Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Natalia
Coming up with the perfect Sydney itinerary can be a struggle, especially if you only have four days to explore this famous Australian city. Thankfully this comprehensive four day Sydney itinerary covers the highlights, from the iconic Opera House to Bondi Beach to the stunning beauty of the nearby Blue Mountains National Park. If you’re planning to spend at least a few weeks in Australia then we recommend following our three week Australian east coast itinerary, with the final stop being this well-known city. Of course if you have the time you can easily find more great things to do to extend your Sydney itinerary to five days or even a week, but four days is plenty if you’re limited for time. Make the most of your stay in New South Wales’ capital city with this amazing four day Sydney itinerary.
Planning to visit Melbourne during your time in Australia? Make sure to check out our four day Melbourne itinerary for ideas of what to do during your visit!
Sydney Itinerary: Day 1
Royal Botanic Gardens
Kick off your four day Sydney itinerary with a visit to the city’s Royal Botanic Garden. Located near the heart of the city, the gardens are a beautiful and tranquil place to start your day!
Dating back to 1816, the gardens are home to an extensive collection of native Australian flora and exotic plants across 30 hectares. Wander along the various pathways, taking time to appreciate the lush greenery and immaculate gardens.
As you walk through the gardens, make your way towards Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for a spectacular view. Made from a sandstone ledge, this chair was hand carved by convicts in 1810.
The waterfront by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair provides stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It’s one of the most iconic views in Sydney – so make sure to take a few photos before moving on!
After you have soaked up the views, walk along the waterfront trail and you will eventually end up at your next stop – the Sydney Opera House. You will have chance to meander through the gardens along the way, but if you prefer you can head straight to the Opera House.
Sydney Opera House
An essential inclusion on any 4 day Sydney itinerary, the Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic and recognisable buildings in the world. Considered to be one of the architectural masterpieces of the 20th century, the unique design of the curved white roof is reminiscent of the sails of ships blowing in the wind.
Situated on the shores of Sydney Harbour, you can get up close and wander around this incredible building. As you walk around you can appreciate the incredible architecture up close, and tours are also available if you want to explore inside and discover the history of the Opera House.
Make the most of your visit with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, which costs just $43 AUD per person via Get Your Guide. Tours last for one hour and give you the chance to step inside this famous building and learn about its history from a knowledgable guide.
Click here to book a wonderful guided tour of the Opera House on the Get Your Guide website!
Regardless of whether you take a tour, we recommend taking the time to visit the Opera Bar. The bar has a lovely outdoor seating area with unique close-up views of the Sydney Opera House, so don’t miss the chance to rest your feet whilst enjoying the view!
If you want to get the full Sydney Opera House experience then you can even book to see an opera performance via Get Your Guide. Tickets start from as little as $129 AUD per person, and advance booking is essential to experience an unforgettable performance at this world-famous venue.
Click here to book tickets to an opera performance through Get Your Guide!
Sydney CBD and The Rocks
Next up, take the chance to explore Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District). Wander through the streets and discover the area’s malls, shops, restaurants, skyscrapers, and more!
After a stroll through the CBD, head to The Rocks – a charming and historic neighbourhood in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Known for its cobblestone laneways and famous weekend market, the neighbourhood has some great bars and restaurants with views of Sydney Harbour. It’s within walking distance of the CBD, and is a nice area to walk around.
Darling Harbour
Your next stop is Darling Harbour, a lovely waterfront precinct with plenty to offer. There are various museums, restaurants, and bars scattered around the harbour – giving you plenty to keep yourself occupied.
On a sunny day it’s a particular nice place to enjoy a drink or two, but it’s also a great spot for a walk along the waterfront. There are a number of dining options in the area, so it can be a nice place to get some dinner – and the harbour is particularly nice when lit up after nightfall.
Finish off your evening by heading back to the Sydney Opera House for a drink at the Opera Bar. It doesn’t get much better than enjoying night views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour whilst having a drink or two!
