Two of Australia's beaches go head to head in our definitive comparison between these two stunning spots!

Life's a beach in Sydney. Take a look at two of its most popular coastal hotspots to find out what Bondi and Coogee have to offer.

Bondi beach vs Coogee Beach - Which is Better?

Bondi Beach vs Coogee Beach: which is better? It&rsquo;s a question that has stumped the world&rsquo;s greatest philosophers for centuries. Coastal engineers, beach bums and sea-horse whisperers alike; all have tried and failed to conclusively settle the age-old debate: Bondi or Coogee, Coogee or Bondi? Coogee connoisseurs will tell you their laid-back surf spot is the essential Aussie seaside experience, while Bondi buffs insist theirs is the better beach. We took a deep dive to find out more about what each has to offer, and explore how you can enjoy the best of both worlds. First up&hellip; Bondi!

<h2>Bondi Beach</h2>

Located around four miles east of central Sydney, Bondi Beach is a vision of golden sand, azure blue seas and hot bods with mahogany tans and gleaming white swimwear. Bondi is a lively place (one of Australia&rsquo;s top tourist destinations in fact), drawing in a mixed international crowd, from seasoned surfers to serious party people and novice paddle-boarders to professional people-watchers. Visitors can expect a sublime mix of hipster caf&eacute;s, cool indie boutiques, golden sands and more fun leisure pursuits than you can shake a very large boomerang at.

Spend lazy mornings soaking up the famously louche caf&eacute; culture: fabulous flat white in one hand, oven-warm cinnamon bun in the other, long afternoons on the beach, and lively evenings exploring the district&rsquo;s many bars and clubs. There are also plenty of opportunities to get active on the beach: you absolutely have to get into the water but, if you don&rsquo;t fancy plunging straight into the surf, there&rsquo;s always the famous Bondi Icebergs club, which boasts a picture-perfect seawater swimming pool hewn into the very cliff face *and* a cocktail bar. Or come over all Keanu Reeves in &lsquo;Point Break&rsquo; and rent a surfboard with a Sydney pass from Go City. <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find out more about the pass and bag yours here.</a>

<h3>Bondi Beach in Brief</h3>

Don&rsquo;t miss route highlights that include:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bondi Icebergs: swoonsome ocean pool and club by Bondi Beach.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Marks Park: check out the ancient Aboriginal rock carvings here, just south of Mackenzies Point.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bronte Beach: a lovely park, more baths and rock pools, and plenty of caf&eacute;s make this a fine spot to pause for lunch.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Waverley Cemetery: a final resting place with a view if ever we saw one, this heritage-listed cemetery contains many well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian monuments as well as the graves of many historical figures who helped shape Australia.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Clovelly Beach: home to a pretty promenade, sheltered bay for swimming and a large beer garden.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Gordon&rsquo;s Bay: lined with cute fishing boats, this stunning bay has an underwater nature trail that&rsquo;s great for diving and snorkeling. It&rsquo;s also (whisper it) prettier than both Bondi and Coogee beaches!</li>
</ul>

<h2>Save on Sydney Tours, Activities and Attractions</h2>

Save up to 50% on bucket-list Sydney tours and attractions with <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">a pass from Go City.</a> Check out @GoCity on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gocity/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for the latest top tips and attraction info.

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bondi Beach activities: swimming, surfing, scuba diving, sunbathing and paddle-boarding.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bondi Beach shopping: cool indie couture and lifestyle brands are the order of the day here. Get your chic on along trendy Gould Street, where favorites include Tuchuzy, Jac + Jack, and Playa by Lucy Folk.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bondi Beach bars and restaurants: Hotel Ravesis for sundowner cocktails, Promenade for dinner-with-a-view, Sonoma Bakery for your morning caffeine fix.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Where to stay in Bondi: Bondi Beach backpackers (&pound;&pound;); The Baxley Bondi (&pound;&pound;&pound;); QT Bondi (&pound;&pound;&pound;&pound;)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Coogee Beach</h2>

Just a few miles south along the windswept Sydney coast, Coogee is an altogether more laid-back affair, eschewing party vibes for long, chilled days on the sand. That&rsquo;s not to say it doesn&rsquo;t get busy here &ndash;&nbsp;it does &ndash; but it&rsquo;s way less cartoonish than its more famous sibling. That&rsquo;s probably because there tends to be a higher proportion of locals to tourists here: whereas the opposite is true of Bondi. The name Coogee derives from the old Aboriginal word for &lsquo;smelly place&rsquo;, but don&rsquo;t let that put you off because a) it&rsquo;s not! And b) this little crescent of golden sand, with its gentle rolling surf and parks with towering pines, is arguably even prettier than Bondi.

Not to be outdone, Coogee also boasts its own historic ocean baths in the shape of the beautiful McIver Baths, Wylie&rsquo;s Baths and Ross Jones Memorial Pool at the southern end. You can take in fine views of Wedding Cake Island and the natural Giles Baths rock pools from up on Dolphin Point, Coogee&rsquo;s northern headland. Scuba, snorkeling, surfing and swimming opportunities are also excellent here, with a rich marine world that includes sharks, rays, seahorses and more.

Laid-back Coogee may be, but there&rsquo;s also a vibrant bar and restaurant scene here, from fine dining to that most essential of Coogee Beach experiences: fish and chips on the beach.

<h3>Coogee Beach in Brief</h3>

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Coogee Beach activities: scuba, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, sunbathing and sunset strolls.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Coogee Beach shopping: the main artery of Coogee Bay Road is where it&rsquo;s at for clothes, homeware and department stores. Venture into its offshoot lanes for indie bakeries, caf&eacute;s, boutiques and more.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Coogee Beach bars and restaurants: A local favorite here since 1873, Coogee Bay Hotel is great for casual beers on the beach. Try Mimi&rsquo;s at Coogee Pavilion for Mediterranean-style fine dining with beach views, and Costi&rsquo;s for some of the freshest fish and chips in town.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Where to stay in Coogee Beach: Little Coogee Hotel (&pound;&pound;); Coogee Bay Hotel (&pound;&pound;&pound;); Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach (&pound;&pound;&pound;&pound;)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Bondi vs Coogee: Which is Better?</h2>

As to which of these sandy Sydney spots is best, well, we&rsquo;re going to cop out and leave it up to you to decide. In short though: if you like quiet(ish), laidback and achingly pretty, Coogee may be your best call. If however you prefer people-watching, late-night partying and a more frenetic pace in general, it&rsquo;s likely Bondi will be more your bag.

Now for the good news: the quite excellent Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk means you can enjoy the best of both worlds, and everything else in between! This unchallenging 3.5-mile cliff-top trail weaves its way all the way from Bondi to Coogee (and vice versa) and can be done at a leisurely pace in around two hours. Or, heck, take the whole day and pause at its many beautiful viewpoints, beaches and picnic spots along the way. Incurable Insta addicts will be in clover thanks to ocean vistas dotted with colorful fishing boats, cute seaside caf&eacute;s with striped deckchairs, and gorgeous natural rock pools and bathing spots to snap.

Life's a beach in Sydney. We took a look at two of its most popular coastal hotspots to find out what Bondi and Coogee have to offer.

Bondi beach vs Coogee Beach - Which is Better? | Go City®

From selfie spots to epic vistas, Sydney's got plenty of photographic spots.

Make your Insta pop with all the best photo opps in Sydney, including the harbour, Bondi and more!

Best Places to Take Photos in Sydney

Sydney is an absolute treasure trove of eye candy for the budding photographer, thanks to its winning mix of golden beaches, rugged cliffs and urban skylines. Insta addicts will be in clover here, where you might find yourself capturing regal roses at the Royal Botanic Garden one minute and snapping greedy gulls scavenging for unguarded picnics over Coogee Beach the next. We&rsquo;ve put together a beginners&rsquo; guide to the best places to take photos in Sydney; the locations that promise pics that will make your socials pop, including&hellip;

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Rocks neighborhood</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Luna Park</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Point</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Royal Botanic Gardens</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">The Bondi-to-Coogee coastal walk</li>
</ul>

<h2>Sydney Harbour</h2>

Nabbing a selfie by the soaring sails of the Opera House is practically a rite of passage when visiting Sydney, and nothing beats getting right up close to this absolute icon of the city skyline. But there are many other viewpoints of both the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge that mean your Insta feed need never feel boring or samey, no matter how many snaps you post. Try a sunset sightseeing cruise to catch the harbor&rsquo;s biggest stars in all their twilit finery. Or head up to Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Point for one of the best Opera House and Harbour Bridge vistas in town &ndash; so popular, in fact, that you might have to elbow your way to a prime spot for snapping. This stretch of peninsula is home to Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Chair, a carved sandstone bench that has also spawned its fair share of Sydney selfies down the decades. Fill your boots (and camera roll)!

<h2>The Rocks</h2>

One of Sydney&rsquo;s worst-kept &lsquo;secret&rsquo; locations it may well be, but the effort required to get here &ndash; a man made tunnel reached by clambering over rocks and tidal pools &ndash; means few bother to make the journey. For those who do, however, the rewards are great, with the cave&rsquo;s walls acting as a natural photo frame for the sea and sky beyond. You&rsquo;ll find the wormhole at the northernmost end of the long stretch of golden sand that comprises Manly and Queenscliff beaches. Look out for the big pink heart graffitied onto the cliff face, which marks the cave&#39;s entrance.

<h2>Blue Mountains</h2>

Did you know that the majestic Blue Mountains are a mere 90-minute drive from central Sydney? Or two hours if you want to travel by train and really take in that increasingly beautiful scenery as you leave the urban sprawl behind? Well, now you do. Happy snappers flock here to nab superlative shots of that signature azure haze that gives these atmospheric hills their name. There&rsquo;s an excellent hop-on hop-off bus tour (included with <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">the Sydney pass from Go City</a>, natch) which includes some 37 stops, allowing you to pick and choose from all those prime photo opportunities, among them panoramic views of the iconic Three Sisters hills from Echo Point, the storybook village of Leura with its cute chocolate box houses and pretty gardens, and the epic Katoomba Cascades and Falls.

