The Ultimate Sydney Itinerary

As the largest and best known city in Australia, Sydney is probably the most popular with tourists visiting the continent Down Under. Situated on the East Coast of New South Wales, Sydney is renowned for its scenic harbour views, iconic beaches and spectacular landmarks. While I’m lucky enough to live within an hour of Sydney, its a destination most people travel a significant distance to get to. For that reason its important to make the most of your time here. While this isn’t the first time I’ve posted about Sydney, I wanted to consolidate the essentials into this guide. If you’re planning a trip to Sydney (or just want to see what its all about) come along for the ride.

A Bit of Background About Sydney

Traditionally the land of various Aboriginal tribes, Sydney became the first site of British settlement in Australia. Under the leadership of Captain Arthur Phillip, the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1778, as Phillips chose to establish a penal colony here (being unimpressed by the Captain Cook discovered Botany Bay down the coast). Despite its early days as a convict settlement, Sydney grew over time under the leadership of Governor Lachlan Macquarie and really was responsible for the thriving colony that would ultimately become part of the federated Australia. Increased migration throughout the 20th century was responsible for Sydney becoming a diverse cultural metropolis known around the world today.

How to Get to Sydney

Sydney is the most frequent destination point of entry for visitors to Australia. It is connected to major hubs in North America, Asia and the Middle East, with connections from South America, Europe and Africa available from those destinations. Domestically, you can reach Sydney by plane from pretty much any airport in Australia. Sydney International and Domestic Airports are located a short 10 kilometres outside of the Central Business District. Once you’re out of the airport, you can get on a train and be in the heart of the city within twenty minutes.

If you’re coming to Sydney (or Australia in general) from overseas, you’ll need a visa. There’s numerous types depending on the purpose of your stay. The exception to this requirement is citizens of New Zealand, who can enter Australia under a visa free travel arrangement. Make sure you check the official visa requirements when planning your trip.

When to Travel to Sydney

Sydney experiences warm summers (high 20s – early 30s Celsius) and relatively mild (low teens – early 20s Celsius) winters during the day. Your trip won’t be ruined if you come to Sydney in the winter (June – August), but to get the most out of the city’s beaches and overall outdoor ambiance, I’d aim to come to Sydney in the summer (December – February). In saying that, its also the most expensive time to visit, coinciding with Australian summer school holidays. The shoulder seasons (September-November; March-May) are also nice times to visit that shouldn’t be as expensive.

Where to Stay in Sydney

If its your first time in Sydney, I recommend staying in the Central Business District. While its obviously the most expensive part of the city, its conveniently located in walking distance of most places you’ll want to see during your stay. There’s no sugarcoating it though – Sydney is a relatively expensive city in general. There are some budget options available however. While you could stay in the suburbs, you’ll have to commute into the city (parking is expensive, so you’ll be using public transport), and I feel like you’d miss the overall vibe of staying in Sydney proper.

As a rough idea, you could expect to pay the following for a double room in Sydney during high season:

• Budget: less than $200 AUD
• Midrange: between $200 – $350 AUD
• Luxury: more than $300 AUD.

How to Get Around Sydney

For the most part, Sydney is pretty walkable once you’re in the heart of the city. If you’re sick of walking, you can easily get around using the City Circuit train line. To use the train system (and other public transport), you’ll need to buy an Opal Card. You can buy an Opal Card for free (with a minimum load of $10 AUD) at major train stations, news-agencies and other corner stores throughout the city. Once you have it, you can tap on at any station and tap off when you arrive at your destination, which is how your fare is calculated. Daily fares are capped at $15.80 and $2.70 on Sundays, making it a fairly economical way to get around. Technically you can still buy single tickets at some stations without an Opal Card, but you won’t get any discounts, so why would you?

This itinerary will also see you get out on the water, so you’ll be glad to know that the ferry service is also tied to the Opal Card (as are buses and light-rail).

If you’re in a hurry, you can get around using Uber. Its far cheaper than getting a taxi.

