The 14 things to do in Sydney

What to do in Sydney, Australia’s most populous city?

So what? Canberra is the official capital of Australia, it is the city of Sydney which gathers the most voice: its charm, its economic activity, its architecture, its curiosities attract as many tourists as the Australians themselves. Sydney, a very pleasant city to live where there are a lot of things to discover. Even before leaving, take a porthole seat for your flight because your arrival above the city will be spectacular.

Are you ready from the other side of the globe? We have gathered for you the activities and unmissable visits to Sydney. Let’s go folks!

1. Sydney Opera (Opera House)

How do I pass next to what is probably the very symbol of the city? To be discovered from day to night, the opera is admired from all angles because it is located on a peninsula and is therefore very exposed to all curious looks. It is recognized to its roof which is made of white granite tiles and which are self-cleaning. The opera represents a sort of gigantic sailboat or a shell that can be cut into several slices, like as many orange peels.

2. Queen Victoria

Another emblematic building in the city of Sydney, surely the most charismatic even. Designed at the end of the 19th century, it is now a magnificent shopping centre, the European equivalent of Harrod’s. All the biggest brands of perfumes are present but also ready-to-wear, handmade pieces or costumes. It is a very well organized building: each floor is specialized in a type of products. For interior decoration, it is possible to observe stained glass in the stairwells, and paintings come to adorn the red walls. What to walk around in all nonchalances or to simply make his shopping!

3. The Harbour Bridge

Also called the Old Cintre because of its shape, this unique bridge is located right in front of the Opera. Long time it was considered the highest bridge in the world (134 m above sea level) but also the longest bridge with more than one kilometre of road. It remains to date the widest in any case with 50 meters wide. It was built in the 20-30s and is, for the heart of the Australians, the symbol of technological success. Today it is possible to climb to the top of the bridge bow .

4. The observation tower (Sydney Tower Eye)

This is the highest building in all Sydney with a height of 305 m. A symbol of contemporary architecture. This tower dominates the business centre and can be seen from any quarter of the city. Don’t hesitate to go up on his window to have a 360° view of Sydney as a whole. Breathe!

5. Chinatown

Like in New York or Chicago, Sydney also has its Chinese quarter located in Haymarket, between Harbour Bridge and Central Station. An extremely lively, very colourful area with lots of restaurants but also stalls in the street to offer you a massage. This is not all because this neighborhood is full of curiosities like video clubs specializing in Chinese cinema, hairdressers, sluts where to eat noodles at low prices, street shows... Sydney’s Chinatown is surrounded by gates with a definitively oriental architecture. A city in the city. Just incredible.

6. Saint Mary’s Cathedral (St Mary’s Cathedral)

Built in 1868, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and is exactly where the first Catholic chapel of all Australia is located. With its recognizable gothic style, its limestone stone, which evokes the great medieval European cathedrals, the Cathedral of St Mary is unveiled near Hyde Park.

7. The aquarium

This aquarium has a very large collection of fish of all kinds absolutely unheard of. It is estimated that it contains 13,000 animals from 650 different species of seawater and freshwater. It is composed of theme areas, namely a space for crocodiles, one for hippocampes, another for poisonous fish, another for turtles. But the main curiosity of this aquarium remains the corner to the sharks, which is one of Australia’s “specialties”: by borrowing a tunnel at the bottom for visitors, you will be able to observe them from all angles, below, above, beside you. Note how impressive white sharks are!

8. Botanic Garden

All Australian cities have their botanical gardens, but Sydney’s garden is in no way comparable: it is from this garden that we have the most beautiful views of the Opera but also on the skyline with these skyscrapers that only ask to devour the horizon. You must discover all these trees, some of which are filled with bats, or flying foxes ( flyingfoxes ) as they say over there.

9. The Rocks neighbourhood

It was the place where the English sailors of the 1st Fleet landed in 1788 and set up for the first time in Australia. Today, it is the old metropolitan area where you can discover historical pubs, archaeological sites, a store recreated as if you were in 1915 but also a Gothic church, paved roads... A very crowded neighborhood that will give you joy at all levels.

10. Captain Cook's ship

In Sydney Harbour, there is the exact replica of the Endeavour (or The Tentative in French), the famous sailboat of Captain Cook, the one who discovered Australia. Go to see him, you risk being surprised: the boat is not very big and that indicates the courage that it took this man to brave the waves and the oceans from his fortune boat. Today, this boat is visitable at the Marine Museum in Sydney.

11. Circular Quay

It is surely the best spot in Sydney to enjoy and admire the bay of this city. The water is quiet, the iodine tickles your nostrils: located a few meters from the Botanic Garden, you will feel like you are already at sea. The panorama is fantastic: on the one hand there is the Opera and on the other the Sydney Bridge. Then, to the west, you will let yourself be invaded by these skyscrapers images while at your feet, some fish and jogglers race on the dam. A perfect place for an unforgettable moment.

12. The beaches of Sydney

Sydney is also the beaches, beautiful stretches of sand where all surfers meet, ready to launch in waves up to 5 m high. A water at 21° in the spring where you can swim without fear of seeing a shark fins! Bondi Beach is the most famous but you can also take the ferry and go to Manly, also very nice. On the east of Bondi, take the path that passes above the outdoor pool and walk along the ocean to Coogee Beach. The walk is superb and allows you to pass through the beaches of Tamarama and Bronte.

13. The Blue Mountains

Although technically located outside Sydney, these natural wonders are really worth a visit. ♪ Blue Mountains offer breathtaking views from Echo Point on Megalong Valley, and see the rock formations of the Three Sisters ("three sisters") in Katoomba. Discover Aboriginal culture to Waradah Aboriginal Centre and meet kangaroos and koalas in their natural environment in Featherdale Wildlife Park . This scenic trip from Sydney also takes you to the iconic Harbour Bridge and passes through the Olympic Park stadiums, site of the 2000 Olympic Games.

In the heart of the Blue Mountains, it is also possible to explore the magnificent underground caves of Jenolan, the caves more known and visited from Australia. A guide will lead you through these ancient limestone caves that are several hundred million years old.

14. More ideas for visits to Sydney

• New South Wales Art Gallery
• The Strand Arcade for shopping under a Victorian arcade
• Hyde Park
• Hanged bird cages (" Forgotten Songs"), a work that is found in Angle Place laneway

Sydney: How to get there? Where to stay?

The flights from France to Australia, and in this case Sydney, are long (about 20h or more) and therefore require at least one stopover in Asia or the Middle East. Vietnam Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Air France... the companies are numerous. According to your dates of stay, do not hesitate to use the flight comparison Ulysses .

To stay in a city like Sydney , the accommodation is quite expensive. If you are in Sydney to start a Working Holiday or if you want to save on accommodation and enjoy your activities, you will find many "backpacker hostels", hostels at about $25-35 AUD at night. Book early for the new year or during major events taking place in Sydney during the year. Whether you're looking for a cheap hotel or a comfortable hotel, use this Compare hotels .

Have you visited Sydney?