Sydney Adventure: 6-Day Itinerary, great for First-Time Explorers
Quick preview of themes:
Day 1: Stretch your legs and take in the sights
Day 2: Walking Tour, Opera House, Gardens, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
Day 3: Cathedral, Bondi to Coogee Walk, Darling Harbour
Day 4: Choose your own Adventure Day + (inspiration for adding more days)
Day 6: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and Ferry Ride
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Day 1: Stretch your legs, Take in the sights
We traveled on a direct flight from Los Angeles to Sydney (~14.5 hours flight). This was a long direct flight and while it was a smooth comfy ride over, getting off the plane we were so thrilled to just walk around and stretch out!
We think most people will have a pretty long journey to the Southern Hemisphere so we want to make sure you have plenty to do on day 1 but also relax and rest up for the rest of your action-packed trip!
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
The QVB makes for a great first stop especially to grab a coffee!
This architecturally beautiful building designed by George McRae was first opened in 1898. It was named to honor Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Over the years the building has undergone renovations and change in purpose now housing shops and cafes spanning a whole block on George Street! Be sure to check for updated hours online.
The Rocks
The Rocks is the name given to the birthplace of modern Sydney. It was here in the 1700s, that European convicts first settled in this maritime village. Over the years it has evolved from being the slums to the modern-day trendy cafes. Explore the area and keep your eyes peeled for the historical plaques around the neighborhood! This makes for a great spot to grab a meal or a drink!
Tips to explore more: There is a Rocks Discovery Museum that is free to visit. There is also a Rocks Market that happens every weekend with local crafts and food.
Sydney Harbour
After a meal, come explore the Harbour for a treat!
This is the most spectacular view and it’s so hard not to walk your way here every chance you get! You can catch a glimpse of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Worth a stop on the first day no matter if it’s day or night!
Day 2: Walking Tour, Opera House, Royal Botanical Garden, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
Walking Tour Sydney and the Rocks
Experience the city's history and sights with engaging walking tours. We always include at least one in our travels and highly recommend it. With powerful storytelling, these tours can transport you through time. If you choose a free walking tour- you pay what you feel the experience was worth at the end. The company we used and loved is linked here. Our tour was 2.5 hours long. Another one to consider is here. There are many others out there, choose your favorite!
Tip: Most tours have Venmo/credit card options due to the pandemic, but always a good idea to have some cash in local currency on you just in case.
If you choose not to do the walking please spend time getting lost in Sydney, it is beautiful and so walkable.
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House is an iconic architectural masterpiece completed in 1973. It was built on imagination and power to bring people together in the name of art. Today it welcomes more than 8.2 million visitors a year and is also home to the busiest performing arts center in the world!
There are many different tours to enjoy the building. Additionally, you can even catch a show! We did an amazing basic 1-hour tour and then we decided to book a show to come back later in the week! If you get a chance, catch a show here!
Royal Botanic Garden
Just a 5-minute walk away is a beautiful free garden!
The 74-acre garden is Australia’s oldest botanical garden. It is also an excellent location close to the harbor and the views! Check online for hours, events, and tours.
Watch Sunset from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
This is a very popular and beautiful place to catch a sunset! Along the route here, there are ample spots to admire the beauty of the harbour, bridge, opera house, and gardens (the views never get old and are so mesmerizing)!
Governor Macquarie was a key player in forming Sydney and thus you will see the name everywhere.
Day 3: Cathedral, Bondi to Coogee Walk, Darling Harbour
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Start the day at the cathedral and admire the beautiful English-style Gothic style design completed in 1928. It is free to visit and take in the sights! Be sure to check online for updated hours!
Bondi Beach and Coastal Walk
We promise you this walk is something you have never experienced before. It should be a must-do on everyone’s list! It’s full of scenic views right along the ocean and filled with impressive cliffs, beaches, parks, bays, pools, scenic views, and lots of waves!
Inside tips: There are quite a few steps and inclinations at certain points making this a moderate walk. Make sure you have good walking shoes and bring a water bottle (there are many filling stations along the way). Just to give you an idea the 6 km walk with minimal breaks will take 2-3 hours.
However, the best way to do this is to take as many breaks as you want to take in the views, go for a swim, grab some coffee and snacks, and do the walk at your own pace! Remember to focus on the journey rather than the destination!