<h2>Save on Sydney Tours, Activities and Attractions</h2>

Save up to 50% on bucket-list Sydney tours and attractions with <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">a pass from Go City.</a> Check out @GoCity on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gocity/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Sydney&rsquo;s most historic neighborhood also offers some cool perspectives of Sydney Harbour Bridge because, well, it&rsquo;s right underneath it! But that&rsquo;s not all The Rocks has to offer camera-toting tourists. We&rsquo;re talking picturesque centuries-old pubs like the Lord Nelson and Fortune of War, where storytelling locals sup freshly brewed beers and catch up on the week&rsquo;s gossip; atmospheric cobbled laneways that evoke age-old tales of murder, muggings and mystique; and some of the most Insta-tastic colonial architecture in town.

A walking tour of The Rocks can help you get under the skin of the place, as well as accessing picture-perfect locations you might not otherwise find by yourself. There&rsquo;s one included with the Go Sydney pass, alongside harbor cruises, an Opera House tour, and many other activities and attractions.&nbsp;

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find out how you could save up to 50% on regular entry prices and get your pass here.</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk</h2>

You could easily fill your Insta feed with action shots of Bondi Beach surfers alone, but why stop there? The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is an unchallenging stroll that offers a quite unbelievable embarrassment of photogenic riches along its 3.5-mile stretch. Dramatic bluffs, wind-blown gulls and pounding surf are just the beginning of this awesome trail, where Insta-tastic highlights include:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bondi Icebergs: a huge seawater swimming pool that&rsquo;s hewn into the very cliffs themselves!</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Bronte Bath Stairs: this view &ndash; complete with wooden steps, gleaming white picket fence, ocean rock pool, and crescent of golden sand &ndash; is absolute manna for addicts of the &lsquo;Gram.</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Coogee Beach: colorful fishing boats, cute seaside caf&eacute;s and, yep, another tidal swimming pool make for perfect picture-postcard snaps.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Luna Park</h2>

Ramp up the old-school vibes on a trip to Luna Park, Sydney&rsquo;s world-famous amusement park, where vintage carnival games, a characterful carousel, and the (frankly terrifying) giant face that welcomes all visitors ensure plenty of top photo opps. Snap a selfie on the stomach-flipping Big Dipper, scream if you want to go faster on the wooden Wild Mouse roller coaster, and bag candid shots of laughing families as they go bumper-to-bumper in Dodgem City.

<h2>Royal Botanic Garden</h2>

There&rsquo;s a whopping 74 acres of regal rose gardens, tropical vegetation, meticulously manicured lawns and magnificent manor houses to explore at Sydney&rsquo;s Royal Botanic Garden &ndash;&nbsp;enough, in fact, to keep micro and macro photography enthusiasts happy all day long. Add vibrancy to your socials with shots of bright-green cacti, sorbet-sweet roses, and kaleidoscopic carpets of multi-colored wildflowers, and get in line for an essential selfie at the famous Farm Cove sea wall with its splendid views of the Sydney skyline including &ndash; you guessed it &ndash; the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Quite simply one of the best places to take photos in Sydney.

<h2>Manly Wormhole</h2>

Our guide to making your Insta pop with all the best photo opps in Sydney, including the harbour, Bondi and more!

Best Places to Take Photos in Sydney | Go City®

See the best of Sydney with this fun-filled itinerary.

Take a look at how to spend four days in Sydney, including Luna Park, the North Shore, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains!

4 Days in Sydney Itinerary

Four days is a solid length of time to spend in Sydney: enough to tick off must-see bucket-list items like the Opera House and Bondi Beach, get under the skin of a trendy neighborhood or two and &ndash; why not &ndash; to take a day trip out to major satellite attractions like the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley vineyards. Our 4 days in Sydney itinerary takes in all of these and more, including Taronga Zoo, the historic Rocks neighborhood, and Hyde Park. Read on for the lowdown below&hellip;

<h2>Day 1: Sydney Harbour</h2>

It is a truth universally acknowledged that all first-time visitors to Sydney must go straight to Sydney Harbour, without passing go, the quicker to scratch their selfie at world-famous landmarks like the Sydney Opera House. Strike a pose in front of the iconic sails, then take to the water on a <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/1-hour-sightseeing-cruise" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">catamaran sightseeing cruise</a> that takes in (deep breath) the Opera House, the Royal Botanical Garden, Luna Park, Fort Denison, the multi-million pound shoreline mansions and, of course, glides gracefully beneath the instantly recognizable steel arch of Sydney Harbour bridge. And, if staring up at it from the water isn&rsquo;t good enough for you, you could always climb the hulking great thing. That&rsquo;s right: climbing tours that allow you to scale Sydney Harbour Bridge are available. Steel your nerves and steady your legs as an expert guide leads you to the summit, from where you can take in panoramic views of the city skyline and beyond. Don&rsquo;t forget to wave to the sightseeing cruisers 440 feet below!

Alternatively, book a tour out to Hunter Valley&rsquo;s verdant vineyards. There are oodles of group tours with specific itineraries available. Or you can tailor your experience on a private tour that allows you to decide how many (and which) vineyards you visit, where to have lunch, and so on. In either case you&rsquo;ll have a designated driver, so you don&rsquo;t have to worry about how many of New South Wales&rsquo; fine semillons and cab sauvs you&rsquo;ve sampled by sundown.

<h2>Day 4: Bondi Beach</h2>

Bondi is as essential a part of Aussie culture as kangaroos, koalas and Kylie. And, in many ways, we&rsquo;ve saved the best for last. A day spent here on and around the beach is a fine way to round off your four days in Sydney, thanks to its sublime mix of independent shops, hipster caf&eacute;s, golden sands and fun leisure pursuits. Spend the morning immersing yourself in the famous caf&eacute; culture: think fabulous flat whites, still-warm cinnamon buns and perfect people-watching opportunities galore. Suitably fortified, nab yourself some second-hand books, vintage vinyl records and retro fashions from the boutiques before hitting the beach for further people-watching or, should you so desire, <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/bondi-surf-2-hour-surfboard-wetsuit-rental" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">a spot of surfing</a>.

Bondi Beach is also the starting point for the famous clifftop path to Coogee, perhaps one of the finest coastal walking trails on the planet. That&rsquo;s assuming of course that you make it any further than the landmark Bondi Icebergs Club, which not only features a huge seawater swimming pool hewn into the cliff face, but also serves cocktails. Bliss! There&rsquo;s plenty more excellent eye candy along this celebrated 3.5-mile route, assuming you still have use of your faculties after that second negroni, including picture-perfect sandstone rock formations, pretty seaside caf&eacute;s, colorful fishing boats and more. Reward yourself with fresh fish and chips at journey&rsquo;s end, as the sun sets pink, orange and red over the bay.

<h2>Save on things to do in Sydney&nbsp;</h2>

Save on admission to Sydney attractions with <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Go City</a>. Check out @GoCity on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gocity/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Spend your afternoon exploring the atmospheric cobbled lanes and alleyways of Sydney&rsquo;s oldest district. The colonial heritage of The Rocks is writ large in the architecture here, and you can sample local brews in pubs like the Lord Nelson and Fortune of War, some of which are nearly as old as the city itself. Take a <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/rocks-walking-tour" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">guided walking tour</a> of the neighborhood to immerse in its history, and don&rsquo;t miss the huge independent craft market if you happen to be here on the weekend. Not enough day one sightseeing for ya? Heck, if you have time, you&rsquo;re also in exactly the right place for a stroll through the awesome Royal Botanic Garden. Tick that off in addition to everything else and you really will be able to say you&rsquo;ve &lsquo;done&rsquo; the harbor district!

<h2>Day 2: North Shore Adventures</h2>

There&rsquo;s enough to do in the vast North Shore area to fill three or four days, never mind just one. But a single day out of your 4-day Sydney itinerary is enough to get a flavor of its tremendous sandy beaches and twin entertainment highlights: namely the legendary Luna Park and mighty Taronga Zoo. If snorkeling is your bag, you&rsquo;ll want to strike out for the cove just north of the Sydney Harbour National Park, where the balmy waters at beaches including Manly, Shelly and Freshwater fairly teem with exotic marine species. Eyes peeled for curious-looking critters such as Wobbegong sharks, blue gropers and &ndash; if you&rsquo;re lucky &ndash; colorful weedy seadragons.

Spend a morning exploring these beautiful beaches then head back south towards the harbor area, where a glut of popular attractions awaits the thrill-seeking vacationer. First on the roster is the absolutely wild ride that is Taronga Zoo, where you can say hey to cute koalas up in the treetops, feed cuddly capybaras, and encounter all manner of other fearsome creatures &ndash;&nbsp;somewhere in the order of 5,000 or so, in fact. And, if the spiders, snakes, crocs and tigers here don&rsquo;t give you a fright, the wooden Wild Mouse ride, hair-raising Hair Raiser and gut-flipping Big Dipper III at Luna Park surely will.

If you&rsquo;re looking for more sedate ways to spend your afternoon, Wendy Whitely&rsquo;s (not-so-secret) Secret Garden at nearby Lavender Bay and the lovely MacCallum Seawater Pool at Mosman have you covered.

<h2>Day 3: Get Outta Town!</h2>

With so much to do in Sydney, it seems almost absurd to suggest leaving it for the day, but we think you&rsquo;ll agree these two day trip options merit the sojourn.

