Attractions in Sydney & New South Wales
Iconic harbour views and endless coastal adventures 🌉🏄♂️🏞️
Showing 112 attractions · Sorted by importance
Art Gallery of New South Wales
📍 Sydney
🖼 Art GalleryOne of Australia's flagship art museums featuring extensive collections of Australian, Aboriginal, and international art in both neoclassical and modern wings.
Australian Museum
📍 Sydney
🔬 ScienceAustralia's first museum features world-class natural history galleries, massive dinosaur skeletons, and a profound collection of First Nations artifacts.
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden
📍 Mount Tomah
🌿 GardenThis high-altitude garden showcases cool-climate plants with breathtaking panoramic views over the Blue Mountains wilderness.
BridgeClimb Sydney
📍 Sydney
🧗 AdventureAn iconic guided adventure climbing the steel arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic city and harbor views.
Cape Byron Headland
📍 Byron Bay
🏔 Scenic ViewThe easternmost point of the Australian mainland featuring a historic lighthouse and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Cape Byron Lighthouse
📍 Byron Bay
🏰 CastleAustralia’s most easterly lighthouse, offering spectacular coastal views and a museum showcasing maritime history.
Cockatoo Island
📍 Sydney
🏰 CastleA unique harbour island featuring massive industrial ruins, convict-era buildings, and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour.
CSIRO Parkes Observatory
📍 Parkes
🔬 ScienceIconically known as 'The Dish,' this massive radio telescope features a comprehensive visitor center explaining space exploration and the facility's history.
Echo Point Lookout (Three Sisters)
📍 Katoomba
🌲 NatureAn iconic lookout providing a stunning panorama of the Jamison Valley and the famous Three Sisters sandstone rock formations.
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
📍 Sydney
🦁 ZooAn interactive wildlife park where families can get up close to a diverse range of Australian native animals like kangaroos and koalas.
Great North Walk
📍 Sydney
🥾 Hiking & Cycling250km challenging 8-14 day trek from Sydney to Newcastle with 7,000m elevation gain. Passes through a series of national parks including Ku-ring-gai and Watagans.
Hyde Park Barracks
📍 Sydney
🏰 CastleA UNESCO World Heritage site offering an immersive museum experience about Australia's convict history and colonial past.
Manly Beach
📍 Sydney
⛱ BeachAccessible by a scenic ferry ride, this family favorite features a pine-lined promenade, surf beaches, and calm harbor coves.
Mount Kosciuszko
📍 Jindabyne
🏔 Scenic ViewAustralia's highest peak, accessible via a family-friendly alpine walking track through unique glacial landscapes and summer wildflowers.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
📍 Sydney
🖼 Art GalleryLocated on the Sydney Harbour waterfront, this museum showcases cutting-edge contemporary art from Australia and around the world in a striking Art Deco building.
Old Government House
📍 Parramatta
🏰 CastleThe oldest surviving public building in Australia, this UNESCO site provides a glimpse into the lives of early governors.
Perisher Ski Resort
📍 Perisher Valley
⛷ Ski Resort1,605-2,054m, 120+ runs, 65km pistes, Jun-Oct season, 5 terrain parks, largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere with 47 lifts across four interconnected areas.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
📍 Sydney
🌿 GardenA stunning harbor-side oasis offering diverse plant collections and iconic views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Scenic World
📍 Katoomba
🧗 AdventureA premier Blue Mountains destination featuring the world's steepest railway, glass-bottom cables cars, and elevated rainforest boardwalks.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
📍 Sydney
🐠 AquariumOne of the world's largest aquariums featuring a massive walk-through shark tunnel and the rare dugong.
Six Foot Track
📍 Katoomba
🥾 Hiking & Cycling44km challenging 3-day trek from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves with 1,500m elevation gain. A historic horse track through eucalyptus forests and the Megalong Valley.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
📍 Sydney
🎭 EventMid-February to early March, 2-week LGBTQIA+ cultural celebration. Features a world-famous parade with over 500,000 spectators and a massive party. Includes family-friendly events like Fair Day in Victoria Park.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
📍 Sydney
🏛 LandmarkAn iconic steel arch bridge known as the 'Coathanger' that offers breathtaking views of the city and harbour.
