Sydney is one of the most popular cities in Australia, and one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere, all for good reason. From its iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge, the natural beauty of the harbor, to its world-class beaches and vibrant nightlife, there’s something for everyone in Sydney. Robin and Cos visited Sydney in 2023 and 2026. Cos had visited twice before. It is a special place.
Contents
- 1 Finding Unique and Unusual Things to Do in Sydney
- 1.1 Sydney Opera House
- 1.2 Walk Across the Harbor Bridge
- 1.3 Rocks Walking Tour Sydney
- 1.4 Ride a Sydney Harbour Ferry
- 1.5 Visit Taronga Zoo
- 1.6 Visit the Sydney War Memorial
- 1.7 Visit the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
- 1.8 Visit the Best Beaches in Sydney
- 1.9 Visit the Royal National Park or the Blue Mountains
- 2 Restaurant Recommendations
- 3 Conclusion
Finding Unique and Unusual Things to Do in Sydney
To first understand Sydney, we took a ride around town on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. This ride provided an excellent overview of Sydney.Sydney Opera House
There isn’t a more iconic image than the Sydney Opera House, perhaps other than the Statue of Liberty, that reminds you of a particular city. Welcome to Sydney,
When thinking about Australia, or Sydney in particular, nothing reminds you more than the iconic Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it’s considered one of the most iconic and innovative buildings of the 20th century. Its sail-like design transformed modern architecture and has become the defining symbol of Australia. It is located in the perfect spot in Sydney Harbour for the best views of the harbour. For more information and pictures about our visit to the Opera House, please visit our Favorite Theaters Post.
Walk Across the Harbor Bridge
The second most iconic image in Sydney is the Harbor Bridge. It is enormous, and believe it or not, one of the most unique things to do in Sydney is to actually walk across the top of the bridge. It will give you a great view. However, there are other less daunting ways to get great panoramic views of Sydney. Here is a picture of some scarred souls preparing for the march across the bridge.
Rocks Walking Tour Sydney
A walk through The Rocks is a journey into Sydney’s earliest days. With cobblestone laneways, historic pubs, and sandstone buildings, this district tells the story of the city’s colonial beginnings. A guided tour brings it all to life with colorful tales of convicts, sailors, and the characters who shaped early Sydney.
Our Tour of the Rocks in 2026
We joined a small-group walking tour through The Rocks, where Sydney first took root. Our guide, Dave, was outstanding—equal parts historian and storyteller, weaving together facts with the kind of local color you can’t find in a guidebook. It was truly one of the best tours we have ever taken.
Starting at Customs House, he set the tone with stories that ranged from the everyday to the unexpected. We heard about beloved local pork rolls out in Marrickville, passed Sydney’s oldest pub, and paused at the police station where a stone lion clutches a billy club in its mouth—a quiet nod to law and order with a bit of personality.
He pointed out quirky details you’d easily miss on your own, like the curious address “81½,” born from old right-of-way laws that required passage between streets—tiny fragments of the city’s layered past still visible today.
As we wandered deeper into The Rocks, history seemed to rise from the stones beneath our feet. Then, just as the stories built, Dave brought us back to the present with a spectacular harbor view—our ship anchored perfectly opposite the Opera House. From this great spot and vantage point, even the familiar looked new. His description of the Opera House—“like nuns in a scrimmage”—was as memorable as the view itself.
Above us, tiny figures crept along the arch of the bridge—those brave souls tackling the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Equal parts thrilling and slightly mad, we decided we were perfectly content watching from below.
We also glimpsed former public housing now transformed into coveted real estate—proof of how dramatically this harbor city has evolved, where history and modern Sydney sit side by side, often separated by just a street.
A Story That Stuck: JFK in the Pacific
Perhaps the most captivating moment came when Dave recounted a young John F. Kennedy, long before the presidency, commanding PT-109 in the Pacific during World War II.
After the boat was rammed and sunk, Kennedy and his crew survived for days on small islands. Desperate to signal for help, Kennedy carved a message into a coconut shell—an improvised distress call that read, in essence, that his crew was alive and in need of rescue.
That coconut was carried by two Solomon Islanders, including a scout named Reginald (as Dave told it), who navigated dangerous waters to deliver the message to Allied forces. It worked. The crew was rescued. Reginald hung out at the Hero of Waterloo Pub (click here to see below for more details about the Pub).
Remarkably, that very coconut still exists today—preserved at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a humble artifact that became part of presidential history. Perhaps the most captivating moment came with Dave’s telling of a young John F. Kennedy, long before the presidency—back in his days as a naval officer during World War.
You can find your own tour of the Rocks, from GetYourGuide, by clicking below.
Uncover Sydney’s past on a 2.5-hour guided walking tour through The Rocks and historic city sights. Explore landmarks, hidden laneways, and stories that shaped Australia’s oldest city.
Ride a Sydney Harbour Ferry
Getting around Sydney is easy with public transport, and one of the most affordable and best ways to experience Sydney Harbor is by ferry. Departing from Circular Quay, routes like the scenic ride to North Stanley or to Manly Beach offer sweeping views of the skyline, hidden coves, and waterfront neighborhoods. It’s sightseeing and transportation all in one.
Visit Taronga Zoo
Perched above the harbor, Taronga Zoo combines wildlife encounters with breathtaking views. Home to native Australian animals like kangaroos and koalas, as well as species from around the world, the zoo is just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay—making the journey there part of the experience.
