The Perfect One-Day Itinerary for Sydney, Australia
When I’ve been asked for recommendations for what to do in Sydney, I often think about how I would spend the perfect day there. I’d want to tick off some of the popular tourist spots, but also get a real taste for everything Sydney has to offer.
For context, I spent the first 20ish years of my life in Sydney before moving to London. I lived on the upper North Shore but made an effort to visit hidden beaches and newly opened cafes regardless of how far from home they were. But if I only had 24 hours in Sydney, what would I do?
Starting the morning off in Sydney’s east, walk from Coogee to Bondi. Starting at Coogee Pavilion, take the track up the hill towards the headland. The path will take you down through Gordon’s Bay, one of my all-time favourite swimming spots. From here, follow the path over the hill to Clovelly, past Waverley Cemetery, and down to Bronte Beach. The final inlet takes you across Tamarama Beach, before reaching your final destination. You’ll know you’ve made it when you see the iconic Icebergs ocean pool before touching down on Bondi Beach. Depending on your fitness level, you could start at any point, and it’s not too complicated to find the track. Head towards the ocean and follow it north. At a relaxed pace, it should take about 2 hours.
Depending on the season, I would recommend swapping your activewear for swimwear and going for a dip. Take a moment to dry off in the sun before heading to a cafe for breakfast. My personal favourite is Speedos, it promises healthy brunch options, great service and a fantastic view across the beach.
For the next leg, take a bus from Bondi Beach to Sydney’s CBD. Check out the Queen Victoria Building, head up the Centre Point Tower (or more formally known as the Westfield Tower), and meander in and out of stores in Pitt St. It wouldn’t be a visit to Sydney without seeing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, so from Pitt Street walk down towards Circular Quay. There are many ways to enjoy the harbour, but the best way, in my opinion, would be to grab a drink at Opera Bar, which will also give you some time to rest your legs. Alternatively, you could venture west towards The Rocks and stop off at Cruise Bar or James Squire’s Landing, but I can’t guarantee there won’t be a cruise ship obstructing your view. You could also head east, and up the stairs at the foot of the Opera House to Mrs Macquaries Chair, or even spend some time in the Royal Botanic Gardens, but you will need to return to Circular Quay to continue on with your day.
From Circular Quay, take a ferry to one of Sydney’s northern beaches, Manly. You can take a fast ferry, which is about 20 minutes, or a regular ferry, which is half an hour. This is a great way to get a 365 degree view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, so keep your eyes peeled as you leave the wharf.
When you arrive in Manly, take a walk up the Corso, exploring the stores as you finally reach the beach. If you haven’t done enough walking, you can follow it around to the east and make your way to Shelly Beach. Alternatively, many of the locals often take a drink down to the patch of grass above the harbour side of Manly, affectionately known as ‘The Office’. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset across the harbour.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Pocket Pizza is a favourite of mine, order the Fungitown, you won’t regret it! If you’re looking for something a bit more fresh and fancy, Sunset Sabi’s sushi, cheeseburger dumplings, and cocktails are real crowd pleasers. Your night doesn’t have to end here. You could bar hop through Manly, or return to the CBD on the ferry, which is a completely different experience at night.
This day itinerary only offers a little bit of what Sydney has to offer and, of course, relies on near-perfect weather. If you have more time, or strike out with the weather, I would recommend venturing to Sydney’s Inner West to explore the markets and unique character of Newtown. You could also spend a day in Surrey Hills exploring local art galleries or at the outlet stores in Birkenhead. Of course, if I could only do one thing, I would spend my day at the beach, Sydney has so many and any of them will do!