Last updated: May 9, 2023
A guide with the 25 best Sydney lookouts you can visit year-round. Some offer scenic views of the city skyline, and others are great for natural sights.
With an incredible city skyline, several unique landmarks, and beautiful natural attractions, Sydney has no shortage of scenic lookouts that offer breathtaking views.
What’s more, Sydney has a near-perfect climate, which makes going out to visit these lookout points a fun and adventurous pastime on a sunny day.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, there are always more lookouts to discover in and around Australia’s most beautiful city.
Top 25 Sydney Lookout Points
Below is our list of the 25 best lookouts in Sydney that you can visit all year round, with links to their map locations underneath the photos.
Some of these lookouts offer amazing views of the Sydney skyline, while others are great for ocean and coastal views.
1. Manns Point Lookout
Let’s kick off this list with arguably the best Sydney lookout. Manns Point in Greenwich is a beautiful spot in Sydney Harbour and one of the quietest lookouts on this list.
You won’t find any tourist buses lining up at Manns Point, and the lack of visitors makes this hidden spot in Sydney’s lower north shore all the more enjoyable.
Named in honour of Captain Gother Kerr Mann, the principal architect and superintendent of the Cockatoo Island colony, the views from the lookout of the Sydney city skyline and the Harbour are superb.
In addition, Berry Island Reserve, Cockatoo Island and Balls Head Reserve are also clearly visible from Manns Point.
2. Broughton St Lookout
Located at the southern end of Bradfield Park in Kirribilli, the Broughton Street Lookout is perhaps the best lookout point in Sydney to see the city skyline, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
The views from this lookout are absolutely stunning, especially on a sunny day with a cruise ship sailing past.
Getting to the Broughton St Lookout from the city is easy. You can simply walk across the Harbour bridge from Circular Quay, catch a ferry to Milsons Point, or otherwise jump on a train at Wynyard station.
The lookout is one of the several highlights along the Lavender Bay and Milsons Point circuit walk, which also includes Wendy’s Secret Garden (see further below).
3. Arabanoo Lookout
Named in honour of the first Aboriginal man to live among European settlers, the Arabanoo Lookout offers stunning views of North and South Head, Middle Harbour, and the Tasman Sea.
The lookout at Dobroyd Head in Balgowlah Heights is easy to travel to by both car and public transport, and also as a short detour along the Spit to Manly walking track.
If you wish to drive there, parking is available at Tania Park along Dobroyd Scenic Drive. This will allow you to explore this beautiful area a bit more and perhaps do some of the nearby bushwalking trails.
4. Pylon Lookout
Visiting the Pylon Lookout at the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a wonderful way to enjoy panoramic city and Harbour views, at a fraction of the cost of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.
But it’s not just the views that attract visitors to the Pylon; it also holds a small museum with lots of interesting details about the history behind the bridge and how and why it was built.
The entrance to the Pylon Lookout is on the pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the bridge. Follow the walkway from the Bridge Stairs in The Rocks, and you will see the entrance at the first pylon.
The Pylon consists of three levels of informational exhibits and a 360-degree lookout platform at the top. The museum part of the Pylon Lookout is very well presented, with lots of information and photos to absorb about the Harbour Bridge.
5. Blues Point Reserve
Situated right in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blues Point Reserve has long been one of the most popular Sydney New Year’s Eve vantage points.
The reserve offers panoramic views of the western side of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, as well as the northern part of the CBD, Dawes Point, and Barangaroo.
A short walking trail at the southern end of the reserve follows the shoreline along the southernmost tip of the McMahons Point peninsula, with even more great Harbour views to enjoy.
Blues Point Reserve has a small car park, but it’s also easy to travel to by public transport. McMahons Point ferry wharf is just around the corner, and Milsons Point and North Sydney train stations are also not too far away.
6. Berrys Bay Lookout
Situated on the Waverton Peninsula, as part of Carradah Park, the purpose-built Berrys Bay Lookout offers scenic views of Berrys Bay, the Harbour Bridge, and the city skyline.
The views from this lookout are superb, and the park itself is also an exciting destination. Carradah Park was once an industrial site and is now a magnificent harbourside public open space.
Street parking is available at the park, with various walking tracks and viewing points to enjoy in the area.
7. Mrs Macquaries Point
Mrs Macquaries Point is a peninsula in the Domain and an extension to the Royal Botanic Garden, facing Sydney Harbour. This is another popular Sydney NYE vantage point.
