Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and at times it feels hard to put your camera away as there are so many incredible views to capture. It’s not just the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge that make it so pretty, but the lookouts over the harbour, the coastline and the surrounding national parks.
After living in Sydney for six years, we’ve spent a lot of time scoping out the most gorgeous spots. So here are the 30 best lookouts in Sydney for iconic and unforgettable views.
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1. Dawes Point
2. Larkin Steet Lookout
3. Barrenjoey Lighthouse
4. Observatory Hill
5. Lincoln’s Rock
6. Blues Point Reserve
7. Jeffrey St
8. Opera Bar
9. Mrs Macquaries Chair
10. Cremorne Point
11. Lavender Bay
12. The Gap, Watsons Bay
13. Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
14. Georges Head
15. Fairfax Lookout
16. Stanwell Tops
17. The Cave at Bronte
18. Dudley Page Reserve
19. Icebergs Bondi
20. Mackenzies Point
21. West Head
22. Echo Point
23. Garie North Head
24. America Bay
25. Pulpit Rock
26. Queens Avenue
27. Bungoona Lookout
28. Naa Badu
29. Birnie Lookout
30. Towlers Bay Lookout
The 30 best lookouts in Sydney
1 - Dawes Point Reserve
We had to start with the iconic lookout at Dawes Point Reserve in Circular Quay. This is the must-see view of the harbour, looking across the water to the beautiful Opera House.
This is one of the best sunrise spots in Sydney and there is no better way to start the day than seeing the sun rise above the Opera House.
Getting to Dawes Point Reserve
Dawes Point Reserve is a little park underneath the southern end of the Harbour Bridge. It’s a short walk from the ferry and train station at Circular Quay, and you can find the exact location on Google Maps by clicking here.
2 - Larkin Street Lookout, Balls Head
This is one of our favourites as not only is it walkable from our flat (win!) but it’s a gem that we don’t see many people take photos of. The lookout is at the end of a residential street and overlooks a quiet bay and the Harbour Bridge.
It’s a great spot for sunrise, but it’s also pretty good at sunset. There are plenty of rocks to sit on to take it all in, and you can even include it on the Balls Head to Milsons Point Walk.
Getting to Larkin Street Lookout
There is free parking right by the Larkin Street Lookout, so it’s an easy place to drive to.
Alternatively you can either get the train to Waverton and walk a short distance, or take the ferry to McMahons Point and walk (it’s a bit longer, but it’s a beautiful walk).
3 - Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Palm Beach
The lookout from the Barrenjoey Lighthouse is one of Sydney’s most famous views, overlooking the double bay at Palm Beach. It is a beautiful spot and on a clear day you can see for miles down the coastline. We’ve written a full guide to the Barrenjoey Headland area, including how to get to a couple of great secret spots!
We recommend stopping by The Boathouse afterwards for a coffee and lunch, but unless you go early you may have to queue. It’s worth it though, it’s one of our favourite things to do in Palm Beach.
Getting to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
To get to Barrenjoey Lighthouse you’ll have to walk from Station Beach up the Smugglers or Access Track. It isn’t very long, but it’s pretty much uphill all the way. There are plenty of good ledges and spots to take in the view.
Palm Beach is on the northern most tip of the Northern Beaches and is about an hour’s drive from the city centre. Alternatively you can hop on a bus from Wynyard which goes directly to Palm Beach.
4 - Observatory Hill
Observatory Hill is the perfect place to set up a picnic and enjoy the afternoon sun with a view. This is a local’s favourite, so much so that we even saw a couple get engaged here!
It’s one of the best views of the Harbour Bridge, and you can also watch the sunset (it’s pretty popular in the late afternoon on weekends for this reason). This is one city view you don’t want to miss!
Getting to Observatory Hill
There is plenty of street parking at Observatory Hill, so it’s easy to drive to. We parked at Upper Fort Street, which charges $4.20 per hour until 6pm.
Alternatively you can walk from Circular Quay, Wynyard or Barangaroo - all of which are public transport hubs.
5 - Lincoln’s Rock, Blue Mountains
This one is a little further afield, but it has recently become one of the most popular lookouts near Sydney.
The first time we visited Lincoln’s Rock, there were only a couple of other people. The most recent time we visited we saw minivans bringing tour groups to check out the view!
This is the best place to watch the sunset in the Blue Mountains, so if you plan on heading for the hills, make sure you include this stop!
Getting to Lincoln’s Rock
Lincoln’s Rock is in Wentworth Falls which is a 1.5 hour drive from Sydney and is down a very short dirt road. Sadly there is no public transport to this viewpoint and the train station at Wentworth Falls is just under 5km away. :-(
6 - McMahons Point (Blues Point Reserve)
This is another of our favourites and not just because it is so local to us! The view looks square on to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which no other Sydney lookout does.
