The Harbour City is overwhelmingly dazzling, so let’s whittle down the best things to do in Sydney to enhance your next visit.

World-class dining, hidden beaches, unparalleled cultural experiences – there’s a heck of a lot to cover in Sydney. While Circular Quay and The Rocks are filled with top-notch views and bucket-list attractions, there’s entertainment for every taste bud right across the glittering NSW capital. Take it from me: I was born here. The team has joined forces to round up the best things to do in Sydney, including a bunch of activities you won’t find in any brochures. Your job? Strap yourself in and choose your own adventure.

In short

If you only have time for a handful of the best things to do in Sydney, don’t miss these:

• Best for cinephiles: Golden Age Cinema and Bar for the most charming of dinners and a show
• Best for fitness enthusiasts: Bondi to Coogee walk for invigorating Pacific Ocean spritz and an ample step count
• Best for kids: Taronga Zoo Sydney for iconic harbour views and family friendly fun
• Best for enjoying the view: Opera Bar for a thirst-quencher beside the Sydney Opera House
• Best overnight experience: Cockatoo Island camping for an unforgettable overnight memory

Icons and landmarks

1. Catch a show inside the Sydney Opera House

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

Taking selfies out front is great, but immersing yourself in the country’s most iconic landmark is a must. I still get goosebumps as curtains fall, whether I’m catching international acts inside the Concert Hall or a school holidays boredom-buster inside the Playhouse. Many of the globe’s most acclaimed performers have spun their magic right across the Sydney Opera House’s unique venues. Its annual performance count has been recorded at more than 1,800, while the overall venue ushers almost 11 million people through its doors per year.

2. Soak up the views from Sydney’s tallest building

Best for: First-timers, and the brave

BridgeClimb steals the spotlight, but did you know SKYWALK atop the Sydney Tower Eye offers a higher vantage point than the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Take a secure stroll along the city’s highest outdoor viewpoint, at a whopping 268 metres above the CBD, to gaze adoringly at the city and as far out as the Blue Mountains. The tower opens at 11am daily, closes at 8pm daily, and each SKYWALK fully guided experience lasts for one hour.

3. Jump aboard the Manly to Circular Quay ferry

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

Whether you’re starting from the iconic Sydney beach suburb or venturing from the heart of the city, the Manly Ferry offers a budget-friendly way to see Sydney Harbour and the city’s dramatic waterfront structures. Regular services run between the two central tourist hubs, sailing past Kirribilli House, the official residence of the Prime Minister, Bradleys Head, South Head and much more.

4. Soar over Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best for: First-timers

Sure, you can get a bird’s-eye perspective from the top of the Coathanger, but to take in the full, gob-smacking scale of Sydney and her water-encroached landscape, you’ll need to ascend to greater heights. Take off with Red Baron for a joy flight over Sydney Harbour and the Northern Beaches that includes mild acrobatics in an open cockpit. If you’d prefer a flight without the fright, Sydney Seaplanes gently take off from Rose Bay in the city’s east.

5. Notch up steps along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

I’d say there are more locals on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk than there are tourists — it’s that magical a view. Stretching six kilometres across eastern suburbs’ headlands and sweeping in jaw-dropping views across Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach and Clovelly, this never grows old. Walkers should note there are some stairs, so accessibility is limited to distinct portions (like the Tamarama section and not the Bondi Beach one). Dogs are allowed, just make sure they’re on a leash.

6. Picnic right along Sydney Harbour

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

Perch yourself in a world-class dining location without the hefty price tag. A relaxed picnic lunch in Royal Botanic Garden Sydney offers front-row seats to Sydney Harbour while its meticulously manicured grounds set a heavenly scene. Open daily from 7am until sunset, Australia’s oldest botanic garden is free to enter and located on Mrs Macquarie’s Road, just a few minutes’ walk from Sydney’s CBD.

