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Sydney itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · AustraliaJune–September

Days
7
Stops
35
Per day
≈ 140 AUD
First stop
08:00

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Sydney itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 35 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 Harbour icons
  2. Day 2 Bondi to Coogee
  3. Day 3 Manly ferry

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 3 and 4 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 140 AUD a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 09:00–15:00

Harbour icons

  1. Landmark

    Sydney Opera House

    Take the 1-hour interior tour (~45 AUD) or admire it from outside; Bennelong Point has lovely morning light.

    ≈ 45 AUD per person

  2. Nature

    Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

    Harbourside gardens; Mrs Macquarie's Chair frames the Opera House and the bridge.

    Free

  3. Landmark

    The Rocks

    Colonial-era stone lanes; weekend market and Cadmans Cottage.

    Free

  4. Food

    The Rocks Cafe

    Breakfast or lunch in the Rocks; try the Australian breakfast.

    ≈ 25 AUD per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout

    200 steps up the bridge's south-east pylon; a cheap alternative to BridgeClimb (300+ AUD), then walk across the bridge.

    ≈ 25 AUD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Opera BarHarbourside bar beneath the Opera House; great at sunset.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art AustraliaFree museum at Circular Quay; rooftop cafe.

Day 2 · 08:00–18:30

Bondi to Coogee

  1. Nature

    Bondi Beach

    Australia's most famous beach; surfers in the morning, Icebergs pool (9 AUD), sea around 22°C in summer.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

    6 km of rocky clifftop path past Tamarama, Bronte, Waverley Cemetery and Clovelly.

    Free

  3. Food

    Coogee Pavilion

    Rooftop bar and restaurant on Coogee Beach; pizza and seafood.

    ≈ 28 AUD per person

  4. Nature

    Coogee Beach

    Calm cove with the Wylie's Baths rock pool.

    Free
  5. 2 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Bondi Icebergs Sunset

    Views of the famous rock pool and the beach; return by bus.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Bills BondiRicotta hotcakes; the Bondi brunch classic.
  • Bronte BathsRock pool at Bronte; an alternative to Coogee.

Day 3 · 09:00–18:00Day trip

Manly ferry

  1. Landmark

    Manly Ferry Circular Quay

    30-minute ferry ride, "the world's best 8 dollar harbour cruise"; pay with Opal.

    ≈ 8 AUD per person

  2. Nature

    Manly Beach

    Surf beach lined with Norfolk pines; stroll along The Corso.

    Free

  3. Nature

    Manly to Spit Bridge Walk

    10 km harbourside walk past Aboriginal rock carvings and coves (short version: Shelly Beach, 1 km).

    Free

  4. Food

    Manly Wharf Hotel

    Wharfside pub; fish and beer with harbour views.

    ≈ 30 AUD per person
  5. 2 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    Manly Ferry Sunset Return

    On the ferry heading west, watch the sun set over the Opera House and the bridge.

    ≈ 8 AUD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Shelly Beach ManlySnorkelling cove; a shorter option than the long walk.
  • Hugos ManlyPizza and seafood on the wharf.

Day 4 · 09:30–17:30Day trip

Blue Mountains

  1. Nature

    Echo Point Three Sisters

    2 hours by train (Katoomba); free views of the Three Sisters rock formation and the valley.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Scenic World Katoomba

    The world's steepest railway, a cableway and a rainforest boardwalk (~55 AUD).

    ≈ 55 AUD per person

  3. Food

    Katoomba Yellow Deli

    Wood-panelled cafe in Katoomba; sandwiches and soup.

    ≈ 20 AUD per person
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Nature

    Wentworth Falls Walk

    Waterfall and clifftop trail (short section of the National Pass); start from the train station.

    Free

  6. Landmark

    Leura Village

    Pretty town with cherry trees and antique shops; take the train back.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Leura GarageRestaurant in a former garage in Leura.
  • Jenolan CavesLimestone caves; an alternative to Wentworth Falls (by car).

