Sydney Top 25

If you're struggling to choose or don't have much time in Sydney here are the top 25 activities and sights you should definitely see:

1. Govinda's Movie Room
Easily accessible to the many backpacker hostels in King's Cross, Govinda's is a boutique cinema with unique floor cushioning designed for a unique ‘lie down' movie experience. In the rooms below you can enjoy a hearty vegetarian buffet at Govinda's restaurant and with a movie/dinner package at less than $30, this is an inexpensive and memorable way to spend an evening out.

2. Taronga Zoo
If Sydney is your port of call in Australia and you are feeling eager to see some of Australia's native critters then there are few better places than Taronga Zoo, a ferry-ride out of the city centre and home to the usual Australian suspects among many other mammals, birds, and reptiles.

3. Luna Park
Across the Harbour Bridge from the Sydney CBD is Luna Park, the home to dodgems, roller coasters, and a Ferris wheel with stunning view of city and harbour. Pass through the smiling, clown-faced gates for free and only pay per ride.

4. Café Herdanez
This small and eclectically decorated café is located centrally to King's Cross and open 24/7 - making it the ideal haunt for coffee lovers, whether looking for an early coffee to start the day, or a nightcap at its end.

5. Walk the Sydney harbour bridge
The Sydney Harbour bridge is practically synonymous with the city itself so why not join the crowds of pedestrians walking across it for an entirely different - and much more personal - experience of this architectural icon?

6. The Old Fitzroy Theatre
For those looking for a touch of culture and a hearty meal, the Old Fitzroy Pub's nightly $30 beer, laksa, and show deal is not to be missed.

7. Darlo Bar
The weekly showings of cult films may have temporarily stopped but with its retro-kitsch decorations, lively atmosphere and rooftop courtyard, Darlo Bar is still a place to visit.

8. Justice and Police museum
Delve deeper into Sydney's convict history with a visit to the Justice and Police Museum. Housed in restored buildings, exhibitions detail a variety of Sydney's historic criminal cases - the bizarre, the notorious, and the macabre. Entry is a cheap $8 adults and $4 concession.

9. Learn to surf at Bondi
This favourite site of surfers is also a great place to learn the tricks of the sport with lessons provided by the area's many surf clubs.

10. The Botanic Gardens
These stately and well kept gardens are also a uniquely ‘Sydney' experience: fruit bats drape from the overhanging trees and while Ibis birds stalk out the picnic grounds. On weekends the parks are a lively place, full of picnickers and impromptu sports games.

11. Walk the city
There are range of walking tours that cater to the exploration of the city by foot. While many of these tours come with a fee, for free tours check out: www.imfree.com.au

12. The Rocks
A historical precinct which still bears its old facades, cobbled streets and narrow alleys, offers a glimpse into Sydney's settler past. The Rocks is home to shops, eateries, old-style pubs and a popular pub crawl.

13. Fish markets
With a bustling atmosphere and range of seafood on display, this daily market is also the place to go for the cities freshest fish and chips. Open from 7am-4pm, on the corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street.

14. Chinatown
With its pedestrian centre Sydney's Chinatown, at the southern end of Darling Harbour, is an ideal place to explore by foot. Take in the sights and sounds on the pavements or duck into one of the many cheap and cheerful eateries. Friday nights are feature the Chinatown night markets which continue until 11pm.

15. Harry's Café de Wheels
For a cheap but memorable Aussie eating experience, head to Cowper wharf and try one of Harry's pies to go: a traditional meat pie smothered with mushy peas and gravy. A wall of pictures records some of the various celebrities who have previously dined at Harry's Café de Wheels - from Elton John to Brooke Shields.

16. Glebe markets
Every Saturday the grounds of Glebe Public School become the site for the Glebe markets - the perfect place for those in search of recycled fashion, bargain jewellery, accessories, or books.

17. Rum Diaries Bar
Borrowing its name from gonzo writer Hunter S Thomson's Cuba-set novel, this Bondi bar serve a range of tapas and cocktails in a lush and glamorous setting. A visit comes with the risk of breaking a backpacker budget, but it is well worth checking out their list of historic, rum-based cocktails on offer - right back to the traditional pirate's drink of the 1500s.

18. The Blue Mountains
Just ninety minutes out of Sydney centre are the stunning world-heritage listed Blue Mountains. Stop in Katoomba, the charming art deco town at the mountains heart, or head out on one of many bush-walks or tours to take in the unbelievable beauty of the landscape around.

19. Moonlight Cinema
If visiting Sydney in January-February be sure to make the most of Cenntenial Park's Moonlight Cinema. Check www.moonlight.com.au for updated information of showings and ticket information.

20. Bondi Ocean Baths
The Bondi Icebergs pool is one of Australia's best-known ocean baths, housing an eight lane swimming pool and a children's pool. Admission fees apply.

21. Caffé Roma
Located centrally in Kings Cross, Caffe Roma is a popular late-night hangout. While a great place to grab a meal of Italian food, the place is just as well known for its crayons and paper tablecloths.

22. Cockatoo Island
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to the historic Cockatoo Island in the middle of the Sydney harbour - previously the site of an imperial prison, reformatory, and shipping yards. Ruins of the prison remain for a day's exploration or - for the adventurous of heart - tents are available to hire for an overnight stay. The island's bar, made of recycled shipping containers, is also worth a visit.

23. Crab Racing
Visit Glebe's Friend in Hand pub every Wednesday at 8.30pm to catch the weekly crab racing. For a couple dollars you can ‘buy' a hermit crab to race (naming rights are included) and then sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

24. Newtown
Stray beyond the city and explore Newtown, the vibrant area south of Glebe reportedly the home to Sydney's bohemian culture. The streets are packed with bookshops, cafes, clothe stores, and bars.

25. Sappho Books & Cafe
Home to an extensive and varied collection of second-hand books, this many-roomed and multi-storied bookshop also offers superb coffee from the interior café. From Wednesday to Saturday this is also the site of a Wine and Tapas bar and stays open until 10pm.