The Australian Bucket List

New South Wales

SydneySydney has the world's attention for good reason, it's arguably one of the most beautiful cities you will ever see and deserves a place on anyone's bucket list.

Sydney is recognised around the world by its three major icons - spectacular Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. Admire the city's natural beauty on a ferry ride or explore the harbour and its hidden coves on a yacht or cruise. Some of the world's best restaurants are also here, many with breathtaking views over the harbour. Sydney is a great city for shopping with a range of top-brand boutiques, sophisticated stores and international designers. The Queen Victoria Building is a grand building dating back to the 1890s and today, one of the city's premier shopping destinations. For a bird's-eye view of Sydney, head to the summit of Sydney Tower Eye or the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge on a BridgeClimb. From here, you'll enjoy views stretching across the city centre, out to the Pacific Ocean and west to the Blue Mountains.

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Things to do

Manly

Nestled between a tranquil inner-harbour beach on one side and a popular Pacific Ocean surf beach on the other, Manly combines a laid-back attitude with a sophisticated dining scene and stylish Sydney shopping. Take a picturesque 30 minute ferry ride across Sydney Harbour to Manly and get off onto the palm-tree lined Corso. Join the Steyne Promenade where you can walk, roller-blade or cycle from Manly to Freshwater Beach. Head to Oceanworld Manly with the kids, enjoy the sea breeze at its many casual dining spots, take a ghost tour at Q Station, hire a bike or join a social game of beach volleyball. A beachside suburb, Manly offers many water sports including swimming, surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving.

Bondi Beach

Popular with backpackers, billionaires, board riders and the body beautiful, Bondi is one of Sydney's most stunning beaches. A walk along the beachfront promenade gives you the chance to experience its carefree sun-drenched lifestyle so close to the city centre. The main thoroughfare, Campbell Parade, has stylish surf wear shops, souvenirs, outdoor cafes, bars and fish'n chip shops. Wander Hall Street and Curlewis Street for designer stores, fashion and art galleries. Or discover the beautiful neighbouring beaches via a boardwalk that links Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee. Bondi Beach is only 30 minutes by public transport from the Sydney city centre.

Opera at the Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House was built for opera. To get the full benefit of this architectural wonder of the world, you need to climb the steps, step inside those iconic sails, and experience an opera performance by Opera Australia that's unlike anywhere else in the world. Prepare for the most impressive night you've ever had. You can dress up, have a glass of champagne looking over the harbour, and enjoy an exciting performance in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. The opera season features the world's most favourite operas from the hit composers like Puccini, Verdi, and Bizet. Great Opera Hits is a 90-minute concert featuring famous arias performed by some of Opera Australia finest singers, accompanied by piano.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. Built in 1932, this incredible feat of engineering uses almost 53,000 tonnes of steel to connect the Sydney CBD with the northern suburbs. Prior to its construction, Sydney residents hoping to cross the harbour would either have to board a ferry or undertake a 20 kilometre journey with five separate bridge crossings. Nowadays, pedestrians can walk from one side of Sydney Harbour to the other in just 15 minutes. Although its design was inspired by New York’s Hell Gate Bridge, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is over 50% larger than its American counterpart. In fact, standing 134 metres above the waters of Sydney Harbour, it remains the tallest steel arch bridge in the world today. Those up for an adventure should consider taking on the BridgeClimb; this 1.5–3.5 hour experience will reveal stunning views of Sydney from the top the bridge. For a different perspective, jump on a ferry from Circular Quay to westerly destinations such as Luna Park, Cockatoo Island, or McMahons Point. Gliding directly beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge will give you an awe-inspiring sense of the magnitude—and the importance—of Sydney’s iconic bridge.

Dine at Quay

Quay is one of the country’s most celebrated restaurants; the creation of leading Australian restaurant group, Fink Group, and Executive Chef Peter Gilmore. The reimagination of Quay has welcomed an organic space reflective of Peter Gilmore’s nature inspired cuisine. The interplay of textures and colour bring new life and a vibrance that embraces the restaurant’s place in the dress circle of Sydney Harbour. An ode to the Australian landscape, from the vast ocean floor, to the cracked bark of a paperbark tree, every detail from the ground up has been thoughtfully considered. A new era for Quay, gives an opportunity to fulfil even greater aspirations in delivering a most personal and immersive dining experience. Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.

Have a drink at the Opera Bar

Situated right by the waters edge, Opera Bar is often described as the best beer garden in the world. Be swept away by the panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, CBD and beautiful Harbour. Whether it’s breakfast, a lazy lunch, a pre show dinner date or simply a cocktail; Opera Bar is truly perfect for any occasion. Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.

Take a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour is like a big blue playground in the heart of the city, alive with ferries, yachts, tugboats and cruise ships. Laze on a chartered yacht moored in a secluded bay or unwind on one of the many cruise vessels that depart from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour. Sydney Harbour islands - Fort Denison, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Goat and Cockatoo - have great cultural and historical significance. Some of the sites resonate with Aboriginal history, while others reflect a European past with convict-built structures and old forts. Cockatoo Island is one of 11 Australian Convict Sites that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. All the harbour islands are accessible by boat or ferry. Extending over 30 hectares over harbour foreshore, the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney occupies one of Sydney's most spectacular locations. Sydney Harbour National Park includes most of the harbour islands and large amounts of foreshore.

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