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Sydney’s architectural icon and world-renowned performing arts venue enjoys the most spectacular setting of any cultural institution in the world. It is the city’s most popular tourist attraction.

This enormous and beautiful structure was an economic and engineering triumph. It reshaped Sydney’s landscape and lifted the city’s spirits during the dark days of the Great Depression.

From its pristine beaches to its working dock-lands, this deep-water port at the heart of this maritime city is the world’s finest.

Boasting one of the country’s most extensive collections of Australian and international art, this striking building in The Domain is not to be missed.

The zoo’s collection of Australian and exotic animals, not to mention its gorgeous setting overlooking the harbour, makes it a must-see destination for visitors.

Sydney’s swimmers, surfers and sybarites all love Australia’s most iconic beach. Don’t leave the city without spending some time here, body surfing, walking along the clifftops or working on your tan.

Sydney has dozens of beaches and most are very safe for swimming. The harbour beaches are generally calm, good for a relaxing paddle and for children. The ocean beaches are likely to have a rougher swell, perfect for surfing, body-boarding and body-surfing; you can take lessons at Let’s Go Surfing. At ocean beaches, make sure to swim between the flags, in the lifeguard-patrolled area.

There may be better waves to the south, but it’s hard to beat the setting.

Just north of Watsons Bay is Camp Cove, where Governor Phillip spent the night after decamping from Botany Bay (see First Fleet Arives & Captain Cook's Landing Place) and entered Port Jackson for the first time. A track leads from the kiosk at the northern end of this protected beach over to tiny male-nudist Lady Bay Beach, which is overlooked by the HMAS Watson Naval Base. At the end of the track is South Head’s Hornby Lighthouse and several old gun emplacements (see South Head). This windswept headland offers spectacular views out to sea, across to Manly and the North Harbour.

Aboriginal rock art and spring wildflowers are the highlights of this 12,000-ha (39,640-acre) park overlooking Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River. There are great views over the Hawkes-bury from the path leading from Pearl Beach to tiny Patonga, accessible by ferry from Palm Beach.

The more rugged of the two Heads, this section of the Sydney Harbour National Park features windswept heathlands, shaded gullies, secluded Collins Beach and the Old Quarantine Station. Pretty Cabbage Tree Bay and Shelly Beach (see Cabbage Tree Bay) are to the north.

These impressive 300-m (1,082-ft) falls mark the start of some of the Blue Mountains’ most challenging walking trails down to neighbouring Jamison Valley. The Wentworth Falls Reserve lies near the village of Wentworth, named for one of the first Europeans to explore the region (see Wentworth, Blaxland & Lawson).

Hire a yacht with friends and a picnic lunch to explore these isolated coves.

The most popular landmark of the Blue Mountains is this spectacular rock formation, which derives its name from an Aboriginal Dreamtime legend. The story relates that the leader of the Katoomba people, concerned for the safety of his three beautiful daughters, turned them into stone to protect them from enemies but died before being able to reverse his spell. The Three Sisters stand at the entrance to the long climb into Jamison Valley.

On the headland east of Manns Point and the Parramatta River (see Birchgrove) lies this pleasant park, site of Aboriginal rock art and bushwalking trails. It offers stunning views across the harbour to Goat Island and Balmain (see Balmain East). BBQ facilities are available, and it’s easily accessible from Waverton Railway Station. The park is cradled by the dormitory suburbs of Waverton and Wollstoncraft, the latter named after Edward Wollstoncraft, nephew of Mary Wollstoncraft, the author of Rights of Women . Edward was an enterprising local merchant who operated a shipping business with his partner Alexander Berry, after whom the bay to the east was named.

Several locations around Sydney contain Aboriginal rock art, including Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, the Royal National Park, and the Brisbane Waters National Park. One of the most accessible sites is the North Bondi Golf Course, where you’ll find rock carvings just below the tower on Military Road.

With clifftop walks overlooking the ocean and Broken Bay, secluded beaches, heathlands and banksia forests, this tiny coastal park is a gem. It extends from Box Head to McMaster’s Beach on the Central Coast, and offers good bushwalking trails and camping facilities.

Walking trails take you around the tip of one of Sydney Harbour National Park’s highlights, where you can often spot noisy flocks of rainbow lorikeets. At the end of the headland is the tripod mast of the original HMAS Sydney (see Bradfield Park) and a small Doric column marking one nautical mile from Fort Denison.

