All photography by @studioist
Australia is one of the most interesting continents—vast landscapes, unique wildlife, picturesque beaches, and friendly locals with ACCENTS!
The sheer size of it means that there is something for every one and every kind of traveller.
Australia is home to more than 10,600 beaches, 500 National Parks, and 8200+ islands! It’s an exotic, inspiring place that should definitely be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
At the very list, a visit to Sydney should make the cut. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, Australia’s first city, and its largest city population-wise. So much is happening all the time that you could live in Sydney your whole life and not even get close to eating at every restaurant. But I know vacation days are tight and though I would recommend more days if you can swing them, I would say at the very minimum 12 days would give you good insight into this wonderful harbour city.
A couple quick notes:
Note 1: Sydney is the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales, and not in fact the capital of Australia despite what the majority of non-Australians think. The capital of Australia is Canberra.
Note 2: There is no 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. Sorry Nemo fans.
For this itinerary I’d recommend staying close to the Central Business District (CBD), basically what the downtown areas are referred to in Australian cities—perhaps King’s Cross or Darlinghurst. Preferably somewhere close to a public transit station as it is by far the easiest and most cost-effective way to move around the city.
When you arrive purchase an Opal card. Every convenient store, airport, grocery, etc stocks them. There’s a $20 minimum to start a new card. Important note: When you use the transit make sure to “tap on” when you get on and “tap off” when you exit. Your rate will be combined and discounted if you use more transit within a certain time frame. If you don’t “tap off” you'll be charge the standard rate for the day.
I’ve broken down this itinerary into two parts simply because 1) I love very detailed itineraries and 2) it’s simply too much information to take in all at once.
This is not a sponsored post and the opinions on the activities, places, and events recommended below are purely based on LeBraun and I’s experience.
This itinerary packs in a lot in a short time, but Sydney and its surrounds are full of life, history, and adventure. Feel free to adjust as necessary.
If you’ve been to Sydney and have recommendations or suggestions for this itinerary, please email me at hello@studioist.co I’d love to hear from you!
Also if you are planning a trip down under and looking for some laid-back, fun-loving people to enjoy Australia with, LeBraun and I are itching to get back. Haha :) But seriously!
G’DAY MATES!
Chances are you would have flown all night to arrive in Sydney in the morning.
8:30 A.M. — Arrive Sydney Mascot International Airport.
Depending where you’re staying there are a couple ways to get there. You can take a cab, ride-share or train.
I’d recommend staying somewhere close to the CBD (Central Business District, essentially the same as “downtown” would be in America) like Darlinghurst (“Darlo” for short) or Kings Cross. Both areas are close to train stations and short walks to major sites.
If you’re set on that beach life, there’s no place better than the world-famous Bondi Beach.
The train to and from the airport has a one-ride fee of $30 and is totally worth it if you are ending close to a station. There’s only a couple stops between the airport and CBD, all underground, so you miss all the traffic along the way.
Not going to lie—the flight is LOOONNGGG and jet lag is real! We both felt like we were going to be sick, but once we freshened up, ate a good breakfast, and got some fresh Australian air we were good to go! If you do take a nap, take it sooner than later and for less than 2 hours. You’ll want to fall asleep at a normal hour, Australian-time!
9:30 A.M. — Check into your hotel (if you can) or at least store your bags at the hotel, wash up in the bathroom, change, and head out into the city.
10 A.M. — We felt 1000x times better after eating something other than snacks and plane food. One of our favorite places in the city is Stop Valve (70 Riley St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010). Grab yourself a coffee and a filling meal. Eat outside if you can snag one of the few seats, providing it’s not winter when you’re there.
11 A.M. - 5 P.M. — Now it is a bit of a trek, but after that 15+ hour plane ride we really needed to stretch our legs. Walk to Mrs. Macquarie’s Point through The Royal Botanic Garden. It’s without a doubt one of the best views in the city!
