Getting all achievements in 101 Cats in Sydney is a straightforward process that boils down to two dedicated playthroughs: one for careful discovery and another for pure speed. The game features a total of seven achievements, and this guide will show you how to get them all, breaking down the interactive secrets, the hidden level, and the optimal path for the challenging timed run.
Your first playthrough should be slow and methodical, focused on finding every cat and clicking every interactive object without the pressure of a clock. Your second run will be a blitz, using the knowledge you gained to beat the five-minute timer.
The Two-Playthrough Strategy
To achieve 100% completion efficiently, you must split your focus. Trying to find all the secrets while racing against the clock is a recipe for frustration. Instead, dedicate each playthrough to a specific goal.
Playthrough 1: The Completionist Run
Take your time. The goal here is to earn five of the seven achievements by being thorough. Scour the entire panoramic scene of Sydney, from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House and the surrounding gardens. Click on everything that looks remotely interactive. During this run, you will unlock:
- Cat Beginner: Find your first cat.
- Cat Expert: Find 50 cats.
- Cat Master: Find all 101 cats.
- All Interactive Achievements: This includes finding the hidden Koala and triggering several unique animations (detailed in the next section).
- The Secret Level Achievement: By unlocking and completing the hidden Luna Park area.
The key is to be patient. Some cats are cleverly blended into the sandstone architecture or foliage. Use the hint system if you must, but try to find them on your own to build memory for the speedrun later.
Playthrough 2: The Sydney Sprint
This run is dedicated solely to the "Sydney Sprint" achievement, which requires you to find all 101 cats in under five minutes. By now, you should have a strong mental map of most cat locations. This is purely a test of speed and route efficiency. Ignore all interactive elements and the secret level; just click cats as fast as humanly possible following the optimal route outlined later in this guide.
All Secret & Interactive Achievements
Beyond finding the cats, several achievements are tied to clicking specific, non-cat objects in the environment. You must trigger all of these during your first, untimed playthrough to secure 100% completion.
- "G'day, Mate!" Achievement: This is for finding the single hidden Koala. It’s not a cat, so it’s easy to miss. Look for the Koala clinging to one of the upper support beams of the Harbour Bridge on the far left side of the scene.
- "Opera Singer" Achievement: Zoom in on the Sydney Opera House. Click on the largest, most prominent 'sail' of the roof three times in a row. On the third click, a cat will pop out and meow, unlocking the achievement.
- "Surf's Up" Achievement: Pan your view towards the water on the far right, representing Bondi Beach. You'll see a set of three colorful surfboards leaning against a wall. Click on all three of them.
- "Ferry Good" Achievement: In the main harbour, you will see a classic Sydney ferry moving slowly across the water. Simply click on the moving ferry to get this achievement.
101 Cats in Sydney in-game screenshot
Unlocking the Secret "Luna Park" Level
One of the most well-hidden secrets is an entire bonus level. Finding it and its unique collectibles is required for the "Amusement Meow" achievement.
To unlock the level, you need to interact with the iconic smiling face entrance of Luna Park, visible across the water on the north shore. It’s not enough to just click it; you must perform a specific sequence.
The Luna Park Entrance Sequence
- Zoom In: Get a clear view of the large, grinning entrance face.
- Click Left Eye: Click on the face's left eye (your left).
- Click Right Eye Twice: Click on the face's right eye two times in quick succession.
- Click Left Eye Again: Click the left eye one final time.
If performed correctly, the face's mouth will open, revealing a swirling portal. Clicking this portal will transport you to a new, smaller nighttime scene of Luna Park. This level contains 10 special "ghost cats" that you must find to earn the "Amusement Meow" achievement. Once you find all 10, you can click an exit button to return to the main Sydney scene.
101 Cats in Sydney in-game screenshot
The Hardest Challenge: The "Sydney Sprint" Speedrun
With all other achievements unlocked, only the "Sydney Sprint" remains. Finding 101 cats in under 300 seconds is a significant challenge that relies entirely on muscle memory and an optimized search pattern. Do not attempt this until you can confidently locate at least 90 of the cats without thinking.
Before you start, go into the game's settings and ensure the hint system is disabled, as any accidental clicks on it will waste precious seconds.
The most effective strategy is to divide the massive panoramic map into three distinct zones and clear them systematically, moving in one direction to avoid wasting time panning back and forth.
Recommended Search Path
Zone 1: Circular Quay & The Rocks (Cats 1-35) Start on the far left of the map. This area is dense with cats hidden in the historic buildings, alleyways, and around the ferry terminals. The density is actually an advantage, as you can find many cats in quick succession without much panning. Clear this entire section methodically before moving on.
Zone 2: Opera House & Botanical Gardens (Cats 36-70) Pan your view to the right, focusing on the iconic Opera House and the sprawling gardens behind it. Cats here are often hidden in the foliage, on the Opera House steps, and near the water's edge. This section is more spread out, so your panning should be smooth and deliberate. Clear everything up to the edge of the large naval ship.
Zone 3: Harbour Bridge & North Shore (Cats 71-101) This is your final stretch. Sweep your view up to the Harbour Bridge, clicking the cats on its structure, then across the water to the buildings of the North Shore and the area around Luna Park. The final cats are located on the far right of the scene. This route is designed to be a continuous left-to-right sweep of the entire scene, minimizing wasted mouse movement.
101 Cats in Sydney in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many achievements are in 101 Cats in Sydney? There are a total of seven achievements: three for finding 1, 50, and 101 cats; three for secret interactions (Koala, Luna Park, all other clicks); and one for completing the game in under five minutes.
Can you get all achievements in one playthrough? No, it is practically impossible. The methodical searching required for the secret interactive elements and the Luna Park level conflicts with the extreme speed needed for the "Sydney Sprint" achievement. Plan for two separate runs.
What is the hardest achievement to get? The "Sydney Sprint" is by far the most difficult. It requires near-perfect knowledge of all 101 cat locations and an efficient, practiced route to complete within the five-minute time limit.
Is there a point of no return? No. The game can be replayed as many times as you like from the main menu. You can start a new game at any time to attempt the speedrun or find anything you missed.
Final Thoughts
Achieving 100% completion in 101 Cats in Sydney is a satisfying and accessible challenge. By adopting the two-playthrough strategy, you separate the joy of discovery from the thrill of a time trial. The secrets are clever but not obtuse, and the speedrun provides a genuine test of skill for dedicated players. Follow this guide, and you'll have all seven achievements unlocked in no time.