The 15 Best Classes & Workshops in Sydney

1.2-Hour Surf Lesson Experience for Any Level

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 935 reviews · 2 hours · from $70Our pick

Meet Let’s Go Surfing at 128 Ramsgate Avenue for a two-hour Bondi Beach lesson limited to five people. You’ll learn beach safety, board technique, and wave timing from English-speaking instructors such as Matt, Luke, Marcus, or Brontë. Soft boards, wetsuits, rash vests, and sunscreen are supplied.

“Would recommend this 100x over. Our instructor Dan was fantastic! He gave us a very good safety briefing and they let us have a go at surfing. Our group was also small which I enjoyed. I would recommend booking earlier time slots as the beach did start to get crowded towards the end of our lesson.”

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2.Mosaic Art Classes Sydney: Turkish Lamp Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 391 reviews · from $56Top rated

At a boutique studio on William Street, choose from 10-plus glass colors and traditional geometric templates, then glue your design onto a Turkish mosaic candle holder. Instructors guide the process, and you can upgrade to a table lamp, classic Turkish lamp, or Aladdin lamp for an extra fee.

“I didn't enjoy the workshop the way I thought I would. I felt the facilitator was a bit absent and the workshop didn't fully match the description. I expected to feel more inspired and helped along the way. I also don't like that I have to finish it at home as I'm travelling and worried if I mess it up and there is noone to help me rectify it.”

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3.Surfing Lessons on Sydney’s Bondi Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · from $71

Meet Lets Go Surfing at North Bondi for a two-hour lesson with a qualified instructor. You’ll practise on the sand, learn beach safety and wave timing, then spend about an hour in the water with a board, wetsuit, rash vest, sunscreen, and locker included.

“Awesome! Very technical and Well explained. Equipment was good. You will be able to Surf If you listen carefully. Recommended!”

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4.Maroubra Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 188 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Meet the Lets Go Surfing team at Maroubra Beach for a 2-hour beginner lesson capped at six people. Instructors such as Ryan, Effy, Seb, Pia, and Paul teach beach safety, board skills, and wave practice in English, Spanish, or Dutch. Wetsuits, soft boards, storage, showers, and sunscreen are provided.

“My tutor was very encouraging and positive even though it took me a while to get the hang of it. He gave me a lot of confidence. The group was a nice size and I got along with everyone. I hope to come back and learn some more soon. I was scared he’d get annoyed at me for not getting it right, but he was so patient. Told me where I was going wrong, praised me on what I did right. He was the perfect tutor in my opinion. Thank you for my lesson I had so much fun today and can’t wait to practice more.”

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5.Paint and Sip Classes Sydney: Ceramic Plates & Bowls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $49Best value

Meet at 191 William St in Darlinghurst for a relaxed 2.5-hour ceramic painting class. Choose a plate or bowl, use the supplied materials, follow simple guidance, and BYO your favorite wine. Coffee, apple tea, and Turkish delights are included.

“This was a great activity as a solo traveler. When I arrived a very kind and friendly woman introduced the activity to me and gave some tips to help it go smoothly. The tea was delicious and the two hours was perfect for the time it took to complete. Overall it was so calming and peaceful, a nice break from walking around the busy city of Sydney. I loved it!”

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6.Paint and Sip Classes Sydney: Acrylic Art, Canvas & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $56

At Art Masterclass in Darlinghurst, you’ll follow step-by-step acrylic painting guidance from instructors including Irem, with canvas, paints, brushes, and an apron supplied. Sip tea, enjoy Turkish delights, bring wine if you’re 18 or older, and take your finished artwork home.

“Excelent, we had a perfect moment. I enjoyed to painting with my friends. La profesora fue muy amable y paciente, nos ayudó a dejar fluir la creatividad”

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7.Resin Art Classes Sydney: Cheeseboards & Coasters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $92

At Art Masterclass in Darlinghurst, you’ll spend about an hour designing resin coasters or a cheeseboard with supplied epoxy, pigments, and embellishments. The small class welcomes beginners and experienced artists. Your piece needs 24 hours to dry before collection, with delivery available if needed.

