One way to spend summer in Sydney is to discover The Rocks

It is that time of year, yep, summer time in Australia and you will be in Sydney. And you are wondering how to spend summer in Sydney. Well, I got you covered. Growing up in Sydney I have spent many a long hot summer day doing a variety of things to while away the season. 

Whether you are visiting Sydney solo, having a family holiday in Sydney with kids (or without) or a Sydney staycation, this blog will guide you through some of the best things to see and do in Sydney during the summer months. Are you ready to discover Sydney in summer with me?

What to Do in Sydney in Summer

Summer time in Sydney is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful sunny weather. From seeing iconic landmarks to enjoying the coastal areas, Sydney provides great experiences catering to all interests and age groups. And when a cold front comes through and it is stormy in Sydney, there are still plenty of things to see and do in Sydney which you can do indoors. 

Whether you are visiting Sydney on holiday or living in Sydney, there are always things happening to help you spend summer time in Sydney. And with the school summer holidays you may be looking for activities to keep the kids occupied. Activities that are either paid for or free. Here are my suggestions of how to spend summer in Sydney.

1. Get to Know Sydney Harbour

It doesn’t matter if you are visiting Sydney or living in Sydney, one of the best things to do is to get to know Sydney. And this can be done by putting your walking shoes on and walking around Sydney. A perfect free activity to do during the Sydney summer time.

Visitors to Sydney will definitely want to get to know Sydney Harbour as this is where you find two Australian icons – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. And if you’re a local, when was the last time you walked around the city, the historical Rocks area, Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood and around the Harbour Foreshore? 

Discover The Rocks and the history of the beginnings of Sydney visiting many of the old buildings built in sandstone by the convicts. Or perhaps walk around the foreshore taking in the Sydney Ferry Terminal, a tour of the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and on to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Are you feet tired already? Then explore Sydney Harbour from the water for a different perspective. Or perhaps do a fun thing like be a tourist on Sydney’s Hop on Hop Off sightseeing bus!

hop on and off the Sydney sightseeing bus while getting to know Sydney

2. Discover Sydney City

Moving away from Sydney Harbour spend your time in Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District). Walk around the shopping centres such as The Queen Victoria Building opposite Town Hall Train Station to visit many of the boutique shops. Maybe grab a Sydney souvenir. 

Perhaps see the breathtaking Sydney skyline In the heart of Sydney CBD from the Tower Eye. It has a rotating viewing platform offers a 360-degree panorama of Sydney’s skyline. There’s also a bar and buffet restaurant up there and is a great way to soak in Sydney’s landmarks. You know the ones – the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and that beautiful Sydney Harbour.

Purchase your ticket to Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck in advance as it can often sell out.

3. Get to Know Sydney’s suburbs

Surprise, surprise, but Sydney is more than Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Greater Sydney consists of over 650 suburbs, spread across 33 local government areas. You could discover the Northern Beaches of Manly to Palm Beach and walk to the top of Barrenjoey Headland where Home and Away is filmed. Perhaps head to the southern suburbs and visit beaches such as Cronulla – this is where I grew up incidentally. It is near Kurnell – birthplace of Modern Australia. Or head west and visit the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. 

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

4. Ride the Sydney Ferries

One of the most fun things to do in Sydney is to ride on a Sydney Ferry. My favourite ferry trip is the Circular Quay to Manly ferry. Leaving Circular Quay you sail past the Opera House, Fort Denison and see a lot of Sydney Harbour from the water. Then arrive at Manly for a day on Manly beach before catching the ferry back to Circular Quay.

Perhaps take a ferry ride up the Harbour and crane your neck as you go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge – how cool!

5. Go to the Beach

Sydney has over 100 beaches ranging from calm bays to surf beaches. And they are all free to visit. They stretch along the coastline from Palm Beach in the north to Garie Beach in the south and include many in Sydney Harbour itself. Many have surf life savers on duty, but ensure you swim between the flags. So, grab your swimmers, towel, sunscreen and hats and enjoy a day at the beach. And in the evening get yourself some fish and chips and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. 

Not in to the beach? There are plenty of other places to swim like indoor and outdoor pools to cool off in. 

learn to surf at Bondi Beach

6. Spend time with Sydney’s Animals and Marine Life

Sydney is home to a couple of zoos and an aquarium, so why not visit the animals and marine life.

Taronga Park Zoo located on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mossman is home to over 4,000 animals, both native and from around the world. Apart from seeing the animals, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Sydney skyline.

GYG ticket

Head to Darling Harbour, a vibrant waterfront precinct that offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions. Explore the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, home to over 13,000 marine creatures, or visit the Wildlife Sydney Zoo to get up close with iconic Australian animals.

GYG ticket

7. Enjoy the Sport

Summer time in Sydney means cricket time. There are plenty of cricket games being played in Sydney during the summer months. From local to state cricket to the Australian team playing T20, one day cricket and test cricket. Get draw for Big Bash League here. Maybe enjoy a test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which is known as the pink test where you dress up in pink. It is used as a fundraiser for the Jane McGrath Foundation.

Other sports, horse racing, yacht racing.