This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2017. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
When my husband and I compare all our favourite cities from our travels, Sydney always rises to the top.
Maybe it’s the perfect weather, or the ridiculously pretty harbour, or the relaxed pace of life… or maybe it’s all three.
After living here for years, I’ve learned that Sydney is so much more than its postcard icons — but if you’re visiting for the very first time, those iconic sights are exactly what you should be prioritising. This bucket list mixes classic must-sees with the experiences that truly show off the best of Australia’s most famous city.
If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, here are 10 unforgettable first-timer experiences you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Quick summary:
Sydney’s must-do experiences include climbing the Harbour Bridge, seeing the Opera House, riding a ferry across Sydney Harbour, exploring The Rocks, walking the Bondi–Coogee coastal trail, visiting Taronga Zoo, enjoying the Botanic Garden, taking in views from Sydney Tower Eye, discovering Darling Harbour, and doing a Blue Mountains day trip.
Recommended tours & tickets:
🌉 Sydney BridgeClimb – Guided climb to the summit of the Harbour Bridge with epic harbour views.
🎭 Sydney Opera House Guided Tour – Explore inside Australia’s most famous building with expert commentary.
🛥️ Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise – Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise with a 3-course meal and unforgettable harbour views.
🐨 Taronga Zoo Entry + Return Ferry – Cruise from Circular Quay and enjoy a full day exploring Taronga’s wildlife and harbour viewpoints.
🗼 Sydney Tower Eye Admission – 360° panoramas of the CBD, coastline, and Blue Mountains.
👣 The Rocks Walking Tour – Discover colonial history, hidden laneways, and local stories on a guided walk.
Top 10 things to do in Sydney:
1. Climb or explore the Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Harbour Bridge is Sydney’s pride and joy — and honestly, nothing makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Australia more than standing beneath this giant steel arch. This icon is the main focal point for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
🌉 If your budget allows, the BridgeClimb is the ultimate way to experience it! The guided climb takes you right over the top of the bridge, with uninterrupted views of the harbour, Opera House, and city skyline. (Even if you’re scared of heights, it’s surprisingly doable — take it slow and you’ll be rewarded.)
For a cheaper but still excellent alternative, the Pylon Lookout gives you panoramic views for a fraction of the cost.
And if you’re travelling on a shoestring, simply walking across the pedestrian path on the bridge is completely free. The views aren’t quite as great as there’s a wire fence obscuring the view, but it’s still a nice walk.
2. Visit the Sydney Opera House
It may sound obvious, but the Opera House genuinely deserves its spot on every first-timer’s itinerary. The architecture is even more striking up close, and wandering around the forecourt gives you an incredible angle on the harbour.
🎭 If you want to go deeper, join a guided Opera House tour, which takes you inside the theatres and behind the scenes of Australia’s most recognisable building. Even locals take this tour — it’s surprisingly fascinating.
3. See Sydney Harbour from the water
Sydney Harbour is the beating heart of the city — sparkling blue water, iconic landmarks, and ferries gliding past every few minutes. No first-time visit is complete without spending some time out on the water.
The most affordable and scenic option is the Manly Ferry, which departs from Circular Quay and offers front-row views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you sail out of the harbour. It’s one of Sydney’s classic experiences, and every visitor loves it.
🛥️ If you want to make your harbour time extra special, consider a Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise, which combines sightseeing with a romantic multi-course dinner and spectacular golden-hour views. It’s a beautiful way to wrap up a trip.
4. Visit Sydney’s beaches + walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Trail
Sydney is famous for its beaches, so choosing just one can feel impossible:
- Bondi Beach — the most iconic, lined with cafes and surf schools.
- Manly Beach — relaxed, with a great promenade and plenty of places to eat.
- Coogee — quieter, with ocean pools and calmer waves.
If you want something truly memorable, walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Trail, a 6 km cliffside path that passes bays, beaches, rocky headlands, and panoramic viewpoints. It takes about 1.5–2 hours and is one of the most spectacular coastal walks in the world.
5. Explore Darling Harbour & Barangaroo
Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s liveliest waterfront areas. With restaurants, bars, and attractions like SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and the Australian National Maritime Museum, it’s perfect for wandering and people-watching.
Stroll north along the water and you’ll reach Barangaroo, a beautifully redeveloped precinct with foreshore boardwalks, public artworks, boutique shops, and excellent dining. It’s a wonderful spot for sunset or a relaxed evening meal by the water.
6. Walk through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
The Royal Botanic Garden is a peaceful escape right in the CBD, with sprawling lawns, towering trees, and exotic plant collections.
Walk through the gardens to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, where the Opera House and Harbour Bridge line up perfectly across the water. This is one of Sydney’s most photogenic viewpoints, and a must-visit for anyone wanting that quintessential harbour photo.
7. Visit Taronga Zoo for wildlife with harbour views
Taronga Zoo might just have the best zoo views anywhere in the world. Where else can you take a photo of a giraffe with the Sydney skyline in the background?
Meet koalas, kangaroos, seals, big cats, and plenty of Australian wildlife as you explore the zoo’s leafy hillside trails. The layout is easy to walk, and there are keeper talks, bird shows, and shaded picnic spots if you want to take a break.
🐨 The Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry from Circular Quay is one of the most fun and scenic ways to reach Taronga. You’ll cruise across the harbour on the rocket ferry, enjoy instant entry to the zoo, and then return to Circular Quay with more skyline views on the way back.
8. Go up the Sydney Tower Eye for panoramic city views
The Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest point in the city and offers full 360° views from its observation deck. On a clear day you can see the coastline, the harbour, the suburbs spreading out below, and even the Blue Mountains in the distance.
It’s a great place to start your trip if you want to get your bearings — or to end it with one last sweeping view.
🗼 Book your Sydney Tower Eye ticket online ahead of time — it’s often noticeably cheaper than buying at the gate, and it saves waiting in line.
9. Wander The Rocks and learn Sydney’s colonial history
The Rocks is the oldest part of Sydney and one of its most charming neighbourhoods, full of cobblestone alleys, sandstone buildings, and historic hotels.
Be sure to stop in for a beer at the Lord Nelson or the Fortune of War, which are the oldest surviving pubs in Sydney.
Spend some time browsing the weekend markets, popping into artisan stores. And don’t miss the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is free to enter.
👣 This area was actually one of the first parts of Sydney to be settled when the British colonised Australia in the late 1700s. If you enjoy history or want to understand Sydney’s colonial beginnings, a guided Rocks walking tour is absolutely worth it.
10. Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are only two hours west of the city and offer dramatic cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, and charming mountain towns. Visit the Three Sisters lookout, ride the Scenic Railway at Scenic World, or tackle one of the shorter hikes for fresh air and incredible views.
It’s one of the most popular day trips from Sydney, and for good reason — the landscapes are breathtaking.
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