Sydney Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Eat, and Travel Tips!
P. Sherman 42 Wallaby…wait what was it again?
One thing comes to mind when I think about Sydney, Australia…
“Just keep swimming”!
As I reminisce on my early childhood, I think of happy days with my family, crowded in front of the ancient tv (it was definitely NOT a flat screen) in my unfinished basement, watching Disney movies on VHS tapes. In a dilapidated plastic case was a little black box, decorated with clownfish and sea turtles. Does my childhood sound similar to yours?
My first introduction to the magnificent city down under, Sydney, Australia, was in a childhood favorite, Finding Nemo. In search of Marlin’s brave son Nemo, Dory and Marlin traversed across oceans, eventually ending up in Sydney Harbour. Little me dreamed of someday traversing oceans like Marlin, in search of friendship, joy, and adventure. Although I could do without the sharks…
I thought to myself, “Someday, I’m going to see the Sydney Opera House!”.
I didn’t think my dream of seeing Sydney’s most notable structure would happen at the ripe age of 23, when I was only a year into my “big girl” job (full time Engineer! Woohoo!). Over 13,000 kilometers away from Sydney, the ocean seemed too big to cross. I heard that traveling to Australia would be expensive, a trip worth waiting for until you have the means to do so (money, money, money…must be funny!).
Like most young people, I was impatient! And when the opportunity arose (the opportunity being a discounted flight, paid for by airline points), I rode the East Australian Current with my trusty friend Crush, down to Australia (more budget tips below!).
My time spent in Sydney was filled with sunny beach excursions, extensive conversations with locals, and lots of Asian cuisine (SHOUTOUT to Chinatown and Sushi Hub!). I learned so much about Sydney, the capital of NSW. And my love for the city runs deeper than the Mariana Trench!
Here’s a travel guide to Sydney, to help you plan your trip down under!
Sydney: A Brief History
Everyone’s heard the story about how Sydney was founded by prisoners. This story is 100% true. In 1787, eleven ships from England, filled mostly with convicts, guardsmen, and sailors, set sail for Australia. With enough food to last them two years, and enough livestock and seeds the ship could carry, the fleet arrived at Port Jackson in 1788. After initial hardship in an unknown land, a British colony was established by none other than the English Lord Sydney (Thomas Townshend). With the arrival of more ships came the growth of the colony. However, a success for England became a tragedy for the local indigenous population. History repeats itself, and like the tragedies that occurred in the Americas, the indigenous people were devastated by disease.
At the expense of the unfortunate decline of the indigenous population, Sydney saw rapid growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1850 the University of Sydney was established. The following century, in 1916, Taronga Zoo was established, today known for its extensive conservation efforts and groundbreaking research. In 1932, the monumental Sydney Harbour Bridge opened. However, Sydney didn’t gain global recognition for its zoos or its universities. The city saw its first inklings of global fascination with the opening of the historic and monumental Sydney Opera House. In 1973, after immeasurable design and funding issues, Queen Elizabeth II opened the monument, marking Sydney as an extraordinary cultural center. Today the Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known and most visited architectural structures in Australia, a symbol of the country’s unique history and bright future. 21st century Sydney is THE PLACE to visit!
Budget Hacks: How did I make my trip to Australia and New Zealand affordable?
Transparency is the most important thing about this travel blog. That’s right! Zero AI generated photos. 100% tried and true advice (I wouldn’t give you advice I wouldn’t take myself!). So I’ll be honest, as much as I dreamed of visiting Australia and New Zealand, I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it at this stage in my life. I am (currently) 24 years old, and I’ve only been working as a full-time engineer for two years. I am buried in student loan debt (boooo!) and my rent payment destroys any hope of a savings account.
“Australia is so expensive.”
“Don’t you want to wait to travel to Australia when you have more time?”
“Nobody can afford to get to Australia.”
