TravelEnthusiast

SYDNEY

Itinerary

Suggested Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
BEST TIME TO VISIT SYDNEY:
For perfect weather, visit in December. You’ll catch the festivities of the Christmas holiday, 
and you’ll be in the heart of summer’s fun. For less expensive times to visit try April to October.

CLICK FOR A SPECIALIZED ITINERARY

My Thoughts on Sydney

Flying to Australia, is like visiting the end of the world. It’s FAR relative to most countries or destinations. So I reckon you give yourself 8 solid days to see Sydney, excluding your travel days. For newbies who might experience a fierce or wicked jet-lag, allowing 1 day to regroup might be your best friend, which now leaves you with 7 good days to sightsee and enjoy the sounds and pleasures of Sydney. It was Christmas, as well as summer when I visited down under (Sydney, Australia). I couldn’t recommend enough the importance of visiting at this time. You can avoid the frigid temperatures of Australia, and take in more sights and sites. Sydney was amazing for me. I spent days wandering around, and nights mesmerized by the lights of the harbor. Visiting was just what the doctor ordered. The people were friendly and accommodating; Circular Quay Wharf was abuzz and there were several restaurants to lounge in, grab a bite, or people watch from. The Sydney Harbor Bridge was lovely to behold and the Sydney Opera House was a breath of fresh air. This city is a MUST SEE.

Airports to Fly Into

  • Kingsford Smith Sydney Airport (SYD)

Where to Stay

The FULLERTON HOTEL Sydney
1 Martin Place, Sydney 2000 Australia, +61 2 8223 1111 

My number one pick in Sydney, will definitely be the Fullerton Hotel, formerly the Westin Hotel rebranded in 2019. I recommend this hotel for its proximity to Sydney’s heart and soul. It’s literally minutes away from the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbor, NSW Art Gallery and Sydney Harbor. In my opinion, Westin hotels are forever timeless and the Fullerton wouldn't disappoint. 

OTHER SUGGESTED PLACES TO STAY IN SYDNEY:

Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay
30 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000 Australia, +61 2 9259 7000  

Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park 
161 Elizabeth Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000 +61 2 9286 6000

Travelodge Hotel Sydney
27-33 Wentworth Ave, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia, +61 2 8267 1700

(I have added the Travelodge for the budget conscious and for those who’d like to save even more funds dining out. This hotel has a kitchenette, a dining area and all the amenities of a small apartment). 

Where and What to Eat

Vegemite 

For the brave hearted, try Australia’s delight - Vegemite; made from leftover brewers' yeast extract and various vegetable and spice additives. This disgusting mixture is an Australian’s go-to snack. You can spread it on a cracker like I did, or try it on toast. Yuck! In any case, it’s imperative to not leave Sydney without a taste of this delicacy, just so you can check it off your must try list.

Sydney Cove Oyster Bar

Sydney Cove Oyster Bar Circular Quay Restaurant deserves an honorable mention for its spectacular view of the harbor. This is an Asian and European Seafood restaurant. Their oysters were super fresh and they are a tad over moderately priced.

East Chinese Restaurant on Macquarie St

For awesome Chinese food, try East Chinese Restaurant on Macquarie St, not far from the Sydney Opera House. Try their squid, but be ready, Sydney is expensive, period!

Cafe Sydney

For modern Australian cuisines, try Cafe Sydney, a rooftop restaurant with amazing views of the Sydney harbor.

What to See and Do

Circular Quay Wharf

this is where all the action happens. It also happens to harbor some of the prominent sites in Sydney.

Sydney Harbor Bridge

 if at all possible, make it to its pinnacle.

Darling Harbor

This action packed harbor is every fun lover’s first stop.

Sydney Opera House

No visit to Sydney is complete without seeing this spectacular and very iconic Opera House. It is Sydney’s staple and is quite a sight to behold. Go an extra mile and indulge if funds permit.

Sydney Tower

This is the the tallest building in Sydney and it held very splendid/spectacular views. One could view the whole of Sydney from every angle. Deck fee when I visited was 25 AUD.

Harbor Cruise at Circular Quay

Get a different perspective of the city from the water; view the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge from this very scenic cruise.

Cockle Bay Wharf

Featherdale Wildlife Park

Famous for its wildlife. A visit to Sydney is complete once you’d sighted a Kangaroo.

Australian Museum

This museum has several wings, and is quite magnificent to behold. You’ll witness real life artistry of the ancient indigenous Australians, and a painting of the Genocide of the Aboriginal people. You’ll also come across an Egyptian mummy, skeletons, reptiles, minerals, learn about indigenous Australians and/or Aboriginal history, to mention a few.

The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park

The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, which happens to be one of the finest public fountains in Sydney.

St. James Church

The oldest church in Sydney and has been in use since 1824.

Cadman’s Cottage Historic Site

The Blue Mountains

This is where you’ll witness the three sisters legend.

Teapot Museum

Built in 1911. It also currently houses 4000 teapots and counting.

St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Mary's Cathedral, also known as Help Of Christians and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Mother of God is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. It is also the seat of Archbishop of Sydney. It is located right next to the Archibald Fountain which makes it impossible to miss. A pit stop here would be worth it.

Bondi Beach

A visit to Sydney is not complete until you visit Bondi Beach. People were like ants on the beach and there were so many people soaking in the sun and its rays. This is the most popular and tourist filled beach in Aussie.

My Favorite Quotes

Sydney willed itself to me at a very low point in my life. I’d just ended an engagement and wanted to go somewhere very far; far away from the lights, the cheers and the sounds of Christmas. I closed my eyes, pointed to my globe, opened my eyes, and there was Sydney.

- Lynda 'Kechy

If Paris is a city of lights, Sydney is the city of fireworks.

- Baz Luhrmann

If you put 20 cents in me and ask me to talk about South Sydney, I'll play all night.

- Russell Crowe

I've changed Sydney. It's my city, my people. I'm theirs. We belong to each other.

- Harry Triguboff

One of the great things about Sydney is that it has a great acceptance of everyone and everything. It's an incredibly tolerant city, a city with a huge multicultural basis.

- Baz Luhrmann

Sydney's a beautiful city. It was a great experience.

- Barbara Hershey

TIPS TO REMEMBER WHILE VISITING SydNEY

1. Always remember to have a photocopy of your passport with you, where ever you go. It pays to be prepared, especially when changing your country’s currency. 

2. To explore the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park, utilize a tour company which comes with a private tour guide.Websites like viator.com are a great place to start. It’s imperative to get the tale behind the three sisters, a legendary story that would boggle your mind.

3. Be prepared, Sydney is expensive. Be open minded to paying, or just indulge in meals at the food court of Sydneys malls.  

4. Sydney is very far from the rest of the world, so if at all possible, try to fork out the funds and fly Business Class. You'd be thankful you did. Also, be very intentional about your mind, body, soul and overall wellness. A healthy level of fun and sleep are needed to balance out your senses. Sleep on the plane if need be, but reset your body’s clock to match Sydney’s time zone to avoid a wicked jet lag.

5. Utilize Sydney’s Big Bus Hop On Hop Off to see the rest of Sydney, including Bondi beach. This is my GO TO in any country. On the bus, extensive insights about each site is shared at no additional cost to you. You can enjoy this city affordably and at your own pace.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA:

Sydney is a city I could visit over and over again without being bored. A definite MUST SEE for all who want to venture down under. 

More COUNTRIES