A Four Day Itinerary for Sydney

Being Australia’s biggest city, you’ll want to spend at least 4 days to fully enjoy Sydney’s highlights. I’ll now break these down to give you a plan when you visit.

Day One: Circular Quay, The Rocks and the Gardens (aka the landmarks)

For your first day in Sydney, you should take in some of the landmark attractions and sights that the city is best known for. For the better part of the day, you’ll be exploring the shoreline of Sydney Harbour. After a breakfast at a local cafe, start your day at Circular Quay which is really the Harbour’s main hub.

Sydney Opera House

• Where: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 9.00am – 5.00pm daily
• Admission: Free but guided tours cost $42 AUD for adults.
• Website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/

Sydney’s most famous landmark is without a doubt the Opera House, which has stood on Bennelong Point since its opening day in 1973. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, this iconic concert venue contains five performance spaces. If you really want to get the most out of a visit, pre-book a guided tour, however most visitors will be content with admiring the unique roofed structure from the outside. Hanging around and take your requisite “I was here”. If you’re into performance and the arts, you should check if any performances are scheduled during your time in the city (but make sure you factor those tickets into your budget).

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Just a short walk from the Opera House, is Sydney’s other defining structure. The Sydney Harbour Bridge extends almost 1150 metres across the gaping harbour, connecting North Sydney to the Rocks. Colloquially known as “the coathanger” you can’t come to Sydney and not get a photo (or photos) of the world’s largest steel arch. Walking along the pedestrian walkway on the bridge is free, but if you’re after some even more scenic views, pay a visit to the Pylon Lookout, where you can ascend the Bridge’s southeast pylon to look out over the harbour while also taking in a few exhibits about the Bridge’s construction. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can arrange a Bridge Climb (a guided walk across the top of the bridge) but bookings are essential.

Museum of Contemporary Art

• Where: 140 George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
• When: 10.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays); 10.00am – 9.00pm Friday.
• Admission: Free.
• Website: https://www.mca.com.au/

The Museum of Contemporary Art is housed inside a 1950s style Art Deco building right by the water on Circular Quay. During a visit to this free gallery you’ll see countless modern masterpieces in the museum’s permanent collection, including prominent pieces of Aboriginal art. When you’re finished looking around, you can head up to the rooftop cafe for even more incredible views of Sydney Harbour (sensing a theme today?). Its probably getting close to lunch time, so you could grab a bite here or head to a local pub or cafe in The Rocks before continuing on.

Royal Botanic Gardens

• Where: Mrs Macquarie’s Road, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 7.00am – sunset daily
• Admission: Free.
• Website: https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens are a short walk from Circular Quay and a great place for an afternoon stroll. This pleasant green space covers 30 hectares filled with various palms, ferns, flowers and other varieties of plant life. The Calyx exhibition space often also contains particular exhibits of interest, such as a recent showcase of carnivorous plants. While exploring the garden, you’ll also find even more spots to enjoy harbour watching. You can also find Government House, a 19th century house that serves as the residence of the NSW Governor, in the grounds (pre-booked tours are available).

Art Gallery of NSW

• Where: Art Gallery Road, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 10.00am – 5.00pm Thursday – Tuesday; 9.00am – 9.00pm Wednesday.
• Admission: Free
• Website: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/

Two art galleries in one day? Sure, it might sound a bit much, but bear with me, because I think this is Sydney’s best. The Art Gallery of NSW is a huge gallery with multiple levels containing an array of Australian, European, Asian and Contemporary pieces of artwork. Spend at least an hour here taking in some of the best pieces on display in this imposing building. Don’t miss the Yiribana Gallery which contains one of the world’s largest exhibits of exclusively Aboriginal artwork.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Just to the north of the Botanic Gardens, make your way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a natural landmark at this peninsular jutting out into the Harbour. The area took its name in 1810 from Governor Macquarie’s wife, who ordered a rock seat be chiselled for her to sit in and view the harbour’s beauty. Make sure you aim to get here around sunset – you’ll be rewarded with amazing views. If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Sydney that shows both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the one shot, there’s a very good chance it was taken here after all!

