4 Days in Sydney – The Ultimate Sydney Itinerary

As Australia’s oldest and largest city, Sydney is one of the best-known Australian cities nationally and worldwide. With its grand colonial buildings, gorgeous cityscape, breathtaking coastline, vibrant nightlife, pleasant climate, and convenient public transport system, Sydney is often on the bucket lists of many travellers visiting Australia.

Since Sydney is densely populated with historic architecture and iconic landmarks, visiting Sydney will require advanced planning to make the most out of your stay, especially when visiting Sydney for the first time. Although it can take at least a week to thoroughly explore Sydney and its coastline, 4-day is sufficient for most visitors to get a feel of Sydney and its surroundings.

In this article, I have put together a detailed 4-day itinerary for visiting Sydney, based on my previous visits to this beautiful harbour-side city. It includes visits to Sydney’s most iconic attractions and beaches for a well-balanced trip. A range of galleries and museums within Sydney are also suggested to suit the needs of different travellers.

Where to Stay in Sydney

Sydney has a well-connected public transport system with bus, rail, and ferry. Taxis and ride-share services, such as Uber, are also available around Sydney. With heavy traffic and tight parking spots, you will likely have a better experience exploring Sydney by public transport instead of driving around yourself.

Hence, to make getting around Sydney easier, you will be better off finding accommodation near a bus stop, train station, or ferry terminal. For this 4-day Sydney itinerary, all destinations can be easily reached either by walking or by public transport from Circular Quay. Therefore, I highly recommend staying near Circular Quay during this 4-day visit to Sydney.

With that said, the entire Sydney CBD area is, in general, a great place to stay when visiting Sydney, as you can usually find a bus/train station within a short walk from any CBD location. In addition, when staying within Sydney CBD, many attractions in and around Sydney are also easily accessible by foot.

The only disadvantage of staying in Sydney CBD is its lack of parking space. Many accommodations within the CBD area either do not offer guest parking or charge an arm and a leg for a parking spot. If you are visiting Sydney by car, consider looking for accommodation in the suburbs instead.

During my recent visit to Sydney, I stayed at the Little Coogee Hotel near Clovelly Beach, along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. It is a 20-minute drive from Sydney CBD & conveniently positioned with bus stops, restaurants, shops, and beaches nearby. The room rate was decent for the location, which also included free parking within the room rate. Although it is only a budget hotel, it was clean and had everything I needed for a few nights’ stay.

Day 1: Sydney CBD

Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are often the first two landmarks people will come up with when mentioning Sydney. Indeed, the sight of the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge is simply spectacular, especially at nighttime. However, there is much more to Sydney than these two well-known landmarks.

On the first day of your visit to Sydney, you will start the day by admiring the beautiful Sydney Harbour from the buzzing Circular Quay, then walking clockwise towards the charming Royal Botanic Garden, followed by a visit to the impressive St Mary’s Cathedral. Along this walk, there is also a variety of galleries and museums for travellers from all walks of life to enjoy. Afterwards, you can get a delicate afternoon tea & enjoy a bit of shopping within the historic Queen Victoria Building. If interested, you can also head up the iconic Sydney Tower Eye for a spectacular panoramic view of this beautiful harbour city. Towards the end of the day, make sure you head to the famous Darling Harbour for a relaxing afternoon walk along the water and enjoy some people-watching around Tumbalong Park. For dinner, check out the buzzing Sydney Chinatown for a great selection of authentic cuisines.

A variety of Guided Walking Tours is available for exploring Sydney if you prefer. Hop-on & Hop-off buses are also available in Sydney CBD and Bondi Beach to take visitors directly to a range of Sydney landmarks.

Circular Quay

As a vital bus, train, and ferry terminal, Circular Quay is a busy transport hub and a popular gathering spot in Sydney. By following the well-maintained walkway along the water from Circular Quay, you can obtain one of the quintessential views of Sydney: Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge.

During this short 15-minute walk from Circular Quay to Sydney Opera House, make sure you take the lift up to Cahill Walk Lookout (along Cahill Expressway) for a stunning view of the beautiful Circular Quay, with The Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is by far the most pictured and distinctive landmark in Sydney and Australia. This partially contributed to the common misconception that Sydney is the capital of Australia.

