30 guides, prices checked 25 October 2026
The best things to do in Sydney
An Opera House tour, a harbour cruise and whale watching. Here is what to book and what is free, with honest advice on value, refunds and dinner-cruise food.
The best things to do in Sydney are an Opera House tour, a harbour cruise and the free walk across the Harbour Bridge. For a day out, the Blue Mountains are about 90 minutes away by express train. Whale cruises run from about May to November.
Our top 10
Top 10 things to do in Sydney
The harbour sights first, then the coast, the animals and a day out of the city. Each one comes with the tour or ticket we would book, or the free way to do it.
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A tour of the Sydney Opera House
A guided tour takes about 60 minutes and goes inside the theatres and foyers. Expect about 300 stairs.
Our pick: Sydney Opera House guided tour, from €31 per person
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Walk across the Harbour Bridge
Walking across the bridge is free. You get the harbour, the Opera House and the city in one view.
No tour needed: the walk is free.
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Take a ferry from Circular Quay
A ferry is the cheapest harbour trip. The ride to Taronga Zoo takes about 12 minutes from Wharf 4.
No tour needed: tap an Opal card or your bank card at the wharf.
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The Bondi to Coogee walk
A free cliff-top walk of about 6 km past beaches and rock pools. Parts near North Bronte were reported closed, so check Waverley Council first.
No tour needed: the coastal walk is free.
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The Rocks and its weekend markets
The oldest part of the city, by the bridge. The Rocks Markets run on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
Our pick: City & The Rocks walking tour, from €52 per person
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The Royal Botanic Garden
Big lawns and old trees next to the Opera House. Entry is free, per the garden's listing, and it opens daily from 7:00.
No ticket needed: entry is free.
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Taronga Zoo
The zoo on the harbour, open every day of the year. Adult entry is A$57 at the gate, or from A$51.30 online.
No tour needed: take the ferry from Wharf 4 and buy entry online.
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Whale watching
Humpback whales pass Sydney from about May to November. The peak is late June to early July.
Our pick: Whale watching cruise, from €37 per person
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A day in the Blue Mountains
About 90 minutes by express train. The Three Sisters walk at Echo Point is free.
Our pick: Blue Mountains all-inclusive day, from €147 per person
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Dinner with a view
Eat on a harbour cruise, or at SkyFeast at the top of Sydney Tower. Both are buffets.
Our pick: Harbour dinner cruise with buffet, from €50 per person
The 8 tours and tickets we would book
Two harbour classics, a bus to get your bearings, two dinners with a view and two Blue Mountains days. The opera ticket comes last because you cannot get your money back.
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from €31 per person Our top pick 1 hour 4.7 (9,963) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sydney Opera House guided tour
A 1-hour tour inside the theatres and foyers with a live guide, sold by the Opera House itself. Expect about 300 stairs and 2.5 km of walking.
Best for A first visit and fans of the building
Check availability: Sydney Opera House guided tour on GetYourGuide -
from €37 per person 2 h 45 min 4.3 (2,418) reviews on GetYourGuide
Whale watching cruise
A 2 hour 45 minute cruise from the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay, with tea and coffee on board. It is open water, so the boat rocks. Arrive 30 minutes early.
Best for Wildlife fans, May to November
Check availability: Whale watching cruise on GetYourGuide - from €47 per person
2 routes, 23 stops
Big Bus
1–2 days 4.4 (3,095) reviews on GetYourGuide
Big Bus hop-on hop-off
An open-top bus ticket for 24 or 48 hours on 2 routes with 23 stops: the city loop and the Bondi tour. You can add a harbour cruise.
Best for Your first day, at your own pace
Check availability: Big Bus hop-on hop-off on GetYourGuide -
from €50 per person 2 hours 4.4 (984) reviews on GetYourGuide
Harbour dinner cruise with buffet
A 2-hour evening cruise past the harbour sights with a buffet dinner of hot and cold dishes. Up to 100 people on board.
Best for Couples and a night out
Check availability: Harbour dinner cruise with buffet on GetYourGuide -
from €68 per person 1 h 45 min 4.5 (2,499) reviews on GetYourGuide
SkyFeast at Sydney Tower
A buffet for 1 hour 45 minutes at the top of Sydney Tower. A window seat is only sure if you book the window option. Kids aged 5 to 12 get free soft drinks.