7. Make furry friends at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

Everyone lives their best life at Taronga Zoo Sydney in the city’s leafy north shore. My kids can’t get enough of the variety of animals, while my husband and I love soaking up the venue’s Instagram-worthy views. Opening its doors back in 1916, the iconic venue has evolved significantly over time, but its giraffes, monkeys, giant cats and seals have always remained the hottest attractions. It’s open from 9:30am to 5pm during the warmer seasons (and 4:30pm between May and August), and you can park in a dedicated multi-level car park that charges $24 for the day.

8. Unleash your inner child at Luna Park Sydney

Best for: First-timers and families

Swing like a pendulum on board the 30-metre-high Sledgehammer, whiz down silky-smooth slides in Coney Island and take it nice and slow on the Ferris Wheel. There’s no shortage of fun inside Luna Park, which was built in 1935 and retains its Art Deco aesthetic. Hottest in-park queues include the wildly jerky Wild Mouse rollercoaster, which reopened in March 2025 after a two-year refurbishment, while the 360-degree-looping Big Dipper still terrifies (me) through seemingly never-ending upside-down loops and ridiculous high speeds. It opens at 10am daily and you can park securely underground for a fee from 7am.

9. Go full fancy aboard a chartered yacht on the harbour

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

Any quintessential Sydney experience should involve a cruise over glistening Sydney Harbour. This may be a ferry or a jet boat, but one of the best ways to truly appreciate the city’s prettiest attribute is with a private yacht charter. Gather the gang and set sail with a skipper to feel the salty breeze on your skin as you sail into secluded bays and jump straight into sparkling water. There are plenty of operators to choose from, whether you’re after a luxury yacht or a small catamaran – try the teams at Sydney by Sail and Sydney Harbour Specialists.

10. Treat yourself at one of Sydney’s freshest hotels

Best for: First-timers and staycationers

While long-established chains provide luxurious lodgings, a crop of newish hotels should be considered while booking your next Sydney visit. InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach in the east, The Brighton Hotel in the south and Medusa Hotel in the inner-city are just a handful of the city’s most exciting offerings.

11. Gaze up at a blanket of stars at Sydney Observatory

Best for: First-timers and families

Sky-rise towers and endless commotion clutter the city by day but come nightfall, the evening sky is littered with stardust. The perfect spot to spy on some of its most spectacular constellations is Sydney Observatory, serving as one of the city’s best museums and offering evening tours to guide wide eyes across our galaxy. Located in Millers Point, it’s open from Wednesday to Sunday. Visitors with access needs should note that tours are not accessible due to narrow walkways, however, the ground floor of the Astronomer’s Residence and gardens are accommodating.

12. Explore Gadigal land with a First Nations guide

Best for: First-timers and families

Long before ships arrived in Sydney Harbour, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation had a long-lived and rich history. Learn about what came before with a local Indigenous guide care of the Aboriginal Cultural Tours at Barangaroo or the Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour. You can also join Dreamtime Southern X for a 90-minute wander through The Rocks to discover the Indigenous connection to Sydney’s waterways.

Beaches, outdoors and coastal walks

13. Cruise the lesser-known Cowan River

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

An idyllic spot for lazy kayaking, Cowen River flows just off the Hawkesbury River and streams softly to stir up the most serene of scenes. I recommend getting stuck in with a boat charter or kayak hire from Cottage Point Kiosk & Boat Hire in the Northern Beaches. One better, the team sell bait and tackle, so anglers are plenty prepared, and coffee, so getting out there is supremely comfortable. If you’re wanting to kayak, kids must be eight or older. They’re open from 8am to 4pm, Thursday to Monday, with boats starting from about $152 for five passengers and single kayaks going from $58.

14. Soak up Sydney’s best beaches

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

Spoilt for choice, Sydney is filled with blindingly beautiful beaches and secret swimming spots. While icons including Bondi, Manly, Palm Beach and Gordons Bay need no introduction, lesser-known hot spots such as Garie Beach in the Royal National Park and Bilgola Beach between Avalon and Newport offer great vibes away from thick crowds.

