Sydney’s Best Photo Spots

These are the Best Places for You to Take Great photos, with Google Map links

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Sydney Outdoor Photo Spots for a Professional look with photo examples

Having lived, worked, and or socialized in inner Sydney for over 30 years makes us the experts in finding the best spots in Sydney for photographers, tourists and holiday travellers visiting Sydney. If you’re new to Sydney, check out the interactive maps for inspiration.

The scenic landmarks are especially great for portraits, whether family, couples, or graduations. So many places to capture Sydney at its best.

Tourists and travellers on vacation in Sydney will appreciate the tips on how to get to these iconic places to capture shots that you can post on social media for your friends back home.

Our top locations are below with direct links coordinates to Google Maps for easy directions and finding.

Our most favourites places to shoot in the City of Sydney are; Fleet Steps – Farm Cove, Hyde Park Sydney, Sydney University, and Hickson Road Reserve, besides the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge that is so well known.

For rooftop locations in the City of Sydney with photogenic views see this page.

Interactive Map of Sydney Harbour, for Instagrammable photos of; Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Cruise Ships & Sydney Opera House

View from above, Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Cruise Ship, Sydney Opera House Photo View of Sydney Harbour (Hover for More Info) Hickson Road Reserve Overseas Passenger Terminal Opera House Northern Concourse Mrs Macquaries Point Lookout Blues Point Reserve Harbour Bridge Pylon Broughton Street Lookout The Cahill Expressway Lookout MCA Café Roof Top Terrace

Photo of; Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Cruise Ship, Sydney Opera House

Interactive Map of Sydney Harbour Best Viewed on a Large Screen. Or try Landscape Mode on Mobile Phones.

Best Spots in Sydney we like to Shoot at

Fleet Steps Farm Cove

Sydney Photographer Fleet Step Farm Cove

Near Mrs Macquaries Rd

READ TIPS ↓

Hyde Park Sydney

Hyde Park Sydney portrait photo

Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park

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Sydney University

Old School Building (G15) Sydney University portrait photo

Old School Building (G15)

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Hickson Road Reserve

Hickson Road Reserve family portrait

Near Park Hyatt Sydney

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Sydney’s Easy to Get to Best Photo Spots

What are the spots you must capture photos in the City of Sydney?

These are the places in inner Sydney you must get your camera out for; Fleet Steps Farm Cove, Hyde Park Sydney, Sydney University and Hickson Road Reserve amongst many others.

Top location at Fleet Steps, Farm Cove for photos?

Over on the east side of the Botanic Garden just down from Mrs Macquarie’s Road is a beautiful spot to bring a friend or two and take some shots in the late afternoon.

The later the better as when the sun starts to set and some lovely hues brush the sky use you Speedlight to make you portraits pop against the city high-rise building lights.

Only paid parking or walk in.

Map co-ordinates -33.86122849280548, 151.22113739671715

Sydney Photographer Fleet Step Farm Cove

NB. Depending on the type of photography you are doing, you may need a permit to photograph in some City Parks and Sydney Harbour Foreshore areas.

Where to shoot in Hyde Park Sydney?

So many great spots to shoot family portraits in this Sydney park favourite, here are a few.

Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park North is a good place to start. Take some shots facing south along the Hyde Park Central Avenue with it arching Hills Weeping Fig trees framing the portrait, together with the dimmer luminance under the canopy you can make the model pop by using a little Speedlight for the foreground.

Another spot used less are the Sandringham Memorial Garden and Fountain area, (next to Park Street). You can also get some great photos with St Mary’s Cathedral in the background.

Some paid street parking, paid parking stations or public transport from the Sydney city circle train line.

Map co-ordinates -33.87090450502472, 151.21179005306328

Hyde Park Sydney portrait photo

NB. Depending on the type of photography you are doing, you may need a permit to photograph in some City Parks and Sydney Harbour Foreshore areas.

Where to take photos in the Sydney University?

The Sydney University has so much history and character one could spend a few days taking photos of the architecture of the buildings and gardens.

You can start in Victoria park and walk your way to the quadrangle and then head south east or use one of the City Road entrances.

This spot is a little less well known for taking photos. The closed point of entry in via Maze Crescent. The Old School Building (G15) is a gothic revival style heritage building. Lot’s of little and bigger spaces for your friend to model in. Lovely old verandas too with quaint archways.

Street parking is usually available outside of business hours or bus from City Road.

