3 Days in Sydney: Best Itinerary for First Visit

Sydney has culture, nature, and iconic views, making it the perfect place to start your trip in Australia. 3 Days in Sydney is just enough time to cover the major sites before continuing to one of the many other cities in Australia that I cover in my 2 week itinerary article. This Sydney guide covers the best things to do in the city, as well as day trips to the Blue Mountains and coastal towns like Bondi.

Before Arriving in Sydney, Australia

Australian Visa

You’ll need a visa to visit Australia. The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application process is easily navigated on their app with only a fee of 20 AUD, and is valid for up to three months at a time, as often as you wish, during a 12 month period. You can find more information on their government website to pick a visa that fits your needs. Plan ahead to secure your visa as the approval process can take a few days. 

Money in Australia

The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar. Paying by card is accepted nearly everywhere, so be sure to take a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Tap to pay is widely used and typically expected. Tipping is not a part of the culture. At many restaurants you place your own order online or service is very limited. 

Seasons in Australia

The seasons are reversed if you are coming from the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, Fall from March to May, Winter from June to August, Spring from September to November.

Sydney 3 Day Highlights

Must Visit: Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains

Activities: Walking tour, Museums, Surfing, Hiking

Where to Stay in Sydney

Stay: Crowne Plaza Sydney or Intercontinental Sydney

Stay in the CBD (central business district) of Sydney. I enjoyed my stay at the Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbor. An unusual perk was the arrival room. Since I arrived in the morning from my flight, my room wasn’t ready yet. However, they do have a private shower room they can give you access to to freshen up while you wait. I gladly took a shower after my long flight from Bali. By the time I finished getting ready, my hotel room ready. Another strong option for a hotel in Sydney is the Intercontinental Sydney, which boasts stunning harbor views and a great location near the circular quay. 

Sydney Day 1: Explore the City

My favorite thing to do when I first arrive to a city is join a free walking tour. A walking tour in Sydney is the perfect way to get the ‘lay of the land’ and useful recommendations for the rest of the trip. It ends with a great view of the harbor and the opera house, which truly makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Australia. Remember to take a look at what’s on at the opera house to see if a performance lines up with the dates of your stay.

From that point you can enjoy a variety of free museums and activities:

• Rocks Discovery Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Sydney Museum
• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Royal Botanic Garden

While not free, a visit to the famous Taronga Zoo allows you to see Australia’s most famous animals in person. When you book your visit through Viator you’ll also get Viator rewards which is like cash back to use towards your next Viator bookings. Viator is truly my go-to for booking tours anywhere in the world and is linked with TripAdvisor so it is easy to see lots reviews and choose a tour that best suits your needs.

Sydney Day 2: Blue Mountains

Time to get some fresh air! Use the train or join a tour group to visit the Blue Mountains. Blue mountain trips tend to include entrance to Scenic World and the Featherdale Wildlife Park. If you prefer to spend more time in nature than on rides, then I suggest hiking with a guide on Airbnb Experiences. The cheapest way to get to the Blue Mountains is by train ($16 weekdays, $8 weekend), but the activity options will be more limited. Some sites that are easily accessible from the train station are Scenic World, Echo Point, Wentworth Falls, and Katoomba.

Sydney Day 3: Bondi Beach

Australia is all about it’s surf towns, and there are many at close proximity to all the major cities. One of the most famous near Sydney is Bondi. Bondi Beach is easily accessible from Sydney by taking the train from Town Hall to Bondi Junction (11 min ride), then change onto one of the buses that come by every 10 minutes to Bondi Beach (15 min ride). Have a bite to eat by the beach, watch the surfers, and check out the Bondi Icebergs Pool. Then start the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee (6km, 2-3 hours). There are stunning views the whole way. You can return to Sydney using the bus from Coogee so no need to make the walk round trip.

Other great options for towns to visit near Sydney would be Manly Beach and Watson’s Bay. There are ferries daily from Circular Quay to take you to either. 

Where to go after Sydney

There is so much more to do in Australia, like snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, hike amidst the rock formations of the red center, and drive along the great ocean road. In my Australia 2 week itinerary, I cover the best things to do in Cairns, Uluru, and Melbourne.

Sydney is only a three hour flight from Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. There you can snow ski, bungee jump, sky dive, and ride a jet boat through the slot canyons. Continue your adventure through New Zealand and fly home via Auckland or connect thru Sydney.

If you are looking to add an island getaway to your Australia trip, consider adding on Bali or French Polynesia. Bali is a fantastic budget destination with a lot to offer as I cover in my 10 day Bali guide. Bali is then quite close to Singapore which can connect you nearly anywhere in the world to get back home. French Polynesia is what vacation fantasies are made of, with overwater bungalows and crystal clear waters. While not budget friendly, it may make the perfect stopover on the way to the United States.

Where else in Sydney are you planning to go? If you have already been to Sydney, what else did you love doing? Comment below!