Australia has its own kind of laidback charm that few places can emulate. Brunches are always unhurried and each new café, bar or dining establishment I’ve been to is alarmingly charming – but all distinctive in their own little ways.
If you’re ready to plan your Sydney trip, here’s exactly how I did it. Brunch spots, iconic landmarks, and a few unexpectedly magical finds included!
*Note: All prices are accurate at the time of writing, but may have changed since then. Don’t forget to double-check before you go!
Day 1
1. Celsius Coffee Co. in Kirribilli neighbourhood
On my first morning in Sydney, a glass-fronted café of my dreams materialized in the form of Celsius Coffee Co., situated on a ferry wharf. I just remember feeling so zen being there with my girlfriends, watching the ships pass us by and lounging in the sunlight in the chilly weather.
Food-wise, be sure to try their Celcius Waffles with berries, maple syrup, toasted nuts and peanut butter cream (A$19). By all means, order as much as you want – we ordered three mains to share and were still raring for more by the time we got down to our last bite, but definitely don’t miss out on the waffles.
As for Kirribilli itself, it’s an immaculate, well-groomed neighborhood, and we followed brunch with a stroll around the area to walk off our heavy, but very fulfilling meal.
2. Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks
For the artsy-sort, you’ll probably want to take a trip down to MOCA at The Rocks, situated in an impressive waterside building. We spent a good couple hours here before we decided to head to the rooftop for a higher vantage point of the harbour.
Klook Tip: Go around golden hour (that’s 4 or 5 pm for June in Sydney) and you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable sunset — don’t forget your cameras!
If you’re short on time, joining a guided experience like this Sydney walking tour is also a great way to explore this area efficiently.
3. Kensington St Social and Koi Dessert Bar
For those on the lookout for a slightly more upscale location for dinner, head to the Old Clare Hotel for a meal at Kensington St. Social. Our tables right in front of Kensington’s chic open kitchen served us well as we ooh-ed and aah-ed at the food prep that was happening right in front of us.
Got a couple of Mediterranean sharing plates and glasses of wine to end the night and were ready to head home stuffed…
Klook Tip: Sydney has plenty of awesome dining spots, and if you couldn’t tell already — I loved eating my way through the city! For another special treat, you can check out dinner courses (though they also do lunch) at Infinity by Mark Best at the Sydney Tower.
Until we discovered that just down the road from the restaurant was Koi Dessert Bar, which creates the most adorable desserts. Given that it was packed full even on a weekday night, we had to wait for a couple minutes to try their ridiculously Instagrammable creations, but we didn’t regret the queue a single bit. The specialty cakes we got were not only gorgeous, but super light and tasty as well.
Day 2
4. Bondi Beach
Next up on the must-go’s would be the Bondi area, of course. Other than the famous Bondi Icebergs, the Bondi Beach itself has great views. You can check out this Sydney sightseeing half-day tour that brings you to Bondi Beach so you make the most out of your day.
For food around the area, I wouldn’t miss Drake Eatery for the world – top-notch Toasted Crumpets, Bondi Honey, Ricotta, Banana and Walnuts (A$17), the best I’ve ever had, to be honest. Australia really has its way with brunch.
5. The Grounds of Alexandria
The Grounds of Alexandria is essentially a sanctuary in a busy metropolis and remains one of my favourite places in Aussie. The road towards The Grounds seemed to lead us to a relatively industrial area but we were so glad to finally find this gem of a place for dinner.
We settled inside The Potting Shed and the interior was done up so intricately, I can hardly find words to explain how magical our evening was so I’ll let the pictures do the talking instead. Would you just look at that!
6. Royal Botanic Gardens
Being a city girl through-and-through, gardens and parks are attractions that are often a hit and miss for me. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens though, was especially lovely to lay in and chill under the sun.
Klook Tip: Pair your visit to the gardens with a picnic hamper for a perfectly comfortable (and Instagrammable) afternoon! ☀️🧺
7. Sydney Opera House, Opera Bar
Not far off from the Gardens, was the landmark Sydney Opera House. . We ended up at the bar there soon after and we just loved how alive the place was! It seemed like a pretty popular watering hole for the locals so it was bustling for sure, but great Friday evening vibes.
The night does get chilly though, so I wouldn’t recommend leaving the hotel without a coat if you’re staying out late!
If you want to make this part of your Sydney in 3 days feel a little more special, I’d actually recommend skipping a regular dinner and booking a harbor experience like this sunset dinner cruise instead.
BONUS: Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
For the thrill-seekers out there, another activity you can try out on Day 2 is the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb. Located beside the Sydney Opera House, this lets you actually climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and yes, the views are as insane as they sound.
There are different climb types and times available, but overall, it’s roughly a 3-hour activity (we recommend doing the twilight climb for sunset views!), so plan accordingly. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience everyone should try at least once? Absolutely.
Day 3
8. Darling Harbor and Queen Victoria Building
Photo by Dollar Gill on Unsplash
I started the last day of my Sydney in 3 days exploring the city centre, beginning with the Queen Victoria Building. Even if you’re not planning to shop, it’s worth going just to see the interiors with all its old-world charm!
From there, it’s an easy walk to Darling Harbour. I took the afternoon easy since there are plenty of cafes, street activity, and spots to just sit and relax. It’s also pretty close to the next stop, which makes a great addition to your Sydney in 3 days itinerary without going out of your way.
9. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
There was also no way that I’d leave Aussie without seeing my favourite marsupials so I booked tickets online for the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo a couple days prior and seeing the cuddly quokkas and koalas were definitely a highlight for me this time round.
They were fast asleep so I didn’t bother them much but my goodness, how endearing! Didn’t think I’d be able to get to see these cuties up close in the city (the bigger zoos are all a considerable drive out from the central city) but I did!
So yes, that was my whirlwind of 3 days in Sydney, and I hope these recommendations help you out on your Australian adventures. Enjoy some good, strong flat-whites for me while you’re there!
x,
Julia
FAQs about Sydney in 3 days
What are the top three things to do in Sydney, Australia?
Visit the Sydney Opera House, relax at Bondi Beach, and explore the harbour with a cruise or waterfront walk.
What is the best month to visit Sydney?
September to November (spring) or March to May (autumn) have the best weather, since it’s mild and sunny. Perfect for exploring Sydney in 3 days!
What not to miss when visiting Sydney?
Don’t miss the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and the Royal Botanic Garden. How to get around Sydney is really easy with lots of public transport options. Most popular spots are also within walking distance of each other!
What is the most scenic place in Sydney?
The harbour area, especially around the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, have some of the most popular views in Australia.
What are four places to visit in Sydney?
The Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, the Queen Victoria Building, and the Royal Botanic Garden are all must-visits.
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