How to Spend One Week In Sydney. The Ultimate 7 Day Sydney Itinerary for Travelers

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Day 1. Getting to Know the City

Morning Walking Through The Rocks and Circular Quay

In my opinion, there is no better way to get acquainted with the city than by walking around. Start early before the weekend crowds take over The Rocks. The old and antique nature of this sandstone precinct really opens up around Argyle Street, where you can still see convict-cut stones and crooked alleyways. The Rocks is also known for some of the oldest pubs in the country, like:

• Fortune of War
• The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
• The Hero of Waterloo

If you’re wondering where to eat in Sydney, this is the place to be.

Then, head to Circular Quay, and you’ll understand why the harbour dominates every conversation about Sydney. The famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House can be found in this sweet spot.

Sydney Travel Tip: If you are on a budget, you don’t have to splurge on the BridgeClimb. Walk across it, and you still get the mesmerising views of the harbour.

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Afternoon Barangaroo Foreshore Walk

The walk to Barangaroo from Circular Quay west takes around 30 minutes if you don’t stop. But trust me, you’re definitely gonna stop! The path curves around Dawes Point, then passes under the Harbour Bridge and leads up to Barangaroo Reserve, where you will find the rebuilt sandstone headland and native plants that replaced the old container terminals. 

This foreshore restoration project brought back sandstone that had been buried for over a century. On weekends, you’ll see families picnicking on the terraced headland. But even though you’re in the city centre, the reserve still has that natural feel.  

Sydney Trip Tip: For the best immersive experience, take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Barangaroo that offers deep insights into the place and its history. 

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Evening Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise

After a full day of walking, an evening on the harbour is sure to relax and calm you. From a dinner cruise in Sydney, you get stunning night views of famous Sydney Harbour attractions like the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and several others. And it’s always better to choose a boat with outer decks, so that you don’t miss out on the harbour spectacle. Booking ahead is essential, particularly for Friday and Saturday departures.

Tried and Tested Insight: I prefer dinner cruises with plated menus over the buffets for a more impressive dining experience.

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Day 2. Coastal Walks and Beach Time

Morning Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

I know what you’re thinking… A walk? Again? But trust me, this is one of the quintessential Sydney experiences. After all, what is Sydney without its beaches? The Bondi to Coogee walk is 6 kilometers of clifftop pathways that string together beaches (Bronte, Tamaramma, Clovelly and hidden bays), rock pools and parks. It takes about two hours without stops, longer if you swim or linger at cafes. 

Useful Sydney Tips: The entire walk is fully paved, but it also has stairs and inclines. I advise you to wear proper shoes instead of flip-flops. Also, start early enough to catch the sunrise over Bondi and avoid the weekend crowd.

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Afternoon Swimming, Surfing, and Snorkelling

You don’t have to go anywhere else to experience the three Ss. You get it all in the Bondi-Coogee Walk. Bondi gets all the attention, but each beach along this coast has its own character. Tamarama is tiny (and glamorous) and has a reputation for strong rip currents. Bronte attracts families to its grassy park and ocean pool. Clovelly‘s narrow channel makes it ideal for snorkeling. 

The Travel Bunny’s Recommendation: If you’re learning to surf, Bondi is the ultimate surfer’s paradise. But go to Tamaramma if you prefer shortboarding.

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Evening Dinner at Bondi Icebergs

The dining room at Icebergs sits directly above the ocean pool. Tables overlook the beach and the evening swimmers doing laps below. The menu leans towards Italian cuisine with good pasta and better seafood. Reservations are difficult to secure, particularly for sunset timing, so plan ahead. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot a famous celebrity (I have friends who have seen Hugh Jackman!).

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Day 3. Culture and Gardens

Morning Visit to Art Gallery of NSW or Museum of Contemporary Art

Both art galleries offer completely different experiences and are only 15 minutes apart on foot. The Art Gallery of NSW features a diverse collection from Indigenous art to European works of art. Even the building itself is worth seeing for the architecture alone. The Museum of Contemporary Art, on the other hand, focuses on contemporary Australian and international works of art.

Additional Info: Both galleries open at 10 am, and the weekday mornings (especially Mondays) are quieter than weekends. The Art Gallery has a better cafe if you need a good coffee.

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Afternoon Visit at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

The 30 hectares of the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney stretch along the harbour’s edge between the Opera House and the Domain. The garden includes established trees, plants,  gardens, and mesmerising harbour views. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at the garden’s northern tip offers the best combined view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (this is something that most tourists miss). The garden is also one of the favourite picnic spots of Sydneysiders.