15. Tackle a Sydney bush or coastal walk

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

From beginner trails to multi-day expeditions that take in endless natural wonders, Sydney’s best coastal walks and hikes are full of adventure. Pack a picnic and prepare for a full day out as walks including Castlecrag’s Harold Reid Foreshore Track and Lane Cove National Park’s Riverside Walking Track offer views to rival those found along the eastern suburbs and inner-city all-stars.

16. Jump on board the Riverboat Postman

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

The posties on the run from Brooklyn, located one hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD, travel a plum route, delivering to small communities that can’t be reached by land. To spend a day in their shoes, dropping off the odd letter along the way, members of the public are invited to join the Riverboat Postman on the Hawkesbury River for their very own ride.

17. Spot a soap star at Palm Beach

Best for: Home and Away fans, families and repeat visitors

Palm Beach is the last stop on the northern beaches run, heading past quiet alternatives such as Whale Beach, but there’s more to this neck of the woods than sand and surf. Up your chance of seeing Home and Away being filmed by dropping in on a weekday. Got extra time? Take the walk up to Barrenjoey lighthouse at the far end to marvel at the coastline and grab family selfies.

18. Sink into an invigorating ocean bath

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Sydney’s glittering coastline is hemmed with beautiful beaches, but for times when you prefer a gentler swim, choose one of the city’s many historic ocean baths instead. Among them are the iconic Bondi Icebergs, the pavilion-style Wylie’s Baths and McIver’s Ladies Baths both in Coogee, Balmoral Baths and the harbourside Greenwich Baths on the north side. Plus, I spent practically everyteenage summer down at Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, which opens from October to Easter annually. No matter which side of the city I’m in, there’s always a saltwater bath to wash my worries away.

19. Sleep overnight on a tranquil waterway

Best for: Repeat visitors

While Sydney is well-supplied with incredible hotels and luxe stays, there’s nothing quite like spending the night atop the water in a stylish floating villa. Innovation in boat design has led to the barn-like silhouette of Lilypad on the waters of Palm Beach. Inside this beautiful abode, there’s a king-size bed, onboard sauna, open fireplace, paddleboards and all food and beverages. It gives big-gesture, special occasion vibes.

20. Reconnect with nature at Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Wendy Whiteley, the wife of Sydney artist Brett Whiteley who passed away in 1992, has created a wonderland of sculptures, flora and fauna in her favourite corner of Lavender Bay in Sydney’s north shore. Wendy’s Secret Garden attracts visitors from around the world for its distinct Zen and astounding views. Entry is free but go there with plenty of time up your sleeve — the ambience is tough to kiss goodbye.

21. Roll out a swag off Sydney Harbour

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Anchored in the heart of the harbour is a campsite on historic Cockatoo Island. Once a meeting place for First Nations people, the island has since held roles as a convict gaol, a shipbuilding facilityand a reformatory for young women. Now, it’s a waterfront hot spot that welcomes families, plus there’s no need to mess around with tent poles if you don’t want to as canvas abodes can be set up in advance. Prices for BYO tent sites start from $55 per night.

22. Expend the kids’ energy at Sydney’s best playgrounds

Best for: Families

Magnificent playgrounds filled with brilliant ways to tire tots out can be found right across the city. When I’m in the east, I love The Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden at Centennial Parklands. In the west, there’s Blaxland Riverside Park at Sydney Olympic Park. Other places I’ve killed plenty of hours within include The Canopy Playground in Lane Cove, Fairfield Adventure Park and Domain Creek Playground in Parramatta Park.

23. Tour Sydney’s best bike tracks

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Pop on their helmets and get the kids out on their two-wheelers. Sydney is filled with so many stunning bike trails tailored to little ones including Centennial Parklands’ Learner’s Cycleway for those still on training wheels, Ryde Park in the city’s west, Sydney Park in the inner west and Heffron Pedal Park in the east.

24. Join a Sydney whale-watching tour

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

If you’re dropping in between May and November, it’s the perfect time to catch sight of the annual whale migration from Antarctica. Check out my ultimate whale-watching guide to Sydney for everything you need to know, including which tours suit your specific needs and exactly what time of the day you should head out.

