To put together this suggested 3 day Sydney itinerary, I spoke to locals and asked what their favourite things to do in Sydney are! I also took inspiration from my own experience travelling in Sydney and later living in the city.
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Anyone who knows me can contest the fact that Sydney has a special place in my heart. This post, written by locals who have lived in Sydney for anything from a few months to a whole lifetime, is curated to help the next new visitor to Sydney Australia work out what makes the city unique for them.
From historical ghost tours, stunning vantage points of Sydney Harbour Bridge and quirky suburbs, this is a city with something for everyone. Read on to discover some of the BEST places to visit on a 3 day Sydney itinerary – as chosen by locals!
Best things to do on a 3 day Sydney itinerary – Chosen by Locals:
KIRRIBILLI
By Madeline Hill from The Wining Hills @thewininghills
One of the most historic and iconic neighbourhoods in Sydney is Kirribilli. It’s located just across from the Opera House and is easy to get to by the Milson’s Point train station or the Milson’s Point Wharf. One of my favourite things to do is grab a pizza from the Kirribilli Kitchen (best pizzas ever!), a bottle of wine from BWS, and walk down to the waterfront.
If you take the train to Kirribilli, walk down to the Jefferson Street Pier on the water to the left of the bridge, and take a sharp left along the path. Walk up the stairs, and you’ll find this exact spot in my picture. Your very own wharf to enjoy wine with a view! Perfect spot for a sunset view over the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House!
If you’re in Sydney in November, this neighbourhood is also famous for the jacaranda trees that align the streets!
Read next: Best hotels in Sydney with stunning harbour views
THE ROCKS
By Holly from Globeblogging www.facebook.com/globeblogging
I have lived in Western Sydney my entire life, and The Rocks remain my favourite part of Sydney. Much of The Rocks is as old as the New South Wales colony itself, and I love that it retains the old-world charm of stone buildings and cobblestoned streets on the doorstep of one of Australia’s largest cities.
The Rocks is home to several pubs that claim to be Sydney’s oldest. One of these, The Hero of Waterloo has a very shady past. Underneath the building, a smugglers tunnel runs from the cellar to the wharf, and it is used to kidnap patrons to work as sailors on the whaling vessels. The cellar walls still retain shackles, and the tunnel entrance is behind a locked door. There are tales of men who never made it out of the tunnel, contributing to The Hero of Waterloo’s reputation as Australia’s most haunted pub.
Naturally, being a penal colony, the region comes with a sordid history of plague, crime and suffering, some may say this contributes to the overall spookiness of The Rocks at night. Still, I’ve always found it very peaceful to stroll. Ghost walking tours are conducted nightly for anyone interested in learning more about the area’s history, the stories are interesting even without ghostly encounters!
If you’re in The Rocks at night, it is also worth taking a stroll up to Observatory Hill for one of Sydney’s best views of the Bridge and Harbour and a great Sydney sunset spot.
Discover hidden gems and the fascinating history of The Rocks with this 90 minute The Rocks walking tour.
BALMAIN SUBURB
By Karen Linzi @karen_linzi
Balmain is an area that is as rich in history as you can get, dating back to the 1800s when it was the industrial hub of Sydney. Home to coal mines, shipbuilding, engineering, metal works, boiler making and soap factories. The working class would finish the working day with a pint at the local pub. By 1920 it was known as being one of the rough and ready parts of Sydney…a very different tale to what it is today; a place best known for brunch spots and cute terraced houses.
Balmain is a foodie heaven, so it would be sacrilege to skip brunch at one of the many cafes. We ate at Contessa as the reviews looked amazing, and I had a spicy meatball dish, with scrambled eggs on sourdough. I can confirm that it did not disappoint, and the coffee was delicious!
I can also completely recommend Our Farm Kitchen for sweet bakery treats. The owner, Laura, cooks everything from scratch in the kitchen and caters for gluten-free vegetarians and vegans. Everything is also refined sugar-free. Top tip: try the raspberry tart; it is honestly one of the best treats that I have ever tried! Nom Nom…
Balmain is one of Sydney’s most interesting suburbs – with a sordid history packed with interesting tales of convicts and corruption. It also has more pubs than anywhere else in Sydney! Discover Balmain with a local with this 3-hour walking tour, which includes a beer, wine or soft drink in each of the four pubs you visit!
You can also go window shopping in Darling Street or take a dip in the Dawn Fraser Saltwater Pool, one of Australia’s oldest baths dating back to the 1880s. This harbour pool is located in Elkington Park and named after the Aussie swimming champion Dawn Fraser.
