Choose from 130 Fun Things to Do in Sydney
Australian War Memorial
- Entrance to the memorial and museum is free, and regular 30-, 60-, and 90-minute tours are offered throughout the day.
- Visitors must undergo security checks, and oversized bags, backpacks, and large items must be left at the cloakroom (free of charge).
- There are two cafés on-site—Poppy’s Café in the memorial grounds and The Landing Place in Anzac Hall.
- The memorial is fully wheelchair accessible.
Barrington Tops National Park
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Camp Cove
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Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk
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Cataract Gorge
The reserve is surrounded by wild natural parklands, and near-vertical cliffs soar alongside the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar River.
Hikers and rock climbers head here to follow picturesque walking trails along the gorge’s northern bank, and the open-air swimming pool becomes a mini lido in summer, surrounded by beach umbrellas and sunbathers.
With picnic grounds, restaurant, kiosk, cafe, wandering peacocks, scenic lookouts, a lofty suspension bridge and walking trails, you can easily spend a day here. At night the gorge is beautifully floodlit, and a chairlift whisks visitors over the river to West Launceston.
Before Launceston’s hydro dam was completed in 1955, the waters here were channeled to create electricity, with the power station at Duck Reach upriver from the suspension bridge. Now decommissioned, the building serves as a museum. A visit reveals the story of Launceston’s early days and the Duck Reach power plant.
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Just walk along Bridge Road from the city center and you’ll come to the Cataract Walk trail winding along next to the South Esk River, leading to the chairlift station and restaurant.
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
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Australian Parliament House
Canberra has two parliament houses: the Art Deco 1920s Old Parliament House and Canberra’s focal point, the new 1980s Parliament House.
Dug into the surrounding green flank of Capital Hill, the grassed roof and triangular metal flagpole of Parliament House are a national symbol.
The building’s central foyer is flanked by the House of Representatives on the east and the Senate on the west. Inside, native timbers, marble, mosaics, tapestries and embroidery feature in the spacious and lofty interior.
Take a guided tour, and if Parliament is sitting you can watch the proceedings from the public gallery.
If you have time, visit the imaginatively curated Old Parliament House adjacent. Clattering typewriters, ringing phones and overflowing in-trays re-create the drama and atmosphere of Canberra’s political life in decades gone by.
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Crowning Capital Hill, Parliament House is set on a grand axis with Old Parliament House directly in front of it, and the Australian War Memorial, away over Lake Burley Griffin.
Blue Mountains National Park
- Parking at the national park costs A$7 per car.
- There are entrance fees for each of the attractions at Scenic World.
- Scenic World is open daily from 9am–5pm.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan on walking any of the the many trails in the park.
- Wet weather in winter months and bushfires in the summers can impede visitation.
- There are a number of campgrounds in the national park, which need to be booked ahead of time.
- The surrounding villages of Katoomba and Laura have plenty of dining options for lunch.
Circular Quay
Sydney’s transport and scenic heart, Circular Quay is also the city’s birthplace, flanking the waters of Sydney Cove where the First Fleet settlers landed on Australian soil in 1788. The rectangular stretch of water is lined with attractive pedestrian walkways running from the Sydney Opera House, past the Circular Quay ferry terminals, around to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The historic laneways, interesting shops, old pubs and stylish restaurants of The Rocks precinct, one of Sydney’s most popular tourist areas, run behind the Museum of Contemporary Art. Circular Quay is one of the major vantage points for Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.
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Circular Quay is one of Sydney’s major transport hubs. Sydney’s iconic green and yellow ferries run from Circular Quay to Manly, Balmain, Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay. A train station overlooks the harbor and ferry terminals, and most of Sydney’s buses terminate outside the station.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
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Bondi Beach
- Changing rooms, restrooms, and showers are available, but bring your own umbrella, sunscreen, and beach towel.
- Travelers should swim only in designated areas and when the lifeguards are present, as the waves can be strong.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Bondi Beach and Bondi Park.
- Bondi Beach is wheelchair accessible, and beach wheelchairs are available at the Lifeguard Tower.
Berrima
- The town is about a 90-minute drive from Canberra or Sydney.
- There are wide ranging dining options in the village from casual to fine dining.
- Berrima is located near the Wingecarribee River and has popular walking trails along the water.
- The town hosts events like meditation retreats; check its website for up-to-date information.
Australian Museum
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Bronte Beach
- Bronte Beach is a good option for families with kids, with swimming pools and shallower areas that are suitable for younger children.
- Restrooms, showers, and barbecue areas are available along the beach, but bring your own parasol and beach towel.
- Temperatures can reach over 86°F (30°C) in summer, so be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat.
- The waves can be strong at Bronte, so swim only in designated areas and at times when the lifeguards are on patrol.
- Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available around Bronte Beach and Bronte Park.
Art Gallery of NSW
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Carlton BrewHouse
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Cape Schanck Lighthouse
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Balmoral
The two beaches—Balmoral and Edwards—are separated by a wide, rocky point but linked by the shop-lined Esplanade, and kayaks, paddleboards, and even snorkel gear can be hired along the sand. Looking east out over the beach, visitors are met with sweeping views of the entrance to Sydney Harbor, where two opposing coastal headlands frame the rising sun. More than just being scenic, however, Balmoral is also family-friendly and impeccable tidy and clean.
Cafés line the Esplanade and street sweepers ply the streets, and there isn’t a single late night pub found anywhere along the strip.