Plan a Trip to Sydney: Sydney Itinerary for First Timer’s
Australia is a beautiful country that must be added to your bucket list. During your first trip to this fascinating country, you must add 5 days in Sydney to your itinerary!
Located in the state of New South Wales, a lot of people confuse Sydney as being the capital of Australia, but it isn’t. It’s actually Canberra! Sydney is the country’s largest city and holds Australia’s most iconic landmarks and buildings. It’s also famous for its beautiful beaches, which include Bondi Beach, Manly Beach and over 100 other coastal spots.
Sydney is also one of the most popular places to visit in Australia due to its large international airport hub, world-famous harbour, thriving art scene and culture, renowned dining spots and access to the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Wine Region.
I traveled to Australia for a month, from mid-March to mid-April in 2023. I started and ended my Australia trip in Sydney, New South Wales. Discover the best 5-day itinerary for a first-time visit in this Sydney travel blog.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. While in Sydney, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney hosted me for three nights.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Traveling to Sydney, Australia for the First Time:
Even though it’s a long journey due to being a secluded country on the opposite side of the world, Sydney, Australia is easy to get to. Most large international airports have direct flights to Sydney International Airport.
Please note that most direct flights to Sydney are expensive, so be open to having a flight with a layover. I flew from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport with a layover in Vancouver, Canada. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner.
I did my monthlong Australia trip solo and chose to stick with public transportation to get around via affordable flights through Jetstar and by the Greyhound Bus. If you decide to rent a car in Australia, please note that all vehicles and road rules are opposite to the USA. Since I’ve never driven on the opposite side of the road, I didn’t feel comfortable trying it alone.
What’s great about visiting Sydney is that there’s an efficient public transit network run by Opal. Whether you take the train/tram, bus or ferry to get around the city, buying an Opal card and loading it with money to travel to different neighborhoods in Sydney is best. It’s most useful to do it when you arrive at the airport so that you can take the train from there to downtown.
Other ways to get around Sydney are by taxi, rideshare (Uber runs in Australia), bike and foot.
Where to Stay for 5 Days in Sydney:
The best hotel to stay at during your first time in Sydney, Australia is Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District). It’s a five-star hotel situated in a heritage-listed building. In fact, it looks like NYC’s iconic Flatiron building!
Before becoming a hotel, the building that Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is situated in was once home to the Fairfax Newspaper and Bank of New South Wales. This luxury, five-star hotel is excellent for business travelers, vacationers and families.
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is not far from Sydney’s Light Rail, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the Queen Victoria Building, Darling Harbour and many of Sydney’s best restaurants.
Below is why you should book Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney during your 5-day Sydney itinerary:
Staying at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney:
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney has 338 rooms and 26 suites, including blue and gray tones for a soothing vibe, marble bathrooms and modern amenities.
During my stay at Radisson Blu Sydney, I enjoyed the Superior Room, which included a comfortable king bed, high ceilings, full-length windows for natural lighting and a spacious bathroom. I loved the views of the city, cozy bathrobes, high-speed WiFi and bath products.
The other rooms and suites you can book at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney are the Standard Room – Atrium View, Superior Twin Room, High Floor Deluxe Room – Balcony, High Floor Deluxe King Room – Street View, Business Class Room, Studio Spa Suite, One Bedroom Spa Suite and Executive Suite.
Amenities at Radisson Blu Sydney:
In addition to the beautiful rooms at Radisson Blu, there are also excellent restaurants to enjoy at this luxurious hotel.
One of my favorite ways to start the day was by enjoying a mouthwatering buffet breakfast at The Lady Fairfax Room. Everything was tasty, from the flaky croissants to the smoked salmon and the fresh fruit to the coffee. This space also hosts afternoon high tea on Mondays to Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3 pm upon reservation.
You could also experience fine dining with modern Australian dishes made by Chef Brent Savage with renowned wines guided by sommelier Nick Hildebrandt at Bentley Restaurant & Bar.
Lastly, enjoy morning coffee to late-night cocktails at The Fax Bar on the main floor. This was one of my favorite areas of Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Sydney. It was a relaxing area where you could unwind, get work done and enjoy your favorite drink; I loved the espresso martini!
Another reason Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is the best hotel in Sydney is that there is also a fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub, spa and meeting centers. It’s also a wonderful hotel to have a wedding.
I stayed at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney for three nights. During my last two nights, I booked an Airbnb in the Bohemian neighborhood of Newtown, which is a bit south of the heart of Sydney. It’s near many great restaurants, art galleries, shops, the airport and the famous Grounds of Alexandria.
5-Day Sydney Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Sydney, Australia
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney and Explore Sydney Harbour
After arriving in Sydney, you’ll most likely be jet-lagged from your long flight. The best thing to do is to check into your hotel, enjoy a well-needed nap and take it easy.
In this 5-day Sydney itinerary, you could do the below on your first day or the second if you choose not to do the BridgeClimb.
Have Lunch at Mr. Wong in Sydney CBD:
You’ll be hungry after a long travel journey, so grabbing food at a nearby restaurant is a good idea. One of the best restaurants that’s a short walk from Radisson Blu in Sydney CBD is Mr. Wong. It’s a swanky, intimate Cantonese restaurant offering the best dim sum in Sydney!
Executive Chef Dan Hong brings creative flair to Mr. Wong and one of his specialties is the barbecue duck dish. You could also enjoy craft cocktails, Australian wines and comforting tea when you visit this fantastic spot.
