Sydney, Australia

Traveling to Australia is a bucket list destination and Sydney is a top choice of cities to visit. From iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to the beautiful beaches perfect for surfing, Sydney is a popular tourist destination. Here's our guide on how to have the best time being a tourist in Sydney, Australia.

Where to Stay

We recommend staying near the Sydney Harbour. This will give you a close proximity to most of the major tourist attractions and Circular Quay where you can easily take a ferry to other areas.

Getting Around

If you're staying in Sydney, it is not necessary to rent a car. The city is not too spread apart and you can easily take an Uber, taxi, or ferry anywhere that is not within walking distance. Many excursions will offer hotel pickups as well.

Cruise Port

In the best case scenario, your cruise ship will dock at Circular Quay right in the middle of Sydney Harbour and walking distance to all the main attractions. However, if there are multiple ships in Sydney, some might dock at White Bay Cruise Terminal which is about a 15 minute drive to Sydney Harbour. You can easily take a taxi from this terminal, or if you have an excursion booked, it might pick you up from the ship.

One day is not enough time to experience everything Sydney has to offer, we would recommend at least four full days. However, if you are on a cruise and that's all the time you have, choose a couple of activities that interest you and make the most out of it. A private tour is a good way to maximize your time in Sydney and experience as much as possible in one day.

Things to do

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb

Conquering the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb is our most highly recommended activity on your trip to Sydney. The best time to do the climb is in the evening for gorgeous sunset and nighttime views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. Sometimes you'll even catch fireworks from up top. This is a somewhat pricey activity at around $350 AUD (or $230 USD), but it is absolutely worth it for the adventure and thrill.

You do not have to be in superior physical shape to do the BridgeClimb. There are a lot of stairs involved, but at a very slow pace so it's doable if you are in average shape. They are very strict about making sure you are not wearing any jewelry or have any belongings on you and provide a locker to store everything in. Unfortunately, that does mean you can't take your own pictures. Your guide will take pictures on a professional camera for you, but it does cost extra to purchase those pictures at the end. Currently, this activity can only be booked directly through the company on their website.

Night view from top of BridgeClimb Sydney

Sydney Opera House Tour

Taking a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House is another must do activity in Sydney. A tour of the Sydney Opera House is very informative and will allow you to see inside off limits rooms. You'll also be able to indulge in the unique architecture that has become recognizable around the world.

Sydney Opera House

There is almost always a show or concert going on inside the Sydney Opera House. The performances vary, so be sure to check what is playing during your visit. Some shows are in the theater and others are on the harbour. West Side Story is currently playing on the harbour which can be booked here.

Theater inside Sydney Opera House

Beaches

Bondi Beach

Bondi beach is Australia's most famous beach known for surfing. Bondi beach is about a 30 minute drive from Sydney, or a 40 minute ferry from Circular Quay, Sydney's transport hub. If you're driving yourself, you'll have to find paid parking by the hour. While at Bondi beach, take a swim at the Bondi Icebergs, a seawater pool located next to the ocean that is filled by the ocean's splashes. A ticket to swim in the world's most photographed pool only costs around $9 AUD. On Thursdays, the pool is closed for cleaning. Another popular activity at Bondi beach is taking surf lessons. There's no better place to learn the basics of surfing other than the world famous Bondi beach. The Bondi to Coogee walk is a great option for some exercise with the best views. It is about six kilometers and takes around two hours to complete. In October and November, this walk features a free art exhibit called Sculpture by the Sea. If you're just looking for a laid back beach day, bring your own beach chairs and umbrella or rent them from a local company. There's plenty of shopping and restaurants to make a day out of Bondi beach.

Bondi Icebergs

Manly beach is another great choice for a beach day. Also a good surf spot, Manly beach is a little more relaxing than Bondi beach. You can also catch a ferry from Circular Quay to get to Manly beach, operating every 30 to 40 minutes. The ferry ride itself is scenic with up close views of the Sydney Opera House. Rent bikes while taking in the sights. Visit the shops and restaurants, or sunbath all day.

Sydney Harbour Cruise

A sunset dinner cruise on the Sydney harbour is an unforgettable experience as you get the best views of all of Sydney's iconic landmarks. This excursion includes a three course meal and live music on the weekends. With sunset views of the Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, and Sydney Harbour Bridge, this is an experience not to be missed.

Sydney Harbour

The Sydney Harbour is gorgeous area to explore and walk around. This is the perfect area to find a restaurant with a view, or do some tourist shopping. Every Saturday night at 9pm, you can watch fireworks on the Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour

Wild Life Sydney Zoo

If you're not heading to the Outback on your trip in Australia, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo is the best place to see some unique Australian animals like koalas, kangaroos, and tasmanian devils.