An Evening in The Rocks

Spend your first evening in Sydney back at The Rocks. This area is really the “old town” of the city, comprised of the laneways dating back to the original colonial inhabitants from which Sydney grew. There’s plenty of pubs and restaurants here to ensure you find something you’ll like. I highly recommend the Australian Heritage Hotel, where you can down a beer or two while feeding on the unique Coat of Arms pizza (containing kangaroo and emu meat). Its an excellent way to wind down your first day in Sydney.

Day Two: To the Beach

Australia is known for its beaches, and Sydney is home to some of its most famous ones. On your second day, you’ll be soaking up Sydney’s beach culture. After breakfast, you’re headed out to Bondi. You can get there by a regular bus from the Central Business District (or get the train to Bondi Junction station and bus it to the beach from there).

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is Sydney’s most well known beach. While locals go elsewhere to avoid the mass crowds of tourists, there’s a reason Bondi is so famous (okay – aside from the Bondi Rescue TV show). Its a beautiful beach on the ocean just a short distance out of the city centre. Named after the Aboriginal word for “water breaking over rocks” (fitting), Bondi is a great place to get some sun, cool off in the ocean, or even learn to surf with the help of various providers that offer lessons. Spend the morning making the most of the sun (don’t forget to put on that sunscreen). When you get hungry, venture over to the nearby cafes for a coffee and feed.

Bondi to Coogee Walk

After lunch, you’re taking one Sydney’s most scenic hikes. Head south from the Bondi Icebergs Pavilion (don’t miss the iconic saltwater Icebergs Pool on the way) and start your 6 kilometre journey along the clifftop pathway. Your ultimate destination is Coogee Beach, another of Sydney’s beautiful beaches where you’ll definitely want to take an afternoon dip. Along the way however, you’ll pass by Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches, all the while taking in scenic coastal views and informative interpretive signs. Make sure you do this on a nice day (check the weather forecast when you arrive in Sydney and schedule it accordingly) as there’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than this coastal stroll.

Also, if you happen to be visiting Sydney in late October, there’s a chance your visit will coincide with the spectacular Sculpture by the Sea festival. During this 17 day event, the first stretch of the walk (from Bondi to Tamarama Beach) contains a series of sculptures from renowned artists competing for prizes. Get your camera ready!

Back to the City for Dinner

Spend as long as you like by the beach today – if you’ve got 4 days in Sydney, there’s still plenty of time to see the rest of the city’s sights. When its time to head back, you can get a bus to the Central Business District. From there, you’ve got countless options for dinner. Surrey Hills has a myriad of international and fusion offerings, while Chinatown serves plenty of Asian delicacies.

Day Three: Darling Harbour and the Central Business District

On your third day of Sydney, you’ll be experiencing the touristic side of the city. A lot of that is centred around Darling Harbour, a short walk from the city centre. In addition to being filled with street performers and great waterside bars, this is where you’ll find some of Sydney’s best museums and other tourist hotspots. We’ll be taking some of them in this morning, before wrapping up the day with more views of Sydney, this time from above.

Australian National Maritime Museum

• Where: 2 Murray Street, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 9.30am – 5.00pm daily.
• Admission: Free admission to the main museum exhibits; $32 AUD including vessels.
• Website: http://www.sea.museum/

Being the waterside city on an island continent that it is, it goes without saying that there’s the sea bears significant ties to history when it comes to Sydney. Thats on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum, housed in a massive structure on the far side of Darling Harbour. While visiting the museum, you can take in excellent exhibits focused on all aspects of Australia’s relationship with the sea, ranging from Indigenous canoeing practices to the role of the Australian Navy. The real highlight, however, are the vessels that you can board and tour docked in the harbour outside. Pay for a ticket and you can climb aboard the HMAS Vampire (destroyer) and Onslow (submarine), in addition to a replica of the HMB Endeavour (Captain Cook’s tall ship), and the James Craig Tall Ship.

