10 unforgettable Sydney experiences

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

One of the city’s most iconic landmark, the Sydney Harbour Bridge almost instantly captures the attention of a visitor. While you can always drive, cycle and walk on the bridge, did you know you can also climb the bridge? With BridgeClimb Sydney, you can walk inside this cathedral of steel and reach the top for some unforgettable views of city. Sydney BridgeClimb offers a host of exciting climbs like BridgeClimb, BridgeClimb Express and BridgeClimb Sampler that are on throughout the day and range from anywhere between one hour to three hours. We highly recommend the twilight and the dawn climb.       

Cruise the spectacular Sydney Harbour

Surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, national parks and iconic attractions, the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour have rightly earned their title as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Set sail in this spectacular harbour and get a new perspective of the city as you sail past the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and miles of untouched beaches. Whether you are planning a relaxed evening with your friends or an elaborate dinner cruise, it’s one of the must-do activities in Sydney.

Walk around the city centre

When in Sydney, walk! There's no better way to explore this beautiful city and its famous attractions that by simply taking a stroll. Catch a breath at the local cafe hotspot, laze around on the beautiful lawns or attend a live event and weekend markets. Some highlights include the Sydney Tower Eye that stands 268 metres above ground and lets you walk on air (almost!), the beautiful Royal Botanical Garden on the Sydney Harbour and the Taronga Zoo Sydney for its adorable animal encounters.

Head to the Blue Mountains

Situated two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are known for their mystical aura and stunning natural beauty. Named after the slate-coloured haze that surrounds this national park, here you can discover one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of tall forests, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and bushland. Opt to go mountain biking or abseiling or discover the area on foot, this is one of the best spots to soak in nature’s wonders. You can also stop and admire the unique rock formation known as the Three Sisters or jump into a cableway at Katoomba to cruise over the beautiful rainforest canopy of the national park, the choice is yours!

Not a fan of walking trails? The famous Bondi to Coogee coastal trail walk will change your mind! This photogenic six kilometre (3.7 miles) walking track features stunning views, popular beaches, spectacular cliffs, and beautiful rock pools. The trail begins at Bondi Icebergs pool, winds past Aboriginal rock carvings at Marks Park, and takes you through the beaches of Bondi, Coogee and Bronte along the way.

Journey along the Grand Pacific Drive

Love long drives? We have a perfect route lined up for you! Rent a car and head to the Grand Pacific Drive and we promise you won’t be disappointed. This dramatically beautiful road starts just an hour south of Sydney and introduces you to some of the best spots in the surrounds. Drive the cantilevered curves of Sea Cliff Bridge as it coils around the cliff face 50 metres (164 feet) out to sea, then snake your way down the coastline to Hyams Beach, where you'll find the world's whitest sand. Along the way you can go for a surf or paddle at crowd-free beaches and go dolphin and whale watching. Makes for a perfect outing, doesn’t it?

Say YES to adventure with skydiving

Looking for some unbeatable adrenaline rush? Nothing comes close to jumping off a plane from 15,000 feet. At Skydive Australia in Wollongong, everything from the plane ride to the jump to the freefall and eventually the parachute landing, is perfectly orchestrated to give you the best skydive experience. Secured to your tandem skydive instructor, you freefall for up to 60 seconds before the chute is pulled and you soar serenely down to earth before landing on the North beach. The gorgeous views of Wollongong are just an added bonus.

Take a day trip to Manly

Popular for its beautiful crowd-free beaches and laid-back character, Manly attracts tourists looking for some sun, sand and surf. A 30-minute ferry ride from Sydney, here you can indulge in some tantalising food, learn surfing, go kayaking, spot whales and even discover the Manly to Split Bridge coastal walk. Rest assured this picuresque beachside town has a little of something for everyone.

Catch-up with dolphins

Regarded as Australia's dolphin capital, Port Stephens (a 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney) is home to some remarkable dolphin encounters. You can hop on a dolphin-watching cruise and spot these adorable mammals or if you are on a lookout for a closer encounter, you can even swim with them! Armed with all the safety equipment and in the company of two professional guides you actually swim alongside these friendly creatures instead of waiting for them to approach you, it’s almost like you are in their pod. Don’t know about you but we are definitely adding this to our bucket-list.

Sip wine in the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley wine region is a two-hour drive north of Sydney and is known for its unique styles of semillon and shiraz. The region has been making wine since 1828 and boasts of countless cafés and restaurants as well as 120 cellar doors, including Tyrrell's Wines, whose Vat 1 Semillon is acknowledged as one of the world's best. Perfect place to escape the city and breathe in some fresh country air, if you ask us.