Yes. Traveling to Australia IS expensive, especially for travelers visiting from the US. No. I don’t want to wait…when will I ever have time or money to travel to Australia? When I’m old and gray and my energy wanes by early afternoon? Sounds like a no from me.
So I needed to find a way to make the long journey (13,000 kilometers from home!) affordable (somewhat), and worth the twenty-hour travel days to and from the States.
The trip only came to fruition when I received an email from United about discounted tickets to and from Australia and New Zealand. Talk about GOOD LUCK!
I thought to myself, pinch me because I just won the lottery!
The stipulations were that I needed to purchase the ticket with airline miles, and then I would receive the nearly 50% discounted ticket to Oceania. As an engineer, I’m very skeptical. So I did the *approximate* calculations for how much the ticket would have cost originally, and after the discount.
Purchasing the ticket outright with USD would have cost me over $2,000. However, given the promotional airline miles deal United offered, the actual ticket price was approximately $700 USD, determined by equating the approximate mile to dollar conversion. That’s over $1300 of savings!
BUT since I paid using my miles, which I accumulated through the credit card promotional sign-on deal and regular purchases over the card’s lifetime, the cost of my economy ticket was FREE (plus taxes).
Note: the credit card I’m referring to is the United Explorer card (I frequently fly United or Star Alliance when I travel).
It pays to use airline miles. Or should I say, it SAVES…
Sydney: Where to Stay
Most travel blogs will tell you to stay in Darling Harbour, the touristy part of Sydney, The Rocks, the historic part of Sydney, or Bondi, the beachy part of Sydney. However, as a contrarian, and someone who prefers a more “local” experience, I’ll tell you that my favorite part of Sydney was Sydney Central, the business district.
I visited EVERYWHERE (thank you public transport!) and due to its central location, proximity to the light rail, and a plethora of Asian cuisine, I found Sydney Central to be a perfect place to set up camp.
Did I mention that Sydney Chinatown is the HOLY GRAIL of Asian cuisine? After I moved to a hostel in The Rocks I found myself catching the light rail everyday to go BACK TO Sydney Central to get to-go sushi (Sushi Hub!), boba (visit Regent Place, you won’t regret it!), or to visit Spice Alley (Kensington St.). Sydney Central has a young vibe because of the several universities located there.
Darling Harbour was never without a cruise ship, so our hostel in The Rocks, which boasted “perfect rooftop views of the Sydney Opera House” was always blocked by a massive ship everyday. Bondi was awesome (to visit)! But unless you plan on spending every day of your trip at the beach, I would recommend staying more central. The beaches are easily accessible via bus, Uber, or coastal walk. Although, with so much to see and do in Sydney, Australia, you’ll probably be happy anywhere, and all districts have their charms!
Top Ten Things to do in Sydney
10. Visit the Sydney Aquarium
I love aquariums! Especially aquariums where you can interact with penguins! So it’s no surprise that the Sydney Aquarium makes it on the TOP TEN list for things to do in Sydney! Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, SEA LIFE aquarium is a great activity for families, couples, or young travelers with a passion for sea animals. In the summer, the aquarium is a great place to escape the Australian heat!
travel tip!
During the weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) SEA LIFE offers discounted tickets and packages (including WILD LIFE, Madame Tussaud’s, Sydney Tower Eye) at 40% off. Tickets must be PURCHASED ONLINE to receive the discount (onsite tickets are regular price!).
9. Sunrise on the Sydney Harbour Bridge
One of Sydney’s premier experiences involves an early wake-up call and stunning views of the sunrise over Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows daring adventurers to climb over 1,300 steps to the top of the bridge. From the top, you’ll experience unobstructed, 360° views of Sydney (that’s right, no cruise ships in the way of the Sydney Opera House!), while watching the sunrise over the Australian city. It’s 100% worth the hefty price tag!
