Start your first morning with a gentle stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, soaking up harbor views and spotting native plants before heading to an iconic photo stop at the sails of the Sydney Opera House; consider joining a short Sydney Opera House Tour to learn about its architecture and history. Finish with a relaxed coffee and pastries at a waterside café in Circular Quay, watching ferries come and go as you plan the rest of your day.
After a relaxed morning, wander through the historic lanes of The Rocks to browse weekend markets, galleries and convict-era laneways, then stop for lunch at a riverside pub with views of the harbour. Later, take the short ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour to visit the waterfront precinct-explore the seafront promenades, grab a drink at a harbourside bar, or pop into the maritime exhibits before returning to the quay for golden-hour views.
As the sun dips, head to Quay Restaurant or the nearby waterfront terrace at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar for a memorable dinner with sweeping harbour and Opera House views, reserving ahead for sunset seating. After dinner, take a leisurely post-meal walk along the dimly lit promenade toward Darling Harbour to enjoy live music or a cocktail at a waterside bar, then finish the night with a nightcap in one of the intimate laneway bars around The Rocks for a cozy, historic atmosphere.
Begin your morning with a scenic walk along the harbour edge to Mrs Macquarie's Chair for an iconic, framed view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then join a guided Sydney Opera House Tour to explore the Concert Hall and learn behind-the-scenes stories. After the tour, treat yourself to brunch and excellent coffee at Opera Bar, where sheltered outdoor seating lets you linger over harbour views before continuing into the lush paths of the Royal Botanic Garden for a relaxed stroll among native flora and panoramic lookout points.
After your morning at the Opera House and gardens, cross over to explore the historic lanes and galleries of The Rocks, stopping for lunch at a cozy pub or a café tucked into a sandstone laneway; browse boutique shops and the local weekend market if it's on. Later, take a short stroll down to Circular Quay's ferry terminals and hop across to Darling Harbour to visit waterfront attractions, enjoy riverside people-watching, or sip a late-afternoon cocktail at a harbourside bar with views of the city skyline.
As twilight falls, stroll over to Milsons Point for a waterside vantage of the harbour lights, then take the ferry from Circular Quay for a brief ride to Barangaroo Reserve to explore its sculpted headland and evening food stalls. Finish with a relaxed seafood dinner at Quay Restaurant's nearby cousin-style option or book a table at a harbourside bistro in Barangaroo, lingering over cocktails while the city skyline and bridge light up - a calm, dinner-and-walk ending that flows naturally from your daytime harbour explorations.
Begin with a slow, atmospheric breakfast at Susannah Place Museum where period rooms and oral histories set the tone for The Rocks' convict-era past, then wander the sandstone laneways to browse artisanal stalls and galleries at the The Rocks Markets (weekends) or nearby independent shops. Mid-morning, step into the maritime history of Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for rotating exhibitions and rooftop harbour views, finishing with coffee at the MCA café overlooking Circular Quay before your midday plans.
Wander east from The Rocks into the lively precinct around Barangaroo Reserve for sculpted headlands and waterfront walking paths, then pause for a relaxed lunch at the harbourside Banksii Contemporary Kitchen & Bar with its modern Australian menu and harbour views. Afterward, take a short stroll to Museum of Sydney to dive into colonial stories and interactive exhibits, finishing the afternoon with a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour to explore its waterfront promenades and maybe pop into an exhibition or waterside café before evening plans.
As daylight softens, head to Quay Restaurant for a pre-theatre style degustation (book ahead) and linger over harbour-facing courses as the Opera House and bridge glow; request a window table to make the most of the view. After dinner, wander down to Campbells Cove for a peaceful post-meal stroll along the water, then cap the night with creative cocktails at The Glenmore rooftop-its elevated vantage offers an intimate panorama of the lit harbour and a lively local atmosphere to finish the day.
Start with a sunrise stroll along the eastern end of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, pausing at the dramatic cliff-top lookout above Tamarama Beach for photos and the sound of breaking surf. After the walk's first stretch, drop into Bondi Icebergs Club for a restorative coffee or light breakfast on the terrace with harbour-facing views, then cool off with a swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs Ocean Pool before grabbing a smoothie at a nearby café and browsing local surf shops along the promenade.
After your morning swim, head west along the promenade to explore the lively village heart of Bondi, stopping for a laid-back lunch at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar's casual terrace if you want iconic ocean views without a long wait. Later, wander up to the nearby coastal parklands to join a surf lesson with Bondi Surf School or rent a board from a local shop, then relax with an alfresco gelato on the Corso as you watch surfers and sunbathers-an easy, social afternoon that flows naturally from your cliff-top morning.
