Sydney Highlights
See also:
Sydney for families
Sydney culture
Cheap & free Sydney
Setting priorities, exercising, relaxing or giving your credit card a pounding… here, at a glance, are our top recommendations, plus some tips and tricks even Sydneysiders won't always know:
Sydney's best vistas
Best Sydney beaches
Best walks in Sydney
Sydney's best markets
Sydney's best vistas
In a city as dramatic and photogenic as Sydney, there are hundreds of stunning views, many of them involving the harbour. Here are a few of the finest.
Mrs Macquarie's Point
Sydney's prime panorama spot: most of the city and the harbour's tourism icons are in clear view - and within walking distance - from here. The Point is a seat cut into the sandstone on the spit of land at the eastern edge of the Royal Botanic Gardens. An inscription is carved into the stone, marking the completion of Mrs Macquarie's Road, built on the request of Governor Macquarie's wife for a scenic route between Farm Cove and Woolloomooloo Bay.
Sydney Tower
The observation deck 320 metres (1,050 ft) above the streets offers the best elevated 360-degree views. On a clear, haze-free day you can see the Blue Mountains to the west and the Royal National Park to the south. (open daily 9am-10.30pm; admission fee).
Blues Point Reserve
One of Sydney's most pleasant harbour-side spots for a picnic, with a superb view of the Harbour Bridge and a short stroll from North Sydney's outdoor cafés and slick restaurants. Gets crowded at nights when a fireworks show is planned.
Joy Flights
Views from a helicopter or light aircraft can be had courtesy of pilots at Sydney Airport and Bankstown Heliport. (Check the Yellow Pages under Aircraft.)
Pylon Lookout/ Bridge Climb
Sydney Harbour Bridge has an observation deck with superb views of the harbour. For even loftier views, those with a head for heights can don overalls and climb to the very top of the bridge's arch.
North Head
Although it's a hike from the city centre, this is a good vantage point by day or night, with fine views back towards the Bridge and city centre. The city has a neon glow when viewed from here after dark.
Best Sydney beaches
Few major cities have so many beautiful beaches so close to their metropolitan centre. Here are some of Sydney's favourite stretches of sand:
Bondi Beach
An icon of Australia, home of surfing, lifesaving and, these days, also of sun-worshipping and body-building.
Manly
Sydney's favourite resort suburb has more surfing beaches, fringed by Norfolk Island pines.
Coogee Beach
Swim in the sea (scuba diving is also an option) or in one of Coogee's wonderful sea baths. Wiley's Baths are a 1900s design-award winning institution, and the Women's Baths, unsurprisingly for women only, and popular with Muslims and lesbians.
Balmoral Beach
One of the best inner harbour beaches. No surf, so no surfing (but safe for children): windsurfing and dinghy sailing prevail. Like other Sydney beaches, it has a shark net to reassure swimmers, and the southern end was one of the first beach areas to go topless.
Tamarama Beach
Southside Sydney's beautiful people display themselves on Tamarama's beautiful white sands, though the surf is notoriously dangerous. Not a great choice then, for families with young children.
Palm Beach
An upmarket Northside suburb with chic restaurants and a lovely beach favoured by surfers and windsurfers. At the end of the narrow peninsula is the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, reached via a one-hour walk along the beach.
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Best walks in Sydney
Mrs Macquarie's Point to Dawes Point (1 hr)
Sydney's shoreline: from Mrs Macquarie's Point follow the foreshore within the Botanic Gardens to the Opera House, past the Opera Quays outdoor restaurant strip to Circular Quay, then to Dawes Point Reserve, the palm-tree-lined park in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge.
Bondi to Bronte Beach (11/2 hrs)
Find the path behind the baths at the south end of Bondi Beach. Fine views from the sandstone cliffs of Mackenzies Point, down to trendy Tamarama Beach, climb again on to North Bronte cliffs, then follow the path down to Bronte.
Historic Rocks
Buy The Rocks Self-Guided Walking Tour from the Visitor Centre on George Street (open daily; tel: 9240 8788) for 31 places of historical interest on a local heritage walk. Explore a maze of narrow streets and lanes, sandstone cottages and terraces filled with shops, stalls, cafés and restaurants.
Manly Scenic Walkway (2 hrs)
An 8-km walking track from the north end of the Spit Bridge to Manly, winding through native bushland and across the top of sandstone cliffs with breathtaking views. If you have the energy and enthusiasm it's one of Sydney's finest outdoor experiences.
Architecture Walks (2 hrs)
At 10.30 am every Wednesday and Saturday, walks led by an architect start at the Museum of Sydney (northern end of Philip Street) to explore the ideas behind Sydney's urban landscapes and its architecture old and new. Bookings recommended, tel: 9518 6866.
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Sydney's best markets
Paddy's Markets
Hay Street, Thu-Sun.
Sydney's oldest and biggest market (800 stalls). Sells clothes, food, electronics, toys, fresh produce, even pets.
Rocks Markets
George Street North, Sat-Sun.
A colourful, lively market in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge. Lots of tourist-oriented and arty goods on sale. Vast umbrellas for wet weather.
Paddington Bazaar
Oxford Street, Sat.
A hip, arty market: lots of new and secondhand clothing, jewellery, ceramics and other arts and crafts. Attracts a big crowd.
Glebe Markets
Glebe Point Road, Sat.
A laid-back market with arts and crafts, foodstuffs and clothes. Popular with alternative types and the fashionable inner city set.
Opera House Market
Sydney Opera House forecourt, Sun.
Lots of tourist-oriented wares, local artists' works, sepia-toned historic Sydney photographs and Sydney-themed souvenirs.
Balmain Market
Darling Road, Sat.
For homeware, clothing, jewellery and tasteful bric-a-brac. Food stalls indoors and lots of restaurants and pubs nearby.
North Sydney Markets
Miller Street, 2nd Sat of the month.
A little more upmarket than most. Nearly 200 stalls selling artworks, foodstuffs, jewellery, antiques, also fortune-telling, massage and reflexology.