When planning our Australian road trip, we knew we wanted to spend a few days in the biggest cities as well as explore some of the less populated areas. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and I didn’t feel right about making a trip down under without laying my eyes on the Opera House.
It worked out that it was a perfect middle point for us to spend two nights while road-tripping with my mom. We were heading south after visiting Byron Bay and Hunter Valley. An extra bonus was being able to reunite with a friend we met in Amed, Bali who lives in Sydney currently.
Cheap accommodations are not as easy to come by in the bigger cities unless you widen your search a bit. By staying in a neighborhood a little further from the harbor, we saved a ton of money plus we got parking included for our rental car. The neighborhood was called Alexandria and it was perfect. There were lots of cafes and shops within walking distance. Plus, the Grounds of Alexandria is an interesting place to visit. It’s like a farmers market meets petting zoo meets food hall all wrapped up into an Instagrammer’s delight.
After spending hours in the car driving from Brisbane down to Sydney, we wanted to get out and explore on foot. It is the greatest way to explore a city, even if you only have a few days. Even though it was the middle of winter, the weather was wonderful and we got nothing but sunshine. We went on two different walks while in town and got a nice introduction to this waterfront beauty.
Two Different Ways to Explore Sydney
Walk The Rocks – For the History
The best way to see the historic part of Sydney is to get out and walk. We did a self guided walking tour we found in this trusty guidebook. It took us about two hours and had great information. We had a drink in the “oldest pub in Sydney” and saw some of the oldest homes in the region. The highlight was the views of the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House as you wind your way along the waterfront to the famous World Heritage Site itself.
We treated ourselves to an amazing dinner at The Rocks Cafe right in the middle of everything. There are tons of restaurants and bars in this area to try out and the views are spectacular.
You can also find the full walking route on their website here. But personally, I’d recommend the guidebook for all the extra info you get and being able to have it on you.
Coogee to Bondi Beach Walk – For the Scenery
Australia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A few of those famous beaches are strung together by a beautiful walking path right outside of Sydney. Many people recommend doing this the opposite direction, but I think it builds better when you walk from Coogee to Bondi.
We took an Uber to the Coogee Pavillion where we enjoyed some fresh seafood. The restaurant is big, open and you feel like you have arrived in a little beach town right when you walk in the door. After a leisurely lunch, we just stepped outside and we were on the path.
The trail winds in front of some amazing waterfront mansions and hidden sandy beaches. The Pacific Ocean is so clear and colorful that you feel like you have been transported to French Polynesia. Each beach is a little different, some have pools next to the crashing waves and some have giant sand areas for picnics and sandcastles. The walk takes about two hours, but I encourage you to leave yourself time to take pictures and take in the views.
The last turn takes you around Mackenzies Point and you see your destination in front of you. Bondi Beach is world famous and one of the most visited sites in Australia. The beach is lined with great bars and places to grab a snack. It was a little too chilly for us to swim while we were there, but we met our friend and had some drinks in the sunshine at The Bucket List.
Bonus: Day Trip to Blue Mountains National Park
Just about an hour outside of Sydney, there is a national park with hiking trails galore. Blue Mountains National Park is a great day trip. The famous Three Sisters are located just outside of the town, Katoomba. If you go through that town, make sure to stop in at Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza. It’s right off Main Street and has great food.
There was so much we didn’t get a chance to see in Sydney, but it was a great introduction and our bodies were grateful for the chance to move around for a few days.
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