From here you’ll get your first views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge! There’s not rush, take your time and really soak in the views, realizing where you are—upside down! Haha
Take a break by sitting on the convict-carved, exposed sunstroke rock bench known as Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Mrs Macquarie was the wife of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. Hence the point’s name.
Remember you’re now on a completely different continent and, most likely, side of the world, which means the floral and fauna is completely different. The Royal Botanic Gardens are beautifully maintained, well-labeled, and bursting with a variety of native and diverse trees and plants. My favorite areas of the park are the Australian Native Plants and succulent garden, but keep your eyes on the trees throughout the garden. They are the real stars!
The 74-acre garden was founded by Governor Macquarie in 1816 as part of the Governor's Domain and is now the oldest scientific institution in Australia.
Walk along the waterfront of the park towards the world-famous Sydney Opera House (SOH). Take some pictures and marvel at the building’s beauty, but there’s no need to explore it all right now as we will be back later for a more in-depth look.
Continue walking along the water towards Circular Quay (pronounced “key”). The Opera Bar (located at the water's edge, on the Lower Concourse level of the SOH, overlooking Circular Quay) is the perfect place to grab a drink and food, and is a quintessentially Sydney experience. Yes, it’s a bit overpriced but those views are PERFECTION! It’s also a fantastic spot for people watching. How many “jumping” photos did you see being taken? :)
At Circular Quay, top up (aka add money) to your Opal Card - the card you got at the airport if you took the train in. If you took a taxi, Opal cards can be purchased from almost any store or stand in the airport. There is a minimum of $20 which includes the purchase of the card but totally worth it as the train is convenient and simple to use. Plus we will be using a lot during your visit.
Take train from Circular Quay back to the station closest to your residence, keeping in mind you may have to switch lines.
6 P.M. — The first night we were beat so grabbed a quick meal and ate in our rooms. Some popular Australian fast food chains include: Guzman y Gomez Taqueria, Harry’s Cafe de Wheels (for a meat pie!), Pie Face, Spudbar, Sumo Salad, Plateia Where Friends Meet (greek/mediterranean), and Boost Juice.
7:30 P.M. — Shower, unpack, and unwind with some Australian television, which is not top quality just FYI.
10 P.M. — Try your best to go to sleep at a normal bedtime hour. Chances are you’ll wake up at the crack of dawn, but hopefully we wore you out today and you can enjoy a long, sound sleep tonight.
HIT UP AUSTRALIA'S MOST FAMOUS BEACH
*Weather permitting, if rainy outside switch with another day.
6:30-ish A.M.—Our early bedtime combined with the excitement of exploring Sydney had us waking up around 6:30 a.m. but take your time and adjust this day accordingly. Hopefully you’ll wake up as refreshed and ready to go as we did.
Get up, put on your swimsuit, pack a beach bag, and grab your camera—we’re heading to the world-famous Bondi Beach! Do NOT forget the motto: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. You know those holes in the Ozone layer, well those are right above Australia so the sun is extra, extra strong! During your stay, especially when at the beach, make sure to use quality sunscreen and apply it multiple times a day if you’re outside.
Bondi Beach is only located 4 miles east of Sydney’s CBD, but feels like you’re in a completely different place. The kick-backed, relaxed vibe of the area is a favorite of visitors and locals a-like.
8 A.M. — Breakfast at Uliveto (33 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross, Sydney, NSW).
9:15 A.M. — Jump on the train from King’s Cross to Bondi Junction. The train runs every 10-15 depending on day and time.
From Bondi Junction Station, head outside and hop on the direct to Bondi Beach (#333) or to do part of the coastal walk (Definitely Recommend!) hop the bus to Waverly (#360 or #379), and get off at the Macpherson St at Thomas St Stop - next to the Waverly Cemetery.
