Why is Sydney a Great Place to Visit?
Sydney is Australia’s largest city and arguably most internationally recognized. With a population of around 5.5 million Sydney is a buzzing city set amongst the backdrop of the spectacular Sydney Harbour. Sydney is the epitome of visual wow factor and combines an eccentric combination of history, cultural sophistication and spectacular coastal and harbour scenery. As Australia’s most accessible gateway to the world, getting to Sydney couldn’t be easier with connections to all Australian capital cities and many regional centers and numerous direct flights to New Zealand, the Pacific, North and South America and Asia. Sydney will be sure to offer something to cater toward any taste whether first time or repeat visitor! Continue reading for our recommended 3 day Sydney itinerary !
Travelling to Sydney: What you need to know
Flights
Getting to Sydney by air couldn’t be easier. As Australia’s largest airport you can easily reach Sydney from all Australian capital cities and most major regional centers along Australia’s east coast. Expect flying time to be around 45 minutes from Canberra, 1 hour from Sydney or Brisbane, 2 hours from Adelaide or Hobart, 4.5 hours from Darwin or 5 hours from Perth. Many flight routes into Sydney operate in a competitive environment so good value fares can be had especially if booking in advance or during quieter periods. Coming from further abroad expect a leisurely 3-4 hour hop from New Zealand, 6-10 hours for flights from Asia and upwards of 14 hours for flights from the Middle East or the Eastern seaboard of North America. From Europe expect total travel time upwards of 24 hours with a stopover in either Perth, Asia or the Middle East. All Australia’s major airlines such as Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and REX have a strong presence out of Sydney Airport.
Accommodation
It is no surprise due to the sheer volume of both business and leisure travel to Sydney that there is no shortage of quality accommodation options in Sydney that cater to a wide range of traveler clientele. Prices do tend to be on the higher side although there is a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes.
In Sydney there are numerous hostels both independent and through chain or franchise networks catering towards budget travelers. Expect to pay from $30-$50 per night for an establsihed hostel such one of the four YHA’s located in Sydney. There are also numerous budget hotels and motels and also university accommodation which may offer short stay arrangements with prices usually starting from around $100 per night. Several holiday parks are also available in Sydney and even more along its outskirts for those touring by road and perhaps camping or caravanning. Plenty of the mid range and high end hotel chains are also present all up to the most luxurious of properties. Whilst prices tend to be on the higher side than elsewhere in Australia good specials can still be had when booking in advance or during off peak periods.
Booking.comWeather
Sydney generally has a subtropical climate with warm and occasionally hot summers and mild to cool winters. Spring and Autumn can bring changeable conditions but expect many pleasant mild days. Sydney does experience its fair share of rainfall which is spread fairly evenly across the year so it pays to be prepared for the possibility of wet weather all year round. There is no bad time to visit Sydney with all its key attractions open year round although those who want to make the most of Sydney’s beautiful coastline and magnificent beaches may prefer to visit during the warmer months. We’d recommend consulting with the Australian Bureau of Metrology website for all the latest weather conditions, warnings and forecasts.
How to get around
Sydney is a large city and whilst it is certainly possible to see most of the inner Sydney’s main attractions on foot it may sometimes be quicker to take advantage of Sydney’s very extensive public transport network. Sydney has a vast network of trains, buses, light rail and ferries of which the later is a particularly great wat to traverse Sydney Harbour and get to some of Sydney’s most famous vantage points in the process.
Travelling on public transport is easy in Sydney as its one of few cities in the world to first adopt card payment at the turnstile. Simply use either a preloaded Opal Card or your own debit or credit card to tap on and off when entering or exiting stations, buses or ferries to get the full advantage of reduced fares and automated pricing. You’ll also enjoy the benefit of never paying more than $16.80 for unlimited travel on weekdays or $8.40 on weekends and public holidays. For those looking to save some money taking ferries around Sydney Harbour on the Weekend is a great opportunity to soak up all the vantage points of Sydney Harbour for a bargain basement price!
Recommended 4 Day Sydney Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Sydney’s bustling Central Business District
Your arrival afternoon or first full day in Sydney is a great opportunity to soak up all the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s Central Business District. Here you’ll find extensive shopping options centered around the Pitt Street Mall, Market Street and World Square. Head to Martin place often described as the ‘Civic Heart’ of Sydney with numerous beautiful heritage listed buildings is where much of Sydney’s financial and trade action takes place.
Behind Circular Key and in the Rocks District you’ll find an extensive range of restaurants bars and cafes whilst in the nearby district of King Cross you’ll find much of the going on of Sydney’s nighttime economy. Bordering behind Darling Harbour you’ll also find China Town and the district of Haymarket which are also great for more affordable dining and shopping options.