Koala at Wild Life Sydney Zoo

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is an impressive exhibit featuring manatees, sharks, and penguins. If the Great Barrier Reef isn't on your itinerary, this is the perfect way to get a taste of Australia's marine life. The best part of the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is the penguin expedition boat ride where you can get up close and personal with the penguins. Boat rides stop at 3pm, so be sure to get there before then.

Penguins at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Sydney Attractions Pass

If you're interested in both Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, buy the Sydney attractions pass instead of individual tickets. This will include access to both attractions, along with the Sydney Tower Eye and Madame Tussauds. You can choose a combo pass of 2, 3 or 4 attractions at a better price than individual tickets. The pass is valid from 60 days of first use, so you don't have to visit all the attractions on the same day.

GoCity Sydney Explorer Pass

For a combo pass that includes even more activities, book the GoCity Sydney Explorer Pass. We book this pass in every city where it's offered around the world. It is the best way to explore all of the tourist attractions at a reasonable price. You can choose up to seven attractions and includes the Sydney Opera House tour, Big Bus Sydney, bike rentals, Sydney Eye, surfboard rentals, and more.

Blue Mountains Day Trip

For a scenic day trip outside the city, head to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Located about 45 minutes outside Sydney, the Blue Mountains can be reached by car. A tour is the easiest way to experience the Blue Mountains, as it includes transportation and covers park fees. It also includes three rides at scenic world on the cableway, skyway, and railway where you will experience close encounters with Australia's wildlife.

Luna Park

Luna Park is over 100 years old and is a heritage-listed amusement park with traditional games and rides. Located on the northern side of the Sydney Harbour, you can take a ferry to Luna Park from Circular Quay. Another option is Uber, train, or bus. Entrance into Luna Park is free, but you will have to purchase a pass to experience the attractions.

Kayak in Sydney Harbour

Experience Sydney Harbour as you kayak past all the iconic landmarks with a local expert while getting professional photos. All necessary equipment is provided on this highly recommended tour. You'll get to kayak to Goat Island and see wildlife while learning all about its intriguing history.

Whale Watching Cruise

This exciting whale watching cruise starts in the Sydney Harbour with a meal while taking in the sights. After sailing through the Harbour and past Manly beach, the cruise sets sail out into the Pacific Ocean in search of humpback whales on a four hour expedition. This excursion is only available from May - November when whales are migrating.

Local Food

Kangaroo

Where else in the world can you try kangaroo besides Australia? There are a few places that have kangaroo on the menu, but we particularly enjoyed a pizza place that offered it as a topping at the Australian Heritage Hotel. If you're wondering what kangaroo tastes like, we would compare it to a burger, but tougher to chew.

Pizza from Australian Heritage Hotel

Emu

A flightless bird native to Australia, emu is another unique menu item that can be found at the Australian Heritage Hotel as a pizza topping. Be sure to grab a reservation in advance, this is a popular spot and you'll be limited to a maximum of two hours once seated.

Tim Tams

A must try dessert in Australia are Tim Tams, best described as a chocolate biscuit. You can buy a pack of Tim Tams at almost any supermarket or convenience store. They come in different flavors such as white chocolate, caramel, mint, and raspberry. Leave some space in your suitcase to bring a few packs of Tim Tams home, as they are not easy to find in the USA.

Things to know

Currency

Australian dollars (AUD) is the currency of Australia. Credit card is widely accepted across Australia, so it is not necessary to have a lot of cash on you.

Language

While Australia does not have an official language, English is mostly used by default. You should have no problem getting by only speaking English.

Plugs

Australia uses plug type I. You can buy an international plug adapter here. 

Safety

Australia is a very safe country to visit. There is minimal crime and the country is very welcoming to tourists.

Tipping

Tipping is not necessary in Australia, but always appreciated. Some restaurants will include a service charge included in the bill. If you do decide to tip for exceptional service, 10-15% is considered generous.

Visas

A visa is required for US citizens and all nationalities excluding New Zealand citizens to enter Australia. To obtain a visa, download the Australian ETA app and apply. The cost varies, but is around $100 USD for a tourist visa. It should take less than one day to get the results back, but ours were approved almost instantly. From the time your visa is approved, you will have 12 months to enter Australia. Upon entering, you be allowed to stay in Australia for up to 90 days.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to be a tourist in Sydney, Australia. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

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