\n
The fact that we\u2019ve been travelling the world full-time since 2008 and this was our first <\/em>visit to Australia is pretty crazy. Needless to say, we were excited to finally be here and to see what this iconic city has to offer!<\/p>\nSydney is one of those cities that delivers immediately \u2013 iconic landmarks, world-class beaches, endless food options, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to enjoy. <\/p>\n
Best Things To Do in Sydney<\/span><\/h2>\nWe spent 5 days in Sydney at the start of April, and I\u2019m happy to say that the city lived up to the (high) expectations we had. In this post, I\u2019ll share our favourite things to do in and around Sydney for first-time visitors. <\/p>\n
1. Sydney Opera House<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
As soon as I saw the white \u201cshells\u201d, I had a huge grin on my face\u2026we had finally made it to Sydney!<\/p>\n
Ask anyone what to do in Sydney, and seeing the Opera House will be at the top of their list. This UNESCO-listed site has been featured in movies like The Fall Guy, Mission Impossible and the Great Gasby. It\u2019s unique architecture makes it a very recognizable site.<\/p>\n
There are a few ways to experience the Opera House. You can see it by land or by boat (more on that below), and you can (of course) go inside to see a show, or join a tour of the building.<\/p>\n
Tickets to the Opera House book up fast! Click here to reserve your spot on a guided tour of the incredible building, and click here to reserve tickets for a very affordable performance by Opera Australia.<\/p>\n
2. Walk Across the Harbour Bridge<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
You can actually walk across the top of the bridge! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFor stunning views of the harbour and the Opera House, make your way across the Harbour Bridge by foot \u2013 either on<\/em> the bridge, or on top <\/em>of it\u2026<\/p>\nThis is something that I had no desire to do! <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not afraid of heights, one of the coolest things to do in Sydney is the Bridge Climb across the Harbour Bridge. It\u2019s a very safe, thrilling experience and we saw lots of people doing it while we were in Sydney. Click here to learn more and to book your spot!<\/em><\/p>\nIf heights aren\u2019t your thing, you can simply cross the bridge on foot on the eastern side. The western side of the bridge is reserved for cyclists. <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 See Also: Best Budget Campervan Routes in Australia <\/p>\n
3. Go On a Dinner Cruise <\/span><\/h2>\n\n
Don\u2019t miss a dinner cruise in Sydney!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nA dinner cruise in Sydney is one of the most memorable ways to experience the city after dark. You\u2019ll cruise past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (both listed above), you\u2019ll enjoy a multi-course meal or buffet, which is usually paired with drinks and live entertainment. <\/p>\n
Seeing the skyline during the day is great, but watching it light up from the harbour at night is one of the most memorable things to do in Sydney.<\/p>\n
There are lots of cruises to suit different styles, from classic dinner cruises to sleek glass-boat experiences with panoramic views. Some cruises offer live music, cabaret, or DJs, making the evening into more than just a meal. <\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re celebrating something special or just want a unique way to see the harbour, it\u2019s one of Sydney\u2019s most iconic nighttime experiences. Click here to search for a cruise and price that suits your style.<\/em><\/p>\n4. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens <\/span><\/h2>\nThe Royal Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful and accessible green spaces in the city, sitting right on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It\u2019s just a short walk from the CBD, which is where we were staying at YEHS Hotel, and right near the Sydney Opera House, making it an easy stop while exploring the city.<\/p>\n
We walked through these beautiful gardens on our way to Mrs. Macquarie\u2019s Chair (more on that below). <\/p>\n
The gardens cover a large area with a mix of manicured lawns, themed plant collections, and shaded walking paths \u2013 which is always nice during the hot days in Sydney! It\u2019s a place where you can wander, lay out a picnic, or just take a break from the city without actually leaving it.<\/p>\n
The gardens are free to enter and open every day, which makes them one of the top free things to do in Sydney. You\u2019ll also find guided tours, cafes nearby, and seasonal events depending on when you visit. <\/p>\n
Click here for details about the gardens, and click here for directions on Google Maps.<\/em><\/p>\n5. Sunset at Mrs. Macquarie\u2019s Chair<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
You\u2019ve probably seen sunset photos of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and are wondering where to get that perfect shot! Well, it\u2019s here at Mrs. Macquarie\u2019s Chair.<\/p>\n
The sandstone chair dates back to 1810 and was carved for Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. She was known to sit here and take in the harbour views. These days, it\u2019s one of the best photo spots in Sydney \u2013 especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the skyline just right.<\/p>\n
\n
We headed here at sunset and enjoyed epic views of the sun dipping behind the Harbour Bridge \u2013 plus, some huge battleships were docked here. Click here for the Google Maps link.<\/em><\/p>\n\ud83d\udc49 See Also: How to Get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia<\/p>\n
6. Join a Walking Tour<\/span><\/h2>\nWhenever we visit a new city or country, we always try to do a walking tour. It\u2019s such a great way to get a lay of the land, learn about the history and culture, and of course, get some local restaurant and bar recommendations!<\/p>\n
Some of the walking tours are free (tip based), while others are paid. We find the free ones to be pretty good, but you usually end up with a big group of people. Whereas the paid ones are more intimate and personalized. <\/p>\n
In Sydney, you can join this free walking tour that\u2019ll take you to many of the main sights in this article, including the Opera House, Royal Bontanic Garden, The Rocks, Parliament, and more. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019d rather go on a paid walking tour, this one includes everything listed above, is rated 5.0 and has more than 500 positive reviews<\/strong>. <\/p>\nNot only that, but the group tour is small (around 6 people), and you get a free craft beer<\/strong> or juice of your choice! Click here to learn more. You can reserve your spot now, and pay later (there\u2019s also free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour).<\/em><\/p>\n7. Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee <\/span><\/h2>\n\n
