Australian Museum

Established in 1827 and the first in the country, the Australian Museum has an international reputation in natural history and in indigenous studies, research, community programmes and accessible, innovative exhibitions. View unique and extensive science and cultural collections, multimedia exhibitions of physics and of indigenous Australian culture and native animals. The permanent Dinosaur exhibition features an awe-inspiring collection of skeletons and answers many age-old questions.

• Web:

  australian.museum

• Address:

  6 College Street, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9320 6000

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9:30am–5pm

• Subway:

  Train to Museum station

Big Bus Sydney & Bondi Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Discover Sydney's top attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and the popular Bondi Beach on the Big Bus sightseeing tour. Enjoy unobstructed views of the Emerald City's highlights from the open-top, double-decker bus. Learn about Sydney's sights and history from the recorded onboard commentary. Go in-depth at any given place by simply hopping off the bus to explore at your own leisure.

• Web:

  www.bigbustours.com/en/sydney/hop-on-hop-off-sydney

Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney

Leave the hustle and bustle of Sydney behind to experience lush valleys, waterfalls, gorges, mountains, and forests on a day trip to the majestic Blue Mountains. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites, including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch, and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Then, enjoy a relaxing, scenic cruise to Sydney Harbour along the Parramatta River.

• Web:

  andersonstours.com.au/all-inclusive-tours-sydneys-blue-mountains

• Phone:

  +61 414 514 949

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

There's no better way to enjoy the beauty of the Sydney coastline than from the winding cliff walk between Bondi and Coogee beaches. These paths become a stage for whale watching between May and November, the backdrop for Sculpture by the Sea in October-November, and a year-round vantage point to watch surfers carve up the waves. Take in Aboriginal rock carving at Mark's Park, big surf at Tamarama, snorkelling at the coves of Clovelly and Gordons Bay, and the white sands of Coogee Beach. Stop off at the Bronte café strip along the way and cool off with a refreshing dip in an ocean pool.

• Web:

  www.sydney.com/things-to-do/nature-and-parks/walks/bondi-to-coogee-coastal-walk

• Address:

  Marks Park, Tamarama

• Subway:

  333 bus to Bondi Beach, 315 to Coogee Beach

Centennial Parklands

A short bus ride from the city centre, Centennial Parklands contain beautiful gardens, an entertainment quarter, 18-hole golf course, sporting fields, tennis courts, equestrian facilities and Fox Studios, which makes films. About 15,000 trees grow in Centennial Parklands' three parks: Centennial Park, Queens Park and Moore Park. Enjoy a picnic under one of the trees or by a tranquil pond. In Centennial Park there's a cafe and a restaurant, and the EQ Village Markets are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Moore Park.

• Web:

  www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/moore-park/attractions/centennial-parklands

• Address:

  15 Locked Bag, Paddington

• Phone:

  +61 2 9339 6699

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Stepping into this fascinating garden in the middle of bustling Chinatown, is like stepping into a haven of tranquillity. The garden combines old world Chinese architectural principles, with an harmonious balance of running waterfalls, wooden bridges, towering willow trees and colourful koi and carp swimming in lagoons dotted with lotus. Visit the Courtyard of Welcoming Fragrance and the Twin Pavilion, then take a jasmine tea in the traditional Chinese Teahouse.

• Web:

  www.darlingharbour.com/precincts/chinese-garden

• Address:

  1 Exhibition Place, Darling Harbour

• Phone:

  + 61 2 9240 8888

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9:30am–5pm

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Established in 1871, the Art Gallery of NSW showcases fine Australian and international modern and contemporary works in expansive, light-filled spaces. The Grand Courts are home to a collection of colonial Australian works and European old masters, while dedicated galleries celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork and Asian collections. Regular guided tours are offered in Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean.

• Web:

  www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

• Address:

  Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

• Phone:

  +61 2 9225 1700

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm. Extended opening hours on Wednesday: 10am–10pm

• Subway:

  Train to St James or Martin Place stations

• Tickets:

  Entry to the Gallery is free, temporary exhibitions are ticketed.

BridgeClimb

One of the most exciting ways to experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge is to climb to the top of it. Exhilarating and utterly unforgettable, BridgeClimb gives you the opportunity to walk to the summit of the bridge and enjoy one of the world's most spectacular views, 134 metres (440ft) above the water. Standing above Sydney Harbour — on the world's largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge — gives an incredible panoramic vantage point of the city, its harbour and waterways, and the dynamic lifestyle it affords locals and visitors alike.

• Web:

  www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/sydney-harbour/sydney-bridge-climb

• Address:

  3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

• Phone:

  +61 2 8274 7777

Luna Park

Enjoy all the fun of Luna Park, an amusement park on the edge of Sydney Harbour. It was originally built in the 1930s and rides include the fabulous Ferris Wheel, the Tango Train, the Giant Slide, the Space Shuttle and the Big Dipper rollercoaster. There are side shows — the Laughing Clowns, Crazy Crooners and Goin’ Fishin’ — complete with classic carnival prizes. Treat yourself with hot dogs, fairy floss and fish 'n chips. This iconic landmark is on the State Heritage Register, and has been a family favourite for generations of Australians.

• Web:

  www.lunaparksydney.com

• Address:

  1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point

• Phone:

  +61 2 9922 6644

• Opening hours:

  Opening times vary, check the website for information

• Subway:

  Ferry from Circular Quay to Milsons Point

Madame Tussauds Sydney

Get up close and personal with over 75 of the world's most iconic celebrities and Australia's very own stars. Celebrities on display include Lady Gaga, Leonardo Di Caprio, Justin Bieber, Kylie Minogue, Michael Hutchence, Jimmy Barnes, Mark Webber, Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and many more, along with fascinating facts on every star. Walk along the red carpet and revel in the unique atmosphere of glamour, fame and history at Madame Tussauds Sydney and go on an interactive star-studded journey through the world of music, sport, culture, film and much more.

• Web:

  www.madametussauds.com/sydney

• Address:

  Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour

• Phone:

  +61 1800 195 650

• Opening hours:

  Opening times vary, check the website for information

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

The MCA is on the edge of Sydney Harbour and is Australia's leading museum dedicated to contemporary art from across Australia and around the world. In the historic Rocks, the MCA has a steady stream of exhibitions and events are hosted throughout the year. From established artists to new work by emerging artists in painting, sculpture, video, installation and more, there's something to inspire everyone at the MCA. And there are harbour vistas from the rooftop cafe.

• Web:

  www.mca.com.au

• Address:

  140 George Street, The Rocks

• Phone:

  +61 2 9245 2400

• Opening hours:

  Fri 10am–9pm; Sat–Mon, Wed & Thu 10am–5pm; Tue closed

• Subway:

  Ferry, train or bus to Circular Quay.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour is one of the world's largest aquariums, with 650 species and 12,000 animals in six million litres of water. It has two of only five dugongs on display in the world. Go on a journey of amazing discovery through the Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island, Shark Walk and the stunning ocean tunnel walk through Shark Valley.

• Web:

  www.visitsealife.com/sydney

• Address:

  Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour

• Phone:

  +61 1800 195 650

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–7pm