Circular Quay is essentially ground zero of scenic Sydney viewpoints, and provides an answer to most travelers’ first question—that is, where to see the skyline in Sydney. Circular Quay is a transportation hub, but it’s much more than just a place to pass through. With the Opera House on the eastern edge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the historic The Rocks neighborhood on the west, Circular Quay is one of the top places for photos in Sydney.

Promotional photos for Sydney’s Taronga Zoo often show giraffes munching happily on whatever giraffes munch on, silhouetted against the Sydney skyline. And while the giraffes probably don’t care much about having some of the best views in Sydney, the zoo's human visitors definitely appreciate it. Located on a peninsula on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, it’s home to more than 5,000 Australian and international animals and birds, so there’s plenty to look at once you’ve soaked up the views.

The coat hanger–shaped steel arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge must be one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. And while most visitors are likely to see it from a distance, nothing beats actually climbing it. The panoramic views of the harbor from the top are unbeatable—when the weather’s nice, you might even be able to see all the way to the Blue Mountains. The BridgeClimb will definitely test your head for heights, but it’s suitable for (adventurous) kids aged eight and above.

Seattle has the Space Needle, Auckland has the Sky Tower, Sydney has the Sydney Tower Eye. As will soon become clear to visitors, Sydney is a rather flat city, but it makes up for its lack of naturally high viewpoints with this tower, one of the tallest structures in the Southern Hemisphere. There are various ways to admire the views: Head up to its 820-foot-high (250-meter-high) Sydney observation deck, or relax over a meal or drinks at SkyFeast, Infinity, or Bar 83.

The Sydney Observatory—sitting on Observatory Hill above The Rocks since the 1850s—continues to be a great place to learn about astronomy, meteorology, timekeeping, and the southern skies. Observatory Hill is also the highest natural point in Sydney Cove; visit during the day on an independent or guided walk to check out the views, or take a tour of the observatory that lets you see old and new telescopes within the domes.

Bondi Beach is the city’s most famous strip of sand and surf, but to explore beyond the beach and get active while seeing the most scenic spots in Sydney, you can embark on the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk. The 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) trail heads south from Bondi Beach, following cliffs via Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly, until it ends at Coogee. It provides panoramic views along the way, and you can stop at beaches wherever you like.

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at the northernmost point of Sydney, previously guiding ships away from the Barrenjoey Headland. Visitors to Palm Beach—famous as the filming site for Australian soap Home and Away—can hike up to the 19th-century lighthouse. At 298 feet (91 meters) high, it’s one of the best hidden viewpoints in Sydney. Look down on Palm Beach, the Pittwater Inlet, and the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and up along the coast, stretching north for thousands of miles.

Australia’s oldest national park, Royal National Park, is just an hour’s drive south of Sydney. While many people head to the Blue Mountains for dramatic forest-and-cliff scenery, UNESCO–listed Royal National Park should also be high on your agenda, as it combines equally impressive cliffs with beaches and other places to swim. While the park is popular, some spots can be risky to visit alone—hike with a guide to keep you safe.

The Blue Mountains are a favorite day trip destination from Sydney, and for many good reasons. What the peaks lack in height—the highest point is 3,986 feet (1,215 meters)—they make up for with with their beautiful eucalyptus-covered canyons, cliffs, and plateaus. You can get active with hikes in the Blue Mountains National Park; if you’re not hiking, though, Scenic World is an ideal destination as the cable cars and funicular railway will carry you up, down, and across the canyons with ease.