18 Lookouts for The Best Views in Sydney
The Best Views in Sydney: Lookouts & Iconic Views For All
There's nothing quite like the sunset glow of Sydney Harbour, and if you know the best spot to watch the day fade away over the glistening water, you'll elevate the experience that much more. Sydney is, without a doubt, one of the best places in Australia for scouting out incredible vantage points from which to take in this glorious city. The variety of spectacular lookouts scattered throughout Sydney allows you to appreciate the beauty of the city's landscapes and architecture.
Sydney is home to some of the world's best-known landmarks and some of Australia's most stunning beaches. Several locations in Sydney provide some of the best views without requiring you to climb to great heights, and getting to them is a breeze with GoGet. With hundreds of rentals available at the click of a button, you could be on your way to the coast or mountainous regions for that perfect photo op at the best lookouts in Sydney.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The amazing thing about scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge is seeing a continuously changing horizon as you gain elevation. Ascending the Sydney Harbour Bridge is undoubtedly one of Sydney's scariest but loveliest vistas. However, if you get vertigo or are afraid of heights, you might want to pass on this. The optimum time to do a bridge climb is just before sunset, but if you're feeling particularly daring, try to get there for sunrise, as this is one of those iconic landmarks that offers awe-inspiring views across the harbour.
West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
From West Head Lookout, you'll get an incredible panorama with Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse in front of you, along with some of Sydney's most famous landmarks, with Broken Bay on the left and Pittwater on the right. The overlook is a sandstone viewing area, and there are benches where guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds of the region. This Sydney viewpoint offers breath-taking coastal views of a wide horizon, with the Resolute picnic area and Aboriginal Heritage Walk nearby. Additionally, driving through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a thrill itself!
Luna Park & McMahons Point
One of the city's most interesting sights is the entrance to Luna Park, a beloved destination that lights up the shores at night. Luna Park has unmatched views of the city from the side of the Harbour Bridge opposite it, and the waterfront boardwalk offers panoramic views. Take a stroll along the shoreline from Luna Park to Milsons Point, or Kirribilli. Be sure to stop by the Ferris wheel, where you can get a bird's eye view of the whole city.
McMahons Point, close to Luna Park, provides an unobstructed view of the Sydney Opera House and harbour. Since most people go to Luna Park, McMahons Point is also less congested, allowing you to take in the vistas unhindered.
Taronga Zoo: A Unique View in Sydney
Although there is an entrance fee, it is well worth visiting Taronga Zoo for a charming experience and to explore the best views of Sydney. Take the gondola lift, installed in the 1980s at the ferry pier, to access the zoo. The scene from the gondola lift looks out over the zoo from above and puts Sydney Harbour on full display as you travel upwards. Be sure to adventure to the giraffe enclosure, where you can snap a picturesque photo of these gentle giants with the city as a backdrop!
Echo Point, Blue Mountains
Echo Point in the Blue Mountains looks out over the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley. About one and a half hours inland from Sydney, take your time enjoying the drive to this memorable location in your GoGet. This famous vantage point, which is also among Sydney's top lookouts, is the best site to photograph the fabled Three Sisters rock formation and the surrounding blue-hued mountains and forests. It is hardly surprising that the elevated platform is the most popular observation spot given that the stunning Echo Point Lookout picture includes Orphan Rock, Kings Tableland, Mt. Solitary, and Narrow Neck.
Saddleback Mountain, Kiama
At Kiama's Saddleback Mountain, take in the panoramic views for days. The drive 2 hours south of Sydney will transport you to a different world of sparkling rolling hills, historic dry-stone walls, and calming landscapes. Saddleback Mountain offers genuinely stunning views across immaculate green meadows and even a peek of Cronulla to the north. While this won't give you a cityscape view, it's a breath-taking spot for nature viewing at any time of day. Head to Kiama Blowhole to watch the ocean dance in the air for an additional side trip. For this one, you won't want to forget your cameras!
Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Palm Beach
One of Sydney's most well-known sights is still the viewpoint from the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and for good cause. Near Palm Beach, it's a peaceful area about an hour north of the city. After the 25-minute hike to the lighthouse, make sure to eat and drink at The Boathouse. The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, perched 91 metres above sea level on Sydney's northernmost point, offers spectacular ocean vistas that extend from Broken Bay to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Central Coast. You'll also be able to spot pods of whales during the whale migration season.
The Pylon Lookout
Since the bridge provides views of the Sydney Opera House and views of Sydney Harbour, it is worthwhile to walk up the 200 stairs within the South-East Pylon to the Pylon Lookout. The bridge climb is an excellent location for pictures with the expansive vistas in the background, but it comes with a hefty price tag. The bridge's four pylons were only designed for decorative purposes. The Pylon Lookout Museum is located inside the South-East Pylon, which has been a favourite of the general public since 1934. The museum houses a sizable collection of exhibits that honour the bridge's construction and highlight the struggles faced by Australia's ancestors.
