Sydney tours & activities
Climb it, cruise it, fly over it. These are the best tours and adventures in Sydney — the bucket-list experiences locals and visitors still rave about.
The best adventures in Sydney are BridgeClimb on the Harbour Bridge, whale watching (May–November), a seaplane flight to lunch, a harbour jet boat ride and kayaking on the harbour.
| # | Pick | Why it's here | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | BridgeClimb Sydney | The ultimate Sydney view | The Rocks |
| 02 | Whale watching | Seasonal (May–Nov) | Circular Quay / Manly |
| 03 | Seaplane to lunch | Pure luxury | Rose Bay |
| 04 | Harbour jet boat | Adrenaline | Circular Quay / Darling Harbour |
| 05 | Manly ferry | Cheapest harbour cruise | Circular Quay |
| 06 | Kayak the harbour | Calm and scenic | Mosman / Rose Bay / Manly |
| 07 | Helicopter flight | The best photos | Sydney Airport (Mascot) / Bankstown |
| 08 | Blue Mountains tour | Best day trip | Blue Mountains |
| 09 | [PLACEHOLDER] Best walking tour | Placeholder | The Rocks |
Photo: BridgeClimb SydneyClimb the Harbour Bridge arch
Clip in and climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge for 360-degree views. Day, twilight and night climbs, plus dawn climbs on selected dates.
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)Humpbacks off the Heads
Thousands of humpbacks migrate past Sydney each year. Cruises head out through the Heads to see them up close.
Photo: Sydney SeaplanesFly to Pittwater or the Hawkesbury
Take off from Rose Bay, fly over the beaches and land for a long lunch on the water.
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)High-speed spins and slides
30 minutes of 360-degree spins and power-slides past the Opera House. You will get wet.
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)The world's best commute
For the price of a standard fare, ride from Circular Quay to Manly past the Opera House and the Heads.
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)Guided or self-guided
Paddle quiet coves in Mosman, Rose Bay or Manly — often with rays and fish in the shallows.
Photo: Destination NSW (sydney.com)Harbour and beaches from above
Short scenic flights over the harbour, Bondi and the Northern Beaches.
Day trip to the Three Sisters
World Heritage wilderness 90 minutes from the city. See best day trips from Sydney.
History, food or street art
Placeholder listing. Add a standout walking tour (The Rocks history, food tour or street art).
BridgeClimb Sydney is the city's most famous tour, taking climbers to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge arch.
Humpback whales pass Sydney roughly from May to November, heading north in winter and south with calves in spring.
Climb the Harbour Bridge, ride a jet boat, kayak the harbour, take a helicopter or seaplane flight, go whale watching or hike in the Blue Mountains.
Run a venue, show or act that belongs among the best in Sydney? Tell us about it. Every nomination is reviewed by our editors before anything goes live.
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