• Want to know more? I wrote a blog post about my visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum HERE.

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

• Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 10.00am – 5.00pm daily
• Admission: $36.80 for adults if booked online (more expensive at the door). Also consider a combination ticket if you’re headed to Madame Tussauds, Wild Life Sydney Zoo or the Sydney Tower Eye for discounted admission deals.
• Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/sydney/

Looking to get up close and personal with Australia’s marine life? Look no further than the Sea Life Aquarium. Its particularly popular with families that have young children, but I think its an enjoyable experience for anyone that enjoys learning about animals. Containing over 17,000 species of aquatic life, the aquarium is home to dugongs, sharks, rays and penguins (there’s even a short boat ride included with your admission that goes past the penguin exhibit). The Shark Tunnel is an obvious highlight, but the exhibit that focuses on the Great Barrier Reef is also incredible – especially if you’re not going to get up to the Reef while you’re visiting Australia.

• If you want to know more about what to expect at the Sea Life Aquarium, check out my post about the experience HERE.

Wild Life Sydney Zoo

• Where: 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney NSW 2000
• When: 9.30am – 5.00pm daily
• Admission: $36.80 for adults if booked online (more expensive at the door). Also consider a combination ticket if you’re headed to Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium or the Sydney Tower Eye for discounted admission deals.
• Website: https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/

Want to see more Australian wildlife? Lucky for you, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo is right next door to the Aquarium (its run by the same company). While its not the best zoo in Sydney (that honour goes to Taronga Zoo on the North Shore), if you’ve only got a few days in Sydney, this one is much easier to fit into your schedule. The Wild Life Zoo focuses solely on Australian animals. You’ll see the Australian Big Five (kangaroos, koalas, wombats, crocodiles and platypuses) along with much, much more. Spend an hour or so learning about Australia’s unique land animals before heading off for a late lunch nearby.

• I’ve written a blog post about my experience at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. If you’re wanting to learn more, check it out HERE.

Hyde Park

After an action packed schedule so far, its time to cool down with a relaxing stroll through Australia’s oldest public park. Hyde Park dates back to its reservation by Governor Phillip in 1792. While relatively small (it goes a few blocks), its filled with gardens and trees, and the central walkway heading towards the Archibald Memorial Fountain is a popular photo spot. Around the park, you can also duck into the ANZAC Memorial (dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand forces that served at war) and the nearby St Mary’s Cathedral (the hub of Catholicism in Australia, consecrated in 1905). When you’re finished, take a stroll through either the Queen Victoria Building or Pitt Street Mall nearby for a bit of retail therapy and a bite before heading off to your final stop of the day.

Sydney Tower Eye

• Where: Level 5, 108 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2500
• When: 10.00am – 9.00pm daily
• Admission: $24.80 general admission for adults if booked online (more expensive at the door). Also consider a combination ticket if you’re headed to Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium or Wild Life Sydney Zoo for discounted admission deals.
• Website: https://www.sydneytowereye.com.au/

Accessible through the fifth floor of the Westfield Shopping Mall, the 309 metre tall Sydney Tower Eye offers the best views of Sydney from above. When visiting the tower, you’ll start out with a brief 4D experience before entering the main observatory, which offers 360 degree birds eye views of its surroundings. The advantage of scheduling a trip to the Sydney Tower Eye for the end of your day is that you’ll be able to experience a sunset while looking out over the panorama – on a clear day you can even see as far as the Blue Mountains to Sydney’s west! If you’re especially daring (and willing to fork out the extra cash) you also can participate in the Skywalk experience that takes you out (harnessed) onto clear glass platforms outside the observatory – but you’ll definitely have to book in advance for earlier in the day.

