Things to Do in And around Sydney

Are you planning your trip to Sydney and wonder what there is to do? Don’t worry, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained while in Sydney. I put together some of my favorite things to do in and around Sydney for you.

Bridge Climb Sydney

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is definitely an important part of Sydney’s cityscape. Think about how much fun it would be to get a 360-degree view of the city from up there while hearing about its history, the construction of the bridge and other fun facts.

There are different climbs you can do, varying in their length and the route taken. I’d definitely recommend doing one where you go all the way up to the middle of the arch! This is a view not to be missed.

Seriously, I loved the Bridge Climb so much, I kept asking our group leader about how she got her job and how she liked it – already making plans in my head to get a working visa for Australia just to do this job.

Dinner at the Altitude Restaurant

While we are on the topic of amazing views, this is another great one. Located at the top of the Shangri-La Hotel is the Altitude Restaurant. They offer brunch and dinner. To be fair, this is probably way over most backpacker’s budgets for food (I only got to do it because my dad was visiting me) but I thought I’d mention it anyway.

If you are in Sydney and want to treat yourself, this is the way to go. There are vegan options available for each course, so just talk to your waiter. To make it even more special, make sure to make your reservation (which you should definitely do) for sunset.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, you can also go to the Blu Bar located right next to the Altitude Restaurant. A drink will still cost you more than a backpacker’s usual dinner but it is definitely way cheaper than brunch or dinner.

Pro Tip: For good views of the opera and the Sydney Harbour Bridge while on a budget, I recommend staying at the YHA Sydney Harbour. They are located almost directly next to the Shangri-La hotel. In addition, they have a rooftop terrace from which you can get the same view (just 33 levels below). But no kidding, the view is amazing and if you take your food up to the terrace, you can create your own dinner with a view.

Explore the City

Of course, there is so much to see and do in Sydney, you could just stroll around for ages without getting bored. Stay tuned for my blog post on how to explore Sydney by foot coming up here within the next few days.

Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk

If you are a beach lover like me, you will love this walk. It extends for six km in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. I’m talking six km full of beautiful beaches, bays, rock pools and cliffs. Of course, there are some nice restaurants and cafes along the way as well.

This walk will take you anywhere from 1 ½ hours to a full day, depending on how often and for how long you stop to admire the views, rest at the beach or go for a swim. Definitely a must of the things to do in and around Sydney! My highlight was the pole at Bondi Beach.

Blue Mountains Trip

Located two hours outside of Sydney, is the Greater Blue Mountains Heritage Area. The one million hectares (!!!) of forests, canyons and waterfalls are definitely worth a visit. It is best explored if you have a car but there are also trains and buses going there from the city center, as well as many tours.

A blog post on why you should take a close look at the different tour operators will be coming up here shortly.

Manly Beach

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to go here. But this beach is not only one of the most popular ones in Australia, it’s also located just a 30-minute ferry ride away from Circular Quay. So, definitely go check it out when you’re in Sydney!

As you can see, there are a lot of things to do in and around Sydney. As always, let me know about your experiences!