Choose from 146 Fun Things to Do in New South Wales
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 146 listings.
Double Bay
Double Bay is the meeting point of Sydney’s prominence–an exclusive shopping district with a European flair full of designer boutiques, jewelers, waterfront properties and world-class restaurants surrounded by Sydney Harbour itself. Here, you will find open parks, stately mansions, tree-lined boulevards and plenty of spots to relax.
Within the beautiful surroundings of Guilfoyle Park, Double Bay also hosts Sydney’s most popular organic food market, which is open every Thursday. If you are in the mood for a little bit of glitzy dining, be sure to check out Bay Street with its plethora of fancy bars, including the ever famous Mrs. Sippy. Of course, you can’t leave Double Bay without spending a couple hours soaking in the sun at the idyllic Redleaf Beach and enjoying a swim in Redleaf Pool.
Though people see Double Bay primarily as a shopping and café district, it is also home to the Double Bay Street Festival, which regularly draws well over 60,000 people.
Practical Info
Double Bay is a 15-minute ferry ride away from downtown Sydney’s main Circular Quay ferry terminal. Buses, depending on traffic, are also an option and under normal circumstances take about 20 minutes. Double Bay is serviced by bus 323, 324, 325 and 326.
Address: Sydney, NSW, Australia
From $ 41
Customs House
Located in bustling Circular Quay, historic Customs House stands on the spot where modern Australia was founded. This is the site where the famous First Fleet came ashore in 1788, to establish a British penal colony in a land very far away. When the building was constructed in 1845, it was built in a classically Georgian style that’s exceptionally well preserved today, and simply the exterior is a sight in itself in the middle of Circular Quay. All the way up until 1990, Customs House served as the Customs Service headquarters for anyone entering the country, but today is a popular public space for just lounging and killing some time. On the top story, a café looks out over Circular Quay and is a nice place for grabbing a coffee, while the Sydney Library and it’s 400,000 books are open for viewing below. There’s free wi fi throughout the building—which is somewhat of a rarity in Sydney—and there’s even a miniature replica of the city in a glass atrium in the floor.
Practical Info
Customs House is a popular public meeting and gathering area, and is the logical place for meeting with friends or joining a group downtown. There’s no admission to enter the building, which definitely warrants a casual stroll while exploring Circular Quay.
Address: 31 Alfred Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-Midnight, Saturday 10am-Midnight, Sunday 11am-5pm
From $ 21
Darling Harbour
As one of the world’s great waterfront destinations, Darling Harbour is a visitor’s dream!
The harbour is considered an entertainment and tourism hub with restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, shops, parks and more! All sites are walking distance from one another, as this ring of attractions is connected by walkways and boardwalks that face the water. Worn out from an exciting day in the harbour? There is also a little train that loops the area for visitors with children or anyone who would like to relax and enjoy the seaside sights.
You may need to dedicate an entire day for a visit, as there is so much to see and do in Darling Harbour. It has a thriving nightlife with a unique and electrifying vibe as people buzz from bar to bar. That said, the area is great for family fun as well. Children can play on the harbour playground or run through the fountains on hot days. Stop by Cockle Bay for an inspiring dining experience; marvel at sea creatures at the Sydney Aquarium, shop at Sydney’s Harbourside shopping center or visit one of Australia’s top museums.
Darling Harbour has something for everyone: with stunning views, top attractions and excitement all around!
The harbour is considered an entertainment and tourism hub with restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, shops, parks and more! All sites are walking distance from one another, as this ring of attractions is connected by walkways and boardwalks that face the water. Worn out from an exciting day in the harbour? There is also a little train that loops the area for visitors with children or anyone who would like to relax and enjoy the seaside sights.
You may need to dedicate an entire day for a visit, as there is so much to see and do in Darling Harbour. It has a thriving nightlife with a unique and electrifying vibe as people buzz from bar to bar. That said, the area is great for family fun as well. Children can play on the harbour playground or run through the fountains on hot days. Stop by Cockle Bay for an inspiring dining experience; marvel at sea creatures at the Sydney Aquarium, shop at Sydney’s Harbourside shopping center or visit one of Australia’s top museums.
Darling Harbour has something for everyone: with stunning views, top attractions and excitement all around!
