Why go
Sydney is organised around water — 240km of harbour foreshore, plus ocean beaches on the east. Ferries are public transport, ocean pools are free, and the best days here cost almost nothing.
Five things to do
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01
Ferry to Manly
Thirty minutes, best value in the city.
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02
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Six kilometres of clifftop.
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03
An ocean pool at 7am
Bronte, Wylie's or the Bogey Hole.
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04
Art Gallery of NSW
Free, and recently doubled in size.
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05
Blue Mountains by train
Two hours to eucalypt canyons.
Neighbourhoods
Surry Hills
Terraces, small bars and coffee.
Newtown
Bookshops, live music and Thai food.
Manly
Ferry, surf and a walk to the North Head cliffs.
The Rocks
Sandstone lanes and the colonial waterfront.
Getting around
Buy the transport card on arrival — every city on this list has one, and it is cheaper than single fares within about four journeys. Walking covers more than the map suggests: most of the districts above are within thirty minutes of each other on foot.
Taxis and ride apps are worth it late at night and when you are carrying luggage. Everything else is faster on the metro, the tram or the ferry, in that order.
Where to eat
The rule that holds in Sydney is the rule that holds everywhere: eat at the busy place, at the hour the locals eat, and order the thing the kitchen makes most of. Reserve for dinner in the districts above; lunch rarely needs it.
Two days here
- Morning: Ferry to Manly
- Afternoon: walk Surry Hills
- Evening: An ocean pool at 7am
- Day two: Blue Mountains by train
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