25. Paddle a kayak around Sydney Harbour

Best for: Repeat visitors

It’s one of the world’s most scenic bodies of water so elevate your time on Sydney Harbour by experiencing it via a kayak. Many companies offer guided tours with expert commentary and family canoes are also available if there’s a bunch of you. Try Sydney by Kayak and Sydney Harbour Kayaks for great tour options.

26. Learn archery at Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre

Best for: Families

Reckon you’ve got a good aim? If you’re six years old and over, you can prove it with a bow and arrow at Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre. The 6.5-acre space was used as the official Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games site, so it’s built for elite athletes and amateurs to give the sport their best shot. It’s open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 4pm.

27. Ride a horse at Hawkesbury Valley Equestrian Centre

Best for: Families

Never bought them a pony? Join the club, however I do like to offer mine the next best thing, if they’re behaving – horse riding with Hawkesbury Valley Equestrian Centre. Less than one hour from Sydney’s CBD, the long-running company provides guided trail rides, private lessons and school holiday day camps. Check out the website for a comprehensive overview of every option.

28. Live out a Mediterranean holiday on Sydney Harbour

Best for: Repeat visitors

It’s not quite Europe but Solaré evokes summer holiday spirit from the moment you catch it sashaying across Sydney Harbour. A superyacht built with a restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club, it’s the ultimate haven for glamorous long lunching as hardwood teak and marble finishes dial up the luxe. Did I mention there’s a sage-green martini trolley to get acquainted with? It sets sail in time for lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday.

29. Get up close and personal with Sydney’s underwater life

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Venture below the water’s surface in Sydney to discover vibrant underwater ecosystems. The best way to stickybeak? With a snorkel and flippers. Sydney’s best snorkelling spots include Cabbage Tree Bay in Manly and Fairlight Beach in the northern beaches, while Clovelly Beach makes waves in the east and the south is dotted with standouts like Cronulla’s Oak Park.

Food and markets

30. Dine under the stars at Spice Alley

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

I love Spice Alley in Chippendale for so many reasons, and not just because it’s BYO wine and beers. It’s also within walking distance from Central Station, there’s a mix of takeaway street eats (keep your eyes peeled for a vacant table because they’re snapped up fast) and more formal dining rooms, and you can wash all that incredible Asian-inspired dining down with something sweet from the flagship KOI Dessert Bar. It’s open from 11am daily with kitchens closing shop at around 9:30pm. Don’t leave without a mandatory group selfie amid the red strung-up lanterns.

31. Sip in style at Opera Bar

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

Boasting one of the most iconic views on the planet, Opera Bar unveiled a fresh team, musical program and food menu in October 2025 — and the bar remains lifted. Sunken just below the Sydney Opera House, the aesthetically blessed hospitality mecca is still one of my favourite spots for a scenic Sunday session as dishes utilising local ingredients and a rotating door of quality tunes send sunny afternoons soaring.

32. Indulge in a bottomless Sydney brunch

Best for: Repeat visitors

And you thought Melbourne did it well. Get your breakfast mimosa fix at one of the best bottomless brunch menus in the city, which span the city’s CBD, eastern suburbs, northern beaches, north shore and Sutherland Shire. Offering multi-course banquets paired with uncapped thirst-quenching concoctions, it’s one of the most fun ways to kick start a day of touring this remarkable city.

33. Feast at an exceptional Sydney restaurant

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

World-famous chefs, Instagram-perfect fit outs and some of the country’s finest hospitality – Sydney’s best restaurants are destinations in their own right. Celebrating diverse flavours, local produce and evolving techniques, hot spots such as The Palomar, Bennelong, Flaminia and Seans on Bondi Beach are always great options. You’ll find plenty of standouts in Surry Hills, too.

34. Hunt for unique goodies at a Sydney market

Best for: First-timers, families and repeat visitors

Showcasing everything from farm-fresh produce and condiments to vintage fashion and knick-knacks, the city’s best markets offer unique treasure hunting meccas. Savour excellent bacon and egg rolls at Orange Grove Organic Food Markets in Leichhardt, stalk fresh seafood at the Sydney Fish Market, find unique art at The Rocks Market or discover homewares you never knew you needed at Paddington Markets — there are standouts right around the city.

