First time in Sydney — what locals actually recommend
If it's your first weekend in Sydney, this is the locals' shortlist — the sights worth the queue, the food you can't skip, and the neighbourhood walks that show you the place.
Top spots in Sydney
Sydney Opera House
CultureBennelong Point
Take the backstage tour or just watch the sails change colour at dusk.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
OutdoorsEastern Suburbs
6 km cliff-edge path past Tamarama and Bronte — best at sunrise.
Royal Botanic Garden
OutdoorsCBD
Harbour-side park with Mrs Macquarie's Chair — the postcard angle.
Surry Hills
Food & DrinkSurry Hills
Crown Street brunch, Crown Street dinner, tiny bars in between.
Where to eat
Quay
$$$$Contemporary Australian · The Rocks
Peter Gilmore's tasting menu with Opera House and Harbour Bridge views.
Tetsuya's
$$$$Japanese-French tasting · CBD
Tetsuya Wakuda's restored federation home — confit ocean trout is legend.
Bourke Street Bakery
$Bakery · Surry Hills
Sausage rolls, ginger brulée tarts and queue out the door.
Chin Chin
$$$South-East Asian · Surry Hills
Loud, large and very good — book a couple of weeks ahead.
Spice I Am
$$Thai · Surry Hills
Properly spicy Bangkok-style — get the jungle curry.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Sydney and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.