First up are the bewitching Blue Mountains, a mere 90 minutes drive (or two hours by train from Sydney). Make your way up into the atmospheric azure haze that gives these hills their name (generated by native eucalyptus trees, fact fans), and be sure to leave ample storage space in your camera roll for the dozens &ndash;&nbsp;nay, hundreds &ndash; of #humblebrag snaps destined to flood your Instagram feed. This <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/blue-mountains-explorer-bus-hop-hop-tour" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">hop-on-hop-off bus tour</a> of the region is a fine way to experience the Blue Mountains in a single day. Stay on board the whole way round for a running commentary on the major attractions, or plot out your own itinerary and make time for lengthier pauses at the likes of Echo Point (for panoramic views of the iconic Three Sisters) and the storybook Leura Village.

How to spend four days in Sydney, including Luna Park, the North Shore, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains!

4 days in Sydney Itinerary | Go City®

From zoo fun to beach bums, take a look at this cracking three-day itinerary.

How to get the best from three days in Sydney, including surfing Bondi Beach and scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

3 Days in Sydney Itinerary

Sydney comes packed with stacks of things to see and do on a 3-day mini break, from world-famous beaches and iconic architecture to glorious gardens and serious shopping. And that&rsquo;s just for starters. Put it this way: your whirlwind long weekend is going to be anything but boring! Read on for our suggested itinerary for spending 3 days in Sydney, including Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, the Sydney Opera House and more&hellip;

<h2>Day 1: Sydney Essentials</h2>

It would be a sorry three-day Sydney itinerary that didn&rsquo;t kick off with the bucket-listers; the bona fide must-sees; the bonzer big kahunas of Sydney&rsquo;s harbor and central business district. So there, dear reader, is where we shall begin. You&rsquo;ve seen it on posters, postcards and travel documentaries a zillion times &ndash; heck, maybe you already picked up a souvenir fridge magnet on your way through Sydney Airport &ndash; but nothing prepares you for the architectural splendor of Sydney Opera House up close and in person. It&rsquo;s a sight for which few superlatives really suffice. Gorgeous, grandiose, stunning, stupendous: all fall short of conveying the epic drama of those soaring concrete sails (or &lsquo;nuns in a scrum&rsquo; as waggish Sydneysiders have been known to call it). Take in the views from a <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/1-hour-sightseeing-cruise" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">sightseeing river cruise</a> or get the lowdown on an informative <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/sydney-opera-house-architectural-tour" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">architectural tour</a>. Better yet: treat yourself to a classic La Traviata or Madama Butterfly. Rock royalty including Nick Cave, Crowded House and Bj&ouml;rk have all graced the hallowed stages here down the years.

A cruise also takes in the iconic steel arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Again, you can opt for the passive approach, drifting slowly underneath to the sound of a hundred camera shutters as your fellow passengers grab their essential souvenir selfies. Or you can go full immersion mode and climb the thing. You&rsquo;ll need nerves as steely as the bridge itself to ascend to its 440-foot-high summit but boy are the views worth it!

Take time out for a wander through leafy Hyde Park, where rows of fig trees flank broad avenues ideal for strolling and jogging, and the Anzac Memorial and Archibald Fountain provide opportunities for quiet reflection. Circumnavigate the fountain&rsquo;s huge pool to reach St Mary&rsquo;s Cathedral, with its gothic spires, decorative gables and ornate rose windows. Step inside to discover suitably grandiose sculptures, magnificent mosaic floors and a relic from the hand of St Francis Xavier. And, if you have time after all that, pick one of Sydney&rsquo;s inner city &lsquo;villages&rsquo; to explore. We&rsquo;re talking cool galleries and hipster caf&eacute;s in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills, eclectic independent boutiques and edgy urban art in Newtown, and the affluent, leafy terraces of posh Paddington.

Cap off your three-day Sydney adventure back where it all began: with <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/sunset-views-twilight-hues-cruise-3-course-set-menu" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">a dinner cruise around the harbor</a>, as the sun sets over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge against technicolor twilight skies.

<h2>Save on things to do in Sydney&nbsp;</h2>

Save on admission to Sydney attractions with <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Go City</a>. Check out @GoCity on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gocity/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Bucket-list items well and truly ticked off, mosey over to The Rocks. Here in Sydney&rsquo;s most historic neighborhood you can stroll cute cobbled alleyways crammed with Insta-tastic colonial buildings, sup ale in centuries-old pubs, and admire yet more swoonsome views of the Harbour Bridge. <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/rocks-walking-tour" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Take a walking tour</a> to find out more about the district&rsquo;s fascinating past, and don&rsquo;t miss the exceptional collection of Australian and international art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

If you have the time and energy (we told you it wouldn&rsquo;t be boring), you&rsquo;re also in the right place for a trip to the Royal Botanic Garden: 74 acres of perfectly manicured gardens, exotic plant species and peaceful meandering trails, a fine antidote to the bustle of the city.

<h2>Day 2: Bondi Beach</h2>

Much like those Sydney Harbour icons, Bondi invites as much opportunity for activity as it does for passive enjoyment. So: sip lattes and people-watch at any one of dozens of hip coffee shops in the boutique-y lanes behind the beach, or slather on the sunscreen and lounge lazily on the fine golden sand. If, however, you do want to ramp it up a little (ok, a lot), you can <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/attractions/bondi-surf-2-hour-surfboard-wetsuit-rental" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">rent a board and a wetsuit</a> and let rip in the surf. Or, y&rsquo;know, wipe out in the shallows, depending on your skill level.

For those who prefer their water-based activities a little more sedate, the Bondi Icebergs Club is a fine option. A landmark here for nearly a century, the club&rsquo;s ocean pools jut out from the base of the cliffs, offering open-air swimming and unbeatable Bondi views year-round. There&rsquo;s a sauna, too, as well as a caf&eacute; and licensed bistro. So there&rsquo;s really no reason not to spend all day here. To do so, however, would be to miss one of the finest coastal walks in Sydney &ndash; nay, in all Australia. We&rsquo;re talking, of course, about the legendary clifftop route from Bondi to Coogee Beach.

You can start and finish your walk just about anywhere along the route, but the full length is only 3.5 miles, and should take a moderately fit person no more than 2-3 hours, including stops for photo calls and refreshments along the way. You&rsquo;ll get the best snaps if you time your stroll around sunrise or sunset, as well as avoiding the midday heat. And really, there&rsquo;s just so much eye candy along the way &ndash;&nbsp;cool rock formations, colorful fishing boats, cute seaside caf&eacute;s, gorgeous parks, historic baths, and shimmering rock pools &ndash; that even the most jaded sightseer won&rsquo;t fail to be charmed. Reward yourself with hot, salty fish and chips and refreshing sundowners on the Coogee seafront.

<h2>Day 3: Wildlife and Shopping</h2>

Take the ferry to Sydney&rsquo;s North Shore, home to many more excellent beaches, a heritage theme park and the legendary Taronga Zoo among other attractions. Morning is a great time to visit the zoo as many of the animals &ndash; lions, giraffes, elephants, meerkats and more &ndash; limber up for feeding time. There&rsquo;s an awesome ​​immersive Australian habitat where you can get up close with kangaroos, come face-to-snout with dingo pups and ascend to the tree canopy to say hey to the resident koalas. Marvel as majestic birds of prey soar across the iconic Sydney skyline, feed peckish penguins and meet cute capybaras before nabbing a plush souvenir platypus in the zoo shop. Speaking of souvenirs, you&rsquo;ll want to plunder the many big-brand stores, trinket shops, vintage fashion and vinyl boutiques and delis back in the CBD. Hit up the Strand Arcade, Pitt Street Mall and Queen Victoria Building for the win, or brave the bustling tourist trap that is Oxford Street if you have the nerve for it!&nbsp;

3 days in Sydney Itinerary  | Go City®

We think the real question here is, is there ever too much Sydney?

Our guide to how many days you need to explore Sydney, including key attractions like Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.

How Many Days in Sydney is Enough?

How many days in Sydney is enough? Some would swear by a whole week or more, in order to really get under the skin of this fine city. For others, a whistle stop 3-day escape &ndash; just enough to see the bucket-list big-hitters and no more &ndash; will suffice. But for our money, the sweet spot lies somewhere in between. Four-to-six days in Sydney is plenty of time to take in a show at the famous Opera House, spend a day at Bondi, scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge, meet cute koalas at the zoo and even take a daytrip or two out of town to the Hunter Valley vineyards or atmospheric Blue Mountains.

But whether you&rsquo;re staying in Sydney for one day or 60, <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" target="_blank">a Sydney pass from Go City</a> is your friend, allowing you to save $$$s when visiting major landmarks and attractions, as well as on tours, cruises and more. The pass is conveniently stored on your mobile device for speedy scan-in entry at each address. You can choose between the Explorer, which allows you to visit a pre-selected number of attractions over a 60-day period, or the All-Inclusive, where you have a shorter number of consecutive days in which to fill your boots with as many Sydney highlights as you humanly can.

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/">Find out more about the different pass types and get yours here.</a>

Here are some of the great <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a> you might find yourself visiting if you&rsquo;re lucky enough to have 4-6 days to spend in Sydney, many of which are available on the Sydney pass.

No matter how many days you have to spend in Sydney, make time to check out at least one of New South Wales&rsquo;s great wildlife adventures.&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/taronga-zoo" target="_blank">Taronga Zoo</a>, on the north bank, is of course the most convenient, but&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/featherdale-sydney-wildlife-park" target="_blank">Featherdale</a>&nbsp;offers a fine alternative if you fancy getting out of town, or en route to visiting the Blue Mountains. Both have plenty to see and do, with Featherdale focusing fully on Oz&rsquo;s ferociously cute native critters, including kangaroos, wallabies, quolls, Tasmanian devils, and the region&rsquo;s biggest collection of koalas. Cute!

