Due to the recent bush fires and now coronavirus, I am focused on writing about my current home base Sydney. Starting today with 16 best things to do in circular quay. Whether it’s raining, sunshine or fall, Circular quay offers something for everybody.
For the adventurous person in you here is the most read east coast of Australia must-see.
In no particular order, let’ start
16 fun things to do in Circular Quay
1. Sydney Opera House Tour
The first thing to see in the circular quay is the Sydney Opera house. It is a famous landmark known worldwide and is only a few minutes’ walks from the circular quay station. It is far more interesting to see it from inside though. I recommend booking the Opera House Tour to appreciate this architectural beauty inside out.
2. Experience a Gold Penfolds Dinner
Imagine cursing on a boat looking at the beautiful sunsets behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera house with champagne and a delicious 6-course menu! Plus vintage gold Penfolds wine!
Here is the full review of the dinner cruise sydney.
3. Cruise around the Sydney Harbour
One of the best things to do in Circular Quay is getting on the hop on hop off cruise I had heard about the hop on hop off bus but cruise sounded more fun and it was! You can cover 9 beautiful locations hopping on and hopping off the comfortable captain cook cruise. Tickets are reasonably priced and you get 2 consecutive days to use it!
Whether you just arrived or a local, it is a fun thing to do in Sydney at least once in your life! If you have friends and family visiting from overseas and you want to show off Sydney in the best way possible, this would be an easy decision. Whether it be a gloomy day in winter or Sunny day in summer, captain cook cruise got you covered when it comes to discovering Sydney’s iconic attractions. They can also arrange a cruise for your special occasions and celebration.
4. Find the instagrammable places near Circular Quay
I have written down a whole blog post on this subject. You can find all the most instagrammable places in Sydney here.
5. Watch an Opera
If a Sydney Opera house tour is not your thing, perhaps watching an Opera could do it for you! I recently had the opportunity to watch Carmen the Opera in the Sydney Opera house. It is one of the bucket list things to do and is fun, iconic, and a great night out.
6. Visit Museums and Art Galleries
If you have never been to Art Galleries, try either of these in Sydney (walking distance from Circular Quay) I especially like going to The Art Gallery of NSW and Museum of Contemporary Art. They usually have interesting exhibitions happening. You can be an art critic as you see the gallery unfold different artists’ meaning of art! There is also a cafe downstairs at the back if you want a bite or a full-on lunch!
7. Stroll at the Rocks
From Circular Quay, the rocks area is only about 3 mins walk on your left. It is a very picturesque area. Worth it for views and photo ops of the bridge and opera house from the opposite side. It also offers loads of excellent cafes and restaurants at a reasonable price.
On the weekends visit the rocks market and try different cuisines and shop souvenirs. Don’t miss the row of 1844 cottages in original unrestored condition with a tour through the insides. Those were almost the earliest buildings in Australia.
8. Find peace/books at the nearby library
Libraries can be a fun place to go if you are into books, peace, and quietness. If you are in Sydney, pop in to have a look around the State Library in Macquarie Street (5 minutes walk from Circular Quay). There is FREE WIFI to upload your Instagram pictures also. Don’t miss to rub a statue Pig’s nose couple blocks down for good luck!
9. Make a picnic
One of the best ways to admire this beautiful city is by organizing a picnic and watch the world go by. I like the Bradfield park for a picnic as you can see both the opera house and harbor bridge from this area. There are other gorgeous settings too and you can read the sydney bucketlist places for ideas.
10. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden
Right next to the Opera house, if you keep going right you will be walking on the Royal Botanical garden. It is one of the prettiest places to have a picnic in Sydney or just walk/jog. Recommend to check out Clayx while in the garden and read up on the Sydney tomato festival.
11. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge
This was my bucket list and I finally had the chance to do it last year! I recommend booking it for sunsets climb because you will see a day view of Sydney, sunsets, evening and a bit of night view as well.
12. Fly around the harbor
Helicopter flight over Sydney is simply awesome in the best weather. Pick-up/drop off service is included on the flight and coffee/tea for free as it should be! Book it here.
13. Take a speed boat
If you take a train, uber or walk up to Darling Harbour (10minutes walk from Circular Quay) You can experience Sydney Harbour from a different perspective. Ride out to Sydney Heads on a state-of-the-art jet boat and experience 360-degree spins, power slides, and wave jumps. Hold on tight for the ride of your life and take in the views when you can!
