Blessed with sunny and warm weather all year round- seemingly a perfect place to live right?
Trust me, it’s no fun to be under the scorching sun. Even staying in the indoor, you’ll have sweating hands and face without air conditioning.
And Starbucks is our favorite and newly discovered place to work from.
The smell of coffee, the cool indoor air, and the soothing background music – I feel much productive and focused while working from the comfort of this little coffee shop.
As I drank my coffee, “Shall we go to see the Vivid Sydney?” Winson asked.
“Sure, let’s book the flight!” I exclaimed excitedly. That’s winter in Australia, I can’t wait to escape the heat and haze here.
There began our one-month adventures to Australia, with our first top at Sydney, Australia’s most popular city!
Traveling to Sydney can be expensive without proper planning. If you want to get the most out of the Sydney without breaking the budget, here’s a list of things to do for free (or cheap) that we’ve done or planning to do.
Looking for the best value-for-money hostels and hotels in Sydney?
Read my guide on The Best Hotels in Sydney: Cheap to Luxury Picks
Day 1: Explore Sydney on Foot
Free Walking Tours
Spend your first day walking around Sydney. There are lots to see and you can easily spend a whole day exploring the city.
If you want to get first-hand experience of the history, culture and lifestyle of Sydney from a local guide, then join “I’m Free Walking Tours Sydney”.
This free walking tour starts every day at 10.30am and 2.30pm from Town Hall Square. Learn about the stories and history, discover some hidden bars and restaurants and of course explore the famous landmarks like Sydney Opera House, The Harbour Bridge, Parliament House, Sydney Tower and more.
Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
For our first day, we took a stroll from our hotel in Potts Point to the Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.
It’s an enjoyable walk. Passing by some awesome outdoor cafés, navigating through the lovely Wharf Terraces, following the path through the Royal Botanic Gardens and finally greeted by a beautiful view.
Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair actually got its name from a bench shaped sandstone that was carved in early 1810 for Governor Macquarie’s wife, Elizabeth.
Now everyone can sit at Mrs. Macquarie’s favorite spot to enjoy the harbour view.
Royal Botanic Gardens
It’s a beautiful place to walk around, explore, relax and for many, have a picnic.
We’ve our lunch at a restaurant amidst lush greenery. Admiring the city view, plants, flowers and many different creative displays of the Vivid Sydney Festival.
If you want to learn more about the heritage and native plants, you can join the free-guided walking tours here.
Sydney Opera House
Just another 5-minute walk from the Royal Botanic Gardens, you’ll reach the Sydney Opera House.
Walk up the steps to have a closer view of this distinctive building and get a great of the Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the platform.
Walk along the quay from Sydney Opera House to the Circular Quay ferry wharf, you’ll find a stretch of long stone bench along the way. Take a break here and snap some beautiful photos.
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is a hub where people will catch the ferry from here to attraction places including Taronga Zoo, Manly Island and Luno Park. It can get very crowded especially during the weekends.
As we wandered around the Circular Quay ferry wharf, a very unique music grabbed our attention. Yes, this is where you can listen to buskers playing their didgeridoos along the street.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Walk across the bridge to Milson Point at the northern end, along the way you can stop at the side to get a panoramic view overlooking the Sydney Opera House and bays.
If you’re visiting during the Vivid Sydney Festival, this is a great spot to see the light shows from a higher level. Many photographers, both professionals and amateurs, gather here to get the perfect shot of the Opera House with the light displays on its roof.
If you want to spice things up, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an experienced guide!
Day 2: See Australian Animals
Taronga Zoo
Enjoy this 12-minute ferry ride, it’s a great way to see the Sydney city from the water, a totally different perspective.
The best way to explore Taronga Zoo is by taking the Sky Safari cable car from the harbour directly up to the main entrance of the zoo and walking zig-zag all the way down back the harbour.
But you’ll need to have a ticket on hand (you don’t have to print it out) to get access to the cable car. If not, you’ll have to walk up the hill or take a bus to the ticket counter of Taronga Zoo.
