10 Unusual Things to do in Sydney

Whether you are a local or just planning a visit to Sydney here are 10 unusual fun things to do in Sydney that don’t involve a museum or the opera house. This may just surprise you.

There are no shortage of beachside offerings in Sydney. Let’s start with a view of Bondi Beach below. Beautiful isn’t it?

Yes, well we are moving on now because if you are visiting Sydney or looking for something new then Bondi is off the list today, but for other days, check the link attached.

1. Fish  

Let’s start with something that involves seawater. If you get up really early you can get a birds eye view of the fish auctions at the Sydney Fish Market then get a guided tour around the amazing array of seafood on the auction floor. It is the biggest market in the southern hemisphere and has the third biggest variety of seafood species for sale in a marketplace in the world. Surprisingly at least 56% of the catch comes from NSW waters and 29% from interstate. The remainder is imported from overseas, mainly New Zealand. Around 55,000 kg of fish a day is sold. This also puts you in pole position for being first in the line for lunch. Here at the markets there are many outlets selling cooked and raw seafood ready to eat on the spot. Warning it gets crowded AND take a very empty stomach with you.

Read about the Sydney Fish Market Tours here.

2. Axe

Let’s take a step away from food for a brief moment. Just say you are feeling a little stressed out or competitive, is that you? If any of these are you or if you just want to see the tom foolery down at Maniax then step this way. In the inner west precinct of St Peter’s not far from the city lights is a warehouse where you can throw axes. Yes, you can.

Schilling and Thomas, Maniax’s creators are airline pilots who came upon this idea whilst living in Canada. It has been a long road to fruition but finally you can join them and throw an axe or two. They provide the axes and the targets and even the coaching. You need to book to throw axes and at a cost of around $50.00 for two hours with coaching it sounds like a lot of fun. Primal, fun for girls and boys alike. Book here for axe action at Maniax 

Image C/O Maniax website

3. Not Bondi

Now what about a beach stay?  Are you interested in a different view of Sydney’s beach life, far away from the eastern suburbs crowds? That’s not to say that Cronulla beach is not crowded but it is a very different beach to Sydney’s Eastern beaches. Cronulla is about 40 minutes from Sydney CBD and has a host of reasonable accommodation options. It can be reached by train but a car would be more convenient for drives around the headland of Kurnell and out to Botany Bay National Park.  A walk around the headland will inevitably lead to a cafe or restaurant that has just as much to offer as anything in the East. This is fast becoming a new Mecca for Sydney’s backpackers, who want beach without the Bondi prices. For budget or a holiday feel try Cronullas  Silver Beach Tourist park a short drive from the beach on the headland further out and check out some of the local walks and lookouts on their website too! There are lots of options on  Stayz.  Bars, restaurants and the sound of the waves crashing await.

4. The Goods Line- Sydney CBD

The idea to tackle wasted urban space grew from the High Line in New York. Where an abandoned railway line running through Chelsea and the Meatpacking districts and beyond has been so successful it has become one of the city’s premier tourist destinations. Our Goods Line redevelopment promises much the same. It promises to be just as good and maybe even more useful as it will also serve as a thoroughfare to travel across to Darling Harbour through Ultimo. It already has a lovely feel to it and cafes are springing up along the route. Currently, it starts at one of Sydney’s hottest restaurant precincts, Chippendale and winds past eye-popping building scenery at the University of Technology and on to Darling harbour. Goodsline walk   This is a great walk you must see.

5. Walking and Eating

What about a walk around the city eating food?.  Yep a food tour. All aboard for bakeries, restaurants and beer. Of course there are a lot on offer but for a diverse selection of local choices head to www.foodi.com.au. Chocolate, dumplings, High tea, cupcakes. You name it they probably have it.  I love this kind of tour because you get a bit of history and lots of food!

6. Paddle Wheeler

One of the biggest and most important rivers in the Sydney basin is home to a fun and very scenic tour. The Nepean Belle Paddle Wheeler Boat Tour offers relaxing Devonshire Tea, Lunch and Dinner cruises every week, cruising on the Nepean River into the spectacular Nepean Gorge and Blue Mountains National Park. It could be a far more interesting way to be introduced to the Blue Mountains than a drive up winding roads. Penrith/ Emu Plains, about an hour by train from the CBD, is the hop-off point for this unusual tour. Cruise in old world style on a boat that looks like you are on a movie set. Make a splash here 

Photo C/O Nepean Belle website.

