How to spend one day in Sydney

For me, Sydney is the most beautiful city in the world. Built along the glistening Sydney Harbor, it’s home to several world-famous sights like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. And of course, sunny Sydney is well-known for its stunning beaches, think, Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and the lesser-known Watson’s Bay.

And having just one day in Sydney means you’ll get a taste for this world-class city but you won’t have time to fully explore it.

I lived in Sydney for 4 years, in fact, it was the first city I moved to after graduating. And in my job as an events producer here, one of my tasks was to help our clients create an epic Sydney itinerary. Many of them only had 24 hours in Sydney before they had to jet off home, so, I’m very experienced in creating short but sweet Sydney itineraries.

So, if you’re like me and you love beaches, good food, and scenic hikes. Then this is the Sydney itinerary for you as it includes all of that and more. And dare I say that if you follow this itinerary your one day in Sydney will be one you’ll remember forever!

Is one day enough for Sydney?

Yes, it is possible to see the highlights of Sydney in one day, BUT, you will have to be incredibly efficient with your time.

Sydney is a very popular destination, with around 15 million tourists descending on this gorgeous city each year. So, as you can guess there’s loads to do here, from checking out the opera house to visiting one of its stunning beaches. That’s why deciding what to do with only one day in Sydney is a big challenge for many, myself included. I love the city so much, that I want to include all of the can’t-miss Sydney sights but I know that’s not possible on such a tight schedule.

Anyway, below you’ll read about my all-time favorite things to do in downtown Sydney. I’ll be very honest though, I recommend allowing at least three days in Sydney as that way you’ll get to visit the Blue Mountains and catch the ferry out to Manly. Two must-do Sydney activities!

My top things to do with 24 hours in Sydney

Walk the Bondi to Coogee Walk

Start your morning with breakfast in Bondi, I like Makaveli on Glenayr Ave. This cool spot opens early (at 6 am), which is perfect because we actually recommend tackling the Bondi to Coogee Walk super-early to beat the crowds. Anyway, Makaveli serves up yummy banana bread, pastries, and granola when it first opens at 6 am. And from 8 am a wider range of dishes are available like their famed focaccia slices.

After breakfast, it’s time to stretch your legs on the iconic Bondi to Coogee Walk – arguably one of the most scenic and most popular coastal walks in Australia (if not the world). This 6 km easy, paved trail starts in Bondi and ends in Coogee. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Sydney’s best beaches like Bronte, Tamarama, and Clovelly.

I’ve done this walk countless times as I actually lived in Bondi for a few years. And I honestly never tired of the views, you can stop off for a dip in the sea along the way or at the Clovelly Ocean Pool. And there are several Cafes along your route too, so you can grab a coffee for some extra energy. We like Jenny’s Cafe on Bronte Road in Bronte.

Allow around 3 hours for this walk, as you’ll inevitably want to check out the beaches and cafes along the way.

Related Read: If you want to live and work in Sydney like me, then check out my guide to doing a Working Holiday Visa in Australia.

Sydney Opera House

Your next stop should be the instantly recognizable Sydney Opera House—one of the coolest buildings in the world. It opened its doors in 1973 and is one of the top event venues in the country. Several superstars have performed here over the years, like Bob Dylan and Sting. I watched a performance here, and the acoustics are insane!

It’s located in buzzy circular quay and depending on how much time you have you could either just snap some photos on the steps or book a guided tour of the inside of this iconic building.

The tour is only around an hour long and to me it’s well worth doing to see the interior and learn about the history and construction of the opera house. As you can imagine the tour is very popular and you will need to book it in advance, especially if you plan on visiting during the busy summer months. The tour costs $45 AUD per person.

Walk across the Harbour Bridge

This is one of my favorite things to do in Sydney, I spent many a Sunday walking from my then home in The Rocks across the harbour bridge to check out the cool vintage market in Kirribilli or to relax by the water in Lavender Bay.

