From its iconic architectural landmarks such as the world-famous Harbor Bridge and Opera House to its hidden urban gems, the most Instagrammable places in Sydney are waiting to be discovered. Sydney is a lively city on Australia's eastern coast, which offers up a feast of visually captivating settings sure to ignite the creative spirit of any Instagrammer.
As you explore Sydney and its neighborhoods, you'll be spoiled for choice for subject matter from funky street art to gorgeous natural beauty. Whether you're snapping the golden rays of a beach at sunrise, or capturing the serenity of a Sydney sunset, the city's wonders provide an endless supply of Instagram-worthy moments. Follow this guide for Sydney’s most Instagrammable places.
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Bondi Icebergs Bathing Club
The spirit of Sydney’s Beach Culture
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The Bondi Icebergs Bathing Club is a landmark social club at the historic Bondi Baths, at the southern end of Bondi Beach. One of the most photographed sites in Sydney, the famous Bondi Icebergs pool has been a historical landmark of Bondi Beach for over 100 years and is open to the public all year round.
The winter bathing club opened in 1929 and you can join as a member today, but anyone can visit the club’s friendly bar and bistro. You don’t even need to go for a swim; you just need to be signed in. Public entry is available to the pool 7 days a week (subject to tides and swimming races), so come prepared.
Location: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, Australia
Open: Monday–Wednesday, Friday from 6 am to 6.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm (closed on Thursdays)
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Sydney Opera House
Photographing the legend
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The Sydney Opera House is on the foreshore of Sydney Harbor and offers up a chance to snap the city’s most famous image. The Opera House's sail-like structure, which dominates Sydney Harbor, makes it an easy subject to shoot. The juxtaposition of bright white tiles against the blue of the Sydney sky makes it a visual treat for filters.
Whether you choose to photograph it from the Botanic Gardens, the Harbor Bridge or even from a boat in the harbor, every shot is almost guaranteed to attract likes.
Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
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The bats in Lachlan Swamp, Centennial Parklands
The wild beauty of urban bats
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The Lachlan Swamp in the Centennial Parklands is home to flying foxes, Australia’s largest bats and 1 of the best fly-out viewing locations in the city. At dusk, thousands leave their Centennial Parklands roost to forage, making this quiet sanctuary essential for their survival in bustling Sydney. They’re best seen from October to March. The fly-out usually begins about 20 minutes after sunset. Watch for females carrying their infant in October and November or juveniles practicing flying in January.
This awe-inspiring spectacle is a unique opportunity to photograph bats. Experiment with long exposures to create stunning light trails of the bats or try to capture the silhouettes of bats in flight against the backdrop of the Centennial Parklands.
Location: Centennial Park NSW 2021, Australia
Open: Hours vary by season
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Grounds of Alexandria
Where people come for the coffee, and stay for the shots
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The Grounds of Alexandria is a coffee shop, bakery, and restaurant that’s an Instagrammer’s paradise. It boasts cascading greenery, whimsical fairy lights and vintage touches and is just 20 minutes south of Sydney. The coffee is roasted onsite, and much of the food comes from their own kitchen gardens, but the main attraction for photographers here is the seamless blend of quirky charm with contemporary aesthetics.
From the brick courtyard with its rustic tables and flower-filled carts to the outdoor spaces with colorful umbrellas, trailing wisteria, and cozy seating neighborhoods, every corner of the Grounds is a photo opportunity waiting to happen.
Location: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
Open: Monday–Friday from 7 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm, Sunday from 7.30 pm to 9 pm
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Luna Park
Retro amusement awaits
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Luna Park is a vintage amusement arcade on the north shore of Sydney Harbor, which showcases Art Deco architecture from the 1930s. Whether you’re taking photos of people riding the roller coasters, focusing in on a detail from the ornate retro carousel, or snapping the iconic ‘smiling mouth’ entrance, this urban playground offers endless possibilities for capturing Instagram-worthy photos.
Play with different filters to bring out the nostalgic colors and flashing lights of Luna Park, and don’t forget to snap the cityscape and Harbor Bridge from the vantage point of the north shore.
Location: 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061, Australia
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +61 (0)2 9922 6644
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Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Beauty inside and out
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The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is on the edge of Sydney Harbor and gives photography fans an abundance of Instagram-worthy opportunities inside and out. The grand Art Deco design of this architectural marvel on the waterside houses more than 4,000 works by Australian artists.
The exterior of the MCA is gorgeous all by itself, but once inside, you’ll find everything from contemporary sculptures to immersive installations, offering a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and thought-provoking concepts. Head up to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, and the sparkling waters below.
Location: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +61 (0)2 9245 2400
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Sydney Habor Bridge
Australia’s most photographed bridge
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The Sydney Harbor Bridge is an iconic symbol of Sydney's engineering know-how, spanning the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbor and providing a superb backdrop for unforgettable Insta moments. Go high, to vantage points such as Milsons Point or Mrs Macquarie's Chair, to capture the bridge in its entirety, or get up close to see the detail on that intricate steel latticework.
During twilight or the golden hour, the bridge takes on a warm glow, casting a photo-worthy reflection on the water below. Adventurous photographers can scale the bridge's towering heights to capture birds’ eye views of the city and harbor below.
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Forgotten Songs, Angel Place
Swinging bird cages echo the old sounds of the city
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Forgotten Songs in Angel Place is an art installation in Sydney, not far from the The Rocks neighborhood, which combines art, nature, and sound and makes for stunning Instagram photographs. Stroll through Angel Place and you’ll see a series of suspended empty birdcages. The cages play songs from the birds that once lived in this area but have been displaced or forced into extinction.
Try capturing a short video for an Insta story or reel of this thought-provoking experience. Or lean into the silent medium of photography and experiment with different angles and compositions to highlight the juxtaposition of the delicate cages against the surrounding architecture.
Location: Challis, House 4/10 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
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Paddington Reservoir
A verdant underground oasis
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The Paddington Reservoir Gardens is a heritage-listed, secret-garden-style park in Sydney’s inner-eastern suburb of Paddington. Free to enter, this mesmerizing blend of old and new architecture was inspired by the ancient Baths of Caracalla in Rome and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with reflecting ponds, wide boardwalks, and shaded roofs.
Capture inspirational Insta-moments in this underground garden that was once a public reservoir. The restored brick arches and columns provide a striking backdrop for your photos, along with the lush greenery and colorful flowers. Check online for park details.
Location: 251-255 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
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Sydney Tower
Elevating your Instagram game
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The Sydney Tower is the tallest structure in Sydney, offering up 360-degree views of the sprawling cityscape, the harbor, and the distant Blue Mountains from its observation deck. Also known as the Sydney Tower Eye, this iconic landmark gives a perfect vantage point for capturing Instagram-worthy photos that showcase Sydney's beauty from above.
Capture Sydney’s urban heart by photographing the bustling streets below. Experiment with different times of day to capture the changing colors of the sky, from vivid sunsets to the twinkling city lights at night.
Location: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Open: Hours vary by season
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