Sydney - An A to Z List

What is this?

An alphabetically arranged list of places to visit in Sydney.

Who is this for?

You are in Sydney and you’re in need of an alphabetically sorted list of places to check out.

A to C

Anime at Abbotsford

  • Location: Main store and city store
  • What?
    • An anime-related store which has lots of figurines, plushies, and other merchandise.
    • They have 2 branches, one in the city and the other in Abbotsford and it’s worth checking out both.
      • The city store has an entire half dedicated to displaying anime figurines which assists in decision-making on which waifu/husbando to get.
      • The Abbotsford store is the OG store and has a much more varied collection. Plus, it’s in Abbotsford which is a pretty place with cute houses.
    • Check out their website if you want something very specific.
  • Why?
    • This is the best anime-related store in Sydney.
    • They give discounts for members!
    • Becoming a member is free and there is no sign-up involved.

Anime Kaika

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yjHfRFbHY9vq9Zss7
  • What?
    • An anime-related store which has figurines, plushies, and other merchandise.
  • Why?
    • They are pricier than Abbotsford.
    • They are located near other interesting Asian stores.
  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VosCR2jjVZ6H5HCf9
  • What?
    • A massive art gallery featuring all kinds of art spanning from classical art to contemporary art.
  • Why?
    • It’s massive and it has a selection which has something for everyone.
    • There are 2 buildings.
      • The old building features a lot of classical paintings and exhibits. The building itself is beautiful to look at.
      • The new building features more contemporary art and it hosts artists’s exhibitions (like Louise Bourgeois for example).

Australia Museum

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gW3etSWDPLxNbDYs6
  • What?
    • It’s the museum.
  • Why?
    • It has everything you would want from a museum: Dinosaurs, rare earth minerals (shiny rocks), Aboriginal art, stuffed animals, and nice smelling cafes.
    • A few exhibits were very cool and engaging. For instance, there was one exhibit about the anatomy of a T-Rex and I learned how MASSIVE a T-Rex’s heart was.

Baja Cantina

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fQTRYkTP1YhW2fi8A
  • What?
    • Mexican restaurant.
  • Why?
    • Good Mexican restaurant.
    • It’s close to Glebe Market so you can stop by if you’re craving something Mexican.
    • Their green sauce is spicy and nice man.

Barangaroo

Bondi Beach

Bondi-Coogee Walk

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rp9zxcTEuP41f53y5
  • What?
    • An amazing walk covering Sydney’s beautiful beaches.
  • Why?
    • It is beautiful.
    • It is engaging.
      • There’s around 6 beaches, each with its own uniqueness.
      • You get to see gorgeous views of the water while you’re flanked by Sydney’s hills and cliffs.
    • You can gawk at the amazing beachside houses of the ultra rich.

Broadway

Burwood Chinatown

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xxzR57dmRZXY2TTo7
  • What?
    • A shopping complex mimicking the neon-heavy vibes of famous Chinatowns.
  • Why?
    • There are a huge amount of different Asian (fast) food to try here.
    • Tanghulu, mochi donuts, skewers, big-ass fried chicken, etc.
    • The place is filled with neon signs and pays homage to the Chinatowns of old. It looks great in the night.

Butt Street

Butter

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BMN4KyQCQNpnVJpM9
  • What?
    • Fried chicken place in Surry Hills.
  • Why?
    • It’s a nice fried chicken place in Surry Hills.
    • Their fried chicken + donut combo comes with a piece of butter which melts into the chicken and the donut!
    • The atmosphere of the place is nice too with dim, purple lights.

Canberra

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wM4GD5Rf8qa29Sdt6
  • What?
    • The capital of Australia 🇦🇺
  • Why?
    • Sydney is where the heart is.
    • The Sydney<->Canberra drive is nice. There are A LOT of hills which you would want to roll on but you can’t.
    • The parliament (new and old), the war museum, and the national art gallery are all worth checking out. They are not just places with info dumps but they are educative in the fun way.

Castle Towers

Chatswood

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RUhJSJJuZaZzkEra6
  • What?
    • It’s Chatswood.
  • Why?
    • Chatswood has got good vibes. I cannot pinpoint why but the whole place has a nice feel to it.
    • The station has both metro and rail.
    • The shops are super close to the station.
    • There is a Mochi Donuts shop close to the station.
    • The mall is nice. There’s a San Churros.
    • Just go there.