It will take around 30 minutes to walk across the bridge and the entry point is located in The Rocks. Be sure to take your time as you stroll across, as you’ll have an awesome view of the Sydney Opera House and the harbor as you go! If you wish, you can climb up the Pylon for uninterrupted views of the city below, this costs around $25 USD per person. And no need to book, just rock up and wait your turn.

Travel tip if you have more time: Do the Sydney BridgeClimb, this bucket-list-worthy experience has you climbing on top of the Harbour Bridge. Yes, you will literally climb on the bridge, attached by a harness! It’s a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience and you’ll feel on top of the world after accomplishing it. It takes 3 hours, including safety talk and costs from $289 AUD.

Explore Kirribilli & Milson’s Point

When you get to the other side allow yourself around two hours to explore the area – which is called Kirribilli/ Milson’s Point. As I said, the vintage market in Kirribilli is a cool place to hang out and it’s literally located as you step off the harbour bridge. There are over 220 stalls here and it’s typically held every second Sunday as well as the last Saturday of the month.

You’ll notice as you wander around the small village of Kirribilli, that it’s a very safe, affluent area. In fact Prime Minister of Australia’s home is here. I recommend having lunch in Kirribilli, a favorite of mine is The Flying Bear which is on the water. They serve up delicious salads and burgers with an insane view of Sydney harbor!

It’s also worth walking down to Luna Park, a retro theme park that’s a little like Coney Island. Now, you likely won’t have time to ride the rollercoasters here today but definitely snap a fun photo of the big face at the entrance. From there, walk along the boardwalk to Lavender Bay and take a breather in this quiet spot before venturing back into the city.

You can catch the ferry from Lavender Bay back to Circular Quay, the ride will take around 10 minutes.

Darling Harbour

One of the most lively and fun parts of Sydney city is Darling Harbour. It’s nicknamed Sydney’s harbourside playground as it’s home to too many to count restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. There are also often lots of free events on here, like beer festivals and cultural festivals.

Have a drink here (I like Cargo Bar or Bungalow 8) before boarding your sunset dinner cruise – yep. my suggestion for dinner tonight is totally unique. On your sunset and dinner cruise from Darling Harbour, you’ll enjoy a 3-course meal while taking in the city’s top sights. Your boat is the luxurious MV Sydney 2000 – a super cruiser. And you’ll also get to listen to live performances while you dine. The cruise costs just $115 AUD a head, which is great value considering it includes a 3-course meal!

Grab drinks at a hidden speak-easy bar

Of all the amazing bars in Sydney, my favorite is and always will be The Baxter Inn which is hidden down an alleyway off Clarence Street. It would be hard to miss if it wasn’t for the queue of people snaking out onto the street. Entry is via a fire escape and they limit how many people they allow in, meaning it’s quite a peaceful bar by Sydney standards.

If you love whiskey, this is the bar for you as the Baxter Inn boasts over a hundred whiskeys which the bar staff reach via a sliding ladder. But if you don’t love whiskey, fear not as there are plenty of other drinks on offer here. I always order a Margarita.

The lights are low, there’s often blues music playing and it’s overall a very cozy vibe here at “The Baxter” as locals call it.

If you’re feeling hungry afterward, make a beeline for Big Poppas on Oxford Street. This cozy little restaurant is open until 3 am. And no it’s not a sketchy place, it’s actually a really atmospheric, small restaurant that serves delicious pasta dishes and cheese platters.

What should you do in Sydney (if you have more time)?

If you have longer than one day in Sydney, ideally 3 days in Sydney (which we highly recommend) then you’ll be able to tick off a couple more awesome attractions. Some of my favorite activities I’ve done in Sydney include going whale watching on Sydney Harbour to see humpback whales and catching the ferry over to Manly.

Here’s a list of a few of the best things to do in Sydney if you have more time –

Whale watching cruise

Whale-watching season in Sydney runs from May to November and on a whale-watching cruise here, you’ll be treated to scenes of humpback whales putting on a show in Sydney harbor. There’s an abundance of whales in the harbor at this time of year because thousands of these majestic creatures make their way to Sydney from the Antarctic every year in May!