Explore the Saturday Balmain Market that takes over the grounds of St Andrews church every weekend. Roam around for handmade arts and crafts, jewellery, giftware, fashion, homewares and lots of foodie finds. If you love your markets, also check out the Rozelle Collectors Market (the next suburb) for pre-loved fashion, antiques and recycled books.
Finally. wonder the streets and take in the marvellous Harbour Bridge views whilst delighting at its rich history and restored Georgian and Regency buildings. You can easily see why many writers, actors, film directors, musicians and artists call this place home and let their creativity feel inspired.
The Anzac Bridge, below, is also often missed out but it remains one of the best photography locations in Sydney.
MACCALLUM POOL
By Anne from @adventuresofabrunette
There are so many amazing places in Sydney, but one of the places that stands out to me is the Maccallum Pool at Cremorne Point. This pool is not as well known as some of the major spots like the Bondi Icebergs, but it’s a little Sydney hidden gem for those who don’t know Sydney well.
The pool is located on the north side of the Harbour Bridge, in a quiet and lovely suburban neighbourhood, with leafy tree-lined walkways along the water. You can get to this place by the Ferry, and I always enjoy going for a bit of a walk before taking a dip in the pool. It’s a great way to enjoy and take advantage of the outdoorsy Sydney lifestyle during your 3 day Sydney itinerary.
What I love most about this spot is the unique retro-style aesthetic of the wooden sunbathing deck, with views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. There is no entry fee which is a bonus. I usually come here to take beautiful photos. It’s a nice place to experience if it’s your first visit to Sydney or if you’re a photography enthusiast.
KAYAKING AT SYDNEY HARBOUR
By Clarence from Everyday Crossroads @everydaycrossroads
What’s the perfect activity that combines catching a sunrise, getting a workout and sightseeing in Sydney? My favourite activity in Sydney is to rent a kayak or join Sydney Harbour kayak tours at one of the many bays in Sydney Harbour and do a little exploring around the area.
My favourite kayaking route is the one guided by our professional guide, Sophie from OzPaddle. After an early morning start from Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, we paddled to Fort Denison, which lies right in the middle of the habit. It is a perfect and quiet spot to catch an epic sunrise.
We then kayaked to Farm Cove to see the skyscrapers towering behind the Royal Botanic Gardens. And the main highlight is definitely paddling up to the Opera House. There’s nothing like seeing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge up close from the water on a kayak.
A strength and endurance workout, a beautiful sunrise, brag-worthy photos and a fresh perspective of the city, nothing quite beats a morning kayak in the harbour as my favourite activity to do here in Sydney.
Learn more about Sydney’s top-rated kayak harbour tour or book here.
QUEEN’S BEACH
By Yanti from @theworldandme_
My favourite beach around the Sydney CBD is Queens Beach, which is located on the Hermitage Foreshore. It’s a tiny 50m-wide secluded beach that not many people know about. It also has a stunning view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
The beach is accessible from Nielsen Park, but I usually park my car in the residential area at the corner of New South Head Road and Tivoli Avenue.
DIVING AT OLD MAN’S HAT
By Steph from A Nomad’s Passport
Old Man’s Hat is a rock formation at the North Head of the Harbour, but the real gem lies in the ocean beneath it. There you will find the best and most diverse diving spot in Sydney. It is a boat dive, but most local diving centres regularly plan dives at this spot.
It is suitable for divers at all levels, but I recommend diving here as an advanced diver. The depth is between 18 – 25 meters and the ground is rocky. There are many soft corals and sponges, and the marine life one can find here is incredible.
While diving here, it is easy to spot nudibranchs and to ‘fly’ with schools of fish. Due to the many walls and overhangs at Old Man’s Hat, it is the perfect spot if you want to see wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks. In addition, it is also the best spot in Sydney to see sea dragons. All of this is why this dive site is one of my favourite places in Sydney.
If you’re feeling adventurous and are a certified diver, then this shark dive at Bushranger’s Bay might be the perfect activity for your unique Sydney itinerary. Don’t worry, the grey nurse sharks here are truly gentle giants, and it’s magical to observe them on two guided shore dives.
THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
By Raphie from Overpacked Suitcase @overpackedsuitcase
When people think of Sydney, one of the first iconic buildings they always mention is, yes, you guessed right, the Opera House, and I can absolutely understand why. Its architectural beauty and location are breathtaking and make for some fantastic photography.
The Architect of the Opera House is Danish, and his inspiration for the design was the sails of boats in Sydney Harbour.
The harbour is stunning to explore on foot for free, but a guided tour of the Opera House is the best way to discover what makes this theatre so iconic.
