What to do and see in Sydney
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum has a fleet of historic vessels to board, including the destroyer HMAS Vampire and the submarine HMAS Onslow. It's also home to Sydney Heritage Fleet's spectacular tall ship, James Craig, and a 19th Century lighthouse. The museum has a lively and varied program of special exhibitions, which change regularly throughout the year. Free guided tours are conducted every day in the galleries, on the destroyer Vampire and the Maritime Heritage Centre.
Visit the Australian National Maritime Museum website.
Blue Mountains
Only a 1.5 hour drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is a heritage listed region with stunning mountain views, adventurous activities and an array of accommodation - from budget to luxury guest houses and hotels. Home of the famous "Three Sisters" and the "Zig Zag Railway", this magnificent region also offers fine restaurants and unique art and craft shopping. The Blue Mountains is one of the most popular day trips from Sydney.
Visit the Blue Mountains website.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is one of Australia's and the world's most famous beaches. The beach is roughly one kilometre long and is patrolled by lifesavers. Bondi is well known for its white sandy beach, as well as its surf. It is a modern and trendy coastal resort, which is very popular with both locals and tourists. Bondi has a number of cafes and restaurants which look out over the beach, and it backs onto attractive parklands, where you can relax, play games or take a walk.
Visit Bondi Beach.
BridgeClimb
BridgeClimb is a three and a half hour climb to the summit of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is a 'must do' for all visitors to Sydney, offering spectacular 360 degree views across Sydney Harbour. This unique and exhilarating experience takes visitors over 1500 metres of steel as they venture across catwalks, steep ladders and arches on the way to the summit. Each climber is given a complementary group photograph taken by the climb leader at the summit of the bridge.
Visit the BridgClimb website.
Captain Cook Cruises
Captain Cook Cruises are the best way to see Sydney Harbour. They operate 20 scheduled cruises each day and all vessels are available for private charter for groups of 2 to 2000 passengers. The Harbour Dining Cruises offer fantastic lunch and dinner experiences, while the sightseeing cruises are for those wanting to take in the harbour views. The superb cruising restaurant 'M.V. Sydney 2000' offers the ultimate harbour dining experience, with a la carte dining and a licensed bar.
Visit the the Captain Cook Cruises website.
Hunter Valley Wineries
The Hunter Valley is a 2 hour drive north of Sydney. This dynamic region offers some of Australia's best known wineries including McWilliams, McGuigans, Rosemount and Brokenwood, all of which offer cellar door tastings. The region is also home to a number of excellent restaurants and a range of accommodation options. Apart from the wineries there are speciality cheese makers, breweries, olive oil producers, art galleries and display gardens. It is truly one of Australia's great wine regions.
Visit the Hunter Valley.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is Australia's only museum dedicated to exhibiting, interpreting and collecting contemporary art from across Australia and around the world. With a continually changing program of exhibitions, there's always something new, exciting and inspiring to see at the MCA. Free guided tours are conducted daily and the MCA Store offers an extensive range of contemporary products, books and specially-crafted souvenirs.
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art website.
Museum of Sydney
The Museum of Sydney is a bold and contemporary tourist attraction built on the site of the first Government House, the earliest foundation of British colonisation in Australia. The museum blends together the rich history of the site with exciting contemporary facilities, exploring Sydney's people, places and cultures - from dreamtime through to modern times. Evocative displays explore colonial and contemporary Sydney through objects, pictures, stories and digital-media technologies.
Visit the Museum of Sydney website.
Queen Victoria Building
Located in the heart of the city centre, the Queen Victoria Building is an experience of grand proportions, where history, culture and shopping converge under a majestic dome. Spanning five levels, this unique building houses the best of Sydney's contemporary fashion, food, art, jewellery and antiques amid a cultural backdrop of unprecedented Romanesque design.
Visit the Queen Victoria Building website.
Sydney Skywalk
Sydney Skywalk is Australia's highest outdoor adventure. Experience open air 360 degree views from the roof of Sydney Tower, a breathtaking 260 metres above the city at a height double that of Sydney Harbour Bridge! Harnessed to the glass-floored platforms, view the glittering city beneath your feet from a whole new perspective. Expert Skywalk guides accompany you to take your photographs and provide commentary, ensuring that Skywalk provides and unbeatable enhancement to your Sydney visit.
Visit the Sydney Skywalk website.
Sydney Tower and OzTrek
Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above Sydney for breathtaking 360-degree views of this beautiful city, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. From the golden beaches to the distant Blue Mountains, you'll be amazed by Sydney's best views. Plus, your ticket to the top includes OzTrek, the largest simulated ride in the southern hemisphere. This ride takes you on an amazing virtual adventure across Australia's cultural history and geography, an experience not to be missed.
Visit the Sydney Skywalk website.
Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World
Your authentic Australian wildlife experience in the heart of Darling Harbour!
Explore 3 levels, 9 habitats and over 65 exhibits, featuring the largest variety of Australian plants and animals under one roof. See over 100 different species, representing animals from across Australia. Walk through a tropical rainforest surrounded by butterflies or watch wallabies and birds, in the brand new interactive walk-through habitats; and have your photo taken with Australia's cutest icon, the Koala.
Visit the Sydney Wildlife World website.
Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is the nation's leading zoological garden, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. What makes Taronga Zoo special is its location. Situated on elevated land along the waterfront, it is one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour - overlooking Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The zoo has its own jetty and visitors are able to step off the ferry and walk directly into the zoo.
Visit the Taronga Zoo website
The Rocks
The Rocks is Sydney's historic old town quarter, located between the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. A walking tour of the Rocks is the best way to discover the rich heritage of this area. Enjoy tales tall and true as knowledgeable guides take you to historic pubs, colonial cottages, archaelogical dig sites, a Gothic church and cobblestone laneways and leafy courtyards. It is also the location for a charming weekend market, with over 150 stalls open from 10am - 5pm.
Visit the Rocks website.