20 Iconic Views of Sydney, Australia (Map, Photos & HELPFUL Tips)

In this guide, we cover where to get the best views of Sydney with practical information on how you can get the same photos.

Best Views of Sydney

In no particular order, here is our list of the best views of Sydney. At the end of this guide, you can see all of them on a map.

1. Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair

Let’s start with my personal favorite viewpoint of Sydney. From this point, you can see both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is a viewpoint that is located in the Royal Botanic Garden, on a peninsula that juts out into the harbor. The views from this spot are spectacular all day but it is particularly nice at sunset.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair | Best Views of Sydney

2. The Opera Bar

The Opera Bar has a prime location in Circular Quay, right next to the Sydney Opera House. This is a great spot to get a table, a glass of wine or a cocktail, and enjoy sunset views of Sydney. From here, you get up close views of the Opera House and a stunning view of Harbour Bridge.

The Opera Bar

3. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

For one of the most unique views of Sydney, do the Sydney Bridge Climb. Scaling this bridge and enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House makes for an unforgettable experience.

The highlight of the climb is the view from the summit of the bridge, where you get 360° views of Sydney.

The view from the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge | photo courtesy of BridgeClimb Sydney

4. South Pylon Lookout

For a similar view as the Bridge Climb but with a much smaller price tag, put the South Pylon Lookout on your list.

From the South Pylon Lookout, you get a spectacular view of the Opera House, Sydney Harbour, and Sydney Harbour Bridge. There’s a good chance you will also see climbers on the bridge.

The view from South Pylon Lookout | Best Views of Sydney

Another view from South Pylon Lookout

5. The Harbour Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

For free, you can walk across the Harbour Bridge on the pedestrian walkway, enjoying views of the harbor, the Opera House, and Circular Quay.

This has advantages over the South Pylon Lookout, since the bridge is open 24 hours a day (so you can get sunrise or sunset views from this spot) and don’t have to spend a dime.

The view from Sydney Harbour Bridge | Best Views of Sydney

The view of the Opera House from Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

The pedestrian walkway runs along the east side of the bridge. There is a safety fence in place, but the openings are wide enough for the lens of a DSLR camera, so nothing will obstruct your view. We think the views from the midpoint of the bridge are best.

6. Observatory Hill Lookout

Observatory Hill is located in The Rocks and offers a great view of Harbour Bridge. This elevated hill is free to visit and open all day.

Observatory Hill Lookout | mroz/shutterstock.com

7. Dawes Point Reserve

Dawes Point Reserve is a parklike area that sits under the south side of Harbour Bridge and the South Pylon. From this area, there are several viewpoints worth mentioning.

On the east side of this small peninsula, next to the Park Hyatt Sydney, you can look across the harbor to the Opera House.

Dawes Point Reserve | Best Views of Sydney

On the opposite side of the reserve, at Ives Steps Wharf, you can look up at the Harbour Bridge and across the harbor to Luna Park.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park

8. Luna Park

Luna Park is a colorful amusement park located on Sydney Harbour, next to the Harbour Bridge.

From the ferry dock right outside of the park, you get one of the best iconic views of Sydney. At this spot, you can see both Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, making this another must-visit spot for photographers who want to capture the best sunset views of Sydney.

The view from Luna Park | Best Views of Sydney

The entrance into Luna Park is also a popular photography location in Sydney. This giant, smiling face has changed multiple times over the years. In the evening it is illuminated, giving it a somewhat creepy but mesmerizing appearance.

9. Jeffrey Street Wharf

The Jeffrey Street Wharf is just a short walk from Luna Park and offers a slightly different vantage point of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. To get here from Luna Park, take a stroll along the harbor, under the bridge and past Milsons Point, to the Jeffrey Street Wharf. It’s just a 6-minute walk and filled with awesome views of the harbor.

Jeffrey Street Wharf | Dominic Meinardi/shutterstock.com

10. Cremorne Point

Cremorne Point is another viewpoint on the north side of Sydney Harbour where you can get a view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It’s farther away than Luna Park and Jeffrey Street Wharf, so it’s only worth it if you are determined to photograph Sydney from all angles.

