Skip to main content

Places worth discovering

Things to Do

Find attractions, experiences and places to visit. Events remain the best way to see what is happening on a particular date.

Looking for a dated event? Explore Events

1644 places

Explore local places

Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour
Image credit: Sofitel SPA Darling Harbour

Spas and Retreats

Sofitel Spa Darling Harbour

Sofitel Spa Darling Harbour is a discreet sanctuary from daily activities, centrally located in the heart of Sydney’s Darling Harbour and steps away from the central business district. Their commitment to well-being focuses on a sensorial journey with the seasons for a holistic yet indulgent sojourn. Guests commence their wellness journey on entry, welcomed with a calming palette of soft timbers, sandstone and marble finishes, and Australian-made furnishings. With seven spacious treatment rooms, including two suites beautifully designed by award-winning design firm PikeWithers, one of which features a bespoke bath overlooking Darling Harbour. The two-level space is ‘quintessentially Sydney’ featuring sandstone-inspired tiles and marble accents that resemble Sydney Harbour. Awaken your senses, view the extensive menu and experiences available at Sofitel Spa Darling Harbour, and allow their team to support your wellness journey.

Sydney NSW

0.0 km away

View place
ICC Sydney's Convention Centre

Entertainment Venues

ICC Sydney

ICC Sydney is Australia’s leading convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. Distinguished by its striking design, state-of-the-art technology and an enviable array of amenities, ICC Sydney stands apart as a symbol of excellence. Situated at the intersection of Sydney’s academic, cultural and technology precincts, ICC Sydney affords delegates, exhibitors and visitors convenient access to Australia’s most cosmopolitan city. The emerging financial, dining and retail precinct of Barangaroo is nearby; there are numerous galleries, theatres and concert halls within easy reach; and the bustling city centre is only a short walk away. Managed by a uniquely talented team, ICC Sydney is well-placed to deliver extraordinary experiences every time. Whether you are organising a convention for thousands or a more intimate corporate event, their team will go out of their way to deliver a truly memorable event. But ICC Sydney is more than a landmark venue. ICC Sydney functions as an incubator for ideas, a champion of change and an advocate for community. Through the Legacy Program, they give clients the opportunity to contribute to the city’s cultural capital—and advance the social and sustainability objectives of their events—in real and meaningful ways. Whatever you’re planning, you’ll find success at ICC Sydney.

Darling Harbour NSW

0.1 km away

View place
Pyrmont Bridge
Image credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Pyrmont Bridge

With all its glitz and glamour it is easy to forget that Sydney is a working port. The City of Sydney Port Walking Tour uncovers the layers of Sydney’s working past. This fascinating walk begins at the State Heritage Registered Pyrmont Bridge. Pyrmont Bridge in Darling Harbour is one of the world's oldest surviving electrically operated swing bridges. The current swing bridge opened in 1902 and replaced the first Pyrmont Bridge which began operating in 1857. The swingspan allows access for vessels that are too tall to travel under the bridge.

Darling Harbour NSW

0.3 km away

View place
Sydney Harbour Runners
Image credit: Sydney Harbour Runners

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Sydney Harbour Runners

Sydney Harbour Runners is a community of runners that meet weekly on Tuesday nights from 6:00pm at the Cockle Bay Wharf Bird Fountain at Darling Harbour. The group offers two distance options: a short 6-kilometre - 8-kilometre course or a long course around 11 kilometre - 13 kilometres. This free club makes for a social outing too, with post-run meals and drink specials in nearby venues.

Sydney NSW

0.4 km away

View place
museum waterfront

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Australian National Maritime Museum

Spectacularly located at the waterfront of Darling Harbour, the Maritime Museum is a distinctive indoor/outdoor attraction and great entertainment for the whole family. The museum has one of the largest and most diverse in-water fleets in the world, including the cold war submarine HMAS Onslow, naval destroyer HMAS Vampire, and the stunning replica of Captain Cook's tall ship HMB Endeavour. Explore the danger and drama of military life at sea inside the interactive Action Stations experience that shows the inner workings of the Royal Australian Navy like never before. The museum also hosts six permanent galleries, and an ever-changing program of temporary exhibitions, ensuring something for everyone. When it is time for a break, treat yourself at the waterfront Ripples Cafe or picnic at the tables on the Waterfront Boardwalk. The museum offers a range of facilities and services for people with disability, such as Auslan-interpreted programs for the Deaf community and programs such as descriptive touch tours for visitors with vision impairment.