Officially opened its door in 1973, this grand performing art centre has been visited by millions of visitors each year & been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, with its breathtaking sea shells design.

Spreading across the entire Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, the beauty of Sydney Opera House can be appreciated in many different ways. You can appreciate this masterpiece while walking along the harbour on either side of the water, get a unique view of the opera house from the water, and obtain a birds-eye view of this grand design from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Better still, you can visit and appreciate this magnificent architecture from within! Guided walking tours are available to explore the Sydney Opera House. You can also discover this fascinating opera house by joining a world-class performance at the Sydney Opera House.

About the best time to visit the Sydney Opera House, you should see it both early in the morning and late at night. This is especially true if you want to snap photos of this masterpiece without the massive crowds. The area around the opera house starts getting more foot traffic as early as 8 am. If you are particular about your photos and do not like too many photo-bombers, you may need to arrive at the Opera House by at least 8 am, especially during the warmer months.

With that being said, make sure you also come back to visit this area after sunset to enjoy the vibrant nightlife and stunning city lights around the Opera House. If you happen to be in Sydney on New Year’s Eve and Australian Day, the area around the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge also hosts the most spectacular fireworks & make sure you don’t miss out!

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a massive and historic botanic institution that hugs Sydney Harbour & adjacent to the iconic Sydney Opera House. With its ideal harbour-side location, an enormous collection of native and exotic plants, and a range of well-maintained facilities, the Royal Botanic Garden makes a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll along the harbour.

Since Royal Botanic Garden Sydney covers 74 acres of land, you can easily spend hours and hours exploring its charming views and beautiful plantations. However, for this packed 4-day Sydney itinerary, you will likely not have the luxury of exploring it in depth.

To get the best views within the least amount of time, start your discovery journey of this stunning botanic garden from the opera house clockwise towards Mrs Macquarie’s Chair first. From Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, you will be greeted with a spectacular view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. This view is one of my favourites in Sydney & I believe you will enjoy it too!

From Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, you can either continue to follow the footpath clockwise towards the exit or head to a couple of gardens of your choice to visit.

There are various gardens within the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. My favourite is the Spring Walk near Lion’s Gate Lodge. Although it is beautiful any time of the year, as the name suggests, this colourful garden is even more charming during Spring.

St Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney)

Rebuilt after the fire in 1865, on the site of Australia’s oldest Catholic Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral is a grand Gothic cathedral with its wide nave, high ceilings, and over 74-metre tall towers and spires. It is the most magnificent cathedral I have seen in Australia. Even with the high-rise buildings in Sydney, you can still see the towers and spires of St Mary’s Cathedral from afar.

Once you have stepped inside St Mary’s Cathedral, this massive architecture will soon bring you a great sense of peacefulness and serenity. Be sure also to check out its impressive statues, beautiful stained glass windows, and splendid organs.

Sydney Tower Eye

At over 300 meters in height, Sydney Tower Eye is one of the most prominent buildings in Sydney CBD. Located on the other side of Hyde Park, you can easily find this unique tower after visiting the stunning St Mary’s Cathedral.

Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in Sydney & offers the second-tallest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere (ranks just behind the Eureka Tower in Melbourne). From its observation deck, visitors can obtain an unparalleled panoramic view of Sydney with its surrounding mountains and ocean. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to adore Sydney’s beautiful skyline.

That said, access to Sydney Tower Eye’s observation deck is slightly costly. Currently, the cost of general admission to this 360-degree observation deck is AUD 33 (January 2023), which can be cheaper outside of school holidays & during weekdays when booked online in advance.

For people who love a bit of adrenaline kick, make sure you also check out the Skywalk at Sydney Tower Eye. It is a guided outdoor walk at the top of the Sydney Tower Eye for a more exhilarating sightseeing experience. Tickets to the Skywalk are priced at AUD 89 per adult (January 2023), but you can find better deals online when booked in advance. This ticket also provides you access to the observation deck.

For visitors who would also like to view Australian Wildlife, you can find great deals by mixing and matching the admission tickets to SEA LIFE Sydney and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, with Sydney Tower Eye on Viator.

Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

After an entire morning of sightseeing, you will be keen to eat and sit down for a while. In that case, why not check out another historic landmark of Sydney, the Queen Victoria Building?

Queen Victoria Building is a heritage-listed late 1800s building named after Queen Victoria the second. With its glamorous domes and colourful stained glass windows, this 5-level shopping centre does look like a cathedral from certain angles.

Occupying an entire city block, the Queen Victoria Buildings houses a variety of upmarket fashion boutiques and jewellers. Even if shopping is not your thing, you will surely enjoy a stroll along the railed walkways within QVB to enjoy its charming art decor and exquisite mechanical clocks.

There are also various restaurants and cafes within the QVB. Many of them are perfectly positioned along the railed walkway, providing a spot for visitors to re-energise and soak in the fantastic atmosphere QVB presents.

Darling Harbour

Darling Harbour is another popular harbour-side precinct in Sydney. If you have enough time, there are enough attractions and activities within Darling Harbour for visitors to spend a few days easily.

For starters, every visitor should take some time to enjoy a stroll along the water to appreciate this charming harbour (Tips: Darling Harbour looks even more remarkable around sunset). For families with kids, check out Darling Quarter for its 21-metre-long flying fox and fun-filled waterpark. Various cafes and restaurants can also be found around Darling Quarter and the waterfront area for visitors to grab a bite and recharge.

You can also find a tranquil Chinese garden adjacent to the Darling Quarter, the Chinese Garden of Friendship. It is an oasis in the heart of Sydney’s city centre, with nicely designed pavilions, ponds, fountains, and artworks to fully immerse you in this gorgeous oriental garden. Entry ticket to the Chinese Garden of Friendship was AUD 12 per adult when I visited in October 2022 & it was well worth the price.

There are also many other attractions in Darling Harbour to suit different needs. Such as:

• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium: Ticket from AUD 40 per Adult (January 2023) via Viator.
• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo: Ticket from AUD 37 per Adult (January 2023) via Viator.
• Madame Tussauds Sydney: Ticket from AUD 37 per Adult (January 2023) via Viator.
• Australian National Maritime Museum: AUD 25 per Adult (January 2023) via Viator.

Sydney Chinatown

Adjacent to Darling Harbour, you will then find the bustling Sydney Chinatown. It is undoubtedly the largest Chinatown in Australia, with a massive selection of authentic Asian foods and various interesting Asian grocers. This area is, by far, my favourite place to find good food in Sydney!

If you are in Sydney on a Friday, check out Dixon Street for Sydney Chinatown’s famous Friday Night Market. Here you can find various outdoor food stalls selling a range of mouthwatering Asian street foods.

Another place you should also check out when visiting Sydney Chinatown is the famous Paddy’s Market. The building Paddy’s Market is located in, Market City, spans across an entire block, so it is one of the places you will likely walk by many times when in Sydney Chinatown.

Paddy’s Market is a marketplace that dates back to the colonial era. Located on the ground floor of Market City, Paddy’s Market offers a range of shops selling cheap clothing, jewellery, homewares, and souvenirs. There is also a decent sized fresh produce market here, selling various fresh produce, meat, and seafood. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday when I visited & you can also check out its latest trading hour on its website here.

Free Museums & Galleries

Many people think Sydney is expensive to visit. However, many quality museums and galleries are free of charge in Sydney. If you plan your visit well, you can easily enjoy an unforgettable and meaningful stay in Sydney at a very affordable price.

Here is a list of my favourite free museums and galleries in Sydney. You will likely need more time to visit all of them, but you can always pick a couple of them for this visit & keep the rest for your next stay.

