Sydney may be known for its world-famous landmarks and tourist attractions, but there’s also a different side to the city worth exploring. Beyond the icons, you’ll find unusual and quirky activities that many visitors often overlook.
In this article, we take a closer look at those lesser-known corners of Sydney, offering experiences that are offbeat, entertaining, and a little unexpected.
Join us as we share 15 unusual things to do in Sydney, each one offering an adventure that’s anything but ordinary.
1. Discover the History of The Rocks
The Rocks is one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods and a must-visit for anyone spending time in the city.
To gain a deeper appreciation of its often turbulent past, a guided walking tour is a great way to explore. You’ll hear stories of Sydney’s colonial and convict history, as well as its industrial years, while wandering the historic streets.
These tours also highlight hidden corners, laneways, and unusual spots that you might easily miss if exploring on your own.
Read our guide to the best tours in The Rocks with recommendations for different walking tours in this unique part of Sydney.
Recommended guided tours in The Rocks:
2. Do a BBQ Cooking Class
You might think a barbecue is just about tossing a few sausages on the hotplate and giving them a quick flip.
In reality, there’s a fair bit of skill involved if you want to cook meat to perfection. That’s where a professional BBQ cooking class makes all the difference.
With guidance from experienced BBQ chefs, you’ll learn the finer points of timing, temperature control, seasoning, and how to handle different cuts of meat. It’s a fun and hands-on way to take your backyard cooking to the next level.
Recommended BBQ cooking classes:
Book a Sydney Tour:
3. Explore Sydney Harbour in a Tall Ship
One of the best ways to experience Sydney Harbour is by taking a cruise, but doing it on a traditional tall ship adds something truly unique.
These authentic sailing vessels offer a glimpse into the past while giving you front-row views of the Harbour’s famous landmarks.
Depending on the cruise, you might enjoy a meal on board or simply relax and take in the atmosphere. Some tours even let you help the crew hoist the sails, making the whole experience feel that much more memorable.
Read our guide to the best Sydney Harbour Cruises with recommendations for different types of cruises on our beautiful Harbour.
Recommended Sydney Harbour tall ship cruises:
4. Learn How to Make Barista Coffee
It’s no secret that Sydneysiders love their coffee. From cappuccinos to lattes to long blacks, there’s no shortage of options at your local café.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes each style different, or if you’ve always wanted to master the art of making a proper Australian coffee, a barista class is a great way to learn.
Sydney has plenty of courses to choose from, ranging from intensive programs designed for aspiring professionals to relaxed classes that focus on the basics. Whichever you choose, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for your morning brew.
Recommended barista classes in Sydney:
5. View Sydney from a Helicopter
Imagine seeing Sydney’s most famous landmarks, like the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour, and Bondi Beach, all from above.
A helicopter flight might not suit every budget, but if you’re after a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s something you won’t regret. The views are unmatched and give you a whole new perspective on the city.
Recommended helicopter flights in Sydney:
6. Do a Sydney Harbour Kayak Tour
If a helicopter flight feels a little too intense, a kayaking tour is perhaps a more relaxed way to explore Sydney Harbour.
Guided by an experienced tour leader, you’ll paddle across the water and see the Harbour from a completely different perspective. It’s a peaceful yet active experience that combines sightseeing with a bit of adventure.
Recommended Sydney kayaking tours:
7. Go Ferry Hopping
A Harbour cruise is a great way to take in Sydney’s beauty, but riding the ferries can be just as fun, and it doubles as a practical way to get around.
Ferries connect you to all sorts of locations around the Harbour, from beaches and walking tracks to scenic lookouts and lively precincts.
Even better, if you go ferry hopping on the weekend, you can make the most of unlimited public transport travel for a capped daily fare.
Read our guide to the best Sydney ferry rides, so you can go ferry hopping and enjoy a great day out in Sydney Harbour.