Darling Harbour NSW

0.4 km away

View place
Immersive Gamebox Sydney
Image credit: Immersive Gamebox Sydney

Amusement and Theme Parks

Immersive Gamebox

Get together with your friends or family for an interactive gaming adventure that'll tick everyone's boxes. With motion tracking, projection mapping, touch screens, and surround sound, Immersive Gamebox is like nothing you have experienced before. Teams of 2-6 players can enjoy 30-60 minute games featuring levels and challenges designed to be fun, social, and collaborative. Whether it's for date nights, fun with friends, or corporate events, get ready to play together in this unique gaming experience where your body is the controller. Step into a real-life video game, where each Gamebox is an interactive smart room designed to offer immersive experiences from popular games, such as Squid Games, Batman, The Floor Is Lava, Angry Birds, Paw Patrol, Ghostbusters and more. Each Gamebox is equipped with specialised motion tracking for interactive and physical gameplay, a unique touch screen display system that tailors experiences with AI-powered adjustments based on player skills.

Sydney NSW

0.4 km away

View place
Koala

Entertainment Venues

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Discover the best of Australia at Wild Life Sydney Zoo - the Home of the Aussie Big Five. Step into an animal adventure and meet your favourite iconic Australian animals – meet cute Koalas in Gum Tree Valley or have your photo taken with them at Koala Encounters. Head to Wallaby Cliffs to interact with Ringo the wombat and then hop to Kangaroo Walk-About to walk amongst the Kangaroos. The Platypus Pool are where you'll find Jackie, their resident platypus, before entering the daring world of Kakadu Gorge where you'll come eye to eye with Rocky, a huge Saltwater Crocodile, and much more. Wild Life Sydney Zoo located in the heart of the city, at Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour.

Darling Harbour NSW

0.4 km away

View place
The Playground, Darling Quarter

Parks and Gardens

The Kids Playground at Darling Quarter

Does your local playground have a 21-metre flying fox? Didn't think so! How about a water play area with pumps and water buckets? Thought not! The Darling Quarter's Kids Playground is one of Australia's best. Water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides and flying foxes will keep toddlers and teens entertained for hours. It's fun, thrilling and best of all free!

Darling Harbour NSW

0.4 km away

View place
Aquaman splashes into Madame Tussauds Sydney Dec 13

Amusement and Theme Parks

Madame Tussauds Sydney

Ever wondered where fame lives? At Madame Tussauds Sydney, you'll get closer to fame than ever before. Step onto the red carpet and dive into a world of interactive experiences where you become the star of the story! Begin your journey under the canopy of Wild Australia, an immersive zone that brings the Daintree Rainforest to life. Get up close with Aussie legends Steve Irwin and Robert Irwin, discover Robert's wildlife photography tips, and marvel at life-like native animals – from a saltwater crocodile to a playful numbat. Then, travel through time to sit with Einstein, learn royal etiquette alongside King Charles III, and hit the sporting stage with Glenn McGrath, Dylan Alcott, and Layne Beachley. Join the Mardi Gras parade with Courtney Act, headline Sydney Live with Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and G Flip. Then power up with Marvel superheroes before joining the Justice League to save the city! Finally, step into the dazzling lights of Illuminate Sydney, the Vivid-inspired A-List Party. Rub shoulders with Chris Hemsworth, strike a pose with Angelina Jolie, snap a selfie with Beyoncé, and party with Dwayne Johnson. Madame Tussauds Sydney is the Ultimate Fame Experience right in the heart of the CBD!

Sydney NSW

0.4 km away

View place
Meet Sydney's only sub-Antarctic penguin colony
Image credit: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Amusement and Theme Parks

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Experience the iconic wonders of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s unique marine environments. Discover an incredible 4,000+ animals from over 300 different species—the world’s largest variety of Australian aquatic life! Meet Pig, the cheeky rescue dugong, hop aboard the Penguin Expedition Boat Ride, and get up close with a spectacular colony of king and gentoo penguins and come face-to-fin with thirteen species of shark! Don’t miss out on the VIP experiences, like Behind the Scenes Tours, on-ice Penguin Encounters, and the incredible cage-free Shark Dive Xtreme experience. Explore all this and more at Sydney’s famous aquarium!

Sydney NSW

0.4 km away

View place
The Star Sydney

Entertainment Venues

The Star Sydney

Travel to the Sydney Harbour foreshore, just moments from Darling Harbour and the central business district and you'll discover The Star, Sydney's premier entertainment destination. Featuring award-winning restaurants, bars and cafes, five-star accommodations, a luxury spa, and a world-class casino, it's easy to see why The Star has become Sydney's favourite playground. Dining here is an experience not to be missed. The Star's internationally acclaimed line-up of Signature Restaurants is home to some of the biggest names in the business. The Star is also home to Sydney's Lyric Theatre and The Star Event Centre.

