The Best Outdoor Activities In Sydney

A day in Sydney, Australia may be filled with entertaining activities, and we know just the places to take you. Whether you're looking for the ideal spot to take in breathtaking scenery or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, you'll find it here.

Melbourne is known for its indoor offerings (dive bars, live music venues, and theatre), while Sydney is renowned for its outdoor pursuits.

As a coastal metropolis with many oceanfront neighbourhoods plus green areas, Sydney is packed with opportunities to spend time outside. Learn about the top outdoor pursuits available in the Emerald City.

Due to its warm subtropical weather and beautiful parkland, Sydney is a city you'll want to spend a lot of time in.Thankfully, there is a wide variety of accessible and inexpensive outdoor activities to enjoy in this area.

You may spend a day in Sydney hiking, swimming, and surfing among Bondi, Bronte, and Manly Beach, or you can take it easy with a picnic and some outdoor shopping at one of the city's many delightful markets. These are some of our favourite things to do in Sydney's outdoors. Enjoy!

Royal Botanical Gardens

Learn about the plants used by the oldest continuous culture on Earth. The gorgeous Royal Botanic Garden is just a haven of natural beauty and vibrant colours in the middle of Sydney, perfect for those who want to take a stroll with loved ones or learn more about Australia's interesting flora.

This tour in Sydney's harbourside gardening oasis will take you through stingless bee colonies, towering Moreton Bay tomato plants, and delicious Davidson plums, among many other natural delights.

In your stroll around the city's outskirts, you'll get a glimpse of the Opera House, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, and the Harbour Bridge, three of Sydney's most recognisable buildings.

However, the focus of this walk is on the land's Indigenous history, providing an overview of Sydney's foundations from the point of view of the world's oldest living civilisation. While exploring Farm Cove, you will gain insight into the seasonal lifestyle and subsistence practises of the indigenous Gadigal people, who inhabited the area before European settlement.

Here, you may explore the city's Aboriginal history and learn about foraging, relax with a cup of coffee at one of the numerous cafes, or learn about the garden's background on an informative trip aboard the Choo Choo Express.

There are a handful of exciting festivals conducted here annually, so be sure to check out the schedule of upcoming events.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are indeed a 30-acre (12-hectare) oasis in the middle of Sydney's Central Business District. This is a fantastic outing for anyone with a passion for science, vegetation, or gardening.

As well as being home to a wide variety of fascinating plants, insects, and animals, the gardens are also home to Australia's oldest scientific institution.

Stunning scenery aside, you'll also learn about the many ways the Gadigal people have found to put the local flora to use. Soft, yellow banksias, for instance, can be used to keep embers going and as a paintbrush; candlenuts can be soaked as well as eaten or employed for their inter oil; paperbark can be used for everything from trying to wrap food to swaddling infants; and the tall, thick Gymea lily stalks were used for spearing practise and their bases could be roasted and eaten.

Observing such inventiveness in action is inspiring. You will also learn about the complex interplay between the seasons, such as how you can tell that whales have been migrating while wattles are in bloom. Additionally, stingless bee colonies serve as natural barometers (they won't be active when the temperature drops below 14 degrees).

To calm down, take in nature, and remember our past is especially important in the hustle and bustle of a metropolis.

This venue hosts many events regularly, and tickets can be reserved in advance through the internet. Let's say all you want to do is bask in the sunshine for the day. However, these Botanical Gardens are flanked by The Domain, which features lovely parklands perfect for sports, sunny days, and gathering with friends and family over a picnic.

Have a huge garden and want to experience some of Australia's most magnificent floral displays on a free tour led by a friendly local volunteer? We've got you covered. Your guide will be enthusiastic and welcoming as they show you the beautiful seasonal highlights of the gardens.

You'll get to view areas of the grounds in full bloom thanks to these excursions, which focus on the flowers and plants that are their most impressive and plentiful during your time of visit.

Manly Beach

Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia, is renowned as the site of the first ever world surfing competition in 1964. Tourists and families go to the beach because of its lengthy stretch of fine, smooth sand and tree-lined promenade.

An enjoyable day excursion begins with a boat ride across Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay, near of Sydney Opera House, to Manly Wharf. The voyage takes around 30 minutes. Then, head along the Corso, a bustling commercial and pedestrian promenade that connects the harbour with Manly Beach.