This is also the location of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, an exposed sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench by convicts in the early 19th century for the Governor’s wife, Elizabeth Macquarie.
It’s a must-see tourist spot, with fantastic views of the Harbour and a bit of historical value to take in.
8. Cahill Walk Lookout
The Cahill Walk is a little-known pedestrian path along the Cahill Expressway, right above Circular Quay train station, with beautiful views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
There are currently three entry points to the Cahill Walk; from the Royal Botanic Garden, via a lift at Circular Quay, and via the iconic Bridge Stairs in The Rocks. The last one is also the access point to the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk.
The Cahill Expressway Lookout is a purpose-built viewing platform that forms part of the Cahill Walk. The views of Circular Quay and Sydney’s famous landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, are truly spectacular from this lookout.
9. The Gap
Located on the opposite side of the Watsons Bay ferry wharf, The Gap is one of Sydney’s most popular ocean cliff lookouts with unparalleled panoramic views.
The Gap is also the starting (or end) point of several coastal walking tracks, such as the Federation Cliff walk and the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk.
The best way to reach The Gap in Watsons Bay is by ferry, with the ferry wharf located on the other side of Robertson Park, only a short stroll away.
10. Observatory Hill Park
Popular with residents, office workers and tourists, Observatory Hill Park in Millers Point offers sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.
It is also home to Observatory Hill, a heritage-listed meteorological station, astronomical observatory and science museum that is well worth a visit.
Observatory Hill Park is a must-see tourist attraction for any visitor coming to Sydney, and can easily be included in a day out exploring nearby Barangaroo Reserve and The Rocks.
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11. Bradleys Head
Named after William Bradley, a Royal Navy officer who participated in the First Fleet to Australia, Bradleys Head is quite a fascinating place to visit.
You’ll first notice the large mast that stands tall and proud at the cliff’s edge overlooking Sydney Harbour. The mast was the foremast of HMAS Sydney, a light cruiser that was broken up on Cockatoo Island in 1929.
Also home to a man-made amphitheatre, Bradleys Head is a great lookout point with panoramic views of the city skyline, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The best way to visit Bradleys Head? Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, and follow the short walking track to Bradleys Head past Athol Bay.
12. Fairfax Lookout
The Fairfax Lookout is a spectacular lookout point situated at the southernmost tip of Manly’s North Head.
The lookout is accessible via an easy 1 km paved walking track, which also includes two other lookout points. The track is essentially an extension to the popular North Head circuit walk, which is part of the Manly Scenic Walkway.
When visiting the Fairfax Lookout, it’s a good idea to also explore the North Head Sanctuary, which has quite a long history as a quarantine station and a military site.
The area also holds special significance to the indigenous people of the Sydney area, and you can still find Aboriginal remnants on the headland.
13. Yarranabbe Park
With a prime location on the Sydney Harbour foreshore with fantastic city and marina views, Yarranabbe Park is one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets.
Yarranabbe Park is officially located in Darling Point, an exclusive suburb with an interesting mix of high-rise apartment blocks and large mansions.
The park is easy to get to by car and by bus, and is also one of the many highlights along the scenic walking track from Rushcutters Bay to Rose Bay.
14. West Head Lookout
The West Head Lookout in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers breathtaking views across Pittwater, Broken Bay, Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach and the Central Coast.
Regarded as one of the best lookouts in the Sydney region, the panoramic views from the West Head lookout will leave a long-lasting impression.
The lookout is also the starting point of several bushwalking trails that take in beautiful secluded beaches, such as Resolute Beach, and even more lookouts.
15. Dolphins Point Lookout
Dolphins Point is located on the northern headland of Coogee Beach and provides beautiful ocean views. The park was named in honour of members of the Coogee Dolphins rugby league team who died in the 2002 Bali bombings.
The Bali Memorial can also be found here, a large bronze sculpture with three linked figures that signify family, friends, and community. The figures also symbolise life, growth, hope, and strength in unity.
Coogee is easy to get to, either by bus or otherwise via the scenic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, with lots of local cafes to choose from for lunch or coffee.
16. Dudley Page Reserve
Another popular Sydney New Year’s Eve vantage point is Dudley Page Reserve on Military Road in Dover Heights.
The park offers beautiful panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour and the city skyline, including the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
The views are so good that tourist buses often specifically stop here to allow tourists to take a few memorable photos.
17. Georges Head Lookout
The Georges Head Lookout Lawn leads to a popular lookout point at Georges Heights that offers fantastic views of Sydney Harbour, with North Head and South Head right in front and the city skyline in the west.
