How do I spend a day in Sydney?

Sydney is the vibrant poster city of Australia. With an endless list of things to do and see, this comes as no surprise to visitors and locals. Famous landmarks, incredible scenery, amazing food and dining and a perfect base to explore the stunning regions of New South Wales.

If you have a day to explore Sydney, you’ll be spoilt for choice with how to fill in the hours. To help you make the most of your day, we have put together an extensive list of all the best on offer in Sydney. Choose a few of your favourites and be ready for a memorable day in the bustling metropolis.

Sydney Landmarks:

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The world-famous steel arch bridge is hard to miss. Spanning across the Sydney Harbour and connecting Sydney CBD with the North Shore, this impressive bridge is a perfect photo opportunity. The adrenaline junkies can take part in a bridge climb and take in an unforgettable view of Sydney from above.

Sydney Opera House

Maybe even more famous than the bridge it sits next to, the Sydney Opera House on the foreshore is a landmark recognised around the world. The performing arts theatre was built over 14 years from 1959. The distinctive arches and shape are considered a 20th century architectural masterpiece.

When visiting the Opera House, you can watch a show, stroll through an exhibit or admire the impressive structure from the outside.

The Rocks

Home to the oldest European settlement in Australia, The Rocks holds a rich history. This is the location the First Fleet finally sailed into and began European colonisation in Australia, after finding Botany Bay was unsuitable. You can walk the main street, visit the weekend markets or shop at the boutique stores. A walking tour is a fantastic way to learn more about what the early days looked like at The Rocks.

Circular Quay

Found next to The Rocks on the harbour, Circular Quay is a major transport hub for Sydney. Full of walkways, malls and restaurants, you can take ferries from Circular Quay to explore the harbour and other areas of Sydney.

Ferries from Circular Quay:

• Watson’s Bay
• Double Bay
• Manly
• Parramatta
• Taronga Zoo

Sydney Tower Eye

Take in spectacular 360-degree views of Sydney and the surrounding suburbs. The Sydney Tower is the highest observation point in the city. For an unbeatable experience, take part in the 60-minute outdoor SKYWALK – 268m above ground.

SYDNEY BEACHES

Bondi Beach, Coogee and Bronte Beach. The popular sandy beaches of Sydney are the perfect place to relax on a summer’s day and watch the surfers catching a wave. Check out the smaller cove beaches at Gordon’s Bay, Clovelly and Tamarama.

For a stunning walk, the 2.3 km Bondi to Bronte Walk takes you past beaches and bays and boasts uninterrupted panoramic ocean views. Time permitting, you can continue the walk past Bronte and on to Coogee.

SHOPPING IN SYDNEY

The city and the suburbs are packed with great shopping malls and precincts, but to get everything you need in one place you need only visit Pitt St Mall and the Market Street shopping district. Home to just about any store you can think of, plus a Westfield shopping centre, this is a shopping haven.

Other notable shopping precincts are the boutique stores in the Queen Victoria Building, and the luxury stores in The Star Sydney.

SYDNEY SUBURBS

The sprawling suburbs are as beautiful as the CBD, and these inner-city hotspots are home to luxury dining and chic bars, exciting nightlife and great shopping.

• Paddington
• Rosebery
• Double Bay
• Bondi Junction
• Vaucluse
• Darling Harbour

It’s fair to say that a single day in Sydney perhaps won’t be quite enough to see everything, but you can certainly squeeze some wonderful activities in. Using Sydney as a base, you can also explore the stunning regions of New South Wales, all within 2 to 3 hours of the CBD. For an exquisite nature escape, head to the Blue Mountains National Park. Food and wine aficionados will love a trip to the Hunter Valley.

No matter how you choose to spend your time, you are bound to leave Sydney with a plan to visit again soon.

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