Everything you need to know to have the best Sydney holiday

Sydney is heart-achingly beautiful, with its sparkling harbour, mesmerising beaches and 236 days of sunshine. It makes the toughest of men stutter.

And it’s a real tourist’s playground – there’s so much to see here it can take days to scratch the surface. But, with famous bridges, beaches and lots of opera house steps, at times it’s all a little overwhelming – where the eff do you start?

I hear ya sister! Before I lived in Sydney I made the same tourist mistakes as the millions before me. I wasted good holiday time shopping (Melbourne’s where this country’s shopping is at), doing cliché shit like catching the monorail (there’s a reason it’s gone), eating at too many average over-priced Darling Harbour restaurants and just spending too much time in Darling Harbour in general.

I don’t want you to make the same mistakes as I! So I’ve penned an insider’s guide into what you must see, where you must stay and, most importantly, where you must eat and drink on a holiday in Sydney. You’re welcome:

Where to stay in Sydney

Ok, so I’ve actually already written about the best accommodation options in Sydney, and I can’t be arsed repeating myself. You’ll have to check out that post over here – it’s worth a detour with all the pros and cons of each area, plus hotel recommendations.

What to do in Sydney

Visit Bondi Beach

Well you can’t come to Sydney without catching the 333 bus to Bondi Beach – the city’s most famous stretch of sand. This includes partaking in some ocean swimming, surfing and esplanade drinking. Although, be warned, the ocean has some serious attitude and, if you’re not careful, you might unintentionally end up starring in an episode of Bondi Rescue.

Walking trails

My gawd! Sydney has some of the BEST walking trails going around. They’re like a really generous Christmas present from the old Mother Nature. Weaving through rainforest and bushland, past magical beaches and bays, hugging the harbour and exploring suburbs you can only dream of owning property in, they make you fall in love with Sydney.

Here’s seven Sydney walking trails that are guaranteed to steal your heart.

Catch the ferry to Manly

Ferry is the best way to experience the magic and beauty of Sydney Harbour, and the trip to Manly is as exciting as a four-day working week. Departing from Wharf 3 in Circular Quay, climb aboard the big yellow and green boat bound for Manly. You’ll chug past the Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison and The Heads. Then once docking in the beachside suburb, the world is your oyster.

Here’s five other public transport journeys you can do that are worthy of a Gold Logie.

Visit Taronga Zoo

And, if you’re not going to catch the ferry to Manly, at least catch it to Taronga Zoo! Sydney’s animal home is set against a backdrop that belongs in a National Geographic calendar. It’s stunning! While enjoying the monkeys and gorillas, you’ll also enjoy the most breathtaking views across Sydney Harbour. It’s a yum cha banquet for the eyes – and fun for all ages.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.

Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

OK this probably falls under the clichéd tourist shit category, but it’s so worth donning your tourist badge for this one. Feeling your legs turn to red jelly, marvelling at how small the boats look below and catching yourself trying to spot the beautiful bridge – you’re on it fool. All very much worth it.

Visit Palm Beach

If you’re a Home and Away fan, you have to make the trek out to Sydney’s most northern suburb and the home of Summer Bay. You can have lunch at the Pier Diner (or The Boathouse Palm Beach, as it’s called in real life), take a selfie outside Alf’s Bait Shop, run up and down the iconic yellow sand dunes, and pretend to be a lifeguard out the front of Summer Bay Surf Club.

Road trip outta Sydney

The magic of Sydney goes way, way further than the fingers of Port Jackson. That means you need to hire a car, hit the road and head for one of the following:

Blue Mountains – a World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains treat you to some of Mother Nature’s most acclaimed work.

Hunter Valley – a visit to Australia’s oldest wine region is a true taste of the good life.

Central Coast – national parks, beaches for days, pretty waterways – the Central Coast is nature’s playground.

More things to do in Sydney

• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – in early March, get caught up in the excitement, colour and glitter of one of the biggest mardi gras parades in the world. It’s fabulous!
• Go for a swim in an ocean pool – it’s a quintessentially Sydney experience. Some of the most beautiful (and photographed) ocean pools in the harbour city are Bronte Baths, Coogee’s Giles Baths and Bondi’s Icebergs.
• The Rocks – walk the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks and familiarise yourself with the area’s convict history. Ideally this should be done by partaking in a ghost tour, and then having a beer at the haunted pub, The Hero of Waterloo.
• Vivid Sydney – have your mind blown by the lights of Vivid Sydney. The annual festival of lights, music and ideas is a show-stopper.
• Museums – take stock of Sydney’s history at one of the city’s many museums. My favourite is the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, filled to the rafters with Sydney convict history.
• The Sydney Tower Eye – head to the top of Sydney’s tallest building for 360-degree views so beautiful you might cry. On the way down, it would be rude not to stop for cocktails at the tower’s 360 Bar and Dining.
• Sydney Opera House – you can’t come to Sydney without getting a selfie on the Opera House’s steps. It’s a rite of passage.

