Sydney sits on the ancestral lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, a city shaped by deep Aboriginal history, a colonial convict past, and waves of migration that forged today’s vibrant harbour metropolis. The Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932) and the sail-like Sydney Opera House (1973) anchor the skyline, but it’s the coves, coastal walks, and village-like neighborhoods that win hearts.

Expect a city that lives outdoors: surfers at Bondi before breakfast, ferries gliding to Manly, and locals picnicking at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair as the light turns gold. Food is a highlight—Australian seafood, Southeast Asian flavors, and bold, produce-led menus—best paired with crisp Hunter Valley Semillon or a coffee pulled by a barista who knows your name by day three.

Practical notes: Tap water is safe, contactless cards work on public transit, and the UV is fierce—sun protection is non-negotiable. Peak events include Vivid Sydney (late May–June) when the city glows at night. This 7-day Sydney itinerary layers icons and hidden gems so you leave feeling like a temporary local.

Sydney

Harbour city, beach playground, and gateway to World Heritage wilderness—Sydney does big-ticket sights without losing its laid-back soul. Mornings start with a flat white, days spill into coves and galleries, and nights hum in historic sandstone pubs and sleek cocktail bars.

• Top sights: Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Bondi-to-Coogee Walk, Taronga Zoo, Art Gallery of NSW, MCA, Sydney Tower Eye.
• Neighbourhoods to know: The Rocks (heritage lanes and pubs), Surry Hills (dining and boutiques), Newtown (street art, global eats), Paddington (terraces and galleries), Manly (beach town vibes).
• Fun fact: The Royal National Park south of the city (1879) is the world’s second-oldest national park—older than most countries’ park systems.

Where to stay (handpicked + search all):

• Iconic luxury on the harbour: Park Hyatt Sydney — Check availability or alt link.
• Great value by Darling Harbour: Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour — See rooms or alt link / alt link.
• Historic hostel with rooftop views: Sydney Harbour YHA — Book beds.
• Budget social hub near Central: Wake Up! Sydney Central — Reserve or Hotels.com/alt.
• Compact pods in the CBD: The Capsule Hotel — See rates.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Sydney | Hotels.com Sydney

Getting there & around: Fly into Sydney (SYD). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Nonstop from LAX runs ~14–15h; from Auckland ~3h; from Singapore ~8h. The Airport Link train to the CBD takes ~13 minutes (about A$20); rideshare is ~25–35 minutes in light traffic.

Use an Opal card or simply tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard/AMEX on buses, trains, ferries. Expect an adult weekday daily cap around A$17 and cheaper caps on weekends. Ferries double as sightseeing—pack your camera.

Day 1: Harbour First Impressions & The Rocks

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs along Circular Quay to the Royal Botanic Garden. Pause at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for your first postcard view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Evening: Sip a spritz at Opera Bar beneath the Opera House sails as ferries trace light across the water. For dinner in The Rocks: try Mr. Wong (Cantonese, dim sum to roast duck in a moody, colonial-era space), Saké (contemporary Japanese), or The Glenmore rooftop for pub classics with a killer skyline. Nightcap at The Baxter Inn (whisky haven down a candlelit staircase).

Day 2: Icons Up Close — Opera House, Gardens, Harbour Bridge

Morning: Coffee at Single O Surry Hills or Skittle Lane in the CBD. Then go backstage history on the Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour.

Stories of architect Jørn Utzon, extraordinary acoustics, and engineering quirks bring the icon to life.

Afternoon: Wander the Royal Botanic Garden to the Calyx. Lunch at House Canteen (casual, harbour-front bites) or Café Sydney (seafood and city views). Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art for Australian and First Nations works; grab gelato at RivaReno nearby.

Evening: Cross the Harbour Bridge on foot for twilight views (the Pylon Lookout closes earlier; check hours). Dinner at Quay (Peter Gilmore’s multi-course experience, sweeping harbour panoramas) or Restaurant Hubert (French, live jazz vibes). Reservations recommended.

Day 3: Bondi to Coogee — Sand, Surf, and Sea Pools

Morning: Breakfast at Speedos Café (Bondi) or Shuk (Bondi North; Middle Eastern plates). Walk the cliff-hugging Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (6 km) past Tamarama and Bronte. Pack swimmers for Bronte Baths or Coogee’s Giles Baths.

