Tourist attractions in Sydney that don’t suck

Bar 83 is a playful and eye-popping space in Sydney's revamped Sydney Tower. Sitting 83 stories above street level, and  accessible through a tucked-away elevator in the neighbouring Westfield Shopping Centre, this swinging '60s-themed bar and restaurant is peak Sydney tourist – but without any of the bad bits. You'll be surrounded by locals and travellers alike in this sun-soaked round space that gives you 360 degree views of every part of Sydney, from the Northern Beaches to Penrith. Sink back a  fruity cocktail, snaffle some bar snacks and see Sydney from a perspective usually just reserved for  a) people in planes, and b) sea eagles. 

In days gone-by, the Art Gallery of NSW (established in 1871) was a romantic (and slightly antique) wander through a delightful mix of the old masters and emerging Aussie talent.  Now, as of 2023, they have added on a spectacular new wing to their existing gallery. Dedicated entirely to cutting-edge contemporary art, this mammoth architectural masterpiece is full of hidden corners, wild visuals and incredible Indigenous art from all over Australia. Do yourself a favour and go to the past, and then into the future in one afternoon at the city's most dynamic art palace. 

There’s nothing quite like gazing upon the impressive Harbour Bridge silhouetted against the Sydney sky. Unless of course you’re on said bridge, because the views from up there are pretty amazing. It's a hair-raising walk to the highest point of this single-span steel arch bridge – the fourth-longest in the world of its kind. But once you’re up there you can see Sydney Harbour in all its majesty – including a cracking take on Sydney Opera House and all the way out to the Blue Mountains. Plus you'll get fascinating insights into the bridge’s construction. Whether you're a local or not, this is an adventure that you should do at least once. 

Even if you've watched too many re-runs of ‘Bondi Rescue’, surfing is must-try Australian activity. Need some pointers? Book in for a class at Let’s Go Surfing, which runs a well-liked two-hour beginners’ course that goes through the essentials of water safety (including Bondi’s rips), paddling and how to catch a wave. No, you don't have to be good at it – to be honest, falling into the water (and seeing your mates do that too) is all part of the fun. Besides, when you do finally stand up, you'll be glowing. If you've already cracked it then it's worth noting that while Bondi is one of most famous surf beaches, you can head to the southern end to be around those more familiar with the watersport. Surf's up!

You’ll feel like you’ve entered a whole other world. The garden is so peaceful that it’s impossible to imagine you’re in the middle of Sydney city (the skyscrapers being the only real giveaway). It’s larger than you’d expect and refreshingly empty of people, which makes it the perfect escape for some solitude. Make your way through bamboo forests and across stone bridges to reach one of the garden’s beautiful pavilions; take a seat on the water’s edge and watch schools of koi; or gaze at the majestic Dragon Wall – a gift from China representing the friendship between New South Wales and the Chinese province of Guangdong.

Beauty and convenience don’t always go hand in hand, but Opera Bar is a glam exception to the rule. It manages to be both one of the most enviably located bars in the city as well as its most advantageous spot for a pre-show drink. On the day you snag a seat facing the Harbour Bridge up on the raised promenade you should go buy a lottery ticket, because lady luck has smiled on you. Touristy? Yes. Crowded? Yes. Worth it? Also, yes. Also, their Bloody Mary's are actually, suprisingly very good. 

Thought to be one of the oldest public gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens date back to 1810 when Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife had a vision for an ‘English parkland setting with a grand house’. Over the years, this 30-hectare oasis has withstood fires, cattle grazing, invasions of flying foxes, a windmill, an aviary and even a zoo. Today, save a few sulphur-crested cockies, it's an oasis of calm in an urban jungle. Explore the place on one of the Aboriginal tours in botany, or simply pack for a picnic in the park.

You don’t need to travel to the Great Barrier Reef to discover Australia’s marine life – you can see cockatoo fish, leatherjackets, sea urchin (so much sea urchin) and teeny tiny pomfrets right here, in Manly. Dive Centre Manly runs Snorkel Safaris of three popular spots in the area, and they take visitors on underwater adventures every day. For a two hour swim at Manly and Shelly Beach, prices start at $79 per person. During our swim, we navigate over the kelp and seagrass in the quiet bay and our guide Ana points out a school of goatfish, pygmy leatherjackets and crimson banded wrasse. Snorkelling is a social sport and having Ana to guide us means more eyes for spotting sea creatures as we concentrate on breathing and swimming. Before our eyes can adjust, Ana spots a pair of smooth cornetfish in the deep. We swim round to the boulders and the drop goes from three metres to 12, suddenly we’re surrounded by tennis ball-sized jellyfish that we scoop up with our hands to see the currents of light travelling through them. 

