6 Things You Never Thought You Could Do in Sydney

So you've been to the Sydney Opera House, sunbathed yourself through at Bondi, and left a happy camper. You had a great time - or maybe you've just heard stories about it. But what if there was a completely new layer of magic beyond the first one? Sydney is more than just its Opera House and Harbour Bridge - its nooks and crannies cover nuance beyond our wildest dreams.

Do you want to travel like a local or wish to rediscover the place from a whole new perspective? If so, there’s no time to waste - pack your bags and book your next adventure with us!

1. Vibe with the Locals at a Festival

There’s nothing that unites a community like a celebration, so why not partake and discover a whole new facet of the Sydneyside culture? Festivals that run the gamut from the somber to the spectacular are held all year round, and each event has a flair that tells its own story. Some upcoming events include:

Sydney Comedy Festival (22 April - 19 May 2019)
Vivid Sydney (24 May - 15 June 2019)
Listen Out (September 2019)

Vivid Sydney in particular is a festival every traveller should experience. Featuring extravagant visual installations and performances by local and international acts, revellers will get to see Sydney during winter in a whole new light.

Other yearly rituals include Sydney’s Field Day, a star-studded electronic music festival held on New Year’s Day every year, and the Sydney Festival, a citywide cultural extravaganza that takes place from January to February.

2. Dine at Sydney’s Finest Contemporary Restaurants

Often overlooked by first-time tourists, Sydney’s restaurant scene is an established one, with new quality offerings opening year after year, and plenty of critics to bring the culture full circle. Sustainability is a buzzword in the society of 2019, and restaurateurs are adapting to reflect this trend as well.

Josh Niland, head chef of Saint Peter in Sydney, centres his restaurant around this concept, serving only locally sourced seafood in a minimalist establishment. Niland’s offerings have earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business, having won the title of Australia’s best chef in 2018’s Financial Review Australia Top 100 Restaurants awards.

3. Uncover the Hidden Wonders of Sydney

Part of a city's allure lies in its eclectic blend of the new and the traditional. As one treks through an urban jungle of glass and metal, he or she might find a facet of preserved or undiscovered history that once formed the bedrock of old. Being Australia's oldest city, Sydney has plenty of such places in store - you just have to know where to look.

One such visual wonder can be found at a secluded stairwell off Martin Place, in the Angel Place precinct, an office building surrounding by timeless architecture. Titled "Forgotten Songs", the empty birdcages are complemented with the birdsongs of native species which change from day to night. An inner-city installation that seeks to represent the region’s diversity pre-colonization, it is one of many pieces within Sydney that are easy on the eye, but coupled with more skeptical messages.

Some other places worth checking out include:

• Mitchell Library Reading Room, State Library of NSW
• The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden
• Wylie’s Baths, Coogee

4. Be Wowed at the Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, located in prime historical estate within The Rocks, cement Sydney's position as a creative and cultural powerhouse in the region. Constantly changing up its repertoire of installations, the museum guarantees a novel experience every time you step into its melting pot of today, tomorrow, and yesterday (which also happens to be the name of its currently running exhibition of its collections!)

Intrigued? Have a look at MCA Australia’s upcoming exhibitions, and immerse yourself in the curiosities of culture.

5. Observe a New Side of Opera with Sydney’s Backstage Tours

You’re probably already checked the Sydney Opera House off your to-do list during your first trip to Sydney, or are looking to at least stop by when you first touchdown. Why not take that goal one step further, and learn all about what lies beneath the sails of this city symbol?

Join one of many intimate tours of Sydney’s various theatre hallmarks, including the omnipresent Opera House, Capitol Theatre, and the State Theatre. Learn about the immense amount of work that goes behind each stage performance, and get the inside scoop on the secrets and shenanigans of life behind the curtains and applause.

6. Watch the Whales in New South Wales

There is an undeniable influence of wildlife present in Australia, even in highly urbanized cities like Sydney. The upside of this is that sometimes, wildlife comes to you! On the turn of May, humpback whales begin their migratory movements north to mate and give birth, and their route brings them right past Sydney via the New South Wales coastline.

Pick your vantage point, and prepare for a picnic like no other along the coasts of the city. Whether it's a short bushwalk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse or hiking to the end of the Royal National Park trail, seeing these majestic beasts breach out of the water or slap their fins will open your eyes to the sheer expanse of nature.

Sydney is a piece of urban magic - it’s different every time you visit, but in a beautiful way. If you crave a journey that’s as enjoyable as the destination, we have a little surprise for you! Book a Qantas return flight from Singapore to Sydney and quote UNDISCOVERNSW under the discount code box for an instant $20 off. If you’re looking to stay for awhile, we have something for that as well - book both a flight and a 3-day stay with us, and get $100 off your next booking with us. Find out more here!