Getting to Bondi Beach
Ok first, let’s get talk about how to get to Bondi. Via public transportation, you can take the bus from the city or train then bus or other car/ride share services. It will take about 30 minutes to get to Bondi Beach using public transport. It’s super easy and the most affordable option.
Bondi Beach
The world-famous Bondi Beach is easily spotted for its white sands, vibrant culture, and surfing. In fact “Boondi” is the Aboriginal word that basically means to surf.
Notts Avenue
Icebergs
The origins are of the Bondi Icebergs Club was in 1929 when it became home of Winter Swimming. Iceberg’s open-air pool is one of the most photographed pools in the world! You can literally spend hours just staring at the ocean waves crashing into the pool.
The views are free but if you want, you can even pay a small fee to swim in the Icebergs pool. There is a museum and cafe in the club as well.
McKenzie’s Point- look for whales!
As you walk along the coast you will come to this area between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach offering more beautiful picture spots. Between May and October you can even spot whales!
Tamarama Beach
Along your coastal walk, you will come to this beach next.
This beach is known for surfing and also has a whole town surrounding it so this makes for a perfect break to check out the local cafés and shops.
There are plenty of benches to rest your feet and even a water-filling station!
Bronte Beach
Another wonderful classic surfer beach surrounded by plenty to do! Gorgeous views, rock formations, and rock-enclosed areas to swim in. It’s also 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from Bondi Beach, making it kind of the halfway point?! to Coogee.
Coogee
Another beautiful beach and town that meets all your needs (swimming, surfing, eating, drinking, shopping, and lounging)! There’s so much to do and you can even catch a sunset here!
For other fun activities, Consider taking a Private Surf Lesson at Bondi Beach!
Darling Harbour
The area is known as Cockle Bay but the Governor- Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling renamed it after….. can you guess? There’s so much to explore in this area-shops, food, National Maritime Museum, aquarium, zoo, and nightlife too. You can even take a ferry to Circular Quay if you wish!
Day 4: Choose your own Adventure Day
Sydney has so much to offer that you can really spend a week here and still only touch the surface. Here we give you options to choose a day trip, and check out museums, shows, and a variety of walks based on your interests. Feel free to incorporate some of this into your other days or mix and match as you see fit.
Day Trip- Blue Mountain National Park
Within this option, there is a way to DIY It by taking a train in and then doing the hop off hop on a bus across the stops. However, we recommend taking a guided tour. Our favorite one is The All Inclusive Blue Mountains Day Trip that includes adventure, hiking, and a cruise back!
2. Catch a Show at the Sydney Opera House!
There is no dress code, only thing that matters is you are on time! Enjoy drinks and snacks during breaks while taking in views of the Sydney Bridge from the outdoor patio. There are so many different shows offered -opera, plays, music, etc.. Plan ahead as tickets can be limited!
3. Check Out Sydney’s Amazing Museums:
Sydney has a ton of wonderful museums so here’s our top three (and FREE) picks in no particular order:
Art Gallery of South Wales
This beautiful art gallery is only a 10-15 minute walk from the city center providing a collection that is very unique including Australian works-colonial, and Aboriginal art in addition to celebrating many different cultures.
When we went, we took a free highlights tour which offered us a new level of appreciation for the gallery. Afterwards, we checked out the Members Lounge that was open to everyone that night (and likely every Wednesday night is what we heard in the grapevine) offering live Australian music artists with drinks and delicious food! Of course check online for updated hours, late-night art, and tour info.
Museum of Contemporary Art
After our immersive tour and amazing time at late-night art at Art Gallery of South Wales, we were so excited to find out that MCA also had late-night art hours (check online for updated hours, info). We even took the free gallery highlights tour here! It was such a lovely experience that provided context to appreciate art in a meaningful way. It also is a great place for some beautiful views of the Harbour given its location.
Museum of Sydney
This is the HISTORICAL museum that was built on the first Governor of Sydney's home (home built in 1788). The museum is filled with digital media and objects helping immerse you in the rich history of the founding of Sydney. Plenty of places to SIT or walk/read and browse. Learn about the aboriginal culture, the evolution of Sydney, the people, and its culture.
More museums: Other museums to check out that come highly recommended to us: Hyde Park Barrack ($); Australian Museum ($); Rocks Discovery Museum (free), and Australian Maritime Museum ($). Of course, Sydney is full of wonderful museums so please do check out any that interest you even if not on the list!