Wild Sydney

Widely regarded as one of the best coastal walks on the planet, this gently undulating seaside route is a mere two-mile meander, taking in stellar ocean views and selfie opportunities galore. Take your pick of #humblebrag backdrops from a near-endless list that includes brightly colored fishing boats, cute seaside caf&eacute;s, verdant manicured parks and pretty sandstone rock formations. Best of all, in no time at all you&rsquo;ll be in Bondi, where full immersion in the laidback beach lifestyle and classic caf&eacute; culture is more or less essential.

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/things-to-do/bondi-beach-vs-coogee-beach-which-is-better-comparison" target="_blank">Read our full guide to the beaches at Bondi and Coogee here.</a>

Coogee to Bondi Walk

Sydney isn&rsquo;t short of an ocean pool or 10, and everyone should aim to experience at least one on their Sydney vacation. Hewn into the cliffs overlooking Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs is perhaps the most legendary and, if you can manage only one, it should probably be this one. That said, the Maccallum Pool overlooking Sydney Harbour, and the epic Wylie&rsquo;s Baths in Coogee are no slouches either.

Al Fresco Pools

There are plenty of fine green spots to explore in central Sydney. Chief among these is the mighty Royal Botanic Garden, with its 74 epic acres of meticulously manicured greens, vibrant tropical plant species, regal rose gardens, awesome manor houses and heart-soaring harbor views. You can also take a stroll along the famous fig-lined avenues of Hyde Park or, if you&rsquo;re after something a little more secluded, hit up Wendy Whitely&rsquo;s (not-so-secret) Secret Garden at lovely Lavender Bay.

Glorious Gardens

If you&rsquo;re spending four, five, six (or more) days in Sydney, it would be remiss to not also take a day trip out to one of New South Wales&rsquo; other A-grade attractions. We&rsquo;re talking the bewitching Blue Mountains, where a handy&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/blue-mountains-explorer-bus-hop-hop-tour" target="_blank">hop-on-hop-off bus tour</a>&nbsp;allows you to pick and choose the best bits if you want to go solo. Or you could take the epic <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/best-of-blue-mountains-tour" target="_blank">Blue Mountains guided tour from Sydney</a>.&nbsp;A visit to Hunter Valley is manna for oenophiles &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/hunter-valley-food-wine-tour" target="_blank">book a group tour</a> with multiple vineyards and lunch included to sample as many of the local grape juices, without having to worry about the drive home afterwards.

Both of these fantastic premium experiences are available with a <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" target="_blank">Sydney attraction pass</a>. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose the pass that&#39;s right for you...

Out-of-Town Treats

This architectural icon requires no introduction, with its soaring concrete sails that take center stage in any Sydney Harbour snap worth its salt. And there are heaps of ways to see it too. From a harbor cruise (<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sydney-lunch-cruise" target="_blank">lunchtime&nbsp;sightseeing spectacular</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sunset-views-twilight-hues-cruise-3-course-set-menu" target="_blank">romantic sunset sailing with dinner,</a>&nbsp;take your pick). Or on a fascinating&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sydney-opera-house-tour" target="_blank">Opera House walking tour</a>. Heck, why not splash out and treat yourself to a classic performance of La Traviata&nbsp;or&nbsp;Madama Butterfly&nbsp;on the hallowed stages here? Opera not your speed? Fear not: there&rsquo;s a regular roster of rock and pop shows here too; Bj&ouml;rk, Nick Cave and Crowded House have all played concerts at the Opera House down the years.

Sydney Opera House

In much the same way as the Opera House, there are a few different ways to experience this majestic steel-arch icon. Take in classic views from the river, or hit up some of the best sunset viewpoints: the historic The Rocks neighborhood and Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Chair being among the finest in town. Feeling brave? Then why not go full immersion mode and climb the dang thing? Guided walks to the summit, 440 feet above the river, run daily.&nbsp;

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The beaches in Sydney&rsquo;s (huge) North Shore district are well worth a day trip, whether you&rsquo;re in town for three or 10 days. Take a leisurely stroll from Queenscliff to Shelly Beach, taking in the eco sculpture trail around Cabbage Tree Bay and pausing to snorkel with seahorses and blue gropers in the calm waters of Manly Beach. More adventurous types can try the much longer Narrabeen Lagoon trail or the ascent to Barrenjoey Lighthouse from Palm Beach.

North Shore Beaches

Apart from the aforementioned harbor views, Sydney&rsquo;s oldest neighborhood offers &ndash; deep breath &ndash; Insta-perfect old colonial buildings to fill your social feeds, traditional centuries-old pubs, atmospheric cobbled alleyways, a weekend craft market and (perhaps best of all) one of the world&rsquo;s most remarkable collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands in the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.&nbsp;<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/rocks-walking-tour" target="_blank">Join a walking tour</a>&nbsp;for an informative and entertaining ride through the district&rsquo;s storied past.

The Rocks

How Many Days in Sydney is Enough? | Go City®

Tick off some of Sydney’s sightseeing show-stoppers, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and more!

If you only have a day or two in Sydney, you’ll want to make a beeline for Circular Quay, which not only boasts the highest concentration of Sydney must-sees in town, but is also the jumping-off point for ferry rides to Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo, Cockatoo Island and more! Join us on a whistle-stop tour as we run down all the essential things to do in Circular Quay, Sydney. 

Things to do in Circular Quay

For many, Sydney Opera House is the daddy, the crown prince, the big kahuna, the absolute holy grail of Sydney sightseeing. Indeed, show us the person who&rsquo;s been to Sydney and *hasn&rsquo;t* at least glimpsed this space-age stunner from afar and we&rsquo;ll show you the souvenir Opera House keychain they&rsquo;re hiding in their pocket.

As global architectural icons go, Sydney Opera House is right up there with the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal and Empire State Building. Jutting out into Sydney Harbour, its vast concrete sails pretty much defy superlatives and, as such, are absolute manna for Insta addicts.

Snap what those waggish Sydneysiders call &lsquo;the nuns in a scrum&rsquo; on a gentle harbour cruise, or get up close and personal on a guided tour. Better still, step inside its hallowed halls to catch a show &ndash;&nbsp;there are 40-or-so events in any given week, from musicals to hard-hitting theater and live music from big-name international acts.

Top tip: the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a> from Go City includes tours of several historic Sydney landmarks, plus many more major attractions and activities and could save you up to 50% on your Sydney sightseeing. <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Click here to find out more.</a>

Straight into another absolute doozy, Sydney Harbour Bridge is the instantly recognizable steel arch icon that spans the harbor from Dawes Point to Milsons Point. There are many great vantage points from which to ogle this 1930s icon: from the historic Rocks neighborhood, from Mrs Macquaries Chair, from the Opera Bar beer Garden by the Opera House, or even on a boat cruise that drifts underneath &ndash;&nbsp;pooh stick-style &ndash;&nbsp;from one side to the other.

But nothing can beat the exhilarating feeling of climbing the thing. Book a guided climb and strap in for a thrill-a-minute adventure as you ascend to the summit, 440 feet above the tiny boats far below. Brave souls are rewarded with shot nerves, trembling knees, and far-reaching views across the famous harbor and beyond.

Just a short stroll from Circular Quay, the historic neighborhood known as The Rocks is an absolute treasure trove of old-school attractions. It&rsquo;s perfect fodder for the budding historian, with plenty of old colonial buildings to ogle, atmospheric cobbled lanes to get lost in, and ye olde pubs to sup ale in &ndash; thirsty punters have been drinking, storytelling and making merry in the likes of the Lord Nelson and Fortune of War for well over a century.

Take a walking tour to get right under the skin of the place and don&rsquo;t miss the neighborhood&rsquo;s excellent Museum of Contemporary Art Australia which, alongside exhibitions by the most bleeding-age young Australian artists, boasts one of the most remarkable collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands art on the planet.&nbsp;

Trust us when we tell you that a cruise of Sydney Harbour really takes the effort out of sightseeing. Why spend all that shoe leather and knee cartilage schlepping around when you can simply take to the water and get all your vacation snaps done and dusted in one fell swoop? Why, indeed.

There are a number of ways to experience the harbour. Take a standard wham-bam-thank-you-ma&rsquo;am one hour sightseeing cruise, or show your romantic side on a sunset voyage with three-course dinner. You can even go wild on a high-speed Oz Jet Boat thrill ride, complete with 270-degree spins, fishtails, and blink-and-you&rsquo;ll-miss-it views of several top <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a>. For obvious reasons, on-board meals are not available with this one. Note that several such Circular Quay boat excursions are included with the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a>.

Sydney Harbour Cruise

Botanists, horticulturalists, amateur gardeners, and general flower sniffers rejoice! Set right next to Circular Bay, Sydney&rsquo;s Royal Botanic Garden is a veritable fiesta of sights, scents and sounds. Explore regal rose gardens, multi-sensory wildflower meadows and exotic plant species galore across 74 acres of prime parkland, and don&rsquo;t miss the splendid succulents section with its prickly pillars and aromatic aloes.

Nearby Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Chair &ndash; a sandstone bench carved by convicts more than 200 years ago &ndash; is one of Sydney&rsquo;s most popular spots for photographers, thanks to its splendid golden-hour views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Royal Botanic Garden

&lsquo;Allo &lsquo;allo &lsquo;allo, what&rsquo;s all this &lsquo;ere then? Sydney&rsquo;s Justice and Police Museum is one of the great unsung things to do in Circular Quay. Fancy a journey into the city&rsquo;s dark and dangerous past? This one is very much for you. Step inside this colonial former police station and courthouse to learn all about Sydney&rsquo;s notorious criminals, from smugglers and embezzlers to the infamous bushrangers and razor gangs that once terrorized Australia. Check out grizzly underworld weapons and discover the remarkable skills of the Aboriginal trackers used to crack crime in New South Wales during the 20th Century.&nbsp;

And that&rsquo;s not all. The city&rsquo;s criminal past is big business in Sydney, and there are several crime-themed walking tours available, some of which are included with the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a>.

