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- Sydney offers a wide range of activities for travelers, including cultural experiences, outdoor adventures and a famous foodie scene.
- Iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge are popular attractions for first-time visitors.
- American travelers must apply for an electronic travel authorization before visiting Australia.
SYDNEY, Australia — Sydney is one of those places that seems to be on every American traveler’s bucket list, and for good reason. When I told my friends and family that I was going to Australia, they either said they had been there and got a tip from me, or that they had always wanted to go.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 728,900 tourists entered Australia from the United States between October 2024 and September 2025, an increase of 4.2% from the previous year. The bureau said interest in Australian holidays appears to be increasing among US tourists.
In just a few days in Sydney, we discovered a city with opportunities for almost every kind of traveler, from cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene to stunning scenery and outdoor adventures.
Here are just a few of the things first-time visitors can experience.
Cultural experience and food
On my first night in town, I had dinner right across from the Harbor Bridge and saw a show at the Opera House. The Opera House is clearly two of Sydney’s most famous and loved landmarks.
Sometimes tourist attractions don’t live up to the hype, but both the bridge and the Opera House were impressive in person and made me realize that I was in one of the most famous cities in the world.
I saw a performance of “The Shiralee” on November 11th. The show is described by Sydney Theater Company as an “Australian epic” about “life and love on the frontier”.
I had never heard of this show before, but the production was moving and the simple fact of seeing something on the Opera House stage gave me a special sense of enjoyment.
With multiple performance venues within the complex, visitors to Sydney can find what they want to see on any given night of the week, across a variety of genres and production types, from stand-up comedy and live music to theater and, of course, opera.
A night at the theater isn’t complete without a delicious meal or nightcap. Sydney’s restaurant scene doesn’t disappoint.
Opera Bar is located just steps away from the Opera House, serving fast-casual pub food and drinks with terrace seating and stunning views of the Harbor Bridge. It’s a little pricey – a burger costs AU$28 (about US$18.50), but most of that goes for the setting.
For a more adventurous (and complex) gastronomic experience, check out St. Peter at the Grand National Hotel in Paddington. The restaurant is known for its fish-focused tasting menu, and its award-winning chef has a philosophy of using as much of every fish he buys as possible. It’s not cheap. The nine-course tasting menu costs AU$295 (approximately US$200 per person), so it’s a luxury meal, but foodies will find it well worth the price.
One of the dishes that night was a ravioli-like pasta with a fish consommé, but the dough was made from ground fish bones. It may seem strange and disgusting, but it was actually delicious and a perfectly al dente first course.
Where you stay can also be part of your cultural experience. 25Hours I stayed at the Olympia, a newly opened hotel on the border of Paddington and Darlinghurst, which was a great and cool place to relax every night. I loved the decor and international aesthetic. My only complaint was that the lighting in the bathroom was a little too moody, so I couldn’t get a good look at myself in the mirror before heading out in the morning.
How to see the skyline
Sydney is a city full of beautiful scenery, and there are many ways to take advantage of it.
Perhaps two of the most adrenaline-filled high-altitude experiences are the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb and the Sydney Tower Eye Skywalk.
Both experiences are uplifting, but can be a little pricey.
A 60-minute skywalk experience at the Sydney Tower Eye costs AU$95 (approximately US$63).
BridgeClimb uses dynamic pricing, and in mid-December, the lowest price for a partial climb was $165 per person, and the lowest price for a summit climb was $252 per person.
Both experiences offer great views and are certainly high up, but you feel taken advantage of and both feel completely safe. As the name suggests, bridge climbs involve a fair amount of movement, so make sure you’re comfortable navigating stairs and ladders for at least an hour. Also note that for safety reasons you are not allowed to bring your own camera on either tour, but photos taken on the ground are available for purchase.
Both experiences were very enjoyable, but I thought the Skywalk was better value for money. It’s the same reason I tell tourists visiting my hometown of New York not to visit the observation deck of the Empire State Building. When you’re on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, don’t go to the observation deck. look Sydney Harbor Bridge. The skywalk offers stunning views across the harbour. But both experiences are great and don’t disappoint.
However, if you want to stay close to Terra Farm, there are still many great ways to enjoy the cityscape. One of the popular ferries is the high-speed ferry from Sydney Harbor to Manly, arriving on the water just behind the bridge and past the Opera House. The ferry costs AUD 9.20 (approximately USD 6).
outdoor adventure
Sydney is also a city for the outdoors, from Bondi Beach to the boats in the harbour.
While this is kind of a cross-over recommendation, another great way to see the skyline and spend some time outdoors is to take a kayak tour in the harbor. Sydney by Kayak offers low-intensity kayaking tours with stunning views of the Harbor Bridge and the city behind. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about the port ecosystem and its importance to the city’s economy.
No visit to Sydney is complete without a stop at the famous Bondi Beach. It’s a great place to people-watch or take a surfing lesson (assuming there’s swell, which there wasn’t the day I went).
It’s also the starting point for the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, a 5.5-mile paved path along the coast. The entire trip offers beautiful natural scenery and takes 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. A friend from Australia said this was one of her favorite things to do in Sydney and it did not disappoint.
How to travel to Australia
Australia is a far-flung destination for American travelers, with a direct flight from the West Coast taking approximately 13 hours.
Still, it’s popular enough that many airlines offer daily direct flights from the US market to many Australian cities. American Airlines recently introduced new business class suites on its Dallas to Brisbane flights, and United Airlines recently launched nonstop flights from San Francisco to Adelaide.
Melbourne and Sydney are common Australian gateways for US and international airlines serving the US.
Economy tickets are rarely available for less than $1,000 USD in most markets, so it’s a trip that many travelers need to plan to save.
American tourists do not need a visa, but must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization before traveling.
The reporter for this article received access from American Airlines and Destination New South Wales. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and can be reached at zwichter@usatoday.com.