4. Be inspired to take a stroll around Sydney!
You can try the Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair Walk along the coast to the Opera House and just get lost in Sydney, walk, shop, and and take the sights in!
5. A Walk in the Park: Hyde Park and ANZAC Memorial
Hyde Park
This is a 40-acre park located in the CBD and also known as “The Common” which historically has been known to be the home of the people. Check out the greenery and open space and given its central location, can be used to commute to many top attractions in Sydney! Be sure to check out the Archibald Fountains, Anzac Memorial, and open-air artwork occasionally displayed here.
ANZAC Memorial
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The memorial was built to honor the Australian Imperial Force of World War I. It was first opened to the public in 1943 and today offers free entry to a visitor center, exhibits,in addition to the memorial.
Day 5: Ferry and Beaches Day
Circular Quay
This is THE PLACE to BE surrounded by views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is within walking distance to The Rocks, Royal Botanical Gardens, and the hub for transportation- ferries or light rail.
Ferry to Watson’s Bay or Manly Beach
Pick one or choose both destinations!
The ride is about 30 minutes one way offering stunning views of the Harbor for either option. The ferry is pretty large offering both outdoor and indoor space to sit, bathrooms, and food/drinks for purchase. Just check the hours of the ferries for the day to help plan your trip!
Watson’s Bay
Watson’s Bay is one of Sydney’s oldest fishing villages offering picturesque views and known for its seafood. There are tons of shops, restaurants, hiking, and outdoor activities for you to explore. Be sure to catch a sunset here before heading back to CBD Sydney!
Consider a coastal walk: This one is a 4.5 km Circuit Walk that might take about 2-2.5 hours with breaks. You can do a part of it or all of it based on your interest!
Starts and ends at Ferry Wharf with notable stops along the way: Camp Cove; Lifeboat Shed; Lady Bay Beach; Hornby lighthouse; The Gap (many different viewpoints/stair).
Tip: Of note, if you happen to go between October and May, keep a lookout for the migration of humpback whales that you can see from the cliff tops!
Manly Beach
This is one of the Northern Beaches of Sydney and is actually home to the world’s first surfing contest held here in 1964! There is so much to do- from all the water activities you can imagine to coastal walks, shopping, chilling, and eating of course! Be sure to end your day with a sunset!
Tip: Stop by at the welcome center to chat about the most recommended coastal walk routes based on updated weather conditions.
Day 6: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and Ferry Ride
Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic bridge that was designed by John Bradfield and opened in 1932, after 8 years of construction. The arch has a span of 504 m (1654 feet). It is nicknamed “The Coathanger” by the locals given the arch shape.
It’s a fairly easy walk once you climb stairs, about 1.5 km long (30-45 minutes with breaks). You will end up on Bridge Stairs Kirribilli at Milsons Point. You can take those down or the elevators as well! Get ready for some breathtaking views!!
If you are looking for adventure and thrill - check out the Climb the Sydney Bridge! It can be quite steep (both the price and height!)
Luna Park
Before you take the ferry back, take some time to explore the area- lots of little shops and restaurants. Walk over to Milsons Point Wharf and check out Luna Park. The views are amazing of the Harbour from the Wharf!
Luna Park was first constructed in 1935 is an amusement park on the harbour that offers nostalgic traditional carnival games and rides. The entrance is free, so go walk around and check it out! It is also a common filming location. Of course, check for updated hours/events online.
Milsons Point Wharf -Take the ferry back
You can take a ferry back to Circular Quay from here when you are ready to head back. Be sure to capture some photos and take in the views from this northern side of the Sydney Harbour!
Sydney Modifications/Tips…..
If you have a few more days, please do look at DAY 4 for more inspiration!
Be sure to check out our Australia Wildlife Post!
Our top five must do things in Sydney in no particular order include: Watch a sunset at the Harbour, Take a ferry from Circular Quay, Get lost in the Rocks, Check out Bondi Beach, and visit one of our top three museum picks (above)!
A quick comment on transportation: Sydney is very walkable, but your feet will likely need a rest! It’s so easy to navigate the public transport (which includes-light rail, ferries, and busses). There is a weekly cap on the prices. Also you can just tap your favorite international friendly credit card pre/post rides. See details on the transport website. If you prefer a transport card that is also available.
Check out our Australia page for more inspiration that includes things to do in Melbourne.