As a Sydney local with a love of photography, I’ve had plenty of time to check out my favourite vantage points of this famous building. These include from the foot of the opera house for amazing close-ups that showcase how grand the building is. You also get to appreciate the texture of the building and that it isn’t a flat surface.
Other great places to view the Opera House are from The Rocks, such as outside the Park Hyatt or Hickson Road Reserve. Alternatively, McMahons Point or Luna Park are great locations. And – for the ultimate Sydney sunset spot, you should go to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (below, right).
BONDI SUBURB
By Leah Mathew @leah_mathew_
Bondi is a great way to escape the city life…from the beach to the bars, to the rock pools (and the Bondi Icebergs pictured below), to the coastal walk.
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is one of my favourite things I did while living in Bondi. There are many beautiful beaches along the way, and if you visit in October, you will see the unique yearly outdoor artwork known as Sculptures By The Sea. If you’d prefer to see Bondi from the waves, then why not take a 2-hour surf lesson?
Another of the best things to do in Bondi is bottomless brunch at Hardware. This place has a great atmosphere, is reasonably priced and the food is excellent! I highly recommend visiting Bondi if you’re on a 2 or 3 day trip to Sydney… but be careful – you might get trapped in the Bondi bubble!
THE GROUNDS OF ALEXANDRIA
By Jessica Angileri from I Met You Travelling @i_met_you_travelling/
A beautiful garden with a rustic ambience, stylish boutique food stalls, a chic florist and a cute lemonade stand. Where could this be?
Situated within the grounds of industrial buildings, just outside of the buzzing Sydney CBD, you will find “The Grounds of Alexandria.” An enchanted garden surrounded by warehouses turned cafes/restaurants. As you enter The Grounds, you cannot go past the aromas of the coffee coming from The Cafe, a chic warehouse offering breakfasts and lunches with fresh produce.
Continue walking past the garden; I am sure The Potting Shed will catch your eye. It feels like you are in a backyard surrounded by greenery, hanging potted plants, terracotta, and swinging chairs. It is the perfect place for hanging out with friends for lunch or dinner.
The Garden is my favourite as it welcomes everyone to sit on the benches surrounded by vines, flowers, vegetable gardens, and lots of greenery. And just to top off the coolness, tucked away on a little farm. You will find food stalls around the garden showcasing a spread of colours of various pastries.
Just note, It is not the cheapest place, but it is worth going to at least once if you are in Sydney. As a local Sydneysider myself, this is the kind of place I would take my family or the girls for a girly brunch/lunch date. Every detail has been thought about in the ambience, decorations, and vibe… it is like a real-life fairy tale.
MANLY FERRY
By Steph from A Nomad’s Passport
The Manly Ferry connects Circular Quay to Manly and is an iconic experience. As the ferry takes you towards Manly, you cruise past some of Sydney’s most iconic places, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. It is part of the regular commute of many locals, and most call it the most beautiful commute in the world. And almost everyone who takes this ferry once is inclined to agree.
The ride with one of the traditional green ferries takes around 30 minutes, and while there is a faster ferry, I would always recommend taking the slower one. Taking the Manly ferry is one of the best and cheapest ways to explore the Harbour, and a slower ride allows you to enjoy the view.
It is great to see the different areas of Sydney that are in proximity to the Harbour, and it makes it easy to fall in love with the city every single day. Taking this ferry allows you to see the very best of Sydney, and it makes you appreciate how the city grew around the impressive natural harbour.
You can pay for the Manly ferry with your Opal card (which is the cheapest option) or with your debit card. Just tap on before you board.
VAUCLUSE
By Taimi from https://twilli.online/ @twilli.travels
An often overlooked area of Sydney, Vaucluse is full of hidden gems, especially for those hunting for the perfect beach or beautiful views of Sydney. I highly recommend spending the day on the Watsons Bay to Hermitage Foreshore walk to explore the area.
Start at Hornby Lighthouse, a uniquely coloured lighthouse overlooking the headland that separates the Pacific Ocean from Sydney Harbour. After watching the sun rise over the ocean, make your way back down the South Head Heritage Trail to Camp Cove Beach for local beach vibes (including a tiny shack cafe) with beautiful views of Sydney in the distance.
Then go down to Parsley Bay Bridge, through some beautiful scenery, to Shark Beach, one of my favourites in Sydney. It’s quiet and perfect for swimming, snorkelling and chilling out under the beautiful Australian sun.
End the day at Milk Beach, the perfect place to watch the sunset behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or if you’re beached out, wander back up to Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel – this place is full of beach club vibes with the same sunset views of the iconic skyline.