You may witness world-class surfers in action there at Australian Open of Surfing, held annually in February at Manly Beach. Get some fish and chips from the busy Corso, and then take them to the beach for a picnic while you people-watch.

Queenscliff headland is the northwest corner of the beach, where the bombora (an offshore submerged reef) produces the kind of waves sought after by professional surfers. Shelly Beach is a beautiful, protected beach just a short walk south of the Corso, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and picnicking.

Manly Beach is a popular destination for Sydney locals and visitors alike due to its 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) of pristine sand and ideal surf. Manly is home to one of best summer breakers in the vicinity, so if you want to try surfing or just watch the pros, you won't be disappointed.

Center for Underwater Recreation Scuba diving classes for novices and supervised dives for experienced divers are available in Manly. Manly Surf School teaches surfing. Manly features a wide variety of hotels, from 5-star establishments to budget inns perfect for backpackers.

Although the Australian Open in Surfing was held here and in February, you can still see some of the region's best riders out in the line at low tide any time of year.

Get out on the open road with Manly Bike Tours and pedal north to Pristine Beach, famous birthplace of surfing in Australia. Manly and Freshwater beaches, both popular surfing destinations, are listed just on National Surfing Reserves.

Fish and chips taste like heaven after a day at the beach. To sample the finest chips in the area, visit the renowned Corso.

There are numerous coastal eateries to choose from. The Corso is lined with popular watering holes like the Ivanhoe Hotel Manly as well as the Hotel Steyne. Manly Wharf, which overlooks Sydney Harbour, is home to excellent dining options like Papi Chulo. The 4 Pine Brewing Co., located directly across from the pier, also offers a selection of its own handcrafted brews.

Hike From Coogee To Bondi Beach.

The coastline is followed for the most of the six kilometre walk, with occasional forays inland to visit some of Sydney's most beloved beaches.

It's not the toughest hike with in Sydney area, but it really is certainly a fan favourite. The scenery along the shore is breathtaking in any direction, and the city setting makes this an activity you can do on the spur of the moment, though high season and midday sun are to be avoided. No of the length of your journey, comfortable athletic attire is always appreciated.

The path between Coogee & Bondi is about six kilometres (3.7 miles) long and requires about a hour and an half to complete; it is among the most beautiful of Sydney's coastal treks.

Beaches, parks, cliffs, bays, and rock pools may all be found along this easy trip, as can everything else that you would expect to see in this region of Australia.

The entire distance passes by the Waverley Cemetery, where the elevated path can be blustery. You'll find the tranquil Gordons Bay there, a great spot for swimming and snorkelling due to its seclusion. And you'll see a number of ocean pools & local swimming areas, including Bronte Pool, the concreted Clovelly inlet, and the rock pools of Coogee.

Bronte Bay features a playground, picnic spots, kiosks, and restrooms, and is a great place to go for a swim in the water.

This stroll can easily be stretched into a full day's outing, thanks to the abundance of eateries and watering holes along the way.

Do you need to bring snacks? Breakfast options abound in Bondi, there are many of kiosks along the way, and you can refuel with hops & grains at Coogee Pavilion if you follow a vegan diet.

Both drinking fountains and restrooms are conveniently located.

Explore The Breathtaking Blue Mountains.

Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe the Blue Mountains. Located to the west of Sydney, these Blue Mountains are a beautiful mountain range with craggy cliffs and eucalyptus forests, as well as several waterfalls and gorgeous bushwalking routes.

Echo Point Lookout in Katoomba is a great vantage point for viewing the Three Sisters rocky outcrop and the starting point for a number of hiking paths. Then, take a ride down into an old rainforest on the world's lowest passenger railway at Beautiful World Blue Mountains. Or, ride a cable car with a glass bottom above a deep gorge and take in the scenery.

This is a fantastic opportunity for those with a sense of adventure. Your days here will be filled with adrenaline rushes, whether you want to hike to the beautiful Three Sisters, speed through mountains on the a 4WD excursion, or pedal through the forest on a bike.

Day trips to Jenolan Caves can be taken from both Sydney and Katoomba. Calcareous rock outcrops in that area are thought to be at minimum 340 million years old. Faulconbridge train station is the starting point for the Aboriginal Highlands Walkabout trip.

For a day trip away from the concrete jungle, nothing beats a mountain hike. In the course of a single day, you can enjoy a coffee in the quaint town of Leura, ride the worlds largest steepest incline rail line at Scenic World (a fantastic family-friendly tourist park), have lunch with a view of Jamison Valley, and explore Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to koalas, kangaroos, and other native Australian animals.

