Sydney Things to Do

Believe it or not, winter snow skiing opportunities are but a hop, skip and a jump from Sydney city. Just head to the Snowy Mountains, about a half day’s drive to the south, and find yourself gliding down the slopes in no time.

Sydney remains a coveted destination for cruise ship visitors, and the popularity of a port stopover continues to grow. The year of 2013 will see 265 cruise ship visits to the port at beautiful Sydney Harbour where travelers then get the opportunity to explore the city’s top attractions. Timing varies by cruise ship itinerary, so sometimes travelers must keep track of how long they have for their shore excursions. The best options are to visit the attractions closest to the harbor, or to sign up for a guided shore excursion.

As a day to day form of transportation, the ferry would not rank high in usefulness for most travelers in Sydney. However, for certain destinations, as well as a feeling of being on the waters of Sydney Harbour, the ferry definitely ranks high.

Sydney’s Vivid Festival will once again flood the city with a multicolored canvas of light, music and ideas in late May 2012.

Ranked one of the Top Ten global ideas festivals by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, Vivid Sydney celebrates the world’s creative industries and is the biggest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beaches are a top attraction in Sydney. Locals know it, visitors know it, and many of the most well-known beaches can see dozens of thousands of people in a single day. If that sounds crowded, then you might be a person on the lookout for those hidden and secret beaches instead. Although we understand that sharing secret and hidden beaches means they will no longer be as such to the public, Sydney is blessed with mile after mile of coastline meaning hidden beaches are really a dime a dozen.

Ballets, musicals, comedy shows and concerts fill event calendars in Sydney, so the possibility of booking into a night out or two during your stay is extremely high. The most coveted destination for a show in Sydney would be at the world famous Sydney Opera House, right on the stunning Sydney Harbour, as it had been constructed inside to produce and carry the richest, warmest sound. Other popular show locations include the ANZ Stadium, the State Theatre, and the Allphones Arena.

Planning the perfect day in Sydney could go every which way depending on your personal travel style. With beaches galore, big city comforts, a glorious harbor, food of international flare, mountains and rainforest filled national park… one has to pick and choose wisely in order to create the perfect day. We’ve been racking our brains at Viator, so here’s what we recommend if you have to cram in one last brilliant day in Sydney city.

In Sydney, the cafe culture lives large. Whether it be because of excellent coffee, good food, or just an overall trendy vibe, cafes draw people of all walks of life for a quick burst of caffeine or a social gathering with friends. Weekdays and weekends see their fair share no matter what part of the city you happen to be in.

When Sydney lovers speak of this city’s beauty, they are often referring to the beauty that comes from being a city on a harbor, and with close proximity to beaches of worldwide fame. The water connects Sydney city with suburbs that would otherwise take an hour to drive to – thus providing a logistical benefit while also being scenic. One might say that you haven’t experienced Sydney until you’ve taken to boat or ferry or even a kayak, and we at Viator tend to agree.

A 90 minute train ride separates visitors from Sydney city and the beautiful Blue Mountains. It’s just an hour and a half to fresh, clean air, speckled with breezes of eucalyptus, and plenty of panoramic views. The Blue Mountains makes the perfect destination for relaxing, shopping, eating or even adventuring for a day or long weekend.