8. See a Concert!
I am a MAJOR proponent of traveling to a different country to see your favorite artist perform live! During my study abroad semester, I traveled to Dublin, Ireland to see my favorite British boyband, The Vamps, perform live. Along with the concert came a weekend of exploration (and Guinness!) with friends I met in my hostel, who also traveled to see the show! So when I found a hotel package that included tickets to The Eras Tour I SCREAMED. All the stars aligned and I got to see Taylor Swift perform at Accor Stadium! We got the best surprise songs! “Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve” x “ivy” AND “Forever and Always” x “Maroon”!!! I felt so incredibly lucky to witness the legend (and also my inspiration!), Taylor Swift. Music not only brings people together, but it also brings people around the world…if you’re crazy enough!
Sean (my boyfriend) and I, attending The Eras Tour in Sydney!
I’m feeling 22!
A LOT going on at the moment!
Heart hands for Taylor Swift!
Bella struts in her red dress, representing the Red Era!
7. Indulge in Asian Cuisine in Sydney Chinatown
I knew I would love Sydney when our concierge suggested we walk a short distance to Kensington Street to an outdoor Asian food hall called Spice Alley. How can you not love a city that has your favorite cuisine on every corner? Due to its *relative* proximity to Southeast Asia, Sydney has a large population of Asian residents. The Asian population’s influence on Sydney’s cuisine is astronomical! And the cuisine also happened to be a huge reason why I preferred my accommodation in Sydney Central (near Chinatown), over all other places I stayed. Some of my most notable eats are listed below:
A multi-story Asian food mall (I’m drooling as I think about it!). Here we got boba at Gong Cha and Machi Machi (try the strawberry mango smoothie!), indulged in delectable spicy wagyu noodle bowls at Yunn, and snagged a Japanese cheesecake from Uncle Tetsu’s. The options are endless…and SO. FREAKING. YUMMY. We returned to Regent Place several times!
The HOLY GRAIL of cheap, on-the-go sushi. We passed by Sushi Hub on our way back from the train station and people were lined up out the door waiting to get sushi to-go. We knew we had to try it for ourselves! $2.50 for a spicy tuna hand roll, the size of a chipotle burrito? I’ll take ten! This was my ALL-TIME FAVORITE eat from my time in Sydney!
There’s nothing greater than fresh fish after spending a day at the beach. As we walked to Manly Beach we passed by Rice and Nori, and told ourselves we needed to go back there for dinner. And we did! The rotating sushi belt makes for a fun sushi experience! Did we mention it was incredibly delicious? Our favorite was the spicy Aburi salmon!
6. Visit a Zoo or Wildlife Park
Quokkas and koalas and kangaroos, oh my! Australia has some of the most exotic wildlife in the world. At several zoos and wildlife parks in and around Sydney, you can see many of these beautiful creatures. Sydney Zoo and Taronga Zoo (take the ferry to get there!) are great places to visit during your time in Sydney. For the opportunity to feed kangaroos, venture beyond Sydney to Symbio or Featherdale wildlife parks for an authentic Australian experience! Many of these zoos and wildlife parks are committed to conservation, including protection of endangered species and removal of invasive species.
5. Explore the Coast via Coastal Walk
The first day we arrived in Sydney, we knew we would be exhausted from our twenty-hour travel day. So we planned to do one of Sydney’s notable “coastal walks”. Coastal walks are winding pathways along the coast that provide stunning views of the ocean and access to Sydney’s premier beaches. The most popular coastal walk is Bondi to Coogee (or vice versa). The walk was beautiful, though the shade was minimal, so bring lots of sunscreen! We enjoyed stopping at the beaches along the way to Coogee. Some of our favorite beaches on this walk include Tamarama, Bronte, and Coogee (which was similar to Bondi, but less crowded).
4. Catch a Ferry on the Harbour
Other than its spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and a selection of souvenir shops, Sydney Harbour is the place to go to catch a ferry! Several locals suggested we take a ferry from the harbour to Manly Beach and its quieter adjacent, Shelley’s Cove, just north of the city. The ferry is affordable, and uses the same “tap-on-tap-off” payment system as the light rail and the trains, making it accessible and fun! Our ferry passed alongside the Sydney Opera House, providing us unobstructed views of the structure as we ventured toward the other side of the harbour. This is a fun adventure for all ages!