One of the fun and educational activities we did in Sydney was a 2-hour stroll through Sydney Harbor National Park. This is one of many National Parks that are easy to reach from Sydney, and it even has free entry.
The walking tour through the Sydney Harbor National Park can start with a short walk down from the Taronga Zoo. Combining the two activities is a great way to spend time on the North Side of the Harbor. This walk through the park is one of the less touristy things to do in Sydney and a true hidden gem.
Alan from EcoWalks led the way on a tour of Sydney Harbor National Park, which can be arranged directly on their website by clicking here.
Alan is a geography teacher in his full-time job, and is an ecological expert as a tour guide. We learned more about the flora and fauna of Australia than we ever thought we would. Here are some beautiful pictures from our tour.
Visit the Sydney War Memorial
Alan is one of Sydney’s top history buffs, and when we visited the war memorial, he provided us with some insight into Australia’s involvement in WWII. He helped us explain the difference between New Zealand’s and Australia’s involvement in the two World Wars. Australia was attacked in WWII, but New Zealand did not engage in the Second World War at all. That helped explain the question we posed in our New Zealand Post of why all New Zealand’s War Memorials favored WWI, while Australia’s War Memorials favored both wars.
Visit the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
The Royal Botanic Garden is located less than a mile from the Opera House. It borders Sydney Harbor, as do many places in Sydney, and is a great place for a nice summer stroll. It is one of the most scenic botanic gardens in the world—lush lawns, exotic plants, and coastal cliffs. Highlights include Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and waterfront walking paths.
Please check out our Favorite Gardens Post for more information and pictures of the Royal Botanic Garden and other Botanical Gardens around the world.
Woolloomooloo Near the Royal Botanic Garden
We started our walk through the Royal Botanic Garden near the Opera House and ended in the area called Woolloomooloo (that’s a real place). We passed some neat Street Art on a tall building and some great statues on the wharf.
Visit the Best Beaches in Sydney
Sydney’s coastline is one of its greatest gifts—an endless stretch of golden sand, dramatic headlands, and surf that ranges from gentle to exhilarating. Whether you’re looking for iconic scenery, a relaxed swim, or something a bit more tucked away, there’s a beach to match the mood.
Bondi Beach – The Icon
Bondi Beach is Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand—and for good reason. It’s lively, scenic, and quintessentially Australian, with surfers riding steady waves and locals gathering along the promenade. Don’t miss one of the great coastal walks: Bondi to Coogee Beach. Coogee feels a bit more laid-back than Bondi, with gentler waters and a welcoming neighborhood feel. Ocean pools and seaside cafés add to its charm, making it a great choice for a relaxed swim or a leisurely afternoon.
Manly Beach – The Ferry Favorite
Reached by a spectacular ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly Beach offers a more relaxed vibe with plenty of space to spread out. The long promenade, lined with Norfolk pines, makes it perfect for a stroll, while the surf is consistently good for both beginners and experienced riders.
Visit the Royal National Park or the Blue Mountains
Here are two unique experiences to consider for a short day trip from Sydney:
Royal National Park
The Royal National Park is just south of Sydney, in New South Wales, and it’s actually one of the closest national parks to a major city anywhere in the world. It is about 30–40 km (20–25 miles) south of central Sydney, between the suburbs of Sutherland and Otford, along the coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. By car, it is a short drive, ~45 minutes to 1 hour from Sydney (very easy drive).
Blue Mountains
A trip to the Blue Mountains is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes from Sydney—within two hours, the harbor gives way to vast valleys, sandstone cliffs, and that famous blue haze created by eucalyptus oils in the air. The Three Sisters is the famous rock formation, best viewed from Echo Point—especially early morning or late afternoon. The Greater Blue Mountains Area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. There are three ways to get there:
- By car: ~1.5–2 hours west of Sydney (easy, scenic drive)
- By train: Direct train from Central Station to Katoomba (about 2 hours)
- Tours: Plenty of day trips if you prefer not to drive
Restaurant Recommendations
At the wharf, we had a nice lunch at one of Sydney’s nicest restaurants, China Rose. They make a mean Gin & Tonic. We highly recommend a meal there. Please see more information about The China Rose and other fine dining restaurants in our Restaurants Post.
Two Additional Restaurant Recommendations
A Neo-French bistro, recommended by 3 of Sydney’s most exciting hospitality players, Bistrot 916 was a real favorite of ours in this city of outstanding restaurants. We love bistro cuisine, and this restaurant was no exception. Everything from the pink tablecloths to the extensive wine list to the classic dishes would remind you of Paris. Highly recommended.
Imaccheroni: This neighborhood Victorian home belies the gorgeous food produced here. Chef Marcello Farioli is Michelin-star trained. We weren’t sure quite what to expect as we walked into the small first floor and then began climbing two flights. The setting was comfy, and we had no idea how great this was going to be. Superb!
Visit the Pubs in the Rocks Sydney
During our Rocks tour, we passed two Pubs with great history. The first pub, The Fortune of War, is the oldest pub in Sydney.
The second pub, the Hero of Waterloo, is where Reginald (better known as “Reggie”) hung out. This is where they found him and invited him to meet President Kennedy at the White House in Washington, DC. Click here to see above for the full Reggie-JFK story.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post convinced you that Sydney is a great place to visit. Whether you decide to visit to see the famous landmarks, the beaches, take the harbour cruises, visit the national parks, or eat and drink at the wonderful pubs and restaurants, there is something in Sydney for everyone. Leave us a comment about your travel plans to Australia.
If you want to learn more about Australia’s other great cities and places to visit, please click on our other Australia posts:
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