Address: Sydney, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 15
Garrison Church
Humble, proud, and unpretentious, Garrison Church isn’t the largest church in Sydney—nor its most popular or famous—but it holds an honorable, timeless charm for Sydney’s military families. Established back in 1840, Garrison Church was the first military church established in the colony of Australia, and today houses a military museum on the small inside of the church. As it’s located next to The Rocks near downtown, Garrison Church makes an easy detour on a popular visitor route of Sydney, and is a way to experience a sliver of life in Australia’s earliest days. The church itself was actually constructed from the sandstone on nearby Argyle Street, and while modern Sydney has grown up around it into the modern metropolis it is today, Garrison Church exists as an almost forgotten window into the past. While here, marvel at the exquisite stained glass windows that are some of Australia’s best, and reflect on the labor, worksmanship, and care that went into decorating this Anglican Church in Sydney’s burgeoning harbor.
Practical Info
Garrison Church is located on the intersection of Lower Fort Street and Argyle Street within walking distance of The Rocks. Morning service is held at 9:30am, with afternoon service at 4pm in the historic sandstone interior.
Address: 60 Lower Fort Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Hours: Morning service is held at 9:30am, with afternoon service at 4pm.
From $ 139
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Australia is home to some of the world's most fearsome and fascinating wildlife, and at Featherdale Wildlife Park outside Sydney, visitors can meet over 1,700 of the country's colorful critters. Discover how echidnas are mammals (yet lay eggs); learn about the saltwater crocodiles that can grow to well over 2,000 pounds; admire the plumage of native birds such as brolgas, emus, and bustards; and view a collection of some of the world's most venomous snakes.
Guided feeding sessions are immensely popular at the park, with animal food available for purchase throughout the park for $2 and Featherdale staff members on hand to assist guests in feeding the kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons. Guides also provide additional information about how the park is involved in conservation, highlighting the work done to reintroduce endangered species into the Australian wild and the park's ongoing research into some of Australia's most intriguing yet lesser-known species.
Although not offered by Viator, Featherdale also offers private animal encounters with a trainer for an additional fee (starting at $149), as well as personal koala encounters (starting at $20), during which travelers can pet and have their photo taken with the mammal. Guests are not allowed to hold koalas in accordance with New South Wales law.
Practical Info
Featherdale Wildlife Park is located east of Sydney near the town of Blacktown. The park exit is at Doonside Road, just off the Great Western Highway from Sydney. The park is about 45 minutes from Sydney's Central Business District by car and about 1.5 hours by public transport (take the train to Blacktown, then hop on bus No. 725 to the park). Most guests allot about two hours to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park. The seven-acre attraction is generally flat and can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, while also offering free WiFi and an on-site cafe.
Address: 217-229 Kildare Rd, Doonside, New South Wales 2767, Australia
Hours: Daily 9-5am (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: Adults: AU$31, Children (3-15): AU$17
From $ 24
Carlton BrewHouse
Few Australian beers are as world famous as Carlton and there’s no better place to sample the classic Aussie brew than Melbourne’s Carlton Brewhouse. The iconic brewhouse is only one of Australia’s largest breweries, producing more than 420 million liters of beer each year, including top beers like Carlton Draught, Fosters, Victoria Bitter and Pure Blonde.
As well as being a working brewery, the BrewHouse also has a dedicated visitor facility, where visitors can go behind-the-scenes and see the production rooms and bottling plant. As well as discovering the brewery’s 100-year history, visitors can also shop for souvenirs at the Beer Gear shop, enjoy expert-led tastings or pair food and beer at the BrewHouse Café.
Practical Info
The Carlton BrewHouse is located in Abbotsford, around 4km east of downtown Melbourne and is open Monday- Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is by guided tour only.
Address: Nelson Street and Thompson Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067, Australia
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
Admission: By guided tour only
From $ 22
Grand Pacific Drive
The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic coastal drive that stretches from the Royal National Park about an hour south of central Sydney, through the seaside New South Wales villages and towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven. Visitors can choose their own adventure with numerous coastal and rainforest walks, surfing, swimming, shopping, and endless dining options along the route.
