Explore Sydney: Our 2-Day Itinerary

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• Visit the Quay: if you’re visiting one area in Sydney, this is where we’d send you! Circular Quay is the main transport hub of Sydney Harbour and it’s here you’ll find Sydney’s most famous landmarks – the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. On any given day, particularly a sunny one, Circular Quay is a great place to traipse around, or just sit back and watch the ferries and gigantic cruise ships pulsing through the water. 

• Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge: we completely understand the backpacker lifestyle and let’s face it, climbing the bridge is crazy expensive! Instead, a much cheaper option (actually FREE) is to simply walk across on the pedestrian path and take-in the dazzling harbour views from a whole new vantage point!

• Suss out the Royal Botanic Gardens: from a location standpoint, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the most impressive gardens in the world! Unbeatable serenity, coupled with sparkly harbour views, get your botanical ON - this is a great place to spend an hour or two in Sydney. Side note: a cheap lunch option is to pack a picnic and maybe a bottle of wine, pick a spot anywhere or walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for another awesome Sydney view!

Play like a Sydneysider

• A visit to Bondi Beach and Bondi Icebergs: Sydney’s most famous beach is an essential stop-off regardless of how long you intend on staying. A fail-safe way to have an amazing day, surf, swim and soak up the sunshine. Take on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk for spectacular views or relax in one of the many laid-back cafes Bondi has to offer!

• Coastal walk perhaps? The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is one of the best FREE day activities in Sydney (and one of the best coastal walks in the country). The stunning 6km walking track is riddled with cliff faces, ocean baths, white sand and aqua blue waters! There are a few magical beaches along the way you need not miss, including Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Gordon’s Bay.

• A night at the theatre: stroll on down to Capitol Theatre where musicals, ballet and concerts take the stage in exceptional style. It’s a big call to make, but we’re telling you, the musicals will top the movie every damn time!

Indulge your inner foodie

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A post shared by Spice Alley on Kensington St (@spicealleysydney) on Jan 22, 2019 at 9:58pm PST

• Breakfast: for breaky with a difference, start your day at Reuben Hills in Surry Hills. Some of the quirky creations include cinnamon French toast with popcorn foam, poached and charred pear on toast and broken omelette roll with fried shrimp and bacon jam! Also a great spot for the amazing activity of people-watching.

• Lunch: drop by the always happening Spice Alley where you’ll find hawker-type food stalls under glowing lantern ceilings. Asian fusion is served in glorious fashion (as it should be) with everything from Singaporean, Thai, Cantonese and Japanese cuisine! See drool-worthy Insta pic above.

• Dinner: after a day out at the Rocks – one of Sydney’s most treasured suburbs, full of European settlement history. Today its biggest draw card is the numerous old Aussie pubs, perfect for classic pub grub and a good ol pub crawl. Grab a pint at one, or seven:

1. The Observer Hotel – boasting live music and killer pints.
2. The Glenmore – with an awesome rooftop terrace get lit with a view of Sydney Harbour?
3. Australian Heritage Hotel – the oldest licenced pub in Sydney.
4. Harts Pub – with great hand-crafted beer.
5. The Mercantile – Australia’s longest running Irish Pub.
6. Lord Nelson – Australia’s oldest pub brewery.
7. The Argyle – a massive drink’s selection and live entertainment.

Need somewhere to stay?

Check out Sydney Harbour YHA and Sydney Central YHA.