35. Uncover a secret Sydney bar

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

Sure, easy-to-find bars shake up delectable spoils but it’s always extra gratifying to grab a drink somewhere exclusive. Sydney boasts a string of excellent hidden bars, providing intimate date nights and catch-up spots without too many tourists. Standouts include The Cumberland in Manly and Earl’s Juke Joint in Newtown.

36. Hop between Sydney’s best breweries

Best for: Repeat visitors

If craft beer’s your jam, there are plenty of options to explore across the city. The Rocks is home to a handful including the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, home to Sydney’s oldest continuous pub licence, while the inner west is a brewing magnet, offering Young Henry’s, Kicks Brewing, the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre and more. There’s also plenty going on in the northern beaches, like Bucketty’s Brewing Co and Modus Brewing.

37. Fill your belly at a Sydney night market

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Sink into a food coma at one of the city’s flavour-packed night markets. Consistent players include the Chinatown Night Markets on Friday and the Burwood Chinatown Night Market on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Seasonal markets also pop up throughout the year, but these two standouts are Sydney mainstays and attract thick crowds.

38. Feast like a king at a Sydney yum cha

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Piping hot barbecue pork buns, sizzling sensations and flash-fried calamari – yum cha in Sydney offers the perfect opportunity to whip out your elastic waistband when it’s drizzling out there. Head straight to Chinatown for authentic cuisine, arriving fresh off trolleys at The Eight and Sky Phoenix, but there’s great yum cha in most suburbs including East Phoenix in Zetland and Queen Chow in Enmore.

39. Cosy up to a Sydney pub fireplace

Best for: Repeat visitors

Pub grub, just-poured beer and the warmth of a fireplace against your cheeks. Is there any better way to spend a rainy day? Sydney’s best pub fireplaces include the Lord Nelson Brewery and the Hero of Waterloo in The Rocks, The Lord Dudley in Woollahra, The Glebe Hotel and The Riverview in Balmain.

40. Book a Sydney cooking class

Best for: Repeat visitors

Learn your way around the ocean’s crustaceans and how to prepare them for devouring with a class at Sydney Seafood School within the Sydney Fish Market. Offering cooking classes themed by unique cuisines, plus masterclasses with high-profile chefs, the cooking institution provides produce selection and flavour pairing skills, plus lifelong skills. I can still cook blue swimmer crabs with jasmine rice and chili like a Michelin-starred chef, and I first visited more than a decade ago.

41. Get dolled up for a Sydney high tea

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Itty bitty sandwiches and pastries fit snug in child-sized palms, but who doesn’t love a tower of edible treats? Choose from any of Sydney’s best high tea venues including the Gunners Barracks in Mosman, The Tea Room in the Queen Victoria Building and Aperture the Capella hotel in Sydney’s CBD, which is set beneath mechanical flowers to further mesmerise even the littlest of lunch mates.

42. Dine in a family-friendly Sydney restaurant

Best for: Families

Speaking of little lunch mates, mini gourmands are raised right thanks to a diverse scattering of kid-friendly eateries throughout the city. I love Paddington’s Centennial Homestead and South Coogee’s Bistro on the Greens for their ample spaces, inviting tiny humans to run free, as well as The Tea Cosy in The Rocks for its quirky charms.

Culture and museums

43. See a different side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Best for: First-timers

There’s another great alternative to BridgeClimb that involves schlepping up a stack of steps inside one of those decorative stone pillars. The views from the Sydney Harbour BridgeMuseum aren’tquite as good as those from the top, but they’re no shabby imitation. Once on ground, head to Dawes Point and look at the bridge from underneath. The humongous grey rivets are impressive and bring home how monstrous the famed landmark is.

44. Get lost in the best Sydney museums

Providing extraordinary insight into the city’s rich history, plus plenty of artefacts from right around the country and globe, the best museums in Sydney are delightful time warps. From the Museum of Sydney, Australian Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay to cultural gems such as Old Government House in Sydney’s west, there’s a portal into every past.

