10 Best Things to Do in Sydney CBD

An architectural showstopper jutting straight out into the ocean, Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. The performing arts centre made great architectural waves when it opened in 1973, with Queen Elizabeth II performing the ribbon-cutting duties and declaring that “The Sydney Opera House has captured the imagination of the world.”

The eye-catching building has staged many memorable performances over the years from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first Mr Olympia body-building triumph to a rousing speech from Nelson Mandela and concerts by legendary artists like Nick Cave and Björk. There’s a stellar programme of shows as well as daily guided tours, and the location on the waterfront makes it a stunning spot to admire Harbour Bridge.

Art enthusiasts in Sydney should put the Art Gallery of New South Wales at the top of their cultural agenda when planning a visit to Sydney CBD. Entry to the grand sandstone building and its exhibits is free, and it’s wise to set aside a good few hours to contemplate one of Australia’s largest collections.

The gallery is spread over several floors and set in immaculately maintained gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour. Thoughtfully curated collections span the centuries and incorporate both Australian and international artists. Dining is a strong point too - visitors can take their pick from formal restaurants, laidback cafes and takeaway options featuring native Australian ingredients.

Family visitors to the coastal city of Sydney often head to the fascinating Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. The modern, well-maintained attraction is one of the biggest tourist draws in the CBD (dodge the queues by avoiding weekends and school holidays) and houses some 4,000 creatures from across 300 species.

Themed zones include Penguin Expedition, Shark Valley and Jurassic Seas, and there’s a chance to get hands-on at the Discovery Rockpool. The highlight for many visitors is the chance to walk through glass tunnels beneath the water, getting a close-up view of sharks, rays and other creatures of the deep. Located close to Darling Harbour on Wheat Road, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is easily reached by car or public transport.

For a taste of bohemian Sydney in the heart of the CBD, look no further than The Rocks. Visitors can wind their way through a maze of historic streets (some of the first settlements in Sydney were built here) to shop for food and fashions against a dramatic backdrop of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Foodies can take a seat at a formal dining restaurant, grab grilled meat or Chinese dumplings ‘to go’ from a food truck or settle down with a cold ale and bar snacks at Sydney’s oldest pubs. For a dose of culture, the Museum of Contemporary Art showcases local and international talent, while the open-air markets offer a chance to browse handmade fashions and vintage threads.

Escape the heat of downtown Sydney at the blissfully shaded Royal Botanic Garden. Free to enter, the heritage-listed gardens on the eastern edge of the CBD were founded in 1816, making it the oldest botanic garden in Australia.

Strolling the gardens in the shade of towering trees offers an educational experience as well as a respite from the heat. Working together with local Indigenous Peoples communities, the Royal Botanic Garden has curated themed gardens, displays and guided tours highlighting the history of the grounds and their importance to Indigenous Peoples. Don’t miss the Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters display, which outlines the indigenous history of Sydney through native vegetation, sculpture and pathways etched with the names of key people, places and figures representing traditional rock carvings.

Sydney celebrates its nautical history in fine style at the fun, interactive Australian National Maritime Museum. With a fitting waterfront location at Darling Harbour, the family-friendly museum allows visitors to climb aboard vessels making up one of the most comprehensive fleets in the world.

There’s a chance to board a cold war submarine; peek inside the naval vessel HMAS Vampire and admire a detail-driven replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour. And if that’s not excitement enough, the interactive Action Stations experience plunges visitors deep into the inner workings of life in the Royal Australian Navy. Back on dry land, indoor galleries host 6 permanent exhibitions and carefully curated visiting exhibitions.

Sydney’s coastal location makes it a dream destination for seafood lovers, and there’s no better place to sample the catch of the day than at Sydney Fish Market. The much-loved foodie hotspot sits right by the lapping waves at Blackwattle Bay and brings together fresh fish and sellers, sit-down restaurants and a shop selling the perfect bottle to pair with your ocean-fresh meal.

Popular dishes here include traditional fish and chips, super-fresh sushi and lobster cooked to order. Delve a little deeper, though, and you’ll uncover lesser-known delights like soft shell crab, octopus sashimi, and oysters loaded with seaweed salad. Come with a hearty appetite and plenty of time to stroll around before deciding where to eat.

Sightseeing meets retail therapy at Queen Victoria Building, where intricate Romanesque architecture and a photo-worthy dome make a memorable background to browsing boutiques and high-street stores.

Finished in 1898, the elaborate design of the building was a deliberate move by the Australian government of the time to recruit large numbers of unemployed stonemasons, stained glass window artists and other craftsmen. The result is an architectural work of art spanning an entire block at George Street and Market Street. Today’s visitors can enjoy a range of drinking and dining options as well as shopping to suit all budgets. For a suitably lavish experience, head to upmarket Manon Brasserie for frothy morning coffee or early evening cocktails.

With a lofty location atop Sydney Cove’s highest natural point, Sydney Observatory is perfectly positioned for both stargazing and admiring the sweeping cityscape below. The heritage-listed building functions as a meteorological station, a science museum and an observatory that has been in operation since the 19th Century.

Visitors to the eye-catching sandstone building can take guided tours of the grounds and astronomy domes by day or night, but those with an eye to the skies will want to visit after nightfall when they can peer through modern and historic telescopes to catch an unrivalled view of planets and stars.

One of the most historically significant buildings in Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks offers an extraordinary insight into colonial Australia. The building was originally used to house convicts and later served as an immigration and asylum depot for women, before its current incarnation as an immersive museum recounting the stories of those who once lived within its walls.

The story of colonial expansion and its impact on Indigenous communities is brought to life via sensor-operated listening devices, with actors’ voices depicting scenes as visitors move through the museum. It’s a thought-provoking experience, and a tour here is a significant step in understanding modern Sydney. Located at the Hyde Park end of Macquarie Street, Hyde Park Barracks is easily reached by car or public transport.