10 Ways to Feel New in Sydney

From the hypnotic sparkle of hidden Harbour coves to secret cultural gems camouflaged on cobbled streets, Sydney is a city of bold statements and grand reveals – and there’s always a new surprise to refresh your perspective. Take your place in its iconic skyline, rejuvenate in nature, feast on inspiring flavours, and discover new ways to play with your favourite people. Whichever fresh adventure you choose, Sydney’s effervescence flows through you and fills you with awe.
1. Recharge in the elements
With its jaw-dropping beauty, Nature has been kind to Sydney and across the city, the natural elements offer next-level rejuvenation. Feel centred and connected to the Earth as you bushwalk through untouched coastal wilderness in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park; learn about the Gadigal People’s life on the land during an Aboriginal cultural walk in Bondi, and feel the nourishing power of minerals during a Darling Spa treatment. Breathe in the moment as elemental Air ruffles your hair on a Segway tour of the Sydney Olympic Parklands, and feel revitalised as cleansing water washes over you in one of 35 ocean pools from Cronulla to Palm Beach. Be inspired by Fire as you taste its flavours in celebrated eateries like Firedoor and Porteno and Eastside Bar & Grill, and as its spectacular power brings people together for fireworks on New Year’s Eve and Australia Day.
2. Be energised by a new thrill
Every sense tingles when you surrender to a new adventure. An empowering rush surges through you when you summit the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a Burrawa BridgeClimb, and your Aboriginal guide shares an all-new perspective of this ages-old waterway. Feel pure exhilaration near Penrith as you freefall with indoor skydiving; as you strap on a jetpack or wakeboard and take flight, and as your whole family bounces from one mountain-bike adventure to another on the Wylde MTB Trail. The thrills continue when you swim with sharks at SEA LIFE Sydney, learn to free dive south of the city, or reel in the catch of the day on a Deep Sea Fishing Charter. And if you like adventures with a twist of intrigue, look no further than an escape room experience at Social Escape in vibrant Alexandria, where you can toast your success afterwards nearby at the Redfern Surf Club, the Lord Raglan, or the charmingly eccentric Bearded Tit.
3. Revel in a new sense of belonging
With its diverse, laid-back, and wide-open heart, Sydney makes it easy to find you tribe. At the South Eveleigh dining and arts precinct, you can share ideas and celebrate innovative thinking over sustainable, locally sourced meals at iconic eateries like Lucky Kwong; sip seasonal cocktails at a revolutionary zero-waste bar; get your hands dirty at a rooftop sustainable garden, and be inspired by art, music, fashion and dance at Carriageworks – Australia’s largest multi-arts centre. Nearby, quench your thirst for creativity at landmark breweries and distilleries like Batch Brewing Co, Atomic Beer Project and Archie Rose, or hit the Inner West Ale Trail to discover a new favourite.
Whatever your background, you’re always among friends in Inner Sydney’s heritage pubs, where you can catch a drag show, and enjoy the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ glittering parade, parties and performances.
Ready to master a new skill? Connect with likeminded creators as you learn to shape metal in a blacksmithing course at Eveleigh Works; perfect your sausage-making technique (with craft-beer in hand) at the Sausage Factory, or turn strangers into mates in a Pinot and Picasso painting workshop in Maroubra.
4. Feel a new sense of freedom
Whether you’re getting active in the outdoors, testing yourself with a new adventure or just breathing it all in, Sydney liberates your senses. Soothe away stress with a luxury pampering treatment at The Langham’s Day Spa, or a wellness experience at the Sol Spa Vaucluse, and soak yourself to serenity at the Balmain Bathhouse. Feel Vitamin Sea wash over you when you learn to surf in Bondi, Dee Why or Cronulla; as you snorkel among colourful marine life in Cabbage Tree Bay, and as your Thunder Jet Boat spins across the Harbour. Let the bush soothe your spirit as you float in ancient waterholes, paddle your rowboat on Lake Parramatta and choose your own adventure on Lane Cove National Park’s wild trails – where you can hike in pristine nature all the way to Newcastle if you feel like it. And, as you relax on top of the world, clinking glasses at a glamourous rooftop bar like Smoke, Hyde Hacienda Bar and Lounge or the Coogee Bay Hotel, you feel electrified as it flows through you – that inspiring feeling of being completely, unapologetically free.
5. Feel awe-inspired
Sydney’s magnetism makes every day feel extraordinary. There’s magic in the Harbour air when you catch a ferry from Barangaroo to Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House first comes into view; when you pass Fort Denison on the way to Manly or Taronga Zoo; and when you take your place in the living watercolour painting on a chartered yacht, a luxury speedboat for two, or learn to sail. It’s there when gentle giants suddenly leap from the sea on a whale-watching tour from Darling Harbour or Cronulla; when your tastebuds sing to the tune of world-class fine dining at Quay, Aria and Bennelong; and watch the sun sink behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. And across the city and beyond, nature’s charm adds to the city’s charisma. You feel its power on an Aboriginal cultural tour of The Rocks, when you behold First Nations rock engravings at Jibbon Head, or roll out the family picnic blanket in the Western Sydney Parklands, where a beautifully wild playground stretches as far as you can see. Whichever experience you choose, Sydney’s allure is irresistible.