Interesting Fact: This is also Australia’s oldest botanical garden.

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Evening. Sydney Opera House

Of course, you came to Sydney for this, right? And I wouldn’t blame you, because it’s worth all the hype. I suggest taking a guided tour that walks you through the building’s history, architecture, and performance spaces. These are some of the guided tour options to choose from:

• Sydney Opera House Tour, a general guided tour covering the history, design, and performances.
• Architectural Tour, which focuses more on the building’s structure and construction challenges. This tour walks you through the minds of the architects and workers who built the Opera House.
• Backstage Tour, an early morning option that takes you behind the scenes into rehearsal areas and stage spaces. (Note: This tour runs only in the morning, starting at 7 am. If you’re keen on doing it, plan your itinerary so the day begins at the Opera House.)

After the tour, what if you want to see a performance? It is the Opera House, right? You can book tickets in advance to see an opera, ballet, dance show, comedy, or a music performance.

Sydney Vacation Tip: End your day with dinner from the Opera Bar. It is seriously one of the best “food + views” spots in Sydney.

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Day 4. Blue Mountains, Part I

Morning Arrival in Katoomba and the Three Sisters Lookout

Katoomba is just a 2-hour train ride from Central Station. The landscape shifts from the Sydney bustle to the gorgeous eucalyptus forest. Upon reaching, head to The Three Sisters lookout, a short walk from Katoomba’s town centre. It is the most famous view in the Blue Mountains. These sandstone pillars rise from the Jamison Valley and never fail to impress, no matter how many times you visit.

Important Note: The Blue Mountains can get foggy on certain days, and that can obscure valley views. Always check the weather before the trip.

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Afternoon Ride on Scenic World

Scenic World operates three rides that are unique on their own:

• The Scenic Railway is the steepest passenger railway in the world and drops down the cliff face at an alarming angle.
• The Scenic Cableway crosses the valley with views straight down to the forest canopy.
• The Scenic Skyway is a cable car with a glass floor that hangs above the gorge.

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Evening. Check In and Settle Into Your Stay

Katoomba has accommodation options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to boutique hotels. Many of the better options are within walking distance of Echo Point and the town center. The main street has cafes and restaurants that cater to day trippers and overnight visitors.

Katoomba Tip: Most visitors underestimate how cold the mountains get at night. Even in summer, bring layers.

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Day 5. Blue Mountains, Part II

Morning Walk to Leura Cascades

Leura Cascades sits just outside Katoomba and sees fewer visitors than the famous lookouts. The cascades flow year-round, though water levels are noticeably higher after rainfall. Early mornings tend to be quieter, and the shaded forest sections keep the walk comfortable even on warmer days. It also has a picnic area with old trees and well-maintained lawns. Public toilets and picnic tables are also available here, making it a convenient starting point before heading onto the tracks.

Multiple walking tracks branch out from the main picnic ground. The Pool of Siloam track is an easy loop that takes about thirty minutes. For something more challenging, the Leura Forest walk descends into the valley and connects to longer circuits that can take several hours.

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Late Morning Walk to Gordon Falls Lookout

Gordon Falls is a short walk from Leura’s main street. The lookout platform hangs above the gorge with views across to the distant ranges. It’s smaller and quieter than Echo Point but offers a different perspective on the valley.

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Afternoon Lunch and Shopping in Leura Village

Leura village has a more sophisticated ambience than Katoomba. The main street is lined with independent shops, galleries, and cafes. Many of the buildings retain their original facades, and the village has avoided heavy, unsympathetic commercial development, so it indeed feels like a small mountain town. It’s pleasant for an hour or two of wandering before heading back to Sydney.

Several cafes serve good lunches. For example, Cafe Leura and Lily’s Pad both have strong local reputations. Leura Village also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to shopping. Popular Leura shops include Teddy Sinclair, MoonTree, The Nook, Bygone Beautys, and more.

And after a little bit of shopping in Leura, head back to Sydney in the evening.

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Day 6. Manly and the Northern Beaches

Morning Manly Ferry Ride

The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly is one of Sydney’s best value experiences. Running every 15-30 minutes during the day, the ferries glide across the harbour, pass the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and continue north.

Manly Ferry Tip: For the best views, sit on the right side when heading to Manly, and on the left side when returning from Manly.