As the sun softens, head to North Bondi RSL for casual drinks on a terrace where locals unwind, then make your way to Bondi Pavilion to catch a live music set or small cultural event in an atmospheric beachfront venue. Finish with a moonlit stroll to Ben Buckler Point for quieter coastal views and a late-night gelato from Mary's Gelato as the sound of the surf accompanies your walk back along the lit promenade.
Catch an early ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, arriving for the keeper talks by the giraffes and a guided Behind-the-Scenes encounter (book ahead) to see conservation work up close; don't miss the sky-high views from the zoo's upper terraces looking back at the harbour. After the animal sessions, hop on the short shuttle to the Taronga Centre Café for a coffee with panorama, then stroll the North Shore walking path to Bradleys Head for sweeping Harbour Bridge and city skyline photos before heading into North Sydney for lunch.
After your morning animal encounters, take the ferry across to Neutral Bay Wharf and wander the harbourside walk toward Chowder Bay for a relaxed seafood lunch at Chowder Bay Café with sweeping harbour vistas. Later, explore the scenic headland trail to Georges Heights-climb the historic gun emplacements and linger on the lawn for panoramic Bridge-and-city photos before finishing with a craft beer or espresso at the charming The Brass Monkey Lavendar Bay (or similar local pub) as the light softens over the water.
As dusk falls, wander into North Sydney Oval's surrounds for a relaxed local vibe, then head to Nielsen Park Kiosk (Vaucluse side accessible by a short ferry or rideshare) for fresh seafood plates and sunset views - a quieter alternative to busier harbourside restaurants. After dinner, make a short drive to Bradfield Park beneath the bridge to watch the lights come alive across the city and finish the night with cocktails at Kirribilli Club's rooftop-style bar, where harbour panoramas feel intimate and unhurried.
Begin with a relaxed waterfront breakfast at Darling Harbour's cozy cafés, then stroll across the pedestrian Pyrmont Bridge to the hands-on maritime exhibits at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where behind-the-scenes tours and the historic vessels on the wharf bring Sydney's seafaring past to life. Afterward, wander up to the nearby Art Gallery of New South Wales to catch a morning rotation of Australian and Pacific art, lingering in the sculpture terrace for harbour views before a light gallery café lunch-a calm cultural start that builds naturally from your harbour explorations earlier in the trip.
Cross over to Barangaroo House for a waterfront lunch of seasonal small plates and a relaxed rooftop drink, then wander the sculpted headlands of Barangaroo Reserve to watch ferries glide past while learning about the site's Indigenous planting. Later, take a short walk to Cockle Bay Wharf to join a harbour cruise or hire a stand-up paddleboard for a gentle glide under the city skyline, finishing with dessert and coffee at Harbour Terrace Café as the light softens over Darling Harbour.
As dusk falls, take a short rideshare to Barangaroo House for rooftop small plates and a craft cocktail while watching lights bounce on the harbour, then stroll the nearby foreshore to the sculpted headlands for peaceful evening views. Afterwards, head to Quay Restaurant's bar area or a nearby intimate wine bar for a leisurely degustation-style nightcap, letting the city's lit skyline and harbour breeze close out a culturally rich day.
Begin your morning with a slow, sensory start at The Grounds of Alexandria, wandering the aromatic gardens, visiting the bakery for warm pastries and a barista-made coffee, and popping into the on-site mini-market for local jams and roasted beans. Afterward, explore nearby creative precincts by strolling the industrial streets to discover street art murals and boutique studios, then relax with a seasonal brunch and people-watching on the sun-dappled patio at The Grounds' garden café before your onward plans.
Wander the converted-industrial streets to discover local galleries and design shops, popping into Biviano's for olive oil tastings and artisan provisions before a light lunch at Alchemy Restaurant & Bar for modern Australian fare. Afterward, join a guided studio tour at Whiteley's Live or browse vintage finds at Reverse Garbage, then finish with a relaxed craft-beer tasting at Young Henrys in nearby Newtown as a friendly, low-key way to wind down your trip.
Wind down your trip with a relaxed dinner at Catalina, a waterfront spot in Rosebery offering modern Australian seafood and harbour-influenced plates-reserve a table for a sunset-facing seat. After dinner, stroll to Eveleigh Market (if open) or head to 5th Province Brewing for a low-key tasting flight and conversation, then finish the night with a final digestif at Quay Restaurant's bar (a short taxi away) to toast your Sydney week with one last harbour view.