The Justice and Police Museum

Circular Quay is Sydney&rsquo;s primary hub for ferry services around the city and beyond. It&rsquo;s your gateway to &ndash;&nbsp;among other essential Sydney sightseeing hotspots &ndash;&nbsp;Manly, Watsons Bay, Barangaroo and Cockatoo Island. Hop on the F9 to Watsons Bay for a pleasant walk up to stripy Hornby Lighthouse and awesome views back over the bay to Sydney Harbour. Visit at the right time of year and you might even get lucky and spot migrating whales in the waters below! Or take the F2 if its animal antics at Taronga Zoo that you seek. And, if the Justice and Police Museum has whet your appetite for all things criminal, it&rsquo;s the F8 to Cockatoo Island for you, site of several heritage buildings that formed part of a 19th-century penal establishment for colonial convicts. But unlike theirs, your ticket will (hopefully) not be one-way&hellip;

Jump on a Ferry

Looking for more things to do in Circular Quay and around Sydney? The Sydney pass from Go City can save you up to 50% on entry to around 40 <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a>. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass!

Circular Quay’s many attractions include bona fide bucket-listers like the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Rocks neighborhood, and the Royal Botanic Garden.

Things to do in Circular Quay | Go City®

Indulge in Bondi’s serious café (and people-watching) culture, sip cocktails at Bondi Icebergs, walk the coast to Coogee, and more!

Bondi’s laid-back beach culture is the stuff of legend. But beyond those golden sands, bronzed surfers and sparkling blue-green seas lies a vibrant multicultural community of fashion-forward, latte-toting, dog-walking culture-seekers. We took a deep dive to check out all the best things to do in Sydney’s Bondi area, from beach-bumming to public art installations…

Things to do in Bondi Area, Sydney

Bondi Beach needs little introduction. This glorious sweep of golden sand on Sydney&rsquo;s east coast is an absolute mecca for thalassophiles of all stripes. Beach bums simply adore the soft sands and spectacular sea views, while surfers come for the legendary rips, particularly at the beach&rsquo;s southern end. There are designated areas for swimming too, with a reassuring lifeguard presence that makes Bondi Beach a fine choice for family days out.

Bondi Beach

Pro-tip: Bondi Beach tends to fill up with tourists as the day progresses, so consider heading round the bay to North Bondi Rocks at Ben Buckler Point. This rocky outcrop is a favorite with in-the-know locals, who can often be found leaping into the ocean on warm days. It&rsquo;s also a fine spot for watching the Sydney sunrise, as the morning sky paints itself in magical hues of tangerine and powder-pink. Rent a snorkel and dive in to see if you can spot local marine critters including graceful stingrays and big blue gropers.

People-watching is practically a national sport in Bondi, where you&rsquo;re rarely far from a hip brunch spot or achingly cool coffee joint. Arm yourself with a latte and smashed avo on sourdough and pick your spot for watching the world go by. There are several very popular options in Bondi. Once described as the world&rsquo;s most Instagrammable caf&eacute; thanks to its super-colorful berry bowls and vitamin-rich fruit smoothies, Speedos is a favorite with the north side in-crowd.&nbsp;

Bondi Café Culture

Ensconce yourself among the bookshelves at Gertrude and Alice Bookstore and Caf&eacute;, a cute spot on busy Hall Street that perfectly fills the niche for bibliophiles who always dreamed of sipping their cup of morning joe in a library. There are around 25,000 titles in stock &ndash; from classics to current best sellers &ndash; to browse and buy.

Meanwhile, just a hop and a skip from the beach and with superb sea views, Porch &amp; Parlour has made brunch into an art form, with Middle Eastern breakfast bowls, Baja fish tacos and turmeric lattes all on the morning menu. Yum.

Iconic <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a> are a dime a dozen &ndash;&nbsp;think the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and historic Rocks neighborhood for starters. But not many can match the drama of <a href="http://icebergs.com.au/" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Bondi Icebergs</a>, truly one of Bondi&rsquo;s most beautiful spots, and one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. Fill your socials with #humblebrag snaps of this landmark seawater swimming pool hewn into the cliffs at the beach&rsquo;s southern tip, then dive in for sweeping views of the coast (plus the occasional bonus drenching when waves crash against the sea wall below).

And that&rsquo;s not all, Bondi Icebergs Club also serves cocktails. That&rsquo;s right: once you&rsquo;re all swim-and-sauna&rsquo;d out, you can kick back with a margarita, mojito or negroni and come over all warm and fuzzy as you take in yet more of those show-stopping sea views from the bar. Perfect.

Bondi Icebergs

There&rsquo;s lots for art lovers to see and do in Bondi, thanks to its vibrant community of cool creatives. Hit up Bondi Pavilion &ndash; aka the Pav &ndash; the neighborhood&rsquo;s cultural hub where a lively program of exhibitions, theater and live events means there&rsquo;s always plenty going on. This is also where you can ogle the famous Bondi the Beautiful mural, an iconic piece of community-created courtyard art that has become one of Australia&rsquo;s most photographed walls.&nbsp;

The Bondi Beach Sea Wall&rsquo;s social and political street art is no less eye-catching, while the spectacular Sculpture by the Sea exhibition sees artists from around the world submit pieces to be displayed along the coastal path between Bondi and Bronte Beach each spring.

And, from the modern to the ancient, visit the Ben Buckler Reserve north of Bondi Beach to check out its extraordinary collection of Aboriginal rock carvings depicting fish, boomerangs and more.

Art Around Bondi

The grounds of Bondi Beach Public School come alive every Saturday and Sunday, when traders roll in to ply their many wares. Saturday is farmers&rsquo; market day and, as such, an absolute mecca for Bondi foodies. Get up early and mosey down for your pick of the best organic produce, from juicy red tomatoes plucked fresh from the vine to rich, creamy farmhouse cheddars, freshly baked breads, and fruit-packed jams and preserves. Feeling hungry yet? Good news: there are hot-food stalls here too. Grab a warm pastry or life-affirming roast pork roll, and wash it all down with an artisan coffee for the win.

Sundays see the market transformed into a fashionista&rsquo;s dream, with the likes of handmade local jewelry, sustainable swimwear by up-and-coming designers, and one-off vintage pieces for sale. Bag a bargain and lean into the chilled party vibe: there&rsquo;s laid-back live music until late in the afternoon.

Bondi Markets

To describe the coastal path that links Bondi with Coogee as one of the world&rsquo;s most beautiful walks would be no exaggeration. Discover an absolute embarrassment of photo opportunities along its 3.5-mile length, with Insta eye candy that includes &ndash; deep breath &ndash; the Bondi Icebergs Club, the Bronte Bath Stairs, the colorful fishing boats at Gordon&rsquo;s Bay, the ancient Aboriginal rock carvings at Mark&rsquo;s Park, and natural rock pools, dramatic bluffs and crashing waves galore.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

And we haven&rsquo;t even mentioned the glut of beautiful beaches along the way yet, including Clovelly, Tamara, Bronte (pictured), and Bondi and Coogee themselves. So what are you waiting for? Don your comfiest shoes, pack a bathing suit and a picnic from Bondi Farmers&rsquo; Market, and get ready for the hike of your life!

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/things-to-do/bondi-beach-vs-coogee-beach-which-is-better-comparison" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Read our guide to Bondi Beach vs Coogee Beach here.</a>

Looking for things to do in the Bondi area and elsewhere around Sydney? The <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a> from Go City includes admission to around 40 top activities, tours and attractions and could save you up to 50% on your Sydney sightseeing adventure. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass!

Bondi’s many attractions include hip brunch spots, weekend markets, a show-stopping coastal walk to Coogee and, of course, that extraordinary sandy beach.

Things to do in Bondi Area, Sydney | Go City®

The Rocks, Circular Quay, Bondi, Surrey Hills and Darling Harbour all feature in our expert guide.

Sydney’s patchwork of picturesque harbors, sandy beaches and artful architecture just begs to be explored. Check out the city’s des-res districts and natty neighborhoods in our guide, which features cool Surry Hills galleries and boutiques, indigenous cultural heritage in Barangaroo, bucket-list icons like Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay, and centuries-old pubs along The Rocks' cobbled lanes.

Best Districts and Neighborhoods to Visit in Sydney

Start your Sydney adventure by ticking off Circular Quay&rsquo;s world-famous architectural triumphs. That&rsquo;s right: here&rsquo;s where you can pap the soaring Sydney Harbour Bridge and the space-age sails of the Opera House. You can take a tour of this remarkable building and climb 440 feet to the bridge&rsquo;s summit &ndash; assuming you have enough of a head for heights. If not, a cruise of the harbor is a far more sedate way of experiencing its many marvels. Ferries from Circular Quay also serve many other Sydney sightseeing hotspots, including Watsons Bay, Cockatoo Island, Barangaroo and Manly.

