Best Ways to Experience and Enjoy Sydney During a Conference or Business Event

Individuals, small and large groups can take a surfing lesson with Let’s Go Surfing at Sydney’s expansive Bondi Beach. You can tailor the experience for one hour or more for beginners upwards. You’ll start on the sand before you try your new skills in the water and the northern end of the beach, where the waves are a little more gentle.

Everything you need is provided except your own swimmers and towel! Surfing at Bondi Beach is the way many Sydney locals start their day. Enjoy an authentic lifestyle experience at Australia’s most iconic beach before you join your first plenary at the conference.

If surfing is not your thing, take a dip at Bondi’s famous sea pool, Icebergs. This unique pool experience brings you up close and personal to the ocean while offering the thin black line of a lap lane.

For almost 100 years, Sydney locals have been starting their day here with a salty dip in the 50 metre pool. Open from 6:00am to 6.30pm daily with an on-site sauna to warm up during the winter months, swimmers can also enjoy breakfast in the Crabbe Hole cafe and sit in the morning sunshine on the deck. A small admission fee gives you a lifetime memory.

When you book an exclusive or private tour with Dreamtime Southern X you can negotiate the time of the tour to work in with your conference plans. Individuals and groups alike can immerse in the history of Aboriginal people’s saltwater heritage in Sydney Harbour on this leisurely 90-minute walkabout.

You’ll commence the experience with a custom of Ochre on hand, acknowledging Earth Mother before you wander through The Rocks (Sydney’s first British settlement at Sydney Cove) seeing the area through Aboriginal eyes. Wonder at the expertise in ecology, astrology, climate, marine biology and wildlife support from the knowledge base handed down through the world’s oldest living culture. You will be moved as ancient knowledge comes together with this global city.

On Wednesday evenings, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is open after dark until 10pm. Delegates at conferences can make the most of this opportunity to view Australian, Indigenous and international art and exhibitions at the gallery after the day’s sessions are complete.

Both the original gallery in the South Building and the contemporary new North Building are open to the public. When you plan to explore the galleries, book a table for dinner at the Art Gallery Restaurant, Crafted by Matt Moran in the South Building or at MOD Dining by Clayton Wells in the North Building. To make it easy for you, there is a free shuttle bus every 20 minutes during Art After Hours from 7pm to 10pm from the Art Gallery to public transport hubs at Town Hall, Wynyard and Martin Place.

A uniquely Sydney experience, a performance at the Sydney Opera House is not to be missed. The Sydney Opera House is home to eight flagship resident companies – Australian Chamber Orchestra, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and The Australian Ballet, and more.

Offering an eclectic program throughout the year, check the performances that are happening while you are in Sydney and book your seat. Whether you are in a group or alone, a night at the Sydney Opera House is a special experience.

Sip on city views at Bar 83 in Sydney Tower, located in the centre of the city. Elevated 83 storeys above, the vibrant retro decor creates a splash to rival the 260-degree views through the floor to ceiling windows.

Book exclusive use for 110 guests, for seated cocktail functions, or simply walk in with your colleagues or a small group to enjoy Australia’s premium wines, craft beers and spirits, alongside a bar menu of delectable share plates. You can share your views of the day high amongst the views of Sydney.

In the centre of the CBD find the ivy Penthouse Bar by Merivale. Perfect for an exclusive catch up with colleagues for networking at the end of the day for 120 guests.

Located in an elegant rooftop location, the custom-built bar opens to a balcony surrounded by tropical plants. Inside a sophisticated curved leather lounge offers relaxed seating accompanied by club chairs while the balcony has bar tables and stools. Ideal for a private networking function or host an intimate dinner for 20. Managed by the Sydney event group Merivale, this is just one of several Merivale venues in the city centre.

Head to the rooftop of the State Library of NSW to find The Library Bar. With views of the city and Sydney harbour, this unique space above Australia's oldest library is an ideal place to review the day's sessions and meet like-minded delegates in a networking event.

The bar offers three sections of indoor bar area with timber walls surrounding a classic zinc bar top and a baby grand piano. For the best spot in the house, head upstairs to the observation deck, with standing high tables and abundant views. Licensed for 120 guests, the bar offers cocktails, wines from local wine regions Hunter Valley and Orange and locally brewed craft beers and delectable grazing plates.

With the sails of the Sydney Opera House above and the best views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera Bar is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy a drink, network with your colleagues and feel you have ‘arrived’ in Sydney.

Set along the promenade, it's an easy walk from Circular Quay and you can arrive from anywhere in the city on a Sydney Ferry, jet cat or water taxi to enjoy sunset drinks and stay into the evening here. Book a table or the private bar is available to book for up to 25 to 50 guests between February and October.

If you want to combine networking with team building, consider a masterclass at Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Co. Bring a group of 30 together for a private 90-minute master class to learn about blending your own gin, whiskey or cocktail at the industrial chic cellar.

You’ll get to take away two bottles of your own blend. Australia's most highly awarded distillery, Archie Rose is located in Rosebery, a short drive from the city centre. Not part of a group? Individuals can also book their spot on a public masterclass.