This post is your ultimate travel guide for Sydney, Australia, a city that mesmerizes people from all over the world. Some even travel over 24 hours just to return to this amazing city, because they can’t stop thinking about it. Of course, I am not calling any names here…
This city is the perfect combination of skyline, sun, and surfers, hosting cool and inspiring people with a great mix of Asian culture as well as sporty and outdoorsy lifestyles.
This guide is especially helpful for backpackers, solo travelers and people visiting for the first time. It doesn’t matter how long you stay, this complete Sydney travel guide gives you everything you need to know about Sydney, Australia.
Time
The best time to visit Sydney are definitely during the summer months, from November to almost February. In this period, you will both love and hate Sydney. It gets extremely hot during the day and cools down in the evening, making it perfect to enjoy a warm summer night. Throughout the day, you can easily spend some time at the beach and live the typical Australian summer.
But remember: To use SPF 50 sunscreen regularly! The sun in Sydney is no joke, it took me a full 20 minutes to look as red as Sebastian from The Little Mermaid, even though I was fully covered in sunscreen.
Transportation
Sydney is easily reached from all over the world by plane via Sydney International Airport. From there, you can get into the city by one of the many coach buses or, more conveniently, the metro. In general, the metro system is simple to understand and doesn’t require much knowledge. You can tap on and off with just your bank card, which makes it super easy to use, this also includes the ferries.
There is another option which could be more beneficial if you’re staying longer in Sydney: the so-called Opal Card. You can buy it and top up with any amount of money you wish.
Walking in the CBD is fine, but don’t underestimate the size, it’s bigger than you think, so you’ll definitely need to use public transport from time to time. Your daily step goal will easily be reached in this city!
Accommodation
Neighborhood-wise, I would suggest staying in Surry Hills, Newtown, Chinatown, or my favorite Bondi or Coogee Beach. There are cheaper options for sure, but if you find a well-priced hostel, these are the best neighborhoods to stay in Sydney. Don’t underestimate the size of the city, it can take hours to get into the CBD or to the main spots.
Surry Hills and Newtown have their own vibe. Very artsy, relaxed people with a lot of charm. In Newtown, we stayed at the Newtown Backpackers, which I personally would not recommend due to poor air conditioning and a small kitchen.
We also stayed at one of the branches in the CBD, more specifically in Chinatown, and this hostel was actually great. It had a rooftop and separate showers all along the hallway. I enjoyed staying there a lot, and the rooms were pretty nice, with curtains too. There was always something going on due to its perfect location in the CBD, right next to the biggest shopping street in Sydney.
But our absolute favorite location was staying at the beach. These hostels are always a bit more pricey, but worth every penny.
Our favorite: The Mad Monkey Hostel in Coogee Beach, less expensive compared to Bondi, but a great hostel on the main road, facing the beach, with a sweet common area and easy access to the city.
Activities
Also very important in a Sydney Travel Guide are the Activities you can do in Sydney.
The must-see Sydney Tourist Attractions are clear, in my opinion: the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach, all important to visit. But also, the Coastal Walk is one of my favorite activities. You’ll feel humbled so quickly because everyone walking or running there looks absolutely perfect!
You can also make a day trip to the Blue Mountains or Manly Beach by ferry and enjoy a picnic on Observatory Hill.
Eat & Drink
This won’t include the typical Australian staples you have to try like Tim Tams and Vegemite from the supermarket, but rather the best cafes, bars, and restaurants in Sydney.
A cool and vibey bar in Sydney’s CBD is called Record, it looks amazing, and there are always lots of Aussies having drinks with their friends after work. The interior has a super cool record shop aesthetic.
I absolutely love the café/restaurant in Coogee Beach called Little Jack Horner, I still think about the pancakes to this day.
Don’t they just look absolutely perfect?
Another highlight is Juice Press, which is all over Sydney. Their protein shakes and juices are honestly superior!
And of course Acai Bowls and Yo-chi which are also a must when visiting Australia in general!
Also, there’s a ton of great Asian food everywhere. So you won’t starve for sure. Australia literally has food from everywhere.
Budget Travel
Especially as a backpacker, you’re probably looking for the best ways to save money while staying/traveling in Sydney. In general, I’d say Sydney is a very expensive city to live in. Rent, food, and many activities are quite expensive, and even the public transport, which you’ll often use, is more expensive than in many other cities.
Walking around the city is free, as is visiting the famous sights, having a picnic in the evening, or relaxing at the beach. So yes, it’s possible to save money, it’s just harder because of all the tempting food options and cool shops. Still, the most important activities are free of charge, which is a huge plus!
Yes, Sydney can be expensive, but most of my favorite activities here were completely free and those were the best ones!
Safety
Sydney is very safe for all solo travelers! I would even encourage you to come here alone and make new friends in the hostels you stay at.
Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the only real danger is the sun, not spiders or other Aussie creatures. In my opinion, the sun is the most dangerous “animal” here in Sydney. Especially in the cities, there are almost no spiders or other animals to worry about (except dogs and cockroaches in the evening).
I don’t know if you’ve heard about riptides, but they’re something you really need to be aware of, before coming to Australia and swimming in the ocean. These are strong currents, pulling water away from the beach, they’re very dangerous and can carry you so far out that you can’t get back. Most people completely underestimate the force and power of water.
This was it with the complete and ultimate Sydney Travel Guide covering all the things that you need to know before visiting this amazing city yourself. If you have any other remarks, please leave a comment and share this post if you liked it.
Live a life to remember!
Emma
About the Author:
If Emma were a word, she would be „daydreaming“ - the kind of daydreaming that feels more active than dreamy. No matter where she is, you’ll catch her thinking about the artsy city of Melbourne, wishing to take a walk through Central Park, dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, and so on. The list is long. What’s adorable and also very impressive is that Emma doesn’t stay lost in the haze of her dreams; it won’t be long before the first opportunity appears, and she’ll be on her way to fulfill them.
Emma
About the Author:
If Emma were a word, she would be „daydreaming“ – the kind of daydreaming that feels more active than dreamy. No matter where she is, you’ll catch her thinking about the artsy city of Melbourne, wishing to take a walk through Central Park, dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, and so on. The list is long. What’s adorable and also very impressive is that Emma doesn’t stay lost in the haze of her dreams; it won’t be long before the first opportunity appears, and she’ll be on her way to fulfill them.
