Sydney Harbour Attractions
Top Things to do close to Sydney Harbour
There are many ways to experience the best Sydney Harbour Attractions. Getting on a boat of some description, any description really, comes highly recommended. It is personal preference whether you do so as part an organised cruise or a ferry. The harbour will look equally gorgeous either way.
But I don’t like Boats!
There are many ways to appreciate Sydney Harbour without actually venturing upon it. Below we highlight just some of the ideas list in the top 100 things to do in Sydney. Consequently you may find this page particularly useful if you won’t have much time or you intend staying close to the centre of town.
The Harbour – the heart and soul of Sydney
The harbour is alive with its many magnificent colours, sounds and sights. Catch the hustle and bustle of the water buses ferrying their passengers to all parts of Sydney. See the graceful luxury liners glide into Circular Quay. Visit some of the beautiful petite harbour islands and beaches. Finally, there is the small matter of the towering Harbour Bridge and the world heritage listed Opera House. Enjoy!
Catch the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly
The Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are two of the best Sydney Harbour attractions and they are yours to enjoy from decks of a Manly Ferry.
Catch the Manly Ferry (More)
Go on a Cruise
If you prefer your experience of Harbour to be shared exclusively with your fellow tourists and travellers then there are plenty of cruises to choose from. Some with food and music, others may only last a couple of hours. You’ll find all the major tour operators, operate from Jetty no.6 at the western end of Circular Quay (furthest away from the Opera House).
Ferry or Cruise?
Everybody goes on a Harbour Cruise. Just bear in the mind that the Harbour looks equally fabulous the same from the deck of a ferry or a cruise boat. The advantages of going on a cruise are that it lasts longer than a ride on a ferry and provides commentary. The advantage of a ferry is just opposite. It all depends on your preference. You can always do both.
Top Sydney Harbour Attraction – North Head
North Head (not far from Manly) will provide you with a stupendous view of the Sydney. Enjoy the bush as you meander down to the lookout(s) but the view is the main attraction.
The Harbour Bridge and Bridge Climb
You have a number of choices when it comes to the world-famous Harbour Bridge. You can walk, cycle or drive across it, sail underneath it or just stand and admire it, but if you really want to get on top of one of the most famous bridges in the world, you are just going to have to climb it.
Bridge Climb
The Bridge Climb is not as tough as it might first appear. The slope leading to the top of the Bridge isn’t overly challenging – particularly on the way down. 
The negatives are the cost, the long period of preparation and ‘training’ before you go up, no cameras (Bridge Climb will sell you photos) and it can also get a little sweaty in their ‘fashion’ grey suits.
Worth it? – Absolutely! This is an experience and a half, a must do, particularly if you like being chained to something.
Open Air Cinema
The Open Air Cinema is a must if you are in town when it’s on (January to February) and if you can get tickets. The Open Air Cinema is located on Mrs Macquaries’ Point in the Royal Botanic Gardens. It is the most expensive, hardest to get into of a number of outdoor cinemas in Sydney. Just imagine it, drink, food, the Harbour, the Opera House and the Bridge, sun setting, big screen rising up from the water. It is not something you are likely to forget. You might forget the movie but you won’t forget the experience.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens is a beautiful park on the foreshore of the most beautiful harbour city in the world.
Mrs Macquaries’ Chair
The only problem with Mrs Macquaries’ Chair is that it is a great spot for photography because of the wonderful view it provides of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Consequently it is visited by every tourist bus in town. Your best bet is to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon for better light and fewer people.
Sailing
For many sailing on Sydney Harbour is the ultimate thing to do.
Taronga Zoo
Everybody loves the zoo – maybe some of the lions might look a little fed up with it but we humans seem to enjoy it. Taronga Zoo also boasts classic views across the water to Sydney Opera House and the Bridge. Perhaps the most critical thing you could say about Taronga Zoo, apart from a distinct lack of imagination when it comes to tickets, is its name. Taronga Zoo? What’s wrong with Sydney Zoo?
Doyles at Watsons Bay
There is something about Doyles at Watsons Bay. It’s been accused of just being overpriced fish and chips but the staff are fun and friendly and the view says; ‘stop worrying, relax and have another drink'(?) or maybe that was the waiter, 🙂 either way it is a great spot to have lunch.
South Head and Watsons Bay (Ranked No. 18)
Seaplanes at Rose Bay (fly off to lunch)
You could say flying off for lunch on-board a Seaplane is a great way to spend the day but that would be an understatement. It will cost a bit but the experience is priceless.
