A walking tour from Circular Quay to Hyde Park will take you from the glistening beauty and iconic buildings around the harbour to the heart of the city through the beautiful botanic gardens. Along the way you’ll see why Sydney’s such a unique city that seamlessly blends natural beauty with culture and history.
In this article, we’ll give you a step by step itinerary for one of the city’s best walking tours for visitors. We recommend giving yourself two hours to complete the whole tour at a leisurely pace and so you can take in all the gems along the way.
Circular Quay to Hyde Park Walking Tour
1. Sydney Opera House
Begin your adventure at Sydney’s most renowned landmark, situated along the city’s picturesque Harbour. Capture a photo or two before heading in to enjoy a tour or performance.
2. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Pass through the Queen Elizabeth II Gate and you’ll find yourself within 30 hectares or stunning gardens, brimming with Aboriginal heritage along with 8,900 plant species from Australia and around the world.
3. Government House
Follow the waterfront walkway and you’ll happen upon a sign for Government House Gate. Take advantage of a free guided tour of the NSW Governor’s official residence.
4. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Follow the shoreline around Farm Cove until you find the sandstone rock formation named after Governor Macquarie’s wife, Elizabeth. Hint: it’s not all about the chair, as this is one of the best spots in Sydney for a picnic and views of the Opera House and Bridge.
5. Art Gallery of NSW
Explore the incredible collection at one of Australia’s flagship art museums before heading north-west through the Domain, past the Terrace on the Domain Restaurant and across Hospital Road.
6. State Library of NSW
So much more than a library, the State Library of NSW hosts a range of exhibitions, events, tours and workshops. Parliament House, the Sydney Mint and the Hyde Parks Barrack Museum are all nearby, too.
7. St Mary’s Cathedral
Head down College Street to witness the splendour of one of the world’s finest English-style Gothic Revival churches. Standing opposite Hyde Park, its foundation stone was laid in 1868.
8. Hyde Park & Anzac War Memorial
Home to the Archibald Memorial Foundation and the ANZAC War Memorial – as well as an abundance of leafy shade to walk or relax – Hyde Park is Australia’s oldest public parkland, build in 1810.