Cremorne Point | Nur Ismail Photography/shutterstock.com

11. Blues Point Reserve

Blue Point Reserve is another peninsula that juts out into the harbor. This viewpoint is located west of Harbour Bridge and Luna Park and it gives you a wonderful view of Harbour Bridge.

Blues Point Reserve | Taras Vyshnya/shutterstock.com

12. From the Ferry

For one of the best views of Sydney, ride the ferry. On this ride, you’ll cruise right past the Opera House and the views are unforgettable. Depending on your destination, you’ll cruise under the Harbour Bridge or get to see the homes that sit along the edge of the harbor.

One of the shortest ferry rides is from Circular Quay to Luna Park. The ferry ride to the Taronga Zoo is particularly scenic, especially as you sail past the Opera House. Tyler raves about the Manly Ferry, which includes views of the Opera House and much of Sydney Harbour.

View from the ferry

View of the Opera House from the ferry

On the ferry to Manly

13. The Taronga Zoo

On a visit to the Taronga Zoo, not only do you get the scenic ferry ride to get here, and the chance to see and learn about native Australian wildlife, but the zoo also has great views of the Sydney skyline.

The Taronga Zoo

The view from Taronga Zoo | Best Views of Sydney

14. Watson’s Bay

Located on the South Head peninsula in East Sydney is a seaside enclave that offers more stunning views of the Sydney skyline.

Walk the South Head Heritage Trail, a short walk along the end of the peninsula that takes you past Lady Bay Beach to the Hornby Lighthouse. Along this walk, you can see the Sydney skyline in the distance. It’s flat, about 1 km long and takes 30 minutes. During the winter into early spring, it’s possible to see humpback whales from Hornby Lighthouse.

Also in Watson’s Bay you can visit the viewpoint of The Gap, a rugged, rocky coastline that is another popular photography spot.

View along the South Head Heritage Trail | Best Views of Sydney

Lady Bay Beach

15. Sydney Tower Eye

The Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in Sydney and the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. At a staggering 309m (1,014ft) tall, the Sydney Tower’s observation deck offers the ultimate 360° view of the city.

For a more thrilling view of Sydney, don a harness and walk on the outdoor skywalk. This Skywalk adventure is filled with amazing views, great photo opportunities, and a couple glass floors to remind you just how high up you truly are.

The view from Sydney Tower Eye

16. Drinks or Dinner with a View

There is a long list of bars and restaurants with a view of the Sydney Harbor. This city sparkles at night and enjoying the view over dinner is one of the best experiences to have on a trip to Sydney.

Here are a few recommended restaurants and bars.

Café Sydney is located in Circular Quay. With floor to ceiling windows, almost every table has a view of Harbour Bridge.

A view of Sydney Harbour Bridge at night from Cafe Sydney | Best Views of Sydney

Opera Bar. Mentioned earlier, this outdoor bar sits next to the Opera House and you get an unbeatable view of Harbour Bridge.

Bennelong. This fine dining restaurant is located inside of the Opera House, so it’s not so much about getting a skyline view of Sydney as simply being inside of the Opera House.

MCA Café. The MCA Café is the café at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This café has outdoor seating on a terrace with a view of the Opera House and Circular Quay. The museum is located next to The Rocks. It is free to visit the museum.

Oncore by Clare Smyth. Located on the 26th floor of the Crown Sydney, this luxurious bar and restaurant boasts stunning views of the harbor, Opera House, and Harbour Bridge. We only had cocktails here, which were amazing. The restaurant is one of the top luxury dining experiences in Sydney.

The view from Oncore by Clare Smyth

Glenmore Arms. Glenmore Arms is located in The Rocks. The rooftop bar and terrace have views across The Rocks to the Opera House. This is a very popular bar to visit in The Rocks.

The view from the rooftop at Glenmore Arms

Quay Restaurant. This restaurant is located on Circular Quay and has a great view of the Opera House. Just be aware that it is located next to the cruise ship dock, so if a cruise ship is in town, all you’ll get a view of is the side of the ship.

