Choose from 130 Fun Things to Do in Sydney
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 130 listings.
Hawkesbury River
Along with its main tributary the Nepean River, the Hawkesbury River circles the area where Sydney is located. Visitors to the Hawkesbury Valley can enjoy boating, riverside dining (the oysters are most popular,) and see the last remaining river boat postman, which delivers mail to a few of the smaller riverside towns. Hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, and fishing are available in the natural surrounding area.
The Hawkesbury region is was one of the earliest colonial settlements in Australia. As such there are many historic buildings and Heritage Trails listed with the National Trust. Many travelers also choose to stay on the river in a houseboat, or in one of the small towns. Richmond and Windsor are the most central and well known, but there are various other small settlements to see as well. Or visitors can explore the many farms, orchards, and vineyards of Hawkesbury — 15% of all produce grown in Australia is found here.
Practical Info
Hawkesbury River is situated on the edges of the Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks, about an hour’s drive northwest of Sydney.
Address: NSW, Australia, Australia
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 108
Hyde Park Barracks Museum
The foundations of Sydney were built on convict labor, and the Hyde Park Barracks are where criminals who were sentenced to live out the rest of their days in Australia were housed. Opened to hold male convicts working on the government projects and later to house orphan girls escaping the Irish famine, it was after that also used as a female immigration depot, an asylum for impoverished women and a courthouse. All through history, it was the place where people in Australia certainly did not want to end up. Now, as a museum, the barracks tell the stories of those unlucky enough to pass through its doors.
The building itself was also built with convict labor, after it was decided that housing the criminals in one place would improve productivity as well as their moral character. The structure looks nothing short of imposing with its massive shingled roof standing above a simple, durable façade of sandstock brick. It impressed Governor Macquarie so much that the convict who had been assigned to design it, architect Francis Greenway, got a full pardon out of it. But while he earned his freedom, many others weren't so lucky. A guardsman once described the barracks housing up to 1,400 men as “a perfect accumulation of vice and infamy."
When restoration on the building began in 1975, archaeologists were able to pull thousands of personal items out of cracks and from beneath floorboards. This collection, together with displays and stories, now make up the museum and teach about the living conditions of the men and women who once lived here.
Practical Info
Located at the southern end of Macquarie Street, the barracks are only a five-minute walk away from the St James train station and the Elizabeth Street bus station. The Hyde Park Barracks Museum opens daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is only closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Address: Queens Square, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Admission: Adults $12 AUD, Children (Age 5 - 15) $8 AUD (under 5 years free), Family $30 AUD, Members Free
From $ 44
Double Bay
Double Bay is the meeting point of Sydney’s prominence–an exclusive shopping district with a European flair full of designer boutiques, jewelers, waterfront properties and world-class restaurants surrounded by Sydney Harbour itself. Here, you will find open parks, stately mansions, tree-lined boulevards and plenty of spots to relax.
Within the beautiful surroundings of Guilfoyle Park, Double Bay also hosts Sydney’s most popular organic food market, which is open every Thursday. If you are in the mood for a little bit of glitzy dining, be sure to check out Bay Street with its plethora of fancy bars, including the ever famous Mrs. Sippy. Of course, you can’t leave Double Bay without spending a couple hours soaking in the sun at the idyllic Redleaf Beach and enjoying a swim in Redleaf Pool.
Though people see Double Bay primarily as a shopping and café district, it is also home to the Double Bay Street Festival, which regularly draws well over 60,000 people.
Practical Info
Double Bay is a 15-minute ferry ride away from downtown Sydney’s main Circular Quay ferry terminal. Buses, depending on traffic, are also an option and under normal circumstances take about 20 minutes. Double Bay is serviced by bus 323, 324, 325 and 326.
Address: Sydney, NSW, Australia
From $ 41
Fort Denison Island
What is now a popular destination for history buffs once served as a defense facility that kept watch over the bay. Fort Denison Island, located northeast of the Royal Botanic Gardens, was where some of the most gruesome acts against convicted felons took place.
Today, travelers can wander the grounds of this recently restored island and see the gibbet where criminals were hanged. Explore the fort built to protect the island from invaders and climb the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind in the country. The island is home to an informative museum, as well as a number of landmarks that illustrate its dark and violent past.
