Table of Contents

By someone who lived in Sydney for 7 months + visited again in 2023 and 2025

Introduction

Sydney is one of the easiest cities in the world for first-time visitors: safe, scenic, full of free attractions, and incredibly walkable. I lived in Sydney for seven months during my Working Holiday year, then returned again in 2023 and 2025 — so this guide combines over 20 articles worth of experience into one complete resource.

Whether you’re planning a 5-day trip, looking for the best areas to stay, or wondering how much a Sydney vacation actually costs, this itinerary includes everything you need: recommended seasons, things to do, food suggestions, beaches, day trips, transport tips, and my real expenses from my latest visit.

Let’s plan the perfect Sydney trip!

(This blog contains affiliate links)

Best Time to Visit Sydney

Sydney’s weather changes more than most travelers expect. Here’s what it actually feels like based on my stays in different seasons:

☀️ Summer & Early Autumn (Nov–Mar): Best Weather

Warm, sunny, long days
In February, the sun sets around 7:30 pm, so you can fit in an extra attraction
Great for beaches, coastal walks, markets, and outdoor dining

I visited in late February this year and loved it — the daylight made the trip feel much longer.

🍂 April (before daylight saving ends): Also great

Sydney ends Daylight Saving around early April, and when the clock shifts, sunset changes instantly:

April 5: sunset at 18:45
April 6: sunset at 17:43

If possible, visit before the time change for longer evenings.

❄️ Winter (Jun–Aug): Not recommended

I arrived in late June in 2012 for Working Holiday — it was cold, dark, and often rainy.

Temperatures around 10–13°C
Sunset around 5:00 pm
Less lively atmosphere

My 2023 August trip had a 5:30 pm sunset — too early for sightseeing.

🌈 Best months overall

Late February
March (especially Mardi Gras!)
April (early)
November–December

How Many Days Do You Need in Sydney?

For first-timers, 4–5 full days is ideal.

Top Places to Visit in Sydney

If it’s your first time, these are must-see attractions:

✔ Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour at Viator

Sydney Opera House Tour and Dining in Sydney via Klook

✔ The Rocks

✔ Royal Botanic Garden

✔ Blue Mountains Day Trip

✔ Manly Beach

✔ Darling Harbour

✔ Hyde Park & St. Mary’s Cathedral

✔ Newtown (my personal favorite suburb)

Sydney 5-Day Itinerary (What I Actually Did in 2025)

This itinerary reflects my most recent 5-day trip during Mardi Gras weekend, combined with classic must-see activities.

Day 1 — Arrival, Hotel Check-in, St. Mary’s Cathedral & Hyde Park

Most flights from Taiwan arrive in the morning. After checking into your hotel in the CBD:

Have lunch or dinner at the Sydney Tower SkyFeast (rotating restaurant)
Walk to St. Mary’s Cathedral
Stroll through Hyde Park (parts may be under renovation)

Perfect easy first day if you’re tired from the flight.

Day 2 — Newtown + Sydney Mardi Gras (Parade Day)

Since the Mardi Gras parade was at night, we spent the day in Newtown:

Slow brunch or lunch
Vintage shops & indie boutiques
LGBTQIA+ murals
Galleries & bookstores
Plenty of cafés

At night → Mardi Gras Parade along Oxford Street
(You can plan a Blue Mountains Day Trip instead if not visiting during Mardi Gras.)

Day 3 — The Rocks Market → Opera House → Manly Beach → Darling Harbour

A perfect full day of classic Sydney sightseeing:

Morning:

The Rocks Market (weekends only)
Walk to Circular Quay
Opera House photos from multiple angles

Afternoon:

Take the ferry to Manly Beach
Swim, relax, explore the waterfront

Evening:

Ferry back
Walk across the bridge toward Darling Harbour
Night views are beautiful from Pyrmont Bridge

Day 4 — Surry Hills Cafés + Coogee Beach

Morning / Early Afternoon:

Explore Surry Hills
Single O, Reuben Hills, or other iconic cafés
Boutique shops + small galleries

Late Afternoon:

Bus to Coogee Beach
Spend the evening by the ocean
Dinner near the beach or back in the CBD

Day 5 — Newtown → QVB → Dinner → Airport

Quick visit to Newtown (yes, again — there’s always more to see!)
Shop at Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Dinner in the CBD
Hotel → Airport around 8:00 pm
Evening flight home

What This Itinerary Misses (Optional Add-Ons)

You can swap in:

Blue Mountains (strongly recommended)
Hunter Valley Wine Tour
Bondi Beach
Royal Botanic Garden
Sydney Fish Market
Paddy’s Market (closed on Mon–Tue)

If it’s your first visit and you have 5+ full days, adding Blue Mountains + Bondi makes the trip perfect.