It may be called the ‘Manly to Spit’ walk, but (especially if you don’t live North Side) you’re better off doing this ten-kilometre trek backwards. Start at the Spit Bridge (the M30 or 143 will get you there from Central) in Mosman, then cling to Middle Harbour’s coastline passing Clontarf Reserve and Clontarf Point. Your first opportunity for a really great swim will come early in the piece, at Castle Rock. After a steep descent you’ll find water that’s calm, clear and gorgeous. Though salubrious houses sit up just above the bushland, you can’t tell from the beach, and can barely tell from the walk. From there, you’ll be taking in big clifftop views and lots of scraggy, hardy bushland in the Sydney Harbour National Park. There are more opportunities to descend for a dip. Reef Bay is often where the party (ie: British expats with portable speakers) is at, while the harder to find Washaway Beach can be rocky and filled with nudists. The final stretch of your walk is through suburban Manly, and at the end, you should reward yourself with a cocktail and a snack, before catching the ferry home.

On a tour of Sydney Opera House you’ll visit all of the main theatres (so long as there are shows on at the time) – if you’re lucky, you’ll get a sneak peek of a rehearsal, such as ballet dancers warming up in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. In small groups, a guide will walk you around the outside of the Opera House, past roped-off areas, and you’ll learn all there is to know about Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable and come bearing a microphone, so you don’t have to worry about being out of earshot for any of their stories.

Look, you don’t need a bunch of hi-tech to enjoy the splendour of the Blue Mountains, but there’s no doubting that Scenic World is a lot of fun. There’s the original Scenic Railway (formerly used by miners) that takes you down a 52° incline to the valley floor; Scenic Skyway, a glass-bottomed cable car that travels clifftop to clifftop; Scenic Cableway, a cable car that descends and ascends while letting you view the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock, Mount Solitary and Katoomba Falls; and the Scenic Walkway, which is, well, a wooden walkway on the forest floor. In April and May the rainforest turns into a gallery for Sculpture at Scenic World.

Given the option, would you rather go fast or slow? If you opted for the former, you need to experience the thrill of a 30-minute Thunder Thrill Jet Boat Adventure around Sydney Harbour. It’s one of very few white knuckle thrills you can enjoy so close to the Opera House – and the wetter you get, the better. Oz Jet Boating’s speedboats go up to 40 knots as they zoom from Circular Quay to Rose Bay, Shark Beach and around Clark Island. As ‘Funky Town’ and ‘Starboy’ blast from the speakers, our driver gives signals to indicate when he’s about to spin the boat or nosedive – resulting in whole boat waves and seaspray, completely soaking everyone on board. We’re pleased we left our shoes and sunnies on shore (they lose 20-30 pairs of sunnies every week). By the end of the ride our cheeks are encrusted with salt, cracking as we move our jaws. Even though we’re wearing red ponchos we are soaked through and in need of a hot shower. But, the photos captured on the boat’s GoPro are too funny for us to regret our decision. In fact, we’re ready for a second ride.

No matter your horse riding experience or ability, Centennial Park is the place for you. Catering to established equestrians and complete novices alike, this huge, lush green space provides a home for some of Sydney’s (and Australia’s) finest riding schools. Sydney Horse, Eastside Riding Academy, Budapest Riding School, Centennial Stables and Papillon Riding School are all here to help city kids get to grips with the equestrian world, whether that be for individual riders or those looking to have full-on ‘pony parties’. And that isn’t even the best bit: while you’re trotting around the 3.6km track, you also get phenomenal views of the surrounding parkland.

There are a few ground rules before you visit the Royal National Park’s Instagram Famous rock pools. The first is to come at low tide, which is the only time the pools are visible. The second is to call the Park’s Visitors’ Centre (02 9542 1420) and ask them about the swells before you make the journey – if the sea is big, the pools frequently get hit by giant waves that have hospitalised a number of unwitting hikers. The third is to wear sensible shoes and pack a first aid kit. The path to get to the pools is rocky, slippery and not safe for young children. Bumps and cuts will happen. If you follow all the rules and hike for just over an hour, you’ll be rewarded by two perfect circles, forming a stunning, natural figure eight that you can and should bathe in. Just try and hit it up on a weekday or in winter, because on summer weekends, the site is crammed.

