Sydney is arguably the most visited part of Australia (sorry Melbourne). With must-sees such as the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach, it’s a hotspot for tourists and other locals from within Australia too!
Other than sightseeing spots, Sydney offers foodies a plethora of cuisines and cafes to choose from – from tantalizing brunch to sweet desserts, Sydney has them all. Even if you only have a few days to spend, you’ll be satisfied for sure; you’ll probably want to book a return trip after this though!
Here’s a 3D2N itinerary for Sydney for travellers who are visiting Sydney for the first time. Trust us when we say it won’t be your last.
SYDNEY ITINERARY DAY 1
BRUNCH: THREE WILLIAMS CAFE
For your very first day at Sydney, check out this hidden gem in Redfern called Three Williams. Our favourite dish from them is their hearty Crabmeat Linguine. It’s chocked full of sweet crabmeat and cooked in a thick creamy sauce. We loved how there was a crunch from the toasted breadcrumb and nut topping too!
Do try their hot chocolate as well – they do a great rendition of this classic drink. It’s rich yet not too cloying – perfect for a breezy morning in Sydney.
613A Elizabeth Street
Redfern NSW 2016, Australia
Daily: 7am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Redfern
VISIT MAPO GELATO
Mapo Gelato in Newtown is probably one of the best gelato stores in Sydney. They offer a great range of all-natural flavours, packing a punch yet still maintaining that ultra-smooth gelato texture. Our favourite flavours have to be their Matcha and fresh Mango gelato! If you prefer something more subtle, try their Fior De Latte, which is an all-milk gelato.
123 King Street
Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Macdonaldtown
SEE THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
“P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney”. If this phrase rings a bell, congratulations, your childhood was awesome! Something you absolutely have to see in Sydney on your very first trip there is the Sydney Opera House. This architectural wonder is the icon of Australia for a reason – it’s truly magnificent up close. You’ll walk away from this wondering if your photographs have done this beauty any justice!
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SNAP A PHOTO OF THE HARBOUR BRIDGE
Nearby the Sydney Opera House is another iconic Sydney landmark – the Harbour Bridge. You can actually climb the bridge, but that takes a few hours. If you have less time on your hands, you can admire it from the bay at the Sydney Opera House and still get really good photos too!
SWING BY THE ROCKS WEEKEND MARKET
For first-timers in Sydney, you might be a little surprised by the short operating hours of most shops in the area. They can close as early as 3 or 4pm sometimes! However, that’s not to say Sydney doesn’t have a bustling nightlife as well.
The Rocks Market is open only on weekends. We’d recommend going on Saturday or Sunday as it closes at 5pm, ensuring you time to walk around and enjoy some food and shopping!
Jack Mundey Place, Playfair Street
George Street, The Rocks
NSW 2000, Australia
Fri: 9am – 3pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
STROLL THROUGH THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
If you’re feeling a little tired, make your way to the Royal Botanic Gardens, a 10-minute walk from the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay station. It’s a lush garden fit for royals, like its namesake. Grab a cup of coffee and you’re good to sit on the beautiful lawns, admiring the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from a brand-new vantage point.
Head over to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, one of the best viewing spots of the opera house and the harbour bridge. The best time of the day to visit is just before the sun sets so you can witness the sky changing colours while you admire Sydney’s best landmarks.
DINNER: HURRICANE’S GRILL
For dinner, head on over to Hurricane’s Grill at Circular Quay. Hurricane’s Grill Steakhouse is where locals and tourists go for the famous Hurricane’s ribs. If ribs are not your thing, you can try their premium Australian steaks and burgers!
Level 2, Gateway Sydney Alfred Street
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Circular Quay
SYDNEY ITINERARY DAY 2
BREAKFAST: BOURKE STREET BAKERY
Hidden in Surry Hills is Bourke Street Bakery, famous for their delectable pastries and tarts. Our favourites list runs long but if you want to know what’s best, get their Pain au Chocolat and their Ginger Brûlée Tart. You can grab a hot cup of coffee to go with your pastries too – a perfect breakfast in our eyes.
633 Bourke Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 7am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Central
GO ON A COASTAL WALK TO BONDI BEACH
For those who like to have a little bit of a hike in the morning, challenge yourselves to a coastal walk and be rewarded with some of the most stunning views Australia has to offer. We took a short 1-hour hike from Bronte Beach to Bondi Beach, which could be done faster if we hadn’t stopped to take so many photos (but who wouldn’t when the views are so magnificent?).
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Photo Credit: Instagram
LOUNGE AT BONDI’S ICEBERGS CLUB
Another iconic spot is Bondi’s Iceberg Club. Located in the centre of Sydney’s most famous beach, it’s a great place to kick back, relax and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing right before your eyes. They offer coffee, alcohol and some great food options to help you enjoy the day to the fullest!
You should definitely have a dip in their pool and sauna, peering over the edge to where actual waves are ebbing and flowing. There’s just something about the azure waters that make it all-too inviting.
1 Notts Avenue
Bondi NSW 2026, Australia
Sun to Wed, Fri & Sat: 6am – 6pm
Thu: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bondi Junction
EXPLORE DARLING HARBOUR & SQUARE
This picturesque harbour is one of the most famous places in Sydney, constantly bustling with people from all over the world. It even has its own Ferris Wheel, which makes for a great backdrop for some Instagram photos as well. Darling Square, just beside the harbour, is great for getting some quick bites.
GRAB A BITE AT SHORT STOP DONUTS
If you’re feeling peckish after lunch, drop by Short Stop for their fluffy donuts. We love how their flavours are all-natural and super unique – think Triple Matcha, Cinammon Cardomom & Sugar and Maple, Walnut & Brown Butter. They have both cake-based and yeast-raised donuts, so everyone can have a favourite!
Shop 3, 23 Barangaroo Avenue
Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Wynard
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DINNER AT ESTER RESTAURANT
It’s your last night in Sydney so why not splurge a little on some fancier food? Rated as one of the best restaurants in central Sydney, Ester will not disappoint. We tried their Hanger Steak with Salsa Verde and Garlic Puree, along with their house Kombucha. It was a truly splendid meal and a must-try in Sydney.
46-52 Meagher Street
Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 4.30pm
Nearest Station: Redfern
SYDNEY ITINERARY DAY 3
BREAKFAST & COFFEE AT BREWTOWN
Sydney has an abundance of great coffee shops and cafes but our favourite has to be Brewtown, an industrial-themed coffee roaster in Newtown. There’s just something magical about their cuppas that keeps us coming back for more. Pair your hot coffee with their iconic Cruffin – a cross between a flaky Croissant and a baked muffin.
They’re always crowded so go earlier to avoid having to wait for seats!
6-8 O’Connell Street
Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Daily: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Macdonaldtown
VISIT THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA
There’s one place you have to visit before you hop on your flight back.
If you haven’t visited The Grounds, have you really been to Sydney? Well, if there’s one place that’s more heavily photographed by tourists than the Sydney Opera House, it’s probably The Grounds of Alexandria – a garden-themed cluster of cafes. A common misconception that many people have is that it’s a single eatery that’s just really huge. However, it’s actually several restaurants with vastly different menus spread all over a huge plot of beautifully decorated land.
There are stalls speckled all over the Grounds serving up pastries, flowers and different types of tea and drinks too, not to mention a farm with live animals right in the centre of the place. There’s literally a photo opportunity at every corner.
7a/2 Huntley Street
Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
Mon to Thu: 7am – 9pm
Fri: 7am – 10pm
Sat: 7.30am – 10pm
Sun: 7.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Green Square