Ultimate Guide to Sydney Activities & Attractions 2026

In 2010, the Hyde Park Barracks was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site as an Australian Convict Site. This beautiful Victorian building contains three stories of retail shops and small restaurants. This historic building is one of the best places to go shopping in Sydney.
Its modern design beautifully contrasts with the historic buildings in The Rocks area. Enjoying the art both inside and outside the museum is a treat. Animal encounters are available for a more personal experience. You can feed giraffes, pet a koala, or immersive theater watch daily animal presentations. These special experiences create unforgettable memories for visitors.

Children aged 8 to 15 inclusive must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of three children per adult. Keep an eye out for school holiday Bridge Climb deals for kids. After an award-winning school holiday program that kids will love? The hands-on camp offers a range of fun craft and coding activities, perfect for ages 5 to 13. There are heaps of super convenient locations scattered across Australia and two- or three-day options with prices starting at $275.
This heritage walk packs significant Australian history and spectacular views into an easy stroll. The track begins at Watsons Bay, passing Camp Cove – the first landing place of the First Fleet before they moved on to Sydney Cove. The beach is popular with locals who prefer its calmer waters to the ocean beaches.
Spring forward with these must-see events to ring in the new season. Fill your spring calendar with markets, festivals and storytelling. See highlights of the festive season including free concerts, markets, light displays and the tallest Christmas tree in NSW. Our top picks of theatre, music, dance and live performance to make the most of a jam-packed line-up of event from 8 to 25 January. Fun, creative and active ideas to keep kids entertained all summer long.

Darling Harbour is one of Sydney’s most flourishing and diverse areas, full of parks and green spaces beside one-off attractions. Surry Hills and Paddington are excellent choices for boutique shopping, vibrant cafes, and a more local, artsy atmosphere. When it comes to booking accommodation in Sydney, choices are abundant, so it all depends on your situation and who you're travelling with. L’Heritage, a quaint French restaurant in an old army drill hall overlooking Chowder Bay, was always going to be an unexpected delight in Sydney.
One of the greatest Sydney family activities is a day at heritage-listed amusement park Luna Park Sydney. Plus there are indoor and outdoor sports activities galore and fun programs for kids over the school holidays. It features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities for kids to explore, including hands-on workshops, art classes, special events and exhibitions. The Australian National Maritime Museum located in the harbour city of Sydney is one of the largest maritime museums in the world. There are combo tickets available to visit some of the other popular attractions in Sydney too, including Wildlife Sydney, Madame Tussauds and the Sydney Tower Eye. From unique attractions like the Taronga Zoo to classic experiences such as taking a harbour cruise around the city, there are plenty of options for parents and kids alike.

It helps that Gowings Bar & Grill is one of the best hotel restaurants in the country, and the street-level, Parisian-indebted Parlour is equally indulgent. For classic couples who want to spin around that old-school glamour of Australia’s very first five-star hotel reborn. There are two  excellent restaurants and two classy bars to keep you busy for a day or three, plus the suites are generously sized, comfortable and contemporary. The location also means you and your loved one have Sydney CBD’s greatest hits at your fingertips. We recommend putting together a crawl around the many brewery tasting rooms in Brookvale like Bucketty’s Brewing Co. and Dad & Dave’s Brewing.
The Woolpack Hotel’s Tuesday night trivia (7pm) is a popular drawcard, so get in early for a table (you can check out our full list of Sydney's best pub trivia nights over here). With shorter days and longer nights, it’s the best time of year to spook yourself silly with one of Q Station’s Ghostly Encounters. This one is scary enough that it's only available for people aged 15 and over, and people under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Heffron Park Markets occur every third Sunday of the month, bringing the fun to Bunnerong Road in Maroubra.

The kitchen is particularly good – all the original copper pots and cooking equipment are still there. The gardeners have done an amazing job keeping the colonial plants alive, including some varieties you won’t find anywhere else in Sydney. It’s perfectly positioned for a rest stop before or after walking across the Harbour Bridge, or as part of a historic pub crawl through The Rocks. Australia’s oldest library is worth visiting even if you don’t usually have libraries on your to do list. The Mitchell Reading Room’s soaring ceilings and glass dome make it one of Sydney’s most beautiful spaces.
This eco-luxury experience allows visitors to stay overnight within the zoo's serene natural surroundings. The experience includes guided tours and a looks behind-the-scenes before the zoo opens to the public. Sydney shines with its iconic harbour, golden beaches, vibrant culture, and stunning coastal walks.
The best way to view the panarama of lights is on a Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise. Cruise around the waterways of Sydney at night viewing the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour and more in the spectacular light display of Vivid Sydney. Select your cruise and dates and book online today with Experience Oz. Bondi Beach surf lessons are suitable for beginners with no experience necessary.

There are plenty of operators to choose from, whether you’re after a luxury yacht or a small catamaran. Sydney's spectacular natural environment provides endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Explore coastal walks with breathtaking ocean views, discover national parks within the city limits, or enjoy harbour-side recreation in this outdoor paradise.