A blog for travel lovers, history buffs, geography nerds, and those seeking adventure.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

6 Things To Do In Sydney

I suppose I should have actually titled this post “6 Things To Do In Sydney in 48 hours”. I only had a very quick weekend in Sydney, and since I had thought I would be working I didn’t have anything planned or booked at all.

I was staying with my host family in an apartment just a few minutes away from Bondi Beach, and we arrived on a Saturday afternoon. During lunch they met up with their family and told me to go do whatever.

OKAY!

I ended up having most of Saturday to explore and all day Sunday. Since I had no plans I racked my brains thinking of things that just NEEDED to be done while I was there.

I came up with 6 things that I knew I couldn’t leave Sydney without having done, so here they are!

  1. Stroll Circular Quay. I arrived in Circular Quay to sunshine and rainbows (okay no rainbows, but loads of sunshine!) so I wandered around taking pictures and then decided to go take a nap on the patch of grass I found behind the Opera House. Then I heard thunder. Great….so I found shelter with some other people while we waited for the storm to pass. As quick as the storm had come it was gone again. The weather during this trip was very moody!
    6 Things To Do In Sydney
  2. Ferry to Manly Beach. I was supposed to meet up with some friends that evening. I took the ferry in the dark over to Manly Beach where they were supposed to meet me. They didn’t. They fell asleep.. But at least I got some incredible views and it wasn’t really out of my way.
    6 Things To Do In Sydney
  3. Bondi to Coogee walk. I woke up to wonderful sunshine Sunday morning. Immediately I decided to do the Bondi to Coogee walk, since I had heard so many incredible things! The views were some of the best I had ever seen. If you want to read about that whole experience, I’ll leave my post here.
    6 Things To Do In Sydney
  4. Taronga Zoo. After my walk I decided to go to the famous Taronga zoo. The only thing I had really heard about this zoo was that it had stunning views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Since my zoo pass that I had for home in Melbourne would grant me free admission I decided to head over! It was a very quick ferry ride. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, it decided to pour again. Oh well, I bought an umbrella and explored!
    6 Things To Do In Sydney
  5. The Harbour Bridge Climb. I actually hadn’t originally planned to do this climb. Tickets were expensive and I hadn’t booked in advance, so I didn’t think I would be able to anyways. On the Sunday morning my host dad asked me if I was going to do the climb and I said no. He quickly called the company and found out there was one spot left that evening, so I booked it and had a sunset climb! I didn’t purchase any of the photos of the climb. I didn’t like them, they didn’t look like the greatest quality, and I was much shorter than all the other people on the climb so I could barely see myself. However, the climb itself was SO fun! I had been worried I wasn’t in good enough shape, but the climb itself goes slowly and isn’t at all difficult.
    6 Things To Do In Sydney
  6. Wander the Rocks area. Did you even go to Sydney if you don’t wander the Rocks area? I don’t think so! The Rocks is where the Europeans first settled in Sydney, and as such is full of history. My favorite! The area is right in the city center and borders Circular Quay, so it is such an easy place to get to. I wandered around at night, and looked into the shops. I loved how some steps were cobblestones and there were cute little lanes and alleyways. I normally wouldn’t explore a new area at night, but there were loads of people about and shops open everywhere so I felt very safe.

And that is what I got up to in 48 hours in Sydney! It was very packed but felt like a good pace. I didn’t feel rushed as I was just doing what I wanted and exploring.

What are some things you think need to be done in Sydney?

This post is now available for download with GPSMyCity! Click here to download.

6 Things To Do In Sydney

 

96 Responses

  1. I love seeing your pictures from Australia! 😍 I’ve never been, but I would LOVE to go! I will keep this in mind for things to do if I ever get to go! 🙂

  2. You picked some great highlights to see and do in Sydney on short notice! And to get a sunset spot without booking in advance – super lucky!

  3. This is a very timely post as we are now starting to research for our AU trip which we initially set in Q4 this year. Do you also have some recommendations on food destinations that we can try?

    1. Have an incredible trip!
      I unfortunately don’t have any food recommendations as I only stopped to eat at Nando’s, grabbed a sushi roll (do it, they’re delicious) and had pasta at one of the Harbor restaurants, but I don’t remember their names.

    1. I REALLY wanted to do some surfing lessons, but I couldn’t find anywhere to get booked in for a last minute spot on a sunny weekend. Next time I’m on that side of the world though!

  4. The pictures are perfect! I`ve never been to Australia but when I will eventually go I will have a look again at this guide (and the Melbourne one as well). <3

  5. I wrote a similar guide recently and included a couple of the same things 🙂 The Coogee to Bondi walk is my absolute fave! Never done the bridge climb though. But I can imagine it’s amazing. I’m in Sydney now and the weather is so annoying! I call it BiPolar weather, ha ha.