It’s a brilliant sunrise spot, but it also makes for a great picnic spot too. The best view is at Blues Point Reserve, but it’s also fantastic from the wharf at McMahons Point. Why not make a day of it and head round to Lavender Bay on one of Sydney’s best harbour walks?
Getting to McMahons Point
The best way to get to McMahons Point is by taking a short ferry ride from Circular Quay or Barangaroo to the ferry wharf. You can alternatively get the train to North Sydney and walk down which takes around 15 minutes.
It’s a 15 minute drive from the city and there’s plenty of street parking around the lookout.
7 - Jeffrey St Kirribilli
This is probably our favourite sunset spot in Sydney as you can look directly out to the sun setting through the Harbour Bridge.
We’ve seen at least a dozen spectacular sunsets here and it is always our go-to place with visitors. If you’re a photographer, make sure you check out the puddle that forms on the path and creates a reflection of the Harbour Bridge - it makes for a creative sunset shot.
Getting to Jeffrey Street
The easiest way to get to Jeffrey Street is to take the ferry or train to Milsons Point and walk. It’s only around a five minute walk.
Otherwise you can drive and park very close by as there’s a lot of street parking.
8 - Opera Bar
The views at the Opera Bar are pretty spectacular, and this is one of the lookouts you can enjoy with a drink in hand.
The view of the Opera House is gorgeous, but we also love looking at the Harbour Bridge and the city from here. If you’re keen to see other great Opera House views we have lots of ideas here.
Getting to the Opera Bar
Opera Bar is just beside the Sydney Opera House. The best way to get there is to take a train or ferry to Circular Quay and then walk for 5-10 minutes. There is very little parking near the Opera House, so it’s best to get public transport for this one.
9 - Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
The classic Sydney sunset photo is taken from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden. This viewpoint is directly opposite the Opera House and bridge, making for the perfect composition and a great place to relax and enjoy the view.
There are plenty of places to sit along the shore, and there is also a higher up view, which has a couple of ledges you can sit on and take in this epic view.
Getting to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair requires a bit of walking to get to as it is in the middle of the Botanic Garden along the Sydney City Foreshore Walk. It’s roughly a 20 minute walk from Circular Quay.
10 - Cremorne Point
Cremorne Point is another local’s favourite and the views of the harbour are beautiful from here. There are plenty of places to set up a picnic, and you can also take in the views along the Cremorne Point Walk. Our photo is taken around two minutes from the ferry wharf on the walk to the lighthouse.
Getting to Cremorne Point
The easiest way to get to Cremorne Point is to hop on one of the ferries from Circular Quay (the ferry is about 10 minutes long and very scenic).
11 - Lavender Bay
Lavender Bay has some of the best views in the entire city. The classic lookout is from Lavender Street, which sits above the bay looking towards Luna Park, and it makes for a really good night shot.
The views from the boardwalk at the shoreline are also really beautiful, especially at sunset.
Getting to Lavender Bay
The easiest way to get to Lavender Bay is to hop on a ferry or train to Milsons Point. Alternatively you can get the train from North Sydney and walk down to Lavender Street.
12 - The Gap, Watsons Bay
The Gap is a coastal lookout with a big view, just a short walk from Watsons Bay. This cliff top viewpoint looks out to the ocean and down to a sheer cliff face (it’s not for the vertigo sufferers).
It’s also one of the best spots to go whale watching from land in the winter months and we saw many when we visited. You can also look in the other direction to the city too, which is also beautiful.
Getting to the Gap
The Gap is a short walk in Watsons Bay. The easiest way is to catch the ferry or bus and walk to the lookout (it is a 5 minute walk from the wharf and the bus stop is literally at the foot of the lookout). You can park for free, but spaces are limited, especially at weekends.
13 - Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk
One of the best viewpoints in the whole of Sydney is actually on the walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The walkway over the Harbour Bridge offers stunning views across the harbour, especially if you walk it just before sunset, or better yet at sunrise.
14 - Georges Head Lookout
This is another spot on the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach walk, and one that even locals rarely visit. The lookout here has a bit of history with military fortifications from the Second World War, and it sits high above the harbour offering elevated views.
The view is a little obscured by bushland, but it’s a still a really beautiful and photogenic spot.
Getting to Georges Head Lookout
This lookout is along the Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk. If you plan on driving, it’s a 35 minute drive from the CBD and has plenty of places to park nearby (for a fee).
15 - Fairfax Lookout, North Head
The Fairfax Lookout is probably the best viewpoint in Manly, and overlooks the coves of Port Jackson back to the city.