Chau Chak Wing Museum

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tvnLZkcbcdwgAC387
  • What?
    • A neat museum located inside University of Sydney.
  • Why?
    • The museum is not too big and you can cover most of it pretty quickly.
    • Their collection ranges from Egyptian mummies to Roman antiques and more cool stuff.

Cinnabon

Circular Quay

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/arFyeWNDoQq9Y6r7A
  • What?
    • It’s pronounced “Circular Key”.
  • Why?
    • It’s the quay to the city’s beauty.
    • You have the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
    • The big cruise ships stop here and there are plenty of stores/food places.
    • It is the spot for the NYE fireworks (which is super duper ultra crowded) and the Australia Day fireworks (which is super crowded). I could make it for the Australia Day fireworks and it was worth it.

Cockatoo Island

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h8r9unfySENGdsRy6
  • What?
    • A prison with some of the best views of Sydney.
  • Why?
    • It has some amazing views of Sydney.
    • The place has a history to it and the history has been well documented.
    • The construction is very impressive and it makes you think how they had built during those times.
    • There is also a tunnel/cave which has superb natural air conditioning.

Cumberland State Forest

Customs House

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/E9BiRrHi2ikNLd2j8
  • What?
    • Sydney’s original customs house.
  • Why?
    • They have a cute miniature of the city.
    • They have free WiFi in their library.
    • They have got a cafe and bar too!

D to G

D’Penyetz

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qrr69TEKyvo7s3WL6
  • What?
    • A nice Indonesian restaurant.
  • Why?
    • They have good Indonesian food.
    • The food is spicy.
    • The bill won’t burn a hole in your pocket. (Only the spice will burn your stomach in a good way)

Darling Harbour

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YEyanVEezjF4Y2Zw7
  • What?
    • It’s a harbour, darling.
  • Why?
    • A beautiful harbour which lets you appreciate Sydney’s waters and the skyline.
    • There are plenty of fancy shops and food places so you won’t be bored while enjoying the views.
    • It’s a nice walk during the night and feel the cool breeze.

Dick Street

Din Tai Fung

Eastwood

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BepKFvuvHgf4xCLX9
  • What?
    • An Asian-dominated suburb in North Sydney.
  • Why?
    • It’s got a cool story.
    • The Korean and Chinese “sides” of the suburb are culturally divided and also physically divided by the train line.
    • The strong cultural presence makes for plenty of authentic shops and food spots.
    • Jean’s Fried Chicken is good.

Elizabeth Farm

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwkFXmfTKpsPafse6
  • What?
    • A really, really old estate.
  • Why?
    • It’s a wonderful piece of history. There is both Sydney’s history and history of the family which lived there.
    • The place has been well-maintained and serves as a time capsule for the early 19th century.
    • The family has a dark history which is interesting to learn about.
    • The house is fun to explore and there is a satisfying tactile feeling to everything.

Experiment Farm Cottage

Ferry

  • Location: The one at Circular Quay
  • What?
    • It’s a ferry you furry.
  • Why?
    • Train? Cab? Bike? NO, FERRY!
    • It’s fun experience and is sometimes the most time efficient too.
    • Take one which goes under the Harbour Bridge.

Fortress

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cXNrLdKBcxiQ5K877
  • What?
    • A nerd/geek hub.
  • Why?
    • It’s a good place to hang for gamers and other members of their kind.
    • They regularly host fun events related to anime, games, etc.
    • Even board game enthusiasts will have something to their liking.

Freddy’s Fried Chicken

Glebe Market

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hEamJSq43JCbhy6z6
  • What?
    • A local pop-up market which takes place in a nice suburb.
  • Why?
    • Glebe is nice area to begin with.
    • There are tons of clothes, perfumes, and other art stuff.
    • There’s good food too.
    • There is a lot of diversity in what is being offered in the various stalls but I observed a lack of diversity among the people who had their stalls.

