Sydney Attractions
Circular Quay
Nearby Circular Quay, the city’s ferry hub, is a hive of activity both day and night. Within 5 minutes walking distance from the hotel it is home to some of Sydney's most iconic attractions, including the Opera house.
- Opera House - a building like no other on earth, the Opera House is Sydney’s most popular attraction.
- Ferry Trip On The Harbour - the best way to appreciate one of the world’s great harbours, while reaching your destination.
- The Rocks Market – a lively weekend market in the heart of Sydney’s most historic suburb.
- Queen Victoria Building – an elegant, Victorian-era shopping arcade.
- Royal Botanic Gardens – A beautiful, historic garden curled around the foreshore of Sydney Harbour.
- View from the top of the AMP Centrepoint Tower a stunning panoramic view of this extraordinary scenic city.
- Art Gallery of New South Wales – one of the most comprehensive collections in the country.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour – One of the world's great waterfront destinations. Encompassing many of Australia's key tourist attractions, all travellers should visit. 13 Minutes walking distance from Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
- Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre – Australia’s premier venue for major events and conferences.
- Sydney Aquarium - one of the largest in the world with over 11,500 all Australian aquatic animals.
- Australian National Maritime Museum – free entry to Australia’s most-visited maritime museum.
- Chinese Garden of Friendship – a cultural oasis in the heart of Sydney.
- IMAX Theatre – catch a movie on this giant screen, more than eight storeys high.
- Powerhouse Museum – home to Australian culture and history.
- Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf – two of Sydney's favourite dining and entertainment destinations.
- Harbourside Shopping Centre – offers a unique shopping, dining and leisure experience.
Other Attractions
Some of Sydney's other favourite attractions are featured below - with Sofitel in the heart of the city, all options are open to you! Below are some other ideas for your activities together - please do feel free to contact us at the Hotel and our Concierge will gladly assist you.
Bondi Beach
- 7.5 km
- One of Australia’s most famous beaches, the location of the Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, officially recognised as the oldest lifesaving club in the world established in 1907. The Bondi to Bronte walk (20 minutes) or further to Coogee (80 minutes) is a popular coastal walk for both locals and visitors. Enjoy the many dining options on offer, fine dining, bistro and café styles, Bondi has it all. Please ask for directions at the concierge desk.
- 700 metres
- Hyde Park is the site of Sydney’s first horse racing track and is now given over to leafy parkland, cultural activities, gardens, water features, chess players, book readers and city sun bakers. The ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park is also a place of remembrance and reflection. There are often special events and markets in Hyde Park ask Concierge for an update.
- 11 km (ferry from Circular Quay)
- 7 miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care was Manly’s tagline for many years and it still holds true today. The 30 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay arrives at Manly Cove and from there it’s a short walk through the Corso to the ocean beach. Manly competes with Bondi as to which is the most famous Sydney beach and that rivalry extends to dining options – there are many cafes and restaurants to choose from.
- 300 metres
- It’s not until you start to pull out exhibit draws do you begin to appreciate this museum’s collection. The Museum of Sydney is built on the site of Sydney’s first Governor’s residence and evidence from the original foundations has been retained. The museum forecourt, known as First Government House Place, preserves the remaining foundations of the house below, while above ground the extraordinary art installation Edge of the Trees marks the site of first contact between the British colonisers and the Gadigal people.
- 700 metres
- See flora from around the world and the most unique Australian tree, the Wollemi Pine, which was only recently discovered. The Wollemi Pine is one of world's oldest and rarest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs and there are less than 100 adult trees known to exist in the wild. The setting for the Royal Botanic Gardens is exquisite, nestled between Macquarie Point and the Opera House. Beware gates are locked at sunset ! Sofitel is a sponsor of The Friends of the Gardens which supports our love of the Botanicals.
- 1.4 km
- Sydney Aquarium is dedicated to presenting the unique aquatic life of some of these habitats to highlight their ecological importance and the necessity of conserving them for the future. From the fierce and frightening to the slow and slimy the range of sea, lake, estuary and river creatures is vast. Located in Darling Harbour, an easy walk from the hotel and is open until 9pm.
- 1.1 km
- The world’s larges steel arch bridge, affectionately know to locals as the ‘coathanger’ the bridge was open in 1932, and consists of 6 million hand driven rivets.
- It gets walked over, ridden over and travelled over by tens of thousands of people each and every day. Sydney’s quintessential activity would have to be experiencing BridgeClimb – over 2.5 million climbers have clambered to the top of this famous landmark. Please see the team at the concierge desk for reservation to see what all the fuss is about.
- 1.4 km
- A magical place to visit. A handsome stone building with its distinctive copper telescope domes. Built in 1858 it is a gentle walk to Observatory Hill from the Rocks. As well as an observatory it is also a museum and educational centre that reflects its past as an astronomical observatory, timekeeper, signal station and meteorology centre. Bookings for viewings at night are essential.
- 3.5 km (ferry from Circular Quay)
- A 15 minute ferry ride will deliver you to this wonderfully located zoo with marvellous views over Sydney Harbour, pencil in a full day or at least a half day for this one. Fun for Adults and children.
