Hidden Gems in Sydney (That You Didn’t Know Existed)

Generally, the soundtrack to the CBD is a mixture of building work, traffic, the odd screech of a cockatoo and general chit-chat. Not here though. 

Angels Place looks like any other laneway in Sydney until you look up and spot empty bird cages, swinging above your head. It’s not a coincidence: this is the Forgotten Songs installation, which features suspended birdcages and the recorded calls of extinct or displaced bird species. 

Apart from anything else, it's a hauntingly beautiful reminder of nature that once thrived here before the urban jungle grew around it.

All aboard the... funeral train? 

Much as we like to complain about replacement bus services, you’ve got to admit, the public transport network in Sydney is pretty unreal. This particular service is no longer running, though–and it isn’t a route you’d want to take anyway. 

If you spot a grand looking building just off of Regents Street, you’re probably looking at Mortuary Station, a gothic-style railway station that once ferried the dearly departed to Rookwood Cemetery. 

Unfortunately, it’s hardly ever open to the public but it’s well-worth a look at through the gates.

If you’ve never heard of Trim, you’re in for a treat.

The bronze cat statue near the State Library commemorates Matthew Flinders’ trusty sea-faring companion, Trim. While Flinders mapped and named Australia, Trim kept the ship's rats in check (and, apparently, learned how to swim!). 

Unfortunately, Trim met a grim end in Mauritius (there’s a statue of him over there, too) but today, the statue of him in Sydney hangs out by the library getting pats from passing kids.

Incredibly, Bondi might be the most famous beach in Australia but most locals will tell you to avoid it unless you like crowds. 

Where they tell you to go instead depends largely on geography and their own preferences but if there’s one beach I hardly ever hear mentioned, it’s Wattamolla. 

Tucked away in the Royal National Park, Wattamolla Beach has sandy shores, a tranquil lagoon and even in a waterfall. It’s worth saying that visiting this beach isn’t quite as quick or convenient as others nearer the city (it’s about an hour’s drive south of the CBD) but it’s very, very worth it.

If you’re looking for hidden gems in Sydney that will look good on your Instagram, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is surely number one.

Nestled in gorgeous Lavender Bay, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is a lush oasis sculpted by Wendy Whiteley herself. After the loss of her husband, she transformed a derelict plot into a botanical wonderland and today, it’s a pretty popular spot with local residents.

So what’s so secret about it? There are numerous hidden sculptures hidden amidst the shade and greenery, my personal favourite being a piece with a quote from Sweet Thing by Van Marrison inscribed on it.

Speaking of secret gardens, hardly anyone I know has heard of this place.

Hidden in the heart of Hornsby (northwest of Sydney), Lisgar Gardens is one of the prettiest public parks in the whole of Sydney. It’s home to over 90 varieties of camellias so it’s a bit of a horticultural haven, and there are terraced paths, waterfalls, and even a water dragon or two.

Too early to talk about quarantine again? Don’t worry, this place won’t include avoiding a haircut for months or squabbling over toilet paper.

Our own version of quarantine lockdowns look pretty strange compared to the methods once employed over at Q Station in Manly, which offers a glimpse into Australia's early quarantine methods.

Once the first stop for immigrants to Australia, it's now a hotel and museum (it hosts ghost tours too) with stunning harbour views.

Now, I’m guessing you weren’t expecting to find Circular Quay listed as one of the best hidden gems in Sydney but, here we are.

Next time you find yourself going for a stroll down there, take a sec to look down as you avoid oncoming foot traffic to meet a few literary legends–well, their plaques anyway. 

The Sydney Writers Walk celebrates authors who have contributed to Australia's rich literary tapestry, from Banjo Paterson to Germaine Greer, all with accompanying quotes about Sydney or Australia. 

I really urge you to give them a read, many of them are thought-provoking and inspiring.

If you're up for a whale of a time, Cape Solander is your spot. 

Named after the Swedish botanist, Daniel Solander, who sailed with Captain Cook, Cape Solander offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities in Sydney (minus the crowds).

Nestled in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, it provides breathtaking ocean views that are Instagram-worthy even if the whales are feeling shy. 

Just be sure to take care, it gets super windy up on the cliffs and read any signs for your safety.

What if I told you that some of the most beautiful hidden gems in Sydney have connections to a former lunatic asylum? 

Don’t let that put you off. Wistaria Gardens in Parramatta is a floral wonderland that bursts into a purple haze every spring and they’re a photographer’s dream. 

They’re actually some of Australia’s most intact Edwardian gardens and it’s totally free to visit–I recommend bringing a picnic along and just enjoying the gorgeous plants.

Speaking of intact historical places, Cadman’s Cottage is one of Sydney's oldest surviving buildings. 

