Top 5 Sydney Travel Attractions

Sydney is an alluring travel destination offering plenty of culture and sights. Even with Covid restrictions in place, there are still numerous activities and sights worth experiencing in Sydney. Cathay Pacific offers several flights to Sydney to take advantage of. 

No matter your itinerary in Sydney, whether that means taking a scenic cruise or admiring its iconic architecture – there is plenty of ways to create unforgettable memories here.

The Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is more than an architectural wonder; it also hosts world-class opera performances, theatre productions, ballet dancers and other forms of live entertainment. A must-see attraction when visiting Sydney, and an excellent way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Visit Australia’s iconic event venue the best way possible by attending a performance, but if that isn’t your cup of tea you can still take a guided tour and learn its history and interesting construction story. Danish architect Jorn Utzon’s design was originally considered unbuildable when proposed, yet ultimately took 14 years to be finished and you may get to experience inside some theatres as part of this experience as well as discover behind-the-scenes activities at this national landmark.

Guided tours at the Sydney Opera House are an ideal option for families, as this landmark boasts numerous child-oriented programs and activities. Junior Adventure tours allow kids to learn about its history while participating in fun activities – plus during school holidays there are educational workshops and educational events as well! Plus there are restaurants and bars which make great family dining venues!

Visit Sydney Opera House after sunset for a truly captivating light and music show! Be captivated by an incredible display of lights on its shells and its breathtaking musical score; visitors to Sydney must witness this show twice daily: once at sunset and again at 9 pm. Don’t miss it; visit Sydney now.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge

“The Coat Hanger,” Sydney’s iconic steel arch bridge is an engineering marvel and iconic landmark that serves as a major transportation link between its Central Business District of Circular Quay and North Shore areas. Additionally, this bridge serves as a photo opportunity and the centerpiece of New Year’s Eve fireworks displays.

Make time to walk across Sydney Bridge and admire its free views from both sides, or for something more thrilling, climb 200 steps to reach the southern pylon lookout (an affordable experience that provides three perspectives of daylight, sunset, and night time views all in one go). Although bridge climbing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, many travelers consider it essential when visiting this vibrant city.

Book a sailing tour under the famed span and admire its breathtaking views of the harbour, or treat yourself to an extravagant dinner and cocktail cruise for even more bridge action! Get an up close view of its illuminations either at nightfall or sunset!

Barangaroo, Sydney’s trendy precinct of Barangaroo is home to several restaurants with breathtaking views of the bridge, foreshore walks, art galleries and shops that cater for local residents as well as shopping, cinemas and bowling, making this area perfect for families.

Nature enthusiasts will delight in exploring Cockatoo Island, a former colonial prison, school and naval dockyard which now provides an extraordinary camping experience under the stars. Or drop your line in the harbour for some year-round saltwater species fishing! Or for something truly thrilling try Thunder Jet Boat for speedboat adventures to get your adrenaline flowing!

The Rocks

The Rocks is an historic precinct with an eclectic mix of boutique shops, artisan markets and historic pubs. Additionally, The Rocks hosts the Museum of Contemporary Art with cutting-edge exhibitions.

It was one of Sydney’s first European settlements and is easily one of its most beloved neighborhoods today. Boasting small streets with hidden laneways, it can best be explored on foot with a guided tour in order to fully grasp its rich history.

Start at the Rocks Discovery Museum, a free museum housed in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse that’s packed with stories about Sydney’s early days. Next stop should be Cadman’s Cottage – believed to be Australia’s oldest surviving residential building and city’s oldest house; currently used as a heritage museum but previously functioning as prison cells and water transport HQ over its long history.

Check out other historic landmarks, like Susannah Place (established 1840) and Garrison Church (1800s). Additionally, Nurses Walk was once used by nurses traveling between hospital and home – now it offers quirky shops and restaurants!

As a popular tourist spot, The Rocks may be touristy but still worth visiting due to its atmosphere and unique shopping and dining opportunities. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels with gorgeous views up to some of Sydney’s top luxury hotels – so whatever your budget, there is something suitable at The Rocks for everyone! Be sure to stop at Pylon Lookout to take in stunning views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

The Sydney Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum on Sydney Harbour is an ideal attraction for families. This museum offers an impressive collection of ships and exhibits that explore Australia’s maritime history, such as Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour replica and HMAS Vampire submarine; furthermore there is also a historic wooden boat collection, art exhibitions, as well as an aquarium showcasing beautiful Australian sea life.

This museum boasts six permanent galleries specializing in topics like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, European explorers, naval defense forces, sailing, and surfing. If you plan on visiting, consider purchasing the Big Ticket which allows access to historic ships berthed at docks – this way you’ll have the opportunity to tour several vessels such as the HM Bark Endeavour replica or Cold War submarine HMAS Onslow!

At the Maritime Museum’s Titanic exhibition, guests can explore shipwrecks and learn about Australia’s relationship with the ocean. Eora-First People also examines Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures while HMS Victory artifacts can also be viewed here.

Experience an underwater adventure at the museum’s aquarium, which houses over 700 different Australian fish and marine creatures from Australia. Feeling daring? Step aboard one of their submarines for an up-close view into submarine warfare! Additionally, interactive activities and educational programs await visitors at this attraction which is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, just a short walk away from Town Hall Station via public transit.

Luna Park

Luna Park, situated in Milsons Point on Sydney Harbour Bridge’s northern side, offers something fun for every member of the family – thrill rides or family rides alike – making your visit here truly enjoyable and worthwhile. With so much to see and do here at Luna Park, making sure it remains memorable will not be hard!

This historic amusement park stands as Sydney’s last remaining example of fantasy architecture inspired by Coney Island in New York, opening in 1912 and quickly becoming a success – going on to inspire multiple other parks worldwide, such as Luna Parks in Melbourne, Adelaide and Glenelg.

Luna Park features a 9-meter wide smiling moon face at its entrance that can be seen from points such as Sydney Harbor Bridge and Circular Quay, mirroring similar smiling faces found elsewhere in Melbourne, Hong Kong, and USA Luna Parks. This landmark can also be spotted from Melbourne.

Luna Park guests can experience various rides such as the Rotor, where visitors are spun around at high speeds while being held in a barrel. Other rides available to guests at Luna Park include a Ferris wheel, Tango Train and antique steam Carousel which took master craftsmen years to restore.

Luna Park is an absolute must for families looking for an enjoyable outing, boasting stunning scenery and carnival colors to take your breath away. Ride rides or just take in the sights – either way you won’t be disappointed by what Luna Park has to offer! For an effortless self-guided tour of this extraordinary attraction download the GPSmyCity app available for iPhone and Android devices to explore it seamlessly – its free to use and will help you discover Sydney more efficiently than ever!