5 days in Sydney

Day by day

1. Day 1: Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge

   Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach, then Luna Park Sydney in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sydney Opera House

      For the classic photo of the Opera House with the Bridge behind it, walk through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. (1–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Sydney Harbour Bridge

      Reach the footpath by the stairs from Cumberland Street in The Rocks, walk to Milsons Point and come back by ferry for a different angle. (1 hour walk; 3.5 hours to climb, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sydney rock oysters

      Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay, oyster bars around Circular Quay and seafood restaurants in Watsons Bay.

   4. Afternoon

      Bondi Beach

      Swim only between the red-and-yellow flags; the southern end has a well-known rip current that catches visitors every summer. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Luna Park Sydney

      Walk across the Harbour Bridge to Milsons Point, finish at Luna Park, then take the ferry back to Circular Quay.

2. Day 2: Manly ferry and Manly Beach and Taronga Zoo

   Manly ferry and Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo and Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, then Surry Hills and Darlinghurst in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Manly ferry and Manly Beach

      Sit on the outside deck on the right-hand side as you leave Circular Quay for the closest views of the Opera House. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Taronga Zoo

      Ride the Sky Safari cable car from the ferry wharf to the top entrance, then walk downhill through the zoo back to the ferry. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Meat pie

      Bakeries across the city, Harry's Café de Wheels in Woolloomooloo, and at any rugby league or AFL match.

   4. Afternoon

      Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair

      Follow the waterside path from the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair early or late in the day, when the light is softest on both landmarks. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Surry Hills and Darlinghurst

      Small bars, cocktail lounges and the LGBTQ+ venues along Oxford Street, which come alive during the Mardi Gras season.

3. Day 3: The Rocks and Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

   The Rocks, Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and Art Gallery of New South Wales, then Newtown and Enmore in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Rocks

      Stop for a drink at one of the area's 1840s pubs, such as the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel or the Hero of Waterloo, on the quieter western side. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

      Start at Bondi in the morning so the sun is behind you, and pack swimwear for a dip in the Bronte or Clovelly ocean pools. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Flat white

      Independent cafés in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Newtown and the CBD laneways; chains are the exception here.

   4. Afternoon

      Art Gallery of New South Wales

      Walk the short path between the two buildings and finish on the newer building's outdoor terraces, which look across Woolloomooloo to the Finger Wharf. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Newtown and Enmore

      Pubs, live-music rooms such as the Enmore Theatre, and late-night food along King Street and Enmore Road.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Blue Mountains

   About 2 hours by train each way. Getting there: Train from Central to Katoomba.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Blue Mountains

      About 2 hours by train (Train from Central to Katoomba); about 100 km.

   2. Day

      Blue Mountains

      Sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forest and the Three Sisters rock formation make the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains the classic Sydney day trip. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Sydney

      Dinner: try Smashed avocado and ricotta hotcakes.

5. Day 5: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Australian Museum

   Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Australian Museum and Hyde Park Barracks, then The Rocks and Circular Quay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

      Pair it with a wander through The Rocks next door; it is also the obvious shelter when a summer thunderstorm rolls in. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Australian Museum

      Combine it with a walk across Hyde Park to St Mary's Cathedral and the Hyde Park Barracks on Macquarie Street. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Smashed avocado and ricotta hotcakes

      Cafés in Bondi, Bronte, Surry Hills and Paddington; expect queues on weekend mornings.

   4. Afternoon

      Hyde Park Barracks

      Don't skip the top floor, where rows of hammocks recreate the convicts' crowded sleeping quarters. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      The Rocks and Circular Quay

      Historic pubs, waterfront bars below the Opera House and rooftop drinks with Bridge views.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Circular Quay and The Rocks keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont ($$$) suits families, first-timers and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 24–36 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.9 hours in June to 14.4 hours in December, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Sydney
• 2 days in Sydney
• 3 days in Sydney
• 4 days in Sydney
• 7 days in Sydney

Questions travellers ask