The Basics
Breathtaking coastal views abound along the 86 miles (140 kilometers) stretch of road that make up the Grand Pacific Drive. Visitors can admire the views from Bald Hill Lookout, Stanwell Tops, and Sea Cliff Bridge, among other top sights, or just enjoy the scenic drive. The route passes coastal villages and the city of Wollongong with beaches, art galleries, and dining options to explore.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are 100 beaches, estuaries, and coastal lagoons along the route to explore.
- Visitors can continue on from the Grand Pacific Dive to the Southern Highlands, or into Victoria.
- The Royal National Park boasts roughly 60 miles (100 km) of walking and cycling trails
- Accommodations along the route range from campgrounds to luxury hotels.
How to Get There
The Grand Pacific Highway starts at the Royal National Park (an hour south of Sydney) and finishes at Shoalhaven.
When to Get There
Driving conditions on the Grand Pacific Highway are generally good year round. Whale-watching season peaks in July and September, and other seasonal activities include motorcycle riding, hang gliding, skydiving, hiking, and surfing.
Sea Cliff Bridge
Sea Cliff Bridge has become an iconic landmark along the Grand Pacific Drive. The $36 million (A$49 million) snake-shaped bridge, which links surrounding coastal areas, offers dramatic views of the ocean. Visitors can drive or walk it, and it makes a prime perch to spot all manner of native marine life in the clear waters beneath the pylons.
Address: New South Wales, Australia 2500, Australia
From $ 311
Govetts Leap
In the 1930s, when early conservationists and Australian bushwalkers were lobbying for a National Park, you could argue that places like Govetts Leap ended up making it happen. With its sweeping view of the Grose Valley and swath of forested wilderness, Govetts Leap is often considered the most scenic Blue Mountains viewpoint. Surely, while standing at the top of the sheer rock face, and gazing out at the undulating hills that are completely covered in blue gum trees, lawmakers and bush walkers could all agree that this was a place to be saved.
What makes the lookout so exceptionally stunning is 600-foot Bridal Veil Falls—the tallest single-drop waterfall found anywhere in the National Park. There is a narrow hiking trail that descends the cliff face down to the base of the falls, although the sheer drop-offs and steep climb make it a trail for serious hikers. Most visitors will be better off just gazing out at the view—or stopping at the Blue Mountains Heritage Center at the end of Govetts Leap Road.
Practical Info
Govett’s Leap is located 8.5 miles from Katoomba and two miles from the train station in Blackheath. There is a large parking lot fronting the lookout that has restrooms and basic facilities, and the Govett’s Leap hike to the base of the falls can take about seven hours.
Address: Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
From $ 179
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
In 1770, when Captain James Cook first sighted Australia and landed at Botany Bay, the height of the mast of his ship, Endeavor, was 129 feet. Imagine what he would think today knowing there is a fountain in the Australian capital nearly four times the height of his mast. Sure enough, however, the Captain Cook Memorial Fountain has pumps that are strong enough to jettison water over 450 feet in the air. The fountain is located in Lake Burley Griffin off the shores of Commonwealth Park, and a sculpture of a globe on Regatta Point recounts Cook’s journeys to Australia.
The memorial was dedicated in 1970 to mark the 200th anniversary of Cook’s journey, and when the fountain is operating at full power, over six tons of water can be suspended in air before crashing back down to the lake. For visitors more interested in Cook’s journeys than the vertical force of the water, placards next to the large globe sculpture help recount the tales of his adventures. While the memorial itself takes just a short time to visit, it’s a highlight of strolling through Commonwealth Park and a unique tribute to Australia’s past.
Practical Info
Fountain hours can be somewhat irregular, but it usually operates between 2-4pm and from 7-9pm in summer. During periods of high winds, however, the fountain shut off completely, and the water can occasionally be colorfully lit during festivals and special events.
Address: ACT, Australia 2600, Australia
Hours: Daily 11am-2pm and summer 7-9pm
From $ 140
Cataract Gorge
Launceston’s ruggedly beautiful Cataract Gorge is a popular highlight for visitors, combining dramatic natural landscapes and Victorian-era landscaping right on the edge of the city.
The reserve is surrounded by wild natural parklands, and near-vertical cliffs soar alongside the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar River.
Hikers and rock climbers head here to follow picturesque walking trails along the gorge’s northern bank, and the open-air swimming pool becomes a mini lido in summer, surrounded by beach umbrellas and sunbathers.