Golden Age Cinema & Bar

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQZimjiMMAWS47c58
  • What?
    • Single-screen cinema playing nice, curated movies.
  • Why?
    • This is a must-visit if you’re a cultured movie buff. They have a curated selection and most often the movies playing here have something remarkable about it.
    • They even play a few classics. I watched “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” here.
    • The crowd is also nice as they’re serious about movies too.

Google

  • Location: PYR and ODI
  • What?
    • Google’s offices.
  • Why?
    • PYR has fewer nerds, ODI is a cooler office.
    • The food is amazing with different cuisines available at each.
    • Both the offices overlook the bay so eating on the outisde seating is a really pretty sight.

Grill’d

H to N

Harbour Bridge

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SBC1UD8s3crLi3oi7
  • What?
    • Look ma, it’s the Sydney bridge!
  • Why?
    • It is the 2nd most popular thing about Sydney.
    • The bridge is actually cool.
    • You can appreciate its' engineering when you walk or drive on it.
    • It’s also an aesthetic hallmark of Sydney.
    • Check out the Pylon Lookout if you’re interested in the history of the bridge and want to take pretty pictures of Sydney’s skyline.
    • Check out the Bridge Climb if you’re not afraid of heights and you want to conquer this iconic bridge.

Harris Park

Haymarket

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6qDEMYc8ck3YruWG9
  • What?
    • Asian-dominated inner city suburb.
  • Why?
    • It has plenty of interseting stores.
    • It is home to the Chinatown.
    • It’s a stop on the Light Rail network.

Ice Kirin Bar

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GpNDjXrdgELgiPtL8
  • What?
    • Nice ice cream place.
  • Why?
    • Their desserts are conceptually cool and are actually tasty.
    • Try out their mochi ice cream which is actually some good mochi ice cream.

Katoomba Falls

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rye1daAYB1RYj19t6
  • What?
    • Waterfall among the Blue Mountains.
  • Why?
    • The Blue Mountains are ever-present when you start heading west of the city and Katoomba Falls is a great spot to get a feel of the Blue Mountains.
    • The views are amazing and the trek(?) is thrilling. There are plenty of options which cater the experience to your liking.
    • Scenic World’s offerings are interesting too.

Kinokuniya

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9vKbqx7DngpYtn2d7
  • What?
    • It’s books, Kinokuniya.
  • Why?
    • THE BIGGEST AND BEST BOOK STORE IN SYDNEY!
    • THEY HAVE SO MANY BOOKS!
    • Bookworms will feel anxious here when they look at the sheer number of books available.
    • They have incredible selection too and you’re more likely to find the book you’re searching for here rather anywhere else.

Koi Dessert Bar

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wxyR33vaaYS2xEUE7
  • What?
    • Dessert place by a MasterChef dude.
  • Why?
    • THE DESSERTS ARE AMAZING!
    • They are breathtaking to look at and mouthwatering to eat.
    • They aren’t even that pricey.
    • DO NOT MISS THIS!

Koko Kawaii

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FYUG4DRXPmwUPDqs6
  • What?
    • A kawaii arts-focused cafe.
  • Why?
    • They have decent food/drinks at good prices.
    • They have a few art activities you can take part in. I took the cookie coloring activity where I got a cute bear cookie and I colored it to make it an ugly bear cookie which I proceeded to eat.
    • The cafe is cute too with its kawaii aesthetic.

Lego Store

Lorne

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kqSwJ73umadtZYgz6
  • What?
    • A village on the Great Ocean Road.
  • Why?
    • It’s an amazing stop on the Great Ocean Road.
    • The village has really good, chill vibes.
    • It’s a tourist hotspot so there are plenty of authentic food places too.

Macquare Ice Rink

Macquarie Centre

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5StmS4zS41uotNHh6
  • What?
    • It’s a shopping mall.
  • Why?
    • THERE IS A MOCHI DONUTS!
    • The mall is nice. It’s got a non-standard layout where the floors are on an incline. You can move between floors without ever feeling that you’re “climbing” stairs.

Mamak

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kMdT925RDgf12rBi8
  • What?
    • Malaysian restaurant.
  • Why?
    • An amazing, pocket-friendly, taste-bud enticing Malaysian restaurant.
    • Their food is authentic (IMO) and tastes great.
    • I had my first roti canai here and I have become a fan of it ever since.

