Everything you need to know to have a wonderful 3 days in Sydney, Australia, and everything you need to see.
We recently returned from a trip to New Zealand, Australia, and a Disney Cruise South Pacific cruise – it was an amazing trip! New Zealand and Australia have been on our family travel bucket list for quite a while. I wasn’t sure when we would get to visit I am so happy that we made it work! I highly recommend visiting these beautiful countries if you can.
The vibrant city of Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia. It is the state capital of New South Wales and located on Australia’s south-east coast which means lots of gorgeous beaches. Sydney is home to lots of must-visit icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
With so much to see in Sydney, here is a list of some of the top things to do and see along with additional ideas to fill out your trip.
Things to See in Sydney
The number one landmark to see is the Sydney Opera House. It is beautiful to see up close but some of the best photos are from further away. One popular spot to view the Opera House from is the Royal Botanic Garden and the Macquaire’s Chair area. There are also great views from along Circular Quay and The Rocks.
The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932 and offers both a bridge climb and a lookout spot, Pylon Lookout, with views of the harbor and city. You can see this landmark from around the harbor area which means there are lots of fabulous spots to take photos from.
The Rocks area of Sydney is a fantastic area to wander around. There are multiple spots for views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House along with cafes, bars, and shops to visit. I highly recommend checking to see if any events are happening during your trip. For example, during our visit, there was a free weekly outdoor movie screening at Laneway Cinema and The Rocks markets on Saturday and Sunday.
Crown Sydney at Barangaroo has a sky deck on the 83rd floor with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. You must make a reservation online in advance for their free tour and availability is limited.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is free to visit and has a cafe on the top floor with spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Sydney’s oldest park, Hyde Park, makes for a lovely stroll, a place to spot cockatoos, and it is also home to the Anzac Memorial which is a national war memorial featuring a small museum and a pink granite exterior with sculptures. The gorgeous Archibald Memorial Fountain is also here. The park is situated between St. Mary Cathedral, Sydney Tower Eye, and the Australian Museum.
St Mary’s Cathedral is a stunning gothic-style Catholic cathedral built between 1868 and 1928. The intricate details, gorgeous craftsmanship, and beautiful stained glass windows make it a great stop to enjoy the peace and serenity.
The Australian Museum is a natural history museum and is free to visit. It has a variety of exhibits including dinosaur fossils, stories and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and learn about Australian animals. Be sure to check for special exhibits during your trip (special exhibits may have an entrance fee), during our trip there was a Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibit that was amazing to see.
Sydney Tower Eye offers 360° views of the city from the highest point in Sydney from their indoor observation deck. They also offer a skywalk and have a revolving restaurant at the top.
The Queen Victoria Building is a historic building that was built in the 1890s but is now a shopping mall with many stores and cafes to explore. This building is gorgeous and worth a peek at with its stunning staircases, ceilings, and floors.
Near the Queen Victoria Building, is Sydney Town Hall which is now an event center, but offers more spectacular architecture.
Chinatown is a cultural gem that is rich in diversity and bustling with Asian shops and restaurants. The area also hosts a Friday night market with even more food options.
The stunning Chinese Garden of Friendship is near Chinatown and Darling Harbour. The park features gorgeous waterfalls, ponds with koi, and exotic plants. The park is small with an entry fee, but it’s such a peaceful, tranquil spot in the middle of the city that I highly recommend stopping by for a visit. It was one of my favorite spots in Sydney. There is also a teahouse on the grounds.
Paddington Reservoir Gardens is an urban sunken garden with arches that look Roman and modern boardwalks. While I would not go out of my way to visit, if you are in the Paddington area it is a gorgeous spot to stop for a while.
The Taronga Zoo Sydney is not only a gorgeous zoo with large, modern animal enclosures, but also offers amazing views of the harbour and the city. To get to the zoo from the city center you will need to take a ferry across the harbour. There are around 350 different species of animals including Australian natives at the zoo. The zoo also offers several different animal encounters including a Koala one.
If you are interested in taking a day trip from Sydney, some popular choices include:
- Blue Mountains
- Kirribilli or Lavender Bay
- Congee to Bondi Walk
- Manly Beach
All these destinations are easy to get to by taking public transportation (either the train or the ferry).