With picnic grounds, restaurant, kiosk, cafe, wandering peacocks, scenic lookouts, a lofty suspension bridge and walking trails, you can easily spend a day here. At night the gorge is beautifully floodlit, and a chairlift whisks visitors over the river to West Launceston.
Before Launceston’s hydro dam was completed in 1955, the waters here were channeled to create electricity, with the power station at Duck Reach upriver from the suspension bridge. Now decommissioned, the building serves as a museum. A visit reveals the story of Launceston’s early days and the Duck Reach power plant.
The reserve is surrounded by wild natural parklands, and near-vertical cliffs soar alongside the South Esk River as it enters the Tamar River.
Hikers and rock climbers head here to follow picturesque walking trails along the gorge’s northern bank, and the open-air swimming pool becomes a mini lido in summer, surrounded by beach umbrellas and sunbathers.
With picnic grounds, restaurant, kiosk, cafe, wandering peacocks, scenic lookouts, a lofty suspension bridge and walking trails, you can easily spend a day here. At night the gorge is beautifully floodlit, and a chairlift whisks visitors over the river to West Launceston.
Before Launceston’s hydro dam was completed in 1955, the waters here were channeled to create electricity, with the power station at Duck Reach upriver from the suspension bridge. Now decommissioned, the building serves as a museum. A visit reveals the story of Launceston’s early days and the Duck Reach power plant.
Practical Info
Cataract Gorge is a 10-minute stroll west of central Launceston.
Just walk along Bridge Road from the city center and you’ll come to the Cataract Walk trail winding along next to the South Esk River, leading to the chairlift station and restaurant.
Just walk along Bridge Road from the city center and you’ll come to the Cataract Walk trail winding along next to the South Esk River, leading to the chairlift station and restaurant.
Address: 69 Basin Road, Launceston 7250, Australia
Hours: Open 9am - dusk
From $ 33
Coogee Beach
Coogee Beach is a family favorite, a sheltered arc of golden sand lapped by blue waves and patrolled by surf lifesavers in their red and gold. For a really safe swim, dip your toe in the walled ocean baths, protected from the strong Pacific waves.
The welcome blue waters of Coogee Beach mark the end of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, and the stretches of lawn shaded by Norfolk pines offer an inviting spot to rest under.
Bring a picnic, fire up the BBQ or replenish flagging energy at the string of beach cafes and chichi restaurants bordering the beach.
Address: Australia
From $ 133
Circular Quay
Sydney’s transport and scenic heart, Circular Quay is also the city’s birthplace, flanking the waters of Sydney Cove where the First Fleet settlers landed on Australian soil in 1788. The rectangular stretch of water is lined with attractive pedestrian walkways running from the Sydney Opera House, past the Circular Quay ferry terminals, around to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The historic laneways, interesting shops, old pubs and stylish restaurants of The Rocks precinct, one of Sydney’s most popular tourist areas, run behind the Museum of Contemporary Art. Circular Quay is one of the major vantage points for Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Practical Info
Circular Quay is one of Sydney’s major transport hubs. Sydney’s iconic green and yellow ferries run from Circular Quay to Manly, Balmain, Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay. A train station overlooks the harbor and ferry terminals, and most of Sydney’s buses terminate outside the station.
Address: Sydney 2000, Australia
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 16
Commonwealth Park
With its sculptures, bike trails, walking paths, and ponds, Commonwealth Park is one of Canberra’s best public gathering places. The park sprawls across the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, and makes a convenient place to rest when touring Canberra’s sights. From a shaded bench on the manicured lawn, gaze across the water at the Parliament House and the National Museum of Australia, or simply stroll around the grounds and admire the public art. A park favorite is the impressive memorial that celebrates Captain Cook, wherein at certain times of the day, a water jet explosively erupts from the lake and shoots a geyser of water over 450 feet in the air.
Commonwealth Park is also the venue for the annual Floriade springtime festival, which runs for 30 successive days every September and October. During this time, over a million flowers colorfully bloom in every corner of the park, and the flowerbeds and lakeshore are illuminated by night in a display of music and lights.
Practical Info
Commonwealth Park is a five-minute walk from the downtown Canberra city center. There are public bike racks for locking up bikes, and in the adjoining park you can hire a boat for a kayak or paddle of the lake. The Captain Cook Fountain usually operates from 2-4pm, as well as 7-9pm in summer.
