Things to do in Clifton

Figure Eight Pools

Delta Force Paintball - Sydney - Helensburgh

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is located at Darling Harbour, adjacent to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Madame Tussauds. It is a rare compact zoo in central Sydney that focuses primarily on indoor exhibits, dedicated to showcasing native Australian animals. With a single route that takes you from start to finish, you can tour the entire zoo in about two hours. The five iconic Australian animals—kangaroos, koalas, wombats, platypuses, and crocodiles—can all be seen here. The zoo is divided into multiple themed zones based on natural habitats: the kangaroo walkabout is an open area where you can walk among western grey kangaroos for close observation; the koala rooftop is the park's signature, offering not only regular viewing but also the option to book entry into the koala enclosure for photos with the koalas, or join a koala breakfast to dine while watching them feed in the morning when they are most active; the Tasmanian devil den is home to the sharp-called, powerfully jawed Tasmanian devils, an endangered marsupial now found mainly in Tasmania; the Daintree rainforest area brings together southern cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and satin bowerbirds; the platypus pool requires some patience, as these egg-laying mammals often hide among underwater branches; the nocturnal animal zone dims the lights to "night mode," where sugar gliders, bilbies, and other nocturnal creatures are active; there are also a freshwater crocodile pool, an area housing echidnas and Goodfellow's tree kangaroos, and insect boxes filled with spiders, stick insects, and giant snails, while snakes and lizards and other reptiles are scattered throughout. During your visit, keep an eye out for keeper talk times in each zone—from wombat "Ringo" to cassowary "Princess," many animals have dedicated talks where keepers share fun facts about their habits. After your visit, the restaurants and waterfront views of Darling Harbour are within walking distance, making it perfect for a half-day city itinerary. △ Get up close with adorable koalas △ See the adorable quokkas △ Meet giant freshwater crocodiles

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is Sydney's Central Entertainment District, located on the Western edge of the CBD. A thriving food and experience hub, Darling Harbour has a wide variety of bars, restaurants and cultural experiences on offer, with around 26 million visitors flocking to the precinct every year. The precinct boasts some of Sydney's most compelling attractions including Madame Tussauds Sydney, The Chinese Garden of Friendship, The Goods Line, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, and IMAX Sydney, and some of Sydney's most iconic hotels including W Sydney, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Novotel Sydney.

Thirroul Beach Reserve

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is located in Sydney's western suburbs, on the way from the city to the Blue Mountains, making it a stop included in many Blue Mountains 1-day tours. This privately founded zoo houses over 2,000 native Australian animals, including dozens of endangered species, offering an excellent opportunity to encounter local wildlife in Sydney. Here you can see wombats, echidnas, dingoes, little penguins, cassowaries, kookaburras and more, observe massive saltwater crocodiles across water barriers, and even spot endangered Tasmanian devils. A highlight is entering the open kangaroo and wallaby area to hand-feed them, stroking koalas and taking photos in the koala zone, or visiting the lorikeet flight aviary where colorful parrots fly and perch around visitors. The park also hosts multiple daily keeper talks and feeding sessions, where you can hand-feed little penguins under keeper guidance. Quokkas, typically found in Western Australia, have also made their home here, offering a rare sighting in Sydney.

Anita's Theatre Thirroul

Old Helensburgh Station

No. 9 of Night Attractions in Australia

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge spans across Sydney Harbour, connecting the city center on the south shore with the north shore, and faces the Sydney Opera House to the east across the water. The iconic duo appears in almost every Sydney postcard. This steel arch bridge, completed in 1932, is majestic: its main arch spans over 500 m, with the arch crown standing more than 130 m above sea level. The approximately 50 m-wide deck accommodates train tracks, car lanes, a bicycle path, and a pedestrian walkway, remaining a vital urban thoroughfare to this day. There are many ways to experience the bridge: you can drive or take a train across it, pass underneath on a sailing boat or ferry, or choose the leisurely option of walking across. The pedestrian walkway is on the eastern side, accessible via stairs from the Rocks or the north shore, while the bicycle path is on the western side. When reaching the south shore, don't miss the tower at the southeastern corner. Climb its roughly 200 steps to the observation deck for a level view of the steel arch and a panoramic harbor vista. The tower also houses an exhibition on the bridge's construction history. For a closer encounter with the sky, join the bridge climb experience: suit up in the provided gear and follow the guide along the arch ribs to the summit. Millions have completed this climb since its inception, with each offering unique views—dawn, daylight, dusk, and night. Gazing down at the Opera House and the entire Sydney Harbour from the top is a highlight for many travelers. On New Year's Eve, the bridge becomes the backdrop for the city's fireworks display, with prime viewing spots along both shores in high demand.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in New South Wales

Sydney Fish Market

The Sydney Fish Market is one of the larger seafood distribution markets in the Southern Hemisphere and a long-standing destination for locals to purchase fresh catches and enjoy seafood. It has now fully relocated from its longtime Pyrmont site to a new venue by Blackwattle Bay, featuring a wave-like roof covered in fish-scale textures that stands out among the bay area's architecture. The market's wholesale tradition continues to this day: every weekday morning, a Dutch-style clock auction begins on time, with seafood arriving overnight from the coasts of New South Wales, as well as Tasmania and New Zealand, showcasing over a hundred varieties in the auction hall. The retail area is the domain of visitors, where crushed ice displays feature Australian lobsters, king crabs, mud crabs, Sydney rock oysters, salmon, snappers, and barramundi, with the constant bustle of oyster shucking, fish filleting, and packing. The venue gathers around forty merchants, including long-established fish stalls like Christie's, Nicholas, and Claudio's, as well as small eateries offering freshly sliced sashimi, Malaysian spicy crab, and New Orleans shrimp burgers. It also features a bakery, artisanal deli, produce stand, and beverage shop. Dining here is casual: grab a plate of freshly shucked rock oysters or sashimi and enjoy it by the waterfront terrace before continuing your stroll. For a sit-down meal, there are restaurants overlooking Blackwattle Bay. If you're curious about the seafood industry, join an official behind-the-scenes tour to witness the early morning wholesale auctions or sign up for a cooking class at the Sydney seafood school to learn how to prepare the day's catch from professional chefs. If it's your first visit and you're unsure where to start, try the freshly made seafood from the deli counter first. For a more budget-friendly option, ask the fishmonger to recommend seasonal lesser-known fish varieties—they're often more affordable than star species like lobster or salmon, without compromising freshness. If taking raw seafood to go, remember to ask the vendor to add ice and pack it in an insulated bag, then refrigerate it as soon as possible.