The coastal walk goes all the way from Coogee to Bondi, and the walk in its entirely is amazing, but since we’re saving some energy for this afternoon we’re only doing a section of it, from halfway between Clovelly and Bronte to Bondi. No worries, we’ll still be enjoying sweeping ocean views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock formations from this iconic trail along the cliffs between several of Sydney’s east side beaches.
Let’s begin! Be respectful as you make your way through Waverly Cemetery. This cemetery is brimming with more than 60,000 burial plots, a significant collection of high-quality memorials and monuments, and is the final resting place of many influential men and women in Australian history. Particularity in the calm of the morning, it’s simply gorgeous!
Some highlights along your walk include:
Bronte Beach is great for swimming and surfing, and has two pools—The Bogey Hole and Rock Pool.
Tamarama Beach is locally known as "Glamarama" because it’s “where the beautiful people hang out” since it’s lesser known than its neighbor…at least that’s what we were told when we lived in Bondi. Haha
On the final leg between Tamarama to Bondi, keep a look out for an Aboriginal rock engraving of a shark or whale next to the walk to the left below Marks Park.
For Instagram-worthy photos, continue to the picturesque ocean pools of Bondi Icebergs. Admission is $7 or grab a snack and drink at the bistro overlooking the pool if you want.
If not, welcome to Bondi! If you didn’t eat at Icebergs, let’s lunch!
12/1 P.M. — Grab a late lunch at Brown Sugar (106 Curlewis St, Bondi, NSW 2026) or for pub-fare with a view try The Bucket List (Bondi Pavilion, Shop 1, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Sydney NSW 2026).
Surf culture perfectly encapsulates the relaxed, coastal lifestyle of Sydney-siders, and Australia has become one of the premier surfing destinations of the world. Surfing was brought to Australia in 1915 by Hawaiian Duke “The Big Kahuna” Kahanamoku, who demonstrated this ancient Polynesian tradition at Sydney’s Freshwater Beach.
2:30 - 4:30 PM — Time for your pre-booked surf lesson at Let’s Go Surfing (128 Ramsgate Ave, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026).
Catching a wave is not as easy as the pros make it look so if you are just learning I highly recommend an instructor. They can help push you to “catch a wave,” otherwise you’ll be floating up and down aimlessly for the duration of your board rental.
Note: You may look ridiculous, but a wet suit will save you from thigh and stomach board burn, which is ZERO fun.
After your lesson, you can extend the board rental if you want to keep practicing or return your equipment and relax the rest of the afternoon.
But don’t miss walking along Campbell Parade, enjoying the views and people-watching (especially at the iconic Bondi outdoor gym).
Then walk up Hall Street to Gertrude and Alice, Sydney’s favorite bookshop names for literary legends Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. A great place to grab a coffee too!
Make sure to take some photos along the Bondi Beach Graffiti Wall. The wall is repainted every year by local and world-renowned artists.
At this point it’s been quite a long day, I’d recommend ordering some takeaway food from Bangkok Bites (95 Hall St, Bondi, NSW), then hopping the bus back to Bondi Junction then back to your hotel. Alternatively there are several eateries around Bondi, Bondi Junction, or Kings Cross.
8:30/9 P.M. — Shower and relax.
Trust me you’ll be glad to have some down time tonight. Surfing wears ya out. :)
Notes:
- If your Bondi Beach day is on Saturday or Sunday, stroll through the Bondi Market at the Bondi Beach Public School on Campbell’s Parade.
- If it happens to be October/November, don’t miss Sculptures By The Sea. This annual event each Spring transforms the already iconic coastal walk into the world’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibition.
SYDNEY, THE CAPITAL OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and Oceania, and therefore there is so much to see and do. The simplest way to discover the highlights of each area is to take a bus tour.
LeBraun and I LOVE bus tours. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land when you visit a new place while learning about the culture and highlights of each area. On our second day in Sydney we throughly enjoyed our Sydney Sightseeing Tour with Big Bus Tours. Hop on and hop off as much as you like, or stay on board for a full circuit to enjoy a relaxed sightseeing experience.
