Stunning Vantage Points to View the Vivid Light Shows

Vivid Sydney is an amazing festival that has been dazzling audiences since 2009. From the iconic Sydney Opera House to the beautiful Darling Harbour, Vivid Sydney illuminates the city with an array of colourful lights and mesmerising visuals. Displays of stunning light installations, interactive artworks, and free entertainment is what makes this festival one of the most popular and lively events in the city. Whether you're a local or a tourist, you won't want to miss these spectacular highlights.

Vivid Sydney, as you may know, celebrates the festival of lights, music and ideas, the most breathtaking spectacle being the colourful light projections splashed onto the iconic landmarks and buildings around the city. If you want to make the most of this awesome spectacle, then here are the ideal vantage spots for the best views.

Vivid Sydney Cruises

How about viewing the Vivid Light show around the illuminated harbour in a relaxed ambience, with a drink in your hand? Yes, Vivid cruises offer you this spectacular experience. The mesmerising views of the ‘Lighting of the Sails’, the magnificent projections on the Harbour Bridge and the light installations of Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Luna Park along with the perfect cruise dining experience. It’s an ideal vantage point that takes you away from the thronging crowds and into the core of the festivities.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

BridgeClimb is a popular adventure activity that takes you to the summit of the Harbour Bridge. You can view the city’s top light installations right from this iconic attraction. The best part–there’s a rainbow dance floor at the summit during Vivid. That too, you can shake a leg on a completely unique 70’s style disco floor. No cameras or phones are allowed, but the experience of standing at the summit with the top of the bridge all lit up and the Opera House transformed with vivid projections to the left is a memory that will be etched in your mind forever.

Taronga Zoo

Each year, Taronga Zoo lights up for the Vivid Sydney festival. Last year, Taronga Zoo awed everyone with its colossal animal sculptures. Take in the magnificent sight of the Zoo in a rainbow of colour courtesy Wild Lights, with innovative, inclusive installations and breathtaking projections. The zoo turns into a sensory world for a special cause. To encourage people to think about the role they can play in preserving wildlife and their habitats.

Hickson Road Reserve and Opera Bar, Circular Quay

Another good vantage spot to view the colourful light displays on the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is the Hickson Road Reserve. It is a small plot of land situated on the other side of Circular Quay. Opera Bar, on the other hand, is another spot where you can enjoy a drink with a view. Not a good suggestion though, for those looking for an intimate experience as you will be sharing space with hundreds of other people.

Circular Quay and The Rocks have always been the highlights of Vivid Sydney. Other than the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, you can even view the Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art illuminated by spectacular light displays. Follow the Light Walk along the waterfront and connect with individual bespoke pieces that tell the story of the dazzling festival.

Royal Botanic Gardens

One of the most popular spots during Vivid, the light displays at the Botanic Gardens is another magnificent spectacle to watch. You can only enter and exit the garden through the entrance by the Sydney Opera House. There are interactive displays throughout the garden, and this is one of the beautiful spots to see Sydney light up.

So where are you heading off to for the stunning views of the Vivid Lights this year? Would like to know in your comments below.