Sydney is one of the most incredible cities on this earth. Here at Traveleyes, it’s one of our favourite destinations and we can’t wait to visit in February 2020. You’ve got plenty of free time to enjoy the city and visit iconic sights such as Bondi Beach and the Sydney Opera House and with that in mind, here’s a guide on how to spend a day in Sydney…
The Coogee To Bondi Coastal Walk
8.30am
Travel to Coogee, a beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, to start the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk. This incredible trail is a favourite of locals and visitors with the 6km walk hugging the coastline of Sydney. Starting at Coogee Beach, you’ll walk past incredible sights such as Gordon’s Bay and Waverly Cemetery, as well as the beaches of Clovelly, Tamarama, Bronte and of course, Bondi.
Brunch In Bondi
10.30am
Coming into Bondi, you’ll first be greeted by Bondi Icebergs, a legendary swimming club where you can take a swim if you want to cool off! However, after the walk, we recommend grabbing brunch at one of the many beach side cafes in Bondi. Brunch is one thing Australian’s know how to do well so you’ll definitely be able to find a good meal here before travelling to your next location…
Shop Vintage In Newtown Or Luxury Shopping In the Queen Victoria Building
12noon
Newtown is one of Sydney’s cooler suburbs and is easily accessed from Bondi by bus. A lively coffee shop and vintage shopping scene thrives here. King Street and Enmore Road, the roads that run through the centre of Newtown, have a great mix of fashion boutiques, speciality shops, and incredible street art that you won’t really find anywhere else in the city. There are also some great bars for a lunchtime refreshment and plenty of ice cream shops if the summer sun is a little too warm.
Alternatively, if high-end shopping is more your thing, continue from Bondi into the centre of Sydney onto George Street. Here you’ll find the Queen Victoria Building, or the QVB as it’s known, to shop high street and luxury brands. This building was originally built in 1898 by the out of work stonemasons, plasterers and stained window artists in the city. A lot of work has gone into maintaining this building and you’ll find an artistic flair throughout the whole of the QVB.
Visit Taronga Zoo 1.30pm
From the QVB, take a short stroll down George Street to Circular Quay. If you stayed in Newtown, hop on the 15-minute train to Circular Quay to catch a ferry to Taronga Zoo. This 12-minute journey take you directly to the entrance and the journey gives you the most incredible views of the Sydney Opera House and the city’s skyline. Before you know it, you’ll be at Taronga Zoo where over 4000 animals, with species such as Koalas,Sumatran Tigers, Chimpanzees, Sun Bears, Giraffes and more, are all cared for.
Tour Of Sydney Opera House
4pm
Head back to the city for a trip to the Sydney Opera House for a tour beneath the sails. This is one thing you can’t miss out on when you spend a day in Sydney. Explore the white shell tiles that make the Sydney Opera House stand out against Australia’s blue skies, find out about the secrets of this buildings structure, and step foot into the theatres of one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Tours last an hour and it’s worth booking in advance if this is something you want to do.
Drinks At Opera Bar
5pm
If you’re at the Sydney Opera House, you have to have a drink at Opera Bar. This place has an incredible backdrop and views over the Harbour Bridge making it the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing pre-sunset drink.
Dinner In The Rocks
6pm
For dinner, head across to The Rocks, one of Sydney’s most historic areas. Full old buildings, The Rocks was the first place of European settlement in Australia and you’ll soon discover the charm that brings people here during a visit to Sydney. Cobblestone laneways, solid wooden beams, and crushed cockle shells in the mortar make up the old-world feel for this area and it’s a great place to find some food for dinner. If you’re lucky, there might even be a market on where locals tout their handmade wares.
Fireworks At Darling Harbour
8.30pm
From The Rocks, take a wander to Darling Harbour (or you can enjoy a brief boat journey from Circular Quay if you wish to do so!) Settle in for a waterside cocktail and wait for the firework show to start at 9pm. This spectacular show won’t fail to impress as it lights up the incredibly popular Darling Harbour – plus it’s free so it’s a great way to end a day of exploration in the city.
Do you have any other tips on how to spend a day in Sydney? Let us know over on our social media channels!