Sydney, Australia Travel Guide
*Disclaimer* This post may contain affiliate links, if you purchase through one of these links I would receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Sydney is Australia's largest city and often gets confused for being the capital. This vibrant city has a very international scene and is the most popular starting point for a trip to Australia. From bustling beaches to spectacular harbours, I think Sydney is one of the best cities in the world.
When to Visit Sydney Australia?
Summer in Sydney is December through to February making this the busiest but warmest time to visit. It does drop to be fairly cold in the winter months of June to August, but the temperatures tend to start heating up again in September. So if you want to avoid the summer prices and loads of tourists I would opt to go in October/November or February/March.
Getting Around Sydney Australia
Sydney has plenty of public transport with trams, buses, trains and even ferries you won't be short of ways to get around. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is via the airport link train, which stops at a few different locations in the city centre, making it easy to commute to your accommodation.
The ferries are an activity in themselves, particularly if you go from Circular Quay. Once on the ferry, you will have amazing views of the Opera House and the Bridge. So make sure to add a ferry trip to your to-do list!
If you are a backpacker on a tight budget it is possible to walk in between many of the famous sights and I recommend this as not only doesn't it save on transport it also allows you to explore areas you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
Travel Tip- The best way to pay for all the transport is with an Opal Card (similar to an Oyster card in London), you will find these at the airport or many convenience stores/supermarkets in the city.
Where to Stay in Sydney Australia?
Central Area - a common choice for people who want to be in the hustle and bustle of the city. Naturally, to stay in the centre you will pay a slight premium, but that's not to say you can't find budget options. For more luxurious hotels and apartments, you will likely be closer to the CBD, Circular Quay and the Rocks Area. However, there are plenty of affordable hostels on George Street only a short walk away from the centre and conveniently located right by the main train station.
Kings Cross- a popular area for backpackers to stay in, with plenty of hostel accommodation available. With a lot of bars, restaurants and nightlife in the area, it can be considered the place to stay if you want to party during your stay in Sydney.
Bondi/Bondi Junction- The world-famous Bondi Beach can be an attractive place for tourists to stay, conveniently located a short metro ride away from the centre of Sydney and within walking distance of Bondi Beach. Again there is a range of accommodation available from budget hostels to luxury hotels.
Manly- Perfect if you are after a quieter getaway but still have the option of discovering the city which is just 30 minutes away by ferry. Manly is a lovely area for a beachy holiday getaway, with plenty of beaches and walks to discover. Why not get a group together and rent an Air BnB to enjoy the area of Manly for the weekend, you won't regret it!
I spent the majority of my time in the central area of Sydney, mostly up by the Sydney Central train station. Two hostels I can recommend from my own personal travels would be 790 on George Backpackers and Wake Up Sydney Central. 790 was a little more budget-friendly but Wake Up definitely had the better facilities.
Where to Eat+Drink in Sydney Australia?
An essential part of any adventure is discovering new cafes and restaurants and there is certainly no lack of this in Sydney.
Head to Surry Hills for some great quality coffee and brunch options, I recommend trying out Paramount Coffee, it has all the good vibes and top-notch coffee.
Darling Harbour in the evening is the place to be for food if you fancy a dress-up holiday meal-out vibe. You are spoilt for choice in this area with restaurants serving up all sorts of cuisines.
If you want a bit of a healthier food scene, head to Bondi where you will find smoothies and acai bowls on the menus everywhere.
Travel Tip- Whilst in Sydney as a tourist, I believe it to be essential to have cocktails at the Opera House bar, sip away and take in the stunning views of the harbour and the bridge. Trust me it's popular for a reason!
What to Do in Syndey Australia?
Explore the area of Circular Quay and see the views from a ferry
Visit the Rocks Market at the weekend
Take the popular path from Bondi to Coogee Beach
Watch the sunset or sunrise from Mrs Macquarie’s Point
Walk across or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Stroll around and have a picnic in the Botanical Gardens
View the city from up high at Sydney Tower
Discover Wendy's Secret Garden
Take a day trip to Manly Beach
Go for a swim in the Sydney Olympic Pool
Stop off at the zoo with a view, Taronga Zoo
For more ideas check out my post 10 Things You Need to Do in Sydney ->
Day Trips From Sydney Australia
New South Wales, the Australian state that is home to Sydney, is 801,150 square kilometres so there is plenty to explore outside of the bustling city of Sydney. I have just a few ideas for day trips to take whilst you are in the region!
Blue Mountains National Park
I highly recommend a trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney and if you have the chance to stay longer than a day, it is definitely worth it. There are plenty of walking trails with dramatic views, as well as waterfalls, watering holes, eucalyptus forests and small towns to explore. The most popular spot for a day trip is Echo Point, take in the incredible views and take a stroll to Katoomba Falls! It’s easy to reach by train from Sydney Central to Katoomba Station.
Want to know more? Read my full travel guide on the Blue Mountains ->
Royal National Park
The coastal trail in the Royal National Park is perfect for a serene walk. The whole trail is 26km, but you don’t have to go all the way. I started in Bundeena and walked along past the Wedding Cake Rock and a little bit further on to Marley Beach before turning back around.
From Sydney catch the train to Cronulla and from there hop on the ferry to Bundeena to reach the Royal National Park.
Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley is a fantastic day out for wine lovers, with plenty of different tour companies offering wine-tasting trips and distillery tours. I wasn't even a fan of wine but still enjoyed my day out here, the scenery is stunning and I found the processes super interesting to learn about.
Discover some Hunter Valley tours here ->
Palm Beach
You may recognise the photo above if you are a big fan of the TV soap Home and Away. If not it's still a gorgeous beach to visit outside of Sydney. You can take a walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse and get some lovely views of the peninsula. The golden sand beach is much more peaceful than some beaches in the centre of Sydney.
It would take just under an hour from Sydney if you are driving, but I actually took the bus, check out NSW trip planner to find the times.
What are your favourite places to explore in Sydney, let me know in the comments below!
Looking for more Australian travel guides?
Brisbane, Australia Travel Guide
