Beyond the Bridge: 7 Unusual Things to do in Sydney and Beyond

Sydney is famous for its sparkling harbor and golden beaches, but for those who look a little closer, there is a side to the city that is far more enigmatic. If you are hunting for unusual things to do in Sydney or searching for the state's most mysterious places, you have to be willing to go underground, behind fences, and off the paved paths.

From convict-hewn swimming holes to abandoned wartime fortresses, here is our guide to the most unusual places to visit in Sydney and regional NSW.

1. Swim in the Convict-Hewn Bogey Hole (Newcastle)

Technically just north of the city, this is one of the most unusual activities Sydney locals head up the coast for. Carved directly into the ocean rocks by convicts in 1819, it’s a wild, salt-sprayed pool that feels like swimming in history.

2. Explore the Underground at Fort Scratchley

If you like mysterious places, the tunnel network beneath Fort Scratchley is a must. It is the only fort in Australia to have engaged in a maritime battle, and the echoing shell magazines beneath the hill are truly haunting.

3. Discover Mysterious Places in Western Sydney: The Reservoir

When looking for unusual things to do in Western Sydney, most people miss the historic Bankstown Reservoir. With its elevated brick arches and Victorian-era engineering, it looks like a stranded piece of Roman architecture in the middle of the suburbs.

4. Walk the "S-Curve" at Glenbrook Tunnel

One of the most sydney unusual things to do is a trip 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 unusual activities Sydney explorers can experience.

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 a stark contrast to the surrounding national park.

6. Unusual Things to do in Northern NSW: Trial Bay Gaol

If you find yourself further up the coast, Trial Bay Gaol (wait, correction: Trial Bay Gaol) is an absolute standout. It’s a pink granite prison ruin sitting on the edge of a turquoise bay—a bizarrely beautiful site with a heavy history.

7. The Ghostly Remains of Newnes

For the ultimate list of unusual things to do in Northern NSW (or rather, the northern Blue Mountains/Wollemi area), the Newnes Shale Oil Refinery is essential. It’s a "lost city" of brick kilns hidden deep in the bush.