17. From a Helicopter

For arguably the best views of Sydney, there’s no better way to see it than from the sky. Both Blue Sky Helicopters and Sydney HeliTours offer flightseeing flights of Sydney ranging from 20 to 60 minutes. You also have the option to take a scenic flight of the Blue Mountains or a doors-off tour.

The view from a helicopter | pisaphotography/shutterstock.com

18. Icebergs Pool

Icebergs pool is a world-famous swimming pool built on the southern edge of Bondi Beach. It is one of the most photographed pools in the world.

Not only is Icebergs an iconic swimming pool, but it’s also a high-end restaurant and bar that overlooks Bondi Beach. Come here for a delicious meal, enjoy a cocktail in the sun, and watch the surfers.

Bondi Beach and Icebergs Pool

Drinks at Icebergs Restaurant

19. On a Coastal Walk

There are several coastal walks in Sydney that take you to long, sandy beaches, past rugged coastlines, and to notable places such as the Icebergs pool.

The Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk is the most well-known. This is a 6.4 km (4 mile) walk along Sydney’s eastern shores that takes about 2 to 3 hours. On this walk, you will see Coogee Beach, Bronte Beach, and Bondi Beach, plus the Icebergs pool.

The view along the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk

Another awesome walk is Spit to Manly. This experience combines one of the most scenic ferry rides in Sydney with a walk past more gorgeous beaches and the suburbs of Sydney. The walk is 10 km (6.2 miles) point-to-point.

Spit to Manly Walk

20. From Your Hotel Room

Imagine starting and ending each day with views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbor. Here are a few hotels with the best views of Sydney.

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. This hotel offers panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It also has an unbeatable location next to Circular Quay and The Rocks. If you want to splurge on a room with a view, this is our top pick.

The view from the Four Seasons

Park Hyatt Sydney. This hotel is located on Sydney Harbor and has a spectacular view of the Opera House. On top of the hotel sits a pool with panoramic views of the harbor, The Rocks, and Harbour Bridge.

The Park Hyatt. The rooftop terrace has an excellent view of the Opera House and Harbour. This photo was taken from Harbour Bridge.

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. This hotel is not as pricey as the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt, but it also boasts a great location and wonderful views. It is located in Circular Quay just steps from the Opera House.

Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay. From the upper rooms of this hotel, you will overlook Circular Quay and the Opera House.

Sydney Harbour YHA. If you are traveling on a budget, it is possible to stay at a property with a great view of the harbor. This hostel is located in The Rocks. From the rooftop terrace, enjoy the panoramic view of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Circular Quay.

Best Views of Sydney on a Map

Our Favorite Views of Sydney

If you have limited time in Sydney and can only visit a few spots, we narrowed down the list to our favorite views of Sydney:

• Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
• Luna Park
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• From a ferry
• The Opera Bar
• From a restaurant with a view of the harbor
• On a coastal walk
• The Taronga Zoo

The view from Luna Park

If you have any questions about the best views of Sydney, or if you would like to share your favorites, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Australia

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide. And tips and tricks for taking great photos in our article How to Take Better Photos while Traveling.

SYDNEY: Get started with our Sydney Bucket List, which contains 40 of the best things to do in Sydney. We also have a guide to 20 great restaurants and bars in Sydney, the best beaches in Sydney, where to stay in Sydney, the Spit to Manly walk, and a Guide to Skydiving in Sydney.

SYDNEY ITINERARIES: Learn how to plan your time with our One Day in Sydney itinerary, 2 Days in Sydney Itinerary, our 3 Days in Sydney Itinerary, and our 4 Days in Sydney Itinerary.

BLUE MOUNTAINS: Get started with our article Best Things to Do in the Blue Mountains and learn how to spend one day in the Blue Mountains. We also have a guide on how to visit Scenic World, how to hike the Wentworth Falls Track Loop, and a detailed trail guide for the Grand Canyon Track.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: One of the best things to do in South Australia is to visit the wine regions near Adelaide. Plan your visit with our Guide to McLaren Vale, our Guide to Barossa Valley, and our Guide to Clare Valley.

MELBOURNE: Melbourne is one of our favorite cities in Australia. Learn about the Best Things to Do in Melbourne and get a recap of our experiences here.

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