Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the most populous and well known city in Australia. It surrounds Sydney Harbour and is known for its iconic Sydney Opera House. Although it is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is also considered one of the most livable. Very few people who visit this amazing city are ever disappointed!
Check out Sydney Harbour!
THE must-do of the city is Sydney Harbour. From the Opera House to The Rocks there are beautiful sights and plenty to do on a day out. The walk along the harbour also includes the historical Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Sydney Opera House always has multiple shows going on with a wide range of genres and prices, so there is something for everyone. Even if you don’t want to go see a show you can still go inside. The building is almost always open during the day for general tours of the interior.
NOTE: The Big Bus Tours are not worth your money! Sydney is an extremely walkable city so it is better to take a simple walking tour than waste 50 AUD on this tourist trap.
The Rocks is a neighborhood to the west of Circular Quay. It is an adorable art scene with numerous galleries to pop into and enjoy.
Darling Harbour (an offshoot of Sydney Harbour) is another fun neighborhood to explore. With King Street Wharf, Chinatown, and Haymarket nearby, there’s plenty to see, do, and eat!
Head to the Beach!
Sydney has a collection of beautiful beaches to visit making it the perfect Australian coastal city. The two most popular beaches are Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach. On a nice day, tourists and Sydneysiders alike will be lined up towel to towel all across these famous beaches. Another popular beach is Manly Beach on the other side of the harbour to the north.
If the large waves are not your style, there are small “baths” to the side of most beaches. These are calm areas surrounded by a wall to break the waves. The most well-known of these is the highly instagramable Bondi Iceberg Pools and another is the Bronte Baths to the side of Bronte Beach. As solo female travelers, sometimes it is nice to get away from the men of the world and the McIver Ladies Baths is the perfect space for this as a women-only ocean pool.
Conveniently, there is a hiking trek known as the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. This hike takes you along 6 different beaches and tons of beautiful ocean lookouts.
Relax and Enjoy Nature
Feeling like getting away from the skyscrapers and noise? From local gardens to famous national parks, Sydney is filled to the brim with relaxing escapes from the bustling city.
In Sydney Harbour is the Royal Botanic Garden. With endless trails to get lost walking around, gorgeous fountains and statues to admire, and even more views of the harbour, this garden is the perfect getaway right in the middle of the city.
Located in Darling Harbour is the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This traditional Chinese garden is stunning and has an adorable teahouse inside to enjoy. There is an entry fee of 12AUD.
Another small but enjoyable park is Goldstein Reserve that overlooks Coogee Beach. It is a gorgeous stretch of grass, perfect for reading or picnicking – especially at sunset.
Sydney is also home to some iconic Australian national parks. About 1.5 hours south of Sydney (by public transport) is Royal National Park. I have actually not been YET, however, some bucket list items based on what friends have done are as follows:
- Figure Eight Pools
- Cliff jumping at Wattamolla Beach
- Wedding Cake Rock
- National Falls
Further outside of Sydney (about 3 hours by public transport), is Blue Mountains National Park. The park is absolutely stunning with loads of lookouts and waterfalls to find.
I got around Blue Mountains perfectly fine without a car, however, I do recommend renting a vehicle as it will make these trips much more convenient!
Check out my 3 Day Blue Mountains Itinerary HERE
Party the Night Away!
With its many backpackers and tourists, you can usually find something going on any night of the week. Below are some of my favorite spots!
- The Ivy – This place is huge! Their Thursday night parties and pool parties always require a ticket purchased ahead of time, but are well worth the 22 AUD. Just be prepared to push through the mobs of unticketed people failing to get in.
- Scary Canary – Great for a silent disco!
- Side Bar – Connected to the Wake Up! Hostel, this is backpacker central. It often has bingo or other activities early in the night as well.
- The Argyle – Less busy on weeknights, but its outdoor bar is perfect for pre-drinks.
Safety
I personally have never felt unsafe in Sydney, even on a late night out. That being said, of course, be careful and smart like in any other city.
Some honorable mentions that I did not do but would be fun activities if you’re looking to splurge:
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb – Prices vary between 268-400 AUD for this thrilling experience. Climb over the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a one of a kind view of the harbour.
- Taronga Zoo – Tickets are 46 AUD but visiting a zoo in Australia is a must. Almost every zoo in Australia allows you to feed/pet kangaroos and wallabies and get up close and personal with different Australian wildlife. Going to any zoo in Australia will be an unforgettable experience.
- Sydney Harbour Cruise – There are plenty of different companies that offer cruises around the harbour. Some are cheaper than others, so do your research to find the right option for you.
How to Get to Sydney
Sydney is easily the most famous city in Australia and one of the most famous in the world. Its international airport is located in the south of the city, across town from where tourists actually want to go – Sydney Harbour. The public transportation is wildly easy and cheap in this major city, so taking a train between the airport and your accommodation is insanely easy.
Best Cafes and Restaurants in Sydney
Sydney is huge and has an insane network of cafes and restaurants for all budgets. Here are some of my favorites located all around central Sydney.
- Pancakes on the Rocks
- Maker’s Dozen
- Opera Bar
- Potts Point Hotel
- Dymocks Cafe
- Mr. Wong
- Lotus Dumpling Bar
How Many Days in Sydney?
I recommend a minimum of 3-4 days here but you could stay forever and still have more places to explore and restaurants to eat at. This city is seriously busling and a culture hub that can be easily enjoyed for weeks on end. However, if you are short on time, 3 days will do the trick.
Even if you get bored of Sydney itself, you can always head out of town to one of the many surrounding national parks! Nearby are the Royal National Park and the Blue Mountains National Park.
Check out my full Australian East Coast Itinerary HERE!
Overall, Sydney is well worth the hype. It is the ultimate must-see of Australia and although busy and expensive, it feels truly unreal to be in such an iconic city.
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