It’s a great spot for sunset and the short walk 1km loop walking track offers lots of good views and is very easy going. If you’re looking for a longer walk that takes in this lookout, try the fantastic North Head Track.
Getting to the Fairfax Lookout
The Fairfax Lookout is a short distance along the Fairfax Track on the North Head. You can get here by driving about 45 minutes from the city, or hopping on the ferry to Manly and walking (it’s 3km, but we’ve done it before!).
16 - Stanwell Tops
Stanwell Tops is a classic viewpoint with everything you could ever want: lawn to sit on - tick; view that looks for miles down the coast - tick; ice cream van - tick.
It’s also a favourite for paragliders who take off from the viewpoint and land on the beach below, which adds to the scale the view.
Getting to Stanwell Tops
Stanwell Tops is at the very southern end of Royal National Park and is a 1 hour drive from Sydney. The only public transport option is to take the train to Otford, but the walk is almost 3km long each way!
17 - The Cave at Bronte
This one requires a little bit of searching out, but it’s one of those hidden gems that is worth the effort!
Situated just about the Bronte Baths is a cliff with a ledge that offers the most amazing view. You can get there from a small climb up from the path next to the baths, or by finding the gap in the fence from the road above.
Getting to Bronte
Bronte is a 20 minute drive from the city, and you can park very close to the baths (which is at the southern end of the beach). Parking is free if you go very early. Getting there by public transport is slightly trickier, as the best option is to get on the 379 bus from Bondi Junction.
18 - Dudley Page Reserve
Dudley Page Reserve is a great picnic spot and a favourite sunset spot with Sydneysiders.
The lookout is high above the city, looking down on the CBD and the harbour below from a huge lawn.
Getting to Dudley Page Reserve
Dudley Page is in Dover Heights which is pretty close to Bondi Beach. The best way to get here is by car as there is plenty of street parking nearby and it’s only a 25 minute drive from the city.
You can get a bus from the city, but it takes an hour as it goes via Bondi Beach.
19 - Icebergs, Bondi
Icebergs is a Sydney icon and the views of this incredible ocean pool are spectacular. We really enjoy looking at the huge waves that crash into the pool and can’t quite understand how anyone can do their laps when they regularly come crashing in!
Icebergs is also at the start of the Bondi to Coogee Walk - one of the best walks in Sydney.
Getting to Icebergs
Icebergs sits at the southern end of Bondi Beach and is easy to get to. You can hop on the 333 from the city to Bondi Beach or drive for about 25 minutes from the city.
20 - Mackenzies Point, Bondi
Mackenzies Point is one of the best lookouts on the Bondi to Coogee Walk as it looks down the coast with views of several stunning beaches.
It’s also a great lookout in the winter as you can spot whales migrating past and if you’re lucky dolphins too! We’ve seen both from this spot.
Getting to Mackenzies Point
Mackenzies Point is a 10 minute walk along the coast from Icebergs. Alternatively you can drive to Kenneth Street and park, but the spaces are pretty scarce.
21 - West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai National Park
The West Head Lookout is the most famous view in Ku-ring-gai and looks out to Barrenjoey Lighthouse (the one we mentioned earlier on in this post!). It’s the starting point for the Resolute Beach Walk, one of our favourites in the national park.
The view also looks across to the Central Coast and you can see for miles on a clear day. We’ve also seen White Bellied Sea Eagles on several occasions here.
Getting to West Head Lookout
The West Head Lookout is in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park and has an entry fee of $12 per vehicle, per day (there are plenty of great hiking tracks to do here for a really fun day out). It takes about an hour to drive to from the city.
Sadly there is no public transport to this lookout.
22 - Echo Point, Blue Mountains
This is probably the most iconic lookout in the Blue Mountains, overlooking the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley.
This view is always at the top of people’s day trip itineraries for the Blue Mountains and it’s easy to see why. There are a couple of good walking trails you can do from here that can help escape the crowds as it’s an incredibly popular place.
Getting to Echo Point
Echo Point is in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, which is a 1.5 hour drive from the city. You can get the train from Sydney to Katoomba, and then hop on a bus to the lookout.
23 - Garie North Head, Royal National Park
Garie Beach in Royal National Park is a wild and beautiful place, fringed with eucalyptus trees and backed by cliffs. It feels a million miles away from civilisation and it’s also the start of some of Royal National Park’s best walks.
We love the lookout from Garie North Head, which is a uphill walk from the northern end of the beach (it’s 1.2km from the car park and steep). The view from here looks south along the coast, and is one of the best views in the park.
If you’re up for a longer walk you can continue on to Eagle Head Rock from Garie North Head, we’ve got full track details in this post.
Getting to Garie Beach
The best way to get to Garie Beach is to drive, and it takes about an hour. You will have to pay the $12 per day per vehicle entry charge.