Practical Info
Fort Denison Island is about one kilometer from the Opera House. Matilda and Captain Cook ferries head to Fort Denison daily and depart from Circular Quay at wharf six. Tickets cost less than $20 and include the park entry fee and admission to the museum, but travelers must pay extra for tours and admission to the tower.
Address: Fort Denison Island, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hours: Daily; ferries do not operate Christmas Day
From $ 33
High Court of Australia
Anyone standing in the Parliamentary Triangle will notice the High Court of Australia. A towering building of concrete and glass that rises 130 feet, the court is an award-winning piece of architecture on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The glass is meant to symbolize transparency in Australia’s judicial process, and visitors are welcome to sit on proceedings whenever court is in session. Many of Australia’s most notable cases have been conducted here in this building, and the laws that govern the entire nation are handed down from these halls.
Three different courtrooms and a public hall are accessible to courthouse visitors, and even during times when court isn’t in session, the public hall can host cultural events or even afternoon concerts. Informative placards highlight events that have shaped the court system’s past, and with the exception of marble that has been imported from Italy, all of the timber and beams in the courthouse are made from Australian wood. Part functioning legal facility and part design attraction, the High Court of Australia is a noble stop when visiting downtown Canberra.
Practical Info
The High Court of Australia is open for visits on Monday-Friday, 9:45am-4:30pm, and admission is free. Court is usually in session for two weeks out of every month, with the exception of January and July when the court is in recess. For visitors who do end up sitting in court, it’s customary to bow upon entrance and exit and to sit for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Address: Parkes Pl, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:45am-4:30pm
From $ 140
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Australia is home to some of the world's most fearsome and fascinating wildlife, and at Featherdale Wildlife Park outside Sydney, visitors can meet over 1,700 of the country's colorful critters. Discover how echidnas are mammals (yet lay eggs); learn about the saltwater crocodiles that can grow to well over 2,000 pounds; admire the plumage of native birds such as brolgas, emus, and bustards; and view a collection of some of the world's most venomous snakes.
Guided feeding sessions are immensely popular at the park, with animal food available for purchase throughout the park for $2 and Featherdale staff members on hand to assist guests in feeding the kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons. Guides also provide additional information about how the park is involved in conservation, highlighting the work done to reintroduce endangered species into the Australian wild and the park's ongoing research into some of Australia's most intriguing yet lesser-known species.
Although not offered by Viator, Featherdale also offers private animal encounters with a trainer for an additional fee (starting at $149), as well as personal koala encounters (starting at $20), during which travelers can pet and have their photo taken with the mammal. Guests are not allowed to hold koalas in accordance with New South Wales law.
Practical Info
Featherdale Wildlife Park is located east of Sydney near the town of Blacktown. The park exit is at Doonside Road, just off the Great Western Highway from Sydney. The park is about 45 minutes from Sydney's Central Business District by car and about 1.5 hours by public transport (take the train to Blacktown, then hop on bus No. 725 to the park). Most guests allot about two hours to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park. The seven-acre attraction is generally flat and can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, while also offering free WiFi and an on-site cafe.
Address: 217-229 Kildare Rd, Doonside, New South Wales 2767, Australia
Hours: Daily 9-5am (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: Adults: AU$31, Children (3-15): AU$17
From $ 24
Garden Island
When Sydney’s original European settlers arrived in Sydney Harbor, they sustained themselves by planting a garden here at Garden Island. Today, after land was reclaimed and filled in with rocks, Garden Island is now a point that juts out into the harbor, and houses the Royal Australian Navy’s eastern fleet of ships. During World War II, a Japanese mini sub infiltrated the harbor and sank an Australian ship—resulting in the death of 21 sailors from the Australian and British navies. Much more history is outlined in depth at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Center—a fascinating museum here on Pott’s Point that’s a must for history or war buffs. Once finished perusing the Heritage Center, which is fantastically free of charge, take a stroll through the gardens and grounds that are hidden behind the museum, where BBQ grills and views of the harbor make the perfect spot for a picnic. From the elevated viewing platform behind the museum, it’s possible to see the Harbor Bridge as well as the Sydney Opera House, and the view stretches all the way out to the heads and the mouth of Sydney Harbor.
Practical Info
Garden Island is accessible by ferry from multiple points across Sydney. The most popular route is along the line to Watson’s Bay, departing from Circular Quay, where Garden Island is the first stop after leaving the downtown docks. The RAN Heritage Center is open daily from 9:30am-3:30pm, with the exception of various holidays. Since part of the peninsula is closed to the public, access is only by ferry.
