Sydney is one of the oldest and largest cities of Australia and is one of the most desired travel destinations in the world, both natural and man made. This glorious city with an impressive climate year round, breathtaking harbourfront location and a multitude of tourist attractions, makes it one of the best places to spend a weekend getaway. You may already know about the famous attractions, but Sydney has far more to offer than the beaches, museums, gardens and multi-cuisine restaurants. Here are some exciting attractions to inspire your next visit to this harbour city.
Sydney Harbour, as you may already be aware of, is one of the prime tourist destinations in Sydney, housing some of the biggest landmarks in Australia, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. There is also an unmissable attraction here that catches the eyes of most tourists, the Sydney Harbour dinner cruise. This is one of the best and easiest ways you can witness the iconic landmarks without having to visit each one, along with a tantalising dinner menu. These cruises combine a restaurant-quality dining experience with incredible after-dark views of the spectacular city skyline. You can choose to cruise on any vessel of your liking but the one to note is the multi-million dollar catamaran boasting spacious outer decks and a freshly prepared buffet menu. This Sydney dinner cruise with an impressive waterfront dining paired with unparalleled night views of the harbour landmarks, takes cruise and dine experiences to the next level.
The next destination is also within the harbour, as a matter of fact, it is one of the islands embedded within the harbour. Listed as a world-heritage site by UNESCO, Cockatoo Island is the perfect escape for lovers and families and is only a short ferry ride from Sydney Central Business District. It is one of the most underrated places to visit in the city, be it a few hours, a day or overnight. Formerly one of Australia’s biggest shipyards, this site has been transformed into a landmark attraction by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. Sign up for a historic tour to have a deeper insight into island rich heritage and culture or pack for a glamping escape and enjoy the unspoiled vistas of the island which includes views of the Harbour Bridge as well. For the more adventurous visitors, there’s an adults-only panoramic tour every night, that is, if you're brave enough.
Even though Bondi’s Iceberg Pools are one of the more famous swimming spots in the city, the revived Maccallum Seawater Pool is an absolute gem, hidden away from the crowds. The best part about this pool is that even though the entrance prices were fairly low at one point, it is completely free now! This peculiar 33 metre pool, located in Cremorne Point with heritage-rich vibes and contemporary architecture style was actually made into recognition by the locals. Enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the harbour and swim or sunbathe with the sounds of the waves crashing onto the rocks beneath you.
No trip to Sydney is complete without taking a peek at its local museums or art galleries, especially if you're an art lover. Opened in ‘09, the White Rabbit Gallery includes over 2000 works inspired from almost 700 artists and highlights contemporary Chinese works , among others. Spanning across four floors, the gallery has two exhibitions every year and is free to visit. You can hop on the free guided tours should you want to have a deeper understanding of the art. There is also a street style Tea House which serves delicately flavoured teas and dumplings, perfect for relaxing before or after you've seen what the gallery is all about.
