15 Unmissable Things To Do In Sydney At Night

Many tourist towns boast so much to do but it is often all things to do during the day like museums, parks, and art galleries. You probably will not find a ton of things to do at night in some cities no matter how large they are. But luckily, Sydney is a beautiful city with a lot to offer for everyone no matter what you enjoy.

From attractions like the Sydney Observatory to the fun Luna Park, you will find all sorts of things to do in Sydney at night as well as during the day. The Sydney Opera House is open for tours, shows, and dining until late and you can find a whole lot to do at Sydney Harbour anytime.

Take a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to see the opera house and other attractions from a different view. Sydney at night is stunning with all the lights and music filtering across the water. You can also visit Darling Harbour in Sydney at night. Check out what is playing at the Mov'n Boat Cinema or enjoy a drink or two during the weekend fireworks display.

Listen to live music at the historic Marble Bar on George Street, enjoy fine dining or shopping in Kings Cross Sydney CBD (central business district), or take a pub crawl tour in Sydney's red-light district. Or see a game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. If you are not into cricket, you can see the Sydney Swans Australian Football Club or one of the other attractions like rugby, baseball, or tennis.

No matter whether you are out to enjoy Sydney nightlife with friends or family or you are just looking for some fun things to do after the museums close, nighttime in Sydney does not disappoint. Drop off your bags and shopping parcels at a Sydney luggage storage spot before making a stop so you don't have to drag them with you on your quest for fun!

Luna Park

No matter how old you are, just seeing an amusement park probably gives you a thrill. And there is no reason not to visit Luna Park even if you did not bring the kids with you. This is Sydney's answer to Coney Island and it does not disappoint in any way.

There are so many fun things to do in Sydney at night time here, you will probably want to stay all evening. They even have a ride named Coney Island. Besides that, Luna Park boasts four roller coasters and 23 other attractions including games, kiddie rides, and great food like funnel cakes, hot dogs, and popcorn. The ice cream shops are amazing.

Sydney Opera House

You really cannot visit Sydney without at least seeing the Sydney Opera House up close. It is well-known for its unique sail-like architecture as well as its live music. Of course, you can also get a guided tour up until 8:30 at night. They last for an hour and you will learn so much.

You can also enjoy some of the Australian cuisines while you are there. The Sydney Opera House boasts six different eateries from formal dining at Bennelong or the Lounge for light meals and drinks. You may even want to stay and see a show.

Sydney Tower Eye

Sydney Tower is actually the highest spot in Sydney at 1,o14 feet high but you can go up to the observation deck and see Australia from over 800 feet in the air. The observation deck is what locals call the Tower Eye, which is located on level four. You will be 820 feet up and you can see the city for miles from this vantage point.

You can also enjoy fine dining or have a drink at the 360 Bar, visit the gift shop, and learn about the structure on the touchscreens. There is even a 4D cinema with effects like bubbles, wind, and heat from fires. The Skywalk is the highest point at 879 feet and you can walk around the open glass platform.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is not just a great way to see the sights, but it is important as it connects the Sydney Business District with the North Shore. It is supposed to be most sensational at night because it is all lit up. You will get views of the opera house, Luna Park, Berry Island, and Goat Island.

While you are there, try the Bridge Climb Sydney. More than four million people have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Arches and they have four different climbs from the Summit to the Ultimate. You will not get a better view of the Sydney skyline anywhere else.

The Ledge

Another place where you can get up high in Sydney is at Sydney University. They have a climbing center called The Ledge where you can do some indoor rock climbing. You may not be able to see the city skyline from The Ledge, but you can sure get a good workout.

Even if you have never climbed before, don't worry, they will give you a short climbing class to get you ready. You will get all the safety equipment you need like the helmet, harness, and special shoes. If you don't want to climb, try a bouldering class. That is fun for newbies.

Darling Harbour

One of the best places to be at night while visiting Sydney is Darling Harbour. Especially during the Saturday night fireworks. Although the best view is from Darling Harbour, you can also see Saturday nights fireworks quite well from the Sydney Harbour as well. But there is way more than fireworks here.

See the city from 115 feet on the Ferris Wheel, take a night cruise on the water, or see thousands of marine creatures at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. Visit a Boutique beer café, catch a flick at one of the outdoor cinemas, or visit Bangaroo Park, which is open 24/7.

Sydney Observatory

Also at Darling Harbour, Sydney Observatory stays open late so you can see the stars. This is one of the perfect things to do in Sydney at night. Visit the Sydney Observatory, located on Observatory Hill close to Circular Quay, for a nighttime attraction that never gets boring.