Suggested Sydney itinerary
Sydney Itinerary for one day in Sydney:
Begin your morning in Sydney by exploring the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens. For breakfast, brunch, or lunch, choose a cute cafe in the historic Rocks area next to the harbour or – if you’re looking to visit somewhere special – go to the unique Grounds of Alexandria!
In the afternoon, stroll along the iconic Coogee to Bondi beach walk! This walk has fantastic views over Bondi Beach and the beautiful ocean. If you enjoy museums, the National Maritime museum is one of the best in Sydney, located in Darling Harbour.
If you’re wondering what to do in Sydney at night, there are some great places to watch the sunset or enjoy a drink overlooking the harbour at the Opera Bar. You could even enjoy a ghost walking tour at The Rocks, or stay in one of these magical Sydney hotels with harbour views.
Sydney Itinerary for two days in Sydney:
On the first day, do all of the 1-day itinerary activities! With 2 days in Sydney, you can explore the city way more in-depth!
Take a ferry from Sydney Harbour to Manly! In Manly, you can relax on the stunning Manly Beach, snorkelling at nearby Shelly Beach, diving at Old Man’s Hat, or hike the Manly to Spit Bridge pathway.
In the afternoon, you could explore one of the less touristy suburbs – as recommended by the locals above, or try one of the best Sydney food tours for local insights into the city’s interesting culinary culture. Alternatively, you can go on a whale-watching tour or kayaking in Sydney Harbour. Or, take Twilli’s Sydney recommendation above and head to Hornby Lighthouse for a delightful walk around Watson’s Bay.
Another option for a 2 day Sydney itinerary would be to take a day trip to the fantastic Blue Mountains, where you’ll get to see waterfalls, the fabulous Three Sisters rock formations, and the beautiful peaks and valleys of the Australian hinterlands. It’s also a beautiful place to go if you visit Sydney in winter.
If you’re looking for things to do in Sydney with kids, a visit to Jenolan Caves is a fun excursion from the Blue Mountains National Park – especially if you’re interested in exploring the underground! The caves and the Blue Mountains are both listed as World Heritage Sites.
Another family-friendly activity is a visit to Sydney Aquarium or Taronga Zoo. The walk from Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach is also very pretty, with great harbour views.
3 day Sydney itinerary
In many ways, 3 or 4 days in Sydney is the perfect amount of time if you want to be able to explore everything! Personally, I love exploring the Northern Beaches, which stretch from Manly Beach all the way to Palm Beach. Enjoying all the scenic hikes in Sydney would take a long time!
Alongside being able to get beyond the tourist tracks by taking on one of the lesser-known Sydney Coastal Walks, you could also get a more significant look at the beauty of New South Wales by taking a day trip outside of the city!
There are many wonderful Sydney day trips to consider! Among the most popular are Port Stephens – perfect for beach lovers – and Hunter Valley, which is a stunning wine region perfect for exploring wineries on a special occasion!
Getting around Sydney
Getting around Sydney is, thankfully, relatively easy.
If you prefer to get public transport, buy an Opal Card from the nearest station to get the best fares. Buses or trains run to all the significant places in Sydney. If you plan on travelling further afield, you can take a train, tour, or rent a car for a more flexible 1-3 day Sydney itinerary.
Alternatively, Uber is available if you get taxis.
The most fun way to travel in Sydney is by ferry! Many ferries depart the harbour throughout the day, with some of the most popular tourist destinations to reach by ferry, including Manly or Taronga Zoo.
Been to Sydney twice now a great city and people friendly great places to visit I really liked St Mary’s cathedral and Hyde Park
It’s a brilliant place!
Aw it is a brilliant place to visit if you are able to in the future
I am honored to have your contribution!
It is a beautiful city indeed
Excellent post! I’d love to visit Sydney one day. It really seems so beautiful!
This is great Cassie! I am looking to go to Australia in early 2021 and will definitely keep this article handy. 🙂
Aww so honored to have been included in this! Such a great list of Sydney 🙂
Love this article! Great info from locals and pics are really well done 🙂
Omg I love this post and all these local tips. Cannot wait to visit once we can start traveling again
Love these tips! I’ve never been to Australia so I don’t really know anything about it but I can’t wait to visit one day!
I have never been to Sydney but would like to visit it. Thanks for sharing.
When I visited Sydney a few years back, I actually did a couple from your list. Next time I’ll knock a few more off 🙂 I actually visited the Opera House over and over because of the vibe it gave me but hated having to pay so much for parking!
Haha I love it! Lived in Sydney for years, now live an hour north of Sydney. Ive not done everything on this list but blown away that having lunch at the top of Sydney Tower didn’t make it into the list. Such an amazing view of Sydney city and harbour. So many other amazing things to do in Sydney mind you, but that would be up there as one of my top picks 🙂