From the world-renowned Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to Australia’s largest Chinatown, Sydney’s icons attract over 14 million tourists a year!
Whether you’re a local who often forgets how awesome your own backyard is, or a newbie to Sydney, there are some iconic landmarks that you have to tick off your bucket list in order to understand why Sydney is so special.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic landmarks of Sydney and one of the most famous buildings in the world. For good reason too, as its unique shell-like silloutte is a symbol of modern Sydney. Jørn Utzon designed the building, and while doing so, tested engineering and structural principles. Since its opening, it has attracted over ten million visitors annually. The building has since become the youngest cultural site added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
We’re stating the obvious here, but another iconic Sydney landmark is the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The steel arch bride, built in 1932, connects Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) to the North Shore of Sydney. Tourists can choose to either climb the bridge in a tour group, or walk on the sidewalk of the bridge for free. The bridge is adjacent to Sydney Opera House, so they have become an iconic pair. If you’re planning a romatic evening, order some oysters and enjoy a cold bevie at the Opera Bar, which has some of the best views of both incredible structures.
Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Adjacent to the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge is the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens is the oldest scientific institution of Australia, as it was established in 1816. It is also located on what was the first farm of Australia, dating back to 1788. These gardens are beautiful, heritage-listed green spaces, located in the CBD of Sydney, offering a serene break from the bustling city for locals and visitors alike. Visitors can choose to follow the path through the gardens, check out the shops and cafés surrounding the gardens, or join a guided tour. The gardens are free and open to the public, so pack that picnic and chill out in one of the prettiest places in Sydney, just a stone’s throw from the harbour.
The Rocks
Another fun spot and iconic historic neighbourhood, located just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is The Rocks. Filled with upscale restaurants complete with harbour views, funky pubs, unique galleries, and historic sites, The Rocks is crawling with excited visitors. The Rocks Discovery Museum is a free-entry option for families that tells the story of The Rocks, from pre-European times to the present. You can find animal wall prints from a local Sydney artist at ATTY Gallery. At Dawes Point Battery Reserve, learn about a military defence site on the harbour while enjoying the incredible views of Sydney Cove. Sussannah Place is a historic site of four different houses to remind you of the immigrants who built Sydney. Go shopping for hand-crafted jewellery, enjoy live music, and learn a new skill during a live demonstration at The Rocks Markets on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-5pm. End the day with yoga and a picnic under the Harbour Bridge.
Queen Victoria Building
The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is another must-see Sydney icon, and you can shop ‘til you drop here. The building’s Romanesque Revival Architecture features have made it a significant historical landmark that signifies Sydney’s prosperity and growth during the late 1800s. The building was originally built to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, replacing the original Sydney Markets. Today, there are over 140 boutiques, jewellery shops, cafés, and restaurants inside. The stained glass windows and grand central dome are symbols of the building’s Victorian-era architecture, which has been restored over the years in order to maintain its original design, while still adapting to modern needs. To make an inexpensive day of it, there are plenty of cute and cool cafes in the QVB where you can have a cuppa, a bite to eat, and fit in a good dose of people watching.
Darling Harbour
Speaking of people watching, down on the water at Darling Harbour, you can watch the endless streams of people boarding and disembarking super yachts, ferries and all sorts of other boats. Darling Harbour is jam-packed with bars, cafes and restaurants with every kind of cuisine you can think of. Bottomless brunches, Happy Hours galore, high teas, boat cruises, buskers, bands and fireworks draw crowds from all walks of life, at all times of the day and night. For something not so wild, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Australian National Maritime Museum, both located right on the harbour, are awesome options for a fun-filled day for the whole family.
Chinatown
Another icon of Sydney you cannot miss is Sydney’s 5th most popular tourist attraction – Chinatown! Boasting the title of the largest Chinatown in Australia, there are hundreds of stalls, cafes, restaurants and bars, with endless options for those who love Asian food. Located between Darling Harbour and Haymarket, Paddy’s Haymarket, open Wednesday-Sunday, is a huge market within Chinatown, over-flowing with souvenir stalls. If food isn’t what brings you here, the colorful Chinese Friendship Gardens are well worth your time. If you are looking for an in-depth experience to get a grasp on the history of this special area, book a guided walking tour of the town.
Theatre Royal Sydney
For lovers of the arts, culture and architecture, Theatre Royal is an iconic Sydney building dating back to the 1830s. After suffering multiple fires, in the 1970s, Harry Seidler designed the building that stands today. For a remarkable experience in central Sydney, book a musical, ballet, or concert and relish in a cultural and architectural masterpiece, and then choose one of the many cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area to dine and digest the show.
Loving these iconic landmarks in Sydney? For more things to see and do, check out the top events in 2025 here!
