From the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Queen Victoria Building, Manly beach, and so much more, Sydney tourist attractions are so numerous that choosing which ones to visit can be a real challenge.
The capital of New South Wales, Sydney, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and for good reason, because there’s more to see than you could fit into a whole year! Circular Quay is a central location in Sydney with various attractions and is close to landmarks like the Sydney Opera House.
Out of all the possibilities, today we want to take a look at nine touristy things to do in Sydney. Let’s take a look at some of the best attractions in Sydney and why you might want to visit them, starting with a scenic helicopter ride over the Sydney harbor sea bridge.
1. A Scenic Helicopter Ride Over Sydney Harbour Bridge
If you want to see Sydney in all of its glory, then there's nothing better than taking a scenic helicopter ride over Sydney harbour bridge.
Offered by Rotor One, you can take a twenty-minute flight over some of Sydney’s most popular attractions, including Coogee Beach, the Sydney central business district, Sydney harbour bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Prime Minister’s residence, Watsons Bay, Bondi beach, and so much more! You'll even get a great view.
Flying at 1,000 feet in the air, you’ll get a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city, followed by a descent to 500 feet so you can get a close-up view of the most iconic beaches in Sydney and a glimpse at Sydney Harbour National Park.
Who knows, once you’re done with your flight, you might be so inspired that you go on the Coogee coastal walk! You’d be hard pressed to find a better way to enjoy the scenic world of Sydney than with a helicopter ride over Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2. Blue Mountains Tour
If you’d like to venture out of Sydney city for the day and see all of the natural wonders that South Wales has to offer, a trip to the Blue Mountains might be in your wheelhouse. The Blue Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful sights that the whole country has to offer, with spectacular wildlife and fauna that are sure to fill up your camera roll as you take pictures galore.
Experience this wonderful mountain range in all of its glory as you fly overtop on your Blue Mountains helicopter tour.
Although keeping your feet planted firmly on the ground is fine for a while, if you’re going to visit Sydney, taking to skies for a top-down view is highly recommended, because that’s how you’ll cover the most ground in as little time as possible while experiencing some truly awesome scenery.
Your helicopter tour will guide you overtop this UNESCO world heritage site, with the Wentworth Falls making for a fantastic photo opportunity as you take in the peaks and valleys of the Blue Mountains. Don’t forget to look at the Sydney skyline on the flight back!
3. A Trip to the Sydney Opera House
Speaking of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you really can’t visit Sydney without seeing the world-famous Opera House. Located near Circular Quay, a hub for various attractions and activities, the Sydney Opera House has been standing for over 50 years, and in that time has seen thousands of theatrical, musical, and artistic performances every year, hosting some of the world’s most renowned operas, symphonies, plays, ballets, and more!
Once you’re done watching the show, enjoy Bennelong, the resident restaurant in the Sydney Opera House that is home to some of the city’s finest dining. As far as fine dining restaurants are concerned, Bennelong offers some of the highest quality morsels of food found in the whole city.
If you’re visiting Sydney and you’d like to experience culture at its finest, then this is the way to go. Speaking of art and culture, if that’s the direction you’d like to take on your Sydney trip, don’t forget to venture over to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, home to some of the city’s finest contemporary art.
4. Going on a Sydney Wildlife Experience
If seeing wildlife is your thing, and you’d rather hold off on seeing the Sydney Zoo for another day or two, then going on a Sydney wildlife experience might be right for you. Another key attraction in Sydney is the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, which offers a unique representation of Australia's diverse ecosystems through ten themed zones. What we’re talking about here is a five-hour helicopter experience that sees you flying over some of Sydney’s best landmarks, culminated by a two-hour guided tour of a walkabout wildlife park with a park Ranger.
It all starts with a 30-minute coastal flight over the Sydney Opera House, harbour bridge, and all of the northern beaches, and once you get to the walkabout wildlife park, you’ll be taken on a private guided tour where you’ll get to see some of Australia’s most iconic animals while learning about the rich history of this aboriginal cultural site.
