Begin your first morning bright and cheery by waving to the Southern Hemisphere’s most famous birds.

Journey through the immersive Penguin Expedition exhibit at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Inspired by Australia-owned UNESCO World Heritage listed Macquarie Island, this AUD 9 million exhibit recreates the wild and beautiful geological features of the island and its charming avians.

A breeding ground for over 3.5 million royal penguins, Macquarie island is also home to king penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, gentoo penguins, and other seabirds.  

Sharing a boat that holds eight guests, you will ride past king and gentoo penguin colonies along a river designed like a sub-Antarctic environment, and arrive at an explorer’s hut. Along the way, you will learn how you can play your part in preserving the natural habitat of these seafaring feathered friends. 

Get directions to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium | Buy tickets

Imagine yourself as a member of the Chinese imperial family at the Chinese Garden of Friendship (悉尼谊园), a tranquil escape in the midst of the modern CBD. Rent a costume for a small fee and take your own photos beside a stately rock formation or bonsai nursery.

Prefer the masculine guise of an ancient military hero? Opt to put on a soldier's uniform while wielding a formidable-looking mock weapon.

It’s the next best thing to being royalty!

Laid out according to Taoist philosophy, the garden was designed by Guangzhou architects to honour Australia's 1988 bicentenary. Featuring weeping willows, lakes, and pavilions, the garden located near Darling Harbour is an ideal retreat from the urban grind. Bring your finely dressed self to the Tea House where you can elegantly sip on traditional oolong in the afternoon.

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Don your jackets and land on the city’s premier space museum as the evening sky grows dim.

Gaze at the stars from the Sydney Observatory and Planetarium, housed at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Home to Australia's oldest working telescope, the South Dome was built specially to view the 1874 transit of the planet Venus.

Geek out as the 40 cm mirror telescope reveals the amazing expanse of the eastern sky, and if it’s still bright out, train your eyes through a solar telescope that's safe to use on the sun and stars of equal or greater brightness.  

While you are here, you can watch documentaries about space and astronomy in the planetarium or catch an exhibition-linked tour in both English and Mandarin. The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences also houses the Powerhouse Museum, where you can continue your learning journey on day two.

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Rise and shine the next morning with a short walk to Archibald Fountain at Hyde Park. Look for tour guides wearing bright orange tees from Free Tours Sydney. These charming Sydney insiders will regale you with tales of notorious convict gangs and Sydney’s lesser-known attractions as you walk through the city.

No bookings are needed for this free 2.5 hour tour. Just show up and join your fellow walkers to see the beginnings of Sydney with Australia’s first convict settlement at The Rocks. Other stopping points include Hyde Park, St. Mary's Cathedral, sites of the city's aboriginal history, Hyde Park Barracks, Royal Botanic Gardens, the old colonial town square, and Sydney's oldest pubs.

Towards the end, you will catch stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, before finishing near Circular Quay.

Register a day in advance if you’re going in a group of 10 or more. Pay what you wish to Free Tours Sydney at the end of your tour!

Get directions to the tour starting point at Archibald Fountain at Hyde Park

Journey back to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, and continue your exploration at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. Bow ties, plaid coats, and monocles are optional as you indulge in your passion for retro technology and culture.

Formerly the Ultimo Power Station building, an electric tram power station, the museum houses over 400,000 technology, science, design, engineering, fashion, and cultural exhibits.  

Steampunk aficionados will adore its Locomotive No. 1 exhibit. This steam locomotive was built in 1854 by Robert Stephenson and was used to haul a passenger train. It is joined on display by other locomotive engines in full working order.

Fans of 19th century Europe will enjoy the 1887 timepiece “The Strasburg Clock Model”. Brainchild of Richard Smith, a young Sydney watchmaker, this is a working replica of the famous Strasbourg astronomical clock located in Alsace, France.

Get directions to the Powerhouse Museum here

Ready to end your historical tour with some authentic Australian fare?

Rest your feet and luxuriate at the stylish and award-winning ABODE Bistro and Bar. Our chefs will serve up fresh cracked wheat and beetroot, chopped salads, and grilled steaks such as Riverina grain fed rib eye, and Tajima grain wagyu top sirloin. Need dairy and gluten-free options? Dine on chilled Sydney rock oysters or pan-fried snappers with chickpea purée.

If you’re dropping by later in the night, you can quaff down a craft beer, boutique wine, or our creative signature cocktails such as Sting Like A Bee (Bacardi, cointreau, licor 43, lavender, lime, and egg white) or Kiss and Rum (Bacardi, passion fruit, and mint). 

Snack like a local with bar bites such as NSW cheeses and chilled Sydney rock oyster. Honoured with a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2017, ABODE is ready to round up your day on a high note with the freshest NSW and Australian delights.

Make a reservation and get directions to ABODE Bistro and Bar here.