SYDNEY, Australia ― Sydney is one of those places that seems to be on every American traveler’s bucket list, and for good reason. When I told friends and family that I was headed to Australia, they all said they either had been and had tips or that they’d long wanted to go.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 728,900 visitors from the U.S. entered Australia between Oct. 2024 and Sept. 2025, 4.2% more than in the previous year. Interest in Australian vacations appears to be on the rise among U.S. tourists, according to the bureau.
Over just a few days in Sydney, I found a city with opportunities for almost every kind of traveler, from cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene to stunning views and outdoor adventures.
Here are just some of the things first-time visitors can experience.
My first night in the city, I had dinner right across from the Harbour Bridge and saw a show at the Opera House, clearly two of Sydney’s most well-known and well-loved landmarks.