Sydney New Year's Eve
📍 Sydney
🎭 EventDecember 31, one of the world's most famous fireworks displays. Attracts over 1 million people to the harbor and billions of global viewers. Includes a 9pm family fireworks show followed by the midnight grand finale.
Sydney Opera House
📍 Sydney
🏛 LandmarkAn architectural masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site offering tours and world-class performances on the harbour.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
📍 Dubbo
🦁 ZooA vast open-range safari park where families can explore large animal paddocks by bike, cart, or car in a rural setting.
Taronga Zoo Sydney
📍 Sydney
🦁 ZooAn iconic harborside zoo offering breathtaking views of the Sydney skyline alongside world-class animal exhibits and conservation programs.
The Rocks
📍 Sydney
🏘 Town / VillageSydney's oldest neighborhood features charming cobblestone laneways, historic sandstone pubs, and vibrant weekend markets perfect for families exploring Australian colonial history.
Thredbo Resort
📍 Thredbo
🧗 AdventureA year-round mountain resort in the Snowy Mountains featuring skiing in winter and the Southern Hemisphere's first Alpine Coaster, mountain biking, and hiking trails in summer.
Vivid Sydney
📍 Sydney
🎭 EventLate May to mid-June, 23-day festival of light, music, and ideas. Attracts over 3 million visitors. Features massive light projections on the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, family-friendly light walks, and interactive installations.
Waterfall Way
📍 Coffs Harbour
🚗 Road Trip185km paved mountain pass (1-2 days). Key highlights include the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park, Dangar Falls, Ebor Falls, and the massive Wollomombi Falls.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
📍 Sydney
🥾 Hiking & Cycling6km easy 2-3 hour coastal hike with 80m elevation gain. This iconic clifftop trail offers stunning Pacific Ocean views and connects several famous beaches.
Calmsley Hill City Farm
📍 Abbotsbury
🐄 FarmAn interactive city farm offering authentic rural experiences including sheep shearing shows, cow milking, and tractor rides just outside Sydney.
Cape Byron State Conservation Area
📍 Byron Bay
⛱ BeachHome to Australia's most easterly point, this park features a historic lighthouse, coastal hiking tracks, and prime whale-watching spots.
Grand Pacific Drive
📍 Sydney
🚗 Road Trip140km paved coastal route (1-2 days). Key highlights include the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, the Royal National Park, Wollongong's beaches, and the Kiama Blowhole.
Greater Blue Mountains Drive
📍 Penrith
🚗 Road Trip1,200km network of paved roads (3-5 days). Key highlights include the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Wentworth Falls, Govetts Leap, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah.
Legendary Pacific Coast
📍 Sydney
🚗 Road Trip900km paved coastal highway (5-7 days). Key highlights include the Central Coast, Port Stephens sand dunes, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and the famous beaches of Byron Bay.
Lightning Ridge Bore Baths
📍 Lightning Ridge
♨ Hot Spring41.5°C naturally heated artesian water sourced from the Great Artesian Basin. This open-air circular pool is famous for its high mineral content and is free to the public, offering a therapeutic outback soaking experience 24/7.
Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre
📍 Moree
♨ Hot Spring39°C to 41°C natural artesian mineral waters. A major thermal complex featuring multiple outdoor soak pools, an Olympic pool, and a wellness centre. The facility has been a significant health destination since its discovery in 1895.
The Farm Byron Bay
📍 Byron Bay
🐄 FarmA working regenerative farm featuring a famous restaurant, livestock paddocks, and educational tours focused on sustainable agriculture.
The Three Sisters
📍 Katoomba
🏔 Scenic ViewAn iconic sandstone rock formation in the Blue Mountains offering panoramic valley views and cultural significance to the Aboriginal people.