Pro-tip: the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a> from Go City can save you up to 50% on entry to around 40 <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a>, including a tour of the Opera House, tickets to Taronga Zoo, and a day trip to the Blue Mountains. <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Click here to find out more and pick your pass.</a>

Best for Sightseeing: Circular Quay

Adjacent to Circular Quay, The Rocks is a picturesque colonial enclave that&rsquo;s chock-full of atmospheric cobbled lanes, centuries-old heritage pubs, and vibrant markets. Drop by the Fortune of War or Lord Nelson to sup craft beers with colorful locals, take a walking tour to discover the neighborhood&rsquo;s shady past, and snap some of the most Instagrammable colonial architecture in town. Don&rsquo;t miss the weekend markets, with artisan local jewelry, art and more for sale, plus live music and spectacular street food. And take time out to discover the best in bleeding-edge Antipodean art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Best for Historic Sydney: The Rocks

It&rsquo;s all about fine dining, indie art galleries and chic boutiques in upscale Surry Hills. Here&rsquo;s where you&rsquo;ll find trendsetters eyeballing avant-garde art in Brett Whiteley&rsquo;s Studio and checking out contemporary Chinese painting and sculpture at the achingly hip White Rabbit Gallery (and its equally delicious Tea House). Dine with Sydney&rsquo;s in-crowd at trendy eateries including Nour, Nomad and Firedoor and hit up Crown Street with its one-off boutiques and vintage stores, perfect for all your credit-card-melting needs.&nbsp;

Best for the In-Crowd: Surry Hills

Sydney&rsquo;s mecca for serious surfers, hip Bondi is a pitch-perfect mix of golden sands, hot bods, caf&eacute; culture and vibrant nightlife. Go for the beautiful bay views, stay for the (arguably even better) people-watching opportunities and suave sundowners with sea views. <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a> holders get a couple of hours of Bondi surfboard rental included. Or, y&#39;now, you could just plonk yourself down on those famous golden sands and watch smugly &ndash; flat white in hand &ndash; as wannabe surfers wipe out in the shallows. For anyone with even a passing interest in swimming, the Bondi Icebergs Club &ndash; a picture-perfect seawater pool that&rsquo;s hewn into Bondi cliffs &ndash; should be considered essential (NB they also serve cocktails). The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is also pretty special; you can find out more about that (and the beaches at either end) in <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/things-to-do/bondi-beach-vs-coogee-beach-which-is-better-comparison" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">our Bondi vs Coogee guide here</a>.

Best for Surfing and Swimming: Bondi

Darling Harbour is jam-packed with family-friendly attractions. We&rsquo;re talking awesome animal adventures at the Wildlife Sydney Zoo and Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, as well as the utterly thrilling Australian National Maritime Museum, a vast repository of historic seafaring vessels that includes a replica of Captain Cook&rsquo;s HMB Endeavour plus submarines, Navy destroyers and more. All three of these top-tier Sydney family attractions are included with the Sydney pass. Want more? There&rsquo;s a free fireworks display over Darling Harbour every Saturday night at 9PM.&nbsp;

Best for Families: Darling Harbour

Ancient rock engravings and shell middens discovered in Barangaroo chart a long history of Aboriginal occupation that dates back some 6,000 years or more. Take a guided walking tour of the district to learn more about its rich heritage and take time to visit the waterfront Barangaroo Reserve with its spectacular Harbour Bridge views, plus shady arbors and secluded coves that just beg to be picnicked in. Afterwards, cool off with a dip in the sparkling waters of Marrinawi Cove.

Best for Indigenous Culture: Barangaroo

Sydney&rsquo;s stylish Paddington suburb is a shoppers&rsquo; paradise, with charming Victorian terraces and high streets packed with high-end designer boutiques, cutting-edge art galleries and artisan markets. Mosey down at the weekend and be prepared to shop (as the saying doesn&rsquo;t quite go) until your bank manager pleads with you to stop. Rub shoulders with the Aussie A-list at The Intersection, where high-end fashions from homegrown talents including Dion Lee, St Agni, Flannel and Zimmermann attract movie stars and models eager to stay two steps ahead of the Sydney fashionistas. Oxford Street and William Street are where it&#39;s at for (marginally) more affordable retro fashions and homewares, while the artisan Paddington makers&rsquo; markets every Saturday are best for unusual bargains, with frequent special pop-up events focusing on rare vinyl records, pre-loved vintage clothes, and even plants and flowers.

Best for Shopping: Paddington

Last but by no means least in our guide to Sydney&rsquo;s best neighborhoods, Manly is a picture-perfect beach town that&rsquo;s just a short ferry-hop from Circular Quay. Here&rsquo;s where you can snorkel alongside vibrant blue gropers and sweet little seahorses and witness the weird world of bottom-dwelling Wobbegong sharks. Or stay on dry land for a scenic coastal walk over the Spit Bridge to Mosman, where you can say hey to the 5,000-or-so critters at Taronga Zoo, including lions, giraffes and Tasmanian devils (though happily not all in the same enclosure). Finally, be sure to seek out the Manly Wormhole, a natural cave in the cliffs north of Manly Beach. From inside, the cave&#39;s walls perfectly frame the sky and sea, creating a perfect moment for romantics young and old, as well as incurable Insta addicts.

Discover more things to do in Sydney with a Sydney pass. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose the pass that&rsquo;s best for you!

Best for Laid Back Vibes: Manly

Our guide to Sydney’s must-visit neighborhoods includes The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Manly, Bondi and Paddington.

Best Districts and Neighborhoods to Visit in Sydney Now | Go City®

A reliable public transport system that includes ferries, trains, buses and more makes getting to and from Sydney’s top attractions a doddle.

All scenic waterways, eye-popping architecture, pine-packed parks and picture-postcard golden beaches, Sydney is a city that just begs to be explored. Check out our guide to exploring some of the best bits by public transport, including Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour, The Rocks, Taronga Zoo, the Blue Mountains, and more!

Things to do in Sydney by Public Transport

Sydney is well-served by a cheap and reliable integrated transport system that includes buses, trains, ferries and a light railway. It probably goes without saying that ferries are the most picturesque way to get around, but they also just happen to be one of the most convenient.&nbsp;

If you expect to use public transport a lot on your Sydney vacation, you should absolutely invest in an Opal Card, a handy prepaid card for tapping in and out on each journey. Daily fares are capped at under AU$20, meaning you can travel all day without fear of spending more than this. You can buy yours online or at Sydney newsagents and convenience stores, and you&rsquo;ll find the card readers on ferry wharves, inside buses, on light-rail platforms and at metro and train gates. <a href="https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal#/login" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Get yours right here.</a>

Sydney Public Transport: Quick Guide

Sydney&rsquo;s City Circle is your best friend when sightseeing bucket-list downtown attractions. Part of the wider metro and suburban train network, this U-shaped section of line starts and ends at Central, taking in Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay, St James and Museum along the way. Disembark at Circular Quay to experience Sydney in microcosm. For it&rsquo;s here that you can tick off many of Sydney&rsquo;s top tourist hotspots. We&rsquo;re talking global icons including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Take in the panorama from Mrs Macquarie&rsquo;s Chair, a bench carved into natural sandstone by convicts over 200 years ago, with what are widely considered the most Instagrammable harbor views in town. Then mosey over to the adjacent Royal Botanic Garden, 74 acres of exotic plant species, formal gardens, magnificent manor houses, and shady groves.

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/things-to-do/best-places-to-take-photos-in-sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Check out our guide to some of Sydney&rsquo;s most Instagrammable locations here.</a>

Ride the City Circle

Then there&rsquo;s the quite marvelous&nbsp;The Rocks&nbsp;neighborhood, a historic colonial enclave with cute cobbled lanes and atmospheric centuries-old pubs to explore. It&rsquo;s also home to the&nbsp;Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney&rsquo;s hub for bleeding-edge Antipodean art.

And if that&rsquo;s whetted your appetite for yet more Aussie history and culture, you can hop off the City Circle at Museum Station for a stroll to&nbsp;Hyde Park&rsquo;s moving Anzac Memorial&nbsp;then on to the excellent&nbsp;Australian Museum.

Top tip:&nbsp;Entry to many of Sydney&rsquo;s city center attractions are included with Go City, which&nbsp;can save you up to 50%&nbsp;on more than 40 Sydney tours, activities and attractions. Click below to find out more and to choose your perfect sightseeing pass&hellip;

Board at Central for the 15-minute train ride to Bondi Junction. From here, just about any bus beginning with a &lsquo;3&rsquo; will deliver you to the seafront in 10 minutes. Grab a flat white from one of Bondi&rsquo;s hipper-than thou caf&eacute;s then mosey down to the beach for some of the best people-watching opportunities in town. Make a splash at the open-air Bondi Icebergs Club, a huge ocean pool hewn into the cliffs, or try the clifftop walk to Coogee Beach. This&nbsp;3.5-mile stretch of almost ethereal beauty is considered by many to be one of the best walks in Sydney, if not the whole of Australia.

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/things-to-do/bondi-beach-vs-coogee-beach-which-is-better-comparison" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Read our guide to Bondi and Coogee here.</a>

Take the Train to Bondi

Sydney&rsquo;s ferries are a great way to experience the stunning scenery of this great city. Services out of Circular Quay give you a magical new perspective on the harbor and its twin icons (that&rsquo;s the Bridge and the Opera House, of course), with several routes running to the likes of Manly, Watsons Bay, Cockatoo Island and Barangaroo. The F9 ferry to Watsons Bay is a highly popular day trip among Sydneysiders, taking in views of Rose Bay and Shark Island along the 27-minute route. Once there, fortify with hot, salty chips ahead of a walk up to the candy-stripe Hornby Lighthouse for sweeping cliff-top views back across the bay to Sydney Harbour and, in winter, the distinct possibility of spotting migrating whales in the water below.

Hop on a Ferry

Take the F1 to Manly for the opportunity to snorkel with funky blue gropers, curious seahorses and rug-like Wobbegong sharks. Or board the F2 for a whole menagerie of critters, including kangaroos, koalas and platypuses, at Taronga Zoo.

The F6 is a short but spectacularly scenic zip to Cremorne Point, where a two-mile shoreline walking trail affords views of the Sydney skyline and Mosman Bay. Last but by no means least, take the F8 to Cockatoo Island to explore heritage buildings and discover more about Australia&#39;s convict history. As well as, of course, admiring those ever-impressive harbor views.

It&rsquo;s a mere three-hour train ride along the aptly named Blue Mountains line from Sydney Central to Katoomba, the gateway to New South Wales&rsquo; famously haze-shrouded wilderness (a natural phenomenon created by the region&rsquo;s thousands of eucalyptus trees). A far cry from the hustle and bustle of downtown Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a rambler&rsquo;s paradise, all emerald hills and valleys, storybook villages, soaring waterfalls, and monolithic natural sandstone structures like the Three Sisters.

