Top Things to do in Sydney
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Sydney offers plenty of historical and contemporary Australian flavor. The marvelous Sydney Opera House looks like a great origami sailboat, floating peacefully in a harbor. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of The Rocks and then take in a street performance on the Circular Quay before heading into the Museum of Contemporary Art. The views from the Sydney Tower Eye observatory are epic – use this chance to get to know the layout of the city from high above.
Restaurants in Sydney
1. Brett Whiteley Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Sydney’s best kept secret The Brett Whiteley Studio was the workplace and home of Australian artist, Brett Whiteley (1939–92). The artist bought the former warehouse in 1985 and converted it into a studio and exhibition space. He lived there from 1987 to 1992, the year he died in Thirroul. The visitor is offered the unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the space – the studio with his unfinished paintings, art equipment and collections of reference books, and the graffiti wall covered with quotes and images. The living area has memorabilia such as photographs, objects, postcards, furniture, his music collection and sketchbooks. The gallery has changing exhibitions of the artist’s works: paintings, drawings, sculpture and graphics borrowed from the Brett Whiteley Studio Collection, Art Gallery of New South Wales and private collections. There is a small gallery shop with postcards, posters and other merchandise for sale. There is no cafe at the Studio, however visitor
Reviewed By 548katec - Forresters Beach, Australia
This smaller Sydney gallery space never disappoints. It showcases works by the artist, whose diverse materials and techniques include painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media and printmaking. The upstairs studio space has been preserved, so visitors can get a sense of some of Whitely's passions and influences as well as his studio set-up and practice. Exhibitions change yearly, sometimes more frequently, and are curated around the artist's major preoccupations and themes. Currently, Whiteley's love of his home and its setting in Sydney's Lavender Bay with its views across the harbour and lush maritime environment are on display. For people with an interest in art, Whitely's Studio is an absolute gem and a must.
2. ATTY Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 217 reviews
Beautiful quirky Art Gallery showcasing the wonderfully detailed animal creations by resident artist ATTY.
Reviewed By Morgs0889
We stumbled across this gallery earlier in the year and fell in love with Graham’s artworks. We found ourselves talking about the artworks weeks after our visit so went back to purchase one. Graham was fantastic to deal with and made the adoption easy, so much so, we accidentally adopted 2! We finally have these beautiful pieces in our home and we have two amazing new family members to come home to. I can’t recommend Atty enough!
3. Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,102 reviews
Visit for the beautiful architecture, stay for the shops. Window shop through the atrium's five levels for high fashion brands, enjoy coffee at the cafes, and listen to the Royal Clock strike.
Reviewed By Cobham30 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Amazing building both outside and inside - amazing Christmas tree - a truly beautiful arcade, perfect for browsing, tea and cake! - amazing clocks too!
4. Marrickville Organic Food and Farmers Markets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By davidlK2260SQ - Ingleburn, Australia
All organic. Bigger than many of the Saturday farmer market. Choices of green groceries and food stall, as well as clothing and others.
5. The Rocks Markets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,843 reviews
Shop local goods in this open-air market on Saturdays and Sundays with the Sydney Harbour Bridge as your backdrop. From handmade jewelry to photos, it's the perfect place to pick up a souvenir.
Reviewed By 997briant - London, United Kingdom
This is a very popular market along some of the atmospheric cobbled streets of The Rocks, in the shadow of the girders of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s certainly in a beautiful location, and it’s certainly worth a visit, especially if you are a visitor to Australia and looking for a unique souvenir to take back home. You’ll need a couple of hours here, to see all at a leisurely pace. It does get crowded. It’s a weekend market, operating on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00; we visited on a very warm Saturday in February 2020. This market is the perfect place to explore a kaleidoscopic collection of different types of artworks, hand- crafted jewellery, pottery and ceramics, locally-designed fashion, beauty products, photographs, knick-knacks, artifacts and high quality souvenirs and unique products of Australia. There’s some very talented artists and crafters amongst the exhibitors. Most of the market is arranged under a huge sail-like shady canopy. It’s thoughtful and carefully orchestrated blend of contrasting goods like homemade, local arts, and imported articles from different countries, works well. Every stall is different. There’s plenty of food and drink vendors here also; grab a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors, to fuel your exploration, or head across to the nearby waterfront or grassy stretches to enjoy a picnic. You may also stumble across live music and some street performers. Getting there is easy. It is nestled next to Sydney's CBD in the historic district of The Rocks, off George Street; it’s just footsteps from the ferries, trains and buses of Circular Quay and Wynyard. We’ve visited a few times now, on trips to Sydney from the U.K., and have purchased a few unique items of Australiana. The quality is there, and I don’t think goods are overpriced. You’ll certainly get nicer, and more unique, items than you’ll find in the mainstream souvenir shops! But if you want those blow-up plastic boxing kangaroos, or stubbie holders, or plastic boomerangs, this is not the spot for you.
6. Bloodworth Bellamy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Art | Antiques | Heritage We buy/sell unique decorative antiques, art & interiors. International | Rare | Eclectic | 1880>1980 Heritage building | 1000s of items in stock
7. Tramsheds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Tramsheds is Sydney’s most exciting food and lifestyle destination, housed in the former historic Rozelle Tram Depot. Originally built in 1904, this beautifully restored dining precinct features 11 restaurants from some of Sydney’s most forward-thinking chefs, artisans and provedores including Bodega 1904 and Flour Eggs Water. The precinct also houses seven community-based vendors including a Nail Salon, Supermarket and Gym. Once housing over 200 trams, the former Rozelle Depot, now known as Tramsheds, is a place people come to immerse themselves into the local culture, or pick up artisan produce. Located only four kilometres from Sydney’s CBD, in Sydney’s inner west, Tramsheds offers a diverse and vibrant meeting place for the blossoming inner west community. Tramsheds is the perfect destination to conveniently connect - anytime of the day or night, through the week and on weekends. The precinct offers something to suit all tastes, occasions and budgets.
Reviewed By TheNextDay - Sydney, Australia
Been to the Tramsheds several times before and the visit is always enjoyable. This time we stopped in here between a wedding and its reception and had pizza & coffee at The Hermitage which was very good. There are plenty of other restaurants if you wish to divulge in something different and an interesting, if expensive, supermarket. There is a Messina ice-cream outlet for those who have a sweet tooth and a couple of retail outlets for alcoholic beverages. The fit out has been done very tastefully and is modern without being over-the-top. The only thing missing is a general seating area and perhaps a proper pub/bar but outside of this there is nothing to complain about. It can get busy, particularly at weekend lunchtimes, but I have always found parking away from the car-park. Worth visiting.
8. .M Contemporary
9. Paddington Markets
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 315 reviews
Small artisan designers markets located around a church and primary school, featuring more than 200 stalls holders fully stocked with Australian-made goods, boutique home ware design, children’s wear, designer clothing, jewellery and accessories. Also exhibiting live acoustic music and an international food court, also featuring an in house Masseuse, children’s playground, children’s drawing stencils and chalk boards. OPEN every Saturday 10am-4pm.
Reviewed By Romanydog - Sydney, Australia
Organic veggies and eggs and fresh bagels . Great plants and flowers clothes and jewelry all Australian made. Good quality produce and great lunch options
10. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