Consider purchasing the Ultimate Sydney Attractions Pass which allows you to bundle 2,3 or 4 of downtown Sydney’s must see attractions and and you’ll save a great amount in the process.
Day 2: Spend a day exploring Sydney’s extensive ferry network
With its beautiful and massive deep water harbour it is no surprise that Sydneysiders haven taken full advantage of it with an extensive and lengthy ferry network which can surprisingly cut through long journeys in a short period of time. With 9 publicly operated ferry routes and also a wealth of privately operated routes you’ll be spoilt for choice for options to explore Sydney Harbour whether its quick trip across to Taronga Zoo or some of Sydney’s most iconic localities such as Manly. If you do decide to travel with a private operator which may offer more premium and faster services it is pleasing to know that you can use an Opal Card although bear in mind that the operator’s own fare prices will apply. Taking a dedicated cruise over Sydney Harbour perhaps over lunch or dinner is also another great way to see Sydney Harbour
Some of the most popular destinations for tourists to take the ferry to include Cockatoo Island, Neutral Bay, Mossman Bay, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and of course Manly.
Take the Manly Ferry
Perhaps the most iconic ferry journey of them all and a must for all visitors and locals of Sydney alike is taking the Manly Ferry. Not just does the ferry get you to the lively seaside hotspot of Manly it is just as much about the journey itself. The direct ferry covers the 7 nautical mile journey between Sydney’s Circular Key and Manly in little under half an hour and offers speculator views of Sydney Harbours and its various bays, Sydney Harbours National Park, past Sydney Heads opening into Pacific Ocean all before terminating at Manly
Explore the historic Cockatoo Island
Another place you can easily take the ferry to is Cockatoo Island, an inner harbour UNESCO World Heritage listed island known for its colonial history and industrial pastimes. Here you can see the old convict settlement and the remains of the old Cockatoo Island Dockyard which was one of Australia’s largest ship and steel works from 1857 to 1991. Aside from all the history of the island it is great to soak up all the excellent 360 degrees of Sydney Harbour and impressive views looking back towards the city.
Day 3: Explore the various districts and precincts along the Sydney Harbour
The Rocks
The Rocks district is the birthplace of modern Sydney and indeed modern Australia. As the oldest and first place of European settlement in Australia dating back to 1788 you’ll find some of Australia’s oldest buildings here and plenty of historical streets and laneways to navigate. You’ll also find some upmarket bars and restaurants here and great views of Circular Key, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Circular Key
Circular Key is one of Sydney’s most instantly recognized tourist hotspots. Visit here for some of the best vantage points of the Sydney Harbours Bridge and Opera House in addition to the Sydney Botanical Gardens, North Sydney and Luna Park and of course the towering Sydney Skyline behind it. Albeit on the pricier side there is no shortage of restaurants and bars in Circular Key to help soak in all the magnificent views. Circular Key also acts as a crucial transportation hub in Sydney especially for its ferry network and is the place to be to take the public Manly Ferry service
Darling Harbor
Darling Harbour is Sydney’s favorite playground and is a great place to spend time leisurely enjoying Sydney by both day and night. Here you’ll find great vantage points for snapping up great pictures of the Sydney Skyline and enjoy countless bars, restaurants and shopping options and a number of tourist attractions and museums whilst the nearby district of Pyrmont has Sydney’s large casino and entertainment complex. Naval history enthusiasts may wish to the visit the Australian Maritime Museum located here
Barangaroo
Once an old underutilized industrial area, the Barangaroo Wharf area is one of Sydney’s most rapidly developing areas. Located between Darling Harbour and Circular Key you’ll see a lot of waterfront developments coming up including new restaurants and bars all in anticipation of the opening of Sydney’s second mega casino and entrainment complex proposed to be opening along the wharf.
Day 4: Take a day trip out to The Blue Mountains
No Sydney itinerary would be complete without taking a day trip out to the magnificent Blue Mountains. Approximately 60km or a 1 hour drive from central Sydney, The Blue Mountains is a rugged and ancient mountain range known for dramatic scenery, s steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. For those visiting Australia and short of time, The Blue Mountains is one of the most accessible wilderness areas in Australia!
If one does not have a hire car there are also many options to take a organized day trip from Sydney and at a pinch it is also possible to visit the region by public transport although this is much more time consuming. Whilst you are up there visiting we’d definitely recommend visiting the famed Scenic World and its popular Scenic Skyway, Walkway, Cableway, and Railway.
