21 top things to do in Sydney

Sydney is one of those cities that lives in the mind long before you get to experience it. Body-boarding at Bondi beach, zipping under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a ferry, or catching a show at the incredible Sydney Opera House are just a few of the quintessential Sydney experiences you’ll want to tick off on your big trip Down Under.

And once you’ve tackled those, it’s time to explore what else Sydney has to offer. Here are the best things to do in Australia‘s big city, whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth. 

1. Dine on delicious meals delivered with exemplary Sydney hospitality

Sydney’s dining scene has never been more inventive and exciting. Restaurants serving food from across the globe, often with a uniquely Australian twist, can be found in every pocket of the city. Okay, it may be a little faddish and perhaps a bit too obsessed with big-name chefs, but it wouldn’t be Sydney if names weren’t being dropped. Thankfully Sydney’s food scene manages to juggle style with substance.

Fine diners like Quay and Oncore by Clare Smyth stand out as world-class on every front, from the views to the service to the exquisite menus on offer. Other Sydney hotspots, no less incredible in terms of quality dishes and top-notch hospitality, include NOMAD, Mr Wong, Cafe Paci, Long Chim and seafood pioneers Saint Peter. However, a takeaway Sri Lankan or a cheap noodles night with BYO wine could just as easily be your Sydney dining highlight.

2. Walk, cycle or climb Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydneysiders love their giant ‘coathanger,’ which opened in 1932. The best way to experience this majestic structure is on foot; stairs and lifts climb up the bridge from both shores, leading to a footpath on the eastern side (the western side is a bike path). Getting the train to Milsons Point and walking back towards the city is the most spectacular.

Climb the southeastern pylon to the Pylon Lookout or ascend the arc on the popular BridgeClimb experience. You can now book a trip with an Indigenous storyteller who’ll share their perspective on the city and country while you look over Sydney’s magnificent harbor from on high.

3. Tour…