Address: Parkes ACT, Canberra 2600, Australia
From $ 140
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Set minutes from the Gold Coast beaches, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Queensland to see native Australian animals. Founded in 1947, the sanctuary encompasses 27 hectares (66 acres) of rain forest; its resident fauna includes kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and rainbow lorikeets.
The Basics
General admission to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary includes entrance to the Lost Valley rainforest and a variety of daily shows, including an Aboriginal dance show, a free flight-bird display, and lorikeet-feeding demonstrations. For the best value, opt for a Gold Coast Attraction Pass, which covers activities such as the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, jet boating, and whale watching, or invest in a Gold Coast Roo Pass, which offers hotel pickup and round-trip transfers to the wildlife sanctuary, plus the Gold Coast theme parks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lines can be long in peak season, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance.
- On-site facilities include paid parking, storage lockers, a gift shop, and cafés and restaurants.
- Most of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s attractions are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the Gold Coast Airport and 10 minutes north of Coolangatta by car. The site is serviced by public Surfside Buses 700, 760, and 765, which run from Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, and Surfers Paradise.
When to Get There
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily year round, and it’s worth planning your visit to coincide with the daily shows, feedings, and talks. The busiest times to visit are during peak summer season (December and January) and school holidays; if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a mid-week visit outside of these times.
Family Fun at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a range of activities and interactive experiences, including guided Segway tours through the rainforest and a thrilling ropes course. Animal lovers will also enjoy encounters with the park’s fauna (for an additional fee and under supervision of experienced handlers). In addition, you can learn how birds are trained for the free-flight shows.
Address: 20 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, Queensland 4223, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 30
Fort Denison Island
What is now a popular destination for history buffs once served as a defense facility that kept watch over the bay. Fort Denison Island, located northeast of the Royal Botanic Gardens, was where some of the most gruesome acts against convicted felons took place.
Today, travelers can wander the grounds of this recently restored island and see the gibbet where criminals were hanged. Explore the fort built to protect the island from invaders and climb the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind in the country. The island is home to an informative museum, as well as a number of landmarks that illustrate its dark and violent past.
Practical Info
Fort Denison Island is about one kilometer from the Opera House. Matilda and Captain Cook ferries head to Fort Denison daily and depart from Circular Quay at wharf six. Tickets cost less than $20 and include the park entry fee and admission to the museum, but travelers must pay extra for tours and admission to the tower.
Address: Fort Denison Island, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hours: Daily; ferries do not operate Christmas Day
From $ 33
Garigal National Park
Stretching for around 2,200 hectares along Sydney’s North Shore, the Garigal National Park has long served as a popular escape for city dwellers. A network of walking trails make hiking and bushwalking the top activities within the park, with the most scenic choices including the Cascades Track, the Heath Track, the Frenchs Creek falls and the Bungaroo bushland reserve.
Other popular pastimes include rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and canoeing or kayaking at the Narrabeen Lake. There are also ample picnic and BBQ areas dotted throughout the park, including the Davidson Park Picnic Area on the banks of the Middle Harbour River. Garigal National Park is also renowned for its rich Aboriginal heritage and around 100 Aboriginal sites can be found within the park, including some striking rock art.
Practical Info
The Garigal National Park is located in Forestville, along Sydney's Upper North Shore, around 12km north of downtown Sydney.
Address: Healey Way, Forestville NSW 2087, Australia
Hours: Tues-Sun 9:30am -5:30pm
From $ 74
Echo Point Lookout
Anyone who’s seen a picture of the Blue Mountains should recognize Echo Point. Famous for its view of the Three Sisters, this sweeping viewpoint on the outskirts of Katoomba defines the Blue Mountains’ beauty. From this cliff top ledge, the jagged escarpment vertically drops towards the distant valley floor—a void where clouds can linger in the treetops nearly a thousand feet below.
Take a deep breath and drink in the beauty of the Blue Mountains’ southern flank, and then consider walking the “Giant Stairway” that drops down into the valley. Over 800 stairs that are carved from the mountain descend 1,000 vertical feet, where numerous hiking trails weave their way along the forested valley floor. Climbing the walls of the “Ruined Castle” is a popular valley hike, and is a good way to escape the crowds that tend to gather at the viewpoint. Rather than hiking back up the stairs, take a ride on the “Scenic Railway” that leads back to the top of the cliff. At inclines of up to 60° it’s considered the world’s steepest railway, and drops passengers at Scenic World—a short walk from Echo Point Lookout.