Their ticket included two routes, both which can be completed in one day as long as you aren't hopping off at every stop or spending excessive amount of time off the bus. The red route takes you through the CBD and West Sydney while the blue route takes you to Bondi and East Sydney. Includes pre-recording complementary in 8 languages.
The Red Route starts at 8:30 a.m. with stop #1 at Circular Quay and a frequency of roughly every 20 minutes. The Blue Route starts at 9:30 a.m. with stop #1 at Central Station and a frequency of roughly every 30 minutes. *Make sure to check Big Bus Sydney Tours’ website for the most up to date times and general information.
You’ve had a couple early days so sleep in a bit.
9:30 A.M. - 6 P.M. — Catch the Red Route Bus. You can catch it from stop #1 at Circular Quay or at stop #27 at William Street. You’ll be jumping in on the commentary, but if you roundtrip back to #27, you can switch the the Blue Route Bus. You can hop on at any stop on the tour, just have your tickets ready.
Check ahead on this itinerary so you know what will be explored the rest of trip and can hop off/hop on accordingly.
LeBraun and I like to ride the route completely. It’s a relaxing, informative way to explore.
7 P.M. — Grab dinner in Darlo fave Brick Lane (75 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010). This is a hip Indian eatery with an Aussie twist, and it is vegetarian-, vegan-, and gluten-free friendly.
9 P.M. — Head back to the room or check out one of the optional evening activities (at the bottom of this post).
OPERA & ENTERTAINMENT
You can't think about Sydney without picturing the iconic, white fins of the Sydney Opera House (SOH) rising above the harbour. It’s easily one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Let’s get up close and personal with this treasure.
8:15 A.M. — Grab a coffee and some breakfast.
9 A.M. — Train to Circular Quay and walk to the SOH, arriving at the ticket area roughly 10 minutes before your tour time.
9:30 A.M. — Take a one-hour guided of the SOH. Make sure to book a tour time online ahead of time. As you would expect, the SOH tour is quite popular and books weeks in advance.
11 A.M. — Make your way back to Circular Quay and catch a ferry to Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour is a located just west of the CBD and has been developed into a recreational and pedestrian entertainment district.
Stroll along the wharf promenade before grabbing lunch at one of its many open-air, wharf-side restaurants and cafes.
12 P.M. — Did you pass anything that sounded delicious? I'm sure you did. If you're looking for a rec? Try The Malaya (39 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000) for contemporary Malaysian cuisine.
1:30 P.M. — Darling Harbour is an entertainment district after all, with tons of choices for the perfect afternoon.
Here are just some of the options:
Learn about the importance of seafaring in Australia then go inside a submarine and destroyer at Australian National Maritime Museum - Australian National Maritime Museum
Enjoy afternoon tea at The Chinese Friendship Garden, modeled after private gardens of the Ming Dynasty - Pier Street, Cnr Harbour St, Darling Harbour NSW 2000
Explore the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney’s Interactive arts and science museum - 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007
Take a relaxing harbour cruise with Captain Cook Cruises or hop aboard the James Craig Tall Ship (looks like a pirate ship), or book a cruise with one of the several other cruise company that depart from the harbour.
Take photos with celebrities at Madame Tussands -
Get close to natives at WILD LIFE Sydney or SEA LIFE Aquarium - 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Gamble at the Star Casino - 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Catch a show on the largest IMAX screen in the world at IMAX Theatre Sydney, currently closed for refurbishment - 31 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour NSW 2000
7 P.M. — Grab drinks and dinner at a restaurant in Darling Quarter, just under the bridge from the water. Darling Quarter has great restaurants with outdoor patios, a large playground for children, and hosts a variety events throughout the year on their lawn like outdoor movie nights in the summer. Give Braza Churrascaria, Brazilian steakhouse (1-25 Harbour St, Sydney NSW 2000) a try or head just up the street to Sydney’s Chinatown. There’s always a queue for Mamak (Palace Hotel 15 Goulburn St, Shop 1 & 2, Sydney, NSW 2000), but if you’re craving Thai, check out Thai Terrace (204/107-121 Quay Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000).
