48 Hours in Sydney
Visiting an iconic world city is thrilling, exhausting, and somewhat chaotic.
Sydney is no exception. This is a large, spread out city with tons of historic sites, parks, and museums. Not to mention the hundreds of cafes where you can enjoy some of the world’s best coffee. And you probably want to squeeze in some time at the beach, too.
Don’t worry, your trip to Sydney doesn’t have to be stressful. Embrace Australia’s relaxed lifestyle and know that 48 hours is plenty of time to get a taste of Sydney.
By following my 48 Hours in Sydney itinerary you will enjoy some beautiful ocean views, try some delicious treats, and learn more about Australia’s interesting history. Ready to get started?
Where to Stay
To fit everything in, you need to stay close to the action (you only have 48 hours in Sydney after all). If you want to stay in Sydney proper, I recommend finding a place in or near Circular Quay or The Rocks. The Rocks is Sydney’s charming historic district that is within walking distance of the iconic harbor area known as Circular Quay.
If you want a less urban experience, look for accommodation in Bondi Beach. This area feels completely different than The Rocks. It is a laid-back beach town with plenty of surfers and small cafes.
How to Get Here
Unless you already live in Australia, you will probably fly to Sydney. The Sydney International Airport is really accessible from the city center. Once you get to the airport purchase an Opal Card (Sydney’s public transportation pass). You can take the Airport Link to Central Station where you can transfer to other lines. Or, take it to the Circular Quay station if you are staying near this area.
You could drive or take a train from Melbourne or Brisbane to Sydney, but these trips would take around 10 hours. Flying is still the easiest and quickest option to get between these major cities. TigerAir is a decent budget airline that I used to fly between cities.
Transportation in the City
It’s pretty easy to get around Sydney. It is a very walkable city or you can take public transportation anywhere you need to go. Make sure you purchase an Opal Card to pay for the ferry, bus, and train rides. Train fares are calculated by the distance you travel. But, the most an adult can pay per day is $15.80. Once you reach that amount for the day, the rest of your rides are free. On Sundays, the maximum is $2.70. So, if you are in town on a Sunday, this is the day to take the ferry over to Manly, which is closer to a $12 round trip fare the rest of the week.
Quick Tip
I noticed that Sydney is not exactly the city that never sleeps. I traveled to Australia from NYC, so I was expecting to have access to food at any time of the day. But, when I tried to grab a late-night meal I realized that many of the restaurants were closed or had transitioned to clubs. Make sure you grab an early-ish dinner to avoid having to eat gelato for dinner like I did!
Day 1
Alright, are you ready to kick off your 48 hours in Sydney? Let’s go…
Bourke Street Bakery
I can’t think of a better way to start a day in Sydney. Bourke Street Bakery started in this beautiful city and it is the perfect place to enjoy a flat white and pastry. They are known for their tarts, but you might find it difficult to choose between that and a croissant. But no judgment if you get both! There are a few locations throughout the city but I suggest visiting the location on Bangaroo Avenue. They open at 7am (8am on Sundays) and if you get an early start you might be able to enjoy the sunrise!
My picks: Flat White + Butter Croissant
After breakfast, make your way to Sydney Harbor for a view of the Opera House!
Sydney Harbor + Walk Across Bridge
To get here, you will want to walk from Burke Street to the Wynyard Station. From there take T8 or T3 train to Circular Quay Station. Once you get out at this station you should have a great view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House.
It’s up to you how much time you want to spend here. This is the iconic Sydney view so I’m guessing you will want to soak it up. You can walk up to the Opera House for a closer look or walk on the Bridge for an areal view of the harbor. To save time, I don’t recommend walking the whole length of the bridge. Walk about halfway and then turn back around. (P.S. it is free to walk across the bridge).
If you are up for it, head out to the Art Gallery of New South Wales next. Otherwise keep enjoying your time in The Rocks and skip ahead to lunch when you are ready. It’s about a 20-30 minute trip from The Rocks to the museum. Head back to Circular Quay station and take a train to St. James.
Art Gallery of New South Wales
This is a free museum that first opened in 1874. It features an impressive collection of Australian, Asian, and European art. There are always rotating exhibits, so check the website to see what is currently on display.
Time for a quick lunch before our 2:30 walking tour. What’s better than a pie to go?
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
This food cart has been a Sydney institution for over 70 years. Their signature dish, Harry’s Tiger is a beef pie topped with mashed potatoes and mushy peas. Don’t knock it till you try it. They also serve a variety of other pies and hot dogs.
There are a few locations throughout the city, including one in Woolloomooloo that is a 10 minute walk from the Art Gallery and another in Haymarket that is a 10 minute walk from our next destination. Pick the one that makes the most sense for you!
My pick: Harry’s Tiger
Ok, after lunch we are going to head to Town Hall Square to catch the 2:30 I’m Free Walking Tour.
