Sydney is one of my most favourite cities. I loved it so much that I once spent 9 months living and working in this Australian city. The people are friendly, the city is walkable and Sydney is always bursting with things to do.
Whether you're a cultural Girl about the Globe (GatG) or an active GatG, Sydney has something for any kind of solo. If you are looking for the best day tours in Sydney, here's my list of my favourite experiences.
The Sydney Opera House
1. The Sydney Opera House Tour
When you think of Sydney, one of the most iconic images that comes to mind will probably be the beautiful sail-shaped Sydney Opera House. It’s therefore no surprise this world-class performing arts building, which is over 60 years old, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Many people enjoy snapping pictures of it with the harbour in the background, but you may not know that you can also take an hour-long tour to explore some of its 1000 plus rooms and get a unique perspective on the Danish architect Jorn Utzon’s innovative design.
This tour is a great option for solo female travellers who want to add a cultural element to their trip.
Reserve your spot: The Sydney Opera House Tour
See the famous Bondi Beach
2. Sydney and Bondi Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus
Sydney is a vast city with areas of interest dotted all over its city streets and shoreline, so the Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer bus makes seeing the highlights a whole lot easier. The open top double decker bus covers 33 stops over two different routes, which are both included in one ticket.
One advantage of this tour is that it includes an audio guide available in 8 different languages, so you’ll be able to learn about the sights whilst enjoying the panoramic views.
Booking before you arrive in Australia can give you more time to plan your own itinerary so that you cover all the places you want to experience. You could even hop off at Bondi Beach and try the great Aussie pastime of surfing the waves!
Book here: Sydney and Bondi Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus
Climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge
3. BridgeClimb Sydney
Not everyone likes to experience a city from the same perspective, so for those of you who like a challenge, why not take in the spectacular views of Darling Harbour from above by climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge?
An experienced guide will lead you up the catwalks to the 134-meter summit so that you can view the beauty of the Sydney Opera House to one side and the Blue Mountains to the other. This is a fantastic option for solo travellers, as you’ll be joined on this 3.5-hour experience by up to 13 other daredevils!
Reserve your climb: BridgeClimb Sydney
See the famous Palm Beach featured in Home and Away
4. Official Home and Away Tour to Summer Bay
This small group tour enables fans of the popular TV series to experience the captivating filming locations along Palm Beach.
An expert guide will share details about the actors, history, and storylines on this 4-hour tour. You’ll also get the opportunity to re-live some of the famous scenes as you explore the picturesque coastal filming locations used to create Summer Bay.
The tour ends in the famously beautiful Manly Beach, so you can spend time like the characters of the show, soaking up the rays. You’ll be enjoying this tour with fellow fans of the show, so it’s a great way for solo travellers to share this unique travel experience.
Check prices, availability and dates: Official Home and Away Tour to Summer Bay
Can you get more breathtaking views than the Blue Mountains?
5. Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic World, Leura Village & Cruise
No trip to Sydney would be complete without experiencing the majestic Blue Mountains, seeing Australia’s native animals and taking a river cruise.
Luckily this tour combines all these and more within an exciting 10-hour day trip. At the Blue Mountains, you’ll visit Scenic World, which allows you to experience the incredible views in three different ways: from the Cableway, Skyway, and Railway.
What’s more, a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park is a great way to see some of the weird and wonderful creatures that are native to Australia. Another highlight of the trip is the view from Echo Point, where you’ll be able to take panoramic photos of the stunning Jamison Valley.
This trip is topped off by a 1-hour Fantasea River Cruise, which includes commentary as you are whisked back to Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
Check prices, availability and dates: Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic World, Leura Village & Cruise
Verdict
Is Sydney good for solos? Completely! I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It's an amazing city with lots to do and plenty of friendly people to meet. Check out the Solo Travel in Australia guide to plan your solo trip.
