What to Do in Sydney?

After two weeks of sun-drenched beaches and surf towns, our road trip along the Gold Coast ends in bustling Sydney. We return the campervan and are eager to explore this vibrant and diverse city.

Nomad menu

Sydney tips

1. Avoid the crowds at Bondi and do the Bondi to Coogee walk early in the morning. End the hike in style with a coffee at Coogee Pavilion – much quieter than the tourist crowd at Bondi Beach itself.
2. Tip from a local: go kayaking in the harbour at sunrise. From Rose Bay, you can rent a kayak and paddle with views of the skyline and Harbour Bridge – perfect for watching the city wake up.
3. Looking for a more local experience? Forget Darling Harbour and head to Newtown. Here you can see street art, shop at vintage shops and eat the best falafel at Emma’s Snack Bar or Lentil As Anything.
4. Buy an Opal Card for public transport. You use this card for bus, train, tram and ferry. After spending more than AU$50, you travel for free for the rest of the week!
5. For a few dollars, take the ferry to Manly. For a few dollars, the public ferry takes you from Circular Quay to Manly. The views are insane and you even have a chance of spotting dolphins.

Motorhome return in Sydney

We spend one last night at a campsite in Sydney before returning the campervan and moving to our next address.

Where to sleep in Sydney

I find Sydney very expensive to stay in. Whereas in Melbourne I booked an affordable AirBNB in trendy Fitzroy, in Sydney I want to stay in CBD. For this, you have to dig into your pocket, especially if you don’t book far in advance.

A friend booked the Paramount House hotel. Also in the city centre, super nice and a lot cheaper. So if your schedule is already set, it’s cheaper to book far in advance.

We book the Mercure in CBD (part of Accor). In Cairns we also sleep in the Mercure, which we disliked. Fortunately in Sydney, though, everything was spot-on and the location is perfect.

Advantages Sydney

• Sporty vibe
• There is something to do and experience everywhere
• The city is literally alive from 5am until late
• There is always a beach nearby
• Fine climate with mild summers and warm winters

Cons Sydney

• I feel that in Melbourne (especially in Fitzroy) I get more of the local life. In Sydney, there are more tourists and an awful lot of expats.

Sightseeing Sydney

Sydney is so versatile! From culture, nature and sports to fine dining, this city has it all. Below is an overview of must-sees and tips I gathered from locals.

The Rocks

This is Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood, full of historic charm, narrow streets, cosy cafes and local markets on weekends. This area marks the beginning of British colonisation, which is still visible in the architecture.

Hyde Park

Locals visit this fine park during their lunch break to escape the crowds. Perfect for a stroll, picnic or to recover from all the impressions.

Surry Hills

A creative, hip neighbourhood full of vintage shops, galleries and, above all, lots of good coffee. Are you in the area? Then be sure not to skip Bills. This well-known shack serves a fantastic brunch.

Harbour Bridge

You can walk over it, but for the real view, there’s the Pylon Lookout (about AU$30). You look out over the harbour, the Opera House and the skyline – one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city. I am very critical of the tourist attractions I pay for, but this one was well worth it.

Manly Ferry

Manly reminds me a lot of Scheveningen and is fun to spend a morning or afternoon. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach. The trip itself offers panoramic views of the Sydney skyline, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Blue Mountains

I was tipped this by a local during one of my dives on Lombok. About 1.5 hours from Sydney are these spectacular mountains, known for their blue haze, deep gorges, waterfalls and hiking trails. Unfortunately, we did not get to this, but it seems to be worth the effort.

Botanical gardens

Perfect for walking or running, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquarie’s Point – THE photo opportunity. For a more anonymous photo opportunity, we got this tip from Alice Louisi, whom we met on the wine tour in Hunter Valley.

Chinatown & Haymarket

Need to unwind? In the park in front of the Public Library, many locals relax on the grass with a coffee to-go or with a bowl of sushi. If you are lucky, you can enjoy live music in the background.

In addition, this is the place for Asian street food, such as dumplings, ramen and bubble tea. Fun to visit: the Friday Night Market in the heart of Chinatown.

QVB Queen Victoria Building

A beautiful building, full of quaint little shops and cafes. Definitely worth a visit. Perfect for a rainy afternoon in Sydney.

Christmas market Martin Place

We visit Sydney in December, when it funnily enough becomes summer there. Should you be in Sydney during this period; from late November, Martin Place turns into an atmospheric Christmas market. The city is decorated and you can shop and eat at the Christmas market.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is often mentioned in the same breath as Venice Beach, Copacabana and Waikiki. The beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, and for good reason. Bondi Beach is the vibrant hub of Australian beach culture. People surf, play beach volleyball and swim all year round. Events are organised almost weekly and the Bondi Icebergs Pool is crowded daily.

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

This is one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world. The 6 km route takes you past cliffs, coves and iconic beaches. Along the promenade, you will find hip cafés, boutique shops and street art. Absolutely recommended and easy to walk for everyone.

Sports in Sydney

Crossfit The Ox Box

Doing Crossfit drop-in? We set the alarm and were at the doorstep of One Six Eight Crossfit at 6:00am, where we were well worn out.

Running in Sydney

Do as the locals do. Everyone in Sydney is running, surfing or playing volleyball. Have you packed your running shoes? Then the Botanical Gardens are where you want to be.

Nurses Walk

The Nurse walk leads you through the narrow alleys in The Rocks. Through signs along the route, you will learn about Sydney’s first hospitals and the lives of early settlers.

Where to eat in Sydney?

Restaurants tips Sydney CBD

Macchiato

Loaded full when we were there and for good reason. If you fancy pizza at a good price and a nice dessert to go with it, this is the place to be.

Google Maps location

Bills Surry Hills

Bills is not really centrally located, but was tipped off by a local. It is in a residential area and you can have a really great brunch here. Here you will find locals enjoying their Sunday brunch.

Google Maps location

Bistro George

We discovered Bistro George through American Express. Our card allowed us to dine abroad – and in the Netherlands – for 150 every year. We enjoyed our burgers and bubbly here immensely.

Google Maps location

Please note, American Express has updated this promotion and is now offering an annual dinner for 2.

Restaurant tips Manly

Restaurant tips Bondi

Glory Days

Right on Bondi Beach, incredibly busy -probably for good reason- and the food is very good.

Google Maps Location

Anita Gelato

Another gem you definitely don’t want to skip. A beautiful shop where the ice cream pours out of the trays and smiles at you. They have super many special flavours and the ice cream was particularly delicious.

Google Maps location

Remote working in Sydney

Comparing it to Asia, you can work remotely in Australia just fine. Just keep in mind that the internet may not be as fast or reliable as in the Netherlands. Also, free public WiFi is less common than here.

Sydney: frequently asked questions