Sights and landmarks in Sydney

Sights and landmarks in Sydney

1. SeeCity Centre

   ANZAC Memorial

   A large war memorial in the middle of the city, built after World War I. It is a focus of military memorial events in New South Wales and includes a museum which covers the experiences of NSW citizens who have served in the Australian military.

   except Good Fri & Christmas Day·Free

2. SeeCity East

   Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool

   A famous yet paradoxically little known location overlooking Wooloomoloo bay and near to the Botanic gardens. It was a popular swimming location with Indigenous Aboriginals before the arrival of Europeans in Australia. The pool was also the venue for the sporting triumphs of Australian swimming legend Andrew Boy Charlton in the 1920s and is believed to be the birthplace of the Australian Crawl or freestyle swimming stroke.

   Sep–Apr, non-daylight saving: daily 6AM-7PM, Daylight Saving: daily 6AM-8PM·Adult $5.50, concession $4.10, family $15.30, additional family member $2, spectator $2.70

3. SeeThe Rocks

   Argyle Cut

   Follow Argyle St through this historic sandstone road cutting made between 1843 and 1867, made with the effort of both convict and paid labour. The sights and sounds of the convict labour, still bound in chains and working only with crude tools, horrified the locals and the cutting was abandoned after just three years. A long interlude lasted before the city council eventually linked Millers Point and The Rocks together with the use of paid labour and explosives.

4. SeeCity East

   Australian Centre for Photography

   ACP established in 1973. The ACP initiated the first major retrospectives of work by photographers such as Max Dupain, Olive Cotton and Merv Bishop, and organised the early public displays of photographs by Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, William Yang and Trent Parke and has presented works by international photo-artists such as Bernd & Hilla Becher, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Larry Clark, Joan Fontcuberta, Nan Goldin, Roni Horn, George Platt Lynes, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Duane Michals, Pierre Molinier, Erwin Olaf, Martin Parr, Man Ray, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans and William Wegman.

   Tue-Fri noon-7PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM·Free

5. SeeCity East

   Australian Museum

   With an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous studies research, community programs and exhibitions, the Australian Museum was established as Australia's first museum in 1827 with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artifacts. The skeleton room, displaying hundreds of animal skeletons, including a blue whale hanging from the roof, is an attraction in itself. The museum also has an exhibit on early man, including species like Homo heidelbergensis that did not reach Australia. There is a cafe next to the entrance that can be accessed without requiring payment for admission to the main exhibition area.

   , closed Christmas·free, temporary exhibitions have additional fee

6. SeeDarling Harbour

   Australian National Maritime Museum

   Two floors of internal exhibits, outlining the maritime role in Australia's history. Houses significant full scale exhibits. Outside there are ships and submarines to explore.

   Galleries & exhibitions: $7 adult, $3.50 child & concession, $17 family / free entry to permanent galleries on first Thursday of the month. Additional charges for vessels

7. SeeLower North Shore

   Balls Head Reserve

   Two points to the west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Balls Head is a large park and picnic area with extensive harbour views and walking tracks. The park also contains the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability - an industrial zone turned into a community area where visitors can also walk through the original tunnels. Adjacent is the MV Cape Don, a decommissioned ship which holds tours occasionally. Also has a restored Aboriginal rock carving of a whale.

8. SeeLower North Shore

   Balmoral Beach

   Family friendly beach away from the main Harbour waters. Good for a quick swim in the swimming baths, enclosed by shark nets and a wide boardwalk. Plenty of cafes around.

9. SeeCity East

   Beare Park

   A picturesque spot right on the Harbour on Elizabeth Bay, this is a popular place for picnics and a bit of inner-city sunbathing.

10. SeeLower North Shore

    Berry Island Reserve

    Berry Island first connected to the mainland with a causeway from Wollstonecraft farm in the 1800s. Later quarried sandstone made a permanent land bridge to the island. The land bridge is now lawns with a playground, and a loop walk circles the island, which will take around 20 minutes. There are interpretive signs about the Aboriginal heritage of the area. The last part of the walk can be done rock hopping along the sandstone rocks on the coastline. There is an Aboriginal carving there, but it basic, and quite hard to make out. There is a lookout at the end of the point, with views across the harbour to Balmain and Birchgrove. You can also see across to HMAS Waterhen Naval Base.

    free

11. SeeInner West

    Birchgrove Park

    Contains Birchgrove Oval, the spiritual home of rugby league in Australia after it hosted the first professional matches in 1908. A family park that has good views of the Harbour Bridge.

12. SeeLower North Shore

    Blues Point Reserve

    Blues Point Reserve is a small grassy area right on the water, affording perfect views of the Bridge. It is the most popular area in the district to watch the fireworks at New Years' Eve.

13. SeeSydney Olympic Park

    Brickpit Ring Walk

    The Brickpit

    Homebush Bay was an industrial site before it was remodelled as Sydney Olympic Park. The brickpit area was preserved because the post-industrial area was also habitat to several species of rare frogs, including the endangered green and gold bell frog. The brickpit site has a high elevated walkway ringing the site. The engineering is quite impressive. There are interpretive displays as you walk the ring. It is unlikely that you will see any of the tiny frogs all the way down in the water filled pit, but there are binoculars if you wish to try your luck.

