This travel guide lists ten great ideas for things to do while visiting or vacationing in Sydney, Australia, including museums, beaches, and attractions.
If you are planning a vacation in Sydney, below is a list of ten great things to do while you are there.
Sydney's Northern beaches: Stretching from Manly Beach to Palm Beach, Sydney's Northern beaches offer everything from swimming and snorkeling to surfing and sunbathing. Spend a few hours or an entire day enjoying the sun. Don't forget your sunscreen, the Australian sun is extremely strong.
Art Gallery of New South Wales: This museum is just a short walk from the Sydney Opera House on Art Gallery Road. They offer art from all over the world. Here you can see paintings and other pieces from Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Australia. Also featured are works of native Aboriginal Art and Torres Straights Islander art. The Art Gallery also has "Funday" activities for the kids.
Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens: Founded in 1816, these gardens offer a little bit of everything. While touring the gardens you will see rose, herb, and Oriental gardens. The tropical plants featured here grow inside an enormous glass pyramid. Many forms of rare and endangered plants can also be found throughout the gardens.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb: The Harbour Bridge is a signature landmark of Sydney that is recognized around the world. If you have the ambition, you can climb right over the top of the bridge. The guided climb takes about three and a half hours. Safety is a strong priority for this adventure. All climbers are given special suits to wear and are given a Breathalyzer test. Climbers wear a special safety harness and are given radios with earpieces to receive communication from their guide.
Destiny Tours Sydney / Weird Sydney Ghost and History Tour: The Destiny Tours offer a different view of Sydney life that you won't find anywhere else. Cadillac hearses carry groups around the city giving a unique twist to Sydney's past. On this tour you will hear tales of ghosts, scandals, the plague, and an unsolved murder or two.
Taronga Zoo: The Taronga Zoo offers Australian animals as well as animals from all over the world. Featured in the "Walkabout Tour" are dingoes, koalas, wombats, kangaroos, and many others. The zoo offers a program called "Roar and Snore" which is a two-hour nighttime tour. Guest can stay over night and sleep in a tent under the stars. The zoo is accessible by car, ferry, or bus and also offers food and gift shops.
Oceanworld Manly: Oceanworld Manly is located at Manly Cove Beach near Manly Wharf. The aquarium is home to the largest shark in captivity in Australia. Visitors can view the aquarium via a viewing tunnel that is 110 meters long. A few of the featured sea creatures are sharks, sea turtles, rays, and various tropical fish. The aquarium is also home to many dangerous and venomous sea animals. Oceanworld also offers "Shark Dive Extreme". This program allows you to dive with sharks. This is offered seven days a week, but you must book your time before hand.
Shark Island: On weekends, Shark Island is open for family picnicking and swimming. Ferries make many trips to the island each day of operation, allowing you to stay for a few hours or for the entire day. Along with the beach and the sunshine, the island offers a fabulous view of Sydney. The island has plenty of shade and many picnicking shelters.
Luna Park Sydney: This amusement park is located near the North end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Luna Park is open year round. The park features Dodgems, a Ferris wheel, slides, carousel, and various kiddy rides. You can stroll along the "Coney Park Midway" and enjoy games and food of all varieties.
Sydney Cricket Grounds: Located on Moore Park Road, this facility is one of the most famous cricketing venues in the world. Cricket is most notably played in England and Australia. This sport is a favorite pastime of many Australians. Catching a cricket match is a great way to take in some local Australian flavor.
