Things To Do In Sydney At Night

Not just during the day, Sydney has some great activities to indulge in at night too. There’s more to Sydney’s nightlife than what you can imagine. Here are 8 best things to do in Sydney at night.

Watch A Show At The Opera House

The Opera House is the star attraction of Sydney, but being able to watch a show here is like a cherry on the cake. The Opera House is the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind when you think about Sydney or Australia. This is the place where plenty of events and shows keep happening. It has a history of having hosted some of the great legends. This classic venue also offers access to free and paid performances from local and international performing arts companies to original content creators. You can also take a tour of the beautifully illuminated opera house at night while enjoying a tasty dinner inside the premises. Grab your ticket now to catch the magic of night at the Sydney Opera House!

Spend A Night With The Animals At Taronga Zoo

As mentioned earlier Taronga Zoo makes for a great day trip, but did you know you could stay overnight and wake up to the sound of the animals too. Yes, you heard it right, the zoo provides overnight accommodation. From luxurious rooms to glamping experiences, there are a wide variety of accommodation options available. You can enjoy fine dining at the onsite restaurant, you can even go on a private overnight tour of the zoo where you get a chance to encounter unique animals which you may have missed during the day tour. For a full wildlife experience, book your tickets now to experience the coolest things to do in Sydney. Opt for a guided tour for a more in-depth experience of the night stay.

Secret Nighttime Pub Crawl Experience

Having a drink with your partner against the backdrop of the Harbor Bridge is one of the best things to do in Sydney at night. Book yourself in for a pub crawl tour accompanied by a professional pub crawl expert to explore the different sides of Sydney. The pub crawl expert will give you all the details and history of each bar you are about to visit. This will make the experience even more special. Start with ‘The Rocks’, Sydney’s oldest quarters that’s located just south of the Harbor Bridge. It’s a perfect place to go pub crawling as it’s home to the most historic bars and pubs in Sydney. Next is the historic Glenmore Hotel which is popular for its rooftop bar that offers great views of Sydney’s skyline. Do not miss out on Heritage Hotel, on Cumberland Street that serves more than 130 Australian craft beers. 

Get On A Romantic Sydney Harbour Sunset Cruise

On top of every tourist’s list of things to do in Sydney, is the romantic sunset cruise. Dining aboard a spectacular premier vessel cruising along with your family or friends is the perfect way of bonding and having some quality time with them. Dinner at the expansive open deck gives 360-degree views of the popular landmarks of Sydney. One can get a million-dollar view of the beautiful sunsets of Sydney. Can it get more romantic than this! Reputable tour operators offer excellent cruise options to choose from. Book yours today as the Sunset Harbor cruise is by far the best Sydney attraction for locals and tourists alike.

Experience Something Supernatural With The Ghost Tours

If you believe in ghosts and want to know what happened to spirits that were unable to cross to the ‘other side’, then the Haunted Sydney Ghost Tour is one of the best things to do in Sydney at night. A walking ghost tour will take you back in time to learn about the dark histories of Sydney. This one and a half hour tour accompanied by a guide takes you through haunted sites and inaccessible areas where no one would have dared to step foot on their own. Various haunted sites like abandoned jails, creepy botanic gardens, haunted pubs, and islands trapped in an actual paranormal vortex are here for you to explore in the night. Get spooky while discovering slums overrun with mass burial pits, sly grog haunts, opium dens and spotting ghosts searching for their loved ones or to take revenge on those who crossed them. 

Dine At The Revolving Restaurant

Check out the highest revolving restaurant in the southern hemisphere with panoramic views at SkyFeast, Sydney Tower. SkyFeast, located on level two of Sydney Tower is 82 floors above the city CBD. It offers a 90-minute unlimited menu dining experience matched with a 360-degree view of the harbor and beautifully lit city below. As you revolve around, the city views keep changing to get amazing views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Blue Mountains in the distance. Apart from the 360-degree views one can also savor on global delicacies crafted with a home-style essence. Dinner reservations here start as early as 5 pm. You can also upgrade your experience by securing a window that guarantees uninterrupted views from above. This unique experience from high up in the air is sure to please everyone. 

Watch A Movie In The Outdoor Cinemas

Want to watch a movie in the open on a warm summer night, Sydney has loads of awesome outdoor cinemas spots up all over the place during this time. It’s a great way to spend a lazy evening outdoors amidst magical settings with the stars above. Generally outdoor cinemas start from November and finish around March time. From parks to beaches to the harbor front, it’s easy to find a scenic spot for outdoor cinemas in Sydney. Whether it’s for a romantic date or a fun filled family outing, there are some all-time favorites. The open-air Cinema at Royal Botanic Garden, the West Pac Open Air Cinema at Macquarie’s Point, Moonlight Cinema at Centennial Park, Sunset Cinema in North Sydney and the American Express Cinema in Bondi are some of the best open air cinemas in the world. Curated food and beverages add to this outdoor cinematic experience. 

Shop Till You Drop On Thursday Nights

No trip is complete without shopping, and Sydney is no different. Be it shopping at exclusive high-end boutiques or small retail stores or at markets across the bustling streets of the city, Thursday Night is shopping night in the city. Pitt St Mall is the epicenter for shopping in Sydney. Here you will find the biggest shopping center in the area which stretches over both sides of Pitt St Mall. There are smaller shopping arcades and standalone stores for every budget shopper. It’s one of the best places to pick designer brands or to pick up that one perfect souvenir for your loved ones. Strolling through open-air streets between bustling crowds on a Thursday night is just what Sydney CBD shopping is all about.

Sydney is a perfect destination for vacations all year round. Hope our list of things to do in Sydney by day and night will inspire you to add a few activities to your bucket list. Tour it like there is no tomorrow! Do share your experiences in the comment section below.