Day 5 · 09:30–17:30

Taronga and Darling Harbour

  1. Culture

    Taronga Zoo Sydney

    12 minutes by ferry; koalas and kangaroos, plus a cable car with harbour views.

    ≈ 50 AUD per person

  2. Landmark

    Taronga Zoo Ferry Wharf

    Take the ferry to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

    ≈ 8 AUD per person
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Landmark

    Darling Harbour

    Waterfront stroll and Pyrmont Bridge.

    Free

  5. Food

    Sydney Fish Market

    The Southern Hemisphere's largest fish market; sashimi and oysters straight from the counter, in a new building.

    ≈ 30 AUD per person
  6. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Nature

    Barangaroo Reserve

    Harbourside park; sunset and the Wulugul Walk.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • SEA LIFE Sydney AquariumAquarium at Darling Harbour; an alternative to the zoo.
  • Chinatown Sydney Dixon StreetDim sum and Chinatown; an alternative to the fish market.

Day 6 · 09:00–16:30

Surry Hills, Newtown and Paddington

  1. Landmark

    Surry Hills Crown Street

    Cafes and boutiques; Bourke Street Bakery.

    Free

  2. Food

    Bourke Street Bakery

    Sydney's famous bakery; try the ginger brûlée tart and sausage roll.

    ≈ 8 AUD per person

  3. Nature

    Paddington Reservoir Gardens

    Sunken gardens in a former water reservoir; Oxford Street is close by.

    Free

  4. Shopping

    Paddington Markets

    Saturday market (on other days, browse the boutiques on Oxford Street).

    Free
  5. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Newtown King Street

    Street art, vegan cafes and vintage shops; Enmore Theatre.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Mary's NewtownBurgers and fried chicken in Newtown.
  • Brett Whiteley StudioPainter's studio in Surry Hills (weekends only); an alternative to the reservoir.

Day 7 · 09:00–14:00

Watsons Bay: a gentle farewell

  1. Landmark

    Watsons Bay Ferry

    30 minutes from Circular Quay; towards the harbour entrance.

    ≈ 8 AUD per person

  2. Nature

    The Gap Lookout

    Ocean cliffs; whale watching (May to November).

    Free

  3. Nature

    Camp Cove Beach

    Calm harbour beach; good for swimming in summer.

    Free

  4. Food

    Doyles on the Beach Watsons Bay

    Seafood restaurant since 1885; a farewell lunch with views of the Opera House.

    ≈ 45 AUD per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Circular Quay Airport Train

    The airport train takes 20 minutes; time to say goodbye.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Watsons Bay Boutique HotelBeer garden and fish and chips.
  • South Head Heritage TrailWalk to Hornby Lighthouse; an alternative to the beach.

Getting around: get an Opal Card / contactless

Covers trains, ferries, buses and light rail; the Sunday cap is ~9 AUD

Good to know: 6 things that make a Sydney trip easier

  1. Use an Opal or contactless card on ferries, trains and buses; the Sunday fare cap is cheap. The airport train takes 20 minutes (surcharge ~17 AUD).
  2. NOTE: June to September is WINTER in Sydney (12-18°C, rain possible); beaches are good for walking, it is whale season and the crowds are thinner.
  3. Coffee culture: a flat white costs 5 AUD, brunch 25-30; fish and chips 20, restaurants 40+. Tipping is not expected.
  4. Swim between the flags at beaches (rip currents); the Bondi to Coogee walk is cool in the morning.
  5. Book the Opera House tour and BridgeClimb online; Taronga offers a combined ferry and entry ticket.
  6. The train from Central to the Blue Mountains takes 2 hours; Scenic World tickets are discounted online.

Spending: ≈ 980 AUD per person for 7 days

  • Food520 AUD
  • Entry and tours260 AUD
  • Local transport100 AUD
  • Other100 AUD

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

On world lists: 2 places in this city

Cocktails · No. 42Maybe SammyWorld HeritageSydney Opera House

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

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Your next trip

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Sydney?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 3 and 4; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Sydney cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 140 AUD per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Sydney?

The first stop is at 08:00. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers June–September. There is a separate plan for October–May: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.