6. Drink

Back in town and looking for the Ultimate rooftop bar? Look no further than the newly refurbished Hotel Palisade in Millers Point. Rescued from the wrecking ball this bar and hotel has stunning views of Sydney. The ground floor is Pub territory, hip, styled and fun with imaginative Pub Food. It is the bar up there at the top that everyone is talking about. The Henry Deane, up on the rooftop is a split level cocktail bar with wrap around views, interesting cocktails and some lush styling and food to help the drinks go down.  If you didn’t bring your good pumps with you head to the Glenmore Hotel Rooftop, for a completely relaxed rooftop experience.

For more rooftop bars try Time Outs Guide here.

In fact it is fascinating to wander around this part of Sydney where the old meets the new. Walk up Argyle Street from George Street in the Rocks.

7. Wooloomooloo, Pretty  & Tasty

Wooloomooloo is not just for pies.  No, it’s not. As well as that pie van that everyone visits this area has an abundance of interesting places to visit.  The wharf is home to some of Sydney’s most stylish yachts, and a couple of its best-known restaurants. A cafe on the harbour or a balcony overlooking the water is the place to witness one of Sydney’s natural wonders at dusk. Fruit bats from the harbour side parks take to the skies in their thousands in an incredible nightly migration. After this of course, you are free to explore the many pubs bars and restaurants in this historical part of Sydney. There is a cocktail bar in the unusual surroundings of the Ovolo Hotel and across the road, there are a host of interesting pubs, small and personal to big and brassy, with craft beers, and wine, there’s something for everyone. Try the Tilbury, The Wooloomooloo Bay Hotel or enjoy a seafood feast at Manta Restaurant or while away the early evening with a metre long Pizza at Criniti’s on the Wharf. Try Flour and Stone one of Sydney’s best known bakeries.

Photography: Flour and Stone Website Image

8. Luna Park

Want to be part of Sydney’s history in a fun way? Sure you do. It’s part of Sydney’s heritage. I used to dream of going there as a kid and believe me you can still have fun. Imagine being on a ride with a birdseye view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The big Ferris wheel at night is a special thing to experience. There are more than 20 rides, including the dizzying Spider, hilarious Tumble Bug and the classic carousel, a little tame by some of today’s standards but you will enjoy. Luna Park is located at Milson’s Point on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour near Lavender Bay. It’s easy to get to by car, public bus, train or ferry. Park entry is free, and ride tickets vary in price and range from $20 to $40.

Image from the standard .com

9. Small Brewery Tours

Hipster’s and Hops otherwise known as Dave’s Brewery Tours is where it is at in the brewery tour stakes. So many small brewing companies have opened up in Sydney it is hard to keep up. If you are mad for the Ale then this is a tour you will enjoy. It is a full 7 hour day. So get your sturdy shoes and be prepared to get to know your fellow brew fiends because this tour takes you to the inner west via Surry Hills. It includes lunch at one of Marrickville’s premier Gastro Pubs, The Henson Hotel. It covers Young Henry’s Batch Brewing, The Royal Albert, Rocks Brewing and more. $160. Itinerary here.  Or Check this map and compile your own tour.

10. Culture Scouts

This is a great way to get in amongst it straight up. Food, art and drinks. Perfect. What is it?

Culture Scouts was created to show people “creative” Sydney. It doesn’t matter if you are a visitor or a resident they will show you the best Sydney has to offer in art, food, wine and beer. Art of the streets is their passion and they know where to find it, who made it and what it all means. The tours are designed to show the best of Sydney Street art combined with some of the best eateries and drinking holes. From street art to craft beer, hidden galleries to the best
coffee around, Culture Scouts offers up the best of Sydney using local guides to help you explore.
With tours capped at 15 people, you can be sure you’re getting a personalised experience.

Now go get ’em Sydney is waiting for you.

These are NOT sponsored links. MKS.