• State Library of NSW: offers various galleries within the library. Being the oldest collecting institute in Australia, it provides a good range of artworks (mainly paintings) within its galleries. Make sure you also check out its Mitchell Library Reading Room to adore its card catalogue for printed books.
• Art Gallery of NSW: one of the most extensive public galleries in Australia, showcasing a range of Indigenous Art, Contemporary Art, European Art, and Asian Art.
• Australian Museum: a massive museum where you can find a variety of feathered animals, marine life, reptiles, insects, Australian mammals, fossils, crystals, and even dinosaurs on display. There are also displays of Indigenous Arts and artefacts within this museum. It is a place you can easily spend half a day in.
• ANZAC Memorial: After taking a relaxing stroll through the lush green Hyde Park, you will eventually come across the peaceful and majestic ANZAC Memorial, built to commemorate Australians who served in World War 1 & World War 2. In addition to its impressive Hall of Memory and Hall of Silence, the ANZAC Memorial also houses a collection of archives and artefacts from the war, which is free for everyone to view.
• Powerhouse Museum: an interactive museum focusing on Australia’s industrial revolution & technological development. It is an excellent place for kids and adults to spend a couple of hours exploring. After visiting Powerhouse Museum, make sure you also check out the nearby Goods Line Walk to explore a transformed 1800s railway line between Darling Harbour and Redfern.
• Museum of Contemporary Art: located along the beautiful Sydney Harbour & in the trendy neighbourhood of The Rocks, the Museum of Contemporary Art houses an extensive & permanent collection of contemporary art. It also offers a rooftop cafe with a stunning view of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and The Rocks.

Day 2: Manly

After a full day of walking around Sydney CBD, you will spend the second day relaxing at one of Sydney’s most stunning coastal suburbs, Manly.

Only a 30-minute ferry away from Circular Quay, across the picturesque Sydney Harbour, Manly is a popular Sydney suburb to discover among both locals and travellers. It is home to a beautiful stretch of surfing beach, Manly Beach, and offers many fascinating attractions.

From Sydney CBD, the cheapest and most scenic way of visiting Manly is by taking a ferry from Circular Quay. This way, you can take in the best views of Sydney Harbour without the hefty cost of a cruise tour. If you are taking the ferry service, make sure you plan the return trip to view Sydney Harbour’s nightly light show. Fireworks are held every Saturday at 9 pm from Darling Harbour as well.

You can also drive to Manly by car. The drive between Sydney CBD and Manly takes less than 30 minutes without traffic. However, parking can be an issue around Manly, especially on weekends and school holidays. That being said, it does give you more flexibility and options for visiting a few more attractions in and around Manly.

Manly Beach

Manly Beach is a long stretch of beautiful wide sandy beach, perfect for bathing and surfing. It was also home to the world’s first surfing contest in 1964. Well equipped with amenity rooms, lifeguards, picnic facilities, shops, cafes, and parks, Manly Beach offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Short-term metre parking can be found along the pine-lined beachfront area. Free short-term parking of up to 2 hours can also be found along the back streets near Manly Beach.

Queenscliff Rockpool

Nestled under the cliff face at the northern end (Queenscliff end) of Manly Beach, Queenscliff Rockpool is a 50-metre-long public swimming pool, offering beachgoers a much calmer swimming environment. It also provides a rather impressive view of the wild ocean and Manly Beach & is a great spot to relax and watch the world go by.

Manly Wormhole (Queenscliff Tunnel)

If you are adventurous, you may explore further beyond Queenscliff Rockpool to discover the well-hidden Manly Wormhole, a.k.a. Queenscliff Tunnel.

Manly Wormhole is a rock tunnel through Queenscliff Head, dug out by local fishermen in 1908 for easier access to Freshwater Beach from Manly. Nowadays, this local secret has become a famous spot for photographers and tourists for its remarkable views of the rocky cliff and deep blue water.

The very reason why Manly Wormhole has been a local secret for over a century is how well hidden it is. Even with navigators, many visitors will still struggle to find it. My advice for locating Manly Wormhole is to disregard the navigators and locate Queenscliff Rockpool first.