I’m Free Walking Tour
This tour takes place every day (rain or shine) and is completely free. Of course, you are expected to tip your tour guide. This tour lasts anywhere from 1.5-3 hours (depending on your guide). Don’t skip this tour, it’s one of the best walking tours I’ve ever taken. The guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and give you some great insight into Syndey’s history. You will visit and learn more about many of Sydney’s iconic buildings. This is a great way to explore Sydney on a short time frame.
After your tour, you are probably ready to relax. We’ve done a lot of walking today. Grab happy hour with a view.
The Squire’s Landing
Head back to Circular Quay (your walking tour will probably end here anyway) and make your way to The Squire’s Landing. This flagship location of the James Squire Brewhouse has an outdoor patio with incredible views of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Enjoy a drink and appetizers or settle in for dinner here, too.
My pick: James Squire Orchard Crush Apple Cider
As an alternative option, or if you are ambitious and want to head here after drinks, check out Sydney’s Chinatown.
Chinatown
On Friday nights from 4 pm, you can explore the Chinatown Night Market. Or, visit one of the many delicious Asian eateries around the area. You can’t beat Ramen Zundo if you are looking for a yummy bowl of noodles.
Alright, we packed a ton into that day. We are starting day 2 bright and early so get ready!
Day 2
Day 2 starts in Bondi Beach. It takes 35 min-1 hour to get here by bus from Circular Quay. You need to take the 333 bus from Circular Quay to Bondi Beach. The map below shows the route directly to our breakfast spot, Speedo’s Cafe.
Speedos Cafe
If you get to Bondi Beach early enough you could enjoy views of the sunrise over the water. But, since its a bit of a journey from Circular Quay, you might not make it in time. Either way, start your day with breakfast from Speedos Cafe.
This local institution offers some pretty delicious and Instagram-worth dishes. After scrolling through their Instagram feed you might be tempted to order one of their signature bowls. Grab a spot by the window to enjoy views of the beach with (you guessed it) a flat white and an acai bowl.
My picks: Pink Pittaya Bowl + Flat White
After fueling up head down to Bondi Beach. If you want to make a day of it, spend your time relaxing on the sand or learning to surf. Otherwise, let’s take a walk.
Bondi to Coogee Walk
This 6km coastal walk is a must-do when you visit Sydney. Look out to the ocean to see skilled (and no-so skilled) surfers and adorable pods of dolphins. It takes about 2-hours to complete your journey, but if you decide to stop and enjoy a cafe or another beach you could stretch this trip out even longer. This site gives a detailed overview of the walk so you can use this to plan your journey.
Once you reach Coogee, take a bus (339, 373 or 374 bus) back to Sydney for lunch. Or, enjoy one of the many cafes while you are in Coogee.
If you plan to go back to Sydney for lunch, I suggest fish and chips from The Observer Hotel.
The Observer Hotel
A bar originally opened in this spot in 1848. Today it is a trendy pub where you can enjoy a local beer, cider, or a specialty cocktail alongside a plate of fish and chips. If you happen to be here from 11am-4pm Monday-Friday, fish and chips are only $10.
From here, you can decide how you want to plan the rest of your day. Did you spend most of your morning in Bondi Beach? If so, it might be getting close to dinner at this point. Or, if you still have a lot of time left in your day and are feeling up for it, consider taking a ferry ride.
Ferry to Manly
This is especially great on a Sunday because your Opal Card maxes out at $2.70. The ferry leaves from Circular Quay and takes about 30 minutes. Even if you just take the ferry straight back without spending time in Manly, it is worth it for the incredible views of Sydney Harbor.
Dinner
When you get back from Manly, you might be ready for dinner (or at least drinks). Check out The Lord Nelson Brewery or The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop Bar.
After dinner, get ready to enjoy the sunset from the iconic viewpoint, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.
Sydney Sunset
Before taking my trip to Australia, I asked plenty of people for tips and advice. Almost everyone recommended the sunset from Mrs. Macquarie’s Char in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Well…I missed the sunset. Oops. But I still managed to get out here at night and enjoyed the view of the bridge lit up. It was a bit creepy to walk through the park in the dark (especially since there we are a lot of bats flying around) but the view was pretty incredible.
I hope you enjoyed my 48 Hours in Sydney itinerary. Planning a short getaway to such an iconic destination is challenging. But, that just means you get to save something for your next trip!
What would you include on this 48 hours in Sydney itinerary? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t miss my other Australia Guides:
8 Cool Places to Eat in Sydney
Can’t Miss Places to Eat in Melbourne
5 Beautiful Places in Victoria to Give You Serious Wanderlust
4 Beautiful Spots in NSW to Give You Serious Wanderlust
8 Free & Cheap Things to do in Cairns
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