If you go to Chinatown, make sure to join the queue—I promise it moves quickly and is worth it—by Emperor’s Puffs (96-100 Dixon Street, Chinatown, NSW 2000) for melt-in-your-mouth cream puffs. Cash only.
9 P.M. — If it’s Saturday night, don’t miss the weekly fireworks show over Darling Harbour.
9:30 P.M. — Head back to your residence or stay out and grab some cocktails at one of the many harbor view bars in the area.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
If you’re like us and are obsessed with animals than a day at the local zoo is a given in any city you visit.
Taronga Zoo is home to more than 2600 animals and 340+ species, the largest group of native and exotic animals in New South Wales. It also boasts some of the best views of the city, just wait and see.
Make sure to wear goo walking shoes as the zoo covers roughly 51-acres!
Also wear and bring sunscreen, a hat, or both!
As with all activities in Sydney, pre-booking tickets online is recommended and usually comes with a discount. Pre-book is especially important if you’re interested in doing Wild Ropes, four high ropes courses over the zoo itself with suspension bridges, climbing walls, and swings.
We did the courses and had a blast!
9:10 A.M. — Arrive Circular Quay, purchase roundtrip ferry and zoo entry tickets (if you haven’t pre-booked them) at the Wharf 4 ticket booth. Purchases tickets here allows you to skip the ticket line once you arrive at the zoo.
9:30 A.M. — Take a 12 minute ferry from Circular Quay direct to Taronga Zoo. The ferry runs every 30 minutes, and sit on the right side for close up views of the SOH’s backside as you cruise by it across the harbour.
9:45 A.M. — Taronga Zoo is set up on the hill. The best way to explore is by taking the Sky Safari Gondola) from the base to the top of the park and working your way back down to the ferry dock. A one-way ride is included in your zoo entry ticket. The gondola takes guests over some animal enclosures and provides stunning views across the harbour at Sydney’s CBD and iconic harbour sites.
10 A.M. — Taronga is the Aboriginal word meaning “beautiful view,” and by now you’ve figured out that the zoo’s residents have some of the best views in the city.
The zoo is divided into eight geographic regions of the world, the largest region being Australian wildlife. Grab a map and start exploring.
Keep an eye on the time of guided tours, animal encounters, and keeper presentations if you’re interested. The Seal Show and the Free-Flight Bird Show are personal favorites.
If you booked a Wild Ropes time just make sure to be at the entrance for the course at least 10 minutes before your booked entry time!
Taronga Zoo has several restaurants as well as grab-and-go options, but guests are allowed to bring their own food and I would recommend it as you can spend more time enjoying the experience.
Take your time exploring Taronga Zoo, but do note that it closes at 5 p.m.
5 P.M. — Head back on the ferry to Circular Quay and choose another activity off the optional evening activities list (at the bottom of the post).
WEAR SUNSCREEN! The Australian sun is powerful and we burned instantly! Mistakes were made…
BRIDGECLIMB
I know you’ve seen those photo of people climbing on the arches of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, now it’s your turn!
As you can imagine it’s one of the most popular activities in Sydney…well Australia in fact so definitely book this experience several weeks ahead of time. Sunrise and sunset tours are the most popular, but tours run day and night. I’d recommend a mid-morning tour so it’s not too hot outside when you reach the top. The coveralls breath surprisingly well.
There are several tours lengths to chose from. We chose the almost two-hour Bridgeclimb Express because we weren't sure how my youngest brother would handle it, and it was perfect!
All belongings must be left in the provided lockers at the base (including phones and cameras), climbers must wear the provided coveralls, and photos are only permitted to be captured by the guide, but each climber receives one free group photo and others are available for purchase upon completion of the experience.