6. Refresh your body clock
Sydney’s an early riser and its energy is invigorating – even if you’re not quite a morning person yet – and there’s always a new way to start the day with a fresh perspective. Salute the sunrise with a Yoga By the Sea class in Bondi, Bronte, Manly or Freshwater, and soak up dawn’s colours on a kayaking tour of Pittwater or Sydney Harbour. Upgrade your morning coffee game on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, where you can watch the sunrise from quaint cafes perched on sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches; or learn how to make your own at Sydney Coffee School.
The most glamorous of night owls, Sydney shines well into the early hours. Feed on its nocturnal energy with a feast of late-night dining experiences across the city, including seafood at the iconic Golden Century in Chinatown, delicacies at Chat Thai in Haymarket, and pork belly at Mr Crackles in Darlinghurst. And even when it’s time to turn in for the night at the Park Hyatt Sydney, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Crown Sydney, or The William Inglis Hotel, it’s hard to turn your back on the Harbour City’s sparkle. This city inspires, 24/7.
7. Live in the joyful moment
Time seems to stand still when you’re with your favourites, and on a Sydney night out, the happy moments layer up to create lifelong memories. Even as the hours whizz by, the evening feels young when you and the crew wander from one secret bar to the next in the YCK Laneways, pair good brews with great banter at Mary’s, Employees Only or Sammy Jr; bounce from club to club; or throw shapes against the shimmering city skyline on a Glass Island party cruise. Be moved by live music at Enmore Theatre; The Soda Factory, The Vanguard or The Metro Theatre, and feel your heart sing as live jazz gets your toes tapping at Restaurant Hubert. And every part of you pulses as a crowd of hundreds dances as one at events like Vivid Sydney, Field Day, Sydney Festival, Fringe Festival and Night at the Barracks. As you surrender to the rhythm, you’ll feel yourself wishing this moment, this song, this dance, this night, would last forever.
8. Deepen your connection
Telling our tales brings us together – and Sydney is a master storyteller. Be moved as the human journey is brought to life by Bangarra and the Australian Ballet; feel a new sense of empathy as Hamilton invigorates your emotions, and let music free your imagination at the Handa Opera On The Harbour; Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Riverside Theatre and the Casula Powerhouse. Give your movie date night an instant upgrade with an alfresco twist at the Moonlight Cinema or Westpac OpenAir, or kick it old-school at the Blacktown Skyline Drive In. Deepen your understanding of Sydney’s iconic places by immersing yourself in their hidden histories. Step beyond the glitter of the city skyline to discover its secret stories on an architecture tour of The Rocks; go behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House and Sydney Cricket Ground, or take a ghost tour of Parramatta Gaol or Q Station. And uplifting stories are served on a platter in Sydney’s West. From Cabramatta to Parramatta and beyond, the city’s multicultural heart brings people together to connect through flavours. Take a foodie tour to sample your new favourite international cuisine and hear about the life experiences behind them as your refugee guide introduces you to the vibrant communities behind the food.
9. See Sydney through fresh eyes
There’s something so inspiring about a child’s enthusiasm – and its life-affirming joy is irresistible. Sharing new adventures brings our families closer; solid gold memories are forged in the thrill of discovery. Feel the warm and fuzzies as they make new furry friends at Sydney Zoo, Symbio Wildlife Park and Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, or settle in for the ultimate slumber party at Taronga Roar and Snore. Revel in their thirst for knowledge on visits to the Maritime Museum, Australian Museum, Museum of Sydney, and Powerhouse Museum, where getting hands-on with exhibits unleashes their sense of wonder. Marvel at their adventurous spirit as they take on Aquatopia’s wave pool or cool off at the Darling Quarter Water Park; and share their adrenaline surge at Raging Waters Sydney and Luna Park. And that feeling you get when you see their enthralled faces glowing under Vivid Sydney’s technicolour lights? It’s the very definition of happiness.
10. Let surprising views renew you
Whether you go up, down, or all around, Sydney refreshes your perspective. Elevate your day with coffee at a scenic perch, like the MCA rooftop Café or the Boathouse Rose Bay and enjoy views as energising as the caffeine you sip. Marvel as the harbour, city and coast stretch below you on the epic 80km Bondi to Manly walk, where Sydney’s greatest hits are showcased in a continuous trail of wonders.
Sharing elevated adventures brings us closer, too. Reconnect with your love on a romantic Sydney Seaplanes flight, let the kids aim higher at Treetops Adventure Park, or saddle up for sweeping views on a horse-ride in Centennial Park, Campbelltown or Otford Farm.
Slipping below Sydney’s surface reveals refreshing new vistas. Explore an intriguing network of historic tunnels beneath South Head on a guided tour, or visit the Hero of Waterloo where underground legends of rum-smuggling endure. Follow your curiosity deep beneath the sea for a scuba diving experience with wobbegongs and sea turtles. Prefer to stay dry? Enjoy a picnic on one of Sydney’s 13 harbour islands. Whichever adventure you choose, Sydney’s vistas are always energising.