01

Day 01

Day 1: Circular Quay and The Rocks

Opera House, gardens, historic Rocks and a Harbour Bridge finish.

1. Morning

   Sydney Opera House

   Open the week at the harbour's most famous building, walking the forecourt and steps in soft morning light. Take a guided tour of the concert halls or simply circle the sails and take in the water.

2. Late Morning

   Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

   Stroll the harbourside gardens beside the Opera House, past palm groves, native beds and open lawns. Shaded paths and framed city views make this a gentle, green introduction to Sydney.

3. Lunch

   Circular Quay

   Lunch at the waterfront as ferries slide in and out of the wharves. Buskers and commuters fill the promenade, putting you at the lively heart of Sydney Harbour's transport hub.

4. Afternoon

   The Rocks

   Explore the colony's oldest streets, weaving between sandstone warehouses, cobbled lanes and historic pubs. Small museums and hidden courtyards reveal early Sydney beneath the arch of the bridge.

5. Late Afternoon

   Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

   View contemporary Australian and international art at Circular Quay West, then head to the rooftop terrace for a free, sweeping view of the Opera House and harbour as the light softens.

6. Evening

   Sydney Harbour Bridge

   Walk the pedestrian deck across the bridge as the city lights come on. The lookouts frame the Opera House and quay below, a fitting close to your first evening on the water.

02

Day 02

Day 2: City Centre

City views, arcades, parkland, the art gallery and central landmarks.

1. Morning

   Sydney Tower Eye

   Survey the whole city from Sydney's tallest viewpoint, with the harbour, ocean and Blue Mountains all in view. It is the perfect orientation for a week of exploring near and far.

2. Late Morning

   Queen Victoria Building

   Admire this grand heritage arcade beneath its copper dome and stained glass. Boutiques and cafes line the tiled galleries, a lovely place to browse or shelter in the middle of the city.

3. Lunch

   Pitt Street Mall

   Grab lunch around the busy pedestrian shopping strip, where food courts and cafes gather among arcades and department stores. It is a handy base before the parks and galleries close by.

4. Afternoon

   Hyde Park

   Walk the fig lined avenues of Sydney's oldest park to the Archibald Fountain and war memorial. The shady lawns connect easily to the cathedral and gallery along the eastern edge.

5. Late Afternoon

   Art Gallery of New South Wales

   Explore the free Australian, Aboriginal and international collections, plus the bold new building. Set on the ridge above the harbour, it is a rich cultural finish to the city day.

6. Evening

   Martin Place

   End in Sydney's civic heart, a broad plaza flanked by grand banks and the Cenotaph. Bars and cafes spill onto the concourse, a lively spot for a drink with the after work crowd.

03

Day 03

Day 3: Darling Harbour and Barangaroo

Maritime history, marine life, Chinese gardens and the western waterfront.

1. Morning

   Australian National Maritime Museum

   Delve into Australia's seafaring history on the Darling Harbour waterfront, with historic ships moored alongside. Board the vessels and submarine to feel the nation's long bond with the sea.

2. Late Morning

   SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

   Walk the underwater tunnels among sharks, rays and reef fish, with dugongs and a Great Barrier Reef display. It is a highlight for families exploring the harbour precinct.

3. Lunch

   Darling Harbour

   Lunch on the buzzing promenade lined with cafes and restaurants. Boats fill the cove and performers entertain the crowds, giving the waterfront a festive midday energy.

4. Afternoon

   Chinese Garden of Friendship

   Retreat into this walled classical garden of ponds, pavilions and waterfalls beside Darling Harbour. Designed in Cantonese style, it offers a serene pause just steps from the busy waterfront.

5. Late Afternoon

   Barangaroo Reserve

   Walk to this restored headland park of sandstone terraces and native bush. The foreshore loop rewards you with wide harbour views and a rugged, natural edge to the western shore.

6. Evening

   The Streets of Barangaroo

   Finish at the waterfront dining precinct below the reserve, where restaurants and bars line the promenade. Choose a harbourside table as the sun drops behind the headland and the lights come on.

04

Day 04

Day 4: Eastern Beaches

The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk with time on each beach.

1. Morning

   Bondi Beach

   Begin on Sydney's iconic sand, walking the wide crescent past surfers and swimmers. Soak up the seaside buzz before starting the clifftop coastal path that heads south from the beach.

2. Late Morning

   Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

   Follow the famous trail past sculpted headlands, ocean pools and pocket coves. Each rise opens a new sea view, with migrating whales sometimes visible offshore during the winter months.

3. Lunch

   Bronte Beach

   Pause for lunch at a cafe above this compact local beach. The grassy park and historic ocean baths invite a relaxed break before you push on along the coast.