I savored the dim sum during my lunch at Mr. Wong’s. I got the scallop and prawn shumai, lobster and scallop dumplings, wild mushroom dumplings, baby spinach and prawn dumplings and golden scallop dumplings with morel mushrooms. It was some of the best dim sum I’ve had in my life!
Mr. Wong is one of the leading places to eat in Sydney! It’s the perfect spot for lunch and dinner, but make reservations in advance because it’s a popular restaurant.
Tour the Sydney Opera House:
Australia’s most famous building is the Sydney Opera House. It’s a multi-venue performing arts center at the Sydney Harbour.
In the middle of the 20th Century, the New South Wales state government sponsored an international competition for a contemporary design for concerts and productions. Danish architect Jørn Utzon won, and in 1959, construction on the Opera House began.
The opening of the Sydney Opera House was planned for Australia Day on January 26, 1963, but the project was delayed due to costs and engineering issues. Utzon resigned in 1966 and construction of this famous Sydney landmark continued in the later part of 1973 under local Sydney architects. Utzon ended up returning in 1999 for an improvement project.
Overall, the Opera House is a multipurpose performing arts venue with a 2,679-seat Concert Hall that holds symphony concerts, dance performances, choir and opera shows, as well as films. The Sydney Opera House also has popular music concerts from famous artists.
The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are different guided tours you could do to learn more about it. Some of the most popular tours at the Opera House are the Backstage Tour and the Architectural Tour. No matter what you choose to do at the Sydney Opera House, it is one of the top things you must not exclude from your 5-day itinerary!
Explore the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens:
Another one of the best places to visit during your first time in Sydney, Australia is the Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s a short walk from the Opera House and is 30 hectares in the heart of Sydney’s City Centre.
Visiting Sydney’s botanical gardens is one of the best free things to do in the city. It’s a beautiful spot to stroll through, have a picnic, go on a romantic walk and do a self-guided educational tour.
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens was established in 1816 and is Australia’s oldest scientific research museum. It includes a lovely rose garden, rare plants, an Australian rainforest garden, tropical plants and more. You could also learn about Australia’s aboriginal people at the botanical gardens.
In addition to visiting all the gardens and exotic plants, the Royal Botanic Gardens has stunning walking trails and paths, an urban park called The Domain, an outdoor movie theater called Westpac OpenAir and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which offers stunning views of the Sydney Harbour.
Enjoy Drinks with a View at Opera Bar:
A must-visit spot that you need to add to your itinerary for Sydney when you first visit Australia is the Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House! Offering the best views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera Bar is a fun spot to grab a drink and some light bites.
It’s ideal to visit the Opera Bar on a beautiful sunny day, but there is an indoor area in case of inclement weather. In addition to beer, wine and cocktails, you could also savor delicious pizza, seafood, salads, burgers and small plates.
Eat at Bar Totti’s for Dinner: Best Italian Restaurant in Sydney
Another great place you must visit in Sydney for incredible food is Bar Totti’s. It’s located in Sydney CBD and features a laid-back ambiance serving Italian small plates and award-winning wines.
Featuring delicious meals by Executive Chef Mike Eggert, you could enjoy a variety of pasta dishes and small plates ranging from fresh burrata to kingfish crudo and wood-fired bread to grass-fed ribeye. During my evening at Bar Totti’s, I savored the reginette with spanner crab, tomato and chili pangrattato. It was amazing!
Day 2: Make Memories Around Sydney Harbour Bridge and Explore the City
Do the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb or Walk Across It:
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is another famous landmark in “The Land Down Under” and one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions. An ultimate 5-day Sydney itinerary would only be complete by including an adventure on the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
This epic bridge is a steel-through arch across the Sydney Harbour from The Rocks in CBD to Milson’s Point on the city’s North Shore. Construction on the bridge started in 1924 and was completed in March 1932. It’s made of 53,000 tons of steel and is 440 feet above the water.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the tallest steel arch bridge on the planet, so a fun thing to do is sign up for an adventurous BridgeClimb. There are a few BridgeClimb tours that you can take, but I suggest signing up for one of the summit climbs so that you can enjoy the most incredible views of the city and get the most for your money.
Below are the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb tours that you can book:
Ultimate Climb: You’ll climb the entire length of the bridge from south to north and then vice versa. This tour is three and a half hours and costs $364 AUD for adults 16 and older and $189 AUD for children ages 8 to 15.
Summit Climb: This BridgeClimb experience will take you to the top of the bridge via the original experience. It takes three hours and costs between $424 and $294 AUD for adults and $189 to $149 AUD for children.
Summit Insider Climb: This fun journey will have you adventuring through the lower arch of the bridge to the summit! It’s a two-and-a-half-hour climb with the same 360° views as the Ultimate and Summit climbs. It costs anywhere from $349 to $344 AUD for adults and $209 to $149 for kids.
Burrawa-Aboriginal Climb Experience: Enjoy a BridgeClimb with a First Nations Storyteller as your guide to the summit. This tour is three hours long and also includes 360° views of Sydney. It costs between $384 and $364 AUD and $169 and $149 AUD.
You can enjoy a Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb during the day, at sunrise, sunset, and even at night. Click here to discover more climbs you can take during your first trip to Sydney, as well as special offers, packages, special events and more.