Manly

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YTLdheZ7V9zDWXyp7
  • What?
    • It’s where the rich people stay.
  • Why?
    • I don’t think there’s any public transport to Manly apart from buses. That tells a lot about it.
    • Plenty of rich people stay here and their houses are cool to look at.
    • The stores and food places are good and there are a different selection compared to the other suburbs you will visit.
    • The Manly beach is a nice place and plenty of people come here to have fun.

Maruyu

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jTWiPUN3YMTDgmmC9
  • What?
    • A small, cute Japanese store.
  • Why?
    • You can come here for your Japanese grocery and miscellanea fix.
    • Don’t expect a lot of stuff but there is a good chance there is something for you here.
    • The staff are friendly and that’s a big plus.

Melbourne

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PFAaVLXXA5EnUkg49
  • What?
    • We all know Sydney (property prices) > Melbourne
  • Why?
    • Melbourne is a vibrant, youthful city which feels faster than Sydney.
    • It has a more artistic and punk persona compared to Sydney.
    • The Yarra river bridge is an amazing spot to be at during the night. The city is lit up and you get to see all kinds of people enjoying what Melbourne has to offer.
    • Flinders Street should definitely be on your to-visit list.
    • The Chinatown is bigger than Sydney and it has more restaurants all of which seem interesting.
    • Melbourne’s alleyways are adorned with graffiti so try to catch them all!
    • Do not forget to try some coffee while you’re here!
    • Philip Island Wildlife Park is not too far and you get to feed kangaroos there!
    • Fun story: The art gallery here was basically turned into a club with music blaring over the speakers when I had visited it.

Mochi Donuts

Mochipang

  • Location: Visit their website or they are stocked at Thai Kee IGA
  • What?
  • Nice mochi.
  • Why?
    • Nice, tasty (and slightly pricy) mochi
    • Some of the best mochi I have had

Mogu

  • Location: Visit their website or they are stocked at Thai Kee IGA
  • What?
  • What?
    • More nice mochi.
  • Why?
    • Nice, tasty (and slightly pricy) mochi
    • Some of the best mochi I have had

Mrs Mcquaire Point

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bcGQCuini4p2FhMV9
  • What?
    • An historic viewpoint.
  • Why?
    • It has genuinely amazing views of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and other parts of Sydney too.
    • It almost touches the water so the sounds and sensations of the waves crashing against the viewpoint make the experience even better.

Museum of Sydney

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W4cJa1SDz1TJyDX87
  • What?
    • Sydney’s Museum.
  • Why?
    • It’s a museum about Sydney.
    • Visit this place near the tail end of your stay in Sydney and you will learn more about the city you have fallen in love with.
    • It’s a dedicated exhibition for the Sydney Opera House and the history is nicely explained.

O to Z

Oporto

Paddy’s Market

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uKfzPTJUombAP6k49
  • What?
    • All your souvenirs are belong to here.
  • Why?
    • A massive market which sends all kinds of cheap goods.
    • It’s a good place to visit if you want cheap (quality and price) souvenirs to take back home.
    • There are many kinds of other cheap trinkets available and it’s worth visting at least once.

Parramatta

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JNTrGvPbv89tM9CKA
  • What?
    • Sydney of the West
  • Why?
    • Parramatta is Sydney’s (much) lesser known brother/sister.
    • It has a good amount of fairly recent immigrant population and that makes for suburbs which have their own distinct character.
    • The Westfield mall here is big and fun to explore.
    • Auburn brings the Middle-East to you. Harris Park is part of Parramatta too. There are other vibrant suburbs which I failed to explore.
    • Do the Parramatta river walk!

Queen Victoria Building

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/P6ZbBnVYyQK95GCm8
  • What?
    • A beautiful shopping complex.
  • Why?
    • It is worth visting for its architectural beauty alone. The building is stunning inside-out.
    • There are many premium shops and cafes too.
    • There’s a massive hobby store on the top floor which I highly, highly recommend.