Map co-ordinates -33.88990671287207, 151.19245222084436

Sydney University Old School Building (G15) photo

NB. Depending on the type of photography you are doing, you may need a permit to photograph in some City Parks and Sydney Harbour Foreshore areas.

Where is the best spot from Hickson Road Reserve for photos?

For the most Australian iconic backdrop in your photos there are few places like the Hickson Road Reserve to take photos from.

Just south east of the little park is the board walk area around Sydney Harbour and round to Circular Quay. Right on the corner is the perfect spot to take photos of your friends and family with the iconic sails of the Opera House in the background. Very touristy, yes, but why not enjoy our own backyard.

A tip for this spot is to avoid the midday sun. Overcast day is preferred if you get a choice of weather and also avoid the weekends are there will no doubt lots of people enjoying the foreshore walk.

A little paid street parking if you are lucky otherwise catch a train from Circular Quay station.

Map co-ordinate -33.85587196472719, 151.21015079246894

Hickson Road Reserve Sydney Harbour Family Portraits photos

NB. Depending on the type of photography you are doing, you may need a permit to photograph in some City Parks and Sydney Harbour Foreshore areas.

Photo gallery examples for our top spots in inner Sydney

Sydney Photographer Fleet Step Farm Cove
Hyde Park Sydney portrait photo
Sydney University Old School Building (G15) photo
Hickson Road Reserve Sydney Harbour Family Portraits photos

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North Sydney Lookouts and Photography Locations

Sydney Harbour Map with Lookouts for Photo Spots from North Sydney View from North Sydney Lookouts (Hover for More Info) Blues Point Reserve Broughton Street Lookout Sydney Opera House

Map of; North Sydney Lookouts and Photography Locations

Interactive Map of Sydney Harbour Best Viewed on a Large Screen. Or try Landscape Mode on Mobile Phones.

Blues Point Reserve, North Sydney

Blues Point Reserve in North Sydney is another top location to take group photos with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. This park at the end of Blues Point Road is another great location for selfies, couples or even large group photos.

Transport on How to Get there

To get there you’ll need to either catch a train to North Sydney Station and then catch a bus down. If you’re driving the GPS coordinates are below, Click on that and be taken to Google Maps. There is street parking available but it is metered.

Many times I’ve been there, I’ve only had to wai8t a few minutes for a parking space and if you’re only taking a quick photo you may be able to do it for free. Be warned though, Parking Rangers are quick there as they are in most parts of Sydney.

The photo example below is from behind a low fence. You shots will be clear of the fence as it’s only 1m high (3ft).

Top shots can be taken at night or go by day and have a picnic while you’re there.

Map co-ordinate -33.84986302754768, 151.20386165890903

Photo at Blues Point Reserve, North Sydney.

Photo captured at Blues Point Reserve at Night behind a Low Fence

View of Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point from Broughton Street Lookout Milsons Point

While you’re in the North Sydney area Broughton Street Reserve is worth stopping at for a few photos. Many of the photos online incorporate both the Harbour Bridge, sweep across the CBD to the Opera House. This photo below focusses only on the upward trend of the Sydney Central Business District and the iconic landmark of the Sydney Opera House.

Transport on How to Get there

Whether you’re going to the lookout closest to the Bridge or going for a short walk to Mary Booth Lookout Reserve, the best transport method is by train.

The nearest Train Station is; Milsons Point Station, Milsons Point. It is a short walk of 800m to Mary Booth Lookout Reserve and even closer to Broughton Street Lookout.

Click on the link below and be taken to Google Maps. There is street parking available but it is metered and parking rangers are only ever a few minutes away.

Great photos can be taken at night or go by day. Taking a variety of lenses or a couple of zoom lenses is recommended.

Map co-ordinates -33.849286694412456, 151.21340566877925

View of Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000 from Broughton Street Lookout North Sydney

View of Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney from Broughton Street Lookout Milsons Point, New South Wales

10 Picture Perfect Places to Shoot in the Sydney the Harbour Area

Best for Portraits, Family, Couples Photos or Graduations.

  1. Sydney Opera House
  2. North Sydney Olympic Pool
  3. Queen Victoria Building
  4. Sydney Harbour Bridge
  5. Darling Harbour
  6. Pirrama Park
  7. Art Gallery of NSW
  8. Ballaarat Park
  9. Broughton Street Lookout
  10. Blues Point Reserve

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