Alternatively, you can get the train to Sutherland Train Station and hop on the shuttle bus. Check the Park Connections website to see the timetable, as it does change depending on the season.
24 - America Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Whilst most people head to the West Head, our favourite lookout in Ku-Ring-Gai is the one on the top of the waterfall at America Bay. Yes, you heard that right - this lookout is at the top of a waterfall overlooking the Hawkesbury River!
This is a particularly good spot to be at sunset, as the sun drops below the horizon directly in front of you.
Getting to America Bay
The lookout at America Bay is only accessible by walking the America Bay Track (which is 1km each way). You can’t get here by public transport, it’s a one hour drive from the city.
There is a $12 per day per vehicle charge to get into Ku-Ring-Gai and make sure you’ve checked what time the gates close if you are going for sunset (it tends to be 30 minutes after sunset, so make sure you are walking back to your car in time, otherwise you’ll have to cop a $50 fine to reopen the gate!).
25 - Pulpit Rock, Blue Mountains
Pulpit Rock is one of our favourite lookouts in the Blue Mountains, and it’s made even better because few people go there! The lookout gets its name because the rock it is on looks like a church pulpit and it’s one of the most impressive views of the stunning Grose Valley.
It requires a short walk to get to, all downhill on the way and uphill on the way back but it only takes around 15 minutes.
Getting to Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock is a 10-15 minute drive from Blackheath, which is 1.5 hours away from Sydney. The only way to get here is by car, as there is no public transport between Blackheath Train Station and Pulpit Rock.
26 - Queens Avenue, Vaucluse
This one is a pretty special view, overlooking the harbour directly over to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and it really comes to life at sunset! It’s a great place to be if the skies light up, not only as the view is superb, but there’s a lawn to sit on so you can take it all in, in comfort.
However, parking is extremely limited here, so you may have to walk a little bit (there’s only 2-3 parking spaces).
Getting to Queens Avenue
The lookout at Queens Avenue is in Vaucluse and is a 15 minute drive from the city. Alternatively, you can get the 324 bus from Park Street that will get within a 5 minute of the lookout.
27 - Bungoona Lookout, Royal National Park
Bungoona is one of the best lookouts in Royal National Park and overlooks the Hacking River and surrounding bushland.
It’s a very short walk (less than 1km return and flat) to get to it and as it’s at the entrance to the park, it’s a great stop if you are planning a day in Royal.
Getting to Bungoona Lookout
The Bungoona Lookout is at the northern entrance of Royal National Park which is a 40 minute drive from Sydney. You will need to pay a $12 day per vehicle entry fee if you don’t have an annual pass. There is no ideal way of getting to the lookout by public transport sadly.
28 - Naa Badu Lookout, Berowra Valley National Park
This lookout is a little out of the city, and requires a short walk (2km return, uphill on the way back) but it is well worth the effort! The views across Berowra Creek are simply stunning, especially if you visit at sunset.
You can also do this as part of the Mount Ku-ring-gai to Berowra Walk, which is a fantastic bushwalk.
Getting to Naa Badu
The best way to get to Naa Badu is to park on Berkley Close in Berowra (it’s a 45 minute drive from Sydney) and walk the Berkley Trail to the lookout (it should be 1 km each way).
29 - The Secret Lookout at Towlers Bay, Ku-ring-gai
This lookout is a secret spot and requires following detailed directions as the path to it is pretty overgrown and not easy to find (you can find exact instructions on our post all about Towlers Bay). It’s roughly 4.4km return and pretty easy, apart from finding the right trail.
The views from here are jaw dropping and overlook Night Bay, Scotland Island and out to the Northern Beaches. It’s very unlikely that you’ll see another person here and there’s even a bench where you can sit and take it all in.
Getting to the Secret Lookout
This lookout is in Ku-ring-gai National Park which is a 1 hour drive from the city. You should check out our post on the Towlers Bay Circuit for the exact instructions to find the lookout.
30 - Towlers Bay Lookout
This is another stunner in Ku-ring-gai National Park, but it requires quite a long walk to get to - 7.2km, mostly flat. At the end of the Bairne Trail is a stunning cliff edge view across Pittwater. On a clear day it is glorious and the views go for miles.
Exact details on this trail can be found in our Bairne Track post.
Getting to the Towlers Bay Lookout
This lookout is in Ku-ring-gai National Park which is a 1 hour drive from the city. The lookout is at the end of the Bairne Track.
Bonus - from a helicopter!
This may seem like a copout, but some of the best views of Sydney are from a helicopter. If you’re looking to treat yourself it really is one of the best things to do in Sydney and a true bucket list experience.
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Are you planning a trip to Sydney? What’s your favourite lookout or view in Sydney? Let us know in the comments below!