Afternoon: Book a surf lesson with a reputable Bondi school, or lounge at the Bondi Icebergs Club pool (public access; bring ID). Lunch at North Bondi Fish (seafood, beachy), or Totti’s Bondi (wood-fired bread, fresh antipasti). Gelato at Messina Bondi.

Evening: Sunset spritz on the Coogee Pavilion Rooftop. Back in the CBD, grab casual noodles at Gumshara (rich tonkotsu ramen) or Malaysian at Mamak (hand-pulled roti, satay). Finish with cocktails at Maybe Sammy in The Rocks—playful, award-winning, and very Sydney.

Day 4: Full-Day Blue Mountains — Three Sisters, Scenic Rides, Bush Scents

Join a small-group nature escape on the Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour from Sydney with Scenic World, Sydney Zoo & Ferry.

Expect lookouts over eucalyptus valleys, the Three Sisters at Echo Point, and Scenic World’s cableway/railway combos. Many tours include wildlife encounters and a Parramatta River ferry back to the city—an idyllic dusk finish. Door-to-door typically ~10–11 hours; dress in layers and good walking shoes.

Back in town, keep it low-key: dumplings at Chinese Noodle House (Haymarket) or Thai favorites on Thaitown’s Pitt Street strip. If you still have energy, a nightcap at Old Mate’s Place rooftop.

Day 5: Ferries, Zoo Views, and Harbour at Night

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Bourke Street Bakery (CBD or Surry Hills). Ferry to Taronga Zoo (about 12 minutes from Circular Quay). Take the Sky Safari cable car up (when operating) and work your way down—don’t miss the harbourbacked giraffe paddock and the Australian Walkabout.

Afternoon: Picnic at Bradleys Head Amphitheatre or ferry to Manly (20–30 minutes) for a seaside stroll and fish and chips from Fishmongers. If time allows, hop to Shelly Beach for snorkelling in the calm cove.

Evening: Dress for a classic on-water finale: the Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise departing from Darling Harbour.

You’ll glide past the Opera House and under the Bridge as the city lights glow. Pre- or post-cruise drinks: Zephyr rooftop or Barangaroo House—Smoke.

Day 6: Full-Day Hunter Valley — Vines, Cheese, and Chocolates

Leave the harbour for vines on the Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney.

Typically 2–2.5 hours each way, with guided tastings at boutique cellar doors (look for Semillon, Shiraz, and modern Chardonnay), plus a cheese or chocolate stop. It’s an easy way to savor regional Australia without driving—hydrate between pours.

Back in Sydney, graze through Spice Alley (Chippendale) for hawker-style eats—try Alex Lee Kitchen for Hainanese chicken rice and Bang Luck for Thai—then stroll past the neon of Darling Square for gelato at Gelato Messina.

Day 7: Markets, Art & Neighborhood Hopping

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse Carriageworks Farmers Market (artisan produce, excellent coffee). Otherwise, roam Australian Museum (First Nations galleries, megafauna) or the Art Gallery of NSW including the new Sydney Modern building.

Afternoon: Lunch at NOMAD (wood-fire, Australian produce) in Surry Hills or AALIA (Middle Eastern) in the CBD. Explore Paddington’s Oxford Street boutiques and the sandstone terraces of Five Ways. Snack stop at the new Sydney Fish Market for oysters and prawns.

Evening: Last-hurrah drinks at Opera Bar or craft beers at Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks. For a final meal with a view, Catalina in Rose Bay or Bennelong inside the Opera House. Depart in the afternoon: the Airport Link train takes ~13 minutes; rideshare is ~A$35–55 depending on traffic.

Optional add-ons if you have extra energy:

• Scenic flight: Sydney Harbour Helicopter for unforgettable aerial views.
• BridgeClimb for the bucket-list arch-top panorama.
• Spit Bridge to Manly coastal walk (10 km) for quieter harbour beaches.

Notes on timing and costs: Ferries within the harbour are quick (10–30 minutes) and affordable on Opal/contactless. Day tours to the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley run ~10–11 hours; pricing varies by season and inclusions—book in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.

Recommended intercity/arrival transport search: Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. For Sydney stays, browse VRBO and Hotels.com.

One more show-stopper option (swap into any evening if you prefer land to water): dinner with 360° views at Sydney Tower’s revolving restaurant.

In a week you’ll trace Sydney’s glittering harbour, feel the salt spray on Bondi’s cliffs, breathe eucalyptus in the Blue Mountains, and toast a cellar-door winemaker in the Hunter. This itinerary balances headline sights with local haunts so you depart with both the photos and the feel of the city.