How to access Manly Wormhole:

• Locate and walk towards the end of Queenscliff Rockpool.
• Take the steps up to the viewing platform (where the bench is) just behind Queenscliff Rockpool.
• Follow the rocky boulders along the bottom of the cliff (instead of heading up to the clifftop). It will be a little steep and rocky, so make sure you are wearing appropriate attire.
• Following the cliff edge for a bit. It will feel like there is no road ahead, but don’t give up.
• After a few minutes of doubting yourself, you will suddenly see the entrance to this long rock tunnel with the ” Enter At Own Risk” sign above. (The tunnel was in good working condition when I visited & I presume the sign was put up there because Manly Wormhole is not maintained/managed by the council.)
• Follow the rock tunnel to the end, where you will be presented with a magnificent view of Freshwater Beach and the southern end of Manly. For people who are interested in rock formations, I’m sure you will also be fascinated by the beautiful rocks along the cliff edge.

Shelly Beach

Located at the southern end of Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is a small sandy beach offering access to a beautiful aquatic reserve, peaceful walking tracks, and picturesque lookouts. With only a short 15 minutes walk along the water from Manly Beach, this is another must-visit spot in Manly.

Visitors can also park their cars at Shelly Beach’s designated parking lot, which is metre parking for up to 4 hours between 7 am and 7 pm daily (as of October 2022). Free off-street parking for up to 2 hours is available too, but they are difficult to come by.

Shelly Beach is home to Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, which makes it an excellent spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Guided snorkelling tours of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve are also available to help visitors to get their heads around this incredible aquatic reserve.

The sheltered water at Shelly Beach is also very calm, making it the perfect spot for safe swimming. With a cafe right by the beach, this spot is great for spending an entire afternoon.

There is also a short 10-15 minutes loop walk (Shelly Beach Walking Track) along the clifftop on the eastern side of Shelly Beach. It offers a few stunning lookouts of the wild ocean and the nearby rocky cliffs. This loop walk can be accessed directly from either Shelly Beach or its car park.

Sydney Harbour National Park

Sydney Harbour National Park is a 392 hectares national park located south of Manly. It offers beautiful coastal walking tracks, peaceful picnic spots, and fantastic harbour views. It is also home to North Head Quarantine Station and North Fort, great places for visitors to learn about Sydney’s past.

Direct bus between Manly Wharf and North Head Quarantine Station is available to bring visitors to and from Sydney Harbour National Park.

Multiple parking options are also available within Sydney Harbour National Park for visitors who prefer to visit via private vehicle. The parking price varies within the park, which can be found here on their website.

Freshwater Beach & Freshwater Rockpool

Freshwater Beach is the first beach north of Manly. It is easily accessible by car or foot from Manly Beach. Wedged between two headlands, Freshwater Beach is an excellent spot for swimming and surfing.

You can find a paved walkway along the northern end of Freshwater Beach. It provides access to a beautiful 50-metre-long rock pool (Freshwater Rockpool) and a close-up view of the fascinating rock formations along this coastline. Along this walk, you can also find many small natural rock pools, perfect for snorkelling.

South Curl Curl Beach

A short walk north of Freshwater Beach, you can then find the picture-perfect South Curl Curl Beach. Being one of the best surfing beaches in Sydney, with a view no less impressive than Bondi Beach but with much fewer crowds, South Curl Curl Beach is my favourite beach in Sydney.

You can also find many free parking options around South Curl Curl Beach, making it more accessible to beachgoers. Cafe and amenity rooms are also available at South Curl Curl Beach.

Since the surfs at South Curl Curl Beach are usually quite large, a well-maintained rock pool (South Curl Ocean Pool) is available at the southern end of South Curl Curl Beach for safe swimming. It is also a great spot to view this stunning beach and open ocean.

South of the South Curl Ocean Pool, you will find an elevated boardwalk towards the direction of Freshwater Beach and Manly Beach. This is the famous Curl Curl Boardwalk.

Curl Curl Boardwalk is a roughly one-kilometre-long coastal walk between South Curl Curl Beach and Freshwater Beach. It offers a breathtaking ocean view and a spectacular display of colourful ‘curly rocks’. The walk takes about 10 minutes one-way, but you will likely spend much longer admiring and taking photos of these fascinating rock formations.

Evening Walk along Sydney Harbour

After heading back to Sydney CBD, take a relaxing walk around the Sydney Opera House to admire its beauty at night. Better still, grab a drink or dinner at one of the harbour-front restaurants or bars to soak in this million dollars view.

