This five-day Sydney itinerary provides an active adventure through New South Wales' capital city. Take a sightseeing tour of all the best neighborhoods and sites—The Rocks, Bondi Beach, Kings Cross, and Mrs Macquarie's Chair included. A day trip to The UNESCO World Heritage region of the Blue Mountains allows you to explore the outdoors and interact with animals. The trip concludes with a guided tour of the famed Sydney Opera House and a thrilling climbing excursion up Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Highlights

  • Take a sightseeing tour of areas like The Rocks, Bondi Beach, and Kings Cross
  • Visit Calmsley Hill Farm to interact with animals and tour villages and waterfalls
  • Indulge in a BridgeClimb excursion up the Sydney Harbour Bridge 
  • Tour the famed Sydney Opera House and learn its history on a guided tour

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Sydney Sydney
Day 2 Sightseeing Tour & Scenic Lunch Cruise Sydney
Day 3 Blue Mountains Day Tour Sydney
Day 4 Harbour BridgeClimb & Sydney Opera House Tour Sydney
Day 5 Depart Sydney  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney

Welcome to Sydney
An aerial view of Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! A private driver will be waiting for you at the international arrivals area of the airport and will take you to your hotel, which is located in Circular Quay. Upon arrival at the hotel, a local host will greet you and walk you through your trip itinerary. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Some destinations to bookmark that don't overlap with your sightseeing tour tomorrow include the following: 

  • Royal Botanic Garden: Visit the Australian Rainforest Garden, along with the Palace Rose Garden, which is home to 1,800 roses
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales: View Indigenous, colonial, and contemporary collections of art, from Picasso paintings to Aboriginal works
  • St. Mary's Cathedral: Tour the Gothic Revival-style architecture, stained glass windows, and the crypt with its mosaic flooring

Then, the evening will be at your leisure to enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Sightseeing Tour & Scenic Lunch Cruise

Sydney Opera House
A view of the Sydney Opera House from Sydney Harbour

In the morning, embark on a local sightseeing tour. Visit many notable destinations around Sydney, such as the historic area known as The Rocks and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, for scenic views of the harbor. Continue on past King's Cross and Double Bay, through to Watson's Bay and the famous Bondi Beach, where you will have free time to discover the area.

On your way back to the city—via the beach coastline—explore areas including Centennial Park, Paddington, Oxford Street, and Darling Darling Harbour. Then, from Sydney Harbour, board a catamaran for a two-hour lunch cruise and enjoy a freshly prepared buffet while taking in the views and activities unfolding along the waterway. Following the lunch cruise, return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.

Plan your trip to Australia
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 3: Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains

The first stop on the tour is Calmsley Hill Farm. Enjoy morning tea and then interact with the local animals; pet a koala and hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. Travel through picturesque villages and view spectacular scenery and waterfalls. Enjoy a short walk to a lookout point and listen to the sounds of the unique Australian forest species. Then, indulge in lunch with valley views and choose what to eat based on the special menu provided.

In the afternoon, visit a selection of scenic lookouts—the view from Govett's Leap is one of the most famous in Australia. Here, the waterfall drops an impressive 591 feet (180 m) to the base of the cliff. The last stop is the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. Make a brief stop to enjoy the views of the 69-acre public space, along with a refreshment, before traveling back to your hotel. 

Day 4: Harbour BridgeClimb & Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge

This morning calls for an adventure at Sydney Harbour. First, make your way down to the BridgeClimb check-in at the site's base. Then, plan to reach the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge—440 feet above sea level—for an uninterrupted panorama of the city and its surroundings. From the top, soak up the world around you while your climb leader captures your photo. After completing your BridgeClimb, stop by the visitor center located at the base to learn more about the history, preservation, and celebration of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Following the BridgeClimb excursion, enjoy lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, make your way to the Sydney Opera House and enter beneath the iconic sails to discover what makes the venue so awe-inspiring. Uncover the stories, history, and magic of the Sydney Opera House with an educating guided tour. Following the tour, head back to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day and evening on your own. Toast to your final night in Sydney before your departure tomorrow.

Day 5: Depart Sydney

Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach

Today, it is time to bid farewell to Sydney. Depending on your flight departure time, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Sydney Airport to catch your international flight home. Safe Travels!

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Map

Map of Highlights of Sydney: Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House & More - 5 Days
Map of Highlights of Sydney: Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House & More - 5 Days