If you are afraid of heights or prefer to save money, you can enjoy the pedestrian walkway that expands the entire length of the bridge. It takes between 15 to 30 minutes to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While on it, you could enjoy great views of the beautiful Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
Whether you climb or walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll realize it’s the best way to capture the top views of the city.
Wander to Lavender Bay on the North Shore:
Exploring the peaceful Lavender Bay must be added to your 5-day Sydney travel itinerary! This area is one of the most beautiful in the city.
After walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Lavender Bay is only a few minutes from Milson’s Point. When you get to the area, you can stroll through Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden and learn about plant life there. You could also learn about Wendy Whiteley, the wife of award-winning Australian artist Brett Whiteley.
At Lavender Bay, you could also walk out on a dock and watch the boats sail by while enjoying a different view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Afterwards, enjoy the Kirribilli Harbourside Walk, where you can admire the beautiful bayside houses, pass by Luna Park and make your way to the other side of the bridge in North Sydney.
Australia has a big coffee culture, so you must visit all the country’s best cafés and coffee shops. During your time at Lavender Bay, a great spot to enjoy a comforting brew is Bay Ten Espresso.
Visit Luna Park for a Fun Time:
Located at Milson’s Point, Luna Park is a rare surviving amusement park that features Art Deco style from the 1930s. This fun Sydney theme park opened in October 1935, right before the start of the summer season!
Luna Park in Sydney was built after the success of the first Luna Park in New York City’s Coney Island. There is also a Luna Park that is still thriving in Melbourne and there used to be one in Adelaide.
Nowadays, you can enjoy a variety of fun rides, shows and games as there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Sydney’s Luna Park! It’s also listed as a NSW State Heritage Register and nine new rides were installed in January 2021.
Savor a Tasty Lunch at Home Thai Restaurant:
After returning to Sydney CBD, you must stroll through Hyde Park, visit St. Mary’s Cathedral and go to Home Thai Restaurant for authentic Thai food.
Located in an industrial-style restaurant that you’d usually find in a city like Bangkok, Home Thai has delicious meals from pad Thai dishes to curries and sticky rice to milk tea. I had the duck pad Thai with boba tea and it was delicious!
Shop on Oxford Street:
Like New York has 5th Avenue, Los Angeles has Rodeo Drive and Paris has the Champs-Élysées for shopping, Sydney has Oxford Street! It runs from the Southeast of Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Junction and the Eastern suburbs, like Darlinghurst.
Other popular places to go shopping in Sydney, Australia are along King Street and at the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Arcade, The Strand Arcade, Westfield Sydney and many more.
Capture the Best Views on the Sydney Tower Eye:
The Sydney Tower Eye should be added to your 5-day itinerary when visiting Australia for the first time. It’s the city’s tallest structure and the second-largest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Located in Westfield Sydney, you can ride to the top of Sydney Tower Eye. It’s a great way to enjoy epic views of the city. The best times to go are in the morning, at sunset and when nightfall hits to enjoy the city lights.
Open from 10 am to 7 pm; you can purchase a general admission ticket to enjoy 360° views of the city from the tower’s indoor Observation Deck; do the 60-minute SKYWALK tour and purchase different passes to enjoy other fun activities in Sydney. Prices vary!
Enjoy an Evening in Darling Harbour:
Another great thing to do during your first time in Sydney, Australia is to enjoy a lovely evening in Darling Harbour.
Overall, Darling Harbour is one of the most exciting areas of Sydney. There’s waterfront dining, outdoor concerts, film festivals, boat shows, art exhibitions, live music, shopping and more. It’s one of the best places to visit during sunset and in the evening.
Some of the best things to do in Darling Harbour are to visit the Australia National Maritime Museum, Chinese Garden of Friendship, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney.
When it comes to restaurants, one of the best places to eat in Darling Harbour is Nick’s Seafood Restaurant. During my time there, I had the seafood ravioli and it was delicious!
Day 3: Visit the Grounds of Alexandria and Discover Watson’s Bay
Explore the Grounds of Alexandria:
A 5-day itinerary for Sydney must include a visit to The Ground of Alexandria. This urban sanctuary opened in April 2012 to bring people together and enjoy wholesome food, a beautiful garden, fresh produce and creative décor. It was also awarded one of Australia’s top 10 most “Instagrammable” locations in 2014.
Located in the Southern suburb of Alexandria, The Grounds includes a café where you can enjoy comforting coffee, delicious treats and a lovely brunch (which is what I did); The Potting Shed for a farm-to-table experience; The Garden for delightful BBQ, cocktails and more. You must make a reservation to eat at one of these wonderful spots.
You could spend plenty of time at The Grounds of Alexandria and the décor changes per season. During my time at this beautiful location, it was a Disney theme. The Grounds of Alexandria also have a lemonade stand, high tea, a flower shop and other fun events!
Visit The Rocks:
European settlers arrived in Sydney in 1788, and at the time, their first stop was where modern-day The Rocks are now located! (Please remember that the Gadigal people of the Eora nation were the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of this land.)
The Rocks is a beautiful area of Sydney that still has cobbled streets and alleyways, sandstone warehouses, old pubs and open-air markets. You could also enjoy upscale restaurants, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Australia, The Rocks Discovery Museum and stunning views of the Sydney Harbour.
You could also do The Rocks Walking Tours or the I’m Free Tours. The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming tour also takes visitors through Australia’s Aboriginal history and culture.
Please make sure to visit The Rocks when you plan a trip to Sydney!