Safety is the number one priority of the experience, climbers are secured to the bridge the entire time, and all catwalks, stairs, and ladders are safety checked regularly.
Overall the experience is pricey but 100% worth every penny!
Your guide will provide information about the history and fun facts about Sydney, the harbor, and the bridge itself.
9:50 A.M. — BridgeClimb Tour
1 P.M. — Lunch time! Claiming to have pioneered the wood-fired grill in Sydney, this converted warehouse restaurant - Pony Dining The Rocks (Cnr Argyle Street and Kendall Lane, The Rocks, NSW 2000) - serves Argentine barbecue with an al fresco ambiance. Otherwise check out the historic watering hole that is The Australian Heritage Hotel (100 Cumberland St, The Rocks, NSW 2000), and give their Coat of Arms (kangaroos and emu meat) pizza a try!
The Rocks was one of the earliest British settlements in Australia, established shortly after the colony’s formation in 1788. The area soon had a reputation as a slum, “red light district,” and for gang violence. Thankfully that was a long time ago and now it’s a touristy favorite - historic structures, cobblestone laneways, galleries, souvenir shops, and fantastic views.
If there's not a cruiseship docked, walk to the end of the terminal for the perfect photos of you in front of the opera house.
Two of the best gift shops we found are located in The Rocks.
First, the gift shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art (140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000) has items for all the “artsy” friends on your shopping list.
The Museum is completely free so wander around the galleries and learn about some Australian artists, perfect for if its hot outside.
Second check out Craft NSW (12 Argyle Pl, Millers Point, NSW 2000), a shop managed by the craftworkers of The Society of Arts and Crafts of New South Wales. Pricer, but quality gifts like jewelry, pottery, and sculptures.
If it happens to be a Saturday, walk around The Rocks Market to discover locally made artisan goods along the cobblestone laneways.
Your ticket from the Bridgeclimb also includes admission to the Pylons of the bridge. The Pylons feature three levels of exhibits about the history, planning, and construction of the now iconic bridge. Be advised there are 200 stairs to the lookout. You can get photos of similar views that you had on the bridge climb without being in the blue and gray jumpsuits.
8 P.M. — For dinner swing by one of our faves - Sydney Madang Korean BBQ (371A Pitt St, Sydney, NSW 2000). If you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss this restaurant as it’s located down a short alley and around the corner. Give your party number at the door to join the queue. The queue can get long, but moves quicker than you would expect.
Stop by Coles, Woolworth, or another store and grab something for a quick breakfast tomorrow morning. It’s going to be an early one!
BLUE MOUNTAINS
It’s an early morning but you can catch a few zzz’s on the 2 hour and 15 minute train to Katoomba. Though in an argument against taking a nap on the train: you’ll miss the beautiful views as you head out of the city and into the mountains.
Prior to 7 A.M. — Eat a quick snack at your hotel then make your way to Central Station.
7 A.M. — Catch the T4 train to Katoomba. You’ll want as much time in the Blue Mountains as possible since this is only a day trip so the earlier start you get the better. Note: This train does have bathrooms.
What gave the Blue Mountains their name?
Straight from our Explorer Guide booklet: “The Blue Mountains are densely populated by oil bearing Eucalyptus trees. Because of this the atmosphere is filled with finely dispersed droplets of oil, which, in combination with dust particles and water vapour, scatter short-wave length rays of light which are predominantly blue in colour.”
9:30 A.M. — Arrive at the Katoomba station, purchase tickets for the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus (https://www.explorerbus.com.au) at the station, then grab a snack and coffee at The Blue Mountains Tea Company & True to the Bean Cafe (123 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW 2780). We also ordered takeaway sandwiches to save for lunch.
9:45 A.M. — The Explorer Bus departs every 30 minutes so if you miss it, there will be another one coming soon. The complete circuit is 60 minutes long, though it is hop on hop off style and I would recommend taking advantage of that.
