Not necessarily a definitive list, just a few ideas from a recent 48 hours in the city.
- Circular Quay. A good place to start as it is a major transport hub and therefore easy to get to. From here you have superb views of both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The area is always packed with tourists and there is a real buzz about it, there are buskers plying there trade to add to the experience. From here you can also book a harbour cruise or ferry journey.
- Harbour Cruise. A good option is to pick up a cruise at Circular Quay but you can also get them from Darling Harbour. There are many different options depending on your interests, popular are the cruise to the zoo and Watsons Bay which gives great views of the harbour and the ferry to Manley.
- Walking Tour of The Rocks. The area adjacent to Circular Quay is the the oldest area of the city and as a consequence has some of the oldest buildings in the city. You can either join a guided tour or just wander the area with a guide book to help.
- Sydney Free Bus Tour. A three hour tour of Sydneys Eastern suburbs including Kings Cross, Potts Point, Watsons Bay and Bondi Beach. The tour leaves everyday at 10.30 from Hyde Park in the centre of the city and it is simply first come first served. It is very popular so do get there early. There is a charge of $18 to cover the running costs of the bus and this must be paid in cash. After this you can make a voluntary contribution to the driver/guide at the end of the tour is you so desire. More details can be found here
- Chinese Gardens of Friendship. An oasis of calm close to Darling Harbour. The gardens have an entry fee of $6 which in my view is a bargain. They are so good I wrote a separate post about them here
- Darling Harbour. There is so much going on here and much of the area is pedestrianised so it invites strolling around. There are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants for when you just want to sit and watch the world go by. It is also home to the Sydney Aquarium and Maritime Museum. You can also catch ferries and harbour cruises from here. More details can be found here
- Coastal Walk from Bondi to Coogee. Two for the price of one here as you can spend time in Bondi with its famous beach before embarking on the coastal walk. This really is an excellent way to spend a couple of hours and the views are stunning. You van read more about it here
- The Art Gallery of New South Wales. Located on Art Gallery Road (easy to remember!). Superb collections of Australian art from the start of the nineteenth century and aboriginal art. Entry is free.