20 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 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. 

Price range? We all know Champage and oysters don't come cheap, but this bar definitely has that go-big-or-go-home energy that's sure to win you over. 

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. Then, in 2023 they 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.

Price range? Super affordable, with headset included. 

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. 

Price range? A hefty price tag, but something you'd regret not doing. 

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!

Price range? Decent for an introduction to a potential new hobby. 

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 very, very good. 

Price range? The food and drink prices are pertty average for Sydney, which is a win considering it's one of the most iconic bars in the continent. 

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, or simply pack for a picnic in the park.

Price range? Free entry – sign us up. 

These Australian-built picnic boats are as sustainable as they are chic: all grey tones and tasteful wooden panelling made from sustainably-sourced recycled wood. And the best news? You don't need a boat licence to drive them. Each is fitted with a slow-moving, easy-to-use electric motor that will allow you a few hours of freedom on Sydney's stunning Middle Harbour. Our tip? Go light on your picnic while you’re aboard, then book lunch or dinner at Ormeggio for an Italian feast when you're back on dry land.

Price range? Surprisingly affordable: if you split the cost between eight passengers, it works out to cost less than $20 per person per hour.

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. You'll find yourself navigating over the kelp and seagrass in the quiet bay as the guide points out a school of goatfish, pygmy leatherjackets and crimson banded wrasse. You'll swim round to the boulders as the drop goes from three metres to 12, coming across tennis ball-sized jellyfish that can be scooped up to see the currents of light travelling through them. 

Price range? Not cheap, but also not your average snorkeling experience. 

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 shcooner and a snack, before catching the ferry home.

Price range? The best things in life are free...

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. 

Price range? Cheaper than you'd think, and worth it for the views.

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). But, the photos captured on the boat’s GoPro are too funny for us to regret our decision. 

Price range? Not a bad price for such a fun experience. 

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.

Price range? There are day trips that include a guide, lunch and snacks. Or, if you're planning on exploring the park solo, you'll only need to pay the entrance fee. 

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 restaurant, 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. 

Price range? The MCA recently introduced an admission fee of $20, but it's still free to students and those under 18.

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 compact 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.

Price range? What do you think?

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. 

Price range? A price any sea life-lover would pay in a heartbeat. 

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 more than 4,000 different species, with everything from tree kangaroos to Sumatran tigers.

Price range? Not bad for a day at the zoo. Got cash to splash? Staying the night is a beyond special experience.

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 a little 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.

Price range? Priceless, literally. 

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.

Price range? Entry fee costs a little more than a cup of coffee.

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.

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. 

Price range? The food is super affordable, so come hungry and get stuck in.