Take in the eye candy via a hop-on hop-off bus tour that carries you high into the mountain haze, pausing at the likes of Insta-perfect Leura Village, the Jenolan Caves, and Echo Point &ndash; for the best Three Sisters views around &ndash; along the way. Or, if you prefer to do your sightseeing on foot, the Three Sisters trail from Katoomba is particularly good (and only moderately challenging). Follow the path up to Leura Cascades, pause for a picnic, and spend some time grabbing selfies in the picture-perfect village before taking the train back down to base.

Take a Trip to the Blue Mountains

Our guide to all the best Sydney attractions you can visit by public transport, including Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, and the Blue Mountains.

Things to do in Sydney by Public Transport | Go City®

Whale-watching, escape rooms, high-speed boat rides, true crime tours, and more!

If you're looking for things to do in Sydney for teens, you've come to the right place! Here, we'll explore all of the city's best teen-friendly experiences, from white-knuckle boat rides to head-scratching escape rooms that'll keep them entertained!

Things to do in Sydney for Teens

If your teen loves animals, where better to take them than Sydney&#39;s best zoo? And where is this world of animal goodness found? Why, it&#39;s on Taronga Island, just a short 12-minute ferry ride from Sydney!&nbsp;

The acclaimed <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/taronga-zoo" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Taronga Zoo</a> boasts an impressive collection of over 5,000 animals, from native Australian wonders like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and platypuses to endangered exotic species such as elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, tigers, lions, and a diverse array of reptiles and birds.&nbsp;

Top tip: a Sydney pass from Go City can save you up to 50% on admission to dozens of <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney attractions</a>, including Taronga Zoo and other kid-friendly animal adventures like the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sea-life-sydney-aquarium" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium</a>, <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/WILD-LIFE-Sydney-Zoo" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo</a>, and <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/featherdale-sydney-wildlife-park" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Featherdale Wildlife Park</a>.&nbsp; So, what&#39;s stopping you?

Things to do in Sydney for Teens: Taronga Zoo

If your teen&#39;s a bit of a thrill-seeker, then <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/jet-thrill-ride" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">an adrenaline-fueled Oz Jet thrill ride</a> across the waves of Sydney Harbour should do the trick!

The jet-powered boat hits speeds of up to 50mph, which might not seem like much, but trust us; when you&#39;re on the water, things travel a lot faster than you&#39;d think. Your professional driver will perform heart-pounding stunts like 270-degree spins, fishtails, and power brake stops, all while narrating the journey, which also includes fascinating insights into Sydney&#39;s iconic landmarks.&nbsp;

Expect to get wet &ndash; it&#39;s all part of the fun. Store your belongings in provided lockers, don a life jacket, and make sure you dress the part. Onboard cameras capture the excitement, with photos and videos available for purchase after you&#39;ve conquered the waves.

Things to do in Sydney for Teens: Oz Jet Thrill Ride

Trade in high-octane thrills and spills for something more sedate with this <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/two-hour-whale-watching-cruise" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">two-hour whale-watching cruise</a>. Aboard the luxurious Fantasea vessel, you&#39;ll venture into open waters to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of humpback whales during their annual migration from Antarctica to the milder waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

While humpbacks are the most frequent stars of the show, fortune may favor you with sightings of orcas, blue whales, sperm whales, and the ever-charming bottlenose dolphins. As these majestic creatures breach the surface, nature unveils one of its most captivating performances, ensuring a whale of a time. Get your cameras ready!

Below deck, there&#39;s also a bar offering snacks and refreshments. And, if you don&#39;t see a single whale, you&#39;ll get another go around the following day for free!

Things to do in Sydney for Teens: Whale-watching Cruise

For those who don&#39;t know, The Rocks is one of Sydney&#39;s most historic neighborhoods &ndash; and not always for the right reasons. Many unseemly characters have called it home throughout the years, inevitably leading to ghoulish goings-on and stuff like crime. Real crime. True crime! So, if you want to find out about warm and cold cases from the area, take <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sydneys-true-crime-tour" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">this true crime tour</a> of the district!

Your knowledgeable guide will take you down secret alleyways, little nooks, and exciting thoroughfares where evil happenings...happened. Learn about real crimes, the victims, and the perpetrators, all within the safety of a group tour setting!

Teens with a penchant for Netflix&#39;s true crime revival will get a kick out of this one.

Things to do in Sydney for Teens: True Crime Tour

Have you wanted to flex your brain&#39;s superiority against your teenage child on a TV quiz show? Well, now you can! Sort of.&nbsp;

At <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/quiz-room-experience" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Quiz Room Experience</a>, you&#39;ll each stand on a podium. The lights will lower, and you&#39;ll face off against one another in a battle of the minds. Pick a topic, hit the buzzer, and answer questions to see who will come out victorious.&nbsp;

With a wide range of subjects suitable for all ages, this quiz-off is certainly one of the most unique things to do in Sydney for teens!

And those were our picks of the best things to do in Sydney for teens! Of course, it&#39;s not all about them. To fill out your vacation itinerary with fun for you, too, check out Go City. Grab a <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" target="_blank">Sydney attraction pass</a> and save while you sightsee!

Things to do in Sydney for Teens: Quiz Room Experience

Go on a whale-watching excursion, test your little gray cells in an escape room, visit Taronga Zoo and more in our guide to Sydney's top activities for teenagers.

Things to do in Sydney for Teens | Go City®

Museums, escape rooms, wine-tasting, brunches, Sydney Opera House, and more!

Wondering what to do in Sydney when it rains? Although most of us think of a city with sparkling seas and blue skies, there are actually around 100 days of rainfall per year. And when it rains, it pours. But that doesn’t mean you can't have fun exploring the city. Read on for our list of the top things to do on a rainy day in Sydney, including...

Things to do in Sydney when it’s Raining

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Visiting a museum</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Getting a bird&rsquo;s eye view&nbsp;from Sydney Tower Eye</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Taking a guided tour of the Opera House</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Checking out the Sydney wildlife</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Meeting the waxworks at Madame Tussauds</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Sipping cocktails in an underground bar</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Swimming in an ocean pool</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Sampling local wines, cheeses, and charcuterie</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Visiting the State Library</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Catching a film at the cinema</li>
</ul>

Sydney has plenty in the way of museums, from art (Art Gallery NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art) to convict history (Hyde Park Barracks Museum), to a bit of everything (Powerhouse Museum). Then there&rsquo;s the frankly epic <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/australian-national-maritime-museum" target="_blank">Australian National Maritime Museum</a>, a sprawling shangri-la of seafaring vessels that includes a replica of Captain Cook&rsquo;s HMB Endeavour as well as submarines, Navy destroyers and more. Shelter from the rain and let the learning come to you.

Visit a Museum

Watch the clouds roll in over the Sydney skyline from your vantage point more than 250 meters above the city streets. Look out for famous landmarks including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour &ndash; those sweeping 360-degree panoramas mean you can spot, well, just about everything.&nbsp;

Top tip: entry to the Sydney Tower Eye is included with a <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a> from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on access to some of the city&rsquo;s top tours, activities and attractions, including the Australian National Maritime Museum and Sydney Opera House. <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find out more and choose your pass here.</a>

Sydney Tower Eye

Many Sydneysiders have adopted the Cantonese custom of&nbsp;yum cha &ndash; a brunchtime feast of dishes accompanied by plenty of jasmine tea. Sydney has lots of restaurants catering specifically to yum cha including a few choice favorites: The Dynasty (try the steamed prawn dumplings), Golden Unicorn (affordable prices and popular with the younger crowd) and Palace Chinese (don&rsquo;t miss the blistered green beans laced with salt and garlic). Grab your mates and settle in.

Feast on Yum Cha

Climb the 100 stairs to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular sea views and a slice of Sydney history. Originally designed by convict-architect Francis Greenway in 1818, this site is the longest standing lighthouse site in Australia. Getting to the lighthouse itself does involve a 15 minute walk along the clifftop, so avoid when the weather is stormy.

If you&#39;ve enjoyed our rundown of the best things to do in Sydney when its raining, you&#39;re going to love our all-weather <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" target="_blank">Sydney pass</a>, with up to 50% off entry to all the best attractions, tours and activities in town! Hit the buttons below to find out more and pick your perfect pass.

Tour the Macquarie Lighthouse

There are plenty of ways to get up close to cute Aussie critters on rainy days in Sydney. In fact, when you can experience the wonders of the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/WILD-LIFE-Sydney-Zoo" target="_blank">WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo</a> without the crowds, meaning you get even closer to the resident koalas, crocs, kangas and wallabies. Or take a walk on the wild side at the <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sea-life-sydney-aquarium">SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium</a> where sharks, penguins and native dugongs are among the star attractions. And if you prefer your Aussie wildlife a little more... human, there&#39;s always Madame Tussauds, where national treasures including Ned Kelly, Steve Irwin, Olivia Newton-John, Rebel Wilson and of course Kylie rub waxy shoulders with other historical figures and Hollywood A-listers.

Top tip: all three of these great rainy day attractions are included with Go City&#39;s <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney" target="_blank">Sydney attraction pass</a>!

Meet the Native Wildlife

Spend an hour discovering the history behind the sails on <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/sydney-opera-house-tour" target="_blank">a guided tour of Sydney&nbsp;Opera House</a>. Your guide will let you in on secrets and insider stories as you wander along some of the 300 corridors and visit parts of the building not open to the general public.

Sydney Opera House Tour

The Harbour City is known for its brunch culture. Huddle up with poached eggs, waffles, loaded croissants or breakfast burgers and wash all that delicious food down with a bloody mary. Our favorite spots are Three Blue Ducks (Bronte), Goodfields Eatery (Lindfield), Reuben Hills (Surry Hills) and Bills (Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Bondi Beach).