Practical Info
Echo Point Lookout is approximately 1.5 miles from the main Katoomba train station. There is a Visitor Center next to the lookout with info on the National Park, as well as interpretive plaques and cultural history on Aboriginal tribes. The lookout is located along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, and from here it’s possible to trace the cliff top all the way to Leura Cascades.
Address: Katoomba, Australia
From $ 37
Goat Island
This rocky 13-hectare island in the heart of Port Jackson is as rich in history as it is in sandstone. Once home to an explosives store and later a convict stockade, Goat Island has housed the Sydney Water Police and even served as a film set. What originally served as a destination for some of the nation’s biggest criminals (who were forced to labor in the massive quarries), is now part of Sydney Harbour National Park.
Popular walking tours guide travelers around this much-storied island, with stops at the Queens powder magazine (where ammunition was once stored) and at the old convict quarry and sleeping quarters. Learn about life on Goat Island, the punishments endured by prisoners and their attempts to escape.
Popular walking tours guide travelers around this much-storied island, with stops at the Queens powder magazine (where ammunition was once stored) and at the old convict quarry and sleeping quarters. Learn about life on Goat Island, the punishments endured by prisoners and their attempts to escape.
Practical Info
Travelers can take the Sydney and Matilda ferries to Goat Island or join a historic walking tour. Be sure to pack a camera, since views from Goat Island are some of the best in Sydney Harbour.
Address: Goat Island Sydney Harbour National Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
From $ 73
Chinese Garden of Friendship
The continental city of Sydney offers travelers options that go beyond the strictly Aussie. The Chinese Garden of Friendship, modeled after the private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, is just one of the multicultural experiences this jewel by the sea has to offer.
Opened in 1988 and designed by Sydney’s sister city of Guangzhou, the garden is a nod to the Chinese culture and heritage that already exists in and around Darling Harbour. The lush gardens, tranquil ponds and scenic waterfalls pay homage to the friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou. Travelers can wander between ornamental pavilions and babbling brooks before settling lakeside to enjoy peaceful reflection. Hot tea and traditional dim sum are also served at the garden’s teahouse.
Practical Info
The garden is located near Tumbalong Park and is accessible via public transportation. Take the train to Town Hall Station and exit south onto Bathurst Street or take the ferry to Darling Harbour. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under. The garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 5:30 p.m. during daylight savings. It is closed on Christmas and Good Friday.
Address: Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
Hours: Daily 9:30am-5pm (5:30pm during Daylight Savings); Closed Christmas & Good Friday
Admission: Adults $6AUD, Children $3AUD
From $ 148
Garden Island
When Sydney’s original European settlers arrived in Sydney Harbor, they sustained themselves by planting a garden here at Garden Island. Today, after land was reclaimed and filled in with rocks, Garden Island is now a point that juts out into the harbor, and houses the Royal Australian Navy’s eastern fleet of ships. During World War II, a Japanese mini sub infiltrated the harbor and sank an Australian ship—resulting in the death of 21 sailors from the Australian and British navies. Much more history is outlined in depth at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Center—a fascinating museum here on Pott’s Point that’s a must for history or war buffs. Once finished perusing the Heritage Center, which is fantastically free of charge, take a stroll through the gardens and grounds that are hidden behind the museum, where BBQ grills and views of the harbor make the perfect spot for a picnic. From the elevated viewing platform behind the museum, it’s possible to see the Harbor Bridge as well as the Sydney Opera House, and the view stretches all the way out to the heads and the mouth of Sydney Harbor.
Practical Info
Garden Island is accessible by ferry from multiple points across Sydney. The most popular route is along the line to Watson’s Bay, departing from Circular Quay, where Garden Island is the first stop after leaving the downtown docks. The RAN Heritage Center is open daily from 9:30am-3:30pm, with the exception of various holidays. Since part of the peninsula is closed to the public, access is only by ferry.
Address: Potts Point, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Hours: The RAN Heritage Center is open from 9:30am-3:30pm, and ferries only dock on the island during the museum’s opening hours.
From $ 33