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Sydney is a vibrant city that is full of historical sites, and famous landmarks & is located around the picturesque Sydney Harbour. I always love visiting Sydney because you could never run out of things to do. Keep reading as this guide is full of ideas for fun & unusual things to do in Sydney and the surrounding areas.
Many people often mistake Sydney as Australia’s capital city (it’s actually Canberra). But I’d say this is because it’s the busiest international airport in the country & Sydney has landmarks that are recognized all over the world.
I’m excited to share with you this collaboration post! A bunch of awesome travel bloggers have come together with great suggestions on unusual things to do in Sydney.
Explore Sydney’s Harbour by Ferry
Most visitors come to Sydney looking for its famous landmarks and, of course, the stunning Sydney Harbour. So what if I told you that visiting Sydney Harbour via ferry is an absolute must. But seeing the surrounding suburbs that most tourists have never heard of is a bit of a hidden secret most tourists have yet to discover.
There’re many unusual things to do in Sydney, but skipping the tourist traps and enjoying the harbor like the locals do, well, that is pretty special!
To ensure you get a seat, try to stay away from peak times in the morning and evening; the middle of the day or weekends will ensure that your trip is an enjoyable one.
Starting at Circular Quay, head for a day out to Cockatoo Island, where you will discover this UNESCO World-Heritage Listed island. Here you will find the only remaining dry dock that has been built by convicts left in Australia.
Head to Parramatta, where you will find some beautiful spots along the way. Places like Drummoyne and Henley have some lovely walking tracks. Or continue to Parramatta, where you will discover Sydney’s second major city (and second European settlement).
If you choose to visit the North of Sydney, you can not go past a trip to Cremorne Point. Here you will find some great walking tracks but an even better view of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks. Get your camera ready because you will not be disappointed by what you will find at this ferry pier.
If you would like to explore more of the eastern suburb beaches, then head to Watsons Bay. Whether you choose to spend the day relaxing here or walking to Bondi Beach, this part of Sydney is stunning! If you decide to spend the day here, have a drink at The Watson Bay Boutique hotel or enjoy a delicious seafood feast at Doyle’s on the beach.
Special note – remember to purchase an opal card before spending the day ferry hopping.
Submitted by: Paula Barnes from Truly Expat | IG: @trulyexpat
Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge
One of the best things I’ve done while living in Sydney was climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Yep, you heard that right you can take a guided tour to the top of the 134 meter tall Harbour Bridge on Sydney Harbor. You are of course doing this adrenalin-pumping activity with an experienced guide and all the necessary safety equipment. But, nevertheless, this is definitely not an activity for the faint-hearted or those that are afraid of heights!
As you can imagine the views on the climb are out of this world. With 360-degree views of Sydney’s CBD & Sydney Harbour on offer. There’re several tours on offer ranging from the sampler tour to the express tour & most tours take 3.5 hours to complete. The climb to the top of the bridge is no easy feat with 1332 steps and four steep ladders involved to get to the summit.
One of the best tours available is the Vivid Climb which runs from 24th May to 15th June during the annual Vivid Light Festival. Making this an even more unusual thing to do in Sydney!
It’s amazing to see the city and its famous icons like the Opera House lit up in bright colors. You can also undertake the climb at sunset or at dark to see the twinkling lights of the city in the distance.
Over 4 million people have climbed Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, and it’s definitely something to add to your Australian bucket list. Anybody over the age of 8 and with a reasonable level of fitness can complete the bridge climb.
Submitted by: Aimee from Snap Happy Travel | IG: @snaphappytravel
Visiting Luna Park in Sydney
Luna Park is located in Milson’s Point, a picturesque suburb located at the base of the Harbour Bridge. And, the famed Opera House is visible in the distance. One of the most popular family-friendly activities in Sydney. Luna Park has been open since 1935 and has been delighting locals and tourists since.
