11 Best Iconic Sydney Landmarks to Visit 2025

These Sydney landmarks are not only distinctive structures on the Sydney urban landscape but also assist visitors in finding their bearings as they explore the city. A number of these structures have become iconic symbols of Sydney.

01. Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is not only a distinctive Sydney landmark but has also become an iconic symbol of the city itself.

02. Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, together with the Sydney Opera House, has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.

03. Sydney Observatory

Located on Observatory Hill in Sydney’s Rocks area, the Sydney Observatory is an astronomical center as well as a distinctive Sydney landmark. It is connected to the Powerhouse Museum on Darling Harbour.

04. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is located in an art deco building with a modern annex, within walking distance of Sydney’s Circular Quay, an area known for its iconic views.

05. Art Gallery of New South Wales

Situated in Sydney’s Domain, east of Hyde Park, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is a treasure trove of diverse art collections, featuring both permanent and temporary exhibits.

The Domain is a large grassy area designated for public recreation by founding New South Wales Governor Arthur Phillip in 1788. It also houses Australia’s first farm.

The gallery showcases extensive art collections, including Australian art from the colonial period, an array of Asian and European art, as well as a significant Aboriginal collection in the Yiribana Gallery.

Opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Entry and scheduled tours are free to the public, although some exhibitions may charge an entry fee.

06. Hyde Park Barracks

Hyde Park Barracks, located at the corner of Macquarie St and Prince Albert Rd on Hyde Park North, was originally built in 1819 to house and support convict men and boys, later transitioning to a dormitory for newly arrived immigrant women. Today, it serves as a museum representing its rich history.

This landmark is one of 11 sites that make up the United Nations-listed Australian World Heritage Convict Sites.

Hyde Park Barracks is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm daily, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day, and there is an admission fee.

07. Sydney Tower Eye

The Sydney Tower Eye, located in the heart of the city, is an unmissable landmark that features an observation deck, a Skywalk, and a 4D Cinema experience.

Previously known simply as Sydney Tower, the name was updated to include “Eye” in September 2011.

08. Sydney Town Hall

Situated on George St in the heart of the city, Sydney Town Hall serves as a favored meeting place for both locals and visitors. It houses the Sydney City Council and is also a venue for the arts.

09. Queen Victoria Building

You can’t miss the Queen Victoria Building, with its distinctive domes just north of Sydney Town Hall. It hosts specialty shops and has become a mecca for shoppers.

10. St Mary’s Cathedral

St Mary’s Cathedral, a distinctive landmark just east of Hyde Park, serves as the mother church of Australian Catholicism.

11. Central Railway Station

Located at the southern end of Sydney’s central business district, Central Railway Station is a major transport hub for trains, trams, and buses. Its clock tower is easily recognizable and visible from various areas around the station.

12. Anzac Bridge

Anzac Bridge, spanning Johnstons Bay at Glebe, stands as one of Sydney’s most recognizable landmarks, complete with a commemorative Digger statue.

Opened in December 1995, it replaced the older Glebe Island Bridge and was named Anzac Bridge on Armistice Day (November 11), 1998, to honor the Anzacs, soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I.

The bridge features a main span of 345 meters and a total length exceeding 800 meters. From its two 120-meter-high towers, 128 stay cables provide support for the reinforced concrete deck, making it the longest cable-stayed span bridge in Australia and one of the longest of its kind worldwide.

Consequently, Anzac Bridge serves as a vital connection between Sydney’s city center and the western suburbs.