Massive eucalyptus trees in the this World Heritage site contribute to the distinctive blue haze that gives the Blue Mountains their name. Oil from trees evaporates into water droplets, which then react with sunlight to create a rainbow of hues.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing hike or an adrenaline-pumping rock climb, the mountains have you covered. Its Blue Mountains Adventure Company provides rock climbing and abseiling, while Tread Lightly Eco Tours and the Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout offer guided treks. With Life's an Adventure, you can even join a strenuous three-day hike.

From Sydney's Central Station, it just takes two hours to reach Katoomba, where you can catch a bus to many of the area's best attractions—including the cable car at Scenic World. In addition, bus operators like AAT Kings or Gray Line offer tours departing from well located hotels.

If you're going to be spending more than a week in the Blue Mountains, you may choose from a number of different places to stay.

Gallery shopping in picturesque mountain towns like Leura is a favourite hobby. Darley's Restaurant in Lilianfels & Tomah Gardens Café in the Highlands Botanic Garden are just two examples of the high quality dining options found in the mountains.

Soar Like A Bird

Have you ever considered trying hang gliding but dismissed the idea because you deemed it too challenging or too risky? Fortunately, times have changed, and you can now fly with just an Instructor in a glider designed for two people.

Join Chris Boyce and the rest of the 'Bald Hill' crew in Stanwell Park for some tandem hang gliding.

The Sydney Hang Gliding Centre (formerly known as Aerial Technics) was the city's first and only dedicated hang gliding facility, opening in 1982 and boasting a spotless safety record ever since.

The centre provides novice duet hang gliding flights alongside qualified instructors, which consist of a ground lesson, health briefing, and preparations for takeoff from the peak of Balsam Hill at Stanwell Park. However, solo flights require a licence given by the Sky Diving Federation of Australia.

Participants spend about 30 minutes in the air with an instructor using only a sail and the roaring wind. You and your instructor will soar above the breathtaking Illawarra escarpment and land on the sandy shores of Stanwell Park.

Beginning with the completion of the necessary documentation and your active participation in the hang glider's assembly, the flight will commence. This is helpful for overcoming any innate nervousness you might have and a fantastic educational opportunity.

You don't need anything special, although it's a good idea to wear anything that doesn't cling to your body too much, like a tracksuit or trousers and a fleece. The school also provides fantastic flying jackets if the weather calls for them.

Bald Hill at Stanwell Park is where they take off from. After 25-30 minutes in the air, they arrive on the shore at Stanwell Park after soaring along the breathtaking Illawarra escarpment. If this is your first time gliding, you should definitely take advantage of the fact that you are flying alongside your instructor.

Minimum age is 15 and maximum weight is 96 kg. Weekday solo flights cost $136 per person, while the Premium package, which can be booked on any day, costs $153 per person. Flight photography is included in the price.

They will pick you up from Stanwell Park station, which is an hour's drive or train ride south of the city. Plan your trip using the Sydney Railways South Coast timetable.

Learn To Surf By Hitting The Waves.

Anyone who hasn't surfed at Bondi Beach ought to add it immediately.

Ideal for apprehensive first-timers, the school's two-hour beginner's course covers the basics of safety, paddling, and catching a wave.

Let's Go Surfing is the only fully licenced surf school at Bondi Beach, and it was founded in 1995 by Brenda Miley, the National Women's Director of Surfing Australia, and her partner Craig 'Wacca' Wachholz.

Lessons are ideal for complete novices since they teach everything from surf safety and awareness to how to properly warm up on the beach before hitting the water, how to paddle through shore breaks, how to stand on a surfboard, how to catch waves, and how to maintain control of your board.

Private lessons or classes of no more than five individuals are taught by qualified teachers familiar with working with students of various skill levels.

The Surf Easy Course at the school costs £114 for adults and £103 for children, and is ideal for those who have never surfed before but want to get their surfing careers off to a good start. All equipment is provided, including surfboards, wetsuits, sunscreen, and three 2-hour classes taught by certified surf instructors who are also first aid certified.

Bondi Surf Class, on the other hand, is a two-hour, group lesson for £53 that's great for first-timers or rusty surfers (to join this lesson, you must be at least 12 years of age).