Observatory Hill Park
Observatory Hill Park has often been called a park with million-dollar views. From Observatory Hill, you can see Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge without paying anything at all. There are ample amenities, including fitness stations, a rotunda, and a tennis court. The park is also home to Sydney Observatory, Australia's first observatory. It takes around 10 minutes to hike up to the hill, where you may bring a picnic and enjoy beautiful city views. The expansive parkland, perched on one of the city's highest elevations, creates a tranquil site surrounded by thick Moreton Bay fig trees and breath-taking scenery from all angles. It's the perfect spot to capture the sunset.
Sydney Opera House
Although everyone enjoys a grand panorama, there are times when being much closer to your subject will leave you completely speechless. One of those occasions for many is seeing the Sydney Opera House up close. You'll be treated to some of Sydney's best views of the Opera House as you stroll around the famous Circular Quay. Enjoy an evening of people-watching, grab dinner, and soak up the quintessential Sydney sights.
Royal Botanic Gardens & Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney offers one of the best vantage points for photos of the Sydney Opera House. The view of the famed city’s Opera House is quite stunning, especially when it is framed by the garden's lush vegetation. It's the ideal spot to unwind for a while and fully enjoy the Sydney sunshine.
For those looking for a spectacular view, head to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. It faces west, so you also have the sunset as the backdrop, making it a win-win situation. It contains both the Opera House and The Harbour Bridge in one frame. The exposed sandstone rock bench was hand-carved by convicts in 1810, thus making the view from Mrs Macquarie's Chair an excellent scene for some moody photography.
Milsons Point
Milsons Point is a walking path on the north lower shore that is also known as Lavender Bay and Milsons Point Circuit Walk. You get two breath-taking views from the scenic trail: the Harbour Bridge and the famous Sydney Harbour, which is where the Sydney Opera House is located. There are plenty of things to do at Milsons Point, including Bradfield Park, Luna Park, the North Sydney Olympic Pool, and Wendy's Secret Garden. Simply stroll through Bradfield Park to Broughton St. Lookout for a panoramic view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, plus the city skyline.
Wendy's Secret Garden
One of Sydney's best views and lookouts is at Wendy's Secret Garden, a hidden gem and little sanctuary. A peculiar, tranquil paradise, Wendy Secret Garden is a haven of tree ferns, herbs, flowers, and palm and fig trees. Additionally, it is a fantastic location in the Lavender Bay Parklands, right on Sydney Harbour. This peaceful nook is one of the ideal spots for a family picnic while admiring the magnificent seaside surroundings. It includes picnic tables and artistic tokens scattered throughout the park.
Cockatoo Island
One of the slightly unique Sydney attractions worth seeing is Cockatoo Island. It is a former prison compound and a UNESCO World Heritage site offering views of the Sydney cityscape and Harbour Bridge, as well as old convict buildings. If you want to see some of the nicest views in Sydney that are more avant-garde, it's definitely worth a trip.
Bondi Icebergs
Sydney natives and travellers alike are familiar with Bondi. The Bondi Icebergs are the ideal location to relax and take in the views, with its white pool lining standing out against the water's blue and green hues. Even better, it isn't locked off or behind a posh hotel. Instead, it's always accessible to the general public. The pool has been available for public use for over 100 years and is close to Bondi Beach. It also happens to be the most photographed swimming pool in the world. Views are available from Icebergs Club Bistro. Every table offers a view of the stunning Bondi Beach, and the food is excellent, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mackenzies Point, Bondi to Coogee Walk
It would be outrageous of us to mention Bondi while omitting the renowned Mackenzies Point. The famed Bondi to Coogee walk and the worn cliffs leading to Tamarama and Bronte Beach can all be seen from this lookout, giving some of the area's best views. In the winter, it's also a prime place to keep an eye out for whales travelling through. Icebergs is about a 10-minute walk inland from Mackenzies Point. If you prefer, you can drive to Kenneth Street and park there.
Dobroyd Head
There is a lookout on Dobroyd Head, where you can take in the grandeur of North and South Heads and wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean with whales swimming in the water. The overlook is named after Arabanoo, the first native Australian to live among European settlers. A few markers and monuments scattered over the area serve as little hints to the past. The Grotto Point Lighthouse and Indigenous rock inscriptions are also nearby.
Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Tower Eye is the best option for a spectacular aerial perspective of the city. From a great height, you'll get the best views of Sydney at the highest viewpoint. You can see the busy streets and the city's top attractions immediately below from the glass-floor Skywalk, which is 286 metres above sea level. On a bright, crisp day, you can also see the Blue Mountains beyond Sydney.
As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, there's no shortage of lookouts for travellers and locals alike. We've added in a few destinations that can't be missed further out into nature, but GoGet will help you access them on a day trip or weekend getaway. Looking for more amazing ways to explore Sydney between sunrise and sunset? Read our guide to the Best Free Things to Do in Sydney, the Best Waterfalls Near Sydney and the 15 Best Beaches in Sydney.
Discover Sydney’s Best Views with GoGet!
From city skylines to coastal vistas, GoGet has the wheels you need to explore Sydney's top lookouts. Book a car by the hour, day, or longer—no strings attached!
