With its harbour-side skyscrapers, pockets of bushland and rugged coastline, Sydney is a city of contrasting landscapes. From free walking tours to sightseeing bus circuits, there are lots of ways to explore this distinctly beautiful destination.
Forget about trying to find your way around the harbour city by yourself. These guided tours can take you to some of the best sites and attractions Sydney has to offer.
Sydney Opera House Tour
Why just get your photo taken in front of the Opera House when you can explore the world hidden beneath its iconic white sails? Filled with fascinating history and architectural wonders, this landmark is symbolic of Sydney’s cultural identity.
From the cavernous Concert Hall to areas that are usually off limits to the public, the official Opera House tour covers every corner of the venue. Guided tours run daily between 9am and 5pm, and they take around 1 hour to complete.
To make your tour of the Opera House even more inspiring, consider upgrading to the Tour and Dine package, which includes a meal at the Opera Bar.
Blue Mountains Bushwalk
Adding a Blue Mountains tour to your itinerary is a great option if you’re looking for scenic day trips from Sydney. Located just a short drive from the centre of the city, the Blue Mountains are filled with picturesque walking tracks.
This region’s winding country roads, rocky cliffs and cascading waterfalls may be beautiful, but they’re also a little tricky to navigate. If you don’t have the best sense of direction, consider taking one of the following guided tours:
- Blue Mountains Mystery Tour – Delving into the myths and legends of the Blue Mountains, this guided bushwalk includes a night-time ghost tour.
- Abseiling Tour – Get a bird’s-eye view of the Blue Mountains by sailing through the treetops and down beautiful sandstone cliffs.
- Kangaroo and Wildlife Tour – This tour allows you to get up close to the kangaroos and other cute critters that call the Blue Mountains home.
Having an expert guide by your side to share local knowledge and show you around will ensure your visit to the Blue Mountains is unforgettable for all the right reasons.
Food Tours
From Michelin-starred restaurants and fancy bars to hip cafés and historical pubs, Sydney has one of the most diverse dining scenes in Australia. Knowing where to start indulging your inner foodie can be tricky when there are so many options to choose from. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Sydney’s mouthwatering menus, embarking on a food tour is the perfect solution.
Stopping at eateries in the Vietnamese, French, Italian, Lebanese and Korean communities, Gourmet Safaris tailor their tours to showcase Sydney’s multicultural cuisine. Got a bit of a sweet tooth? Foodi offers a chocolate walking tour through the CBD. For lovers of fine wine, Taste of the Hunter Wine Tours takes travellers to some of the finest vineyards in the beautiful Hunter Valley (a wine region that’s 2-3 hours north of Sydney).
No matter which food tour you decide to embark on, your tastebuds will be in for a treat.
Sydney History Tours
Discovering Sydney’s rich history is best done on foot. The winding laneways of The Rocks unveil the city’s colourful convict past, while Cockatoo Island in the middle of Sydney Harbour portrays just how harsh life was for European settlers.
To learn more about Sydney’s original inhabitants, the Tribal Warrior Harbour Cruise and The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour explore the city’s indigenous culture and heritage.
Regardless of which era you’re interested in, there are countless Sydney walking tours for history buffs to choose from.
If you want to blend history with ghost hunting, check out The Rocks Ghost Tours.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney
Don’t feel like walking? Give your feet a rest and enjoy a more leisurely (but just as informative) expedition by jumping aboard Sydney’s hop-on hop-off bus. This open-topped, double-decker tourist bus ferries sightseers around the city while providing them with professional audio commentary available in 8 different languages.
When booking your seat on the hop-on hop-off bus, you can choose between the City Tour and Bondi Tour.
Now that you know how best to see the sights of Sydney, all that’s left to do is book your accommodation!