The youngest age allowed at the school is seven, while there is no maximum age restriction. During the summer, classes run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Take a stroll across the world's most famous bridge for a breathtaking perspective of Sydney.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a suspension bridge that stands out against the city's skyline, and those who aren't afraid of heights can take on the challenge by climbing it.

Indeed, the price tag is quite high. In other words, you'll be stuck in a drab grey jumpsuit. Although Nicole Kidman, Bruce Bruce, and Justin Bieber have all participated in the BridgeClimb, the fourth-longest solid steel arch footbridge in the globe is an absolute must-see for residents.

At BridgeClimb, daredevils can experience the "Climb of your Life" by mounting the 134-meter tower. The trip takes 4 - 5 hours and requires 1332 steps, as well as the use of ladders and catwalks.

The steel arch bridge, known as The Coathanger, was opened in 1932 and is 1149 metres and weighs 53,140 tonnes.

In what is known as "The Bridge Climb," groups of 14 people are "latched on" in the Climb Base beneath the Bradfield Highway while making their way out onto the catwalks.

There is a breath test at the beginning of every one of the three big climbs (Discovery, Bridge, and Express; 210 minutes, 135 minutes, and 135 minutes, respectively), so forget about visiting a Rocks bar to settle your nerves before you climb.

There will be a fast change into the official (and lovably dated) BridgeClimb clothing once you leave your current clothes in a locker. After some training, climbers secure themselves towards the Bridge using a belt & slider clip, which connects onto a wire and keeps you secure while you traverse the beams.

In approximately 45 minutes, you and your group will be standing on the lead-in beam, ready to take on that massive maze of steel, with a radio headset allowing you to catch your guide's voice so over wind and traffic noise.

The group proceeds along the outer arch of the Bridge on the Opera House opposite to the peak after ascending four steps to the beginning of the upper arch.

From here, you can see the mouth of the harbour and as far north as that of the Blue Mountains in all directions at once.

The ascent isn't as difficult or dangerous as it sounds; most of it is like going up a (not-at-all-steep) staircase, and there are many rest stations along the way where the guide can provide interesting information about the bridge's construction.

Did you know that in the olden days of construction, there existed a job called "catcher," whose duties included standing on a two-foot beamwidth without a safety belt and catching steel rivets thrown to him by a worker eighty feet away?

The vistas, not the height, are what make this such a thrilling experience. Until you stand on the Gateway and take it all in, it's hard to comprehend our "City of Villages" as a unified whole.

The silhouette of Blue Mountains frame the West, as well as the Pacific Ocean lets up the East. Each day at 3 p.m., there is a Mandarin-speaking climbing session.

Before starting the climb, everyone takes a breathalyser to ensure their blood alcohol content is below.

The maximum is 5, and anyone caught drinking excessively will be kicked out. Prices range from $129 for adults and $96 for children (ages 10-15) for night climbs, and from $152 for adults and $102 for children (ages 6-11) for day climbs.

December and January are prime climbing months, so expect to pay more then.

Glebe Markets

In Sydney, Glebe is the neighbourhood that has the most shoppers. It's hip, nonconformist, bohemian, and easygoing.

One among Sydney's most popular Saturday destinations, Glebe Markets is noted for its unique atmosphere, variety of vendors, and fashionable atmosphere. Talk to the minds behind the work and learn more about the process.

Get out of the house and join the neighbourhood for its weekly trip to Glebe Markets.

Glebe Markets is at at once colourful, unconventional, quiet and frantic.

When one moment you're admiring beautiful jewellery made from rare stones, the next you're hearing a raucous drumming circle.

Find some very unique items at Glebe Market, one of the greatest venues in Sydney to do so.

An wonderful part of such a market is indeed the stallholders' near community, giving a social vibe to every weekend's event. At Glebe Market, you can browse stalls that only sell items from a certain decade, as this is the market's speciality.

Once you’ve had a walk through the clothes and saarc and worked up a appetite, look from around food vendors, which sell it all from Argentinian street cuisine to vegan cupcakes.

With 200 stalls, one will discover the most unique goods and people.

There are always delicious options to try, so you can enjoy them while relaxing on the grass and listening to live music performed by local and visiting artists.

Have a Henna tattoo. Acquaint yourself with the creative types. Check out Sydney's top vintage store.

You can find that wonderful, old, or retro thing at Glebe Markets. A fantastic spot to find repurposed treasures.