The entrance is marked by the famous open-mouthed caricature, so, be sure to stop and get a photo with this Sydney icon. You can walk along the boardwalk around the Park to take in some fantastic views of the Opera House, Lavender Bay, the harbour & beyond.
Luna Park is home to four roller coasters and other thrill rides like the Volare (a wave swinger ride) and the Tango Train (a speeding train ride). As well as several family rides like the carousel and dodgems. There’s certainly a ride here to please every member of the family. There are also many sideshow games, where you have the chance to win yourself a souvenir to take home.
At Luna Park, there are also food options including a diner, a gelato bar, and a wine bar (for the adults). It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here.
Trains run frequently from Sydney’s CBD and elsewhere into Milsons Point Station or you can also catch a ferry here from Circular Quay.
If you plan to drive yourself, beware parking at Luna Park can work out quite costly.
Submitted by: Aimee from Snap Happy Travel | IG: @snaphappytravel
Join a Ghost Tour at The Rocks
A stroll around The Rocks in Sydney will no doubt reveal its history as one of the oldest parts of Sydney. Beautiful sandstone structures and some cobblestoned streets are remnants of the past and sordid history of hardship, crime, and disease.
Given there’re still buildings that date back to the 1800s, and several pubs claiming to be the oldest in Australia. It’s really no surprise to hear the stories of ghosts and hauntings that go hand in hand with this beautiful and historic part of Sydney.
So one of the most interesting and unusual things to do in Sydney is taking a ghost tour of The Rocks!
The tour will take you to parts of The Rocks that you might not have found on your own. Down alleyways to the rear of original buildings with their corrugated iron fencing, with new buildings just a stone’s throw away. Hear the stories of gang murders and dare to stand on the step where people have felt touched and seen heads appear from the door.
The walking tour has exclusive access to a set of ruins in the basement of a modern apartment block. The remains of an early 1800s cottage that was discovered during construction. Some of the foundations remain, along with a fireplace and a well that had the body of a woman found at the bottom.
Irrespective of what you believe, it’s a fascinating glimpse into Sydney’s past and a great way to see a part of the city you are unlikely to discover on your own.
Submitted by: Holly from Globeblogging | IG: @globeblogging
Spend a Day at Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach rarely escapes the radar of any visitor to Sydney! It’s home to both the city’s best-known beach and most popular coastal walk. Both are great reasons to make sure you spend some time here, but there is more. With dozens of great cafes, some cool shops, and plenty of spots for an afternoon bevy, Bondi is a great place to start or end any day in Sydney.
When you have done the Coogee walk, one of the next things to tick off your list is a morning swim at Icebergs. The iconic swimming club has been challenging swimmers year-round since 1929. And, it’s the only winter swimming club in the world. A lap or two here is a must. They also offer morning yoga classes. Later in the day, this is a brilliant spot for sunset drinks.
Another must in Bondi is to enjoy a classic Sydney Brunch. Bondi has dozens of fabulous cafes serving breakfasts that are not only healthy but also very pretty and perfect for your Instagram feed. Speedos is a top choice and offers fantastic views over the beach from its North Bondi location. And, Porch & Parlour & Bennet Street Dairy are also fab.
Also, try and visit Bondi on the weekend, so you can experience even more of the unusual things to do in Sydney!
On weekends, the next stop should be the Bondi Market, held on the grounds of the local public school across the road from the beach. Find local products ranging from skincare and fashion and delicious treats.
Then, also spend some time on the shopping strip at Bondi. A pleasant change from mall shopping with lots of unique shops you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
Head to Aquabumps Gallery in Curlewis St to view photographer Eugene Tan’s amazing collection of shots of the beach & surroundings. And, another favorite is Gertrude and Alice’s bookshop cafe on Hall Street. This local guide to Bondi has lots more ideas for what to eat and see when you visit.
Bondi is just under 10km from Sydney’s city center. So the easiest way to get here is to jump on the 333 bus from either the city or Bondi Junction train station.
