What to do in Sydney this summer

What to do in Sydney this summer

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 01/14/2019

Reading time: 4 mins

Cool off from Australia’s famous sweltering heat these epic Sydney’s summer attractions!

Summer has arrived and there is no better place to visit than Sydney. Listed as the most visited city in all of Australia, it is bursting with a beautiful harbourfront, pristine beaches, and sparkling skyscrapers. But what sights are worth the visit? Read our list of the best attractions sunny Sydney has to offer!

  • Sydney Festival

    Soak up the sun, sink some drinks, get severely sunburnt and kick back and relax! With over 100 different events for all ages, Sydney Festival is one of the top activities for both locals and tourists. With musical, theatre, and art performances, there is bound to be something for everyone.

  • Outdoor Cinema

    Instead of watching Netflix why not enjoy the city’s hot summer nights while you kick back and relax with a flick. The moonlight cinema offers an endless list of movies for all age groups, including old classics and new releases. Enjoy the onsite food trucks, movie snacks and alcohol while you sit back and relax. St Kilda’s beach and the Botanical gardens also offer some outdoor entertainment, where you can just pack a picnic rug and some snacks while you enjoy a classic with your partner or posse.

  • Tahmoor’s Mermaid Pools

    For a day away from the city, head to the stunning mermaid pools of Tahmoor. These natural water holes are surrounded by large rock boulders and lush bushland. Getting there is a bit tricky and involves following a trail of arrows and other brightly-coloured signals as you trek through bushland. If you’re interested in the area, hike along the many walking tracks surrounding the area, before plunging into the cool waters.

  • Blue Mountains

    Want to travel out even further? Join a day tour to the spectacular Blue Mountains, listed as one of the World Heritage-listed sites. The valley is jam-packed with spectacular mountains, deep canyons, ancient forests, and sandstone creations. Spanning thousands of hectares of land, there is an abundant number of trails and lookouts within the pristine scenery.

  • Beer Gardens

    What better way to cool off than with an ice-cold frosty beer! Sydney is jam-packed with delightful outdoor bars, letting both tourists and locals enjoy the summer heat with a jug of the local craft beer. Fantastic food such as delicious seafood platters and pub nachos are also on offer, letting you refuel for the next wave of sightseeing.

  • Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

    The second-biggest attraction in Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is listed as the largest steel arch bridge in the entire world. Created to connect the north side of Sydney to the city centre, which before that took hours if driving. You can see the bridge from a number of locations, either at the Sydney Opera House, right from the harbour on a boat, or from the side at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.

  • Bondi Beach

    Pull-on your bathers and wack on those sunnies for a perfect day on the beach. Bondi Beach is by far Sydney’s treasure, as it is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. Surf the waves, paddle in the shallows, or simply lie back and relax along the sprawling beach sand. Bondi’s popular pool sits right along the shore, giving you a choice of seawater or chlorine.

  • Gelato Hop

    Sydney has been head over heels in love with gelato for years now, being the starting city for many famous ice creameries. There are a thousand places to satisfy your sweet tooth at, from delicious traditional styles to unique flavours with a modern twist!

  • Raging Waters Park

    This may be a no brainer for some, but it is still worth listing! Sydney’s Raging Waters guarantees a day of thrills and spills for both you and the kids! Low on cash? The park hosts a number of attractions, from whirlwind rides, six stories water drops, and even the epic halfpipe, guaranteeing even the bravest roller coaster rider will have a few butterflies in their stomach. Instead of forking out an arm and a leg for the tickets, head to Taylor Square and enjoy a quick splash at the water feature.

Related article: What to do in Sydney when it rains?

Cameron Ward
Cameron Ward
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.