Sando Itchi

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FZkMN8Ta1rVkTeZQ7
  • What?
    • Tasty Japanese sandwiches.
  • Why?
    • If you haven’t had a sando before, you should definitely try it.
    • If you have had sando before, you should definitely try their sando.
    • It’s a super popular, cute place which dishes out amazing sandos.

St Mary’s Cathedral

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vCuVwvKnqK8wGyin9
  • What?
    • Sydney’s Cathedral.
  • Why?
    • It’s a beautiful work of architecture.
    • It’s Sydney’s biggest cathedral.
    • It is bustling during festive occasions and it feels great to see people coming together and having fun.

State Library of New South Wales

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/By96hgav6CEoxYCt5
  • What?
    • It’s NSW’s library.
  • Why?
    • It has a massive collection.
    • It is literally massive. The main reading hall looks breathtaking and is awe inspiring.
    • They sometimes have their own exhibits. I went to Shakespeare one where many old books and manuscripts were displayed, really cool!

Surry Hills

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y9HChoUWfQkJcUxB9
  • What?
    • One of Sydney’s most vibrant and artsy inner-city suburb.
  • Why?
    • Surry Hills has its' character. You may not like this character but you will nonetheless come to respect it as you experience it.
    • It hosts quite a few of the artistic hangs of the city (like Golden Age Cinema).
    • You’re also likely to run into very interesting individuals (or groups).
    • The houses are tiny and very NYC-ish.

Sydney Cricket Ground

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ytMVCyJN2LX7WFhP7
  • What?
    • Sydney’s cricket ground.
  • Why?
    • It’s a ground steeped in history and IIRC it’s the oldest cricket ground which has been intact in its' original form.
    • Watch a cricket match here if you can.
    • If there’s no match or you’re not interested in devoting 5 days to one, check out the guided tour of the stadium.
    • I went for the tour and I loved the experience. The tour guides were experienced (with the wrinkles to prove it) and had a deep appreciation for cricket, the ground, and Sydney (with the facts and jokes to prove it). I am not that into cricket but I too felt the importance of the events and the people which were shared during the tour.
    • Plus, you get to see the dressing rooms and the actual pitch!

Sydney Opera House

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wLjJFuHmcyARWU9i7
  • What?
    • THIS IS SYDNEY!
  • Why?
    • JUST GO HERE. IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. 10000%!
    • It is a mesmerizing showcase of architectural sensibility and engineering prowess.
    • It looks good from every angle. It looks good no matter the distance.
    • Try to attend a show here if you can.
    • The guided tour is AMAZING! It’s an hour-long performance which chronicles the history of the place while extolling its' magnificient details. The history is not straight-forward; there is a lot of loss and triumph.
    • Seriously, the guided tour is amazing. My tour guide was this incredibly funny and knowledgeable French lady, Celine, who made me feel like I was lucky to attend an hour-long history/comedy show at the Opera House.
    • See it. Feel it. Fall in love with it.

Thai Kee IGA Supermarket

The Japan Foundation

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5z3VuDEtZje3dPk89
  • What?
    • It’s (the) Japan (Foundation) in Sydney.
  • Why?
    • A calm place to get your nihongo fix.
    • They have exhibits from Japanese artists.
    • They even have a Japan-focused library which had plenty of interesting books for language learners and culture enthusiasts.

The Rocks Market

Uncle Tetsu’s

University of Sydney

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AEurYy3Eq4DhZuxs6
  • What?
    • The smartest place in Sydney.
  • Why?
    • The University is big and beautiful and it has a mix of architectural styles.
    • The main physical attraction is the Quadrangle which transports you back to the 19th century.
    • I felt smarter when I was on the campus.

UTS

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cCeKP5VWtawzD1P5A
  • What?
    • One of the smartest places in Sydney.
  • Why?
    • Their buildings are more modern but they are not boring modern. The business building is super funky.
    • The campus is largely accessible to the public and it felt nice to roam around.
    • Their anime club is cool.
  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aRWmVSgd2R9Dd3Uc7
  • What?
    • A Chinese art gallery.
  • Why?
    • A really cool art gallery.
    • They have multiple different kinds of art on display ranging from traditional paintings to ceramic handicrafts to a disco.
    • They also provide audio bites for most of their artwork so it is easily to follow along and understand the art.

Yochi