8. Do a Pub Tour in The Rocks
The Rocks is one of Sydney’s oldest neighbourhoods, and it’s filled with historic pubs that are well worth a visit. It’s not just about enjoying the classic Sydney pub atmosphere, as many of these places also serve excellent craft beers.
You can plan your own crawl using our guide to the best pubs in The Rocks, or join a professional tour. A guided pub tour adds extra flavour, with stories about the history and heritage of these long-standing establishments in one of the city’s most unique precincts.
Recommended pub tours in The Rocks:
9. Visit the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout
One of Sydney’s most underrated attractions, and a spot locals enjoy too, is the Pylon Lookout on the Harbour Bridge.
This lesser-known vantage point offers excellent views of the Harbour and city skyline, along with a small museum that’s both fun and informative for kids and adults.
You’ll find the lookout in the south-eastern pylon of the bridge. Simply follow the Harbour Bridge pedestrian walkway and keep an eye out for the somewhat unusual entrance sign and doorway.
10. Do a Sydney Opera House Tour
The Sydney Opera House is famous for its striking design, but there’s just as much to discover inside as there is to admire from the outside.
Joining a guided tour takes you behind the scenes, where a knowledgeable guide will share stories and insights about this World Heritage-listed landmark. It’s a chance to learn surprising facts and see the Opera House from a whole new perspective.
Recommended Opera House tours:
11. Go Racing in Eastern Creek
Indoor go-karting is always fun, but you can take it up a notch by jumping into a professional 13HP kart and hitting the track at one of Sydney’s premier racing venues.
At Eastern Creek Karting in Western Sydney, these karts can reach speeds of more than 100 km per hour, giving you a real taste of racing.
The park also caters for younger drivers with lighter karts, as well as double karts for parents and kids to ride together.
12. Do the Sydney Tower Eye Skywalk
How about walking 268 metres above the ground with Sydney stretched out beneath you? Sydney Tower is the city’s tallest structure and the second-highest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Sydney Tower Eye has gone through several upgrades over the years and is now one of the city’s most popular attractions. While the indoor observation deck offers fantastic views, the Skywalk takes things even further.
Step outside onto the outdoor walkway, which sits at twice the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and experience the city from a whole new perspective.
13. Swim in Sydney Harbour
While Sydney is famous for its Harbour beaches, taking a swim directly in the Harbour itself has long been discouraged due to pollution and the risk of sharks.
That changed in 2023 with the opening of Marrinawi Cove at Barangaroo Reserve. This sheltered, 700-square-metre swimming enclosure provides a safe and inviting place to enjoy the Harbour waters.
Located within walking distance of Wynyard and Circular Quay stations, Marrinawi Cove is open seven days a week and has quickly become a favourite city swimming spot.
14. Learn How to Surf in Bondi
If you’ve never tried surfing, Bondi Beach is the perfect place to give it a go. Friendly instructors run beginner-friendly lessons that make it easy to step out of your comfort zone and get started.
Classes are kept small, giving you the chance to learn the basics properly and, with a bit of practice, stand up and catch your first waves.
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of standing on a surfboard for the very first time, and this 2-hour Bondi surf lesson is a great way to experience it.
15. Visit the Brickpit Ring Walk
The Brickpit Ring Walk is one of Sydney’s more unusual attractions and well worth a visit. This circular walkway sits high above a large pond that serves as a protected habitat for endangered frogs.
From the ring, you can take in bird’s-eye views of the pond below as well as sweeping district views of the surrounding area.
A visit here also makes a great excuse to explore Sydney Olympic Park. The precinct offers more than many people realise, with excellent cafés, restaurants, and green spaces to enjoy.
Such great ideas!
We’ve been living in the Sydney area for a year, and I was looking for exciting things to do beyond the general Opera House – Harbour Bridge – Royal Botanic Garden triangle when I found this post. Brickpit Ring? Sounds great to check that out with my son.
I’m glad I found this blog and will browse it a lot, thank you.
Thanks Bea, glad you found the suggestions useful!