Georges Heights offers excellent views and is home to historic Sydney military relics such as tunnels, battlements, and cannons. With more than 150 years of military history, Georges Head is well worth a visit.
This lookout is very easily accessible by car, but the best way to get there is perhaps via the scenic Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach walking track.
18. Robertson Park
Robertson Park is situated in the centre of Watsons Bay, one of Sydney’s top tourist destinations. It’s a family-friendly place with public toilets, tables and playgrounds.
The park offers excellent views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline, and with a couple of secluded beaches and several cafes nearby, it’s not difficult to spend a whole day in this beautiful area.
The best way to experience the beauty of Watsons Bay is by following a 4.5 km circuit walk around South Head, from Robertson Park to the Hornby Lighthouse, and back via The Gap.
19. Balls Head Reserve Lookout
Located in the Sydney lower north shore, Balls Head Reserve is a beautiful bushland area with several lookouts facing the beautiful Sydney Harbour.
The reserve is home to various short bushwalking tracks that combine the beauty of natural bushland with fantastic views of the harbour, the Sydney skyline, the Harbour Bridge, Goat Island, and the neighbouring peninsulas.
If you do decide to visit Balls Head Reserve, it’s worth visiting the Coal Loader Platform also, which can be accessed via one of the walking trails. This unique structure is the largest publicly accessible green rooftop in Australia.
20. Ray O’Keefe Reserve Lookout
Beautifully tucked away in the southernmost tip of North Bondi, the Ray O’Keefe Reserve lookout offers dramatic views of Bondi Beach and the coastline of the eastern suburbs between Bondi and Maroubra.
To visit this reserve, you need to turn into Ramsgate Avenue from Campbell Parade and follow to the end. There is a small car park, but that fills up very quickly, especially on sunny weekends.
With its eastern aspect and wide open ocean views, the Ray O’Keefe Reserve is also a perfect location to spot whales during their migration seasons.
21. Blackwattle Bay Park
Situated along the foreshore of Glebe between Blackwattle Bay and Rozelle Bay, Blackwattle Bay Park offers fantastic views of the Anzac Bridge and the skyline of the southern part of the Sydney CBD.
But the views are not the only reason to visit this park. The foreshore is a popular location for walkers and runners enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the bay. Dogs are also very welcome in the various parks in the area.
22. Barrenjoey Lighthouse Lookout
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk is a popular hiking trail in Barrenjoey Headland, the northernmost part of Palm Beach in Sydney’s northern beaches.
Two walking tracks go up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse on top of the hill, where you can enjoy stunning ocean views. Looking across Pittwater to the west, you can spot the West Head Lookout, another famous Sydney lookout point with panoramic views.
There is, in fact, another lookout in Palm Beach, located just south of the main beach. This lookout is part of the Bible Garden, which we have included in our list of top things to do in Palm Beach.
23. Sydney Tower Eye
If you want to see Sydney and its surrounding suburbs from high above, a visit to the Sydney Tower Eye will not disappoint.
That is where you can take in the best views from the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, with an exciting 4D cinema experience as a bonus.
Visitors to Sydney Tower can choose from various unique experiences, such as dining or drinking at the rotating restaurant and walking on the observation deck 820 feet above street level.
24. Barangaroo Reserve
While it may not have a dedicated lookout point, Barangaroo Reserve does offer scenic views of Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge due to its location on the western side of the Sydney CBD.
Barangaroo Reserve is a modern Sydney Harbour foreshore park built as part of the Barangaroo transformation project, turning a redundant industrial area into a thriving business, entertainment, and leisure precinct.
The reserve can easily be accessed by foot via Darling Harbour and King Street Wharf in the south or The Rocks and Millers Point in the east.
25. Wendy’s Secret Garden
One of Sydney’s worst-kept secrets is Wendy’s Secret Garden, a green oasis of native plants, fig trees, beautiful flowers, and a thriving community of birds.
The garden is a beautiful place for office workers and local residents to wind down, eat lunch, read a book, or just enjoy the views.
Wendy’s Secret Garden is part of the Lavender Bay Parklands, a collection of green spaces and parks in and around Lavender Bay, including Clark Park, Watt Park, Quibaree Park, and the Lavender Bay Foreshore.
The best way to get to this beautiful garden is by following the walking trail along Lavender Bay from Milsons Point via Bradfield Park and Luna Park.