⭐ My Recommended Sydney Experiences

🔹 Blue Mountains Day Tour

Klook version → Check availability
Viator version → Alternative option

🔹 Sydney Harbour Cruise

Klook – Instant confirmation
Viator – Often more choices in departure times

🔹 Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket

Klook – Good for mobile QR entry
Viator – Combo options available

Where to Eat in Sydney (My Recommendations)

Sydney has incredible food — especially coffee and gelato.

Cafés

Single O (Surry Hills)
Campos Coffee

Gelato (Must-Try!)

Sydney is honestly one of the best gelato cities I’ve been to — even better than many touristy spots in Italy.

Gelato Messina
Cow and the Moon (award-winning)
Anita Gelato
Smaller boutique shops

Restaurants

SkyFeast Rotating Restaurant
Local brunch spots
Steakhouses
Asian fusion
Seafood

Best Places to Eat in Sydney for First-Time Visitors

Where to Stay in Sydney

I recommend staying in the CBD (City Centre):

✔ Walkable
✔ Easy access to Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Darling Harbour
✔ Close to cafés & restaurants

Recommended Hotels I’ve Stayed At

Ace Hotel Sydney (loved it!) Ace Hotel Sydney Review 2025 — Design, Vinyl Players and Stylish Stay in Surry Hills
Vibe Hotel Sydney
The Capital
790 on George Backpackers (budget)

→ Check hotel prices on the map

Airport to City: Important Update for 2025

I made a mistake this trip: I took the train from the airport thinking it’s the fastest and cheapest way… but in 2025:

Airport station access fee = AUD 17.7
- Opal fare to CBD = AUD 4.2
  → Total ~22 AUD per person

Meanwhile, Uber/taxi from the airport to CBD is usually 40–45 AUD per ride.

⭐ Conclusion: If you’re 2+ people → Take Uber

Cheaper and easier.

How Much Does a Sydney Trip Cost? (My Real Expenses)

Below is my actual 5-day, 4-night spending in 2025:

Category	Cost (TWD)	Notes
Flights	21,432	Cathay Pacific from Taipei via HongKong (with promo code)
Accommodation	9,922	3 nights The Capital + 1 night Ace Hotel
Transport	1,497	City + airport return
Visa (ETA)	416	Very fast using the AustralianETA app
Other Spending	18,388	Food, cafés, shopping
Souvenirs	~5,000	Beauty + health products
SkyFeast	2,704	Recommended
SIM/eSIM	353	KKday eSIM
Total	~54,712 TWD	About ~1,800 USD

This is a realistic budget for a comfortable Sydney trip by a Taiwanese standard.

Sydney Souvenirs (What to Buy)

FAQ: Sydney for First-Time Visitors

1. Is Sydney expensive to visit?

It can be, but many attractions are free and transport is capped on weekends.

2. Is Sydney safe for solo travelers?

Yes — it’s one of the safest big cities I’ve lived in.

3. Should I visit Blue Mountains?

Absolutely. It’s one of the best day trips.

4. Do I need an ETA visa?

Yes. Use the AustralianETA app — approval is very fast.

5. How is public transport?

Reliable and easy. Ferries are especially beautiful.

Conclusion

Sydney is one of the most enjoyable cities to explore — easy transport, great weather (outside winter), beautiful beaches, lively markets, iconic landmarks, and endless cafés and gelato shops.

Whether you’re here for Mardi Gras, a long weekend, or a 5-day holiday, this itinerary covers all the essentials while still giving you time to relax and enjoy the city’s laid-back atmosphere.

If you have a week-long holiday, I highly recommend visiting Sydney — it’s fun, scenic, and surprisingly simple to explore on your own.

Sydney 5-Day Itinerary: A Complete Travel Guide (Season Tips, Costs, Transport & Must-See Spots)