Address: Potts Point, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hours: The RAN Heritage Center is open from 9:30am-3:30pm, and ferries only dock on the island during the museum’s opening hours.
From $ 33
Garigal National Park
Stretching for around 2,200 hectares along Sydney’s North Shore, the Garigal National Park has long served as a popular escape for city dwellers. A network of walking trails make hiking and bushwalking the top activities within the park, with the most scenic choices including the Cascades Track, the Heath Track, the Frenchs Creek falls and the Bungaroo bushland reserve.
Other popular pastimes include rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and canoeing or kayaking at the Narrabeen Lake. There are also ample picnic and BBQ areas dotted throughout the park, including the Davidson Park Picnic Area on the banks of the Middle Harbour River. Garigal National Park is also renowned for its rich Aboriginal heritage and around 100 Aboriginal sites can be found within the park, including some striking rock art.
Practical Info
The Garigal National Park is located in Forestville, along Sydney's Upper North Shore, around 12km north of downtown Sydney.
Address: Healey Way, Forestville NSW 2087, Australia
Hours: Tues-Sun 9:30am -5:30pm
From $ 74
Coogee Beach
Coogee Beach is a family favorite, a sheltered arc of golden sand lapped by blue waves and patrolled by surf lifesavers in their red and gold. For a really safe swim, dip your toe in the walled ocean baths, protected from the strong Pacific waves.
The welcome blue waters of Coogee Beach mark the end of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, and the stretches of lawn shaded by Norfolk pines offer an inviting spot to rest under.
Bring a picnic, fire up the BBQ or replenish flagging energy at the string of beach cafes and chichi restaurants bordering the beach.
Address: Australia
From $ 133
Govetts Leap
In the 1930s, when early conservationists and Australian bushwalkers were lobbying for a National Park, you could argue that places like Govetts Leap ended up making it happen. With its sweeping view of the Grose Valley and swath of forested wilderness, Govetts Leap is often considered the most scenic Blue Mountains viewpoint. Surely, while standing at the top of the sheer rock face, and gazing out at the undulating hills that are completely covered in blue gum trees, lawmakers and bush walkers could all agree that this was a place to be saved.
What makes the lookout so exceptionally stunning is 600-foot Bridal Veil Falls—the tallest single-drop waterfall found anywhere in the National Park. There is a narrow hiking trail that descends the cliff face down to the base of the falls, although the sheer drop-offs and steep climb make it a trail for serious hikers. Most visitors will be better off just gazing out at the view—or stopping at the Blue Mountains Heritage Center at the end of Govetts Leap Road.
Practical Info
Govett’s Leap is located 8.5 miles from Katoomba and two miles from the train station in Blackheath. There is a large parking lot fronting the lookout that has restrooms and basic facilities, and the Govett’s Leap hike to the base of the falls can take about seven hours.
Address: Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
From $ 179
Grand Pacific Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic coastal drive that stretches from the Royal National Park about an hour south of central Sydney, through the seaside New South Wales villages and towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven. Visitors can choose their own adventure with numerous coastal and rainforest walks, surfing, swimming, shopping, and endless dining options along the route.
The Basics
Breathtaking coastal views abound along the 86 miles (140 kilometers) stretch of road that make up the Grand Pacific Drive. Visitors can admire the views from Bald Hill Lookout, Stanwell Tops, and Sea Cliff Bridge, among other top sights, or just enjoy the scenic drive. The route passes coastal villages and the city of Wollongong with beaches, art galleries, and dining options to explore.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are 100 beaches, estuaries, and coastal lagoons along the route to explore.
- Visitors can continue on from the Grand Pacific Dive to the Southern Highlands, or into Victoria.
- The Royal National Park boasts roughly 60 miles (100 km) of walking and cycling trails
- Accommodations along the route range from campgrounds to luxury hotels.
How to Get There
The Grand Pacific Highway starts at the Royal National Park (an hour south of Sydney) and finishes at Shoalhaven.
When to Get There
Driving conditions on the Grand Pacific Highway are generally good year round. Whale-watching season peaks in July and September, and other seasonal activities include motorcycle riding, hang gliding, skydiving, hiking, and surfing.