Built in 1816, it once housed the coxswains of government boats and their families. These days, of course, Sydneysiders mostly obsess over how prime the real estate of this building is, given that it’s nestled in The Rocks. 

Outrageous house prices aside, it's a charming slice of colonial history amidst the modern cityscape and well worth a visit if you’re a history buff.

Speaking of prime real estate, it doesn’t really get fancier than this. 

If you’ve ever wondered where the Governor of New South Wales hangs their hat, it’s right here.

Nestled next to the Royal Botanic Gardens and with incredible views of the harbour, Government House is the official residence for the highest up person in the state. As such, everything from the interiors to the extensive lawns and gardens are exceptionally fancy. 

Public tours are available free of charge, so you can peek into the life of vice-regal luxury without spending a cent.

Affectionately known as QVB, the Queen Victoria Building is too easily dismissed as just a fancy shopping mall. However, it’s actually home to plenty of hidden gems in Sydney that require a bit of attention to detail. 

At the more obvious end of the scale, the grand domes and stained glass windows are absolutely stunning, but the building itself is also home to a few secrets. Take, for instance, the clocks.

The Royal Clock in the southern half of QVB was made in Hastings, England, and each hour depicts iconic scenes from English royal history (like the beheading of King Chales I).

At the other end in the northern section of QVB, you’ll find the world’s largest hanging animated turret clock, aka The Great Australian Clock. This clock displays Australian history from both colonial and Aboriginal perspectives.

While we’re on the subject of colonial times, there are a couple of historical hidden gems in Sydney just northwest of the city that are worth taking a look at. 

One of them is Rouse Hill Estate, a historic homestead that was home to six generations of the same family. Now a fascinating, creaky-floored time capsule, this is where to go to absorb the last few hundred years of Australian history from a modern perspective. 

Explore the old stables, bathhouse, gardens, and even the family’s original belongings, and see for yourself how life evolved for the settlers of Australia across generations.

Some city landmarks are so iconic that even locals haven’t been there, and I have a confession to make: I only just went inside this building for the first time last year. 

Sydney Town Hall is a Victorian masterpiece of architecture smack dab in the city centre, better known to most of us as the name of a major train station. 

However, I recently discovered that the building is even more impressive inside than it looks from the outside, and it’s home to the world's largest mechanically operated pipe organ—not your average municipal building, in other words.

Alright, I’m pushing the geographical boundaries with this hidden gem in Sydney, but again, I only just made it over to this place and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long. 

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is the highest botanic garden in Australia, and that becomes very apparent the second you step out of the car. 

The grounds are vast so make sure you pack sunscreen, a water bottle, and wear comfortable shoes: it takes ages to walk around all the plants and it’s all uphill on the way back. That said, it’s super worth it: there are water features, incredible plants and the view from the lookout is just breathtaking. 

Think of it like Mother Nature’s penthouse and pencil it in for a day trip!

History isn’t all about how the high and mighty lived, so forget fancy mansions for a sec; Susannah Place Museum is all about the everyday folk. 

This row of terrace houses from 1844 gives you a peek into the lives of working-class families over the decades. This place gives an incredible snapshot of how life in Sydney evolved over the years and it’s full of stuff that you or your parents might recognise from their glory days.

It's kind of like visiting your great-great-grandma's house—if she lived in The Rocks.

Tired of the usual museum crowds? Head to the Powerhouse Museum in Castle Hill.

This hidden gem houses over half a million artefacts, from vintage locomotives to space-age gadgets, all stored in a massive warehouse setting. 

Fun fact: it's one of the largest museum storage facilities in Australia, and you can take guided tours to peek behind the scenes.

If you’re looking for hidden gems in Sydney that take you to new heights, this is (literally) it). 

Everyone’s heard of the bridge climb, but at the Pylon Lookout Museum, you can ascend 200 stairs inside the Sydney Harbour Bridge's south-east pylon. 

Along the way, you’ll explore exhibits detailing the bridge's construction and history. The reward? A stunning 360-degree view of Sydney that's pure selfie gold.

Not that you’d want to, but did you know that it’s possible to step into the shoes (or rather, the shackles) of convicts at Hyde Park Barracks?

This UNESCO World Heritage site offers an immersive experience of Sydney's colonial past. Wander through the restored dormitories and discover stories of the convicts and immigrants who lived there, how their lives panned out and what life was really like for them.

Finally on our list of hidden gems in Sydney, one of my favourite museums in Australia.

The colonial settlement of Australia started with crime and, spoiler alert, it didn’t stop. The Justice and Police Museum lets you step into Sydney's criminal past, from deadly weapons to stories of unbelievable robberies, murders and mysteries. 

Explore former courtrooms and cells, discover tales of bushrangers and notorious criminals and enjoy diving into Sydney’s criminal underbelly from times gone by (at a safe distance, of course).