Walk through the city of Sydney, and you’ll find plenty of statues of governors, explorers, royals, politicians, poets, and saints, many so familiar they blend into the background.
Each one was put there for a reason, and the stories behind them say a lot about who the city chose to honour and how it saw itself at the time. This list covers 17 historic statues, from Queen Victoria at the QVB to William Bligh in The Rocks.
Sydney’s streets, parks and laneways hold more public art than most people realise. From an eye-catching structure in Hyde Park to a sound installation hidden near Martin Place, these works range from significant landmarks to quiet memorials.
Some pieces mark a specific person or moment in the city’s past, while others sit quietly in a busy street, easy to walk past if you don’t know to look up or slow down. This guide brings together 15 public artworks from across the city, each one distinctly Sydney in character.
The public boardwalk and shared path between Kangaroo Point and Seymours Creek is a family-friendly walking trail through bushland and mangroves.
Opened in 2025, this accessible and dog-friendly 1 km walkway forms part of a 3 km route linking Brooklyn village with Kangaroo Point.
Tucked into the corner of Bridge and Loftus streets, Macquarie Place Park is a small triangular reserve with a surprisingly important place in Sydney’s history.
Formalised as public space by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1818, it sits on land once surrounded by the residences of the colony’s governors and civil officers, as well as the store buildings that served early Sydney Cove.
The Maitland Bay and Mount Bouddi Circuit Walk is an energising bush and coastal walk that highlights the very best of Bouddi National Park.
This scenic 6.8 km loop links three separate walking tracks, navigating through a stunning mix of coastal and bushland scenery.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and no visit to Sydney feels complete without seeing it up close or walking across it.
While there are several ways to experience the “Coathanger”, one of the most rewarding is a visit to the newly redeveloped Sydney Harbour BridgeMuseum and SkyHouse.
Explore Sydney’s best-kept secrets with this guide to hidden gems, including scenic lookouts, fascinating historical sites, and heritage landmarks.
Sydney has no shortage of iconic tourist attractions, historical landmarks, stunning national parks, and scenic beaches. But while the city’s popular spots deserve their fame, it’s the hidden gems scattered across the city that showcase Sydney’s diverse character, charm, and history.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Sydney Harbour is by hopping on one of the many scenic ferry services operated by Sydney Ferries.
Head east to places like Cremorne Point, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, or Manly, for a swim, a coastal walk, or a relaxed drink by the water. Or, travel west to explore Cockatoo Island or cruise along the Parramatta River, stopping at one of the many waterfront suburbs for lunch.
There’s no better way to experience Sydney than on foot. Boasting year-round running weather and a stunning backdrop of bays, ocean cliffs, and world-famous landmarks, the city is home to some of the most beautiful recreational tracks in the country.
In addition to these regular routes, Sydney also hosts an impressive lineup of annual fun runs. These events cater to all fitness levels and offer a unique opportunity to join thousands of others in support of great local causes.
Located within Royal National Park, the Wattamolla Beach area offers a stunning lagoon, a picturesque waterfall, a spacious picnic ground, and various walking tracks.
This scenic spot has grown into one of Sydney’s favourite destinations for weekend and day trips, perfect for a relaxing family outing.
Discover the best walking tracks in Sydney, from energising bushwalks and scenic coastal trails to quiet Harbour walks with stunning views.
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Sydney at its best. From golden beaches and dramatic headlands to quiet bushland and sweeping Harbour vistas, the city offers an impressive variety of walking tracks.
The 3.2 km walking track between Pearl Beach and Patonga on the Central Coast is a scenic bushwalk with several lookouts offering panoramic views over Broken Bay.
With two beautiful beaches and a couple of cafes and restaurants at both ends, this walk can easily turn into a relaxed half-day adventure north of Sydney.
Opened in 2025, the 3 km walking trail between Georges Head and Middle Head (Gubbuh Gubbuh) is a scenic coastal walk that highlights Sydney’s rich military history.
Featuring fortifications, gun emplacements, and other remnants from the past, along with sweeping Sydney Harbour views, this walk offers a fascinating mix of history and scenery.
The Gibberagong Track near Bobbin Head in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is an energising bushwalk that follows Cockle Creek and leads to a scenic waterhole.
Starting from the Bobbin Head picnic area, the walk first explores the mangroves via a boardwalk before continuing into the bush, with several creek crossings and peaceful forest scenery to enjoy.
The Mangrove Boardwalk across Cockle Creek is a short, family-friendly walking trail located in Bobbin Head, in the heart of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Starting from the southwestern end of the picnic area, the boardwalk offers scenic views of the creek and features several signs that share interesting facts about the surrounding mangroves.
Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and what makes it even better is how walkable it is. Many of the city’s iconic landmarks are conveniently within easy walking distance.
To help you discover Sydney step by step, we’ve compiled a list of seven of the best walks in the city, perfect for all ages and fitness levels.
The Pyrmont Foreshore Walk is a scenic trail that follows the shoreline of this inner-city suburb, stretching from the Pyrmont Bridge to the Sydney Fish Market.
This 5 km walk offers fantastic views of the city and the Harbour, passing several historic buildings and landmarks along the way. With plenty of cafés and restaurants to stop at, it’s one of Sydney’s finest city walks.
The Topham Walking Track in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is an easy bushwalk that takes you to two scenic lookouts and a hidden cave.
This 4 km return walk follows a fire trail for most of the way, before finishing with a short bush section that leads to the cave and lookouts.
Discover the best tours in The Rocks with our guide to five tried and tested walking experiences, highlighting history, pubs, crime stories, and more.
Just a short walk from Circular Quay, The Rocks is one of Sydney’s most historic precincts. It was the site of the first European settlement in Australia, and much of its character has been preserved.
Sydney is a very walkable city, making it easy to explore iconic landmarks on foot, with beautiful Harbour and skyline views as a bonus.
One of our favourite walks in the city is the route from Museum Station to the Sydney Opera House, via Hyde Park, the Domain, and the Botanic Garden. The walk passes plenty of heritage buildings, green spaces, and world-famous attractions.