Looking to travel somewhere temperate and sunny almost all the time? Sydney, Australia will not disappoint!
Plus, this awesome city offers lots of life-changing excitement. You will not run out of things to do in Sydney as long as you know where to look, so read on to find incredible activities to add to your Sydney itinerary!
5 Awesome Things to Do in Sydney, Australia
Whether you crave fun in the sun, spectacular views, or artsy entertainment, Sydney offers it all! Here are the top things to do in Sydney on your vacation!
1. Hike
Hiking allows you to connect with your natural surroundings while getting in a little exercise. Travel just a little outside of Sidney on your vacation there for some spectacular trails.
Budderoo Fire Trail
Travel a little over two hours outside of the city to reach this walking track. You can take the gentle walk up the trail or opt to go off the beaten path for a more challenging hike to the top.
The top of the trail ends overlooking Gerringong Falls. Enjoy the beauty from above, but do not attempt to hike down the falls as it poses serious dangers.
Karloo Walking Track
For a half-day nature cleanse, hike the Karloo Walking Track to Uloola Falls, where you can take in the view and even camp for the night. Watch for cool critters like sugar gliders, wallabies, bats, and other indigenous wildlife roaming.
You will also encounter eye-catching flora on your way. Take pictures, but leave nature alone.
Grand Canyon Track
This hike provides gorgeous scenery from Blue Mountain National Park, full of Eucalyptus trees that may offer you a glimpse of a koala bear. But, it also houses a cool piece of the puzzle concerning the history of the Earth.
Geologists discovered that the rocks in this Australian mountain match those from The Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. How cool to hike on land that may provide a clue to how the planet was put together!
2. Swim
Even in the winter months, the temperature in Sydney averages in the upper 70s. The summer heat can make you feel as if you’re melting.
One of the best things to do in Sydney, especially during the summer, is cool down. So, take advantage of the numerous, gorgeous swimming spots around the area!
Mermaid’s Pool
Take a 75-minute road trip south of Sydney where you will find the Tahmoor Gorge. A short bushwalk will take you to this natural watering hole on the Bargo River.
As the bush opens into this oasis, you will see a mythical sight and understand why it inherited such a name. Adrenaline junkies will love this swim, as you can only enter the hole via a 15 ft cliff jump and lift yourself out on a make-shift rope at the falls.
North Curl Curl Rock Pool
For another unique swimming experience in Sydney, check out this tidally flushed ocean pool. It is situated on a natural rock shelf that raises up to form one side of the pool and contains a little island formed by two outcrops.
When you approach the pool from a short walk, it will feel like you discovered a secret gem. Often times, tourists miss this because of its obscure location.
North Sydney Olympic Pool
If you do not want to trek to your swimming destination, head to the North Sydney Olympic Pool.
For a small fee, you can swim easy peasy in a chlorinated swimming area. They heat the water, so you can comfortably swim on slightly cooler days as well.
3. Go Boating
The city surrounds beautiful Sydney Harbour. Take advantage of the opportunity to get out on the open water for some sunny fun. This waterway invites travelers to sail, fish, or ride the waves in style.
Ever dream of sailing off into the sunset? Do it, then head back to shore through a breathtaking twilight view.
Fishermen will also enjoy this fun gaming ground. They can expect to catch snapper, squid, leather jackets, and possibly even kingfish or Australian salmon if luck favors them.
A luxury boat hire allows you to enjoy the outdoors in comfortable accommodations, where you can party out on the water all day!
4. Whale Watch
From May through November, you can see whales migrate through the waters of Australia. This makes for one of the coolest activities in Sydney: whale watching.
The peak time for spotting these majestic creatures is June and early July. Most often, people spot Southern Right Whales and Humpbacks.
Some of the best whale-watching spots include:
- Bondi Beach
- Fairfax Lookout
- Cape Solander
- Barrenjoey Headland
- Gap Bluff
- Near Bundeena
Whales tend to stay active morning, noon, and night. So, do not worry about trying to catch them at a certain time of day, unless you want a specific photograph, like whales at sunset.
5. Arts and Entertainment
Many of the fun things to do in Sydney include arts and entertainment. This city is cool, creative, and cutting edge with cinematography.
White Rabbit
This art museum stands out as it displays all contemporary Chinese art, created after 2000. You will find funky, mind-bending, and thought-provoking pieces scattered around each of the four floors of this state-of-the-art facility.
Drag ‘n’ Dine at the Imperial Hotel
Enjoy a delicious dinner as you rock out with some of Sydney’s most fantastic queens. These top performers tend to show preference to 80s and 90s American pop, as they belt out Madonna, Whitney, and other favorites.
Here they celebrate loud and proud. Since the 1980s, this venue has served as a safe space for the LGBTQIA community to let loose and celebrate themselves.
Golden Age of Cinema
You simply cannot travel to the cinematography hub of the world and not celebrate indy and cult cinema. This boutique cinema showcases a couple of vintage projectors for you to take a peek at.
Enjoy trivia and sip on drinks in the Golden Age bar. Expect top of the line snacks to enjoy with your flick as well!
Explore Sydney
Definitely try out some of these incredible things to do in Sydney. But, also explore outside of your agenda, to see unique experiences the city reveals to you.
I want you to make the most of your visit to this land down under. Read more tips for traveling to Australia on my website.