Sydney Itinerary: Day 2
Bondi to Coogee Walk
Day 2 of your 4 day Sydney itinerary will largely be spent discovering Bondi and the surrounding areas, starting with the Bondi to Coogee walk. It’s worth having a fairly early start, as that way you can do the walk before it gets too warm.
The Bondi to Coogee walk covers 6 kilometres of picturesque coastline, with stunning views along the way. Known for being one of the best things to do in Sydney, this scenic coastal route takes around 2-3 hours to complete.
It’s not too strenuous of a walk, but does involve a few short steep sections and some stairs. The trail leads you along clifftops with brilliant ocean views, and visits some great beaches including Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, and Coogee Beach.
Keep a close eye on the sea as you walk, as dolphins can sometimes be seen in the water along this stretch of coast. Between May and November it’s also possible to see migrating whales – which is an amazing sight to see from shore!
The walk ends once you reach Coogee Beach, and from there you have the option of either taking a taxi back to Bondi or retracing your steps. Of course it’s another few hours if you choose to walk back, but means you get to enjoy the views all over again!
Bondi Beach
No 4 day Sydney itinerary would be complete without a visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, so spend the remainder of your day taking it easy at the beach. This long stretch of golden sandy beach is world-famous, and a popular spot with both tourists and locals.
Take the chance to sunbathe or go for a swim at this lovely beach – the perfect way to relax after the morning’s walk. If you don’t mind a bit more walking, then walk along the beach for nice views from both ends.
Bondi Beach is a popular surfing spot, and just so happens to be a great place to learn if you want to have a go yourself. Surf lessons at Bondi Beach are available through Get Your Guide for just $89 AUD per person for a two hour lesson!
Click here to book a memorable surf lesson on the Get Your Guide website!
It’s worth exploring the suburb of Bondi itself, which is home to a collection of lively cafes, restaurants, and bars. There are definitely plenty of options if you’re looking to get a few drinks or a bite to eat.
One spot we recommend checking out is the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, which has a great bar area overlooking Bondi Beach. It’s hard to find a bar with a better view in Sydney, so sit back and enjoy a few drinks with a view of the iconic beach.
Sydney Itinerary: Day 3
Katoomba/Blue Mountains
Next up on your 4 day Sydney itinerary is a day trip to explore the amazing beauty of the Blue Mountains. Head to Sydney Central Station and take the two hour train journey to Katoomba – the gateway to the Blue Mountains.
A train from Sydney to Katoomba should cost around $10 each way if you’re travelling at peak times, and it’s worth having an early start so that you can make the most of your day. Once you arrive it’s up to you whether you decide to explore the area on foot, or alternatively take a hop-on hop-off bus to visit some of the main attractions.
The hop-on hop-off bus can be booked via Get Your Guide, and costs just $49 AUD per person for the day. It visits a number of the best spots and viewpoints around Katoomba, allowing you to discover the Blue Mountains without too much walking!
Click here to book hop-on hop-off bus tickets on the Get Your Guide website!
Echo Point Lookout
If you’re happy to walk, then make your way on foot from Katoomba Station to the Echo Point Lookout. It’s around a 30-minute walk to this iconic lookout point, which offers one of the best views in the Blue Mountains National Park and is a highlight in this 4 day Sydney itinerary.
The lookout is best-known for its views of the iconic Three Sisters – a unique rock formation consisting of three jagged pillars towering above the Jamison Valley. Overlooking the vast forest and peaks of the Blue Mountains National Park, it’s undeniably an amazing viewpoint that you won’t want to miss!
Take your time to enjoy the brilliant views before embarking on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. This winding path leads to more breathtaking viewpoints, and can be followed in either direction from the Echo Point Lookout.
Stretching for a total of 7 kilometres, it’s up to you how much of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk you want to do. If you don’t want to do too much walking then simply follow the path from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls – although make sure to check the New South Wales national park website for up to date information on any route closures.
