G’Day, Sydney!
Home to the largest population in Australia — called “Sydneysiders” — the capital of the state of New South
Wales has come a long way since its 18th-century roots as a British penal colony. Manicured and metropolitan,
the city takes pride in its parks and botanic gardens, wide beaches and 1800s architecture. Modern icons dot
the map, too, the most famous being the striking Opera House, which has helped shape Sydney into the cultural
epicenter of the continent.
British influence lingers in Sydney’s traditional pubs, and Asian cuisines compete with espresso drinks for
popularity. But for a simple, tasty lesson about Aussie produce and organic food, just wander the stalls at Eveleigh
Market. In this guide, we’ll show you the very best of the Harbor City’s laid-back yet creative culture so you can
travel like an insider – or a Sydneysider – in Sydney.
Meet the Insiders
Serena is a journalist and editor who moved to
Sydney a year ago from California.
Based in Sydney, Michelle is Viator’s Product
Manager for Asia Pacific.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Best Way to See the Sydney Harbour Bridge: On a Bridge Climb
Rise above the traffic during a three-and-a-half-hour
guided bridge climb, during which you’ll scale the outer
arches of the bridge on catwalks and ladders up to the
440-foot (134-meter) summit. There’s no better view of
the city, the Sydney Opera House and the majestic Blue
Mountains than from this perch. The best time to climb is
at sunset or after dark.
“
This is a must if you’re
in Sydney. There is no
better way to see the city
than climbing the Sydney
Harbour Bridge.
-Sarah O.
“
Nicknamed “the coathanger” because of its steel-arch
design, the Harbour Bridge holds eight traffic lanes, two
railways and a pedestrian and bicycle lane that run from
the Central Business District (CBD) to the North Shore.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Detour
Best Day Trip from Sydney: The Blue Mountains
Named for the indigo hue the hills take on when viewed
from a distance, the World Heritage–listed Blue Mountains
reward visitors with rugged sandstone outcroppings,
cavernous canyons and towering waterfalls as well as
charming mountain towns lined with teahouses and
antique stores.
Scenic World is the best place to get the full Blue
Mountains experience in one stop. Cable cars, trams, and
walkways provide different perspectives on the beloved
Three Sisters rock formation. The Scenic Skyway tram
glides over cliffs and temperate rainforest, and the Scenic
Railway makes the world’s steepest descent into the
Jamison Valley.
Insider’s Tip
The Jenolan Caves are some of the
oldest in the world, dating back more
than 340 million years. Add a tour, with an
optional 30-foot abseil, onto to your Blue
Mountains day trip.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Cruise
v
Best Way to Get on the Water: On a Sydney Harbour Cruise
See all Sydney Harbour Cruises
“
My family and I had a
fantastic experience on
our cruise. The food was
beautiful, and the views
we experienced of Sydney
and the harbor were
amazing.
-Annette S.
“
Punctuated by the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour
Bridge and the host of a knockout New Year’s Eve fireworks
show, Sydney Harbour is as beautiful as it is cultural. More
than 150 miles of shoreline and 33 square miles of water
meet at wooded cliffs, white-sand beaches and tranquil
inlets that reveal unexpected views of the city skyline. Get
your bearings during a Sydney Harbour Coffee Cruise and
learn the important history of this waterway. Other boat tours
run at sunset and nighttime, and some focus on activities
such as whale watching.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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See
Best Place to See a Show: The Iconic Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s preeminent cultural
center, famous for its white-tiled sails that fan out gracefully
into the harbor at Bennelong Point. Since the building’s
completion in 1973 and subsequent declaration as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, the Opera House
has stood as a symbol of beauty and human ingenuity.
A range of venues under its sails host musical acts,
performing arts shows and lectures. And guided tours of
the famous stages, studios and technical areas foster a
deep appreciation for the modern marvel.
Insider’s Tip
Go behind the scenes of the Opera
House on a backstage tour that will take
you on the stage, into rehearsal spaces
and even into cast dressing rooms.
Book tickets to a show at the Opera House
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Go Wild
Best Place to See Australian Wildlife: The Taronga Zoo
Don’t miss exotic animals such as the endangered
bongo from Kenya, either. Twilight visits reveal unique
animal behavior, and overnight stays in safari tents are
unforgettable, especially for families.
“
This was a superb
opportunity to get up
close and personal with
the Australian animals
at Taronga Zoo. I highly
recommend a tour and
the zoo.
- Richard B.
“
The furry and feathered residents of Taronga Zoo live on
some of the city’s most prime real estate. From Circular
Quay, take a ferry across the harbor and then an optional
gondola ride to the zoo’s entrance. From here, you can
meet kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils and
crocodiles on your own or join a tour or special wildlife
show such as the impressive bird program starring a black
cockatoo and a wedge-tailed eagle.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Indulge
Best Way to Relax Near Sydney: Wine Tasting in the Hunter Valley
This fertile paradise northwest of Sydney is one of Australia’s
leading wine-growing and food-producing regions. Marked
by vineyards and historic country towns, the Hunter Valley
draws families, food and wine lovers, young couples and
Sydneysiders who want to get out of the “Big Smoke.”