Thredbo Valley Track
📍 Thredbo
🥾 Hiking & Cycling37km moderate one-way cycling route with 880m elevation loss from Thredbo Village to Jindabyne. A world-class shared-use trail following the Thredbo River through Kosciuszko National Park. Bike rental: Thredbo MTB (thredbo.com.au).
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool
📍 Yarrangobilly
♨ Hot Spring27°C constant temperature naturally heated mineralised spring-fed pool. The 20-metre main pool and smaller children's wading pool are located in a scenic valley within Kosciuszko National Park, accessible via a short walking track.
Australian Reptile Park
📍 Somersby
🦁 ZooA hands-on wildlife sanctuary famous for its reptile shows and essential funnel-web spider and snake venom milking programs.
Barrington Tops National Park
📍 Gloucester
🌲 NaturePart of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, known for ancient Antarctic Beech trees and spectacular waterfalls.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
📍 Sydney
🌿 GardenA tranquil walled garden in Darling Harbour featuring traditional Taoist architecture, koi ponds, and miniature waterfalls.
Elizabeth Bay House
📍 Sydney
🏰 CastleA grand colonial Regency-style mansion known for its magnificent domed ceiling and elegant oval staircase.
Government House Sydney
📍 Sydney
🏰 CastleThe official residence of the Governor of NSW, featuring ornate Gothic Revival architecture and beautiful state rooms.
Hartley Historic Site
📍 Hartley
🏘 Town / VillageA remarkably preserved 19th-century village on the edge of the Blue Mountains featuring a colonial courthouse and historic sandstone cottages.
Hunter Valley Gardens
📍 Pokolbin
🌿 GardenA massive garden complex featuring ten uniquely themed areas including a Storybook Garden and formal Italianate displays.
Hyams Beach
📍 Jervis Bay
⛱ BeachRenowned for having some of the whitest sand in the world, this beach provides calm turquoise waters ideal for family swimming.
Jamberoo Action Park
📍 Jamberoo
🎢 Theme ParkA large outdoor water and adventure park set in a picturesque valley, famous for its high-speed water slides and mountain toboggan run.
Kiama Blowhole
📍 Kiama
⛱ BeachA spectacular natural rock formation that sprays seawater high into the air, located on a beautiful grassy headland.
Kosciuszko Alpine Way
📍 Jindabyne
🚗 Road Trip121km paved mountain route (2-3 hours). Key highlights include the peaks of the Snowy Mountains, Thredbo Village, Dead Horse Gap, and the sub-alpine wilderness near Khancoban.
Luna Park Sydney
📍 Milsons Point
🏛 LandmarkA historic 1930s amusement park featuring an iconic giant smiling face entrance and classic carnival attractions.
Newcastle Museum
📍 Newcastle
🔬 ScienceLocated in the Hunter Valley region, this museum features the Supernova science center and impressive exhibits on the area's industrial heritage.
Palm Beach
📍 Sydney
⛱ BeachA stunning northern peninsula offering a dual-sided beach experience with ocean surf on one side and calm estuary waters on the other.
Queen Victoria Building
📍 Sydney
🏛 LandmarkA grand 19th-century shopping arcade featuring beautiful Romanesque architecture, stained glass, and historic hanging clocks.
Selwyn Snow Resort
📍 Adaminaby
⛷ Ski Resort1,492-1,614m, 24 runs, 10km pistes, Jun-Sep season, family-oriented northern resort featuring 10 lifts and 45km of cross-country trails.
Shoal Bay
📍 Port Stephens
⛱ BeachA picturesque bay with crystal-clear water and white sand, serving as the gateway to the popular Tomaree Head summit walk.
Sydney Observatory
📍 Sydney
🔬 SciencePerched on a hill overlooking the harbor, this heritage site offers daytime telescope viewings and astronomy exhibits in a historic setting.
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
📍 Sydney
🌊 Water ParkA world-class swimming facility and indoor water playground located within the iconic 2000 Olympic Games venue.
Sydney Tower Eye
📍 Sydney
🏛 LandmarkThe city's tallest structure providing a 360-degree bird's-eye view of Sydney's skyline and surrounding landmarks.