Sea Cliff Bridge
Sea Cliff Bridge has become an iconic landmark along the Grand Pacific Drive. The $36 million (A$49 million) snake-shaped bridge, which links surrounding coastal areas, offers dramatic views of the ocean. Visitors can drive or walk it, and it makes a prime perch to spot all manner of native marine life in the clear waters beneath the pylons.
Address: New South Wales, Australia 2500, Australia
From $ 311
Echo Point Lookout
Anyone who’s seen a picture of the Blue Mountains should recognize Echo Point. Famous for its view of the Three Sisters, this sweeping viewpoint on the outskirts of Katoomba defines the Blue Mountains’ beauty. From this cliff top ledge, the jagged escarpment vertically drops towards the distant valley floor—a void where clouds can linger in the treetops nearly a thousand feet below.
Take a deep breath and drink in the beauty of the Blue Mountains’ southern flank, and then consider walking the “Giant Stairway” that drops down into the valley. Over 800 stairs that are carved from the mountain descend 1,000 vertical feet, where numerous hiking trails weave their way along the forested valley floor. Climbing the walls of the “Ruined Castle” is a popular valley hike, and is a good way to escape the crowds that tend to gather at the viewpoint. Rather than hiking back up the stairs, take a ride on the “Scenic Railway” that leads back to the top of the cliff. At inclines of up to 60° it’s considered the world’s steepest railway, and drops passengers at Scenic World—a short walk from Echo Point Lookout.
Practical Info
Echo Point Lookout is approximately 1.5 miles from the main Katoomba train station. There is a Visitor Center next to the lookout with info on the National Park, as well as interpretive plaques and cultural history on Aboriginal tribes. The lookout is located along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, and from here it’s possible to trace the cliff top all the way to Leura Cascades.
Address: Katoomba, Australia
From $ 37
Healesville Sanctuary
With more than 74 acres (30 hectares) of natural bushlands and hundreds of animal residents, Healesville Sanctuary is one of the best places in Victoria to spot native Australian animals. Kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, platypus, emus, and Tasmanian devils are just some of the many creatures that call the sanctuary home.
The Basics
Standard entry to Healesville Sanctuary includes access to all the main attractions, including the bushland walks and exhibits, the live shows and zoo keeper talks, and the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, which cares for sick and injured wildlife. Entrance to the sanctuary is free for iVenture card holders.
Many travelers opt to visit as part of a day tour from Melbourne, often in combination with nearby attractions, such as a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train or wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.
Things to Know Before You Go
- On-site facilities include free car parking, picnic areas, and a selection of restaurants, cafés, and gift shops.
- Most of the sanctuary’s exhibits are outdoors and you will likely do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and water.
- Healesville Sanctuary is fully wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair rental is available.
How to Get There
Healesville Sanctuary is located close to the Yarra Valley, an approximately 1.5-hour drive east of central Melbourne. To arrive by public transport, take the train from Melbourne to Lilydale Railway Station, followed by the 686 bus to Badger Creek.
When to Get There
Healesville Sanctuary is open daily, year-round, but the busiest time to visit is during the summer peak season (December–January) or during school holidays. To avoid the crowds, opt for a weekday visit in offseason, or if visiting with your own transport, make an early start and arrive at opening.
Animal Sightings at Healesville Sanctuary
The Kangaroo Country, Koala Forest, Dingo Country, and Platypus Creek exhibits allow visitors to admire native animals in an environment similar to their natural habitats. At the Cool Conservation exhibit, learn about the sanctuary’s breeding programs, including endangered species, such as the mountain pygmy-possum and southern corroboree frog. Animals of the Night exhibition features an indoor area devoted to Australia’s nocturnal creatures. Bird lovers will adore the spectacular Spirits of the Sky bird show.
Address: Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 27
Customs House
Located in bustling Circular Quay, historic Customs House stands on the spot where modern Australia was founded. This is the site where the famous First Fleet came ashore in 1788, to establish a British penal colony in a land very far away. When the building was constructed in 1845, it was built in a classically Georgian style that’s exceptionally well preserved today, and simply the exterior is a sight in itself in the middle of Circular Quay. All the way up until 1990, Customs House served as the Customs Service headquarters for anyone entering the country, but today is a popular public space for just lounging and killing some time. On the top story, a café looks out over Circular Quay and is a nice place for grabbing a coffee, while the Sydney Library and it’s 400,000 books are open for viewing below. There’s free wi fi throughout the building—which is somewhat of a rarity in Sydney—and there’s even a miniature replica of the city in a glass atrium in the floor.