Where to eat in Sydney

As a general rule of index finger, the best eating and drinking options are all conveniently clustered around the city centre, Surry Hills, Potts Point, Darlinghurst (or Darlo as the locals say), Newtown and Bondi. These are my very best restauranty favourites (at the moment):

Ms. G’s

I love Ms. G like a sister. She’s just way cooler than I, with her sass, ability to cook Asian fusion and the fact she serves cheeseburger spring rolls. Just read that again – cheeseburger in a spring roll – your life will never be the same. Yep, this Potts Point four-level funhouse is a real winner.

Mr. Wong

This two-level Cantonese restaurant, a few blocks back from Circular Quay, is the top dog in my city stable of eating houses. It’s fun, yum and not scandalously-priced (unlike other Sydney bank burglars posing as restaurants). For Mr. Wong, definitely book, and wear loose pants, and splurge on the mud crab.

Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade

Hotel Palisade’s two-level cocktail bar, lounge and rooftop restaurant, Henry Deane, has serious game. It’s sophisticated, stylish and the ultimate long lunch venue, offering serious views of Sydney Harbour.

Keep reading about this restaurant made for long lunching.

Coogee Pavilion

Everyone’s favourite beach palace, Coogee Pavilion is indeed full of beautiful people, wearing beautiful fashion, eating beautiful food, drinking beautiful cocktails. With a restaurant, rooftop bar garden, barber shop and kiddie play area – Coogee Pavilion is all things to all people.

For a little taste of what you can expect at Coogee Pavilion (or more like, who you’ll meet), you need to read this.

The Apollo

The Apollo in Potts Point serves up top-notch Greek fare with a modern twist. Things like saganaki, vine leaf parcels and BBQ calamari. My recommendation is to do the eight-course set menu ($60pp) – it doesn’t disappoint. Yep, this little trip to Greece will leave you pretty full of happiness (and just full in general).

The Grounds of Alexandria

How to describe The Grounds of Alexandria… Picture pretty gardens, a petting zoo, market stalls, Instagrammable brunch food and a flower shop – and you’ve got the ultra-stylised The Grounds of Alexandria. This one’s located in the inner-west suburb of Alexandria, 25 minutes from the CBD.

Here’s why it’s worth making the short haul to Alexandria.

More places to eat in Sydney…

• Bodega Tapas Bar (Surry Hills) – for mind-blowing modern tapas and share plates inspired by Latin American cuisines. Read more. 
• Chester White Cured Diner (Potts Point) – for TRUFFLE CACIO E PEPE! It’s a dream muffin. Here’s a Mills and Boon-style novel on this place.
• Quay (Sydney CBD) – for the best Sydney dining experience money can buy (according to the Top 100 World’s Best Restaurants list). The views aren’t bad either. The price tag is as you’d expect: exxy.
• Messina (various locations) – see for yourself why Sydneysiders go Lady Gaga over this brand of gelato.

I’ve also conveniently pre-prepared a laundry list of my favourite restaurants in Potts Point and Bondi. Hope you’re hungry.

Where to drink in Sydney

Sydneysiders have turned drinking during the day into an Olympic sport. These are my favourite spots for a daytime tipple. But, if you’re a vampire, here’s my favourite Sydney bars for a tipple whatever hour of the day. Lace up your drinking boots because you’re in for a treat:

Opera Bar

Having drinks on the promenade of the Sydney Opera House is a must on any Sydney holiday itinerary – it’s the ultimate Sydney drinkery and not as touristy as you’d think.

Hacienda

With its knock-out views of Sydney Harbour Bridge, reasonable drink prices (given the location) and all-round classy vibe, this Circular Quay bar is a favourite. Maybe THE favourite.

The Winery

With a fairy light-lit garden, a playful drinks list (that isn’t just wine, although the wine list is pretty bloody good) and a damn good food menu this restaurant/bar/wine garden in Surry Hills is a treat. If you’re not convinced, take a peep at the daily specials. My favourite is the Wine Down Wednesday cheeseboards and matching wines from 5pm.

Palmer & Co

There’s something sexy about a speakeasy and Palmer & Co is seriously seductive. When the light is on in the CBD laneway above, head downstairs and be greeted by a word of debauchery and bootlegging.

Zephyr

There’s only one place worth visiting in Darling Harbour, and it’s the rooftop bar Zephyr. Sitting atop the Hyatt Regency, this is not your average hotel bar – although it will trick you into thinking you’re on holiday.

For a more comprehensive study in city bar trawling, this post is essential reading.

And if you’re visiting Melbourne and/or Adelaide after your Sydney holiday – you can read my equally comprehensive travel guides for each city here and here.

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