Best for Dinner with a view, families
Check availability: SkyFeast at Sydney Tower on GetYourGuide -
from €132 per person 10.5–11 hours 4.7 (2,969) reviews on GetYourGuide
Blue Mountains, Scenic World and a koala photo
A day of 10.5 to 11 hours with pickup from central hotels. It includes three Scenic World rides, Sydney Zoo, a koala photo and a ferry back. Lunch is not included.
Best for One big day with animals
Check availability: Blue Mountains, Scenic World and a koala photo on GetYourGuide -
from €147 per person 10 hours 4.8 (3,977) reviews on GetYourGuide
Blue Mountains all-inclusive day
A 10-hour day with hotel pickup, a rainforest walk to the Three Sisters, Scenic World and a wildlife park. A lunch option is on the listing.
Best for A guided day with lunch
Check availability: Blue Mountains all-inclusive day on GetYourGuide - from €43 per person
Non-refundable
Great Opera Hits
1 h 30 min 4.6 (809) reviews on GetYourGuide
Great Opera Hits at the Opera House
A 1.5-hour concert of famous opera songs by Puccini, Verdi, Bizet and Rossini. Non-refundable: you cannot cancel for free.
Best for Music lovers
Check availability: Great Opera Hits at the Opera House on GetYourGuide
Every Sydney guide
Each guide compares the tours and tickets for one sight, activity or day trip, with official prices first.
Harbour & city sights
- Aboriginal culture tours in SydneyAboriginal tours
- Sydney bike toursBike tours
- Sydney Harbour BridgeClimbBridgeClimb
- City tours
- Sydney Harbour BridgeHarbour Bridge
- Sydney Harbour cruisesHarbour cruises
- Sydney helicopter rides and scenic flightsHelicopter rides
- Sydney Harbour jet boat ridesJet boat rides
- Kayak tours on Sydney HarbourKayaking
- Sydney Opera House tour and showsOpera House
- The Rocks and Circular QuayThe Rocks
- Whale watching in SydneyWhale watching
Beaches, wildlife & nights out
- Sydney attraction passes and Madame TussaudsAttraction passes
- Bondi Beach
- Bondi to Coogee walk
- Sydney Harbour dinner and lunch cruisesDinner cruises
- Sydney food toursFood tours
- Sydney ghost toursGhost tours
- Sydney pub crawls and brewery toursPub crawls & breweries
- Surf lessons at Bondi and ManlySurf lessons
- Taronga Zoo tickets and ferryTaronga Zoo
- Koalas and kangaroosWildlife parks
Day trips & planning
Sydney tours and tickets compared
| Tour or ticket | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Opera House guided tour | €31 per person | 1 hour | Up to 11 | Meeting point | Yes | A first visit and fans of the building | Sold by the Opera House itself, with 9,963 reviews. |
| Whale watching cruise | €37 per person | 2 h 45 min | Up to 70 | Meeting point | Yes | Wildlife fans, May to November | Leaves from the city centre, with 2,418 reviews. |
| Big Bus hop-on hop-off | €47 per person | 1–2 days | Up to 24 | Meeting point | Yes | Your first day, at your own pace | The easy way to see the city and Bondi in one day. |
| Harbour dinner cruise with buffet | €50 per person | 2 hours | Up to 100 | Meeting point | Yes | Couples and a night out | A harbour dinner from €50, with 984 reviews. |
| SkyFeast at Sydney Tower | €68 per person | 1 h 45 min | Up to 24 | Meeting point | Yes | Dinner with a view, families | Dinner at the top of Sydney Tower, with 2,499 reviews. |
| Blue Mountains, Scenic World and a koala photo | €132 per person | 10.5–11 hours | Not stated | Pickup included | Yes | One big day with animals | All entry fees are in the price. |
| Blue Mountains all-inclusive day | €147 per person | 10 hours | Not stated | Pickup included | Yes | A guided day with lunch | Rated 4.8 from 3,977 reviews. |
| Great Opera Hits at the Opera House | €43 per person | 1 h 30 min | Not stated | Meeting point | Non-refundable | Music lovers | A seat inside the Opera House for a show. |
Sydney Opera House guided tour
€31 per person1 hour 4.7 (9,963)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 11
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- A first visit and fans of the building
- Why we picked it
- Sold by the Opera House itself, with 9,963 reviews.