Day 3: Kirribilli & The Rocks

After exploring Sydney CBD and the famous Manly area, you will discover some of Sydney’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, Kirribilli and The Rocks, on the third day of this itinerary.

Tips: Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes today, as the streets and laneways in Kirribilli and The Rocks can get very steep. You will also find many stairs to climb today.

Kirribilli

Located on the north shore of Sydney Harbour and directly opposite the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, Kirribilli is one of Sydney’s most prestigious and established suburbs. It is also famous for being the residence of the Prime Minister of Australia and the Governor General of Australia.

The prime location of Kirribilli makes walking around Kirribilli a visual sensation, with the views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge at every corner you turn. Being an affluent and prestigious suburb, you will also find many colonial and victorian buildings along the streets of Kirribilli.

Positioned along Sydney Harbour, you can easily access Kirribilli by ferry. If you are staying within Sydney CBD, a stroll towards Kirribilli via the remarkable Sydney Harbour Bridge is certainly a must-do. Off-street parking is available around Kirribilli, primarily short-term parking. In my opinion, public transport is the better option for visiting Kirribilli if you don’t wish to deal with the hassles of finding suitable car parks.

Kirribilli House

Kirribilli House is a Gothic-style building with an incredible view of the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is best known for being one of the two official residences of the Prime Minister of Australia.

Admiralty House

Adjacent to the Kirribilli House & located at the tip of Kirribilli Point, Admiralty House offers an unobstructed view of Sydney Harbour. It is undoubtedly one of the prime spots to admire Sydney.

The Governor General hosts regular events within the Admiralty House, but it is still mostly beyond public access. However, the Governor General also hosts an Open Day each year for the public to explore this iconic residence. The date changes from year to year, so check out their website for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit to Sydney.

Mary Booth Lookout Reserve

Marry Booth Lookout Reserve is a brilliant public reserve offering million-dollar views of the incredible Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Cove, and Farm Cove. You can either enjoy a picnic along its soft green lawn or sit on one of the benches along the reserve to relax and soak in the breathtaking view it offers.

After rejuvenating yourself at Mary Booth Lookout Reserve, follow the walkway along the waterfront to check out the views from Milsons Point, right beneath the giant Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Luna Park (Sydney)

Luna Park Sydney is one of Australia’s most iconic theme parks, first opened in 1935. Best known for its giant clown face at the entrance and unique art decor throughout the site. It is worth a visit even if you are not interested in taking a ride. Besides, located along Sydney Harbour, just east of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park Sydney also offers a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour.

Although not a giant amusement park, Luna Park Sydney offers a variety of crowd-favourite rides and games, such as carousels, roller coasters, and ferris wheels. There are also many kiosks scattered around the park for everyone to grab a bite and relax.

Tips: watch out for those fierce seagulls when enjoying your delicious meal.

Entrance to Luna Park Sydney is free, but you need to buy tickets for each ride within the park. Alternatively, daily passes are available, which will work out much cheaper if you take multiple rides.

Lavender Bay

After visiting Luna Park, make sure you follow the Peter Kingston Walkway along the water to admire the peaceful Lavender Bay before heading back to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Lavender Bay is a peaceful area tucked between Milsons Point and Mcmahons Point. The walk along Lavender Bay is perfect for a leisure stroll to bring out your inner peace. There is also a picturesque jetty towards the end of Peter Kingston Walkway. It is an excellent place to take a break and take in the beauty of this harbour.

After visiting the jetty, follow the steep steps behind the jetty to visit the beautiful Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden.

Tucked in Clark Park, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden is filled with colourful flowers, such as lavenders and bush lilies, making it a scene from the fairytale. It also provides a charming view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is undoubtedly a city oasis where you can wind down from the bustling city.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge is another famous landmark of Sydney. It is also one of the most visible landmarks along Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel bridge arched across Sydney Harbour, connecting Sydney CBD to North Sydney. This giant bridge accommodates many forms of traffic, from pedestrians and bicycles to cars and rails.

Being the world’s tallest steel arch bridge, Sydney Harbour Bridge offers a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and the adjacent harbour-side neighbourhoods. This makes Sydney Harbour Bridge a popular spot for sightseeing.