45. Golden Age Cinema and Bar

Best for: Repeat visitors

This isn’t your ordinary theatre experience. Golden Age Cinema and Bar was first built in 1940 when it was owned by Paramount Pictures and screened everything from newsreels to locally produced films. Today’s reimagined venue, which pays tribute to its Art Deco roots, opened in 2013 and transports visitors back to the Golden Age of cinema itself. Expect underground flicks, vintage furnishings and live music and one very cool jazz bar.

46. Unwind in a Sydney day spa or bathhouse

Best for: Repeat visitors

Kick up your feet in one of the city’s most unique day spas or bathhouses, which dot Sydney from suburb to suburb. With divine pampering amid incredible fit outs in long-established venues including the highly decorated Nature’s Energy Day Spa & Bathhouse in Glebe, the two-location Soak Bathhouse and Roseville’s Escape Bathhouse, restorative resets are moments away.

47. Indulge in glamorous retail therapy

Best for: First-timers and repeat visitors

It’s no coincidence that the city’s trendiest can be found in Sydney’s inner west, inner city and eastern suburbs – it’s where all the great shopping is. Explore strings of boutiques selling fashion, furniture, homewares, jewellery and more in hot spots like Oxford Street, stretching from Taylor Square to Bondi Junction, Cross Street in Double Bay, King Street in Newtown and William Street in Paddington.

48. Brave Sydney’s spookiest ghost tour

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

The Rocks offers frightening expedition of its own, but my vote for the scariest ghost tour in Sydney goes to the Quarantine Station at North Head. Book an after-dark expedition and be fascinated – potentially disturbed – by a tour around grim facilities renowned as one of the country’s most haunted sites. Into the paranormal? There’s a 3.5-hour Paranormal Investigation tour (priced from $120 per person) with your name on it.

49. Dance like nobody’s watching in a Sydney nightclub

Best for: Repeat visitors

Pub staff starting to wipe benches down? Keep the good times rolling in a Sydney nightclub where great tunes spanning every era are pumped well into the early hours. The Albion Hotel in Parramatta is famed for its R&B and hip hop, Goros in Surry Hills will get you interpretive dancing to karaoke sing-a-longs, Home The Venue in Darling Harbour attracts the world’s biggest DJs, and trust me, The Abercrombie in Chippendale is always a good time.

50. Spy Australia’s native critters at WILD LIFE Sydney

Best for: Families

Koalas, Kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, Freshwater Crocs and many more of our iconic animals can be spotted inside the expansive WILD LIFE Sydney at Darling Harbour. The enclosures are planned out excellently, offering vantage points to cater for large crowds, and there’s plenty of interactive experiences to help kill the time. It’s open from 9:30am to 5pm daily.

51. Catch a flick at a vintage Sydney cinema

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Shopping centre cinema chains are packed with amenities but there’s something irresistible about Sydney’s many boutique cinemas. Watch the latest releases at character-filled cinemas including Randwick’s Ritz Cinema, Cremorne’s Hayden Orpheum, Paddington’s Chauvel and Palace Veronas right across Sydney.

52. Belly laugh at The Comedy Store

Best for: Repeat visitors

While the world’s most celebrated comedians grace a wide range of venues in Sydney, The Comedy Store in Moore Park is a guaranteed good time no matter who you’re seeing. Expect a handful of performers at every show including, if you’re lucky, familiar faces like Akmal, Lawrence Mooney and Aaron Chen who have all hit its stage. It opens its doors every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and booking tickets online is advised but you can usually grab a spot if you just rock up to the doors.

53. Visit the world’s largest LEGO store

Best for: Families

Who doesn’t love LEGO? Pretend it’s for the kids, like I do, and visit the largest LEGO store in the world, located in the heart of Sydney. The 900-square-metre space, located at 400 George Street in the CBD, is fitted out with every brick imaginable in addition to a ton of interactive experiences and installations, giant models and just general jitteriness. Doors open at 9:30am Monday to Saturday, while Sunday kicks off at 10am.

