7 Unusual Things to do in Sydney & Mysterious Places in NSW
Sydney is famous for its sparkling harbour and golden beaches, but look a little closer and there's a side to the city that's far more enigmatic. If you're hunting for unusual things to do in Sydney or the state's most mysterious places, you have to be willing to head into old tunnels on a tour, out to forgotten ruins and off the paved paths.
Find this and dozens more in Hidden Gems NSW: directions, access notes and safety tips. Printed guides include 12 months of the Explorer app free. Get the guide →
From convict-hewn swimming holes to wartime fortresses, here's our guide to the most unusual places to visit in Sydney and regional NSW, all from our guide Hidden Gems NSW.
7 Unusual Things to Do in Sydney & NSW
1. Swim in the Convict-Hewn Bogey Hole (Newcastle)
A couple of hours north of the city, this is one of the most unusual activities Sydney locals head up the coast for. Carved into the ocean rocks by convicts in 1819, the Bogey Hole is a wild, salt-sprayed pool that feels like swimming in history. It's reached by a steep staircase and gets dangerous in big swell, so check Newcastle City Council's beach cam and conditions before you go.
2. Tour the Tunnels at Fort Scratchley
If you like mysterious places, the tunnel network beneath Fort Scratchley is a must. It's the only fort in Australia to have engaged an enemy at sea, and the echoing shell magazines beneath the hill are truly haunting. The tunnels are open on booked guided tours only.
3. Mysterious Places in Western Sydney: Bankstown Reservoir
When looking for unusual things to do in Western Sydney, most people miss the historic Bankstown Reservoir. Raised high on 36 concrete pillars since 1920, it looks like a stranded piece of Roman architecture in the middle of the suburbs. It's still a working Sydney Water reservoir supplying drinking water, so admire it from outside the fence.
4. See the "S-Curve" Glenbrook Tunnel
One of the most unusual trips from Sydney is out to the lower Blue Mountains to see the Glenbrook Tunnel. Its history as a secret mustard gas store makes it one of the most atmospheric sites near the city. The tunnel is closed while council works towards opening it as a public path; for now, the only way in is one of council's occasional booked open days.
5. Visit the "Cathedral of Steel" at Lithgow
The Lithgow Blast Furnace is one of those unusual places to visit in Sydney's wider orbit that feels like a movie set. The massive rusted ruins are free to wander in daylight; just don't climb the brickwork.
6. Unusual Things to Do Up North: Trial Bay Gaol
If you find yourself further up the coast, Trial Bay Gaol near South West Rocks is an absolute standout. It's a pink granite prison ruin on the edge of a turquoise bay: a bizarrely beautiful site with a heavy history. Entry is paid through NSW National Parks.
7. The Ghostly Remains of Newnes
Out in the northern Blue Mountains and Wollemi area, the Newnes Shale Oil Refinery is essential. It's a "lost city" of brick kilns hidden deep in the bush. Stick to the walking track and leave the ruins as you find them.
Don't Just Visit: Know the Story
The problem with most "unusual" lists is that they only scratch the surface. If you want the locations of over 100 mysterious places and unusual things to do in Sydney, with the access rules for each, you need a better map.
Our Hidden Gems NSW guide is the result of years of research, made for people who want the stories the tourist brochures forget. Whether you're after a weekend trip in Western Sydney or a coastal crawl through Northern NSW, it's your key to the unconventional.
Unusual Things to Do in Sydney FAQs
Can you swim at the Bogey Hole?
Yes. It's a free ocean pool reached by a steep staircase, with no amenities. Check Newcastle City Council's beach cam first, as it gets wild and dangerous in big swell.
Can you walk through Glenbrook Tunnel?
Not yet. The tunnel is closed until council's remediation works are funded and completed, apart from occasional booked open days.
Can you go inside Bankstown Reservoir?
No. It's a working Sydney Water reservoir that still supplies drinking water, so it's one to admire from outside.
