Explore the best things to do around Sydney Harbour

From its hidden beaches to iconic landmarks, Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Whether you’re looking for adventure or nature, culture or dining with a view, there’s something for every taste and budget. Here are the top things to do around Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Australia, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera House – and there are endless ways to take in the views. But there are also hidden gems to explore around this dazzling waterway, including secret parks and beaches, major galleries and museums, and memorable restaurants and bars.

Whether you’re on foot, a ferry, in a kayak with the family… or simply relaxing with a glass of wine in hand, here are the top things to do around Sydney Harbour.  

Whichever angle you glance it from, Sydney Harbour dazzles. And not in the least thanks to its numerous iconic landmarks, like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can stand at Circular Quay - where ferries come and go - and enjoy an amazing view. But there are plenty of other vantage points to take in the sights.

BridgeClimb Sydney offers a range of different experiences that give you a fresh perspective of the city, taking you 134 metres above Sydney Harbour to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can opt to go at sunrise or sunset, or any time in between. You can also sign up for the Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience in the company of a First Nations guide, to learn about the significant Indigenous sites and 65,000 years worth of history that makes the city so special. Whichever climb you choose, the views are spectacular.

Enjoy the city from a different perspective when you drop in for drinks at Hyde Hacienda within the Pullman Grand Quay Sydney, offering stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It’s a similar outlook from Opera Bar, at the base of the legendary Sydney Opera House.

Tip: You can walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge (at ground level) for free, taking in those amazing views without opening your wallet. 

You can cruise across Sydney Harbour for a handful of dollars on one of the city’s ferries, taking you to destinations like Manly, Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo and Luna Park. Every cruise gives you unbelievable views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as other iconic attractions.

There are plenty of other ways to extend your stay out on the water. Tribal Warrior offers an Indigenous perspective of Sydney Harbour, dropping you off at a number of islands to gain insights into Aboriginal history. Meanwhile, pull up the sails on a jaunt with Sydney Harbour Tall Ships, whether during whale migration (May to November) or for lunch on a sunny weekend. Sydney Showboats adds an element of drama with cabaret-themed entertainment aboard a paddle steamer cruising Sydney Harbour.   

Captain Cook Cruises offers a number of memorable experiences across Sydney Harbour, from sightseeing to adventures paired with food and wine - both at lunch and dinner. And if you’re looking to splash out - literally - there are many companies (like Sydney Luxury Cruise) that can take you on a private charter around Sydney Harbour, incorporating champagne and gourmet meals, and dropping you off at hidden beaches.

Tip: If you’re visiting during whale migration (May through November), you can take a whale watching cruise with a number of operators. 

Dining with a Sydney Harbour view caters to all tastes and budgets. There are plenty of special-occasion restaurants, like award-winning Quay in the Overseas Passenger Terminal and with views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. On the opposite side of Circular Quay you’ll find Aria Restaurant, delivering unbeatable Sydney Harbour Bridge views while just a few steps from the Sydney Opera House. 

Even closer to the action are Bennelong and Midden by Mark Olive, both of which sit inside the Sydney Opera House itself. Prepare to be wowed by views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and ferries coming and going over Sydney Harbour. The latter restaurant is named after a sacred Aboriginal site that was once where the Sydney Opera House now sits, and features a menu heroing native Australian produce.

Within the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour hotel you’ll find Q Dining and Hyde Hacienda, both of which offer unbroken views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The former takes inspiration from the land and sea that surrounds, while Hyde Hacienda features a more casual menu and excellent cocktails and wines. Step outside the Pullman and you’re directly at Whalebridge, where there’s nothing between you and the water.

Or jump on a ferry at Circular Quay and ride over Sydney Harbour to Doyles on the Beach at Watsons Bay, where the menu is dedicated to sustainable seafood. You can also catch the ferry to Manly from Circular Quay - once you dock you’re just steps from Hugos Manly, with indoor and outdoor dining options right beside the water.

Head to the Champagne Bar at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour to enjoy the world’s finest bubbles while gazing over the lights of Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. Not far away at Dawes Point you can discover a hidden gem Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf, with indoor and outdoor dining and some of the best views you’ll find of Sydney Harbour.

