My 15 Favorite Activities in 2026

If you’re looking for an exhilarating experience in Sydney, then skydiving should be at the top of your list. What’s awesome about this zoo is that it’s not-for-profit, so you know that every dollar you spend there goes toward a good cause! Taronga Zoo performs a lot of important research and has a team dedicated to reproductive science that helps species conservation, both in zoos and in the wild. We booked our observation tickets online before we went for $27 AUD.
Bring your racket and ball to take advantage of the ping pong table. Lucy Stones is an experienced freelance writer sydney attractions with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She completed  a Bachelor of Communication in Journalism & PR at Griffith University. Specialising in food, beverage and culture coverage, Lucy's ...

It’s a nature reserve, so the whole area is protected – you’ll likely spot equally protected water dragons along the walk, basking in the sun. Of any bar in the city, few can boast a view as iconic as the Opera Bar. There are multiple venues to sample, live music and DJs most nights and unbeatable people-watching opportunities. It’s the most photographed ocean pool in Australia – at Sydney’s most famous beach.
Adjoining Chinatown in Haymarket you’ll find over 1000 stalls inside the complex. You can pick up an array of imported goods at bargain prices, from fashion and accessories to souvenirs and gadgets. Driving through Sydney’s southern CBD, you won’t be able to miss the stunning sandstone Gothic Revival architecture of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Standing on the site of Australia’s first Catholic chapel, St. Mary’s stands 107m long with a ceiling height of 22.5m and a nave 24.3m wide. But the outstanding architectural piece-de-resistance is the front towers and spires which soar over 74m in height. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is located just a few minutes’ walk from both the CBD and Opera House.
While it’s especially stunning during cherry blossom season, it’s a beautiful spot to visit year-round. With its abundance of beautiful parks, lookouts, and beaches, picnicking with friends and family is a favourite pastime for Sydney locals. After crossing from the city side, head down to Bradfield Park for stunning views of the Sydney CBD and the bridge itself. Sydney’s CBD is compact, with most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions within easy walking distance.

It’s a quick 15-minute walk each way, and the views of the harbour and Opera House are breathtaking. For an even better vantage point, you could climb the 200 steps to the top of the Pylon Lookout. It’s a nice thing to do, but we think the entry fee is a bit steep at $29.95. One of the other great ways to experience the bridge is by walking the pedestrian walkway, which connects Dawes Point to Milsons Point. For more travel inspiration, check out our guides to the best lookouts in the Blue Mountains and the top Blue Mountains walks. All three areas have undergone significant upgrades in recent years and are now popular dining spots for tourists, local office workers, and residents alike.
Sydney is Australia’s most vibrant and diverse city — a destination where world-class art, golden beaches, green parks, and buzzing nightlife blend perfectly. Whether you’re an art lover, nature enthusiast, or nightlife seeker, Sydney offers endless attractions that capture the true spirit of Australia. Aside from its incredible history, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has become home to the Bridge Climb Experience, which offers locals and visitors the chance to climb the bridge’s impressive steel arches. Climbers are rewarded with a backdrop of the Sydney Opera House, the city skyline and a breathtaking expanse of coastline as far as the eye can see.

Head into the trees for some fun and adventure, featuring flying foxes, zip lines & more at TreeTop Adventure Park Sydney! It is also one of the best places to stay in Sydney, so you after your meal you can retreat to your room with a stunning view of Sydney Harbour. The winner of the best view of the South  Coast has to go to Stanwell Tops. This patch of grass at the southern end of Royal National Park has an incredibly view of the Sea Cliff Bridge and Wollongong in the distance. It then carries along the cliff side to Eagle Rock and a waterfall that goes straight into the sea.
This cake is so famous it’s become a tourist attraction and there’s a reason why. It’s textural perfection, light, fresh, and the right amount of sweet. Black Star Pastry has become so renowned from the cake that it’s opening up stores around the world, it’s that good. At Virtual Reality Sydney, the concept of escape rooms and virtual reality are blended with a full 3d cinematic experience to deliver a mind blowing adventure that’s truly unique and immersive. Possibly the most Instagram-able pool in Australia, the Bondi Iceberg Pools are a great option when wondering what to do in Sydney.

A great way to discover this area is to take a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide who can explain the area’s history to you. This area is perfect to explore the little laneways and enjoy lunch at an historic pub with harbour views, like at the Glenmore Hotel. The Rocks is also home to a few excellent cafes and great markets on the weekends.
Our favourite was the Gruffalo Trail which is an interactive trail for kids. This is one of the most popular attractions in the region and it’s well worth the admission entry. If you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney and want to get beyond the city for a day or two, there are some downright epic day trips from Sydney or weekend getaways in the Greater Sydney region. In fact, there’s even a reality TV show based around this popular Sydney beach – Bondi Rescue, following some of the rescues and unusual situations the lifeguards of Bondi encounter. You can do a self-guided audio tour that can be purchased for a few dollars at the visitor centre. Jump on the ferry at Circular Quay, since it can only be reached by boat!
It might feel like an impossible task right now, but with RedBalloon’s family activities in Sydney, it’s a cinch. If you're looking for the best things to do in Sydney, there are plenty of options with RedBalloon, whether you want to explore by sky, land, or sea, let us help you plan the perfect day out. Partway along the Taronga to Balmoral walk, you will find Headland Park. The park is home to Artists Precinct, a collection of studios set up in old military buildings. Home to  21 artists, there are regular exhibitions, and you can often wander into the studios to look around.

Read our guide to the best Sydney Harbour Cruises with recommendations for different types of cruises on our beautiful Harbour. One of the best ways to experience Sydney Harbour is by taking a cruise, but doing it on a traditional tall ship adds something truly unique. In reality, there’s a fair bit of skill involved if you want to cook meat to perfection. That’s where a professional BBQ cooking class makes all the difference. From skydiving and jet-boating to abseiling and rock climbing, the Harbour City has plenty  of fun things to do that will get your heart racing.