Rotor One never fails to impress, which is why as an optional add-on, this tour also offers a spectacular seafood lunch at the brand new 8 at Trinity, a five-star restaurant with waterfront views.
5. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden
Your Sydney trip wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, home to thousands upon thousands of exotic plants that will leave you in awe.
If the golden sands of Sydney’s beaches weren’t enough to satisfy your need for natural beauty, then the Royal Botanical Gardens should satisfy your craving.
It’s divided into a variety of lush gardens with native and exotic plants alike. It also happens to be located close to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, another Sydney attraction certainly worth seeing.
6. Hunter Valley Winery Tour
As far as seeing some of the most beautiful sights that Sydney has to offer, you would be hard to find something more stunning than the gorgeous Hunter Valley. In terms of wineries and vineyards, Hunter Valley is a prime destination in all of Australia, something you definitely don't want to miss on your Sydney trip.
Home to some of the highest-ranking vineyards in the world, experience their cellar doors, wine tasting, pairings, and so much more, with one of the most popular Sydney attractions at Hunter Valley being Leogate Estate. Leogate Estate is located right at the foot of the Brokenback Ranges, offering one of the best views far and wide.
Once you’re done going through a wine tasting, don’t forget to enjoy the culinary delights at the award-winning The Gates Restaurant. To experience Hunter Valley in its fullest, take a helicopter winery tour from Sydney, complete with a 45-minute private flight per way, wine tasting, a three-course lunch, and more!
7. Explore the Culinary Delights of the Sydney CBD
If your idea of attractions in Sydney involves a mix of culture, fine dining, vibrant nightlife, and exploration, then checking out Sydney’s CBD is the way to go. The CBD, or the central business district, is located in the city centre, making it easy to get to and move around. Circular Quay is also part of the central area and offers various dining and cultural experiences.
Take a trip down George Street, one of the most iconic streets in the CBD, which happens to be home to world-class restaurants that serve some of the most tantalizing meals.
Once you’re done indulging yourself with food and wine, take a stroll down Oxford Street. It’s where you might find a shopping center or two, all while getting to see some dancing city lights.
8. See Taronga Zoo
If you’d love to see some native Australian animals, as well as some of the most stunning exotic animals from around the world, then there’s really no better place to visit than Taronga zoo. It’s a great place for you and the whole family to see what the world of wildlife has to offer.
Related, Taronga Zoo isn’t the only place in Sydney where you can see some amazing animals. The Featherdale Wildlife Park and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, which features over 13,000 aquatic animals and unique experiences like swimming with sharks, are both worth checking out as well. See all three in one day to get your fix of cute and cuddly animals, and some with sharp teeth too!
9. Spend the Day at Luna Park
Luna Park Sydney is perhaps the most iconic amusement park in all of New South Wales, home to dozens upon dozens of rides for the whole family, from child-friendly rides and games to exhilarating rollercoasters that will have your heart pumping faster than you’ve ever experienced.
Luna Park Sydney is certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country as far as families are concerned, and for good reason. You can spend a whole day there and you won't even be able to ride half of the attractions.
Why Sydney Makes for a Great Tourist Destination
The reason why Sydney makes for such a great tourist destination is very simple, because it features a combination of natural beauty and a bustling city environment.
If you are someone who likes to be in the middle of it all, then staying in the city centre and experiencing the fine dining of Sydney’s CBD is for you. That’s not far away from an Australian museum or two, the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, and so much more.
For those who are more into the natural beauty that Australia has to offer, attractions such as Shelly Beach, Botany Bay, Rose Bay, Cockatoo Island, Clark Island, and all of the coastal walks are primed for you.
Let’s not forget the scenic world that you get to experience when you tour the Hunter Valley from high above in your own private helicopter ride from Rotor One!
The bottom line is that whether you like the hustle and bustle of the city itself, with attractions such as Luna Park Sydney and the Sydney Tower, or you prefer a more natural and holistic approach to your Sydney trip with visits to the zoo and more, it’s a city that has something for everyone.