Day Four: Across the Harbour

If you’ve got a fourth day in Sydney, you should spend it by crossing the Harbour. While most of Sydney’s attractions are situated on the south side of Port Jackson Bay, you can’t come to one of the world’s most famous harbours without getting on the water. In Sydney, the best way to do that is by catching a ferry from Circular Quay. There’s a number of different routes that go to various coves around the bay, but if you’ve only got time to take one, your best bet is the 30 minute trip to Manly. The cruise will take you past the entrance of the Harbour (sit on the right side of the vessel to see the gap between North and South Heads).

Manly Beach

When you arrive at Manly Ferry Terminal, you’ll have to walk along the Corso pedestrian mall to get to another of Sydney’s beloved beaches. Check in with the street performers, cafes and souvenir stalls along the way and you’ll finally reach Manly’s golden sands. Manly Beach stretches along the shoreline for two kilometres and is lined with pine trees and apartment complexes. While its definitely a spot tourists come to, it has more of a local feel than the Eastern Beaches. Its also quite popular with surfers. Spend the morning in the sun and take a dip among the waves.

Shelly Beach

After grabbing some lunch at the Corso, take the one kilometre walk down to nearby Shelly Beach. This north facing ocean cove is quieter than Manly Beach and is a protected bay filled with tranquil, calm waters. Its a great spot for snorkelling if you want to see some local marine life. If you’ve had enough of the water (is that possible?) you can instead hike (about 3 kilometres) further out to North Head where you can look out at the ocean from the steep cliffs and lookouts at the entrance to Sydney’s harbour. Either way, spend the rest of the day out here before taking the ferry back to Circular Quay – but check under the Manly Wharf before your departure to see if the local colony of fairy penguins is hanging around.

• NOTE: if you’re not feeling like spending another day at the beach, substitute your trip to Manly for a day at Taronga Zoo Sydney. You’ll still get a (shorter) ferry ride and get to see countless animals (local and international) in Sydney’s best zoo.

Luna Park

• Where: 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point NSW 2061
• When: 11.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Thursday; 10.00am – 10.00pm Friday – Saturday; 10.00am – 9.00pm Sunday
• Admission: Free (pay for rides, or purchase unlimited rides pass).
• Website: https://www.lunaparksydney.com/

After heading back to the city (and maybe getting an early dinner), catch another ferry (or walk the Harbour Bridge) to Milsons Point. You’ll arrive at Luna Park, an old fashion seaside amusement park which first opened back in 1935. Perhaps most famous for its clown face entrance, Luna Park offers a great evening, particularly if you’re travelling with children that will enjoy the myriad rides, such as the Wild Mouse rollercoaster and spectacular Ferris Wheel. Even if you’re not riding, its a fun atmosphere where you can enjoy some incredible views looking back at the main part of Sydney across the Harbour as the sun sets upriver over the Western Suburbs.

More Time in Sydney?

If you’ve got more than a few days to spend in Sydney, there’s countless more things to see and do. Here are just a few recommendations:

• Rocks Discovery Museum: a small but comprehensive museum containing numerous artefacts, highlighting the history of The Rocks district.
• Sydney Observatory: home to Australia’s oldest working telescope set atop Observatory Hill. A short walk from the Rocks.
• Museum of Sydney: a two storey complex dedicated to the history of Sydney set on the site of the city’s first Government House.
• Chinese Garden of Friendship: a tranquil oasis near Darling Harbour designed by architects from Guangzou.
• Australian Museum: a spectacular museum with ranging exhibits from Indigenous beliefs to animal species and dinosaurs.
• Day Trip to the Blue Mountains: scenic lookouts and waterfalls among the eucalypt covered peaks of the Great Dividing mountain range, around an hour and a half outside of Sydney.

As you can see, there’s tons to do in Sydney. Hopefully this four day itinerary has helped you plan how to spend your time in Australia’s biggest city. Did I miss any places you’d recommend? Get in touch below!

Australia is a huge country with so much to see. Don’t stop at Sydney. Consider checking out Melbourne, heading to Uluru and the Red Centre, or venturing up to Queensland for its Gold Coast theme parks or tourism hub Cairns for easy access to the Great Barrier Reef.