To save you time and money, you can get a combo ticket includes return ferry ticket, entry to Taronga Zoo and Sky Safari cable car here.
We have a fun day here discovering native wildlife and some rare exotic animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, pelicans, gorilla and more. And remember to look out for spectacular views overlooking the Sydney Harbour.
Beer and Pizza
After spending a good half-day at Taronga Zoo, we wanted to find a place to drink and relax.
During Happy Hour from 4pm-6pm, you can get order beer, wine, spirits, and pizza for a flat price of $3! It’s a steal.
Day 3: Day Trip to Watson Bay
You’ll get to see the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Bridge, bays and some spectacular mansions in the eastern suburbs.
You can also take a bus to Watson Bay but it’s much more fun getting there by ferry!
Fish & Chips Picnic at Robertson Park, Watson Bay
We packed some delicious take-away fish and chips from Doyles on the Wharf.
Instead of jostling for a table at the wharf café, head to the Robertson Park, find a picnic spot, enjoy your fish and chips with a perfect view overlooking the bay.
Cliff Walking at Watson Bay
After a wonderful meal, now let’s start exploring the Watson’s Bay. There are two superb but separate coastal trails, they aren’t interconnected with each other.
- South Head Heritage Trail
- The Gap Bluff
Walk the South Head Heritage Trail
Mesmerized by the breathtaking views, we stood on the unfenced cliff edge to capture the moment all for a while.
Take some time to enjoy the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, the expansive Pacific Ocean, and North Head of Manly Island. If you’re traveling during the whale-watching season (May-November), keep your eyes peeled and lookout for some whales in the ocean.
This route is not connected with the Gap Bluff, you’ll have to walk back to where you started.
The Gap Bluff
Take the steps up and from here you’ll see stunning views of the rugged, towering stretch of cliff and gorgeous ocean.
This was probably my overall favorite when it comes to Watson Bay’s Walk, perhaps because the sun actually just set right when we’re here!
Rays of sunlight casting upon the iconic landmarks, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline, painting the sky in magnificent golden hues. Making it such a fascinating spectacle.
Circular Quay Light Walk, Vivid Sydney
Held annually for a month-long during the mid-year, Vivid Sydney is the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the world. It’s definitely worth a visit.
We took a stroll from Circular Quay to Royal Botanic Gardens, enjoying the lively atmosphere with mesmerizing view at night with various types of light shows.
Day 4: Bondi to Congee Coastal Walk
The 6km Bondi to Congee Coastal Walk offers magnificent views of sandy beaches, steep cliff faces, rock pools and bays. We spent a whole day wandering around Bondi, Bronte and its surrounding.
There are so many things to see and do along the way: admiring the sheer beauty of nature at the many scenic viewpoints, have a good dip at the beach, swim at Bondi Iceberg Pool, picnic on the cliff and stop at a café for a drink and snacks.
To get to Bondi Beach, catch a train from the city center to Bondi Junction Station. Then take a 15-minute bus ride to Bondi Beach.
Day 5: Day Trip to Blue Mountains
Want to spend a memorable day trip out from Sydney CBD?
Head to the Blue Mountains! You won’t be disappointed.
Skyway at Scenic World- travel over ravines of clifftops and rainforests in this glass-floor cablecar, offering 360-degree breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains
With breathtaking views, incredible walks and stunning waterfalls, there’s plenty to see and do. Get ready your best walking shoes, a bottle of water and your fully charged camera.
See the Three Sisters from Echo Point
According to an Aboriginal legend, 3 beautiful sisters from the Katomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from Nepean tribe but tribal law forbade them to marry. A serious battle ensued between the tribes. In order to protect the 3 sisters, a witch doctor turned them into stone.
The Giant Stairway
Make sure to walk across the Honeymoon Bridge to stand on the first of the Three Sisters.