Aerial Photography
Flying in a small aircraft like a seaplane is as different as it looks from the jet you may have arrived in. Be sure it’s for you. It’s a tight fit once you’re in but you’ll forget that pretty quickly as you try not to spend the whole trip taking pictures. The seaplanes depart from Rose Bay on the southern shore of the Harbour. If close by you’ll know about it as they do make a little bit of noise!
Jet Boating
Jet boating around is just good fun! Zooming around makes you the Sydney Harbour attraction so you must wave even if no-one waves back, just don’t fall out of the boat while you are doing it. 🙂
Harbour Bridge Pylon
For slightly more than a burger and chips at Circular Quay you can climb the 200 steps to the top of a Harbour Bridge Pylon. The Pylon Climb is excellent value, particularly when compared to the Bridge Climb. The climbable pylon is the one nearest to the city on the southern end of the Bridge.
Government House
This is the place where Royals go for a cuppa when they come to visit. Government House is the Official State Residence although any serious business probably takes place on the other side of the Harbour at Kirribilli House. Worth your time for the views and garden let alone the history and grandeur.
Bradleys Head
To visit Bradleys Head, get on the ferry at Circular Quay (ranked number 117), get off the ferry at Taronga Zoo, climb up the hill taking the right fork into the Sydney Harbour National Park. Choose from three walks. A thirty minute stroll will be well rewarded by spectacular views extending from the City to the South Head.
Islands of Sydney
It’s almost embarrassing to say that as well as the beaches, the internationally renowned icons and of course, the beautiful stretch of water at its heart, Sydney is also blessed with lovely islands in its beautiful harbour. It’s just too much and perhaps you are best advised to ignore them. 🙂
Balmoral Beach
I admit it – I took this picture! Ok, ok, I’m a lousy photographer, but hey, look at the view. Balmoral is a great spot, best beach on the harbour some might say.
Nielsen Park and Shark Beach
Shark Beach can get a little crowded as the wealthy and not quite so wealthy get down to their local beach to soak up the sun and admire the panoramic views of Sydney.
Milsons and McMahons Points
Well worth a trip over the Bridge to visit Milson Point and McMahon Point just for journey and photography.
Luna Park
The famous attention grabbing face of Luna Park is hard to miss anywhere near the middle of the Harbour. Luna Park has a history, a troubled relationship with its neighbours but it’s a fun place to be.
Cremorne Point Walk
Cremorne Point offers more splendid views on the north side of the Harbour. Mostly paved, a little bit of bush, nice houses, gardens, plenty of places for a picnic (best near Cremorne Point its self).
Parasailing and Water Skiing at Manly
Manly Wharf has been hosting parasailing since James Cook first floated over Manly’s golden sands. Well maybe not quite 🙂 but it has been a fun Sydney Harbour thing to do for some considerably time. The view is breathtaking and it’s a real thrill as you first feel yourself lifting up off of the water.
Parasailing and Water Skiing at Manly
Harbour View Hotel
The Harbour View Hotel is a pub with a water view (unsurprisingly) but not from the ground floor. You’ll need to climb the stairs.
Walk the Harbour Bridge
It takes about half an hour to cross the Bridge on foot. A wire suicide fence impedes the view a little. If you start walking from the city you can catch a train back into the city when you finish your walk.
Water Taxis
Once you have spent a little time near the Harbour you may find you have a strong urge to take a ride on one of the Water Taxis you’ll see zooming around. It is particularly worth considering if you are heading somewhere close to the water and you can share the fare.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, you know the one, it’s the funny looking building sticking out into Harbour close to the Bridge.
Circular Quay
You will find yourself in a place with the Opera House to one side, the Bridge to the other, ferries and water in front of you, train station, cafes and restaurants behind. You may notice street performers and, unless it is early or late in the day, you’ll hear a fair amount of noise. You may also find it necessary stand aside for hordes of people rushing by. This place is called Circular Quay.
Blues Point Reserve
Visit Blues Point Reserve for nice spot for a photo of the Bridge with the City as a backdrop.
Balls Head Reserve
Balls Head is a pleasant little reserve just north-west of the Bridge. Nice spot for a picnic and offers nice views of Sydney and an opportunity to stretch the legs a little.
Sawmillers Reserve
Sawmillers Reserve is a little hideaway in the heart of the city. Snap up a few more shots of Sydney with few locals to share it with let alone tourists.
Chinamans Beach
Chinamans Beach is good place to visit if you are going to Balmoral as it is the neighbouring beach. As well as the beach you’ll discover a large grassy area popular with families.
North Sydney Oval
North Sydney Oval has some pleasant but restricted views to the city from south-eastern corner of the park, close to the footbridge.
Top 100 plus things to do in Sydney
We have reached the end of our tour around the Harbour. If you’d like to see more of Sydney’s top attractions please follow this link to the Top 100 plus things to do