Pyrmont NSW

0.5 km away

View place
Foundry Theatre
Image credit: Foundry Theatre

Entertainment Venues

Foundry Theatre

Operating in the back of the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont, Foundry Theatre is an intimate space showcasing a diverse range of performances. Seating 360 or 630 standing, it’s able to transform into a theatre, seminar or concert set up. The February 2025 launch saw Australian musical comedy legend Tim Minchin grace the stage, followed by a program including comedians like Akmal and Lawrence Mooney, and international sell-out musical No Love Songs.

Pyrmont NSW

0.5 km away

View place
Powerhouse Museum and Sydney city skyline at night

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Powerhouse Ultimo

PLEASE NOTE: Powerhouse Ultimo is temporarily closed as it undergoes a significant heritage revitalisation. Powerhouse Parramatta is under construction and is due to open in 2025 or 2026. Powerhouse will continue to present programs at Powerhouse Castle Hill and Sydney Observatory during this time. Powerhouse is the largest museum group in Australia. It sits at the intersection of art, design, science and technology, and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. It is the custodian of more than half a million objects of national and international significance that is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. Established in 1879, its venues include Powerhouse Ultimo, Sydney Observatory, Powerhouse Castle Hill and Powerhouse Parramatta. Since its inception, Powerhouse Museum has been connected to community and industry. In August 2024, the museum group launched Powerhouse Food: Producers, a monthly event taking you behind the scenes of Western Sydney's farms, factories, restaurants and neighbourhoods. Taste a set menu based around the flavours of the world of insects, see the workings and stories of Sydney's markets on location, hunt for truffles, and explore Harris Park's Little India with a local expert.

Ultimo NSW

0.6 km away

View place
Upcycle Antique Warehouse

Shopping and Markets

Upcycle Sydney

They are the Aladdins Cave of antiques and curiosities in Sydney with a huge antique warehouse just down the road from the new Sydney Fish Markets. They have everything from gorgeous one-off marble topped lamp tables to mid-century sideboards and bookshelves. Everything is unique and second hand. Their ethos is sustainability keeping furniture from landfill and giving it a second life.

Ultimo NSW

0.6 km away

View place
Judges House Sydney

Amusement and Theme Parks

Judges House Sydney

The City of Sydney Community walking tour gives you a taste of Sydney’s diverse culture, from China Town to the Spanish Quarter. A heritage highlight on the walk is the house built for the NSW Chief Justice, Judge Dowling. From housing the well-to-do it became the City Night Refuge and Soup Kitchen, providing relief to the cities poorest for over 100 years. As you are on the Community Heritage Walk you may notice something unusual about the building - it is one of the last remaining free-standing buildings in Sydney.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
King Street Wharf Darling Harbour
Image credit: Greg Collins

Entertainment Venues

King Street Wharf Darling Harbour

Experience waterfront dining, and an array of family-friendly entertainment venues - just a five-minute walk from the Sydney CBD. With the buzz of King Street Wharf, the stunning waterfront views over Darling Harbour, and a choice of cafés, bars and restaurants open late every night, King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour is ready to celebrate with you.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Darling Square

Shopping and Markets

Darling Square

The new urban neighbourhood with big ideas on how to live, connect, relax, work and play. Darling Square is a playground of innovative food, fashion, culture and experience, connecting Ultimo, Darling Harbour and Haymarket. Darling Square is home to three distinct precincts. Steam Mill Lane is a mini eat street packed with restaurants and bars, from quick bites and innovative food to healthy lunches. Little Hay street is a hub for eating, drinking and good times, fusing the vibrant energy of Darling Square with the colourful culture of Chinatown. The striking Exchange Building is wrapped in 20km of pale accoya timber strips. Inside you'll find a modern marketplace, the Makers Dozen, the brand new Darling Square Library and innovation hub Ideas Lab. There are more than 50 places to eat and drink in Darling Square, as well as homewares stores, spas and beauty salons, hairdressers and essential stores.

