Blue Mountains National Park offers an ideal retreat from urban Sydney. Take in breathtaking views of towering peaks, rainforests, waterfalls and the famed Three Sisters rock formation as you enjoy this tranquil haven.
Madame Tussauds Australia brings all of its glitz and glamor from its global franchises into Australia, inviting guests to pose for photos with figures representing modern YouTube stars like Troye Sivan to historic cult icons as well as Australian heroes like Steve Irwin and Ned Kelly. Take selfies with wax figures that celebrate Australian life like Steve Irwin or Ned Kelly – snap selfies and take part in themed activities at this exciting attraction! Johannesburg to Sydney Cathay Pacific flights make getting into the city a breeze.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is an internationally recognized icon and landmark, designed by Danish architect Jrn Utzon and inscribed onto UNESCO World Heritage List. From camera-wielding tourists to architecture enthusiasts alike, everyone from camera snappers to dedicated enthusiasts flock to see this eye-catching structure. Book a guided tour and gain more insight into its design or attend one of its performances at its performing arts center.
Experience breathtaking city views from The Skywalk, an open-air observation deck encasing a building. Popular among locals, dine and sip cocktails here while gazing upon Sydney Harbor and cityscape views. Nearby Sydney Tower also provides an eye-popping panorama; its open-air platform gives unparalleled vantage of both cityscape and Blue Mountains simultaneously.
If you prefer exploring Sydney Opera House from land, try cruising along its waterfront or joining one of many walking tours that pass it. For an exclusive glimpse behind-the-scenes, reserve a place on one of three Behind the Scenes tours available – English, Mandarin and Japanese; great option for travelers with limited mobility as well!
Darling Harbour entertainment precinct boasts enough attractions to keep visitors occupied for several days or more, from history buffs admiring Captain Cook’s ship at the Australian National Maritime Museum, to colorful street art on Darling Harbour Street Art Trail and diving into sea life at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, or taking a peaceful break in Chinese Garden of Friendship where willows and koi ponds provide tranquillity.
The Royal Botanic Gardens
Every great city needs a central park, but few can match Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens as an impressive showcase of green space. Established in 1816 as Australia’s oldest scientific institution and with breathtaking harbour views from their prime position overlooking Sydney Harbour, The Royal Botanic Gardens provide a lush green paradise where flowering trees, tropical plants and indigenous species abound.
Discover themed gardens, take a guided tour or simply sit back and relax. The Australian Rainforest Garden and Australian Native Rockery showcase native flora while Cadi Jam Ora shares Aboriginal and colonial history. Additionally there are gardens dedicated to tropical and oriental plants such as succulents roses and cacti.
Gardens also boast many cultural attractions. A sandstone seawall surrounding Farm Cove provides a scenic vantage point, while Mrs Macquarie’s Chair boasts breathtaking views of Sydney Opera House. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair can also be found along Mrs Macquarie Promenade where visitors can find metal discs containing writing by some of Australia’s greatest writers such as Mark Twain and Germaine Greer cast into its floor.
There’s so much to see and discover at The Royal Botanic Gardens that booking an Adventure Clues Scavenger Hunt will surely give you plenty of new perspectives! Take an educational free tour with one of their knowledgeable botanical guides; also don’t miss the Archibald Fountain which honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Australia during World War One, or Tony Albert’s powerful sculpture Yininmadyemi Thou Didst Let Fall (Yininmadyemi Thou Didst Let Fall). Located close by is easy access from anywhere around town, with several bus services as well as car parking at their central depot for visitors’ use!
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Featherdale Wildlife Park is one of Sydney’s premier animal parks, drawing day-trip visitors with its close proximity. Zookeeper Chad, its ambassador, boasts over one million followers on social media, further increasing its appeal among tourists. Attractively situated near Australia’s iconic animals – such as its Koala Sanctuary with over 30 koalas or Reptilian Pavilion featuring 30 native species displayed over 26 realistic exhibits – Featherdale is best visited from September to November or March-May when tourist crowds are moderated.
Featherdale Zoo Park is dedicated to conservation efforts. Its designs and habitats are intended to mimic closely the animals’ natural environments, while participating in managed captive breeding programs for endangered species. Furthermore, there are animal encounter programs available which enable guests to get up close and personal with some of its residents.
The Australian Wildlife Park offers various ticket options, from general admission tickets and combo passes that feature Koala encounters to annual passes granting access to all three Australian Wildlife Park locations. Booking online is convenient and often accompanied by special promotions that add great value. Kids under three are admitted free, creating an inclusive family experience.
For an unforgettable and distinctive experience, make your way over to the park’s quokka encounter. These adorable nocturnal creatures are famed for their curious and playful disposition, offering visitors the opportunity to feed and interact with these adorable animals during this encounter as well as take pictures with their cute blue eyes – you will surely remember this experience forever!
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium is one of the world’s largest and most diverse marine aquariums, featuring 700 species of aquatic animals from six million litres of water. Visitors can see giant sharks, stingrays, dugongs, penguins, jellyfish sawfish platypuses and much more! Additionally there are educational stations as well as different sea and marine animal habitats.
The Aquarium at Darling Harbour is a full institutional member of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Australia, boasting architecture designed to resemble a large wave. Construction took almost two years; Dugong Island and Shark Valley both contain massive oceanariums featuring underwater tunnels that enable visitors to view marine animals up close.
There are also exhibits designed to educate visitors about Australia’s ocean ecosystems and marine biodiversity, with popular exhibits including Dugong Island & Reef Experience where visitors can see dugongs, corals, exotic fish and much more; or Penguin Expedition where curious little penguins waddle and swim around their enclosure.
Visitors to Sydney Aquarium shouldn’t miss the Day and Night on the Reef exhibit, an immersive recreation of the Great Barrier Reef by day and night. This exhibit is the aquarium’s latest and most exciting feature, providing guests with an opportunity to walk across a bioluminescent beach, meet marine turtles, learn about its ecosystem in an entirely unique manner – it is truly an impressive spectacle and must-see experience for any family visiting Sydney!
The Chinese Garden of Friendship
The Chinese Garden of Friendship offers an idyllic refuge from Sydney’s hustle and bustle. Boasting intricate pavilions, serene ponds and vibrant flowers – every step leads to another breathtaking vista – it brings traditional Chinese landscape design together with Sydney’s vivacious spirit for an exceptional outdoor experience.
The Chinese Garden features an abundance of exotic plants, flowers and animals as well as picturesque temples and structures, such as its traditional teahouse and restaurants offering authentic cuisine.
These gardens were created by architects from Sydney’s sister city Guangzhou as part of Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1988, following the principles of Taoist philosophy and meant to evoke harmony and equilibrium. Comprised of waterfalls, lakes, paths and pavillions as well as a traditional teahouse.
Visit this stunning site on your own, but for an unforgettable experience book a guided tour. These tours are free with entrance into the gardens and cover topics including its cultural heritage.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship can be found at the southern end of Darling Harbour, close to Chinatown and Sydney’s Entertainment Centre. Both Light Rail service from Central Station as well as ferry to Darling Harbour offer convenient stops nearby; wheelchair accessible pathways exist within Lower Chinese Garden while upper Chinese Garden features uneven surfaces which may not suit wheelchair access. Opening hours: daily between 9:30am-17:00 (except Good Friday and Christmas Day ). To learn more on how you can visit The Chinese Garden of Friendship please click here.