Practical Info
Customs House is a popular public meeting and gathering area, and is the logical place for meeting with friends or joining a group downtown. There’s no admission to enter the building, which definitely warrants a casual stroll while exploring Circular Quay.
Address: 31 Alfred Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-Midnight, Saturday 10am-Midnight, Sunday 11am-5pm
From $ 21
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Set minutes from the Gold Coast beaches, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Queensland to see native Australian animals. Founded in 1947, the sanctuary encompasses 27 hectares (66 acres) of rain forest; its resident fauna includes kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and rainbow lorikeets.
The Basics
General admission to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary includes entrance to the Lost Valley rainforest and a variety of daily shows, including an Aboriginal dance show, a free flight-bird display, and lorikeet-feeding demonstrations. For the best value, opt for a Gold Coast Attraction Pass, which covers activities such as the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, jet boating, and whale watching, or invest in a Gold Coast Roo Pass, which offers hotel pickup and round-trip transfers to the wildlife sanctuary, plus the Gold Coast theme parks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lines can be long in peak season, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance.
- On-site facilities include paid parking, storage lockers, a gift shop, and cafés and restaurants.
- Most of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s attractions are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the Gold Coast Airport and 10 minutes north of Coolangatta by car. The site is serviced by public Surfside Buses 700, 760, and 765, which run from Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, and Surfers Paradise.
When to Get There
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily year round, and it’s worth planning your visit to coincide with the daily shows, feedings, and talks. The busiest times to visit are during peak summer season (December and January) and school holidays; if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a mid-week visit outside of these times.
Family Fun at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a range of activities and interactive experiences, including guided Segway tours through the rainforest and a thrilling ropes course. Animal lovers will also enjoy encounters with the park’s fauna (for an additional fee and under supervision of experienced handlers). In addition, you can learn how birds are trained for the free-flight shows.
Address: 20 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, Queensland 4223, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 30
Commonwealth Park
With its sculptures, bike trails, walking paths, and ponds, Commonwealth Park is one of Canberra’s best public gathering places. The park sprawls across the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, and makes a convenient place to rest when touring Canberra’s sights. From a shaded bench on the manicured lawn, gaze across the water at the Parliament House and the National Museum of Australia, or simply stroll around the grounds and admire the public art. A park favorite is the impressive memorial that celebrates Captain Cook, wherein at certain times of the day, a water jet explosively erupts from the lake and shoots a geyser of water over 450 feet in the air.
Commonwealth Park is also the venue for the annual Floriade springtime festival, which runs for 30 successive days every September and October. During this time, over a million flowers colorfully bloom in every corner of the park, and the flowerbeds and lakeshore are illuminated by night in a display of music and lights.
Practical Info
Commonwealth Park is a five-minute walk from the downtown Canberra city center. There are public bike racks for locking up bikes, and in the adjoining park you can hire a boat for a kayak or paddle of the lake. The Captain Cook Fountain usually operates from 2-4pm, as well as 7-9pm in summer.
Address: Parkes ACT, Canberra 2600, Australia
From $ 140
Darling Harbour
As one of the world’s great waterfront destinations, Darling Harbour is a visitor’s dream!
The harbour is considered an entertainment and tourism hub with restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, shops, parks and more! All sites are walking distance from one another, as this ring of attractions is connected by walkways and boardwalks that face the water. Worn out from an exciting day in the harbour? There is also a little train that loops the area for visitors with children or anyone who would like to relax and enjoy the seaside sights.
You may need to dedicate an entire day for a visit, as there is so much to see and do in Darling Harbour. It has a thriving nightlife with a unique and electrifying vibe as people buzz from bar to bar. That said, the area is great for family fun as well. Children can play on the harbour playground or run through the fountains on hot days. Stop by Cockle Bay for an inspiring dining experience; marvel at sea creatures at the Sydney Aquarium, shop at Sydney’s Harbourside shopping center or visit one of Australia’s top museums.
Darling Harbour has something for everyone: with stunning views, top attractions and excitement all around!
The harbour is considered an entertainment and tourism hub with restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, shops, parks and more! All sites are walking distance from one another, as this ring of attractions is connected by walkways and boardwalks that face the water. Worn out from an exciting day in the harbour? There is also a little train that loops the area for visitors with children or anyone who would like to relax and enjoy the seaside sights.