Two international design competitions, months of construction and $53 million later, the MCA was reborn in 2012. Now boasting 50 per cent more floor space, a rooftop café, sculpture terrace and a high-tech education centre, a trip here makes a perfect art stop – especially if your time in Sydney is limited. Grab a gelato, and then wander up to The Rocks  for a wee shop and stroll after you're done, all for a touristy (but cute) Sydney day out. 

Every Friday night, Dixon Street in Chinatown is lined with market stalls selling colourful phone covers, Pokémon toys and paw-waving cats. But the best stalls to visit are the ones selling street food from all corners of Asia. You can get octopus balls – yum! – and ten different types of Asian-style liquorice, but there’s also cheap yum cha, teppanyaki, sushi and pho. Hit them up from 4pm to 11pm, every Friday. 

It’s difficult to think of a better way of taking in all of Sydney’s contrasts, from its cityscape to the sea and hills, than by air. Expect a dinky seaplane soaring above the CBD and Rose Bay, gaining a unique view of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This tour by Sydney Seaplanes are amongst the finest around – and can be easily upgraded to include brunches and seafood platters. Living the high life, indeed.

If you're in Sydneytown between May and November, you're in luck. Tis' whale season, when all the cutest (and biggest) fish in the sea travel past Sydney on their way to their inaugral sabbatical in Antartica. If you're on the hunt for a leisurely four-hour whale watching cruise on and beyond Sydney Harbour that provides you with a succulent Aussie barbecue lunch as well as free flowing tea and coffee – Oz Whale Watching by Sydney Princess Cruises may be just the thing for you. 

Adorable animals and mind-melting views of the bay? Where do we sign up? It’s difficult to think of many people who wouldn’t absolutely adore a trip to Taronga Zoo, one of Sydney’s finest institutions for animal lovers. A day here is packed with talks, live shows and activities, as well as plenty of food options and even the chance to enjoy a night safari and sleepover. And not to forget the animals, of course! Taronga has over 4,000 different species, with everything from tree kangaroos to Sumatran tigers.

One thing all Sydneysiders know, but none want to admit is that Sydney Harbour is, by and large, a little grotty. Sure, it’s cleaner than it used to be. But a dip at Redleaf Beach or Balmoral will probably leave you feeling less-than-fresh. The flipside of this is that Harbour waters are calm, and perfect for lap swimming. There is one place where you can get the best of both worlds, and that’s at the Harbour’s easternmost tip Camp Cove. It’s close enough to the open ocean that the water feels clear and clean, while still being protected from waves. It’s also got a spectacular view of the whole Sydney city skyline. For bonus scenic-points, get there via a ferry to Watson’s Bay.

Grab a friend and drop $60 each on high tea at the Vaucluse House Tearooms for a little taste of how the other half lives. Perhaps a tour of the historic estate is what brought you out here, or a paddle in the harbour, but you should conclude your visit out under the umbrellas and ancient fig trees that shelter the tables out on the stone terrace of the tearooms. Three tiers of sweets, savouries and scones, plus tea, coffee and sparkling wine is a lot to fit in so the key here is to clear out your schedule and graze slowly. Start with chicken sandwiches and move onto little Italian doughnuts, then back to a crisp cone filled with salmon and cream cheese (it’s like a tiny Cornetto) before turning your full attention to the scones. Crack them open and don’t hold back on the three-berry jam (blueberry, strawberry and raspberry) and a vanilla clotted cream.

If you live in Sydney, a three-hour walking tour around the CBD may sound like a chore rather than a fun thing to do on your day off. But if you have visitors in town, this is a free way to check off many of the city’s historical sites in one go – and there’s a fact-filled guide to do all the talking. To join a tour, simply go to Town Hall at 10.30am or 2.30pm on any day of the week and look for the people wearing green ‘I’m Free’ T-shirts. Wear comfortable shoes as this really is a walking tour and it includes sites like Customs House, Sydney’s oldest cemetery and underground tunnels. You’ll learn why the Queen Victoria Building has a talking dog fountain, why Town Hall faces the wrong way and why the ‘Rum’ Hospital is named after booze.

When Sydney Zoo opened in 2015, it was the city’s first new zoo in a century. And it’s got all the features you’d expect of a supremely modern zoo, with state-of-the-art enclosures, high-tech animal welfare and immersive educational exhibits. You’re unlikely to find better animal care or visitor engagement pretty much anywhere else in the world. Sydney Zoo is the perfect place to explore habitats and creatures great and small. The only downside is that all this is a bit of a trek from the centre of town – 35km from the CBD out by Bungarribee – but Sydney Zoo is well worth the trip.