Starting the beautiful walk from Bondi to Coogee!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis was a highlight of our trip to the city and is definitely one of the best day trips from Sydney. Bondi Beach has become pretty famous due to the reality TV show \u201cBondi Rescue\u201d (I\u2019ve been binge watching these guys on YouTube lately). <\/p>\n
The beach here is one of the busiest in Australia, but conditions can be unpredictable and rough \u2013 always adhere to the advice of the lifeguards.<\/p>\n
However, we weren\u2019t there to hangout on Bondi Beach, we were there to do the beautiful coastal walkway<\/strong> from there all the way to Coogee!<\/p>\nThe entire 6 km (3.7 mile) walk takes you through different towns, beaches, and coves. All while enjoying stunning views of the ocean along the way. I loved watching the surfers at Tamarama Beach!<\/p>\n
\n
Bronte Beach \u2013 one of the many beaches we passed on the walk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nI recommend starting the walk earlier in the day as it\u2019s exposed the entire time. Bring a hat, a water bottle (there are fill points along the way), and wear proper footwear as well (having said that, Nick did this walk in his flip-flops!). This is one of the best things to do in Sydney for sure. <\/p>\n
To get here, you\u2019ll need to take the train to the Bondi Junction. Then, hop on Bus 333 at Stand A3 to Bondi Beach. Depending on what time of day you leave, and where you catch the train from, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour.<\/p>\n
8. Eat Michelin Ramen<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
This bowl of ramen was so good. We waited in line for about 15 minutes to get in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe food choices in Sydney are endless. No matter what type of cuisine you\u2019re craving, you\u2019ll find it here. For us, having already spent quite a bit of time in Australia (and eaten our fair share of pies and parmys), during our 5 days in Sydney, we went 100% Asian cuisines!<\/p>\n
There were many standouts, but if you\u2019re into ramen, Mensho Tokyo is set down a cool back alleyway and serves up some unique bowls of rich ramen soup.<\/p>\n
The original branches in San Francisco and Tokyo are Michelin Recommended, but since there\u2019s no such rating in Australia, technically the Sydney branch isn\u2019t Michelin recommended \u2013 even though it claims to be.<\/p>\n
Either way, it was very good. Nick went with the Signature Toripaitan which had just a touch <\/em>of truffle flavour, and I chose the Classic Toripaitan and added a perfectly jammy egg to it. Click here for directions to Mensho Tokyo on Google Maps.<\/em><\/p>\n9. Take a Ferry to Manly<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
Taking the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOf all the things to do in Sydney, a visit to the suberb of Manly was a standout for me! Bondi Beach gets all the hype, but in my opinion, Manly was the winner. <\/p>\n
The wide, sweeping shoreline backed by rows of pine trees gives it a laid-back, postcard-perfect feel that\u2019s hard to beat.<\/p>\n
Getting there is half the experience, with the ferry ride across the harbour offering some of the best views in Sydney. Once you arrive, there\u2019s a cute pedestrian-only walkway filled with shops, restaurants and bars, and a long waterfront promenade that runs along the beach. <\/p>\n
\n
the cute pedestrian-only area in Manly with shops, bars and restaurants<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe layout of Manly is great. We spent a few hours walking the pedestrian street, then along the beachside, and continued around the headland to Shelly Beach \u2013 which was perfectly calm and great for swimming. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re into Thai food, check out the lunch special at Manly Thai Gourmet ($12 AUD!), grab a drink at the Boathouse, and finish off the day with a tasty gelato at Anita Gelato. Getting to Manly is easy on the Manly Fast Ferry from Circular Quay. Click here for current details.<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"opera](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/opera-house-sydney.jpg\")
![\"harbour](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/harbour-bridge-sydney.HEIC.jpg\"\/)
![\"harbour](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/harbour-bridge-sydney.HEIC.jpg\")
![\"Stunning](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CVC_Dinner_Cruise_Interior-1.jpg\"\/)
![\"Stunning](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CVC_Dinner_Cruise_Interior-1.jpg\")
![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sunset-in-sydney.HEIC.jpg\"\/)
![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sunset-in-sydney.HEIC.jpg\")
![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/harbour-bridge-opera-house-sydney.heic.jpg\"\/)
![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/harbour-bridge-opera-house-sydney.heic.jpg\")
![\"coastal](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bondi-to-coogee-walk.jpg\"\/)
![\"coastal](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bondi-to-coogee-walk.jpg\")
![\"Bronte](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bronte-beach-sydney.jpg\"\/)
![\"Bronte](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bronte-beach-sydney.jpg\")
![\"ramen](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ramen-in-sydney-825x1100.jpg\"\/)
![\"ramen](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ramen-in-sydney-825x1100.jpg\")
![\"ferry](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/us-in-sydney-opera-house-705x1100.jpg\"\/)
![\"ferry](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/us-in-sydney-opera-house-705x1100.jpg\")
![\"manly](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/manly-sydney.heic.jpg\"\/)
![\"manly](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/manly-sydney.heic.jpg\")
![\"sydney](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sydney-tower-825x1100.jpg\"\/)
![\"sydney](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/sydney-tower-825x1100.jpg\")
![\"hyde](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hyde-park-sydney.heic.jpg\"\/)
![\"hyde](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hyde-park-sydney.heic.jpg\")
![\"gorgeous](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/QVB-building-sydney.heic-825x1100.jpg\"\/)
![\"gorgeous](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/QVB-building-sydney.heic-825x1100.jpg\")
![\"bondi](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bondi-beach.jpg\"\/)
![\"bondi](\"https:\/\/www.goatsontheroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bondi-beach.jpg\")