Places to visit in Sydney

34 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AustraliaTravel, r/AskAnAustralian, r/sydney, X

Most visitors recommend the Opera House, and several suggest catching a show or event inside, with several saying the harbour views are the highlight. A couple of visitors recommend the behind-the-scenes tour, but one visitor calls it a touristy sight they would see in passing rather than seek out. Some visitors have mixed feelings: one who toured it on a school trip says they would appreciate it more as an adult, and another is not keen on backstage visits.

26 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/AustraliaTravel, r/sydney, r/AskAnAustralian

Most visitors recommend Taronga, and a few call it one of the world's best zoos. Many suggest reaching it by ferry, and a few mention the harbour views, though one visitor finds the zoo itself fairly average. A few visitors say it suits toddlers, though one visitor thinks it could be a lot for little ones. A few would rather visit Sydney Zoo or Featherdale for animals or a calmer trip, and a few visitors mention the hilly layout, including that it is hard going with a pram.

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Most visitors recommend the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and a few suggest a stroll through it beside the Opera House, with one calling it beautiful. Several say it suits young children, though one notes it isn't designed for children. One visitor finds it pleasant but underwhelming and says a full day isn't needed.

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Visitors recommend The Rocks as a place to wander, and several point to its history. One visitor finds it a nice place for breakfast, and one notes that it gets busy at weekends.

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Visitors recommend the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and several point to its underground playground as a good kid-friendly stop. One visitor finds the gallery beautiful and spacious enough to spend hours browsing. One visitor suggests arriving early, before older children turn up, and mentions that the space can feel cold.

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel

Many visitors recommend the Spit to Manly coastal walk, with one calling it beautiful and suggesting a full day and another calling it magic. One visitor suggests finishing in Manly with lunch, another with fish and chips, and another recalls a burger there afterwards. The main caveats concern access: one visitor found the steep stairs near the end gruelling, two visitors say parts of the route are not pram accessible, and one dislikes the trip out to Spit Bridge to start.

13 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel, r/AskAnAustralian

Visitors recommend Darling Harbour, and a few point to its playground and a couple to its water-play fountains as good for kids, with one visitor noting the fountains are best on warm days. A couple of visitors also point to a walk along the waterfront. Two visitors said there was little there but construction work when they commented, and suggested skipping it.

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Many visitors recommend the Australian Museum, and several point to its kids section. One visitor says the Burra exhibition is interactive and has a section set aside for little ones, and another found it busy with small children when visiting.

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Visitors recommend Watsons Bay, and several suggest getting there by ferry. Visitors recommend the walks there, and one visitor finds the route out to Hornby Lighthouse beautiful. One visitor suggests lunch there and another fish and chips with a beer. One notes there is a park with a playground.

8 people recommendvia r/sydney, X

Visitors broadly recommend Centennial Park, and several suggest riding a bike around its paths. Two visitors name it among the few bike-friendly spots in Sydney, two others point to its play areas, and one visitor says they personally find it a beautiful park. One visitor would spend a few hours on a rental bike here and little else in the city.

6 people recommendvia r/AskAnAustralian, r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel

Visitors recommend Circular Quay, and several suggest a stroll here. One visitor says there is usually plenty going on along the water and in the pubs, but thinks it could be crowded and hot. One visitor suggests weekdays during the Vivid festival to avoid crowds. A couple of visitors suggest keeping a first stop here short and easy, especially when tired from travel, with lunch or a drink nearby.

6 people recommendvia r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel, r/AskAnAustralian

Visitors recommend Barangaroo, including as part of a harbourside walk. Two visitors include it on harbour bike routes, though one of them would not ride those routes with a young child.

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Visitors recommend the Australian National Maritime Museum, and one finds it quite good. One visitor says visits are always enjoyable and that a wildlife photography exhibition was showing at the time, while another notes that a navy ship and a submarine can be explored on site.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel

Visitors recommend Coogee, with one pointing to the shade and the food and drink nearby and another preferring its evening atmosphere in summer. One visitor says the views at the Coogee end are especially impressive, several suggest walking the coastal path between Coogee and Bondi, and one suggests a swim and some time on the sand. One visitor finds it not especially exciting and suggests going elsewhere for food and drinks.

5 people recommendvia r/sydney, r/AustraliaTravel

Visitors recommend Sydney Zoo, and visitors describe it as smaller and easier to get around than Taronga Zoo, and one suggests it may be easier with a toddler. Highlights include the meerkat encounter, which one visitor says is worth it if you book early, and the chance to interact with Australian wildlife, which one visitor praises. Another visitor finds it calmer and quieter than Taronga Zoo.