Sydney may be a bustling city, but the peace and quiet of the bush is just a short train ride away. There are 24 national parks in and around Sydney (see Parks & Gardens), and all offer excellent bushwalks of varying experience levels. Take a guided tour with the NPWS and learn all about native animals and bush foods.

Katoomba is the site of Echo Point, which offers superb views. Take a bushwalk around the clifftop paths or head down the Giant Stairway, across Jamison Valley (see Wentworth Falls) and back up on the Scenic Railway.

The picnic area at this small beach is dotted with little huts that provide picnic tables and shelter from the wind. On the weekends it’s packed with groups of 20-somethings enjoying barbecues and beer. Bronte also boasts a great ocean pool and a fabulous row of cafés.

This rainforest zone on the North Shore may offer you the best chance to spy the elusive lyrebird in its natural habitat. You will also find tree ferns and cabbage tree palms (Livistonia Australis ), which were used by white settlers for everything from hats to building materials.

Standing at the edge of the city centre, this formal park provides a respite from the city’s bustle. It features a magnificent avenue of figs, the Art Deco Archibald Fountain at its northern end and the Anzac Memorial. A site for public executions in 1802, only one year later it was used for Sydney’s first cricket match. Australia’s first horse race was run here in 1810.

Discovered in 1838, this striking complex of underground limestone caves lies southwest of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. They are Australia’s best-known caves, renowned for their icy underground rivers, huge caverns and intriguing limestone formations, all surrounded by an extensive wildlife reserve.

A large fishing and resort town, Kiama is one of the most attractive coastal spots south of Sydney. Discovered by explorer George Bass in 1797, this 25-m (82-ft) blowhole originates in a natural fault in the cliffs. It erupts whenever a wave hits with enough force, which can be every few minutes. Water can be thrown as high as 60 m (200 ft).

On the peninsula’s ocean side, this popular long beach is the homeground of many of Australia’s ironmen and women, and the site of surf lifesaving championships. The esplanade is good for jogging and rollerblading, and goes all the way round to lovely, sheltered Shelly Beach.

Given its location beside the southern approach to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this small park below the Observatory (see Sydney Observatory) is surprisingly peaceful. It offers great views of the working harbour. Near the bandstand is a memorial to the Australians who served in the South African War (1899–1902).

This scenic national park is the largest wilderness area in NSW at 492,976 ha (1,217,650 acres). The rugged terrain is composed of a maze of canyons and gorges that traverse rainforested mountains. Other features include riverside beaches, whitewater rafting, camping and examples of the Wollemi pine.

Features stalls, music, food and “Kids Zone”, an area that offers a range of activities for children and their families.

This rock-and-roll road show began in the early 1990s. Today, international acts mix it up with alternative and popular local outfits. In recent years bands have included Afrika Bambaataa, Metallica, Jane’s Addiction, PJ Harvey, and Kraftwerk.

Celebrating the arrival of Sydney’s First Fleet, this national holiday sees Sydney ferries and Tall Ships competing in the big race from the Harbour Bridge to Manly and back. There are free concerts and performances held across the city. Do keep in mind that to many indigenous people, this date is known as “Invasion Day”.

This carnival is more than just a street parade down Oxford Street (see Oxford & Crown Streets), for more than a quarter-million people line the route. The parade naturally ends with a party, but there is also an energetic programme of associated events that celebrates the strength and diversity of gay Sydney (see Gay & Lesbian Friendly Places).

Thousands attend the notorious and colourful Mardi Gras Parade.

It may be every Aussie grandma’s pastime, but it has also been recently undergoing a surge in popularity, thanks main-ly to the patronage of certain Sydney celebrities and a bunch of trendy kids. Try the original and the best, Sunday arvo bowls at Paddington Bowling Club.

Celebrates the Sydney live music scene with a range of bands and entertainers.

The best Sydney market for vintage clothes and bric-a-brac.

This café might as well be a bar, with its 24-hour service, loud music, tables spilling out onto the street and opportunities to befriend diners at neighbouring tables. Partiers out on the street pop in for a late-night snack or a caffeinated boost. By day it’s quieter but no less busy.

Great Italian food and friendly service. The red walls and comfort food will make you feel warm inside.

Modern Asian food from Thailand, Vietnam, China and Japan at great prices. There’s something for everyone.

This laidback courtyard café is patronized by art school kids and grungy types. Feel at home in the arty ambience with comfortable sofas, good coffee, and vegetarian options such as scrambled tofu and juices.

A neat shop sells the best local and imported streetwear.

Stop in for picnic supplies such as crusty sourdough bread and excellent cheese.