Sydney Zoo
📍 Sydney
🦁 ZooA modern, world-class zoo offering immersive experiences with both exotic and native animals in large, naturalistic habitats.
Symbio Wildlife Park
📍 Helensburgh
🦁 ZooA family-run park set in lush gardens where visitors can pet and feed kangaroos while learning about exotic and native wildlife.
The Big Banana Fun Park
📍 Coffs Harbour
🎢 Theme ParkOne of Australia's most famous roadside attractions featuring a water park, alpine toboggan, ice rink, and tours of the iconic giant banana.
Trial Bay Gaol
📍 South West Rocks
🏰 CastleA picturesque ruined 19th-century prison located on a rugged headland, telling stories of convicts and wartime internees.
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
📍 South Murwillumbah
🖼 Art GalleryA stunning regional gallery featuring a meticulous recreation of artist Margaret Olley's home studio and panoramic views of the Tweed Valley.
Vaucluse House
📍 Sydney
🏰 CastleOne of Sydney's few remaining 19th-century estates still surrounded by its original gardens and grounds.
White Rabbit Gallery
📍 Sydney
🖼 Art GalleryA world-renowned gallery dedicated to 21st-century Chinese contemporary art, featuring rotating exhibitions and a tranquil onsite tea house.
Wild Life Sydney Zoo
📍 Sydney
🦁 ZooA conveniently located indoor wildlife park at Darling Harbour featuring unique Australian habitats and iconic animals like the saltwater crocodile.
Charlotte Pass Snow Resort
📍 Charlotte Pass
⛷ Ski Resort1,755-1,964m, 25 runs, 10km pistes, Jun-Sep season, Australia's highest resort, completely snowbound in winter and accessible only by over-snow transport.
Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
📍 Coffs Harbour
🐠 AquariumA marine conservation park offering educational dolphin and seal presentations and up-close animal interaction programs.
Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures
📍 Glenworth Valley
🧗 AdventureAustralia's largest horse riding and outdoor adventure center offering quad biking, kayaking, and abseiling across 3,000 acres of wilderness.
Grand Canyon Track
📍 Blackheath
🥾 Hiking & Cycling6.3km moderate 3-4 hour loop hike with 300m elevation gain. A spectacular walk descending into a deep, lush sandstone canyon filled with ferns and waterfalls.
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
📍 Anna Bay
🐠 AquariumA unique interactive aquarium where visitors can wade into the water to feed and pet various species of sharks and rays.
Japanese Bath House (Blue Mountains Sparadise)
📍 South Bowenfels
♨ Hot Spring38°C to 40°C mineral baths using natural spring water from an underground source on the property. NSW's only authentic Japanese onsen experience, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a Zen garden, and views over Lake Lyell.
North Head Lookout
📍 Manly
🌲 NatureDramatic coastal cliffs at the entrance to Sydney Harbour, providing vast Pacific Ocean vistas and views of the city skyline.
Oakvale Wildlife Park
📍 Salt Ash
🐄 FarmA multi-award-winning park combining native Australian wildlife with a large hands-on farm animal section and tractor-trailer rides.
Pilliga Artesian Bore Bath
📍 Pilliga
♨ Hot Spring37°C mineral-rich artesian water in a roof-covered outdoor pool. The bore was originally sunk in 1902 and provides a remote health-giving retreat surrounded by woodland, popular for nighttime bathing under the outback stars.
Raging Waters Sydney
📍 Prospect
🧗 AdventureThe largest water theme park in New South Wales, offering over 30 slides, a massive wave pool, and family-friendly splash zones.
Sand Dune Adventures
📍 Williamtown
🧗 AdventureThrilling quad bike and sandboarding tours across the massive Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
Science Space
📍 Wollongong
🔬 ScienceA premier regional discovery center featuring over 100 interactive exhibits, a sophisticated planetarium, and live science demonstrations for all ages.
The Coast Track
📍 Bundeena
🥾 Hiking & Cycling26km challenging 2-day trek through Royal National Park with 700m elevation gain. Features dramatic cliffs, seasonal whale watching, and the famous Eagle Rock.