Take the Ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay:
A first trip to Sydney, Australia provides a good reason to enjoy a ferry trip around Sydney Harbour. Some of the best places to take the ferry are Watsons Bay, as I did, Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo and Olympic Park.
During a ferry ride, you could enjoy the best views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and coastal areas. Watsons Bay is one of the best places to take the ferry during your 5-day Sydney itinerary. It’s a harbourside, Eastern suburb of the city and one of the most beautiful areas to explore.
It’s a 20-minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Circular Quay to Watsons Bay Wharf. Visiting Watsons Bay in the afternoon or early evening is best because you could enjoy dinner on the water or admire a beautiful sunset at Hornby Lighthouse.
On a warm day in Sydney, one of the best things to do is enjoy the Watsons Bay Walk from Robertson Park to Hornby Lighthouse. On this scenic walk, you could admire breathtaking cliffside views, stop at one of the many beaches and viewpoints and capture photos of the lighthouse.
The three beaches to visit at Watsons Bay are Watsons Bay Beach, Camp Cove Beach and Lady Bay Beach. Watsons Bay Beach and Camp Cove Beach attract a larger crowd, so a beautiful secluded spot is Lady Bay Beach. Please note that Lady Bay Beach is clothing optional, though!
Hornby Lighthouse is a red and white striped, heritage-listed lighthouse established in 1858. It’s one of New South Wales’ oldest lighthouses and one of Sydney’s most picturesque structures. While at Hornby Lighthouse, you can appreciate beautiful ocean views, have a picnic and watch a breathtaking sunset!
One of the best places to enjoy dinner and drinks with beautiful views is at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Nothing was better than enjoying a spritz on a sunny day with views of the harbour and city from afar!
The Beach Club at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel also has excellent food, live music and entertainment, stringed lights and a fun ambiance. You can savor delicious wood fire pizza, seafood, salads, poke and fish and chips.
Before heading back on the ferry, make sure to grab homemade gelato from Gelatissimo at Robertson Park for dessert.
Day 4: Experience Bondi Beach
A 5-day itinerary for Sydney for first-timers must include a visit to the famous Bondi Beach! Considered an Eastern suburb of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a laid-back surfers’ paradise with health-conscious cafés, trendy fitness studios, a coastal walk, high-end restaurants and more.
During my Australia trip, I spent three days in Bondi Beach and stayed at The Blue Hotel, a short walk from the beach.
The best things to do in Bondi Beach are to do the scenic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which goes from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach; enjoy a cocktail with views of the iconic ocean pool at Iceberg’s; relax at Bronte Beach and swim in the Bronte Rock Pool and take a surfing lesson.
The top places to eat and drink in Bondi Beach are Bills for an authentic Australian breakfast (they’re known for fluffy pancakes), Italo House for pizza, coffee and craft cocktails, Hotel Ravesis for cocktails with a view, North Bondi Fish for delicious seafood, Harry’s Bondi for a delightful breakfast and China Diner for upscale Chinese street food.
Day 5: Make a Day Trip to Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains National Park
Not only is Australia known for its beautiful beaches, cities, wellness communities and coffee culture, but it’s also famous for its wine regions. The best wine region closest to Sydney, outside the city of Newcastle, is Hunter Valley.
You could sign up for a day tour from Sydney to the Hunter Valley wine region or venture there on your own if you rent a car. The types of wines that Hunter Valley is known for are Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Some of the best wineries to visit are Brokenwood Wines, Audrey Wilkinson Winery, Briar Ridge Winery, Scarborough Wine Co. and Hanging Tree Winery.
Another one of the best day trips you can include in your 5-day itinerary for Sydney is to the Blue Mountains. Located west of Sydney, Blue Mountains National Park is known for its breathtaking cliffs, eucalyptus forests, enchanting waterfalls and the popular mountain town of Katoomba.
Blue Mountains National Park is a great place to do many hikes, but it also holds jaw-dropping lookouts like The Three Sisters Lookout, Gordon Falls Lookout, Pulpit Rock Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout. You must also check out the Jenolan Caves and Katoomba Falls.
In addition to this travel guide, check out the below articles:
13 Best Places to Visit in February in the World
14 Best Places to Visit in March Around the World
15 Best Places to Visit in April in the World
I hope you all enjoyed reading this perfect 5-day Sydney, Australia itinerary. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of Australia:
Currency: Australian Dollar, Capital: Canberra, Time Zone: Australia has five time zones – Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales, except Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland); Australian Central Standard Time (Broken Hill, Southern Australia and the Northern Territory); Australian Western Standard Time (Western Australia); Lord Howe Standard Time (Lord Howe Island) and Australian Central Western Standard Time.
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Sydney Look:
Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!
Related posts
Best Restaurants in NYC for Christmas and Themed Bars
Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas: 14 New York Hotels
6 Best Christmas Markets in Zurich, Switzerland
2 Comments
Leave a Comment
Plan a Trip to Sydney: Sydney Itinerary for First Timer’s
Australia is a beautiful country that must be added to your bucket list. During your first trip to this fascinating country, you must add 5 days in Sydney to your itinerary!
Located in the state of New South Wales, a lot of people confuse Sydney as being the capital of Australia, but it isn’t. It’s actually Canberra! Sydney is the country’s largest city and holds Australia’s most iconic landmarks and buildings. It’s also famous for its beautiful beaches, which include Bondi Beach, Manly Beach and over 100 other coastal spots.
