Day 1 - Start off the food-filled adventure with a visit to the Sydney Fish Market, an open-air seafood market that offers a wide variety of fresh seafood. Afterwards, explore the iconic Sydney Opera House and have a meal at their in-house restaurant, Bennelong.
Day 2 - Enjoy a day of wine and cheese at the Hunter Valley, which is two hours away from the city. Go on a wine tasting tour at the Tyrrell's Wines Winery and then relax with a soothing spa and cheese platter at the Spicers Retreat.
Day 3 - Stroll around the Potts Point neighbourhood and grab breakfast at The Apollo, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Enjoy a food walk tour and learn about the offerings of the city.
Day 4 - Head over to Newtown and enjoy a meat-lover's paradise at BlackStar Pastry. For dinner, explore flavours from all over the globe at Esteban Restaurant.
Day 5 - Visit the stunning Blue Mountains and have a scenic picnic at the Three Sisters lookout. For lunch, try out the delicious Italian dishes at Capriccio Osteria & Bar.
Day 6 - Check out the unique cultural mix of Chinatown and have some authentic dumplings at Din Tai Fung. Afterwards, experience the city's nightlife with some tasty cocktails and lively atmosphere at Eau de Vie.
Day 7 - Take a ferry ride to the Manly Beach, where you can enjoy a scenic view while indulging in seafood dishes at the Manly Fish Café.
Day 8 - Visit the vibrant Darlinghurst neighbourhood and head to Embla for some innovative European dishes. Afterwards, try some unique flavour combinations at the laid-back dessert spot Mary's Newtown.
Day 9 - End the trip with a visit to the Central Business District and explore the broad range of street food options. At nightfall, have a sophisticated dinner at the award-winning Quay Restaurant overlooking the harbour.
Time and Costs Estimates
Sydney Fish Market (1-2 hours, $15-30)
Sydney Opera House + Bennelong (2-3 hours, $50-100)
Hunter Valley (1 day, $150-200)
Tyrrell's Wines Winery (1-2 hours, $30-50)
Spicers Retreat (2-4 hours, $150-250)
Potts Point + The Apollo (2-3 hours, $30-50)
BlackStar Pastry (2-3 hours, $15-30)
Esteban Restaurant (2-3 hours, $50-80)
Blue Mountains + Three Sisters lookout (1 day, $100-150)
Capriccio Osteria & Bar (2-3 hours, $50-80)
Chinatown + Din Tai Fung (2-3 hours, $20-40)
Eau de Vie (2-3 hours, $50-80)
Manly Beach + Manly Fish Café (2-3 hours, $30-50)
Darlinghurst + Embla (2-3 hours, $50-80)
Mary's Newtown (1-2 hours, $10-20)
Central Business District (2-3 hours, $20-50)
Quay Restaurant (2-3 hours, $150-200)
Total Estimated Costs: $970 - $1560
Transportation
To explore the city, you can use public transportation, such as buses, trains, and ferries. The Opal card is a rechargeable card that can be used for all public transport services. Taxies and ride-sharing services are also available, and car rentals can be an option if you plan on traveling outside the city. Depending on your route, travel costs may range from $5 to $50 while the travel time may vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Useful tips
If you have more time, consider visiting nearby locations such as Bondi Beach or the Royal Botanic Garden. For a shorter trip, you can skip some of the locations listed or combine multiple activities in one day. Additionally, research restaurants in advance and make a reservation to avoid long waits. Last but not least, don't forget to bring sunscreen and comfortable footwear as there will be a lot of walking involved.
Airports
The main airport in Sydney is Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD), which is located approximately 8 km(5 miles) south of the city center. The airport can be accessed by train, bus, or taxi. From the airport, the train ride takes approximately 15 minutes and costs around $20. Alternatively, a regular taxi ride to the city can cost between $40-$60, while ride-sharing services can be cheaper.