Tobruk Sheep Station
📍 Maroota
🐄 FarmA heritage sheep station overlooking the Blue Mountains, providing international tourists with an iconic outback experience including stockman shows and damper making.
Tomaree Head
📍 Port Stephens
🏔 Scenic ViewA popular summit walk offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Port Stephens coastline and surrounding islands.
Tomaree Head Summit
📍 Shoal Bay
🌲 NatureA popular hiking trail in Tomaree National Park that offers breathtaking coastal views over Port Stephens and its surrounding islands.
Wattamolla Beach and Lagoon
📍 Sutherland Shire
🌲 NatureA family favorite in the Royal National Park featuring a calm lagoon, a small waterfall, and a sheltered ocean beach.
Worimi Conservation Lands (Stockton Sand Dunes)
📍 Anna Bay
🏔 Scenic ViewThe largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a unique desert-like landscape by the sea.
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool
📍 Sydney
🌊 Water ParkA stunning outdoor saltwater pool located on the harbor's edge with panoramic views of Woolloomooloo Bay.
Australian Fossil and Terrestrial Museum
📍 Bathurst
🔬 ScienceThis museum houses the world-renowned Somerville Collection, including a complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and a stunning array of rare crystals.
Everglades House & Gardens
📍 Leura
🌿 GardenAn elegant 1930s Art Deco estate featuring tiered sandstone terraces and formal gardens with views of the Jamison Valley.
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
📍 Sydney
🌊 Water ParkAn architecturally striking indoor facility designed by Harry Seidler featuring heated pools and iconic wave-inspired roofing.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery
📍 Maitland
🖼 Art GalleryHoused in a grand historic technical college building, this gallery offers diverse exhibitions and award-winning family-friendly art activities.
Morpeth
📍 Morpeth
🏘 Town / VillageA historic river port in the Hunter Valley known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century brick architecture, artisan shops, and colonial heritage walks.
Norman Lindsay Gallery
📍 Faulconbridge
🏰 CastleThe former home and studio of the famous Australian artist, set within stone-sculpture filled gardens in the Blue Mountains.
Boomi Artesian Pool
📍 Boomi
♨ Hot Spring39°C hot artesian spa pool sourced from the Great Artesian Basin. The facility includes a cold 25m pool and wading areas, offering a quiet and authentic outback mineral soaking experience as part of the Great Artesian Drive.
Bouddi Coastal Walk
📍 Killcare Heights
🥾 Hiking & CyclingOne of the most beautiful coastal walks on the Central Coast, featuring boardwalks, secluded beaches, and wildflower displays.
Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
📍 Knockrow
🦁 ZooA community-focused sanctuary offering interactive wildlife encounters and educational presentations set in a subtropical environment.
Cape Byron Walking Track
📍 Byron Bay
🥾 Hiking & Cycling3.7km moderate 1.5-2 hour loop hike with 120m elevation gain. Leads to the historic lighthouse at Australia's most easterly point with panoramic ocean views.
Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre
📍 Terrigal
🐠 AquariumA family-friendly educational centre featuring hands-on marine exhibits, local sea creatures, and science-based activities.
Golden Ridge Animal Farm
📍 Dural
🐄 FarmA long-established family-run petting zoo focused on high-quality, hands-on animal interactions for children.
Gosford Regional Gallery
📍 East Gosford
🖼 Art GalleryA cultural hub on the Central Coast featuring multiple exhibition spaces and a beautiful, authentic Japanese garden with a large koi pond.
Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
📍 Nulkaba
🦁 ZooA peaceful wildlife destination in the heart of wine country, home to a wide variety of animals from lions to meerkats.
Magic Mountain Merimbula
📍 Merimbula
🎢 Theme ParkA family-friendly amusement park on the Sapphire Coast offering roller coasters, speed slides, and a popular tree-top climbing course.
Merimbula Aquarium
📍 Merimbula
🐠 AquariumAn aquarium located at the end of a scenic wharf featuring twenty-eight tanks showcasing local marine life and tropical species.