Sydney is also one of the most popular places to visit in Australia due to its large international airport hub, world-famous harbour, thriving art scene and culture, renowned dining spots and access to the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley Wine Region.
I traveled to Australia for a month, from mid-March to mid-April in 2023. I started and ended my Australia trip in Sydney, New South Wales. Discover the best 5-day itinerary for a first-time visit in this Sydney travel blog.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. While in Sydney, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney hosted me for three nights.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Traveling to Sydney, Australia for the First Time:
Even though it’s a long journey due to being a secluded country on the opposite side of the world, Sydney, Australia is easy to get to. Most large international airports have direct flights to Sydney International Airport.
Please note that most direct flights to Sydney are expensive, so be open to having a flight with a layover. I flew from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport with a layover in Vancouver, Canada. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner.
I did my monthlong Australia trip solo and chose to stick with public transportation to get around via affordable flights through Jetstar and by the Greyhound Bus. If you decide to rent a car in Australia, please note that all vehicles and road rules are opposite to the USA. Since I’ve never driven on the opposite side of the road, I didn’t feel comfortable trying it alone.
What’s great about visiting Sydney is that there’s an efficient public transit network run by Opal. Whether you take the train/tram, bus or ferry to get around the city, buying an Opal card and loading it with money to travel to different neighborhoods in Sydney is best. It’s most useful to do it when you arrive at the airport so that you can take the train from there to downtown.
Other ways to get around Sydney are by taxi, rideshare (Uber runs in Australia), bike and foot.
Where to Stay for 5 Days in Sydney:
The best hotel to stay at during your first time in Sydney, Australia is Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in the heart of Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District). It’s a five-star hotel situated in a heritage-listed building. In fact, it looks like NYC’s iconic Flatiron building!
Before becoming a hotel, the building that Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is situated in was once home to the Fairfax Newspaper and Bank of New South Wales. This luxury, five-star hotel is excellent for business travelers, vacationers and families.
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is not far from Sydney’s Light Rail, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the Queen Victoria Building, Darling Harbour and many of Sydney’s best restaurants.
Below is why you should book Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney during your 5-day Sydney itinerary:
Staying at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney:
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney has 338 rooms and 26 suites, including blue and gray tones for a soothing vibe, marble bathrooms and modern amenities.
During my stay at Radisson Blu Sydney, I enjoyed the Superior Room, which included a comfortable king bed, high ceilings, full-length windows for natural lighting and a spacious bathroom. I loved the views of the city, cozy bathrobes, high-speed WiFi and bath products.
The other rooms and suites you can book at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney are the Standard Room – Atrium View, Superior Twin Room, High Floor Deluxe Room – Balcony, High Floor Deluxe King Room – Street View, Business Class Room, Studio Spa Suite, One Bedroom Spa Suite and Executive Suite.
Amenities at Radisson Blu Sydney:
In addition to the beautiful rooms at Radisson Blu, there are also excellent restaurants to enjoy at this luxurious hotel.
One of my favorite ways to start the day was by enjoying a mouthwatering buffet breakfast at The Lady Fairfax Room. Everything was tasty, from the flaky croissants to the smoked salmon and the fresh fruit to the coffee. This space also hosts afternoon high tea on Mondays to Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3 pm upon reservation.
You could also experience fine dining with modern Australian dishes made by Chef Brent Savage with renowned wines guided by sommelier Nick Hildebrandt at Bentley Restaurant & Bar.
Lastly, enjoy morning coffee to late-night cocktails at The Fax Bar on the main floor. This was one of my favorite areas of Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Sydney. It was a relaxing area where you could unwind, get work done and enjoy your favorite drink; I loved the espresso martini!
Another reason Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is the best hotel in Sydney is that there is also a fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub, spa and meeting centers. It’s also a wonderful hotel to have a wedding.
I stayed at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney for three nights. During my last two nights, I booked an Airbnb in the Bohemian neighborhood of Newtown, which is a bit south of the heart of Sydney. It’s near many great restaurants, art galleries, shops, the airport and the famous Grounds of Alexandria.
5-Day Sydney Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Sydney, Australia
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney and Explore Sydney Harbour
After arriving in Sydney, you’ll most likely be jet-lagged from your long flight. The best thing to do is to check into your hotel, enjoy a well-needed nap and take it easy.
In this 5-day Sydney itinerary, you could do the below on your first day or the second if you choose not to do the BridgeClimb.
Have Lunch at Mr. Wong in Sydney CBD:
You’ll be hungry after a long travel journey, so grabbing food at a nearby restaurant is a good idea. One of the best restaurants that’s a short walk from Radisson Blu in Sydney CBD is Mr. Wong. It’s a swanky, intimate Cantonese restaurant offering the best dim sum in Sydney!
Executive Chef Dan Hong brings creative flair to Mr. Wong and one of his specialties is the barbecue duck dish. You could also enjoy craft cocktails, Australian wines and comforting tea when you visit this fantastic spot.
I savored the dim sum during my lunch at Mr. Wong’s. I got the scallop and prawn shumai, lobster and scallop dumplings, wild mushroom dumplings, baby spinach and prawn dumplings and golden scallop dumplings with morel mushrooms. It was some of the best dim sum I’ve had in my life!
Mr. Wong is one of the leading places to eat in Sydney! It’s the perfect spot for lunch and dinner, but make reservations in advance because it’s a popular restaurant.
