Beyond seeing the Opera House, checking out the Bondi Beach Rescue lifeguards, and walking across the Harbor Bridge, what else is there to do in Sydney, Australia?
Lots of things! You can easily fill your days exploring the different pockets and neighborhoods of this sprawling coastal city. I had an amazing time in Sydney over three days when I first arrived in Australia and was so happy to go back to explore again once my friends arrived. We started our adventure here, spending a few days exploring before heading out on our road trip down the East Coast.
In addition to the things I did during my first visit to Sydney, here are more things you can do to spend time in this beautiful city.
Visit Sydney’s Chinatown
Maybe it’s because I’m from a city without a Chinatown because I seriously love visiting Chinatown’s in all the cities that I travel to. Having access to tons of different restaurants serving up dim sum, dumplings, noodles, and being able to pop into different shops selling all sorts of cool trinkets and things I wouldn’t normally see in a store is fantastic. Plus who doesn’t love some Asian architecture?
Located in the Haymarket district of Sydney’s Central Business District, it’s the largest Chinatown in Australia and it definitely warrants a visit if you have extra time in the city. Get some dumplings and noodles at Chinatown Noodle King – you won’t be disappointed.
Take a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney wind around the harbor from the Opera House and are a sprawling park of lush trees and plants, as well as a giant pond with some creepy eels in it. It’s a really nice spot to go for a walk, and you can enjoy a coffee or a pastry at the cafe within the park. We spent some time here walking around and enjoying the sunshine before our flight to Cairns.
Drink some wine at the Sydney Opera House
Who doesn’t love a glass of red on a breezy night in front of the two main focal points of Sydney? Stop at Opera Bar and get a drink, sit and enjoy the sunset and watching the never-ending boat traffic cruise in and out of Circular Quay and the Harbor. Stop at Opera Bar for a wine or a cocktail and enjoy the views. You can get appetizers and full meals here too, but judging by the crazy seagulls we saw attacking tourist’s plates – I’d avoid spending the extra money.
Take a walk along the beachfront to Bondi Icebergs Pool
If there’s one thing you must pack on a trip to Sydney, it’s a good pair of walking shoes. The best things to do in this city is to visit the city beaches on foot, exploring the stunning coastline and outdoorsy spots to check out. Walking to the Bondi Icebergs Pools on the beachfront of Bondi Beach is a great photo opportunity, and if the weather is nice, it’s a fantastic spot to hang out for a day. You can purchase a day pass
Bondi to Coogee Beach Walk + Waverley Cemetery
This is probably one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the world. Walking from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach (or vice-versa) is an incredible thing to do while in Sydney. You’ll get your heart rate up, walking up and down the wooden staircases that wind along the coast. The entire walk is about 3.5 miles (6km) so it takes a while – but the views along the way are so worth it.
Along the way, you’ll pass by Waverley Cemetery, a stunning graveyard that faces the sea. It’s a really cool and not creepy place to pass by, a poetic resting place with some amazing tombstones. It’s almost like a free sculpture garden to walk through while making your way to Bondi Beach.
For your Bondi to Coogee Beach Walk, you’ll definitely want to wear good walking shoes and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. While it’s not a crazy grueling walk, in the Sydney sunshine and heat, you’ll definitely want to stay hydrated!
Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful rainbow lorikeets that can be seen flying around Sydney (and all over Australia)
Sydney is an incredible city to visit, and a great starting point to an Australian adventure. Whether you have one day or a whole week, you can find amazing things to do and spots to explore in this place.
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