€37 per person2 h 45 min 4.3 (2,418)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 70
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Wildlife fans, May to November
- Why we picked it
- Leaves from the city centre, with 2,418 reviews.
€47 per person1–2 days 4.4 (3,095)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 24
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Your first day, at your own pace
- Why we picked it
- The easy way to see the city and Bondi in one day.
Harbour dinner cruise with buffet
€50 per person2 hours 4.4 (984)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 100
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Couples and a night out
- Why we picked it
- A harbour dinner from €50, with 984 reviews.
€68 per person1 h 45 min 4.5 (2,499)
Details
- Group size
- Up to 24
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- Dinner with a view, families
- Why we picked it
- Dinner at the top of Sydney Tower, with 2,499 reviews.
Blue Mountains, Scenic World and a koala photo
€132 per person10.5–11 hours 4.7 (2,969)
Details
- Group size
- Not stated
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- One big day with animals
- Why we picked it
- All entry fees are in the price.
Blue Mountains all-inclusive day
€147 per person10 hours 4.8 (3,977)
Details
- Group size
- Not stated
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Free cancellation
- Yes
- Who it suits
- A guided day with lunch
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.8 from 3,977 reviews.
Great Opera Hits at the Opera House
€43 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (809)
Details
- Group size
- Not stated
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Who it suits
- Music lovers
- Why we picked it
- A seat inside the Opera House for a show.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are “from” prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Fun things to do in Sydney
The most fun things to do in Sydney are on the water. A whale cruise runs from about May to November. In October and November, mothers and calves swim south, slower and closer to the shore.
For something easy, ride the open-top Big Bus to Bondi. Or take a ferry from Circular Quay: the trip to Taronga Zoo takes about 12 minutes.
Touristy things to do in Sydney that are worth it
The Opera House tour is the touristy thing most worth it. It takes about 60 minutes. On the Opera House site it costs A$50 for an adult if you book ahead, or A$55 on the day.
The walk across the Harbour Bridge costs nothing. Dinner at the top of Sydney Tower is a treat, but it is a buffet, not fine dining.
Things to do in Sydney indoors
On a rainy day, go inside the Opera House on a tour. The MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Art Gallery of NSW are free to enter.
For a meal out of the rain, SkyFeast sits at the top of Sydney Tower. Book the window option if you want a seat by the glass.
Things to do in Sydney on the weekend
On the weekend, walk The Rocks Markets. They run Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, around Jack Mundey Street, Playfair Street and George Street.
Public transport is cheap on weekends. An adult pays at most A$9.65 a day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. That makes a weekend good for a ferry trip or the train to the Blue Mountains.
Booking tips for Sydney
If your plans change
Seven of our eight picks show free cancellation on GetYourGuide. The opera concert is non-refundable. Check the cancellation line before you pay.
Dinner cruises and SkyFeast: what you eat
Both of our dinner picks are buffets. The cruise serves hot and cold dishes. SkyFeast gives you 1 hour 45 minutes, and a window seat only with the window option.
Whale cruises: season and seasickness
Whales pass from about May to November. The whale cruise goes into open water, so the boat rocks. If you get seasick, the operator suggests tablets before you board.
Weather
The Blue Mountains tours run in all weather. Bring a rain layer, and check the forecast the day before. Some tours do not refund you within 24 hours.
Questions people ask about Sydney
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More Sydney tours with live prices
More things to do in Sydney with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every Sydney tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (11), facts checked on 25 October 2026
- Sydney Opera House: Opera House Tour
- Taronga Zoo: ticket prices
- Taronga Zoo: visitor information
- Sydney.com: whale watching
- Sydney.com: free things to do
- Visit NSW: getting to the Blue Mountains
- NSW Government: Three Sisters walk
- The Rocks Markets
- Transport for NSW: adult Opal fares
- Waverley Council: coastal walk
- Royal Botanic Garden hours (listing)
Written by the Things to Do in Sydney editorial team.