“When we arrived for our class, the instructor informed us that the class list he received from the office did not have our names on it and there was no room for us in the class. He called the office and no response was received. We also attempted to reach the office via Viator messaging, as well as phone, and never received a response..”

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8.Sydney Harbour Hands-On 2.5 Hour Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 30 reviews · 2h 30m · from $119

Join an English-speaking skipper for 2.5 hours on Sydney Harbour with no more than four people aboard. From Manly, you can help set the sails, learn basic sailing, steer the yacht, and view the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, beaches, and waterfront homes when weather allows.

“As we had no prior sailing experience, our guide Will walked us through the basics of how sailing works. Gradually, we were able to take part in operating the boat ourselves, which was a lot of fun. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone with little or no sailing experience.”

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9.Sailing Hands-On Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $86

Join Manly Sailing for a small-group sail on Sydney Harbour aboard a 24-foot keelboat. Your skipper, including instructors such as Will, George, or Diana, can teach you to steer, set sails, and handle basic sailing tasks, or let you simply enjoy the ride.

“We picked the best day to learn to sail, the weather was perfect. Will & George were great teachers, I would highly recommend this experience to others.”

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10.Dee Why Beach Group Surfing Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 1h 30m · from $53

Meet the Dee Why Salty Surf School team outside the surf life saving club for a 90-minute group lesson. Coaches including Dan, Conrad, Will, Anguss, and Gor teach paddling, pop-ups, wave choice, turning, and ocean safety. Boards and wetsuits are provided.

“This was so much fun and our instructor Will was so helpful! Great experience for a good price, we were all able to learn how to stand up on our boards.”

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11.Sydney Harbour Hands-On Taster Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 1h 30m · from $84

Join an English-speaking captain, with instructors such as Onur or Izzy, for a small-group sailing lesson from Manly. You can help set the sails and steer while cruising past northern Sydney beaches, coastal homes, and harbour views. The yacht holds no more than four participants.

“Our Instructor Onur was very good, patient and did a great job of explaining things.”

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12.Hands-On Sailing Experience on Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $161

Spend three hours aboard Manly Sailing’s classic Southwinds with a private skipper. Learn basic sailing, take the helm, bring a picnic or drinks, and cruise past Watsons Bay, Taronga Zoo, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Luna Park. Departures run in the morning or afternoon.

“We had an excellent day! Xavier was awesome, great captain, great teacher, great guy.. We had light winds but the yacht performed great. Very rewarding overall.”

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13.Ceramic Plates & Bowls Paint and Sip Classes

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 2h 30m · from $55

At Art Masterclass Sydney, you’ll spend 150 minutes painting a ceramic plate or bowl with step-by-step help. Bring your own wine, sip from the supplied wineglass, and enjoy Turkish tea, treats, and homemade shortbread. No experience is needed, and you take your finished piece home.

“it was very chill and the painting was easy and guidance was very nice!! especially the apple tea”

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14.Mosaic Art Classes – Turkish Lamp Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

At Art Masterclass in Sydney, an English-speaking instructor guides you through glass painting, tile placement, color harmony, and lamp design. You will enjoy Turkish tea and homemade shortbread, then take home a handmade mosaic lamp created with colored glass, beads, and adhesive.

“It was relaxing and enjoyable experience. They offered tea with cookies, it was delicious home made which was delicious and lovely. The instructor was fantastic—very attentive, patient, and always ready to help. They guided us step-by-step through the process, making it easy to follow. It made me feel inspired and disconnected. Highly recommended for anyone looking to try something creative. The best...it is made by yourself for yourself.”

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15.Sydney Photography Masterclass – Private Photography Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $186

Spend three private hours with photographer Glenn or a fellow Aperture Tours guide, learning exposure, composition, and night photography around Sydney Harbour. Your group of up to four can follow a suggested route from Milsons Point to Circular Quay, with time for camera review and practical shooting advice.

“Great photography lesson with Glenn. He aimed the session very well for both of us despite being at different abilities. Well done. Really enjoyed it.”

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