There are many ways of admiring the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge. The most budget-friendly and easily accessible form of acquiring this spectacular view is by taking a stroll along its Pedestrian Walkway.

Pedestrian Walkway

Located on the east side of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the pedestrian walkway along Sydney Harbour Bridge offers a bird’s eye view of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and The Rocks.

The pedestrian walkway can be accessed from Milsons Point on its northern end or The Rocks on its southern end via the Bridge Stairs or the elevators. A one-way walk along the pedestrian walkway is about 1.5 kilometres, which took me about 20 minutes to complete, with plenty of photos taken along the walk.

Since it is also a way of commuting between Sydney CBD and North Sydney, you may find yourself walking along Sydney Harbour Bridge more than once during your visit to Sydney. If that’s the case, make sure you time one of your walks around sunset to get the most magical views of Sydney Harbour during your walk.

Pylon Lookout

There are four concrete pylons along Sydney Harbour Bridge, each standing 89 metres tall. Pylon Lookout is located on top of the bridge’s southeastern pylon, which has been transformed into a small museum and a 360-degree viewing platform. It is a great option for visitors who prefer a bird’s eye view of Sydney Harbour without the obstructions from those safety fences along the pedestrian walkway.

Being closer to the CBD end of Sydney Harbour Bridge, the entrance to Pylon Lookout is only a short walk along the bridge via the Bridge Stairs on The Rocks end. From the base, you will need to take roughly 200 steps within the tower to reach its top lookout platform. Within the tower, there is also a museum telling the history of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is quite fascinating.

Although lower than you would have reached with a bridge climb, a visit to Pylon Lookout provides an impressive panoramic view of Sydney nonetheless. With ticket costing only AUD 19 per adult (January 2023), it is also the most cost-effective way for a 360-degree view of Sydney Harbour.

Bridge Climb at Sydney Harbour Bridge (BridgeClimb Sydney)

If you are not scared of heights and love a bit of adrenaline kick, Bridge Climb at Sydney Harbour Bridge might be for you.

BridgeClimb Sydney is a unique and iconic Sydney experience that takes you on a guided walk to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge for an unbeatable panoramic view of Sydney Harbour. However, this premium view also comes with an expensive price tag, costing at least AUD 268 per adult (January 2023) for a trip up the bridge. For safety reasons, you will also be unable to take your own photos during the bridge climb.

The Rocks

After coming off Sydney Harbour Bridge from its southern end, you will be stepping into one of Sydney’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, The Rocks.

As the birthplace of modern Sydney and the oldest neighbourhood in Sydney, The Rocks is a must-visit spot when in Sydney. Nestled right beneath Sydney Harbour Bridge & adjacent to Circular Quay, a walk around The Rocks will bring you to discover a thriving harbour-front promenade with entertaining buskers, cobbled laneways bring you back to the 1800s, and charming old-school pubs telling its rich maritime history.

Cadman’s Cottage

Built in 1816, Cadman’s Cottage is the oldest surviving building in The Rocks. Located next to the Government Dockyard, this Georgian building was initially created for the men working in the Government Boats, later used by Sydney Water Police, before becoming the Sailor’s Home until 1970, when it was formally classified as a Historic Site.

Free guided tours of Cadman’s Cottage are available on the first and third Sundays of each month between 0945 to 1015 for visitors who would like to gain more insights into this heritage-listed building.

The Rocks Market

The Rocks Market is an open-air market held every weekend along the cobbled Playfair Street and George Street. With a range of stalls selling gourmet food, handcrafted jewellery, and quirky souvenirs, The Rocks Market is undoubtedly one of the most iconic markets in Sydney.

The Ken Done Gallery

Located just around the corner from The Rocks Market, The Ken Done Gallery houses the colourful works of Australia’s most iconic artist, Ken Done. It is a great place to visit for anyone who loves contemporary art or just something to brighten their day.

Visitors can browse through and purchase from Ken Done’s beautiful collections. Affordable prints of his artworks are also available, making great souvenirs even if you are yet to be ready to splurge on an original painting.

Campbells Cove

Campbells Cove is part of The Rocks harbour-front promenade.