Submitted by: Paula Morgan from Sydney Expert
Sydney Coastal Walk & See the Unusual Sculptures by the Sea
Sculptures by the Sea is a one-of-a-kind exhibition in Sydney that takes place every year. For several weeks you’ll be able to see beautiful statues with one of the most stunning backdrops in the city and maybe even the country.
A mix of both international & local artists are invited to exhibit their best work which will be shown to thousands of visitors.
The Sculptures by the Sea exhibition is put on in both Sydney & Perth although the Sydney version is usually much larger. It takes place on the Bondi to Coogee Beach walk which is very popular in Sydney.
It begins in Sydney at Bondi Beach and is around 6 kilometers long. However, due to the narrow path and the rocky area, it takes around 2 to 3 hours to complete. With beautiful sculptures to enjoy it might take you even longer though so factor in a bit more time.
Bondi Beach is one of the best beaches on the East Coast of Australia! So after you’ve enjoyed the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition you should go for a swim in the crystal clear waters.
The beach is also famous for its surfing opportunities so if you know how to surf you should definitely head out. And, Bondi is also a great place to grab a snack before you go on the walk. While parking spots are limited you will most likely find one a few minutes away. There’re also several bus lines going through Bondi so you can also arrive by public transport.
Submitted by: Victoria from Guide Your Travel | IG: @guideyourtravel_
Blue Mountains Day Trip From Sydney
Sydney’s wild backyard, the Blue Mountains are home to steep cliffs, soaring waterfalls, iconic lookouts, and eucalyptus forests. The region owes its name to the latter because the droplets of eucalyptus oil evaporating through the leaves cover the mountains in a blue haze.
From enjoying the view at one of the many lookouts, hiking, or chasing waterfalls, the things to do in the Blue Mountains are plenty. One of the places you absolutely can not miss is the rock formation of the Three Sisters near the town of Katoomba. You can either explore it on the easy Three Sisters walk or admire it at a distance from the lookout at Echo Point.
Echo Point is only one of many incredible lookouts in the Blue Mountains. Some of the best ones to visit are Govetts Leap Lookout, Lincolns Rock, and Pulpit Lookout. Make sure you visit at least one of them to snap some typical pictures of the eucalyptus-covered, hazy blue mountains.
If you like a little more exercise, combine the lookouts with one of the many incredible hikes in the Blue Mountains. Probably the most spectacular hike in the area is the Grand Canyon track. The 6 km circuit leads through lush native forest, past waterfalls, & rock overhangs. Making you feel like you just stepped into a real-life Jurassic Park.
The close proximity to the city makes a day trip to the Blue Mountains one of the best & unusual things to do while in Sydney. Traveling by car, you can get to Katoomba, the main town in the area, within 1.5 hours. And if you are traveling by train, the Blue Mountains Line takes you from Sydney Central to Katoomba in only 2 hours.
Submitted by: Sara from Sara Far Away | IG: @sarafaraway_
I hope you’ve found this article helpful and it’s getting you excited to start exploring Sydney. Comment below which of these unusual things to do in Sydney interests you the most?
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this article!
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
Now that Australia has finally reopened the international borders I cannot wait to get there and visit all the spooky things of this list. I am totally captivated by the bridge climb and the luna Park. Thanks for the great suggestions!
Yes it’s finallllyyy open 🤗 That’s so good to hear, we can’t wait to have you
oooh i feel like this is such a unique guide to sydney, i would love to follow it!
That’s awesome, thank you so much
I love Sydney. Well I grew up there. There are some great things to do on your list.
So many good tips there! I would love to do the ghost tour one day, had no idea that there are buildings dating back to 1800’s. Of course, a visit to the beach is a must and the sculptures look pretty incredible too.
Thank you so much, very glad you found it helpful
I love Sydney so much! I’ve been there a few times and even lived in the city for 6 months and the one thing I never got to do was go to Luna Park. Added to my bucket list! Great list and suggestions!