My definitive Sydney List

As a proud Sydneysider, here is my definitive Sydney Sightseeing, Eating & Drinking list. Let me know if you have any worthwhile additions to this list for Travellers or newly arrived Sydneysiders.  I am sure other Sydneysiders will agree that we live in the best city in the world!

Sydney City & Surrounds

1. Opera Bar to see the Harbour bridge & Opera House at Twilight
2. Bronte to Bondi coastal walk followed by Gelato Ice Cream at Messina’s
3. Return Ferry Trip to Manly Wharf departing from Circular Quay
4. Walk from Manly Beach to Shelley Beach stopping at Coffee Kiosk
5. Picnic to watch the Moonlight Outdoor Cinema in Centennial Park
6. Swim at the Bronte Ocean Baths followed by Salty Hot Chips at Selfish
7. Catch a Flick with Popcorn & ChocTop at Randwick Ritz at The Spot, Randwick 
8. Arthurs Pizza or Crepes at Four Frogs at The Spot, Randwick
9. Bridge Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Twilight
10. Surfing Lesson at Bondi Beach or Manly Beach
11. Sea Kayaking at Middle Harbour Mosman
12. Swim a few laps at Cook & Park Pools followed by Yum Cha at Bodhi’s
13. French Italian Japanese Degustation  @ Lumi Fine Dining in Pyrmont 
14. Glenmore Hotel Rooftop Bar for a Bucket of Coronas & Harbour views
15. Darling Harbour at Day – Aquarium, Wildlife World & Madam Tussauds 
16. Darling Harbour at Night – Grab a table on the balcony at Zaaffraan Indian and watch the Fireworks at 8pm then head over to the Lindt Cafe for Hot Chocolate
17. A Movie at iMax Darling Harbour, the biggest movie screen in the world! *
18. Try Mamak Mee Goreng at Spice Alley in Kensington Street, Chippendale
19. Have Dinner at Sokyo in the Star Casino for the best Japanese Food
20. Visit the Sky Terrace Rooftop Bar for amazing City Views at The Star
21. Try Din Tai Fung’s Dumplings followed by Messina Gelato at The Star
22. Shop at Pitt Street Mall or QVB and then Dine at the Westfield Food Court
23. Taronga Zoo by Ferry from Circular Quay – Get a Cable Car from the Ferry Stop
24. The Oaks Hotel Beer Garden at Neutral Bay for Pizza and Cocktail Jugs 
25. Head to O Bar Revolving Bar @ Level 47 Australia Square for Cocktails & Tapas
26. Ivy Pool Bar for Aperol Spritzer followed by Indu Dining for Fusion Indo-Lankan
27. Strike at King Street Wharf for Bowling, Laser Tag, Karaoke or Escape Room
28. Sydney Observatory & Observatory Hill for Night Viewing Sessions
29. Botanical Gardens, The Art Gallery of NSW and Lady Macquarie’s chair
30. Deck Bar @ Luna park McMahon’s point followed by a Meal at Aqua Dining
31. Get the Ferry to Doyles, Watson’s Bay.  Do the Walk up to the Lighthouse
32. The Rocks for Yummy Macarons, Historic Walks, Rocks Markets & Sake Restaurant
33. Sydney Cricket Ground for Big Bash T20 Cricket or Aussies Rules (Sydney Swans)
34. Sydney Football Stadium for Football (Soccer), Rugby Union or Rugby League
35. Vacanza in Surry Hills for authentic Napoli style Margherita Pizza
36. Pendolino in the Strand Arcade for Italian Fine Dining 
37. Jamie’s Italian for Pre-Dinner Drinks, Dinner & Dessert
38. Cocktails at Palmer & Co followed by Dinner at Mr Wongs
39. Mojitos at Lobo Plantation followed by Single Malt Whiskies at Baxter Inn
40. Harry’s Cafe De Wheels Woolloomooloo for Tiger Pie, Potato Mash & Mushy Peas
41. Akhi’s Indian Restaurant in Woolloomooloo followed by Drinks at Blue Hotel
42. Faheem’s in Newtown for fresh Tandoori Naan + Three Curries
43. Watch a Live Theatre Show at Belvoir St Theatre Surry Hills
44. Watch a Live Theatre Show at the Sydney Theatre Company
45. Lunch at Glass Brasserie Hilton + Zeta Bar for Aperitifs & Marble Bar for Digestif
46. Pappa’s Pasticcerie in Haberfield for Baked Ricotta Cheesecake or Yummy Canoli
47. Ferry Ride from Woolwich Pier & Overnight Glamping at Cockatoo Island
48. Watch an Arthouse Film + Vegetarian Buffet at Govinda’s
49. Run the City 2 Surf from Hyde Park to the iconic Bondi Beach
50. Catch a Scenic Seaplane Ride from Rose Bay
51. Taste Fresh Hand Made Gnocchi at Il Baretto Surry Hills
52. Croissant & Coffee at Bourke St Bakery Surry Hills
53. Go Clubbing at Lazy Bones in Marrickville
54. Golden Age Cinema for Drinks then Dinner at Longrain
55. Coogee Bay Pavilion for Sunday Arvo Drinks on the Roof
56. Visit the Drummoyne Sailing Club for a Lazy Sunday Lunch
57. Newport Arms Hotel for a Lazy Sunday Drinks & Ocean Views
58. Hong Ha Chilli Salad Vietnamese Bahn Mi Rolls at Mascot
59. Hotel Saravana Bhavan Parramatta for Masala Dosa
60. Visit Clontarf Reserve & Swim with the Fish (Great for Kids)
61. Grab a Falafel Roll & Peppermint Tea at Jasmine One Auburn
62. Wet & Wild Waterpark
63. Jamberoo Fun Park

* currently under renovation

Sydney Day Trips

The following destinations are accessible from Sydney as a day trip.

1. Hunter Valley Vineyards @ Cessnock + Vegetarian Feast at New Gokula Farm
2. Blue mountains – Scenic World Railway, Skyway, Cableway and Walkway.
3. Blue mountains – Leura Village & Chocolate Shop & Window shopping
4. Blue Mountains – Go Bushwalking to the Ruined Castle
5. Blue Mountains – Euroka Clearing for Kangaroos at Sunset
6. Helensburgh Temple, Stanwell Tops for Hang Gliding, Skydiving & Beach Time
7. Do a Motorcycle Ride through the Royal National Park to Kangaroo Valley
8. Jervis Bay – Hyamms Beach for the whitest sand you will ever see
9. Nantieng Temple & Buddhist Lunch in Wollongong + Blowhole at Kiama
10. Wiseman’s Ferry + Jazz on a Sunday at the Settler’s Arm Inn at St Albans
11. Coastal Drive to Palm Beach & Visit the Bahai Temple
12. Canberra – Sweet Bones for Yummy Breakfast or Au Lac for Vietnamese Hotpots
13. Canberra – Questacon Science Museum and the Hot Air Balloon Festival
14. Canberra – Parliament House, National Museum, Art Gallery