This 2.5-hour cruise from Circular Quay is the tour we did and we really enjoyed it. It costs $95 AUD per person.

Catch the ferry to Manly

One of my favorite weekend activities, when I lived in Sydney, was to catch the ferry from Circular Quay over to Manly. This surf hotspot is home to a stunning golden-sand beach and it has a similar vibe to Bondi. However, Manly is a lot less hectic. While in Manly, I recommend walking from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach, it’s around a 15-minute walk. Shelly Beach is a lovely little cove with bright blue water and the water here is much calmer than Manly Beach.

Day trip to the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains is one of the most stunning and most famous natural attractions in Australia. And handily, they’re not too far from downtown Sydney. It’s under an hour’s drive away. The easiest way to get to the mountains from Sydney is on a guided tour.

This small group tour is the one we did and highly recommend. It limits the group size to just 14 people so it feels really personal. The tour is 10 hours long and visits the region’s highlights. Places like Echo Point, Wentworth Falls, and the Jamison Valley. You’ll also get to pay a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can get up close to native animals like kangaroos and koalas. Lunch in one of the mountainside villages is also included in the price of $175 AUD per person.

Where to stay in Sydney

• Novotel on Darling Harbour – Conveniently located in buzzing Darling Harbour, this huge hotel features an outdoor pool, gym and tennis court. And the rooms are spacious and comfortable and many offer a view of Darling Harbour. A room here costs around $250 AUD per night.

• Sydney Potts Point Central Hotel – This boutique, art-deco aparthotel is located in leafy Potts Point and you can walk into the city (around 30 minutes) or catch the train from King’s Cross. There’s a lovely rooftop terrace here with city views. Rooms are reasonably priced at under $200 AUD per night.

• Pullman Sydney Hyde Park – Located in a quieter part of the city, next door to leafy Hyde Park this hotel is still within walking distance to all of Sydney’s top attractions. It boasts a rooftop pool with epic city views, a gym, and stylish rooms (many with city views). Expect to pay approx. $250 AUD per night here.

• Miss Baker’s Boutique Accommodation Bondi Beach – Located a couple of blocks back from the world-famous Bondi Beach, this studio apartment with a balcony is a brilliant option. The studio comes with a kitchenette, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and access to a communal garden. Rates average $260 AUD per night.

• YHA Sydney Harbour (The Rocks) – This hostel was actually around the corner from my house in The Rocks and it’s a large, luxurious hostel (as hostels go). It’s got quite a bohemian clientele and it boasts a fabulous rooftop pool. Rooms here range from ensuite doubles to an 8-bed dorm.

Getting to Sydney

Most tourists arrive in to Sydney by plane, as the airport here (Sydney Airport) is well-serviced by flights from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere in Australia.

Sydney Airport is just 8 km from Sydney and without traffic, the ride will take around 20 minutes in a cab. That will set you back between $45 – 55 AUD. However, we find, the train is the easiest way to get into the city with the Airport Link operating about every 10 minutes into downtown and the suburbs.

Many tourists also arrive in to Sydney via cruise ship, as the harbour here is one of the world’s major cruise ship ports. The cruise ships dock in Circular Quay which I’ve mentioned heaps already and it’s very central for exploring all the activities I’ve suggested above.

I love Sydney!

I hope you enjoyed reading my guide to spending one day in Sydney. As you can see, you can fit a surprising amount of stuff into 24 hours in Sydney. This city is so special to me, it was the first city I moved to after graduating from university and it’s where I met my husband. In fact, to this day we still talk about relocating back to Sydney with our two young daughters. We love Sydney that much.

If you enjoyed this Sydney guide, you may also enjoy –

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Amazing Things to Do in Queenstown in the Summer

How to Spend 5 Days in Queenstown

How to Spend 3 Days in Queenstown

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Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by snaphappytravel