15 Things To Do When You Visit Sydney

June 9, 2019Written By Travel Addict HackPosted in Australia

All my life I wanted to visit Australia, and finally my dream came true and I couldn’t be any happier! [Sydney, Australia]

If you are traveling to Sydney with a Canadian Passport, the best way to go would be to get an eVisa or ETA through Sherpa. It will save you a lot of time and cuts the inconvenience of embassy visits.

Sydney was on my bucket list for a long time and I was not disappointed despite having such high hopes. I am including a list of things you should definitely try while you discover Sydney along with a few personal Sydney travel hacks.

Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sydney, My Dream Destination, NSW, Australia

1. Get an Opal Card

The first travel hack for Sydney would be to get an Opal card. Sydney has an amazing bus and train system which can both be operated via the Opal card. All you need to do is load money onto your card and tap it while getting onto any bus or train and simply tap while getting off.

Opal Card for public transport services in the greater Sydney area and most other urban areas of New South Wales, Australia.

2. Circular Quay: Central Location

Circular Quay is the central location if you want to catch the train or bus to any place in the city. If you are fond of nature, you might prefer walking around the river or strolling over to the Royal Botanical Garden in the evening and watching the sunset.

Circular Quay is the central location Sydney
Circular Quay, Harbour: International Passenger Shipping Port

3. Royal Botanical Garden & Mrs. Macquarie’s Point

Best sport to watch the Sydney sunset at Mrs. Macquarie’s point to the Royal Botanical Garden. Walking around the river, look over the international cruises that are arriving and departing at this point.

Things to do - Royal Botanical Garden, Sydney, Australia
Royal Botanical Garden, Sydney, Australia

Listed below are some of the top activities for anyone visiting Sydney and my personal Sydney Highlights.

4. Bridge Climb Sydney


If you are looking for an adventurous activity, climb Harbour Bridge from Bridge Climb in Sydney. The entire climb is approximately 1300 steps and would take an average person almost 2.5 hours to get to the top. Once at the top, you can view the entire city and marvel at its beauty.

Things to do: Bridge Climb Sydney, NSW - Official Harbor Bridge Climb
Bridge Climb Sydney, NSW – Official Harbour Bridge Climb

Things to Sydney – Outdoor Activity

Read more: All types of climbs at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, how to signup and explore more.

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Sydney, Australia – W Sydney

Sydney Harbour Marina At Darling Harbour, Australia
Sydney, Australia – July 25, 2023: A bright day in Sydney, Australia, and this is the view from the Pyrmont Bridge looking across Sydney Harbour Marina towards some of the super-modern buildings surrounding Darling Harbour, including the W Sydney.

5. Sydney Opera House


If you have read about Sydney, you have most likely come across recommendations to visit the Opera House. The Opera House is known for its grand structure and iconic building style. The Opera House has activities and events for people of all ages and interests. I suggest you take out an entire evening for the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House, Australia
                        Sydney Opera House, Australia

6. Explore The Blue Mountains


If you want to enjoy some scenic views, take Anderson’s Tours’ tour of the Blue Mountains and explore the area of Leura and Katoomba.

Blue Mountains and explore the area of Leura and Katoomba in Sydney
The Blue Mountains, Leura, and Katoomba in Sydney

7. Three Sisters

The Three Sisters. If you want to enjoy a view of the entire valley, head on towards the iconic Three Sisters at Echo Point. From there you can take the 900-step giant staircase all the way to the valley floor and explore the valley on foot. You can also visit Jenolan caves and walk around Jamison valley to appreciate natural beauty.

Blue Mountains, Sydney, Three Sisters Echo Point
Blue Mountains, Sydney, Three Sisters Echo Point – Lousy Weather, unable to see the scenery and the Three Sisters mountains but loved being here.

8. Katoomba Scenic Railway

 Do not forget to ride the Katoomba Scenic Railway which is at an incline of 52 degrees making it the steepest railway in the world. The railway coils steeply into the rainforest and through the entire valley. The view throughout the ride is breathtaking and fascinating as it is steep and stunning at the same time. At the end of the train ride, you can either take a walk through the rainforest or you can opt for a cable-car ride on the Scenic Cableway on the way back to the visitor’s center.

Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Sydney, Scenic Railway
Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Sydney, Scenic Railway

9. Featherdale Wildlife Park

For people who love wildlife and nature, Featherdale Wildlife Park is the place to go. This park is home to all wildlife and birds’ species native to Australia.

Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney
                      Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney

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10. Hunter Valley Wine Tasting

“Wine contains wisdom, beer contains culture and water contains bacteria”.

You can simply not leave Australia without a wine-tasting trip for the stomp wine available at Hunter Valley. You can pick from a variety of wine or wine and cheese tasting trips at Hunter Valley where you can purchase a bottle of the finest wine and take it along as your souvenir.

Stomp Wine Testing - Hunter valley, Sydney
              Stomp Wine Testing – Hunter valley, Sydney

11. Hunter Valley Vodka Testing

Variety of vodka testing, food and afternoon fun. 7 hours of wine and vodka tasting. Getting sloshed! 😉

Hunter Valley Vodka Testing_Sydney
Shout out to all Vodka Lovers or Enjoy having it in custom-made cocktails

12. Bondi Beach


Bondi beach is a must if you’re visiting Sydney. It is the most popular and famous beach in Sydney.

Bondi Beach, NSW, Sydney, Australia
                       Bondi Beach, NSW, Sydney, Australia

13. Bondi Iceberg Club

At the beach, there is a swimming pool club by the name “Bondi Iceberg’s Club”. The club has a minimal entry fee and is ideal if you want to swim and enjoy the seaside view.

Bondi Iceberg's Club, Swimming Pool, Sydney, Australia
     Bondi Iceberg’s Club, Swimming Pool, Sydney, Australia

To get to the beach, simply start at the central point Circular Quay and from there take the train to Bondi junction. If you are not fond of pool clubs, just explore the area on your own, enjoy the sound of the waves crashing at the beach, do some yoga, meditate, relax and unwind.

14. NightOut & View of the Dazzling Darling Harbour

Enjoy nightlife in Sydney and the view of Darling Harbour. Plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants you name it. The full of life and night view is great.

Darling Harbour Sydney.
Dazzling Darling Harbour in Sydney – Enjoy Nightlife

15. Sydney Airport – Virgin Australia

Head Back: Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport is Australia’s busiest airport. I flew with Virgin Australia, it’s lovely airlines, great food, comfortable seats, and a friendly crew. The airport is 9km away from the CBD, city center and connected with the Suburban railway line.

NSW - Sydney Busiest Airport
NSW – Sydney Busiest Airport

If you have an afternoon or late night flight you can enjoy the food at the airport, it’s overpriced, kinda worth it though!

Sydney Airport Virgin Australia Airport Food
Sydney Airport Virgin Australia Airline – I can’t resist eating at the Airport

Australia has never-ending options of things to do. Now that it’s summertime November 2019 to April 2020, you can find lots of free events throughout the city. I’m sure with a simple google search you can find tons of blogs mentioning things to do in Sydney or any other city in Australia but nothing could ever compare with my personalized experience that I tailored my trip to get the best-valued experience.

I’d love to go back again to Australia somewhere in Queensland or Adelaide and combine my trip to visit New Zealand as well. If you’re dreaming the same, let’s connect so we could plan a trip to gather and share our travel journey.

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