    Free

14. SeeEastern suburbs

    Bronte House

    An historic house up Bronte Road from the north end of the beach.

15. SeeDarling Harbour

    Busy Buses

    A massive aquarium. In addition to various display tanks (penguins, platypus, various fish species), it has three underwater walks where visitors walk in glass corridors underneath and between the dugongs, sharks, rays and tropical fish. There is a 2-minute "penguin ride" in a small boat, heavily advertised but underwhelming. Consider going on a weekday evening, to avoid some of the crowds.

    10AM-6PM (last entrance at 5PM) daily·Adults $44, child $25, various concessions and family tickets available. Save 15-20% online

16. SeeThe Rocks

    Cadman's Cottage

    The last relic of the small, relatively plain buildings that once ringed Sydney Cove in the early colonial period, this small sandstone cottage was built in 1815-1816. The building has survived largely because of constant government or institutional ownership. Restoration began in 1972 and the building is now used as an information centre by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Cottage was built by the water side, but with reclamation over the years, the shoreline of Sydney Cove is now 100 metres distant.

    Mon-Fri 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sat Sun 10AM-4:30PM, closed Christmas and Good Fri·Free admission

17. SeeInner West

    Camperdown Memorial Rest Park

    Located just two blocks behind King St, it has lots of open space and plenty of street art and graffiti on the walls surrounding the park, as well as an atmospheric cemetery in the adjoining church. Sit on the grass and people-watch, there's always someone out of the ordinary. The Newtown Festival is held here in November.

18. SeeEastern suburbs

    Centennial Park

    This is a large formal park in Sydney eastern suburbs with its own internal road and walking trail system, grand avenues, historic buildings, lakes and many groves of shady trees dotted with picnic areas. Bike and walking trails, horse trails and equestrian facilities, some restaurant, cafe and kiosk facilities are available. This park is both a playground and a giant green lung for the city. Popular all days but especially on the weekends. Centennial Park covers 220 hectares and draws more than 3.6 million visitors annually.

    April: 6AM-6PM, May to August: 6:30AM-5:30PM, Sept to Oct: 6AM-6PM, Oct to April: 6AM-8PM. Paddington Gates (exit gate) is the last to close every day·There are no access charges to the park, however some sporting facilities and formal activities may attract fees

19. SeeCity South

    Central Station

    While you can't compare it to New York's Grand Central Station, this Sydney landmark is the busiest and largest station in Australia. The building facade, clock tower and main concourse are the highlights of this station. If you are travelling around on public transport, odds are you may come along the station as it is a major interchange for trains, busses and light rail.

20. SeeLower North Shore

    Chinamans Beach

    A beach that's perfect for picnics, off-leash dog walking and ample parking. This small sheltered beach looks across Middle Harbour to Clontarf and Sydney Harbour National Park, where the water always seems to be glistening. Rosherville Reserve is perfect for picnics games with the kids and dogs are allowed off-leash on weekdays.

21. SeeCity South

    Chinatown

    Starts in front of the markets on Hay St and runs just over two blocks to Goulburn St in the north. Dixon St is a malled pedestrian area and closed to traffic. It is decorated in traditional Chinese style and is home to many shops and restaurants. Be sure to explore the surrounding streets for the full experience of Chinatown.

22. SeeDarling Harbour

    Chinese Garden of Friendship

    Modelled on the typical private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the garden offers an insight into Chinese heritage and culture. A centrepiece of the gardens is the Dragon Wall, guarded by two imperial dragons, with the brown dragon representing Guangdong and the blue dragon New South Wales, playing with the pearl of friendship.

    9:30AM-5PM·Adults $6, children $3

23. SeeCity Centre

    Circular Quay

    pronounced like "key"

    The hub of the Sydney Harbour between the bridge and Opera House and is a vibrant, bustling place home to many buskers, the ferry terminal, overseas passenger terminal, as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is one of the main areas of the annual Vivid festival.

24. SeeLower North Shore

    Cobblers Beach

    Clothing optional beach which is also popular with families. It can get crowded here on weekends in summer, but nudists say that's a great time to join in if you're new to it. You'll blend in to the crowd.

25. SeeLower North Shore

    Cremorne Reserve

    Cremorne Reserve is a small park along the water near Cremorne Wharf, with sweeping views southwest to the city and Harbour Bridge. A good place to watch the sunset on a summer night with a picnic dinner.

26. SeeCity Centre

    Customs House

    A historic building, and imposing building. You can imagine it looking out over the port of Sydney (if you can equally imagine the absence of the Cahill Expressway). A large diorama of the Sydney area which you can walk over is on display in the foyer. The Sydney City Library occupies the building, and sometimes has exhibitions. Free.