You may need to dedicate an entire day for a visit, as there is so much to see and do in Darling Harbour. It has a thriving nightlife with a unique and electrifying vibe as people buzz from bar to bar. That said, the area is great for family fun as well. Children can play on the harbour playground or run through the fountains on hot days. Stop by Cockle Bay for an inspiring dining experience; marvel at sea creatures at the Sydney Aquarium, shop at Sydney’s Harbourside shopping center or visit one of Australia’s top museums.
Darling Harbour has something for everyone: with stunning views, top attractions and excitement all around!
Address: Sydney, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 15
James Craig Tall Ship
To say the James Craig has had a lengthy history would be a bit of an understatement. Its restoration process took 40 years, and before that it spent 40 years washed up on a Tasmanian beach. Despite that 80-year period, however, when the ship was incapacitated, the James Craig still spent 56 years of sailing out on the seas, rounding Cape Horn 23 times and serving her country in World War I when stationed up in New Guinea. Today, after all that hard work restoring the ship and saving it from the sand, she’s the Southern Hemisphere’s only 19th century tall ship that’s fully operational, regularly taking passengers for cruises out on Sydney Harbor and beyond. In total, the ship has 21 different sails and over 140 lines, and for an added fee you can scale the mast and experience swaying nearly 35 feet above the heaving decks. While enjoying a cruise on the James Craig, take in views of Sydney sights as you make your way out to the Heads, and feel the wind rushing through your hair like salty sailors of old.
Practical Info
Sailing excursions on the James Craig regularly take place twice per month, with dockside viewing available at Wharf 7 at Sydney’s Pyrmont Bay. All children must be at least 2 feet tall in order to board, and passengers are expected to be able to climb steps and navigate narrow passageways.
Address: Wharf 7, 58 Pirrama Road, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2009, Australia
Hours: Full day sails are from 9:30am-4pm, and half day sails are from 1-6pm.
Admission: Children: $60; Adults: $120-170 (depends on cruise length)
From $ 89
Garrison Church
Humble, proud, and unpretentious, Garrison Church isn’t the largest church in Sydney—nor its most popular or famous—but it holds an honorable, timeless charm for Sydney’s military families. Established back in 1840, Garrison Church was the first military church established in the colony of Australia, and today houses a military museum on the small inside of the church. As it’s located next to The Rocks near downtown, Garrison Church makes an easy detour on a popular visitor route of Sydney, and is a way to experience a sliver of life in Australia’s earliest days. The church itself was actually constructed from the sandstone on nearby Argyle Street, and while modern Sydney has grown up around it into the modern metropolis it is today, Garrison Church exists as an almost forgotten window into the past. While here, marvel at the exquisite stained glass windows that are some of Australia’s best, and reflect on the labor, worksmanship, and care that went into decorating this Anglican Church in Sydney’s burgeoning harbor.
Practical Info
Garrison Church is located on the intersection of Lower Fort Street and Argyle Street within walking distance of The Rocks. Morning service is held at 9:30am, with afternoon service at 4pm in the historic sandstone interior.
Address: 60 Lower Fort Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Hours: Morning service is held at 9:30am, with afternoon service at 4pm.
From $ 139
Goat Island
This rocky 13-hectare island in the heart of Port Jackson is as rich in history as it is in sandstone. Once home to an explosives store and later a convict stockade, Goat Island has housed the Sydney Water Police and even served as a film set. What originally served as a destination for some of the nation’s biggest criminals (who were forced to labor in the massive quarries), is now part of Sydney Harbour National Park.
Popular walking tours guide travelers around this much-storied island, with stops at the Queens powder magazine (where ammunition was once stored) and at the old convict quarry and sleeping quarters. Learn about life on Goat Island, the punishments endured by prisoners and their attempts to escape.
Popular walking tours guide travelers around this much-storied island, with stops at the Queens powder magazine (where ammunition was once stored) and at the old convict quarry and sleeping quarters. Learn about life on Goat Island, the punishments endured by prisoners and their attempts to escape.
Practical Info
Travelers can take the Sydney and Matilda ferries to Goat Island or join a historic walking tour. Be sure to pack a camera, since views from Goat Island are some of the best in Sydney Harbour.
Address: Goat Island Sydney Harbour National Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
From $ 73