If you are in Sydney and want to experience something adventurous but not skydive, this can be it. Book it here
14 Watch Sydney sunsets
Nothing clears the mind like a brisk walk and sunset with a million-dollar view! You have the best Sydney sunset view from the Mrs. Macquaire Chair in the Royal Botanical Garden, and also from the Harbour Bridge. All within walking distance from the Circular Quay.
I may create a separate blog post listing the best places for sunsets. So, subscribe to that at the end of this post. I believe watching Sunsets brings perspective and a great photography opportunity. If you haven’t done it yet, consider it now as spring is here and before the good weather disappears.
15. Visit Customs House
Custom’s house is a great place to get some tourist info then sit back and relax on a comfy seat and chill. If you need to do some work it is also suitable mostly during the morning when it is not crowded.
On the ground floor, there is an interesting surprise – a 3D model of Sydney under the glass floor. Don’t worry, it’s safe to walk on. Great view from the 1st floor. Very nice staff. Make sure to try the cafe at the rooftop for a good breakky as well as dinners with the spectacular view of Harbour Bridge.
16 High Tea By the Sea
It was a great way to spend an afternoon watching the sunsets just after the tasty high tea. As you can see, the ticket came with a glass of Champagne, a choice of tea, and a triple plate tower! It tasted great and the stunning Sydney harbor view was just the cherry on top! There are some hotels and restaurants that organize high tea or you can simply go to the captain cook website and book it there. I went through them too. Reasonable price, delicious food, and attentive staff. I can’t wait to go for another one soon!
Let me know in the comments –
- Which things to do in the Circular quay you would like to do first?
- Check out the 10 best instagrammable cafes in sydney
- Sydney itinerary 5 days is here.
- Interested in 10 hidden beaches and bays in Sydney?
- 99% of readers found must see on the east coast of Australia helpful.
- Check out how you can explore Adelaide South Australia the best way.
- Heading to iconic Alice Springs for that unique Uluru trip?
- Here I share must do in Darwin, Australia.
- Solo travel guide to Brisbane (Insta worthy places included!)
- Heading to Melbourne next, check out Melbourne travel guide for first timers.
- Heading to Perth, read things to do in Perth
- Next Stop? check out the most beautiful places in New Zealand South Island.
- Going to Vietnam after Australia? Check out the 7 days Hanoi travel guide.
- Don’t feel like going anywhere? Read 10 best things to do when staying indoor
- If you need to book accommodations for your next travels, get a $76 discount with Airbnb here.
- Alternatively, you can check hotel prices and book it through trusted Agoda, or Booking.com
- Read the most wanted travel resource here.
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Love love love – this post was great. So many things to do and I will have to use this as a reference when I eventually make it to Australia. High Tea and a Helicopter ride are definitely two things that I will be putting on my list.
Ashlee
Sydney is next on my list once they open up the borders again!! It looks amazing here.
Sydney is one of my dream destinations. These are all great ways to spend there at circular quay, especially that watching the sunset. I am looking forward to that day I will experience that there. 🙂
I have heard a lot about Australia from my friend who stays there. Have plans to visit too. Waiting for the crisis situation to be over soon. Your photos are superb and you have provided good information.
I haven’t been to Australia before but I have always wanted to visit. This is a great list of things to see. I look forward to getting to travel again and finally getting to see some of these places on my bucket list.
These all sound like awesome things to check out. I have never been to Australia and it seems like there is no shortage of things to do.
i would love to visit Circular Quay! A visit to the opera house in a beautiful red dress sounds so romantic as does tea on the sea.
nice OOTD’s 🙂 Haven’t been to Australia before, but definitely part of my plan once air travel has been lifted. Will consider sydney first, I would probably love the weather since it’s similar to Dubai.
I’ve never been to Sydney but would surely love to visit. What a beautiful landscape with plenty of fun things to do.
First things first, your outfits were slaying in EVERY picture. Salute! Now, this post has given me a severe case of FOMO and I HAVE TO visit Sydney and do ALL the things. The thought of what Carmen in that opera house gives me chills. How incredibly special! Carmen is my favorite, so definitely on my bucket-list now. May will be my Sydney manifesting month.
Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens are some of my favorite destinations in Circular Quay area. It’s amazing! One of the few places I love in Australia.
Awesome photos and travel tips. I hope to visit here one day when the quarantine is over.
That red dress!!! Is gorgeous!!! What a fascinating destination. I’ve always wanted to visit, on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing.
I would love to visit Australia someday. These are some great ideas. Thanks for sharing.