Sydney – 10 days itinerary!

From past few days I have been busy planning an itinerary for my friend, as she will be soon visiting Sydney. Her trip is planned for 10 days. Earlier this week, my friend sent me an email appreciating how well I have planned for her and how I have ensured that every item of the bucket list is met. And that is when I realized, why not publish the itinerary, so anyone visiting Sydney for 10 days can use it.

Note: The itinerary does not include the flight timings.

• For FREE things to do in Sydney, refer my post – Free things to do in Sydney.
• For a night person who loves to party and try new bars and pubs, refer my post – Night life in Sydney!
• To know about the annual festivals/events in Sydney, refer my post – What’s on Sydney?
• For up to date information on pricing and availability, refer individual websites.

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Local transportation in Sydney

Buy an Opal transportation card as soon as you come out of the airport. This is the card that you can use to travel around public transport. Opal card must be tapped in when boarding and tapped out when offboarding the transport.

Note: We can also use our credit cards to tap in and out of the public transport.

Transportation from / to Sydney Airport

One of the most common questions I get asked when fellow travellers travel to Sydney is the mode of transport from the airport to the city.

Sydney has two airports – one for domestic and the other for international flights. The airports are around 7 kilometres from Central. Taxis are the fastest way to get to airports undoubtedly, but both these airports are accessible through public transport.

There are two modes of public transports:

• Trains – The most popular and quickest way to travel from and to Sydney airport is by train. There are plenty and very frequent trains (T8 airport train) between the Central station and the airport stations. Note: The two airports are two different stations. It takes about 10 minutes from the Central station. Opal card is the best way to travel on trains in Sydney and around. The cost for one way travel is around AUD 18.70.
• Buses – Route 400 travels frequently between Sydney airports and Bondi junction or Burwood stations. The cost for one way ticket is around AUD 5.80.

Tip: One of my friends suggested that the best way to avoid AUD 18.70 is by taking a train till Mascot train station and then taking the bus (400/420) from Mascot to the airport. This costs around AUD 3.5.

More up-to-date information about the timings, routes and the cost can be found on the Transport for New South Wales (NSW) website.

Transportation within Sydney

There are four modes of transportation in Sydney city:

• Trains
• Buses
• Ferries
• Light Rails

The main train station is Central train station.

Itinerary for 10 days

Are you in Sydney during the winter season? Then read my post things to do in Sydney winters to find all the cool things you can do in this beautiful city.

Day 1: Darling Harbour

Morning

Since this is day 1, I have not planned any sightseeing in the morning. But one can head to a near by cafe for breakfast.

Afternoon

The day is scheduled to start at noon.

In the afternoon, exploring Darling Harbour is a good option. The nearest train station to walk down to Darling Harbour is Town Hall station.

Read 10 things to do in Darling Harbour to know all the things one can be done in Darling Harbour.

Suggestion is to stroll along the waterfront. And visit Chinese Garden of Friendship. It is a beautiful garden and I definitely can spend couple of hours there undoubtedly.

• Website: https://www.darlingharbour.com/things-to-do/chinese-garden-of-friendship/ 
• Cost: AUD 6 per person (they accept credit/debit cards and cash).
• Tip: Definitely try the tea if possible.

If there is additional time in the afternoon, then head to Powerhouse museum. It is definitely worth a visit.

• Website: https://maas.museum/powerhouse-museum/
• Cost: AUD 15 per person.

Evening

In the evening, I would suggest taking a train to Bondi Junction and then a bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi beach.

The plan is to do the beautiful and most famous coastal walk, Bondi to Coogee. It is a 6 kilometers walk along the spectacular coast line.

• My blog: Bondi to Coogee
• Cost: FREE.

For other walks in Sydney, refer the section of my blog, Walks or hikes in Sydney.

Day 2 to 4: Fraser Island/ Day trips from Sydney

I have detailed out the complete itinerary for Fraser Island separately. Read my blog Complete guide to visit Fraser Island for details.

If you do not wish to fly down to Fraser Island, you can plan to visit Newcastle or Port Stephens for one day and Jervis Bay for the next two days. There are bus tours for all these places. More information can be found on my travel guide to Sydney.

For other one day trips from Sydney, refer the section of my blog, Day trips from Sydney.

Day 5: Circular Quay

Morning

A trip to any place is incomplete without souvenir shopping.

The most popular and the sasta (cheap) place to find souvenirs, clothes, bags and other random things in Sydney is the Paddy’s Market in Haymarket. It is a great place to find many stuff for very cheap price. The place is open from 10 AM till 6 PM everyday.

!! You can also purchase souvenirs online from Gifts Australia website.