54. Charm your kids for free at The Children’s Library

Best for: Families

The State Library of NSW is a great day out for bubs and adults, but did you know it has its own dedicated kids’ space? The Children’s Library, located on the lower ground floor, boasts an enormous collection of reads from the world’s most exciting authors. Plus, there are plenty of toddler-sized nooks to encourage quiet time spent exploring new finds. It’s open from 9am until 5pm on weekends and until 8pm during the week.

Hidden gems

55. Go into the ballot for a free concert

Best for: Repeat visitors

Chippendale’s Phoenix Central Park is a unique expression of art, architecture and performance imagined by philanthropist and visionary Judith Nielson AM and designed by architect Jean Nouvel. An intimate, inner-city performance space, Phoenix listening room tickets are free in an inclusive and democratic spirit, but you’ll need to enter the ballot to receive one, making the experience even more special.

56. Bust out of Sydney’s most famous panic room

Best for: Families

Set your mind racing as you plan your escape from PaniQ Room in The Rocks. Offering a thrilling, slightly triggering, game to play with youngsters, the hot spot is built with six unique rooms with their own dramatic scenarios. No matter which one you choose, you’ve got 60 minutes to figure out how to get out. If you’re a fan of puzzles, this is your perfect match. It’s open from 12pm to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, and 10am to midnight from Thursday to Saturday.

57. Cool off at Manly’s Fairy Bower Rockpool

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

If you’re in town mid-week, the Fairy Bower Rockpool is (often) a quiet place to embrace a heavenly natural wonder. Located along Marine Parade in the northern beaches hot spot (forget about it on the weekend — it’s crammed if the sun’s out), there’s 20 metres of rock pool to lap up as ocean views sparkle out yonder.

58. Score authentic Italian bakery treats at Raffael’s

Best for: Repeat visitors

My Saturday morning ritual while living in Sydney’s inner west never skipped a visit to Raffael’s Bakery in Haberfield. Not only are the Nonnas behind the counter always offering complimentary bread rolls to well-behaved children, but the focaccias (especially the heavily doused olive oil ones) are out-of-this-world fluffy. I have not, to this day, found a more delicious rival. The fancier bakery chain Pasticceria Papa is located just up the road, but you’re best heading straight to this no-fuss icon for all your carb-loading needs.

59. Dip into Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

Best for: Families

A local’s only summer haven, Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre is a vibe every sunny day as families congregate to splash about before lazing upon what small patch of grass they can secure. There’s a splash zone, toddler pool and 25-metre lap pool to enjoy, and a cafe, located at the entrance, which rolls out countless boxes of hot chips generously dusted with chicken salt. An inner west summer day institution.

Day trips

60. Kiama

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Home to the world’s largest blowhole, and within a quick drive to Jamberoo Action Park, Kiama is a historic seaside town to easily fill a day away. It’s located about 120 kilometres from Sydney. Head to The Grand Hotel for a lunch and cold ones within an ornate 1891 corner block and don’t leave without ducking into The Original Ice Creamery Kiama for your choice of more than 60 flavours.

61. Blue Mountains

Best for: Families and repeat visitors

Antiquing, trail hiking and pub dinners by fireplaces — the Blue Mountains is a fabulous day trip from Sydney, especially in winter. Located just over 100 kilometres from the city, it’s also awash with cosy stays to make a night out of it. The outstanding Hilltop Cabin in Mt Kanimbla Retreats delivers exceptional vistas that you can read about here.

62. Hunter Valley

Best for: Repeat visitors and couples

I highly advise booking Hunter Valley accommodation if you’re heading out, as the region’s famed wineries will leave you unfit to drive yourself back to base. Located 160 kilometres from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is one of my favourite wine regions on the planet. Truly. While semillon and chardonnay excels, so too does the dining scene, particularly Margan for modern Australian cuisine and Bistro Molines for French cuisine.

Planning a trip to Sydney? Check out more of our recommendations here:

Best pubs in Sydney | Iconic attractions in Sydney| Best hidden bars in Sydney | Best markets in Sydney| Most indulgent day spas in Sydney