Haymarket NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Tufting Workshop
Image credit: Zhou Fang

Entertainment Venues

TUTU Studio

TUTU Studio offers a range of hands-on workshops to dive into art and craft in the most fun way possible! With two locations—one in Chinatown and another in Chatswood. At TUTU Studio, explore exciting workshops like tufting, where you can create custom rugs, bags, and cushions, or make eco-friendly Jesmonite art pieces with terrazzo chips and pearls. Design your own sterling silver rings or enjoy messy splatter and glass painting for a burst of colour. TUTU Studio is also perfect for celebrating special moments. Whether it's a birthday, a hens party, or team-building event, they can host groups of 10 to 30 for a memorable, creative experience.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Strike Bowling King Street Wharf

Amusement and Theme Parks

Strike Bowling King Street Wharf

Strike King Street Wharf is located in the stunning surrounds of Sydney Harbour, and promises a bowling experience like no other. Start your night with a cocktail at our waterside bar, grab a delicious old-school sanga courtesy of our pop-up mates at Rando Sandos, and then move to one of the 10 bowling alleys. With bowling, karaoke and escape rooms our King Street Wharf venue is fully-fitted with all the fun you can handle.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Entermission Sydney

Amusement and Theme Parks

Entermission Sydney

Looking for an unforgettable day of fun? Entermission Sydney is a thrilling virtual reality escape room destination in the heart of Sydney. Choose from more than 20 action packed virtual reality escape rooms featuring free roam, hand tracking and seated experiences. Perfect for families, friends, birthdays and team adventures. Take on the virtual reality challenge rooms and compete for the highest scores across a range of exciting challenges. Experience Floor is Lava, a fast paced physical challenge where players race, jump and dodge across a digital floor. Test accuracy with the newly launched Hammer Throwing experience. Take aim, throw the hammer and compete for the highest score. Whether it is a birthday celebration, team activity or fun day out, Entermission Sydney offers an exciting mix of virtual reality and physical experiences for groups of all kinds.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Nufoto
Image credit: Nu Pty Ltd

Shopping and Markets

Nufoto

Experience the Korean photobooth phenomenon in Sydney. Nufoto brings the wildly popular Korean-style photobooth experience to Sydney, offering visitors a fun and Instagram-worthy activity unlike any traditional photo booth. Every shot is perfected through carefully calibrated camera settings that deliver the signature soft, flattering aesthetic Korean photobooths are famous for worldwide. Perfect for: Solo travellers wanting frame-worthy memories. Friends looking for a fun group activity. Couples seeking romantic keepsakes. Anyone who wants more than just phone snapshots. Walk away with instant prints that capture your Sydney adventure in style. It's not just photos, it's an experience that turns a moment into a tangible memory you'll treasure long after your trip ends.

Sydney NSW

0.7 km away

View place
Queen Victoria Building outside view
Image credit: Vicinity Centres

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Queen Victoria Building

The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a five level shopping centre occupying an entire block of George Street in the heart of Sydney's CBD. The historical building is Sydney's most iconic and prestigious shopping destination, attracting millions of local and international visitors each year. Home to leading Australian and international designers, the shopping centre houses over 140 fashion boutiques, jewellery shops, specialty stores, cafes and restaurants. Opened in 1898, the QVB is rich in history and architectural splendour, displaying elaborate Romanesque architectural features, glorious stained glass windows, and magnificent light filled atriums. The dominant feature is the mighty centre dome, which during the Christmas shopping season, is occupied by a giant Christmas tree, a must see for any visitor. To learn more about the building's story of creation, near destruction and modern way preservation, book the QVB History Tour with one of the expert guides.

Sydney NSW

0.8 km away

View place
Chinatown gates on Dixon Street, Sydney
Image credit: Destination NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Dixon Street

Dixon Street is a pedestrian mall located on Dixon Street in Haymarket, between Hay Street and Goulburn Street. Originally it was a timber storage yard and after Chinese people began to move into Haymarket in the 1920s, Chinese people started using the site as a place to set up cook shops and to cater for the suburban Chinese market gardeners who came to the city to sell their produce. Gradually, more restaurants, grocery stores, butchers and fruit and vegetable shops were opened to meet the needs of the Chinese population concentrated in the city area. Today, this is the iconic street of Chinatown Sydney, is where you will find many great Asian eateries and local goods.

Sydney NSW

0.8 km away

View place
Museum of Illusions

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions, the world's largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums, will make its Australian debut this summer with the opening of Museum of Illusions Sydney — an interactive world where the impossible becomes possible and curiosity knows no bounds. Originally launched in Zagreb, Croatia in 2015. Tenyears later, Museum of Illusions now operates in more than 60 locations across 28 countries, captivating millions of guests every year. Each location is guided by one purpose: to create memorable, magical experiences that leave visitors smiling long after they leave. Each Museum of Illusions location around the globe takes inspiration from its surroundings — and Sydney is no exception.

Sydney NSW

0.8 km away

View place

What is happening now?

Search dated events, markets, live music, sport and community activities.

Explore Events

Planning by place?

Use Things to Do for attractions and experiences that are not tied to one event date.