Go wine tasting at some of the area’s 120 wineries, where
famous vintners like those at Lindeman’s and McWilliam’s
produce award-winning semillon and shiraz. Some tours
also visit creameries and artisan food sheds.
Insider’s Tip
The Hunter Valley may be quiet, but
standout events from food and wine
festivals to concerts featuring such names
as Sting and Paul Simon keep the area
lively. Two local favorites are Campfire
Festival and Jazz in the Vines.
Check out Sydney’s food tours too!
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Explore
Best Way to Save Money and See it All: The Sydney Attractions Pass
Pick between six different passes to create your own
highlight reel of Sydney’s top attractions. The list includes
40 sites total, from the Sea Life Aquarium to the Hyde
Park Barracks Museum to the Sydney Opera House. Can’t
decide what to see? Attraction guides can help you pick
your priorities.
“
Worth the money. We had
so much fun running all
over Sydney using it as
much as we could, and
the transport pass was a
life saver!
- Richard F.
“
A Sydney Attractions Pass is what smart travelers
carry with them at all times during their visit to Sydney.
With various options to choose from, the pass makes
sightseeing a breeze thanks to transport add-ons and up
to 50 percent savings.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Play
Best Beach for Fun in the Sun: Bondi Beach
Australia’s most famous beach is a crescent of cornmealcolored sand and turquoise waves. It’s where surfing was
introduced to Australia, so taking a surf lesson is a great
way to pay homage to these shores. Bondi is also popular
for beach volleyball, yoga, skateboarding and community
festivals. And the diverse and eclectic neighborhood built up
around the bay is becoming increasingly popular for dining,
drinking and shopping.
A picturesque coastal walk leads from Bondi over the
sandstone cliffs to the beaches of Bronte, Clovelly and
Coogee. Surf life-saving clubs, also invented at Bondi Beach,
stud the pathway, and seawater pools call travelers in for dip.
Insider’s Tip
Bondi Beach has been on the
backpacking circuit for decades, but
there’s still a lot of soul here and many
local secrets. Check out our Local’s
Guide to Bondi Beach and discover a
top Aboriginal art gallery and some of the
city’s best markets.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Pssst!
The Call of the Wild Can Be Heard Close to Sydney
Sydney’s natural beauty is inescapable, but some visitors don’t realize how much rugged wilderness and
quintessential country sights are within a short drive from the Harbor City. The harbor itself is ringed by national
park land, and two prime wilderness areas — Royal National Park and the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains —
both lie on the fringes of the metropolis. Outback experiences such as a four-wheel-drive wildlife tour and sheep
shearing at Tobruk station are also within a quick jaunt. The ocean minded won’t regret searching for humpback
and southern right whales between May and December or visiting scenic shores like the tropical paradise that
is Palm Beach.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Viator Recommends
Best Underwater Adrenaline
Adventure: Shark Diving
Conquer your fear of sharks within the confines of a
4-million-liter tank at Manly Sea Life Sanctuary. Here
you can snorkel or scuba dive with grey nurse sharks
as well as sea turtles, tropical fish and four types of
stingrays with the assistance of expert guides. From
December to February, night dives are also available
for the truly intrepid.
Best Dining with a View: Sydney
Tower Restaurant
Choose between a buffet that includes Thai mussels
and roast kangaroo or a la carte specialties atop
the Sydney Tower Restaurant. Australia’s tallest
revolving restaurant rises more than 80 stories above
downtown Sydney and affords unmatched views of
Sydney Harbour with its famous opera house and
steel-arch bridge. The only thing better? Dining here
during the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Best Way to See Sydney
from Above: By Helicopter
Even if you’ve already admired Sydney’s cityscape
from the airplane, you won’t regret spending more
time above the harbor inlets and gum tree-studded
heathlands. A helicopter ride is also a great way to get
acquainted with Sydney’s famous Opera House and
Harbour Bridge as well as several islands that now
commemorate historic convict sites.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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Viator Recommends
Best Active Sightseeing:
Walking Tours of Sydney Harbour
National Park
Sydney is a metropolis that’s easy to escape thanks
to large swaths of native bush that surround the city’s
famous harbor. South Head near Watsons Bay is the
place for military, maritime and Aboriginal history while
the Hermitage Foreshore Track south of Vaucluse is
great for scenic swimming spots such as Parsley Bay.
For a full-day trip, you can’t beat the Spit to Manly walk
on the north shore.
Best Way to Conquer Your Fear of
Heights: The Sydney Skywalk
Sydney Tower Eye soars 1,000 feet into the sky. At
twice the height of the Harbour Bridge, it’s Sydney’s
tallest structure. Designed by Australian architect
Donald Crone, the Tower Eye features a glass-floor
skywalk outside the golden turret. Heart-pounding
vistas stretch from the Blue Mountains to the cars and
pedestrians of the Central Business District below.
Photo by Rick Markovich
Best Place to Explore Sydney’s
History: The Rocks
The Rocks is Australia’s oldest neighborhood, famous
for cobbled laneways, original sandstone warehouses
and centuries-old terrace houses. Once the domain
of sailors, whalers, convicts and prostitutes, the area
is best discovered during a guided tour that weaves in
local legends and ends at a historic watering hole.
Insider’s Guide: Sydney
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