3. Picnic at Hickson Road Reserve (My FAVORITE Place in the City)
On our way to explore The Rocks, Sydney’s historic district, we stumbled upon a beautiful park with the most amazing views of the Sydney Opera House AND the Harbour Bridge. Next to Sydney Park Hyatt, Hickson Road Reserve, is a perfect place to have a picnic, or relax while you watch the sunset over the Opera House. This is my favorite place in all of Sydney (and a great place to take photos!).
2. Soak in the Sun at one of Sydney’s Iconic Beaches
The hottest temperatures in Sydney can reach beyond 100°F in the summer! So what better idea to cool off, than to swim in the crystal blue waters of Australia’s east coast? The weather was perfect in Sydney when we visited in late February, towards the end of Australia’s summer. We were met with 85°F temperatures and sunny weather, perfect for going to the beach. Some of Sydney’s most popular beaches include Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Bronte and many others. My favorites were Tamarama Beach, near Bondi, and Shelley’s Cove, a wave-less cove, perfect for snorkeling!
1. Visit the Sydney Opera House
Sydney didn’t gain global recognition for its zoos or its Universities. The city saw its first inklings of global fascination with the opening of the historic and monumental Sydney Opera House. In 1973, after immeasurable design and funding issues, Queen Elizabeth II opened the monument, marking Sydney as an extraordinary cultural center. Today the Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known and most visited architectural structures in Australia, a symbol of the country’s unique history and bright future. The best way to learn about the Sydney Opera House is to take a guided tour. Our guide explained the design history and discussed all the challenges architect Jørn Utzon faced when planning the monument’s construction. We also had the rare opportunity to see a symphony practicing for spring shows!
Due to the popularity of Sydney Opera House tours, spaces fill up quickly! Make sure to book your tickets in advance!
Navigating Public Transport
It brings me immense joy (like, seriously, unfathomable amounts of joy!) when I arrive in a new country and I learn that transportation is easily accessible. The last thing I’ll EVER do is hail a taxi or call an Uber. Sydney’s public transport is awesome! From the international airport, you can take a train to Sydney Central station and catch a bus or the light rail to your destination. Public transport requires one of two things: 1) an Opal card you can load money on to “tap-on” to buses/light rails/trains (purchase at airport or at convenience stores) or 2) a credit card to “tap-on”, on the fly. The “tap-on-tap-off” system is incredibly convenient and affordable!
Good Eats in Sydney
I would be lying if I DIDN’T admit to eating to-go sushi everyday while I journeyed around Sydney…what can I say? I LOVE SUSHI. So when I found out our hotel in Sydney Central was conveniently located near Chinatown, and a plethora of Asian food options, I knew it was fate.
My first recommendation for affordable food in Sydney deserves a gold medal for affordability and convenience:
Sushi Hub, a to-go sushi dive where large handrolls cost under $3 USD was MY FAVORITE thing we ate in Sydney. Did I mention we ate Sushi Hub everyday, sometimes multiple times a day? It’s incredible.
Additionally, in Chinatown, near the town hall is an Asian food market I will ALWAYS recommend to people visiting Sydney:
Regent Place, Asian food hall. Malaysian? They got it? Chinese Noodles Bowls? Yes, please? Japanese? Absolutely! Regent Place is the holy grail of Asian cuisine in Sydney.
If you’re looking for a restaurant with a little more “jazz”, (more high-end!) I recommend sitting at an outdoor table at:
6 Head restaurant. Boasting incredible views of the Sydney Opera House, and also located next to my favorite spot (Hickson Road Reserve park), 6 Head is a steakhouse with premier Australian beef. The steak is TO DIE FOR!
Other Sydney Travel Tips
Enjoy Sydney!
