{"id":108123,"date":"2021-07-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=108123"},"modified":"2025-07-17T12:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:28:31","slug":"first-time-in-sydney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/first-time-in-sydney\/","title":{"rendered":"First Time In Sydney? Here\u2019s All You Need To Know\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With an impressive harbour and glittering coastline, even upon first impression, Sydney<\/a> is pretty brilliant. Delve further into the city, and you\u2019ll find yourself in a destination that hosts a wealth of outdoor activities, diverse art, music and a food scene that rivals any other global city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While, naturally, the city comes with its own list of touristy must-do\u2019s, there\u2019s also so much more on offer for those willing to venture off the beaten path. So, where exactly should you venture to on your first time in Sydney? Below, we\u2019ve put together a list of the top ten things to do when you travel to Sydney<\/a> – a humble list of suggested activities, but also enough to ensure that you\u2019ll be planning follow up adventures not long after your return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marvel at the Sydney Opera House<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CJ0DoPmHiUr\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It might sound cliche, but one simply does not travel to Sydney without making a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous for its white-sailed roof, the well-known Australian architectural icon, which was designed by Jorn Utzon and opened to the public in 1973 (after a 15-year build), is well worth visiting. There are daily guided tours available for $42AUD, which are well worth the cost, as it gives you a whole new appreciation for just how challenging the structure was to design and erect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t quite have the time to fit in a guided tour, you\u2019ll be sure to catch glimpses of the Opera House from around the city; or if you\u2019re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse from the plane as it comes in to land. Failing that, one of our favourite Sydney travel tips and city pastimes is to enjoy a glass of chilled Australian bubbles at the outdoor Opera Bar as the sun sets and the harbour waters lap up alongside the dock – bliss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can get a real \u2018behind-the-scenes\u2019 experience of the Sydney Opera House on a privately guided tour with a Local Specialist when you travel with Trafalgar on the Australian Highlights Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uncover Sydney\u2019s History in the City\u2019s Oldest Area; The Rocks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/COl24k-hAor\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Filled with quaint narrow lanes, colonial buildings, sandstone churches and some of the country\u2019s oldest pubs, The Rocks is Sydney\u2019s oldest neighbourhood and was the first to be settled following the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia in 1788.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amongst some of the many activities on offer in this area, these are some that you must do during your first time in Sydney:<\/p>\n\n\n\n