To spend the day in Glebe is to enjoy its laid-back atmosphere and eclectic fashion. Listen to the free music while you dine on Indian, Chinese, and even fresh squeezed cane juice from around the world.

You're allowed to spend whatever amount you like, but the ambience is complimentary.

Conclusion

Sydney is a coastal city with many of parks and communities right on the water, making it an ideal destination for those who enjoy spending time in the fresh air. Hiking, swimming, and surfing can be enjoyed at the city's beaches (Bondi, Bronte, and Manly), or one can relax with a picnic and do some outdoor shopping at one of the city's many markets. Farm Cove gives visitors a glimpse of the seasonal lifestyle and subsistence practises of the indigenous Gadigal people who lived in the area prior to European contact, while the Royal Botanic Gardens are a haven of natural beauty and brilliant colours. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney are a 30-acre (12-hectare) green space in the heart of the city's bustling Central Business District that are home to a diverse range of interesting flora and fauna. The indigenous Gadigal people have developed a variety of practical applications for the flora in their area, and their community is also home to Australia's first scientific institution.

The Domain, a beautiful parkland great for sports, sunny days, and gathering with friends and family over a picnic, surrounds the gardens on two sides. For those interested in seeing the grounds at their peak and learning more about the complicated interplay between the seasons, a free tour given by a helpful local volunteer is available. In 1964, the first international surfing tournament was held at Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia. Known for its three kilometres of unspoilt sand and excellent surf, it is a popular location for both Sydney residents and tourists. From Circular Quay, close to the Sydney Opera House, take a ferry to Manly Wharf for a fun day trip.

The next step is to walk along the Corso, a popular shopping and pedestrian walkway that stretches from the harbour to Manly Beach. Located in the north-west section of the beach, Queenscliff headland is where the bombora (an offshore submerged reef) creates the waves sought after by professional surfers. All levels of divers are welcome to take advantage of the Center for Underwater Recreation's scuba diving instruction and supervised dives. You can learn to surf at Manly Surf School. Australian surfing may trace its roots back to Pristine Beach, which is now protected as part of the country's National Surfing Reserves. Having fish and chips after a day at the beach is like being in culinary bliss.

Content Summary

1. There are plenty of fun things to do in Sydney, Australia, and we can show you all the best spots.
2. Discover the best outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest's Emerald City.
3. Sydney is a place you'll want to spend a lot of time in because of its pleasant subtropical climate and lovely parkland.
4. We enjoy doing these things in the great outdoors of Sydney.
5. To the Royal Botanic Gardens Examine the medicinal herbs employed by the world's earliest civilisation.
6. The beautiful Royal Botanic Garden is an oasis of greenery and bright colours in the heart of Sydney, great for those who want to take a stroll with loved ones or learn more about Australia's unique flora.
7. However, the Indigenous history of the area is the main subject of this tour, which gives an introduction to the foundations of Sydney from the perspective of the world's oldest living civilisation.
8. Learning about the seasonal lifestyle and subsistence practises of the indigenous Gadigal people, who lived in the area before European arrival, is one of the many benefits of visiting Farm Cove.
9. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney are a 12-hectare (30-acre) green space in the heart of the city.
10. Anyone interested in science, plants, or gardening would love this trip.
11. The gardens are home to Australia's oldest scientific institution as well as a large array of exotic plants, insects, and animals.
12. In addition to the beautiful natural environment, you'll also gain insight into the myriad methods in which the indigenous Gadigal people have discovered to make use of the area's flora.
13. The Domain, on the other hand, surrounds these Botanical Gardens with beautiful parkland ideal for sports, sunny days, and getting together with friends and family over a picnic.
14. Your guide will be friendly and upbeat as they show you the best of the gardens at each season.
15. Beach at Manly The first-ever global surfing championship was held on Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia, in 1964.
16. Every year in February, Manly Beach plays host to the Australian Open of Surfing, where you can see some of the best surfers in the world compete.
17. Located just south of the Corso, the picturesque and sheltered Shelly Beach is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and picnicking.
18. Manly Beach's three kilometres (1.9 miles) of unspoilt beach and perfect waves make it a favourite spot for both Sydney natives and visitors.
19. While the Australian Open of Surfing took place in February at this very spot, you can still find the top surfers in the area out in the line at low tide throughout the year.
20. Tour the open road with Manly Bike Tours and ride north to Pristine Beach, the spiritual home of surfing in Australia.