27. SeeDarling Harbour

    Darling Harbour (Harbourside) Fireworks

    Harbourside Fireworks are on from 8:30PM every Saturday on Cockle Bay Harbour. They last for only 15 minutes but are fun to watch especially if you have kids. A good trick is to get a balcony seat around some of the restaurants and you can see the fireworks whilst having dinner or drinks.

28. SeeCity East

    El Alamein Fountain

    Designed by Robert Woodward and erected in 1961 as a memorial to the Ninth Division during World War II. The fountain has a "dandelion head" sphere of mist at the top of a tall stem and has been imitated globally on many occasions. A favourite meeting place for many travellers and locals.

29. SeeCity East

    Elizabeth Bay House

    Historic Houses Trust

    Built between 1835-1839 and once "the finest house in the colony", this colonial mansion preserves the lifestyle of some of Sydney's wealthiest early settlers, Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay and his family. Designed by the most fashionable and accomplished architect of the day, John Verge, Elizabeth Bay House is a superb example of colonial architecture and is elegantly and authentically furnished in the style of 1839–1845. Guided tours are available on request.

    Open Tue-Sun 10AM–4:30PM, closed Mon (except for public holidays), Christmas Day and Good Fri·Prices: adult $7, child and concession $3, family $17

30. SeeCity East

    Embarkation Park

    Great views of the CBD skyline and parts of the harbour. This is one of the most popular places in the Inner East to watch the New Years Eve fireworks shows. The park may be locked at night.

31. SeeThe Rocks

    Garrison Church

    The colony's first military church, it is still an active Anglican church.

32. SeeInner West

    Glebe Foreshore Parks

    Four different parks (Federal Park, Jubilee Park, Bicentennial Park and Blackwattle Bay Park) with the Anzac Bridge in the background. A mix of grasslands, sport fields, playgrounds and wetlands make for a wide area to explore. There is a walking path along the foreshore all the way from the Fish Markets to Annandale, with a Light Rail station conveniently at each end. A short walk further into Annandale along Johnston St will show you a series of gothic mansions and Federation houses - keep going to Booth St, where you can get a bus back to the city, or one block further to see the Hunter Baillie church, which once had the tallest spire in Sydney.

33. SeeCity Centre

    Government House

    A stately home in the Botanic Gardens. The official residence of the Governor of New South Wales (the state's representative for the British Monarch). Open to the public Fridays & weekends.

    Fri-Sun 10:30AM-3PM·Free

34. SeeCity Centre

    Hyde Park

    An extensive city centre park of a formal design tradition dissected by Park St, elongated in layout and containing a large fountain (Archibald Fountain) towards the northern end and the Anzac War Memorial at the south - a favourite with city workers at lunchtime, joggers and sunbakers. The park occasionally hosts public and private events and functions.

    Free

35. SeeCity Centre

    Hyde Park Barracks

    Built in 1818-1819. Constructed by convicts and housed by them, the Hyde Park Barracks provided housing for convicts working in government employment around Sydney from 1819 until its closure in 1848. Interior is restored with exhibits depicting the furnishings and life of the time. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    Daily, closed Good Fri and Christmas Day·Free

36. SeeDarling Harbour

    International Convention Centre Sydney

    ICC Sydney

    Sydney's main exhibition and convention centre. This new convention centre was built to replace the old convention centre and the Sydney Entertainment Centre to the tune of $1.5 billion. The centre is used for exhibitions across the year, as well as for music acts, talks and concerts in the two large theaters on either side of Exhibition centre.

37. SeeCity Centre

    Justice and Police Museum

    Built as a police station to Court in 1856, and closed in 1886, the museum has now been restored to its 1890s facade displaying its theme of crime and punishment.

    Sat-Sun·Free

38. SeeEastern suburbs

    Kamay-Botany Bay National Park

    La Perouse has a museum explaining the interesting history of the area. The Kamay Botany Bay National Park takes its name from the Kamay people (the Spear people) of the nearby Cook's river and Botany Bay. There are walks and great views over the ocean and the bay. The park contains rich marine environments and remnants of the heathland vegetation which Banks and Solander, Cook's botanists, first studied in 1770. You can explore the Banks-Solander track, with its fascinating insights into the once-widespread vegetation communities that Cook's botanists explored in 1770. Or learn about Australia's Aboriginal history and European Colonisation, told in the Lapérouse Museum and the Visitor Centre. Enjoy the Cape Baily Coast Walk, with its windswept heaths, historic sites and spectacular coastal views. All easily accessible by car or bus.

39. SeeEastern suburbs

    Lindesay

    One of Sydney's oldest residences with uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour. The interior contains lots of colonial-style English furniture. It's a National Trust site today.

    45-minute tours run at 10AM and 11AM on the first and third Wednesdays of each month·$10 per adult, $5 per child (5–17)/concession holder, free for children under 5 and National Trust members.

40. SeeInner West

    Macleay Museum

    The oldest natural history museum in Australia, largely kept in storage, but they have quite a collection of insects from Darwin, Raffles and other keen entomologists.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-4:30PM, first Sat of the month noon-4:30PM·Free

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Sydney (CC BY-SA 4.0).