First time exploring Sydney hidden attractions? This guide highlights lesser-known Sydney sights, from waterfront walks and historic libraries to overlooked museums and peaceful heritage gardens.
Macquarie Place Park
This easily overlooked triangle of land near Circular Quay is a treasure trove of oddities.
First up is the Obelisk, constructed in 1818. It is marked with distances to key points such as Bathurst, Liverpool, Windsor and Parramatta engraved on it.
Said obelisk is Sydney’s true centre – it’s where road distances have traditionally been measured from.
Nearby is a big anchor. Closer inspection shows it belongs to the Sirius – the largest ship in the First Fleet.
It later got wrecked off Norfolk Island, and the anchor was rescued decades afterwards.
The gun in front of the Sirius anchor also belonged to the Sirius, and was repurposed as the signal gun at Signal Hill near South Head, telling ships they were close to the entrance of Port Jackson.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
The Watson’s Bay to Bondi walk
Signal Hill is passed on the way from Watson’s Bay to Bondi, along with other oddities such as the Macquarie Lighthouse, and the anchor of the Dunbar – the ship that fell victim to Sydney’s deadliest ever wreck.
But it’s the cumulative whole that’s more impressive than individual stops – all crashing surf, majestic sandstone formations, and peaceful clifftop reserves.
It’s less well known and more disjointed than the staple Bondi to Coogee Walk, but roughly the same distance, and with far fewer marauding joggers.
The State Library of NSW
Forget the new bit of the State Library of NSW, and head between the grandiose columns that lead into the Mitchell Wing.
The main reading room is gorgeous, bathed in light and with wooden bookshelves mountaineering the walls.
But on the way in, stop to marvel at the marble floor reproduction of Abel Tasman’s 1644 map of Australia.
And then head upstairs to the Amaze exhibition, where curios from Australia’s past – whether the first flag ever made here, convict leg irons, or election banners from 1843 – are proudly displayed.
Outside, look closely near the statue of Matthew Flinders – you’ll find an accompanying statue of his cat, Trim, perched on the windowsill.
The Quarantine Station at North Head
Beyond the beach and ferry terminal, Manly’s true and massively underrated treasure is the North Head.
Bandicoots and kookaburras flit around the national parkland, while the buildings of the former quarantine station tuck into the clefts.
The tours around the Quarantine Station are riveting, telling the tales of many immigrants to Australia over the decades, and the treatment they got upon arrival.
The mass shower blocks they’d be marched through and the fairly basic hospital wards they’d be kept in indicate it wasn’t exactly a red carpet.
The Pylon Lookout on Sydney Harbour Bridge
The entirely decorative stone pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge may as well have some use, and the one in the south-eastern corner can be climbed up.
You may swear at every one of the 200 steps on the way up to Pylon Lookout, but the views from the top are pretty special.
Think of it as the Bridgeclimb on a budget – you’re 87 metres up – and there are exhibitions on the history and engineering of the bridge on the way.
The ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park
Well, few people miss it – most will stop to admire the chunky but elegant art deco memorial as they walk through Hyde Park.
But not a lot of people realise they can go inside Sydney’s ANZAC Memorial.
There’s a mini museum in there, with wartime recollections from those who went to fight and those who were left behind.
Sweetheart brooches, artificial limbs and emergency telegrams sent home add to the poignancy.
But the most heart-in-mouth views come from up the steps.
The dome overhead is dotted with gold stars, each representing a volunteer NSW serviceman from World War I.
And the jarring centrepiece is George Rayner Hoff’s statue of a dead, naked male being held aloft on the shoulders of three women.
The statue looks provocatively modern eight decades after being unveiled, and the heavy symbolism strikes home.
Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta
Cadman Cottage in The Rocks is usually billed as Sydney’s oldest building, but that’s nonsense – Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta was knocked up in 1793 (although modified after that).
Now, it serves as a beautifully peaceful museum, with the idea being that you can wander through at will, nosying at documents and furniture belonging to the former owner.
And, while the sprawling gardens are rather lovely, it’s the backstory of that owner that makes it worth the visit.
John Macarthur was a pioneering farmer who arrived on the Second Fleet, but more importantly, he was a troublesome, conniving pain in the backside who kept getting Governors overthrown.
The displays go into a series of tremendous tales – of him having to go back to Britain to be court-martialled for duelling, and using his time there to effectively set up the Australian wool industry – that perk up the history of the early colonial era.
Nearby attractions in Sydney
- Sydney Opera House for harbour views and performances.
- The Rocks Historic Area for colonial streets and weekend markets.
- Manly Beach for coastal walks and ferry rides.
- Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for waterside paths and city skyline views.
- Darling Harbour for museums, dining and waterfront promenades.
Sydney hidden attractions FAQs
| Are these attractions free to visit? | Many are free or low cost, including Macquarie Place, the State Library of NSW, Hyde Park and Elizabeth Farm. |
| How long is the Watson’s Bay to Bondi walk? | It is roughly the same distance as the Bondi to Coogee Walk, but with smaller crowds. |
| Can you go inside the ANZAC Memorial? | Yes, visitors can enter the memorial and explore the museum space. |
| Is the Pylon Lookout worth visiting? | Yes, it offers elevated harbour views plus exhibitions on the bridge’s construction. |
| Where is Elizabeth Farm located? | Elizabeth Farm is in Parramatta, western Sydney. |
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More Sydney travel
Other Sydney travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting the Australian National Maritime Museum.
- Planning a visit to Lane Cove National Park.
- Neighbourhood guide to Surry Hills.
- What to expect at Calmsley Hill City Farm.
- Sydney’s top historic museums – including the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum, Hyde Park Barracks and Museum of Sydney.
