Arts & Entertainment In Sydney And NSW: Your Ultimate Bucket List

As one of the biggest cities in Australia, Sydney is the hub of all things dynamic where there is always something for every visitor to enjoy. A metropolitan city that dazzles day and night, the city keeps its visitors coming with the variety of art, culture and entertainment it has to offer. This post will be covering details about how to best plan your trip to Sydney, a destination rich with history and culture, suitable for travelers from different age groups and preferences.

Arts & Entertainment in Sydney and NSW: Your Ultimate Bucket List

Visit your art gallery of choice

There are a huge range of art galleries in Sydney that travellers with a variety of preferences can choose from. Attractions like museums, art galleries with exciting themes and pieces from all across the globe is on offer for the art enthusiasts who are keen for an immersive art admiring experience. For those seeking after some local pieces dating back from the 1880, Art Gallery of NSW, the 4th largest public gallery in Australia is definitely a place worth visiting for some artwork mostly created by Australian artists. Otherwise, Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks showcases some of the best contemporary pieces from all across the globe, with themed installations updated every week.

Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney | Source: flickr

Entertain Yourself With Some Of The World’s Most Renowned Musicals

Hosting the best musicals from all across the globe, the Capitol Theatre and State Theatre, both located in the heart of the city is definitely something that will impress you on your visit by their world class shows and exquisite architecture. The experience does not just end there – The State Theatre, with its classical design inspired by gothic and Italian elements offers a tour for those curious to discover more about the building’s history, which is rich with cultural significance. Meanwhile, The Capitol Theatre has a built-in bar, so make sure you come early before the show to enjoy a well-rounded night out while enjoying their architectural features.

Local Pointers: The Capitol Theatre is just a stroll away from Chinatown, so be sure to pop over into one of the restaurants for some night-time Asian food indulgence.

Illuminate your trip in Vivid Sydney

Occurring every year in April since 2008, Vivid Sydney is an outdoor exhibition where the whole city (yes, most importantly the iconic Opera House) lights up in the evening. It has been a very popular event attracting tourists from all across the world to witness a one-of-a-kind lightshow experience.

Vivid, Sydney 2018 | Source: flickr

Watch some operas in the Sydney Opera House

An icon for its striking, yet uni que architectural features, Sydney Opera House is home to world class opera shows worth watching whenever you come around to Sydney. Sitting among the sparkling blue waters of Sydney Harbour, it is located in the Circular Quay area, which is just a few minutes’ walk away from Sydney CBD. If it is your first time there, be sure to check in to one of their guided tours, conveniently run in six different languages daily to discover everything about this UNESCO listed masterpiece and its history. After your tour, relax and unwind in Opera Bar for some cocktails and great feed by the waters for a well-rounded night out. Circular Quay dazzles day and night – its Western side is home to The Rocks, where Australian historic pubs and restaurants are located. Serving as the cobbled laneway where European settlers stepped foot in when they first arrived to Sydney, it is named the birthplace of modern Sydney, and is extremely rich of history.

Hop on a ferry to the Northern Beaches

If you’re looking for a break from Sydney’s rush hour traffic, it would be a good idea to switch up your transport options. Explore the Northern Beaches, just a ferry ride away from Sydney Harbour over clear blue waters. Hop on a 30 minute ride, making sure to bring your camera along to take some mandatory Opera House photo ops along the way and sail across to Manly Beach. This little town has their own charm, being on the beach side making it home to local surfers.

Jervis Bay, NSW | Source: flickr

What To Do: Have brunch in The Boathouse Shelly Beach for some fresh seafood platter, or Hugo’s for a well-deserved, Modern Australian boozy brunch if you visit on the weekend. There are shops and local markets along the way too for some fun in the sun experience.

Admire art by the scenic coastline

While Australia is well known for its beautiful beaches, Sydney’s very own Bondi Beach decided to take it one step further by hosting an annual outdoor art exhibition, Sculptures By The Sea. As the world’s largest public outdoor exhibition, the event takes good advantage of Sydney’s cool spring air, attracting visitors with a variety of interests. Decorating trails along Tamarama to Bondi Beach, start your walk at Coogee Beach to truly experience the beautiful coastline stretching along the eastern areas of Sydney before admiring the sculptures up on display. With over 100 artwork, created by Australian and international artists decorating a total of 2 km sculpture park, this is definitely an event not to miss if you get to visit Sydney during mid-October, especially if getting to know Australian culture is something you were meaning to tick off your bucket list.

Sculpture By The Sea, 2017 | Source: flickr

Off The Beaten Path: Arts & Entertainment along The Coasts

Are you a frequent Sydney visitor? There is definitely more to it than what meets the eye. Exploring other destinations outside Sydney can be something you might want to consider next time you come around.

Just a few hours’ drive from Sydney, within the South Coast area is the city of Wollongong, which is perfect for a weekend escape away from the city. The area is rich with beautiful coastlines with options to join bush tucker tours about the Aboriginal community and Indigenous Australian history, adding that extra bit of cultural exposure to your scenic trip. Indulge in wildlife observation with some whale watching in the beautiful Jervis Bay, and don’t forget to stop by Kiama, a town among the beachside as you venture to the world-famous Kiama Blowhole. Just rent a car for a day or two and you’re all set to escape the hustle and bustle of busy Sydney!

Although curating this list was certainly a challenging one, given the endless options you can have to enjoy Sydney and its surrounding destinations, these are the main things you would want to note down on your bucket list, whether it’s your first, second, or hundredth time visiting Sydney. Be sure to check the local events calendar for some exclusive festivals happening around town and plan ahead to enjoy the most out of Sydney’s arts and entertainment on offer during your trip.