Other popular restaurants with a Sydney Harbour view include buzzing Italian seafood restaurant Ormeggio at the Spit; Catalina in Rose Bay, right next to Sydney’s seaplane terminal; and the Bathers’ Pavilion, where multiple restaurants and bars sit in a heritage building overlooking Balmoral Beach and Sydney Harbour beyond.

Families exploring the city are spoilt for choice when it comes to fun things to do around Sydney Harbour. Top of the list is Taronga Zoo Sydney, where you can admire the much-loved animals, learn about conservation efforts and gaze over the water all the way to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Tip: Catch the ferry here from Circular Quay.

You can also catch the ferry (it’s a short ride) to Luna Park, an amusement and theme park that sits pretty (almost) right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Endless rides and games await, and there’s a scenic foreshore walk if you want to stretch your legs.

The Darling Harbour precinct is a magnet for inquisitive families, home to a parade of interactive attractions. Check out native Australian animals like koalas, kangaroos and snakes  at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. Then take a deep dive at neighbouring SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, a haven for sharks, rays, reef fish, little penguins and more, or Madame Tussauds. Or make a day of it and see all three using a discounted pass.

On the opposite curve of Darling Harbour is the Australian National Maritime Museum, where you can jump aboard historic ships moored out front or get hands-on at interactive exhibits exploring Australia’s long maritime history.

Speaking of long histories… a number of walking tours offer an Indigenous perspective of Sydney Harbour. Aunty Margret leads you on a stroll around The Rocks neighbourhood at Circular Quay on her Dreamtime Southern X tours, giving you the chance to linger under the Sydney Harbour Bridge while discovering Aboriginal artefacts and Dreaming stories. You can also take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Barangaroo, Sydney’s newest precinct, built on ancient land.

If you’re feeling spooky, Q Station Manly sits within Sydney Harbour National Park. Check into one of the rooms, then take an evening ghost tour around this historic site. 

From kayaking and sailing to stand-up paddleboarding and jet-boating, there are so many ways to explore Sydney Harbour from the water. If you want to go at your own pace, you can hire kayaks by the hour from the likes of Manly Kayak Centre, giving you a different perspective of North Harbour and opening up a world of hidden beaches replete with fairy penguins and even waterfalls. Sydney Harbour Kayaks operates from the Spit Bridge at Middle Harbour, and like Manly Kayak Centre offers rentals as well as lessons and guided tours.

HBR PNY has kayak and paddle boat rentals at a number of locations around Sydney, including Balmain Wharf, Annandale, Glebe and Rozelle. Jump in and paddle out to Sydney Harbour islands, then drop in at the Sydney Fish Market for a feast with a view.

You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards from Rose Bay Aquatic Hire, then push off to enjoy stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, the Sydney Opera House, Shark Island and more. Sydney by Kayak offers some of the most memorable water tours in the city, taking you around the Sydney Opera House and even under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sunrise, champagne and coffee can all be included in your experience.   

For a rush like no other, Oz Jet Boating, Thunder Jet Boat and Harbour Jet zip you around Sydney Harbour’s iconic attractions at a fast pace. It’s a thrill to see the city from this perspective - just be prepared to get a little wet. 

Tip: Did you know you can swim in Sydney Harbour at Barangaroo? Bring your swimsuit and towel and go for a dip in protected Marrinawi Cove. 

Connect with nature and see Sydney Harbour at your own pace, wandering through The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney adjacent to the Sydney Opera House. You can also take a tour here to learn about (and taste) native flora, all the while enjoying dazzling views over the water. In Lavender Bay on Sydney Harbour’s lower north shore, wander into the fairytale-like  Wendy’s Secret Garden, a green haven with exotic and native plants, sculptures and plenty of nooks to take a rest before you continue your walk around the foreshore, with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge all the way.

Over in Darling Harbour, the spectacular new Wulugul Walk is a shared pedestrian and cycling trail along the foreshore, spanning 11 kilometres from Woolloomoloo to the Anzac Bridge. You can walk over the Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge at street level, for free. 