4. Afternoon

   Clovelly Beach

   Duck into this sheltered rocky inlet loved by snorkellers and lap swimmers. The calm channel between rock shelves feels like a natural pool, a quiet contrast to the surf beaches.

5. Late Afternoon

   Coogee Beach

   Reach the southern end at wide, welcoming Coogee. Swim in the surf or the headland pools, then rest on the grassy slope above the bay as the afternoon fades.

6. Evening

   Surry Hills

   Head inland for dinner in Sydney's food forward suburb. Surry Hills lines its terrace streets with small bars and celebrated kitchens, ideal for unwinding after a coastal day.

05

Day 05

Day 5: Blue Mountains Day Trip

Waterfalls, villages and the Three Sisters on a train trip west of the city.

1. Morning

   Wentworth Falls

   Take the train west and start at this powerful cascade dropping into the Jamison Valley. Clifftop lookouts and short tracks serve up your first grand views of the mountain escarpment.

2. Late Morning

   Leura

   Explore the pretty village of Leura, with its tree lined mall of cafes, galleries and gardens. The cool climate charm is a fine contrast to the coast, and a nice place to browse before lunch.

3. Lunch

   Katoomba

   Lunch in the main mountain town among its heritage streets and cafes. Katoomba sits close to the region's biggest lookouts, a short stroll from the cliff edge and the valley beyond.

4. Afternoon

   Echo Point

   Gaze across to the Three Sisters rock formation from this celebrated lookout. The Jamison Valley spreads out in blue haze below, ridge upon forested ridge fading to the horizon.

5. Late Afternoon

   Scenic World

   Ride the steep railway into the valley, then float above the canopy on the cableway and glass floored skyway. A boardwalk below winds through tall eucalypts and old mining relics.

6. Evening

   Newtown

   Back in the city, finish in eclectic Newtown along King Street, where vintage shops, live music and diverse eateries make a lively, offbeat cap to the mountain day.

06

Day 06

Day 6: Manly and the Northern Beaches

A scenic ferry to Manly for surf, a headland walk and northern harbour views.

1. Morning

   Manly Beach

   Ride the ferry across the harbour to Manly, one of Sydney's great commutes. Step off to a long ocean beach lined with Norfolk pines, popular with surfers and swimmers from early morning.

2. Late Morning

   Shelly Beach

   Walk the shoreline path south to this sheltered, north facing cove. Calm, clear water makes it a top snorkelling spot, and the surrounding reserve is protected for its marine life.

3. Lunch

   The Corso

   Return to Manly's pedestrian spine linking the harbour and ocean beaches. Cafes, pubs and takeaway spots line the way, an easy place to grab lunch between swims and walks.

4. Afternoon

   North Head Sanctuary

   Head out to the dramatic sandstone headland guarding the harbour entrance. Walking tracks lead through bushland to clifftop lookouts with sweeping views back across the water to the city skyline.

5. Late Afternoon

   Manly Cove

   Wind down at the calm harbour beach beside the ferry wharf. The gentle water and grassy foreshore make a relaxing spot to rest before the scenic ride back across the harbour.

6. Evening

   Kirribilli

   Cross back and stop in leafy Kirribilli beneath the Harbour Bridge. Its waterfront reserves frame a classic view of the Opera House, and neighbourhood eateries offer a quiet dinner away from the crowds.

07

Day 07

Day 7: Taronga Zoo and South Head

Harbourside wildlife, a headland walk and the clifftops of Watsons Bay.

1. Morning

   Taronga Zoo Sydney

   Ferry to this famous hillside zoo where native and exotic animals share one of the best harbour views in the world. Ride the cable car up and wander down through the enclosures.

2. Late Morning

   Bradleys Head

   Walk the shoreline track below the zoo to this forested harbour headland. The point offers wide water views, a historic mast memorial and quiet bush paths right on the harbour's edge.

3. Lunch

   Mosman

   Head into this smart leafy suburb above the harbour for lunch. Its village strip of cafes and boutiques makes a pleasant, low key stop before you cross to the southern shore.

4. Afternoon

   Watsons Bay

   Take the ferry to this historic fishing village at the harbour mouth. Golden Nielsen Park style beaches and seafood eateries line the calm inner shore, a relaxed harbourside afternoon.

5. Late Afternoon

   The Gap

   Walk up to this sheer ocean clifftop for dramatic views of the Pacific crashing against the sandstone. The lookout marks the rugged southern headland guarding the entrance to Sydney Harbour.

6. Evening

   Woolloomooloo

   Finish the week at the historic Finger Wharf, where restaurants and bars line the water. Enjoy a final harbourside dinner, reflecting on seven days that spanned Sydney's beaches, bush and blue water.