Besides being an observatory, you can also check out some of the cool exhibits at the science museum or learn about the weather at the meteorological station. They host evening events all year long and are open late on Friday nights.

Art Gallery

The Art Gallery of New South Wales is open late on Wednesday nights so you can take your time checking out the artworks until 9 PM. The gallery boasts more than 35,600 works of art including over 4,000 pieces of ancient Asian art, 2,200 pieces of Aboriginal Islander art, and almost 20,000 pieces of Australian art.

Some of the most notable artists include Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso. Some of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artworks include The Three Bathers by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner from 1913 and some of the oldest date back to the 1800s with a collection by Tommy McRae.

Chinatown Night Market

Not far from Central Station, Chinatown's night market is one of those things to do in Sydney at night that make the city what it is today. It starts at 4 PM on Friday nights along the main strip of Dixon Street. You can do some late night shopping, enjoy Asian street foods, or have a drink at one of the most popular beer cafes in the region.

Get there early if you want to eat though because even the locals spend their Friday nights in Chinatown. The colorful market stalls and live street music make it seem like a carnival as well as all the different food and souvenirs. If you are on a budget and looking for free things to do in Sydney, come here and browse for fun.

The Rocks Ghost Tours

This is a way to see Sydney while getting a fun thrill at Cadmans Cottage. Just to the north of the Museum of Contemporary Art and a stone's throw from Darling Harbour, learn some spooky history of The Rocks and find out about local hauntings.

Even if you don't believe in ghosts, this tour is a lot of fun and you may just be a believer at the end of the night. The tour guide will take you to many of the spots that are "off-limits" so you can see things very few get to see. You may also enjoy the Rocks Historical Pub Tour or one of their other tours.

Moonlight Cinema Sydney

The Moonlight Cinema is the largest outdoor cinema in Australia and you can find it at the Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park. From December through March, gates open at 7 PM, and movies start at sundown. Get there early to get a good spot on the lawn.

You can buy your food and drinks there, online, or bring your own, including adult beverages. Not only do they have a bar and catering, but there is also a Parlour Fiesta Food Truck with a great Mexican menu. Movies vary from family flicks to horror so check the program first.

Bondi Beach

Why not consider staying in Bondi Beach? It's one of the neighborhoods we recommend in our where to stay guide. Located on the South Pacific coast in eastern Sydney, Bondi Beach is a fantastic spot at night with all of the city lights in the distance. Be sure to get there early to see the gorgeous Sydney sunset. Bondi is one of the most popular beaches in Australia out of 25,000 to choose from.

Many people go to take an evening swim or catch the last few waves or maybe for the restaurants and bars. The eateries are well-known and loved by all including The Bucket List and Bondi Icebergs where you may even see some celebs.

Opera Bar

Located at the Sydney Opera House, the Opera Bar is one of the most popular bars in Sydney with its laid-back vibe and outdoor seating. You can get fancy cocktails or just enjoy a brew or two, all right there on the beach. The chefs will shuck some oysters for you while you watch, too.

Most nights and every weekend you will enjoy live music and DJs to kick up the party mood. Whether you want to get up and dance or kick back and enjoy some adult beverages, you have come to the right place.

Sydney Circular Quay

Popular for both tourists and locals, the Sydney Circular Quay is a harbor where you can find shopping, dining, and many of the major Sydney attractions. Some of these include the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Sydney Harbour, and the Royal Botanic Garden.

The quay will also take you around to Darling Harbour where you can dive with the sharks, enjoy some cocktails at Double Bay, or visit some of the hip nightclubs. Take a sunset cruise or a ride on one of the Sydney Ferries, enjoy a cheap dinner at any of the food trucks, or watch fairy penguins at Manly Wharf.

The Taronga Zoo

The Taronga Zoo is one place you can spend the night here as they offer a night with the animals they like to call the Roar and Snore. There is really nothing else like it in the world as you get to start with a night safari, watching the predators enjoy their nighttime feedings.

Then, after dining in style, you will spend the night sleeping in a safari tent where you can hear the animals all night long. The next day you can have breakfast with the nicest zoo residents and then explore the whole zoo on your own or with a guide.

Nighttime Fun in Sydney

There are many other great things to do in Sydney at night. If you will be there between the end of May and the middle of June, you will get to see Vivid Sydney, which is a spectacular light show and attractions all over the city. See a production at the Belvoir Street Theatre, shop til you drop at Thursday Night Shop CBD, or visit Wendy's Secret Garden in Lavender Bay.