There’s something to do every day in Sydney and Sundays are no exception. Whether you want to try local food, learn about Australian artists, or listen to live jazz, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re planning to spend a Sunday in Sydney and aren’t sure what to do, here are some activities that guarantee a day full of food, art and fun.
5 Things To Do In Sydney On A Sunday
Head to the Fish Markets early to beat the crowds and eat a variety of fresh seafood (Photo credit: Concrete Playground)
1. Head to the Fish Markets early
If you’re a seafood lover, visiting Sydney’s fish markets should be on the top of your travel itinerary. Nestled in Blackwattle Bay between Pyrmont and Glebe, the markets offer an impressive range of fresh seafood. From prawns to lobsters, crabs to oysters, you can find almost every variety of seafood there. You can also indulge in some of the local delicacies like Sydney rock oysters, smoked salmon, and freshly grilled fish.
The markets get busy, so visiting in the morning is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds. If you don’t mind getting up at 6:00 am, they also offer “Behind the Scenes” tours of the hustle and bustle of the auction floor during the week. During normal hours of operation, you can observe the vendors shucking oysters and filleting fish with utmost precision. In addition to the food, the fish markets offer stunning views of the harbor via Blackwattle Bay. If you have time, we recommend heading down Bridge Rd. towards Glebe and take a stroll along the Glebe foreshore. Locals love this beautiful, leisurely walk, and it’s perfect after a visit to the busy markets. You’ll even get to see the new fish markets being built!
Learn all about the food, history and significance of Sydney’s Chinatown (Photo credit: @localsaucetours)
2. Taste the flavours of Chinatown
If you love Asian food and want to learn more about Sydney’s Chinatown, Local Sauce’s Chinatown Food and Stories Tour is a great Sunday activity. This immersive tour takes you on a culinary adventure through the vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood of Chinatown. Led by knowledgeable and passionate local guides, you’ll discover hidden street art in the area, hear the fascinating history of Chinatown’s origins and learn about influential Chinese Australians.
Along the way, you’ll also indulge in a variety street foods from every region of China. From Cantonese dim sum, to Nanjing dumplings and savoury Xi’an Chinese “burgers”, you won’t leave hungry! With a mix of delicious food, engaging storytelling, and impressive street art, a Chinatown tour guarantees a Sunday filled with memorable experiences and a greater appreciation of Sydney.
Get a glimpse of the Australian art scene by visiting a local art gallery (Photo credit: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter)
3. Get a glimpse of Australian Art
If you are an art enthusiast, then we recommend making time to visit Sydney’s art galleries that showcase Australian art collections.
- Sydney Modern is a new northern addition to the existing Art Gallery of NSW. The gallery features modern and contemporary art from around the world, but we recommend the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander collection on the first floor. The collection is one of the most expansive in all of Australia, incorporating numerous artists and different mediums. With its spacious galleries and thought-provoking exhibitions, Sydney Modern has quickly become a must-visit destination for art lovers in Sydney.
- If you are in the mood for a smaller, more intimate gallery, we recommend The Artery in Kings Cross. Supporting First Nations artists and their families, the Artery features contemporary Aboriginal artwork from all over Australia. Though it’s a small gallery, the walls are filled with artworks to observe and enjoy. They have a larger collection available online, which can be requested for in-person viewing and purchase. Another indigenous art gallery we recommend is Cooee Art Gallery in Redfern, though it’s not open on Sundays.
- White Rabbit Gallery is a world-renowned contemporary Chinese art gallery based in Chippendale that features thought-provoking and engaging works from international artists. Owned by Judith Neilson, she was inspired to establish it after her first trips to Beijing in the late 1990s. Neilson was thrilled by the creative energy and technical quality of the works she saw and wanted to share them with people outside China. The artwork here is always impressive and the dumplings and tea at the restaurant next door are delicious; overall a must-visit!
- Phoenix Gallery is a private art gallery and performing arts venue also located in Chippendale. While the building itself is a work of art, the inside gallery has a focus on contemporary and abstract art, with a diverse range of mediums on display. Due to its small size, visitors have to enter via ballots for events. If you have time in Sydney, we highly recommend giving it a go.
Explore Newtown while learning about street art and tasting local cuisine (Photo credit: @localsaucetours)
4. Eat your way through Newtown and learn about street art
For art and food lovers, a tour through Newtown’s laneways, cafes and breweries while learning about street art may just be the ideal Sunday afternoon activity. Local Sauce Tour’s Newtown Chewtown Food & Street Art Tour combines the best of two worlds: delectable food and captivating street art. Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant streets of Newtown, a bohemian neighborhood known for its diverse culinary scene. You get to try a range of Australian dishes from independently owned-restaurants and finish the walk with a refreshing beer from a local brewery.
Between food stops, you’ll also learn about the neighborhood’s vibrant street art scene and street artists. By the end of the tour, you’ll know the meaning of some of the largest pieces of street art in Newtown and be able to recognise specific artists’ work. With its colorful murals and diverse food, Newtown has so much to offer art and food lovers. So whether you want to try the food, learn about street art or simply want an enjoyable Sunday afternoon, a tour through Newtown offers the perfect blend of flavours, culture, and inspiration.
Have a relaxing Sunday evening listening to live jazz (Photo credit: The Lord Wolseley)
5. Relax into the evening with live jazz
To end your perfect Sunday in Sydney, we recommend taking it easy and checking out any of the jazz bars around the city. Depending on where you’re based, there are locations in Surry Hills, Pyrmont or Redfern.
- Step inside Shady Pines in Surry Hills and be transported to the wild west. Low-lit and cow-boy themed with taxidermy and whiskey galore, it’s full of character and warmth. On Sunday evenings they put on a mix of live jazz and country music. A local favourite, we recommend checking it out even if you can’t make it for jazz, that is, if you can find the hidden entrance.
- If you prefer to listen to jazz outside with a drink in hand watching the sun go down, pop over to the Lord Wolseley. Tucked away in the backstreets of Pyrmont, this pub has been a local drinking hole for hundreds of years. Previously a quarryman’s pub, you can sit outside under the trees listening to jazz and just imagine the workers who used to live their lives in the surrounds.
- Now Moyas Juniper Lounge in Redfern is the place to go if you love gin. They can make a range of specialty cocktails, but gin is their forté with over 200 different gins from around the world on offer. With a $10 Negroni in hand, settle in for a relaxing evening of jazz from 6pm.
Fun things to do in Sydney on Sunday
There’s something to do every day in Sydney and Sundays are no exception! Whether you’re in the mood to try a range of food, learn about Australian art or listen to live jazz, there’s something out there for everyone. We hope you have the best Sunday in Sydney!
About Local Sauce Tours
Local Sauce Tours offers Sydney’s “funnest” small-group experiences, bringing together locals and visitors to make friends and discover the city from a different perspective. Launched in 2018, walking tours explore vibrant inner-city pockets including Chinatown, Surry Hills, Newtown and Pyrmont, along with an annual calendar of special events and exclusive dining experiences. Passionate and entertaining guides host groups of up to 12 guests on tours that blend foodie experiences with stories of the city’s history, culture, nightlife and street art. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.