Enjoy a Leisurely Brunch

Wait out a torrential downpour underground in one of the city&rsquo;s bars below street level. Head to the Lobo for Caribbean summerhouse vibes and rum cocktails, Palmer and Co for a prohibition era aesthetic and rare whiskies, or Calabur for Asian fusion food during the day and killer cocktails later on.

Head Underground for a Drink

The many ocean pools in and around Sydney, including those at Bondi and Bronte, are far less crowded on rainy days, but the views are just as spectacular. Swimming in an ocean pool can be much less intimidating than entering the surf for a dip, but steer clear if the weather turns stormy or the winds pick up.

Take a Dip in an Ocean Pool

What better way to spend a rainy day than sampling the best wines at <a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/urban-winery" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Urban Winery Sydney</a>, the city&rsquo;s only winery? You&rsquo;ll be given a tasting book and six different wines to try &ndash; enjoy the different structures and aromas of each wine over a board of local cheeses and charcuterie. Start the experience as a novice, end as a well-informed local wine expert.

Wine Tasting with Cheese and Charcuterie

Enjoy the peace and quiet inside The State Library of New South Wales &ndash; a unique cultural institution overlooking the Botanic Gardens. Admire the grand architecture of the Mitchell Library Reading Room, enjoy a coffee in the caf&eacute;, or watch a free film screening in the projector room.

Curl up with a Book

Catch a new release or an old classic at one of the cinemas in the city. The Golden Age Cinema has just 56 seats and shows indie films as well as the latest releases, while Palace Central Cinema has a whole beer hall, a Champagne bar and an interactive wine wall as well as various food options. Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on the other hand, is a treasure trove of Art Deco and has an organ which rises out of a stage pit every weekend. There are also plenty of outdoor cinemas in Sydney for when the sun is shining.

Catch a Movie

<a href="https://gocity.com/en/sydney/attractions/virtual-reality-rooms" style="text-decoration:none">Entermission</a> is Sydney&rsquo;s only virtual reality escape room. Grab your friends (up to six people per room) and choose from two adventures, then enter the world of virtual reality. High-tech, real-time hand tracking, and real smells and sensations make this experience truly unforgettable. After your adventure is over, relax and debrief with a complimentary soft drink and biscuits.

Virtual Reality Escape Room

Our guide to rainy days in Sydney includes a tour of Sydney Opera House and a trip to the Australian National Maritime Museum

Things to do in Sydney when it’s Raining | Go City®

Best Day Trips from Sydney

If you're visiting Sydney this year and want to explore the surrounds, check out our guide to the best day trips from the city and get exploring! Including: <ul><li>How many days in Sydney is enough?</li> <li>Is 7 days in Sydney too long?</li> <li>Is it worth visiting Bondi Beach?</li> <li>Best Day Trips from Sydney</li> </ul> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_722998888.jpg" alt="Image of Head, Person, Face, Happy, Smile, Boy, Male, Teen, Adult, Female, Woman, Photography, Portrait, Shorts, Child, Outdoors, " loading="lazy"><h3>How many days in Sydney is enough?</h3> At the lower end, we'd recommend you spend at least four days in Sydney, especially if you're also planning on taking a day trip or two out of the city. There is a metric ton of fun to be had in and around Sydney, and with four days, you'll have time to do enough of it. <h3>Is 7 days in Sydney too long?</h3> If you want to include day trips, seven days is more than enough time to explore the city and all the fun places around it. With a ton of recognizable landmarks to visit and snap, and plenty of lesser-known spots to check out, it will be seven days well spent. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_251986318.jpg" alt="Image of Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Water, Beach, Coast, Shoreline, Person, Scenery, Horizon, Sky, Summer, " loading="lazy"><h3>Is it worth visiting Bondi Beach?</h3> Bondi Beach is arguably Australia's most famous sandy retreat, with flocks of locals and tourists visiting each year to catch sweet waves, soak up some sun, or just go for a swim. With a medley of clubs, bars, and other nighttime revelry going on in the area, you can even make a day of it. Just know that you will be rubbing shoulders with a lot of people, and if you'd rather have a more secluded beach spot, you'll want to look elsewhere. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_174015452.jpg" alt="Image of Beach, Coast, Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Shoreline, Water, Sky, Scenery, Soil, " loading="lazy"><h3><a href="https://www.australia.com/en/places/sydney-and-surrounds/guide-to-palm-beach.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Day Trips from Sydney: Palm Beach</a></h3> Travel time: One hour At the crown of Sydney's Northern Beaches lies Palm Beach, a delightful beach featuring golden sands and crystal-clear water. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Sydney's busier beaches, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind away from prying eyes. En route, stop off at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theboathousepalmbeach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Boathouse</a> for coffee and scones, then head to the colloquially termed "Palmy" and lay your towel. Soak up the rays, take a dip, or go exploring - your choice! For the latter, adventurers can check out <a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/barrenjoey-lighthouse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Battenjoey Lighthouse</a>, the <a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/marine-protected-areas/aquatic-reserves/barrenjoey-head-aquatic-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aquatic Reserve</a>, then head up through <a href="https://australiafree.com.au/blogs/news/palm-beach-lighthouse-walk-smugglers-track" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smugglers Track</a> and enjoy the magnificent views of the beach and the bay. If there was ever a more 'Grammable location, we've not yet found it. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_786282964.jpg" alt="Image of Adventure, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Person, Wilderness, Landscape, Vegetation, Sea, Water, Scenery, Land, Path, Bag, Beach, Coast, Shoreline, Tree, Rainforest, Summer, Rock, Walking, Grass, Backpack, Cliff, Promontory, Trail, Woodland, " loading="lazy"><h3><a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Day Trips from Sydney: Royal National Park</a></h3> Travel time: One hour If you're looking for a little forest exploration on your day trip from Sydney, then why not discover nearly 40 acres of lush bushland, clifftop trails, and secluded swimming spots at Sydney's Royal National Park? If you've got your walking boots on - and plenty of water and snacks - dare to walk to the 16-mile Coast Track. Along here, you'll see ancient art made by the native people, and see caves where they once took shelter. <a href="https://www.australia.com/en/things-to-do/wildlife/whale-watching-in-australia.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On the cliffs themselves, you'll find great spots to see humpback whales</a>. They typically surface between May and November, so while it may be away from peak Aussie summer, you'll get some unforgettable snaps to show off back home! <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_1235157868.jpg" alt="Image of Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Water, Scenery, Promontory, Bridge, Shoreline, Coast, " loading="lazy"><h3><a href="https://int.sydney.com/destinations/south-coast" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Best Day Trips from Sydney: The South Coast</a></h3> Travel time: Just over one hour If you want to see the sights from your car, then take the <a href="http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grand Pacific Drive</a> along the South Coast, where you'll see a ton of places to hop out and explore, as well as photo-ready scenes straight out of a movie. Drive over the mesmerizing Sea Cliff Bridge, and you'll be on your way to the charming seaside towns of Wollongong and Kiama. We'll talk about Wollongong in more detail beneath here, but suffice it to say that it's got a ton of beaches, seaside attractions, and things to see. Kiama, on the other hand, is famous for one thing: the Kiama Blowhole. This blowhole is created thanks to relentless waves passing beneath a hole in the cliff, creating a huge, foamy fountain that will make a social media story to remember. From there, you can try your toes on the <a href="https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama-coast-walk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiama Coast Walk</a>, which will take you to some more secluded seaside spots, or play golf with an audience of kangaroos. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_2025231935.jpg" alt="Image of Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Water, Sea Waves, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Surfing, Head, Face, " loading="lazy"><h3><a href="https://www.visitwollongong.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Day Trips from Sydney: Wollongong</a></h3> Travel time: One and a half hours As we said above, let's talk about Wollongong. It's a beachy suburb around an hour and a half outside of Sydney, and it features a ton of things to do for both thrill-seekers and relaxation-seekers. If you've never tried surfing, head to the <a href="https://illawarrasurfacademy.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illawarra Surf Academy</a> and book a lesson. The waters around Wollongong are primed for wave-catching, and the experts at the surf academy will try their hardest to have you on your board in a couple of hours. You could also head just outside of Wollongong and go hang out with some exotic animals at <a href="https://symbiozoo.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Symbio Wildlife Park</a>. Then, there's the beaches. Wollongong's population is a fraction of Sydney's, so you'll find a ton of pristine sand to go lay your towel, and plenty of sea to dip in without fear of crowds ruining your relaxation buzz. And hey, if you need to up the adrenaline, <a href="https://www.skydive.com.au/sydney-wollongong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">why not try your hand at skydiving?</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dtljonz0f/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/v1/gc-v1/sydney/Shutterstock_1999296815%20(2).jpg" alt="Image of Cliff, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Rock, Mountain, " loading="lazy"><h3><a href="https://www.australia.com/en/places/sydney-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-blue-mountains.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Best Day Trips from Sydney: Blue Mountains</a></h3> Travel time: Around two hours If you're looking for serene, verdant spaces and a whole load of nature to explore, you won't find many better places than the Blue Mountains. Featuring ancient forests, one of the best lookout spots in the country, and delicious food, it's easily one of the best day trips from Sydney. For your views and snaps, head to <a href="https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/echo-point-lookout-three-sisters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Echo Point Lookout</a> and soak up the scenery, including the somewhat famous Three Sisters rock formations. Then, <a href="https://www.hydromajestic.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grab a few plates at Medlow Bath's opulent Hydro Majestic Hotel</a>, which offers afternoon tea with an Art Deco aesthetic. And those were our picks of the best day trips from Sydney! If you're looking for fun-filled activities to fill up the rest of your vacation itinerary, check out Go City! With our <a href="https://gocity.com/sydney/en-us/products/explorer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Explorer Pass</a>, you can see all the city's best bits for one low price!

If you're visiting Sydney this year and want to explore the surrounds, check out our guide to the best day trips from the city and get exploring!

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