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Afternoon Coastal Walk from Manly to Spit Bridge

This 10-kilometer track is less famous than the Bondi to Coogee walk but offers more varied scenery. The path follows the harbour shoreline north from Manly, dipping in and out of small bays and crossing headlands covered in native bush. You can see beaches like Clontarf Beach, Castle Rock Beach, Reef Beach, Forty Baskets Beach, Fairlight Beach, and a few others. The walk takes about three to four hours at a comfortable pace.

Ending Options: You can finish your afternoon walk at Spit Bridge and catch a bus back to the city, or turn around at one of the earlier beaches and retrace your steps to Manly.

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Evening Ferry Ride Back

Manly Wharf has several restaurants if you want to eat before returning to the city. The wharf precinct has been redeveloped in recent years and offers better dining options than it used to. The ferry can be crowded during evening peak hour when commuters head back to the city, so earlier departures will be more comfortable.

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Day 7. Hunter Valley and Sydney Night Markets

Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley is two hours north of Sydney and requires an early start if you’re doing the balloon ride. Ballooning is weather-dependent and is subject to cancellation if conditions aren’t suitable. It is important to check the weather before booking. The ride drifts over vineyards, farmlands, and bushlands. And let me tell you, it is an epiphanic feeling that is akin to paradise, and this paradise just happens to be close to Sydney.

Sydney Itinerary Tip: The valley looks best in autumn when the leaves become vivid and colourful, but still, the experience works year-round.

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Late Morning to Afternoon. Hunter Valley Wine Tasting and Lunch

Hunter Valley has over 150 wineries ranging from large commercial operations to tiny family producers. Semillon and Shiraz are the region’s signature tastes, but you’ll find everything from Chardonnay to alternative varieties that most regions don’t even attempt. Visiting three or four wineries in the afternoon is the most realistic plan. And mate, always hire a driver if you want to taste properly without worrying.

Lunch options range from casual winery bistros to fine dining restaurants that match food to wine with considerable skill. I suggest the Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill or the Esca Bimbadgen, both with strong reviews.

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Late Afternoon Return to Sydney

The drive back to Sydney takes about two hours, depending on traffic. Friday afternoon traffi building up for the weekend can add significant time to the journey. Leaving by 3 pm helps you avoid the worst of it.

Sydney Luxury Tip: There are all-inclusive flight packages from Sydney that combine flying over the city, premium Hunter Valley wine tasting and lunch, and a safe return flight to Sydney.  

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Evening Visits to Night Markets for Food and Shopping

Friday is the prime time for the most stunning and diverse night markets in Sydney, with each attracting different crowds.

Chinatown Night Market

The Chinatown night market on Dixon Street runs on Friday evenings and focuses heavily on Asian street food. The shops serve everything from dumplings to exotic cuisines you’ve never heard of before. The quality is generally good, and prices are reasonable.

Get there around 6 pm before the biggest crowds arrive. The market gets packed by 7:30 pm and becomes difficult to navigate with food in hand. The indoor food courts along Dixon Street and Thomas Street offer alternatives if the market feels too crowded and chaotic.

Shopping Around QVB or Pitt Street

Alternatively, if you want traditional Sydney retail therapy, the Queen Victoria Building and Pitt Street Mall are also good options. QVB in itself is a historic and architectural marvel, so there’s still stuff to do if you’re not into shopping. The building’s ornate interior and glass windows might feel like a mismatch in a modern shopping center, but it somehow works.

Pitt Street Mall has all the standard chain stores you’d find in any major city. Westfield Sydney and The Strand Arcade connect to the mall and extend your shopping options.

The area between the QVB and Circular Quay makes for a pleasant evening walk. You’ll end up back at the harbour where this whole week began. And there is no better way to end your trip than this.

Important Info: QVB closes at 6 pm, and Pitt Street Mall closes at 8 pm (subject to change).

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The Travel Bunny’s Sydney Guide is Over. Time to Book Your Ticket

Sydney is a place you think you can cover in seven days, but the city lives beyond the constructs of time, one that takes far longer than any neat itinerary to truly sink into you. I think this guide has given you a small taste of the Sydney experience, with the “popular” and somewhat “hidden” experiences clearly listed. Book ahead, check the weather, check availability, and enjoy yourself in the Land Down Under!

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About the Author

After planning your week in Sydney itinerary, check out these Australia travel guides
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