DAY 1:
Sydney’s beautiful landmarks and cityscapes make this a must-visit city during your trip to Oz. The beaches are swarming, the harbour is shimmering and the people are welcoming, so soak up the sun and bask in the warmth of everything Sydney has to offer.
8:00 Amble down to The Rocks and you’ll stumble across secluded Irish café The Tea Cosy (theteacosy.com.au). Boasting the best scones in Sydney and surrounded by the historic area of The Rocks, this quaint little eatery is the perfect place to fuel up for your packed day ahead.
9:00 Now time for a spot of culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art (mca.com.au) which combines art, fashion, food and history. The unique exhibitions embrace today’s artists from Australia and around the world. Oh, and did we mention free entry? Pop into the funky gift shop for a unique keepsake for your mates back home.
11:00 Pull on your walking shoes (or leave on your flip-flops, whatever) and head to the Royal Botanic Gardens (rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au). The famous flying foxes may have been moved on, but it’s still a top spot for finding calm within the city and for snapping Sydney’s sexiest landmarks. Make sure you stroll as far as Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to capture the classic Opera House and Harbour Bridge photo. Do the tourist thing and grab something here for lunch.
14:00 This afternoon, it’s time to relax, so hop on a train to Bondi Beach and dip your feet in the world-famous waves. There’s a peaceful, laidback vibe here, so you’ll have no trouble whiling away the hours – or grab a couple of drinks at one of the friendly beach bars. 18:00 Recharged, it’s time to join the three million others who have made the 1332 steps and climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge (bridgeclimb.com). With day, twilight and night options, our favourite is just as the sun is setting for spectacular photos that you’ll never capture again (unless you do another climb, of course).
20:00 You’ll be buzzing, so get ready for a night on the town. To line your stomach, head over to the increasingly trendy Surry Hills and go to the White Horse (whitehorsesurryhills.com) for top-notch pub food and a couple of beers before heading out in Kings Cross. Or head out to Neutral Bay and sip cocktails at the boutique White Hart (white-hart.com.au) for an evening to remember.
24:00 Stumble towards Bounce Hostel in Surry Hills (bouncehotel.com.au) and continue partying on the rooftop terrace and barbeque area, or just curl up in bed and fall straight into a comatose state.
Day Two >>
DAY 2:
9:00 Rise and shine! There’s no time to be hungover, so get yourself down to Glebe Point Road’s cafes for refuelling. The recently opened Wedge Espresso (wedgeespresso.com) will stimulate your taste buds as you slurp an iced Milo or a Coke slushy with cold-drip coffee.
10:00 If it’s a Saturday, saunter towards the quirky Glebe Markets (glebemarkets.com.au) where you’ll be sure to find a hidden gem on these intimate stalls.
12:00 You’ll be getting hungry, so wander over to the inner west’s pride and joy, King Street, Newtown. It’s a hive of trendy bars and cafes, so grab a quick bite to eat in Eat Me Sushi (eatmesushi.com). The sushi clock on the wall will make you scream, “Me so hungry for Miso soup,” as the friendly staff serve you up a delicious meal. Hilarious.
14:00 Still got stuff you want to buy? Hop on a bus and check out Paddy’s Markets (paddysmarkets.com.au) in Haymarket for a wide range of stalls. Haggle for the best price on a great piece of jewellery or Australian souvenir and try not to spend all your money on the impressive deals.
18:00 Now, you’re just five minutes away from China Town, which is worth a visit if you’re into Asian food. After gorging on noodles, walk off the calories amongst the breathtaking Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour.
21:00 For a classy end to your stay, let your hair down at The Star (star.com.au). Recently renovated, here there’s a bunch of clubs and restaurants, as well as the opportunity to get all that money back you spent at the markets in the world famous casino and gaming area. They don’t call it the city of sin for nothing.
