Four Sydney Attractions Every Local and Visitor Should Experience at Least Once
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Sydney's best experiences aren't always hidden down laneways or reserved for those in the know. Sometimes, the city's most enduring attractions stick around because they continue to deliver year after year.
Whether you're heading to Sydney for the first time as a tourist or are rediscovering your own city, these four Sydney attractions are worth experiencing at least once. And, they're all located in the easy-to-access heart of the city.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium offers a front-row seat to Australia's underwater ecosystems. Home to thousands of marine creatures, the aquarium takes you beneath the surface through immersive tunnels, coral reef displays and close encounters with sharks, rays and a dugong.
Walk beneath glass tunnels as grey nurse sharks glide overhead in Shark Valley, find a world of colour and wonder in the Great Barrier Reef exhibit, meet Dottie the rescue turtle, and get close to a penguin colony with the Penguin Exhibition Boat Ride. For locals, it's the perfect weekend or school holiday experience with the kids. For visitors, it's an introduction to Australia's marine life — no wetsuit required.
Madame Tussauds Sydney
If you're a pop culture fan, you have to take a trip to Madame Tussauds Sydney in Darling Harbour. Discover a magical world of unrivalled ancient craftsmanship where the Madame Tussauds team combines time-honoured wax techniques with cutting-edge technology. It takes more than 500 exact measurements and 150 images to create each celebrity figure, with the sculpting process taking months and costing as much as $220,000 per icon.
At the Sydney venue, you and your friends can pose with global superstars, take selfies with Australian legends, and step into immersive sets that let you feel a part of the action. Whether you're popping in with friends or entertaining interstate visitors, Madame Tussauds Sydney makes for a fun city activity that'll have you walking out with plenty of memories and a full camera roll.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
If you've ever told overseas friends they'll see kangaroos and koalas "at some point," WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo makes good on that promise, all without leaving the CBD. See kangaroos lounging in the sunlight, koalas napping in Eucalyptus trees, and even come face-to-face with the endangered Tasmanian Devil. There are ten interactive zones for you to wander through, where you can learn more about Australia's beloved animals and the zoo's conservation efforts.
Be sure to get your photo snapped with the cuddly koalas (a classic tourist moment) and, if you really want to make a day of it, book in a private group dining experience. Here, you'll receive exclusive after-hours access to the zoo and its exhibitions, a three-course dinner and beverage package as well as the opportunity of a self-guided tour of the surrounds.
Sydney Tower Eye
There's seeing Sydney, and then there's seeing Sydney from 250 metres above ground. Sydney Tower Eye is a highlight in the city's recognisable skyline and offers visitors 360-degree views that stretch from the Harbour Bridge to the Blue Mountains (on a clear day).
For first-time visitors, the observation deck is a breathtaking way to get your bearings. For locals, it's an opportunity to step back and appreciate just how spectacular (and sprawling) the city really is. Watch ferries on the harbour, spot familiar neighbourhoods from a new perspective, and time your visit for sunset to see the city come alive at night. Want to take your trip up a level? The SKYWALK experience takes things one step further, with an outdoor walk around the tower's edge. It's an open-air adventure for those who want to see Sydney from brand-new heights.
Book your tickets to these Sydney attractions online now.
Image credit: Supplied
