Sydney is one of Australia’s most popular cities. With over 5 million populating the city, it’s bound to have a lot of things to do and therefore it can get a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what to see and do when visiting. Although it’s recommended that you have more than 24 hours in the city, if you’re here for a quick stop, business trip, short study abroad trip or whatever the case may be, here’s what I recommend you should do if you only have 24 Hours in Sydney, Australia.
Bondi Beach
Sydney is surrounded by countless beautiful beaches. Manly is an extremely popular beach, however, Bondi definitely is the most well-known beach in Sydney and is definitely a must-see when visiting Sydney. Bondi Beach is definitely what you would expect. Beautiful waves, adorable cafes, beautiful boutique shops, and picture-perfect swimming pools by the ocean at Icebergs.
I recommend grabbing breakfast at one of the many cafes in Bondi and then spending the morning walking the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Path. This walk will take you about an hour and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Especially if you only have 24 hours in Sydney, this walk will definitely show you some of the best views in the area and you’ll definitely get to see some of the most beautiful beaches of Sydney.
To get to Bondi Beach by public transportation, you need to take the train or bus to Bondi Junction and then a Bus to Bondi Beach. It’s a little out of the city and can get really busy so I recommend going in the morning to beat the crowds. You can also Uber around the city as well.
Circular Quay
You can’t go to Sydney without stopping at Circular Quay (pronounced Circular Key). Hop off the train at the Circular Quay station and you’ll be immediately greeted with the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Walk to the left out of the station and you’ll find some shops, restaurants, and the Sydney Opera House, two incredibly well-known tourist destinations. You definitely can’t come to Sydney without seeing the famous Opera House!
Circular Quay also has ferries that run to the Taronga Zoo and other areas around. You can also Visit the Botanic Gardens from the Circular Quay Station as well so it’s definitely somewhere you want to make sure to stop when coming to Sydney.
If you’re into some shopping while you’re in Sydney, take the train to Town Hall Station. From there, about a ten-minute walk, you’ve arrived at Westfield Shopping Centre. You’ll know you’re there when you see the giant “Westfield Tower.” Here there are so many stores you could easily spend 24 hours just there. However, shops close earlier in Sydney unless it’s Thursday which is late night shopping. So if you’re in the shopping mood, you need to plan on going earlier in the day.
Chinatown
I absolutely love Chinatown and I definitely recommend stopping in the area for a bite to eat. Chinatown has amazing restaurants at any price point. It’s also near Patty’s Markets, a popular spot to shop for bargains in a market style venue.
Darling Harbor
Now that the day is winding down, I recommend heading to Darling Harbor. Another popular spot, if you’re not interested in getting a bite to eat in China Town, Darling Harbor has a wide selection of restaurants from local seafood restaurants to the Hard Rock Café. It’s also where the wax museum and aquarium is located.
Ferry from Darling Harbor to Circular Quay
Next, I recommend you take the ferry from Darling Harbor to Circular Quay. I always recommend this to anyone who’s visiting Sydney. For the same price you would basically pay to take the train, you get basically a boat tour with some of the best views of the whole city! It’s incredible and if you’re lucky enough to visit on Sunday, all public transportation is only a little over $2.
Finish the Night Off at Blues Point Lookout
If you haven’t had enough of the stunning views of Sydney, end the night with some takeaway dessert or Hot Chocolate at Blues Point Lookout, the perfect spot to overlook the whole city. My partner and I went there one night and the views with the city lights are absolutely breathtaking. It’s definitely a way to end your 24 hours in Sydney!
If you have a little over 24 hours or looking for a few other suggestions to add to your list in Sydney I also recommend The Sydney Bridge Climb, The Grounds of Alexandria, and Hyde Park. There’s also a lot going on in the city. As I do where everywhere I go, I recommend checking the Facebook events near you to see what’s going on while you’re in the area.
I hope you found this 24 Guide in Sydney helpful! Have you ever visited Sydney before? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments down below!