First, get off at the Scenic World stop and purchase day tickets.
Take the scenic railway, the steepest (at 52 degrees) passenger railway in the world, down 310-metres through a cliff-see tunnel, emerging into an ancient rainforest at the Jamison Valley floor. The train departs every 10 minutes.
Walking on the valley floor feels like walking through Jurassic park. Take the 2.4-km boardwalk circuit then catch the railway back up to the main building.
Two-thirds of my photos from our trip were of trees and other foliage. It’s all amazing!
Next, take the scenic skyway to Echo Point. The scenic skyway offers 360 degree breathtaking views from 270-metres above the valley floor. Don’t miss Katoomba falls out the left side of the skyway car.
Once across take the short walk to Echo Point for views of The Three Sisters, a rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone. The Three Sisters are the most iconic formation in the Blue Mountains. You can get up close and personal with these by hiking the defending trail, just follow the signs.
At this point I would recommend checking out the Waradah Aboriginal Centre (33-37 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba, NSW 2780). The centre has two art galleries, Aussie-made gifts, artifacts, and a large retail shop. There are also live performances and movie showings hourly.
Once you’ve finished at Echo Point, hop back on the scenic skyway to Scenic World’s Explorer stop. Remember the bus comes around every 30 minutes.
Alternatively you can head past The Three Sisters and take an easy hike along the ridge to Honeymoon Point if you don’t mind missing a few minutes of commentary on the bus.
Ride the bus around until you reach the Gordon Falls Lookout stop. Take the short little walk, bask in the beauty of these mountains, and enjoy your lunch.
Hop back on the bus and complete the loop, unless you hear about another stop you would like to check out.
When you’re back at the station, stroll down Katoomba Street’s little boutiques and cafes.
At this point whenever you’re ready, head to the station and get on the train back to Sydney’s Museum station.
Relax. I know it was a long one, but the Blue Mountains are well worth the trip.
7 P.M. — Dinner, your choice!
Ready for Part 2?
Continue reading with 14 Days In Sydney Part 2.
OPTIONAL EVENING ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
Attend a show at the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a worldwide icon of Sydney and it’s unique design makes it easily recognizable; however, instead of just admiring the design, go see a musical or theatrical performance inside one of its six venues. Check The Sydney Opera House website for its event calendar.
Catch a free performance at the Domain
These 84-acres belong to the Royal Botanic Garden of Sydney, but venue hosts heaps of events year round like outdoor concerts, open-air festivals, political rallies, cultural events (like Oktoberfest), and most of the time the events are free.
Check the local event calendar
Sydney hosts thousands of events every year from food and film festivals to markets and sporting events. Check the event calendar for your trip dates and make plans to get out and do as the locals do—enjoy their fabulous city!
During summer months, several venues around the city host musical and theatrical performances, parades, cultural celebrations, concerts, outdoor movie nights and more!
Ride the rides at Luna Park
This heritage-listed amusement park just across (and slightly under) the Sydney Harbor Bridge is a cheap was to spend an evening. Ride The Wild Mouse coaster, snack on some fairy floss (that’s cotton candy for you Americans out there), and enjoy the views back towards the CBD. The parks has a weird schedule so check it online before you make the trip.
Take a harbor dinner cruise
Cruise past landmarks and watch the sunset over Sydney, all while enjoying a sit-down multi-course meal and live entertainment.
Fireworks at Darling Harbor
Watch fireworks light up the sky at 9 p.m. on Saturday nights over Darling Harbour.
Hotel Hop
A hotel isn’t just somewhere with accommodation for travelers, in Australia its another word for pub. Yes, some hotels are just hotels in the traditional sense, but many are establishments with licenses to serve in addition to entertainment venues. Grab your mates and check out a few different hotel scenes during the evening.
Interested in more things Australia?
Don't miss this article, and the seeral more to come during our Australia takeover of Studioist.co!