Tour the Sydney Opera House:
Australia’s most famous building is the Sydney Opera House. It’s a multi-venue performing arts center at the Sydney Harbour.
In the middle of the 20th Century, the New South Wales state government sponsored an international competition for a contemporary design for concerts and productions. Danish architect Jørn Utzon won, and in 1959, construction on the Opera House began.
The opening of the Sydney Opera House was planned for Australia Day on January 26, 1963, but the project was delayed due to costs and engineering issues. Utzon resigned in 1966 and construction of this famous Sydney landmark continued in the later part of 1973 under local Sydney architects. Utzon ended up returning in 1999 for an improvement project.
Overall, the Opera House is a multipurpose performing arts venue with a 2,679-seat Concert Hall that holds symphony concerts, dance performances, choir and opera shows, as well as films. The Sydney Opera House also has popular music concerts from famous artists.
The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are different guided tours you could do to learn more about it. Some of the most popular tours at the Opera House are the Backstage Tour and the Architectural Tour. No matter what you choose to do at the Sydney Opera House, it is one of the top things you must not exclude from your 5-day itinerary!
Explore the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens:
Another one of the best places to visit during your first time in Sydney, Australia is the Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s a short walk from the Opera House and is 30 hectares in the heart of Sydney’s City Centre.
Visiting Sydney’s botanical gardens is one of the best free things to do in the city. It’s a beautiful spot to stroll through, have a picnic, go on a romantic walk and do a self-guided educational tour.
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens was established in 1816 and is Australia’s oldest scientific research museum. It includes a lovely rose garden, rare plants, an Australian rainforest garden, tropical plants and more. You could also learn about Australia’s aboriginal people at the botanical gardens.
In addition to visiting all the gardens and exotic plants, the Royal Botanic Gardens has stunning walking trails and paths, an urban park called The Domain, an outdoor movie theater called Westpac OpenAir and Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, which offers stunning views of the Sydney Harbour.
Enjoy Drinks with a View at Opera Bar:
A must-visit spot that you need to add to your itinerary for Sydney when you first visit Australia is the Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House! Offering the best views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera Bar is a fun spot to grab a drink and some light bites.
It’s ideal to visit the Opera Bar on a beautiful sunny day, but there is an indoor area in case of inclement weather. In addition to beer, wine and cocktails, you could also savor delicious pizza, seafood, salads, burgers and small plates.
Eat at Bar Totti’s for Dinner: Best Italian Restaurant in Sydney
Another great place you must visit in Sydney for incredible food is Bar Totti’s. It’s located in Sydney CBD and features a laid-back ambiance serving Italian small plates and award-winning wines.
Featuring delicious meals by Executive Chef Mike Eggert, you could enjoy a variety of pasta dishes and small plates ranging from fresh burrata to kingfish crudo and wood-fired bread to grass-fed ribeye. During my evening at Bar Totti’s, I savored the reginette with spanner crab, tomato and chili pangrattato. It was amazing!
Day 2: Make Memories Around Sydney Harbour Bridge and Explore the City
Do the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb or Walk Across It:
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is another famous landmark in “The Land Down Under” and one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions. An ultimate 5-day Sydney itinerary would only be complete by including an adventure on the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
This epic bridge is a steel-through arch across the Sydney Harbour from The Rocks in CBD to Milson’s Point on the city’s North Shore. Construction on the bridge started in 1924 and was completed in March 1932. It’s made of 53,000 tons of steel and is 440 feet above the water.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the tallest steel arch bridge on the planet, so a fun thing to do is sign up for an adventurous BridgeClimb. There are a few BridgeClimb tours that you can take, but I suggest signing up for one of the summit climbs so that you can enjoy the most incredible views of the city and get the most for your money.
Below are the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb tours that you can book:
Ultimate Climb: You’ll climb the entire length of the bridge from south to north and then vice versa. This tour is three and a half hours and costs $364 AUD for adults 16 and older and $189 AUD for children ages 8 to 15.
Summit Climb: This BridgeClimb experience will take you to the top of the bridge via the original experience. It takes three hours and costs between $424 and $294 AUD for adults and $189 to $149 AUD for children.
Summit Insider Climb: This fun journey will have you adventuring through the lower arch of the bridge to the summit! It’s a two-and-a-half-hour climb with the same 360° views as the Ultimate and Summit climbs. It costs anywhere from $349 to $344 AUD for adults and $209 to $149 for kids.
Burrawa-Aboriginal Climb Experience: Enjoy a BridgeClimb with a First Nations Storyteller as your guide to the summit. This tour is three hours long and also includes 360° views of Sydney. It costs between $384 and $364 AUD and $169 and $149 AUD.
You can enjoy a Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb during the day, at sunrise, sunset, and even at night. Click here to discover more climbs you can take during your first trip to Sydney, as well as special offers, packages, special events and more.
If you are afraid of heights or prefer to save money, you can enjoy the pedestrian walkway that expands the entire length of the bridge. It takes between 15 to 30 minutes to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While on it, you could enjoy great views of the beautiful Sydney Harbour and Opera House.
Whether you climb or walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you’ll realize it’s the best way to capture the top views of the city.
Wander to Lavender Bay on the North Shore:
Exploring the peaceful Lavender Bay must be added to your 5-day Sydney travel itinerary! This area is one of the most beautiful in the city.
After walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Lavender Bay is only a few minutes from Milson’s Point. When you get to the area, you can stroll through Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden and learn about plant life there. You could also learn about Wendy Whiteley, the wife of award-winning Australian artist Brett Whiteley.