• Address: 9-13, Hay Street, Haymarket, Sydney 2000.
• Closest train station: Central station.
• Food: The market is right beside the Chinatown that has plenty of options to eat. And there is also a food court right above the market.

The other option is to visit the Rocks Markets.

One of the cool things to do in Sydney is visit the weekend markets at the Rocks. It is a place to see talented artists and vendors sell their stuff. This is a place where all the experienced artists are brought together.

• Website: The Rocks Markets
• Location: The Rocks.
• Days: Saturday and Sunday.
• Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM.
• Address: George St, The Rocks NSW 2000.
• Cost to visit: Free.
• Nearest train station: Circular Quay.

I have grabbed many beautiful things from these markets. One of the unique things I bought were these really beautiful gold plated earrings that have the designs of the real eucalyptus leaves. It is awesome. I definitely recommend spending a day at these markets.

Even if you do not buy anything, it is still a great place to stroll around and see pretty things.

Afternoon

Again on this day, the day is scheduled to start at noon. Having lunch at Chat Thai at Circular Quay is a good option. You can look at my post 3 Thai dishes in Sydney for other Thai restaurants.

After having lunch, head to Bridge Climb office at the Rocks. Book in advance for a complete 3.5 hours of Bridge Climb. How cool is that!

• My blog: On the day of love!
• Website: https://www.bridgeclimb.com/
• Cost: AUD 298 per person.

Evening

One cannot miss Sydney Opera House if you are in Sydney. Watching a play at the Opera house is an experience by itself.

• Website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
• Cost: AUD 45 per person (depends on the play).

Day 6: Kiama

Entire day

Take a train from Central station to Kiama station. This day explore the spectacular sightseeing places at Kiama. Take pictures with Kiama blowhole, Kiama lighthouse and Bombo beach.

• Cost: Train fare.
• Transport website: https://transportnsw.info/
• Sight seeing: FREE.

Day 7: Blue Mountains

Entire day

A day trip to the Three Sisters is a must do when you are in Sydney. If you are visiting the Blue Mountains for the first time, read my first timer’s guide to Blue mountains for more details.

Katoomba is the major town in the Blue mountains. So take a train to Katoomba station from Central station. A bus runs between Katoomba and Three Sisters.

• Cost: Train and bus fare.
• Transport website: https://transportnsw.info/
• Bus website: http://www.trolleytours.com.au/
• Sightseeing: FREE.

There are plenty of walks ranging from easy to difficult in The Blue mountains. I suggest that at least doing the Three Sisters Walk, which is an easy 1 kilometer return walk.

Day 8: Sydney Opera House & museum

Morning

Planned an audio tour of the Sydney Opera House. It is a Sydney Opera House tour, which is a guided tour that covers the history and stories of Opera house.

• Website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/visit-us/tours-and-experiences/english-tour-1718.html
• Cost: AUD 33.30 per person if booked online.

Afternoon

Just on the other side of Circular Quay is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), visit the art museum.

• Website: https://www.mca.com.au/
• Cost: Entrance is FREE.
• My blog: Art is where Work meets Love

If you love adventures, then read 3 adventurous things to do in Circular Quay.

Evening

Get some beach therapy and start a road trip to Narooma. If you do not want to travel outside of Narooma, then spend some time at some of the beautiful bars and pubs in Sydney Central Business District (CBD).

Day 9 and 10: Islands in Sydney Harbour / Narooma

Sydney Harbour is home to 13 islands. But I have explored 4 of them and you can visit one or two islands on these two days.

If you are heading to Narooma, then read my travel blog to Narooma and Bermagui. Do not forget to swim with the seals while you are in Narooma.

Day 10: Taronga Zoo

Entire day

Another must do in Sydney is the Taronga Zoo. It has a variety of animals and it provides great views of the harbour from the zoo.

• Website: https://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo
• Cost: AUD 41.40 per person if booked online.

Evening

End the day with a unique experience of 9D experience. The 9D experience and bowling are both at the Harbourside shopping centre in Darling Harbour.

9D experience:

• Website: http://www.9dactioncinemas.com.au/
• Cost: AUD 15 per person for a movie.

Bowling:

• Website: https://www.kingpinbowling.com.au/activities/bowling
• Cost: approx. AUD 17 per person for one game.

Closing Notes

That concludes the 10 days full of adventure, fun and activities. 🙂 In case, you just have only 24 hours in Sydney, then read my post 24 hours in Sydney to know what you can do.

If I have missed anything in this post for Sydney in 10 days, then do let me know in the comments section below.

Also read

• 10 insta worthy spots in Sydney
• 5 cool things to do in Sydney
• Picture a beach – Bombo beach
• 10 places to see Milky Way in New South Wales

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