  6. Nice list! My mom grew up in Sydney and I have relatives who are Aussie. I was just there earlier this month helping my sister move in. Sydney has changed a lot from the sleepy city I grew up with (as a child, I’d spend Aussie winters a.k.a. summer months there). The traffic has gotten a lot worse but there’s a bit more vibrancy as a result. I think my favorite day was wandering into the museum of contemporary art in Circular Quay then wandering around The Rocks afterwards. Taronga zoo was really fun too!

  7. I loved Manly beach! I was there on a really dramatic day of clouds and a gorgeous sunset. I never did do the Bridge walk but wish I had!

  8. OK hearing thunder always sucks on a walk but your opera house photo with the storm clouds is awesome! Love it.
    Bondi to Coogee walk also looks amazing! Will have to add that to my Aussie bucket list 😀

  9. Ooh I’d love to do that walk or the climb! It’s funny as this is the second I’ve read about that walk in the last couple of days – it’s a must I think!

  10. I was in Sydney LOOOONG time ago. I feel like I didn’t do anything after reading this! Lol. I will go back. That Bondi walk looks awesome. Can’t believe your friends abandoned you at Manly! Thanks for the great ideas.

  11. ive been to Sydney a few times as its one of my favorites! I skipped the bridge climb on one trip and regretted it so did it the next trip – glad you got to do that as it was such a highlight!

    the weather has never been good for the Bondi to coogee walk so that still on my list!

    I would add “bike tour of city” and definitely “an Opera House guided tour inside” as its incredible architecture and backstory add such rich layers to the outer shells

    plus Darling Harbour fireworks are fun – even in the rain!

  12. I really love walking. It seems to calm the mind andi can definitely attest that it is good for the soul. Honestly the list really spoke out to me because it was on a walking list. Don’t know when and if I will make it to Sydney. Hope I will sooner rather than later.

  13. Great list, I did 4 out of 6! I think my favorite area was the Art Gallery NSW though, just sitting on that field having a hot dog and coffee felt so relaxing. I’d probably also do an Opera House tour.

  14. Aw, I just love Sydney! The Harbour Bridge climb was such an unforgettable experience! Lovely list of things to do in this incredible city. I’ll keep these things on my radar for my next visit 🙂

  15. I love Sydney! I lived there for 2 months and it was lovely! Love the young vibes out there! So many beaches to discover also! I would add Shark Bay for cliff diving! 😀

  16. My friend is going to be doing a working holiday in Oz next year, so I’m taking advantage and saving up to visit her and travel Oz. Thanks for giving me some great tips for Sydney!

  17. Your photos are beautiful! I really love anything that has to do with being outside so these are all perfect for me. Will be saving this for later!

  18. I am dying to go to Australia. It has been on my list for a while now. Maybe next year! This is a great post. Thanks for the suggestions.

  19. Australia is the great conundrum for me. I’m only allowed two weeks off at a time so by the time I get there, I’d have to turn around again. It’s nice to see thy even if I only made it Sydney, there’s lots to do.

    1. Yeah that’s the problem for a lot of people wanting to travel to Australia. It is just so far away! And add in jetlag, it’s not easy to do in two weeks. I think to properly travel Australia you have to spend at least 3 weeks, and even then you’d only be seeing a small part.

  20. Love this! I’ve been to Sydney a number of times and I love it. The one thing I definitely still have to do is Taronga Zoo! I love the Rocks area! We stayed there and it was amazing. Such a great post!

  21. Omg I love this blog! I would love to climb that bridge. Last time I was there I was so young and I missed out. Soon enough. Thanks for inspiring the wanderlust ❤❤❤

  22. What a great short and sweet guide to Sydney! I REALLY love the style of your pictures btw, are the from a disposable camera, or filtered or something?

  23. You managed to fit a lot into a short time in Sydney. I loved the walk from Bondi to Coogee and also Taronga Zoo. I never ended up climbing the bridge. Like you I didn’t think I’d be able to get tickets short notice but it’s lucky that you did, and at sunset too!

  24. I would really love to visit Sydney soon ❤ The best thing would be to climb the bridge. I’m all for unique experiences and that just sounds so amazing!!

    Jacky 🌞

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Brooklyn standing in front of the pyramids of Giza

Brooklyn Murtaugh

travel blogger

Hi! I’m Brooklyn. Like many, I thought my purpose in life was to go to university, settle down and have kids. But that is not me. 

My aim is to inspire you to travel as much as you can while you can, whether that be through au pair work, or on your limited vacation days. It CAN be done. This world is incredible, let’s explore it!

Search
Must Reads
Guides