3 days in Sydney, Australia – things to do and places to eat

Sydney is a vibrant city that offers a great combination of friendly people, amazing food options, green oases, and a stunning waterfront. This most visited city in Australia has over 5 million inhabitants and is home to many different nationalities. If you only have 3 days in Sydney, we’ve got you covered in this guest article from Sanne Grothe, who lived in Sydney for two years. Her Sydney 3 day itinerary will show you the must-see attractions and sights, as well as some lesser known spots and local recommendations.

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Read on for our 3 day Sydney Itinerary

3 days in Sydney – Day 1

Let’s start exploring the beautiful city of Sydney on the waterfront at Darling Harbour. It is a great pedestrian area with a vibrant atmosphere and some breathtaking views around the waterfront. You can walk across the Pyrmont Bridge, and find several attractions like The Sydney Aquarium, the Australian Maritime Museum, the Darling Harbour Ferris wheel, and much more.

When you’re ready for a break, enjoy a delicious brunch at Wild Sage Barangaroo. You will be served one of the tastiest, modern Australian breakfasts with a fun, creative twist to every dish.

Continue your walk down to Barangaroo, which is a little suburb in the inner city. It is one of the more less-known areas of Sydney, but one not to miss. It is currently under construction until 2024, however, you will already now be able to enjoy the beauty of this new waterfront area.

Once you get to Walsh Bay, take a coffee break at Zupano Espresso Bar. They serve first-class coffees and freshly made juices. While sipping your espresso, you will be able to check out the impressive boats and catamarans that are located here.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge will be your next stop. The bridge was built between 1923 and 1932 and is a heritage-listed bridge. Pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles, and trains can cross the bridge, with no charge for pedestrians and bicycles. It’s well worth extending your walk across the bridge, which takes 15-20 minutes to cross. You will gain some extraordinary views of the city along the way.

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At the south entrance to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll reach The Rocks neighbourhood area. It’s the most historic neighbourhood in Sydney, which you can go and explore on your own or visit some of the museums located here. You will also find guided tours around The Rocks neighbourhood with a wide selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.

Finish your day off, with dinner at The Glenmore Hotel right in the heart of The Rocks neighbourhood. It is a very popular and historic hotel, which will serve you tasty food. Make sure you get seated at the rooftop where you will have a 180-degree view of the Sydney Harbour.

3 days in Sydney – Day 2

Start your next day bright and early with the Bondi to Bronte walk. It is one of Sydney’s most beautiful walking trails along the water. On the walk, you’ll pass beaches, cliffs, parks, viewpoints, and cafes. It is supremely beautiful and I really urge you to go. Walking one way will take you around 1 hour (2.5km).

I suggest you start your walk in Bronte, so that you end up in Bondi. Bondi beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sydney, due to the fine white sand and the strong waves, which attract surfers from all over the world. If you fancy trying it yourself you can book a surf lesson here.

At Bondi Beach, you can have a late brunch at The Bucket List where you will get amazing food and panoramic views of the beach and the ocean. After a bite to eat, you should head back to the city centre, by train or bus which run all day long.

The next stop will be at the Royal Botanical Garden. It’s located right in the city centre with 30 hectares of green space. Here you get to explore exotic plants, birds in all colors and shapes, and flowers in bloom.

The garden is free to enter. Once you are there, I recommend you to have a little coffee break at Botanic House Sydney inside the garden. Here you can enjoy great garden views from the open-air pavilion.

The Sydney Opera House

Now it is time for the famous Sydney Opera House. This is one of the most well known buildings of the 20th century and was designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It is a truly impressive building and one of Sydney’s most famous icons. Inside you can get a guided tour and discover even more about this magnificent building. If you have time, I also suggest you buy tickets for one of the many shows, for an unforgettable experience.

We recommend dinner at the Sydney Opera Bar, located close to the waterside offering amazing views of the Opera House and the waterfront. However, make sure to make your reservations in advance, as it does fill up especially on the weekends.

3 days in Sydney – Day 2

Your third day of our Sydney 3 day itinerary should start with a nice breakfast at The Rocks Cafe. Here you will find both European and modern Australian cuisine prepared by some great chefs.

After breakfast head down to Circular Quay where you can catch a ferry to the north shores of Sydney Harbour and find yourself at the Taronga Zoo. The ferry ride is only 12 minutes long. At the Taronga Zoo you get to explore more than 250 different species and over 4,000 animals, including gorillas, bears, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and meerkats. Book your Taronga Zoo tickets here.

Once you are ready to head back to the city center you can walk down some of the main shopping streets, including Pitt Street and George Street, where you can get all your shopping done.

If you are in the need for a coffee break at some point, follow the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to Mecca Coffee located on King Street. It is a very popular place that serves coffee made with roasted beans from El Salvador.

Finish your last day at GPO Cheese and Wine Room for an incredible dinner. You can choose between cheese fondue, antipasti, and delicious cheese plates, which you can design to your own taste.

Hotels in Sydney

Sydney is a city that values its tourists and you will find a broad range of accommodation for your next stay. Here are some hotels to try;

The Langham Sydney is a luxurious hotel offering panoramic views of the city. It is located just a 5 minutes’ walk from Darling Harbour.

The Kimpton Margot Sydney is located in the very heart of Sydney city center. It is a 5-star hotel where you will find everything from a restaurant, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi in every room.

Visitor Information for Sydney

For more information to plan your visit to Sydney check out the official websites for Sydney Tourism and Australia Tourism.

If you are looking for a guidebook for your visit to Sydney, we recommend the DK Top 10 Sydney Eyewitness Travel Guide.

Looking for a place to stay? Check out the best prices for Hotels in Sydney.

About the Author: Sanne Grothe is a Danish citizen, currently living in Spain but just back from two years in Australia. Sanne loves to travel and recently started her first lifestyle blog The San Sanity which focuses on travel, outdoor activities, fitness & health, and general inspiration and recommendations related to everyday life. Check out Sanne’s blog and also follow her on Pinterest here.

Photo credits:
Sydney Opera house | Sydney Bridge day | Sydney Bridge Night | Bondi Walk | Shopping street | Botanical Garden | Bondi Beach 1 | Bondi Beach 2 | Kangaroo | Darling Harbour | Wild Sage Bangaroo | The Glenmore Hotel |

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This article is a guest post* by Sanne Grothe

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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