At Lavender Bay, you could also walk out on a dock and watch the boats sail by while enjoying a different view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Afterwards, enjoy the Kirribilli Harbourside Walk, where you can admire the beautiful bayside houses, pass by Luna Park and make your way to the other side of the bridge in North Sydney.
Australia has a big coffee culture, so you must visit all the country’s best cafés and coffee shops. During your time at Lavender Bay, a great spot to enjoy a comforting brew is Bay Ten Espresso.
Visit Luna Park for a Fun Time:
Located at Milson’s Point, Luna Park is a rare surviving amusement park that features Art Deco style from the 1930s. This fun Sydney theme park opened in October 1935, right before the start of the summer season!
Luna Park in Sydney was built after the success of the first Luna Park in New York City’s Coney Island. There is also a Luna Park that is still thriving in Melbourne and there used to be one in Adelaide.
Nowadays, you can enjoy a variety of fun rides, shows and games as there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Sydney’s Luna Park! It’s also listed as a NSW State Heritage Register and nine new rides were installed in January 2021.
Savor a Tasty Lunch at Home Thai Restaurant:
After returning to Sydney CBD, you must stroll through Hyde Park, visit St. Mary’s Cathedral and go to Home Thai Restaurant for authentic Thai food.
Located in an industrial-style restaurant that you’d usually find in a city like Bangkok, Home Thai has delicious meals from pad Thai dishes to curries and sticky rice to milk tea. I had the duck pad Thai with boba tea and it was delicious!
Shop on Oxford Street:
Like New York has 5th Avenue, Los Angeles has Rodeo Drive and Paris has the Champs-Élysées for shopping, Sydney has Oxford Street! It runs from the Southeast of Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Junction and the Eastern suburbs, like Darlinghurst.
Other popular places to go shopping in Sydney, Australia are along King Street and at the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Arcade, The Strand Arcade, Westfield Sydney and many more.
Capture the Best Views on the Sydney Tower Eye:
The Sydney Tower Eye should be added to your 5-day itinerary when visiting Australia for the first time. It’s the city’s tallest structure and the second-largest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Located in Westfield Sydney, you can ride to the top of Sydney Tower Eye. It’s a great way to enjoy epic views of the city. The best times to go are in the morning, at sunset and when nightfall hits to enjoy the city lights.
Open from 10 am to 7 pm; you can purchase a general admission ticket to enjoy 360° views of the city from the tower’s indoor Observation Deck; do the 60-minute SKYWALK tour and purchase different passes to enjoy other fun activities in Sydney. Prices vary!
Enjoy an Evening in Darling Harbour:
Another great thing to do during your first time in Sydney, Australia is to enjoy a lovely evening in Darling Harbour.
Overall, Darling Harbour is one of the most exciting areas of Sydney. There’s waterfront dining, outdoor concerts, film festivals, boat shows, art exhibitions, live music, shopping and more. It’s one of the best places to visit during sunset and in the evening.
Some of the best things to do in Darling Harbour are to visit the Australia National Maritime Museum, Chinese Garden of Friendship, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney.
When it comes to restaurants, one of the best places to eat in Darling Harbour is Nick’s Seafood Restaurant. During my time there, I had the seafood ravioli and it was delicious!
Day 3: Visit the Grounds of Alexandria and Discover Watson’s Bay
Explore the Grounds of Alexandria:
A 5-day itinerary for Sydney must include a visit to The Ground of Alexandria. This urban sanctuary opened in April 2012 to bring people together and enjoy wholesome food, a beautiful garden, fresh produce and creative décor. It was also awarded one of Australia’s top 10 most “Instagrammable” locations in 2014.
Located in the Southern suburb of Alexandria, The Grounds includes a café where you can enjoy comforting coffee, delicious treats and a lovely brunch (which is what I did); The Potting Shed for a farm-to-table experience; The Garden for delightful BBQ, cocktails and more. You must make a reservation to eat at one of these wonderful spots.
You could spend plenty of time at The Grounds of Alexandria and the décor changes per season. During my time at this beautiful location, it was a Disney theme. The Grounds of Alexandria also have a lemonade stand, high tea, a flower shop and other fun events!
Visit The Rocks:
European settlers arrived in Sydney in 1788, and at the time, their first stop was where modern-day The Rocks are now located! (Please remember that the Gadigal people of the Eora nation were the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of this land.)
The Rocks is a beautiful area of Sydney that still has cobbled streets and alleyways, sandstone warehouses, old pubs and open-air markets. You could also enjoy upscale restaurants, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Australia, The Rocks Discovery Museum and stunning views of the Sydney Harbour.
You could also do The Rocks Walking Tours or the I’m Free Tours. The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming tour also takes visitors through Australia’s Aboriginal history and culture.
Please make sure to visit The Rocks when you plan a trip to Sydney!
Take the Ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay:
A first trip to Sydney, Australia provides a good reason to enjoy a ferry trip around Sydney Harbour. Some of the best places to take the ferry are Watsons Bay, as I did, Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo and Olympic Park.
During a ferry ride, you could enjoy the best views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and coastal areas. Watsons Bay is one of the best places to take the ferry during your 5-day Sydney itinerary. It’s a harbourside, Eastern suburb of the city and one of the most beautiful areas to explore.
