Sydney Australia: Iconic Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Misty Blue Mountains

Experience the wonders of Sydney, the dynamic capital of Australia! Explore the breathtaking harbor views and embark on an unforgettable journey to the iconic Sydney Opera House. Take a quick ferry ride to the renowned Taronga Zoo, where you can connect with incredible wildlife up close. Be sure to plan a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains, where you can enjoy the thrilling adventure of riding the world’s steepest passenger railway.

Sydney Australia

We first visited Sydney as a family on our transpacific Disney cruise.  While it was a quick visit, I fell in love with the beautiful Sydney Harbor and was eager to come back. For my daughter’s high school graduation we planned a 10-day Australia Trip and of course we had to visit the capital of Australia! This time we got a chance to explore more – take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, explore the beauty of the misty Blue Mountains, and so much more. I love this area of Sydney. Not only is it easy to navigate walking or taking a scenic ferry, but there are so many absolutely fabulous places to eat! It is a foodies paradise for sure!  Let me help you find the perfect Sydney activities for your next family vacation!

How Long to Stay in Sydney

There is so much to see and do in and around Sydney, you could easily spend a week here. But since we took a 15 hour flight over, we have a lot to see in a relatively short time.  I think you can hit the highlights in 2-3 days if you really need to squeeze things down.

Sydney Weather

Did you know that Sydney’s weather follows a seasonal pattern that is the opposite of what we experience in North America? While many people in the Northern Hemisphere are bundling up for winter, Sydney is enjoying warm sunny days in the summer months of December to February. Autumn takes place from March to May, bringing pleasant temperatures and stunning fall foliage. Winter, from June to August, sees cooler weather, but it’s still quite mild compared to colder regions. Finally, spring arrives from September to November, offering blossoming flowers and beautiful skies.

We visited in late May / early June and the weather was ideal! Not too hot and not too cold. Plus since it is off season in Australia things were less crowded and slightly cheaper for tours.

Sydney Hotel

There are so many fabulous choices it is hard to pick the best Sydney hotel. Pick one that is walking distance to the Sydney harbor for ease of getting around and finding food.  Other than that, pick one that fits your budge and is convenient for hotel pick-ups as listed on the tours you book. Personally, we’ve stayed at:

• InterContinental Sydney by IHG. We picked this location because of its proximity to the harbor and it was listed as a pick-up location for our two Sydney tours. I don’t think there is anything particullary special about this location, although the view from our room was stunning! If it weren’t one of the listed hotels, I would have picked a less expensive option.
• Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.  This hotel is also easy walking distance from the harbor. We picked this hotel because we got a deal on the lounge access which allowed us to eat breakfast and dinner included. They also gave us a lovely welcome gift of chocolate shapped like the opera house and some fruit. The hotel was very nice, but again we got a deal or we might have stayed somewhere cheaper.

Activities in sydney

There are so many things to do in this vibrant city, but if you are tight on time – here are the three I would prioritize: Sydney Opera House, misty Blue Mountains day trip, and the Taronga Zoo.

Sydney Opera House

You can’t got to Sydney with out exploring this iconic building. You will of course see it along the harbor as you stroll along or in the distance as you take a ferry ride, but you really owe it to yourself to take a closer look. If there is a concert that interests you you may consider booking tickets. My favorite way to see it was through a Sydney Opera House guided tour. We got to see inside all the main venues, learn about it’s construction, the unique architectural features, and so much more. I learned so much and left even more impressed with this beautiful building!

Blue Mountains

Get outside the city to enjoy some incredible beauty in the blue mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and expansive eucalyptus forests. One of the most popular viewpoints, Echo Point, offers sweeping vistas of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation.

There are lots of options for this full day excursion. We did this Blue Mountains Adventure tour which included several scenic stops, waterfall view, a walk through the rainforest while learning about the history of mining in the area, plus riding several attractions such as the cable car and the world’s steepest passenger railway.  You will have a very quick stop for lunch that is almost too quick to eat. Our tour included a visit to the Sydney Zoo which was not nearly as exciting as the Taronga Zoo, but is easy to explore in a couple hours. They include a picture with a Koala, but you will not hold the Koala. That is now only allowed in the northern territory like in Cairns Australia.  At the end of the day you will take a 20-30 minute ferry ride back to Sydney Harbor which gives you a lovely view of the area and Sydney Opera House at sunset.

Taronga Zoo

This zoo not only includes some unique animals, but is so engaging to visitors as well. Plus the view of the Sydney harbor and bridge from the zoo is breathtaking. If you like animals at all – this is a worthwhile stop. We thoroughly enjoyed walking amongst the various types of kangaroo, wallabeye, seeing the blue penguins and platypus swim, and the expansive chimp enclosure. We did this Taronga Zoo tour which included a ferry ride to the zoo and our ticket. I would happily book it again. The boat ride back to the harbor was beautiful and provided some great vantage points for taking pictures with the Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House behind us.

HINT: Try to get seats on the upper deck for the best pictures!

10 best things to do in sydney

If you are looking for more fun things to do while in Sydney, here are some other options:

• Start with a hop on hop off bus tour to conveniently explore the city at your own pace.
• Don’t miss the chance to walk across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can wander over for free or book a guided climb to the summit for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.
• For a peaceful escape, stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden. It’s a lush oasis where you’ll want to find Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, the perfect spot to snap a photo that captures both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
• Dive into history at The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest neighborhood. Its cobblestone streets and convict-era sandstone pubs are lined with weekend markets just waiting to be explored.
• For stunning city views, head to the Sydney Tower Eye, where a 360-degree panorama of the skyline awaits.
• And if you’re a beach lover, don’t forget Bondi and Manly Beaches. Whether you want to surf the waves at Bondi or take the famous Manly Ferry from Circular Quay to discover Manly’s beautiful beaches and charming cafes, there’s something for everyone.
• Be sure to visit the Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Mother of God. The Queen Victoria Building, affectionately known as the QVB, is another must-see. This heritage-listed landmark was built between 1893 and 1898 and is now filled with delightful shops.
• Enjoy some fun at Luna Park, an amusement park that first opened in 1932. You can enter the park for free, making it easy to explore and take photos. Just grab tickets if you want to enjoy the rides.
• If you’re looking to discover marine life, don’t miss the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. It features sharks, dugongs, penguins, turtles, stingrays, and a vibrant array of colorful fish, including the beloved clownfish.