Arguably the most famous harbour walk in Sydney is the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk on the North Shore. Catch the ferry to Manly from Circular Quay, then enjoy the scenic 10-kilometre track that takes you past hidden beaches and to lookouts with unbroken views over Sydney Harbour, with plenty of restaurants and cafes along the route so you can refuel. You can also do it in the opposite direction, catching public transport or a taxi to the Spit Bridge start. Nearby, the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk is just as scenic, spanning four kilometres through national parkland. Catch the ferry to Bradleys Head from Circular Quay, then get set for an epic walk with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge along your route.

On the opposite side of the harbour at Vaucluse, the Hermitage Foreshore Track is an easy two kilometre path, beginning at Nielsen Park and revealing views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Shark Island. Get here via a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay.   

If you’d prefer to explore Sydney Harbour with a guide and commentary, sign up for tours with The Rocks Walking Tours, EcoWalk Tours, Picture Me Sydney, Sydney Architecture Walks or Fit City Tours.

You may want to take on waterside trails at a faster pace. Thankfully, there are a number of places around the city to rent bicycles and eBikes, or go on two-wheeling tours with the likes of Sydney Harbour Bike Tours.

Tip: Many trails are dotted with beaches, so pack your swimsuit whenever you head out on a walk or ride.

What are the top cultural attractions to visit near Sydney Harbour? We've got you covered.

Sydney is home to some of Australia’s most significant, and iconic, cultural venues. And many of them are located around Sydney Harbour, which means you can enjoy art or a show with an incredible watery backdrop. Top of the list is the Sydney Opera House, which hosts everything from inspiring talks to operatic performances, dance, rock concerts and kids shows from world-class performers. You can also go behind the scenes on a backstage tour, to see where all the magic happens. Walk through The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to reach the Art Gallery of NSW, which also hosts plenty of educational and fun activities for kids. 

On the opposite side of Circular Quay, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australiais home to one of the country’s greatest collections of contemporary art, via both permanent and visiting exhibitions. Entrance is free, and there’s a great rooftop bar overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Views of Walsh Bay are guaranteed when you catch a show at Bangarra Dance Theatre or The Wharf Theatre, where Sydney Theatre Company perform. Also in the neighbourhood is the Sydney Observatory, set on the highest natural point in Sydney Cove. Take a tour through the grounds, discover objects from the Powerhouse Collection, glimpse terrestrial objects through a telescope, then enjoy spectacular views across Sydney Harbour. 

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Sydney Harbour for free as well, from street performances around Circular Quay to festivals and events. During the winter months, Vivid Sydney lights up Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, the Royal Botanic Gardens and even Taronga Zoo. Every year there are hundreds of light installations and shows, many of them interactive.

And of course New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour goes off with a bang, with one of the world’s greatest fireworks displays dazzling from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and at other points along the water. Circular Quay is always a popular vantage point, but there are dozens of other vantages on both sides of the city - and from the water itself. 

Make a weekend of your Sydney Harbour explorations and check into one of these stylish, and ideally-located, hotels. The Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour enjoys a prime position at Circular Quay, with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the ferries coming and going. Step out and you have all manner of restaurants and bars at your disposal, but it’s hard to look past the hotel’s own Hyde Hacienda Sydney and Q Dining for amazing food, drinks and vistas.

Iconic Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is just a short walk from Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour, as is Mantra 2 Bond Street Sydney. Or enjoy a different perspective of the water from your room at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, which comes with five restaurants and bars and an outdoor pool overlooking the vibrant Darling Harbour precinct. Also in this neighbourhood are ibis Sydney Darling Harbour, Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour and ibis Sydney Barangaroo, where all with room types overlook Sydney Harbour

Parking around Sydney Harbour can be expensive, and hard to find. Leave the car behind and make the most of public transport options, including buses, trains (the world’s most scenic train station might just be Circular Quay, with views over Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House) and ferries. You can purchase an Opal Card from most convenience stores, allowing you to tap-on and -off when using public transport. Or, simply use your credit card to do the same thing.