It’s a 20-minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Circular Quay to Watsons Bay Wharf. Visiting Watsons Bay in the afternoon or early evening is best because you could enjoy dinner on the water or admire a beautiful sunset at Hornby Lighthouse.
On a warm day in Sydney, one of the best things to do is enjoy the Watsons Bay Walk from Robertson Park to Hornby Lighthouse. On this scenic walk, you could admire breathtaking cliffside views, stop at one of the many beaches and viewpoints and capture photos of the lighthouse.
The three beaches to visit at Watsons Bay are Watsons Bay Beach, Camp Cove Beach and Lady Bay Beach. Watsons Bay Beach and Camp Cove Beach attract a larger crowd, so a beautiful secluded spot is Lady Bay Beach. Please note that Lady Bay Beach is clothing optional, though!
Hornby Lighthouse is a red and white striped, heritage-listed lighthouse established in 1858. It’s one of New South Wales’ oldest lighthouses and one of Sydney’s most picturesque structures. While at Hornby Lighthouse, you can appreciate beautiful ocean views, have a picnic and watch a breathtaking sunset!
One of the best places to enjoy dinner and drinks with beautiful views is at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Nothing was better than enjoying a spritz on a sunny day with views of the harbour and city from afar!
The Beach Club at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel also has excellent food, live music and entertainment, stringed lights and a fun ambiance. You can savor delicious wood fire pizza, seafood, salads, poke and fish and chips.
Before heading back on the ferry, make sure to grab homemade gelato from Gelatissimo at Robertson Park for dessert.
Day 4: Experience Bondi Beach
A 5-day itinerary for Sydney for first-timers must include a visit to the famous Bondi Beach! Considered an Eastern suburb of Sydney, Bondi Beach is a laid-back surfers’ paradise with health-conscious cafés, trendy fitness studios, a coastal walk, high-end restaurants and more.
During my Australia trip, I spent three days in Bondi Beach and stayed at The Blue Hotel, a short walk from the beach.
The best things to do in Bondi Beach are to do the scenic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which goes from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach; enjoy a cocktail with views of the iconic ocean pool at Iceberg’s; relax at Bronte Beach and swim in the Bronte Rock Pool and take a surfing lesson.
The top places to eat and drink in Bondi Beach are Bills for an authentic Australian breakfast (they’re known for fluffy pancakes), Italo House for pizza, coffee and craft cocktails, Hotel Ravesis for cocktails with a view, North Bondi Fish for delicious seafood, Harry’s Bondi for a delightful breakfast and China Diner for upscale Chinese street food.
Day 5: Make a Day Trip to Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains National Park
Not only is Australia known for its beautiful beaches, cities, wellness communities and coffee culture, but it’s also famous for its wine regions. The best wine region closest to Sydney, outside the city of Newcastle, is Hunter Valley.
You could sign up for a day tour from Sydney to the Hunter Valley wine region or venture there on your own if you rent a car. The types of wines that Hunter Valley is known for are Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Some of the best wineries to visit are Brokenwood Wines, Audrey Wilkinson Winery, Briar Ridge Winery, Scarborough Wine Co. and Hanging Tree Winery.
Another one of the best day trips you can include in your 5-day itinerary for Sydney is to the Blue Mountains. Located west of Sydney, Blue Mountains National Park is known for its breathtaking cliffs, eucalyptus forests, enchanting waterfalls and the popular mountain town of Katoomba.
Blue Mountains National Park is a great place to do many hikes, but it also holds jaw-dropping lookouts like The Three Sisters Lookout, Gordon Falls Lookout, Pulpit Rock Lookout and Govetts Leap Lookout. You must also check out the Jenolan Caves and Katoomba Falls.
In addition to this travel guide, check out the below articles:
13 Best Places to Visit in February in the World
14 Best Places to Visit in March Around the World
15 Best Places to Visit in April in the World
I hope you all enjoyed reading this perfect 5-day Sydney, Australia itinerary. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Basic Facts of Australia:
Currency: Australian Dollar, Capital: Canberra, Time Zone: Australia has five time zones – Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales, except Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland); Australian Central Standard Time (Broken Hill, Southern Australia and the Northern Territory); Australian Western Standard Time (Western Australia); Lord Howe Standard Time (Lord Howe Island) and Australian Central Western Standard Time.
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Sydney Look:
Click here to shop my Poshmark closet!
2 Comments
Sydney, Australia is a fabulous city with so much to do! Looks like you had an amazing time there. The city has so much to offer and all the things we love to do ~ hikes, bridge climbs, wineries, beautiful beaches, museums, gardens and so much more. The restaurants looked amazing! Fresh fish, dim sum, even the Italian food looked delicious 😋. Great guide on breathtaking Syndey Australia. Glad you had a wonderful time! Love you, mom 👩🏻 xoxo 💖
Leave a Comment
Related posts
Best Restaurants in NYC for Christmas and Themed Bars
Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas: 14 New York Hotels
Sydney, Australia is a fabulous city with so much to do! Looks like you had an amazing time there. The city has so much to offer and all the things we love to do ~ hikes, bridge climbs, wineries, beautiful beaches, museums, gardens and so much more. The restaurants looked amazing! Fresh fish, dim sum, even the Italian food looked delicious 😋. Great guide on breathtaking Syndey Australia. Glad you had a wonderful time! Love you, mom 👩🏻 xoxo 💖
Yes, Sydney is definitely an amazing place! Can’t wait to go back in the future. Love you too!