In addition to being a prime spot for viewing Sydney Harbour and Sydney Opera House, Campbells Cove is a vibrant gathering place, with a range of restaurants and bars occupying the original sandstone warehouse from Campbells Bonds Stores.

Observatory Hill Lookout

Observatory Hill Lookout is located on a small grassy hilltop between The Rocks and Barangaroo, right in front of the Sydney Observatory (free entry with interesting exhibits & should be checked out if open during your visit).

Observatory Hill Lookout’s elevated location provides a breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and North Sydney. It is an idyllic spot to enjoy a sunset picnic while admiring the beauty of this buzzing city and watching the world goes by.

Observatory Hill Lookout is a perfect spot for photos with its stunning harbour view and charming rotunda. Depending on the day and time you visit, you might also find people taking wedding photos here.

Day 4: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bondi Beach is Sydney’s most iconic and well-known beach for its world-class waves and breathtaking scenery. Over the years, the popularity of Bondi Beach has also transformed this coastal area into a trendy neighbourhood with streets lined with quirky cafes, bars, and shops.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is a one-kilometre stretch of wide sandy beach, serving impressive waves for surfers from all over the world. With a range of well-established facilities along Bondi Beach, it makes a popular spot for locals and visitors to visit and spend the day, especially during those hot summer months.

Only 8 kilometres from Sydney CBD, visitors can easily access Bondi Beach by taking a direct bus from the city to Bondi Beach. Short-term parking, free and metered, is around the streets of Bondi Beach but can be very hard to come by.

Since surfing is one of the most popular activities along Bondi Beach, surf lessons are available at Bondi Beach throughout the year. For those who wish to kick start their surfing journeys, what’s a better place to learn surfing than Australia’s most renowned surfing beach, Bondi Beach?

For many people from somewhere other than Sydney or Australia, you might have first gotten to know Bondi Beach via the reality TV show Bondi Rescue. If you are a fan of this TV show, you should definitely pay extra attention when visiting during the summer months to spot those cast members.

During the weekends, make sure you also check out the school just behind the northern end of Bondi Beach. On Saturdays, it houses the Bondi Farmers Market, where you can find a range of fresh local produce. On Sundays, it will turn into Bondi Market, offering a vast selection of handcrafted jewellery and local fashion designs.

Bondi Icebergs

Bondi Icebergs is hands down the most photographed landmark of Bondi Beach. Established in 1929, Bondi Icebergs is a swimming club at the southern end of Bondi Beach. It offers two outdoor swimming pools on slightly elevated grounds by the water, with ocean waves constantly splashing into the pool, providing a thrilling and scenic experience for anyone swimming at Bondi Icebergs.

Bondi Icebergs is open all year round. Although it is a swimming club, you do not have to be a club member to swim or dine at Bondi Icebergs. Pool access at Bondi Icebergs is currently AUD 9 per adult (January 2023), which is a very reasonable price for the experience and spectacular views you will get.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

After spending a lovely morning and enjoying a delicious lunch at Bondi Beach, you will now be heading south from Bondi Beach, following the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk to discover more of this beautiful coastline and some of its lesser-known beaches.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a 6-kilometre walk along the picturesque coastline between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach. It only takes less than 2 hours to complete this walk (one-way), but with many beautiful beaches and quirky cafes dotted along the coast, you will likely be spending an entire afternoon, if not longer.

If you take this coastal walk in late Spring, you will also find over 100 sculptures along the cliffs between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach. This is the famous Sculpture by the Sea, the world’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition.

Between May and November each year, whale watching is another popular activity along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. During this time of the year, the migrating whales are relatively close to shore and can be viewed from many of the headlands along this coast.

Coogee Beach

Coogee Beach is located at the southern end of Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. With a spacious promenade area and various eateries, Coogee Beach is the perfect spot to relax and recharge after your 6-kilometre walk from Bondi Beach.

At Coogee Beach, you can enjoy a surf at the beach, take a swim in its stunning rock pool, stroll along its beautiful promenade, sample a delicious meal along Coogee Bay Road, or explore the charming historic buildings lining the streets of Coogee Beach.