Katoomba Falls
Katoomba Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. Standing at a height of 244 metres, this multi-tiered waterfall is split into three vertical drops.
There are several trails and viewpoints near the falls, where you can enjoy this impressive waterfall in all its glory. We suggest wandering along a few separate trails to discover the various viewpoints so that you can appreciate the waterfall’s beauty from different perspectives.
Scenic World
An optional extra for your trip to the Blue Mountains is a visit to Scenic World, where you can enjoy a scenic cablecar ride, a scenic trip on the world’s steepest railway, and more! Entrance costs just $50 AUD per person, and includes as many rides on the cablecar and railway as you like!
If you don’t want to visit Scenic World then there are plenty of other walking trails and views to enjoy around Katoomba.
After a day of exploring the various viewpoints and trails around the Blue Mountains, it’s time to head back towards Katoomba Station. Before you catch a train back to Sydney we suggest enjoying a meal and a drink or two at one of the town’s restaurants.
It’s fairly easy to take a day trip to the Blue Mountains from Sydney by yourself, but there are tours available if you would prefer. There are several tours available on the Get Your Guide website, with prices starting from as little as $169 AUD per person – including return transport from Sydney!
Click here to see the wonderful Blue Mountains tours available on the Get Your Guide website!
Sydney Itinerary: Day 4
Manly
Start the final day of your four day Sydney itinerary with a trip to the lovely seaside suburb of Manly. The Manly Ferry departs from Circular Quay and takes either 20 or 30 minutes depending on whether you opt for the more expensive fast ferry.
Whichever you opt for, you will enjoy some amazing views along the way. Try to get a seat outside so that you can enjoy great views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.
Once you get to Manly, start off with a walk along the Corso. This street runs from the ferry wharf to the famous Manly Beach, and along the way you will pass a number of shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
Manly Beach is one of the best beaches in Sydney, and is a popular spot to go surfing. The surf is so good at Manly Beach that it was home to the world’s first surfing competition back in 1964. Thankfully the beach is also a great spot to sunbathe or swim, so spend your time at the beach doing as you please.
After enjoying some time at the beach, take a stroll along the beachfront promenade. It’s worth walking all the way to the far end of the beach, as this gives you the opportunity to visit the Manly Wormhole.
Situated near the Queenscliff Rockpool, the Manly Wormhole provides some brilliant views of Manly Beach. Climb up onto the rocks to enjoy the views, and make your way through a small tunnel-like opening that leads through the rocks to an area with lovely views out to sea.
When you’ve finished up at Manly Wormhole, take the coastal path to Shelly Beach. When you get there follow the Shelly Beach walking track, which has some picturesque lookout points of the area – so have your phone or camera at the ready!
If you want then you can spend the majority of your day in Manly, and enjoy dinner and drinks in the area before catching the ferry back to Circular Quay. Alternatively you can head back into the CBD, and potentially back to the Opera Bar for a few more drinks with the iconic view of the harbour to finish off your four days in Sydney.
For your 4 days in Sydney Booking.com have a range of places to stay. Click here to book your accommodation with Booking.com!
VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options for your 4 day Sydney itinerary if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
Optional additions to your Sydney itinerary
Depending on how long you spend in Manly, you may have time to enjoy some other activities on the final day of your Sydney itinerary. There are plenty of amazing activities and things to do in Sydney available through Get Your Guide, so it’s worth taking a look if there is anything you want to add to your itinerary.
Some options you may want to consider include Sydney harbour cruises, kayak tours, and tickets to opera performances at the Opera House. With plenty of great options on Get Your Guide, you may even find yourself wanting to extend your Sydney itinerary to five, six, or even seven days!
Click here to discover the amazing activities on offer on the Get Your Guide website!
Looking for more places to visit in Australia? Check out our 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary and the most unique things to do in Perth!
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