Scenic World
Ride the steepest incline Railway in the world at Scenic World
Then take a walk on the Federal Pass walking track, it’ll lead you to the base of Katomba Falls and Scenic Railway.
You can pay for a Katomba Scenic World ticket to have a unique experience of seeing the Blue Mountains via cable car, railway, skyway and walkway.
Or take a single ride on the world’s steep railway with a 52-degree incline to the cliff top. From here you can catch a bus back to the Katomba Station.
Public Transport to the Blue Mountains
It’s easy to visit, simply jump on a train to the Blue Mountains and alight on Katomba Station. From the train station, cross the street, and catch bus 686 to Echo Point (Three Sisters) and Scenic World. You can also get the hop-on-hop-off explorer bus which will cover all the places.
Here are some activities that will help you to get the full experience of the Blue Mountains:
- Blue Mountains Explorer Bus: 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
-
Blue Mountains Unlimited Discovery Pass (+Scenic World Rides Pass)
Day 6: Explore Sydney CBD
Hyde Park
As you wander through the park, you’ll see a beautiful fountain, numerous monuments, statues and lovely pathways lined with trees.
St Mary’s Cathedral
Appreciate the beautiful architecture from the street and feel the peace once you step in this sacred place.
Every Sunday at noon, you can join the free guided tours of the crypt and cathedral floor.
Pitt Street Mall
Photo: WIkipedia
Pitt Street Mall is a hub of retail for all shopping lovers. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’ll be just as fun to amble this fully pedestrianized street and people watch.
The Strand Arcade
Photo: Wikimedia
Walk through this beautiful old arcade, look around the beautiful details, glass ceiling and tiled floors.
Built a century ago, this Victorian-style arcade is still functional and remains the original form without losing its charm.
Queen Victoria building
Probably I can’t afford to buy anything here, it’s still an impressive walk to admire the beautiful architecture- curved staircases, stained glass window, and two antique mechanical cocks hanging from the ceiling.
Take some time to wander around, enjoy a cup of coffee and don’t miss the Royal Clock strike ( which goes on the hour)
Sydney Tower Eye
On the observation deck, there are free binocular stands, which allow you to zoom in and have a closer and detailed look at distance objects.
Day 7: Darling Harbour & Suburbs
Darling Harbour
It has loads to offers, including adventures like Sealife Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, Wildlife Zoo, free Australian National Maritime Museum and Chinese Garden of Friendship. You’ll also find world-class dining, cafes, laneways bars, a large kids playground, parks and gardens. There’s something for everyone here.
Paddy’s Markets
I heard that this huge market hall has everything in it. There are stalls selling fruit & vegetables, clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, antiques, souvenirs and second-hand goods.
China Town
Every Friday between 4pm-10pm, they have China Town Night Market features over 60 food stalls selling a wide variety of food from Asian countries along the Dixon Street. Wait no more, let’s sate your appetite without burning a hole in your pocket.
The Rocks
Pop into the Rocks Discovery Museum for free to understand more about the important history events and stories before pre-European days to the present.
Conclusion
We spent 7 days in Sydney and barely scratched the surface of adventures Sydney has to offer. I hope this guide will help you in planning your trip in Sydney.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads.
Get a travel insurance quote from World Nomads:
Have you been to Sydney?
What’s your favorite place to visit in Sydney?
Do you have any favorite spot or things to do that I didn’t mention in this post?
Feel free to share with us in the comment below.
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Lonely Planet Australia
is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, offers the most up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. It is ideal for those who want to both explore the top sights and take the road less traveled.
I’ve handpicked a few travel guides for you to read next:
- The Best Hotels in Sydney: Cheap to Luxury Picks
- 14 Must-Stop Places on The Great Ocean Road-Don’t Miss These!
- My 14 Favorite Free Things To Do In Melbourne (On a Free Tram!)
- Tourist Refund Scheme: How to Claim TRS airport refund on Australia GST
- 7 Useful Tips That Will Help You Find Cheap Hotel Rooms Every Time
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