Sydney on the eastern coast of Australia is a fantastic city to visit. The capital of New South Wales has landmark structures like the harbor bridge and the opera house and also many lesser-known places for everyone who hasn’t been here before. Sydney is a modern city, but you will also find many cobblestoned streets, historic buildings, and excellent museums. Plus, there are restaurants, cafes, the waterside, and sailing trips.
Truly, Sydney is an excellent city to visit. Here are the top places you shouldn’t miss.
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1. Sydney Harbor Bridge:
This unique bridge is made of steel. It is an iconic structure that depicts Sydney’s skyline and is immediately recognizable. It has become a popular landmark and symbol of the city. The harbor bridge is fondly called ‘The Coat-hanger’ due to its steel arches. Walk through the bridge, climb to the top for a wonderful panoramic view. The bridge carries railway, roadway, and pedestrian traffic across the Sydney Harbor.
2. Sydney Opera House:
Iconic opera house in the area, beside the bridge. It is a distinctive building of the 20th century and a must-see in the city. The house hosts music Sydney Harbor concerts, symphony orchestra, plays, theater, and talks throughout the year. 1500 performances are held every year. it has both indoor and outdoor spaces. There are opera house tours. There are also restaurants, bars, cafes, and many souvenir shops.
3. Darling Harbor:
The riverfront destination of Sydney and a popular leisure and celebration complex where you will find food stalls, movie theatres, shops, aquarium, and a wax museum. The waterfront is a pedestrian zone, so vehicles are not allowed. Harbor cruises leave from here. There are also gardens, movie theaters, aquarium, museum, an aboriginal center, casinos, and a large convention center. You will find many shopping areas and malls.
4. The Casinos:
There are 10 casinos in New South Wales, with many of them in Sydney. The Aussies are bigtime into casino gaming, so it is no surprise that a city like Sydney will have some of the best casinos in the country. The Star, Crown, Tattersalls Club, and The Regent Seven Seas are some of the most popular gambling destinations.
Of course, many Australians are gambling online now at websites like MrBet. The online gaming websites many more games and special deals, making them often more lucrative and interesting.
5. The Beaches of Sydney:
There are more than 100 beaches in the 240 kilometers shoreline of the city. Many of them good for surfing. Bondi beach is the most famous. You will find here many cafés, hotels, and restaurants. It is famous for vibrant nightlife, water sports, food, and parties. There are also theaters and galleries. You can relax by the sea, enjoy nature, Sydney’s sunny weather or spend an active vacation by the beachside. Other beaches worth visiting are Cronulla, Maroubra, Bronte, Shelly, Palm Beach, Balmoral, Shark Beach, and Tamarama.
You can also visit Manly, which is just 30 minutes away by ferry. There is a seaside promenade here and many excellent restaurants and shops. If you are into surfing, visit further north, and you will find many awesome places likes Narrabeen, Collaroy, and Dee Why. The swells are mostly consistent.
6. Royal Botanic Gardens:
This is a 74-acre impressive greenery in the harbor side with many plant species and parks. It is located in the heart of Sydney. See the Australian Rainforest Garden, Palm Grove, and Palace Rose garden, which are all parts of the Gardens. Special events and concerts are often held here. There are seasonal tours and garden joyride. The gardens have a “plant of the month” for every month of the year.
7. The Art Gallery of NS Wales:
This is a gallery in Sydney for both contemporary and modern art. There are several sections to see that features Aboriginal art, Asian, Australian, Contemporary, Pacific, and Western art. You can see a rich display of photography as well. You will need at least half a day because it has thousands of exhibits. Don’t miss the paintings and art by many legends. It is a must-see attraction even if you are not an art aficionado. The gallery is visited by 1,400,000 people every year.
8. Sydney Fish Market:
This is a huge working wholesale fish marketplace with many retail shops. Take a walking tour. A fish auction is held here daily that you can see. You will find many stalls selling raw fish. There are also many seafood restaurants, bakeries, florists, wine stores, and a gift shop. There is also a seafood school where top chefs train how to cook fish.
9. Taronga Zoo:
The harbor side zoo in Sydney with 350 species and 4000 animals is a must-visit, especially if you are in the city with kids. You can see wildlife from different habitats, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Bush. There are many species of native and indigenous animals of Australia, including the favorites, the kangaroo and koalas. The zoo also takes up wildlife conservation initiatives and detailed studies. There is a zip-line above the zoo for those looking for adventure. The zoo also organizes overnight tours like the ones in Singapore Zoo.
10. Queen Victoria Building:
This is a Romanesque style heritage building in Sydney from the 19th century, which has now been turned into a market space. Located in Sydney’s CBD, it is on the heritage list. Find budget stores in the basement. There are many upscale boutiques, fashion houses, homeware stores, and jewelry shops on the upper levels. There are many restaurants too.
Also worth visiting in Sydney are the Paddy’s Markets, the Circular Quay where you can have dinner, Luna Park, George Street, Hyde Park, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and the Rocks Discovery Museum.
Many day cruises also leave both from the Circular Quay and Darling Harbor. The cruises can take you around the harbor area or further into the sea. You can also visit the Blue Mountains National Park, which is on the outskirts of the city. This will be a fantastic nature trip. There are many trails here leading through a beautiful landscape.
