The harbour city and beyond is full of must-do adventures.
We emigrated to Australia in 2013 and have made Sydney our home ever since. We love the fact that city has it all: stunning beaches, incredible cafes and a views from every corner.
However, we didn’t expect it to also have beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, mountains and abundant wildlife. You can spend a lifetime exploring this incredible area and still have barely scratched the surface!
You can jump straight to each section by clicking the links below:
Find your next adventure in Sydney:
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Whilst Sydney may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, most of the best things to do are free. Make sure you don’t miss out on stunners like the Bondi to Coogee walk or a sunset at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Currency: Australian Dollar
Visa: All visitors must get a visa before arrival. They are usually valid for up to three months.
Safety: Sydney is one of the safest places we’ve ever visited.
When to go: We love Sydney in the winter - the prices drop and the weather is still pretty warm. It’s not for beach lovers, but it’s the best time to get out and about without the scorching temperatures. Autumn and spring are also great times to visit.
Peak Season: November - February. This is summer in Sydney, schools have broken up and the whole country is on holiday,
Low Season: June - August. This is winter in Sydney and the best time to snag a bargain.
Walk My World cost index: $$$$$ - There’s no debate on this, Sydney is crazily expensive. Even a cheap backpacker budget is around $70 per day!
Start here - Planning your trip
These are the blogs to help you plan your trip, the best tips on what to do, where to stay and an itinerary for the best way to spend your time in Sydney.
Our comprehensive guide to where to stay in Sydney: the best hotels and hostels for all budgets, and detailed descriptions of which are the best suburbs and neighbourhoods.
Bored of seeing all the obvious things to do in Sydney? Here’s the places to visit that no one tells you about, put together by a local who’s lived here for over five years.
Sydney Walks & National Parks
Sydney is blessed with so many beautiful walks and national parks, all within a short distance. You’ll find our favourites here.
The best things to do in Sydney
Here you’ll find the best of Sydney from our years as a local. This includes the best things to do, viewpoints, sunrise and sunset spots, beaches, day trips and insider tips.
There's one thing every visitor to Australia want to do: see a wild kangaroo. There's nothing like spotting your first kangaroo bounding across the road or sparring on the golf course. We’ve put together the 9 best places to see wild kangaroos near Sydney for an unforgettable experience.
Everything you could possibly want to know about Sydney Airport hotels, including money saving hacks, insider tips and exact distances between the hotels and the airport terminals.
Sydney is blessed with an abundance of incredible wild swimming spots just waiting to be discovered! Whether you are looking for waterholes big enough to swim laps in, or small secluded pools beneath waterfalls, we’ve got a spot you’ll love on this list. Here are the best wild swimming spots close to Sydney.
15 Sydney hotels with harbour views for that bucket list stay. Our list will showcase the best hotels with views of the opera house, the harbour bridge and the harbour from your room, as well as a hostel that has one of the best panoramic views in Sydney.
Everything you need to know about the Bondi to Coogee Walk - one of the best coastal tracks in Australia. We’ve got insider tips to help you get the most out of the trail.
Royal National Park is full of beautiful waterfalls. We’re sharing our favourites from the more well known ones to some fantastic hidden gems and we’re not sitting on the fence about which are the best.
6 incredible sunrise spots and the 12 best sunsets spots in Sydney that offer some of the best views in the city! After 7 years living here, we've scouted the best places for you to be at the beginning of end of the day.
The 30 best lookouts in Sydney for the most incredible views. We’ll tell about the iconic viewpoints in and around Sydney, as well as the best times to go and how to get there. There are also a few local favourites and hidden gems for anyone who loves a lesser known spot.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the best beaches in Sydney, with over 100 to choose from. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 15, with something for everyone from secluded secret spots to those that are perfect for sunset, and even one you can drive on!
Sydney is well known for having beautiful beaches but the majority of people all flock to the same ones. If you prefer your beaches a little more secluded we’re spilling the beans on Sydney’s best hidden gems, which you often get all to yourself! From secret coves to wild and jungly island vibes, we have you covered in this detailed guide.
Sydney is surrounded by dozens of jaw dropping waterfalls. Some are well known, and some are definitely hidden gems. There’s something for everyone from drive up options to those that require a bit of a hike. We’re sharing the best of the best and how to access them.
Royal National Park has many of the best beaches in Sydney. Whatever you’re looking for you’ll find it here. Having visited all the beaches, we’re sharing the details on our favourites.
24 picnic spots in Sydney for every occasion! Whether you’re looking for a day trip for the family, a romantic date, a spot with stunning views or a hidden gem, we’ve got the perfect picnic spot for you.
Palm Beach is one of our favourite places in Sydney, and there’s so much more to it than just the beach. We’ll tell you what not to miss from the heritage lighthouse to the Bible Garden and secret cave, as well as a sunset spot that no one else knows about!
Sydney’s an expensive place, but there is so many free things to do here that you’ll struggle to pack which into your trip! Here’s the best 37 activities in Sydney which don’t cost a dollar.
How to plan the perfect day trip to Wattamolla. We’ll tell you about the best things to do, the mistakes you want to avoid and the hidden gems that most visitors miss out on at this stunning spot in Royal National Park.
14 fun things to do in Watsons Bay, one of our favourite places in Sydney. We’ll tell about the great beaches, views, food and activities you can do to make a fun day out in this beautiful suburb.
Whale watching season in Sydney is one of our favourite times of year. We’ll tell you all the best vantage points to see them from land, as well as tips for when you’re likely to see bigger numbers. We’ll also share the best conditions for sightings and photography.
If you are looking for the best views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, don’t miss our guide on all the most beautiful spots from a locals perspective.
The complete guide to the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail and 6 other fun things to do there. We’ll tell you everything you need to know before you visit, including: where to park for free, how to make the most of your trip and a section by section breakdown of the lagoon circuit trail.
The complete guide to Manly Dam - a pocket of wilderness on the Northern Beaches. Manly Dam has something for everyone; bushwalks, wild swimming spots, wildlife and beautiful picnic areas by the reservoir. Here’s some tips for a great day out.
The 15 best views of the Sydney Opera House to get epic photos of this iconic landmark. We’ll tell you the exact locations to go to for great views and really unique perspectives to get shots that no one else has!
If you haven’t been to Lake Parramatta Reserve yet you should definitely give it a try. There’s loads to do from bush walking to wild swimming and many lovely picnic spots. Here’s how to spend the perfect day there.
If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, then you’ll want to check out guide to the big mistakes you will want to avoid when visiting this incredible city! We’ll tell you about the classic errors travellers make, some local tips and everything you need to know before planning the trip of a lifetime Down Under.
The most instagrammable places in Sydney - the world famous shots you have to get and a few hidden gems. We’ll tell you about all the best views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the instagram-worthy beaches and epic spots to take the best photos in Sydney.
There’s a lot of debate between which city is better for travellers, Sydney or Melbourne. In this post we’ll outline which city we think is better by category and help you decide which should be on your must visit list.
Looking for inspiration for an incredible day trip from Sydney? We have 15 of the best, including itineraries, tips and everything you need to know to choose your perfect day away from the city.
A 2 day Sydney itinerary that packs the best of what to do in the city: beaches, views, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and a few local secrets. You’ll see the must-do places and also hear about some hidden gems.