SYDNEY IN 3 DAYS: THINGS TO SEE AROUND THE CBD
Are you planning to travel to Sydney for 3 days? Here’s a travel guide on how you can spend a quick short visit to Sydney.
I have visited Sydney a few times now and despite my repeat visits, a lot of things have changed and I still find new places to discover. 3 days have been the shortest Sydney visit I’ve done.
I was with the fam bam during this trip to Sydney. We visited just before it got crazy busy for the New Year’s. Well, to be fair, Sydney is always busy!
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Sydney Day 1: Sydney CBD
We woke up very early as we had to catch the 7:00 am bus from Canberra to Sydney. It was a 3.5-hour bus ride. We arrived at Sydney Central Station and walked to the hotel.
We booked a 3 day and 2 nights stay at DD Apartments Sussex.
👉 Book your Sydney accommodation here
Check-in was still at 2:00 pm so we left our bags in the apartment, ate lunch at Chinatown and wandered around Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a family-friendly precinct for entertainment and leisure in Sydney CBD. Some attractions like the museums and waterfront restaurants are just within walking distance.
Sydney Opera House
We took the ferry from the harbour to Circular Quay. The fare was quite expensive but it was fun to see the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House from the ferry.
Then, we chilled a bit at the Sydney Opera House. The opera house is one of Sydney’s Australia’s iconic landmarks and is known for its unique architecture. It is a performing arts centre.
Can you even say you visited Sydney if you don’t visit the Sydney Opera House?
It was around 2:30 pm when we headed back to the apartment to check-in.
If you are not pressed with time, another attraction you can visit near the Sydney Opera House is the Royal Botanic Garden. The Royal Botanic Garden is home to a huge variety of native Australian and overseas plants.
There is an entrance to the Royal Botanic Garden near Sydney Opera House and entry is FREE. The botanic garden is open daily from 7:00 am and closing time varies depending on the season.
The garden also offers free guided walking tours daily from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm but you will have to book online as the tours are only limited to a few people. If you wish to explore the Royal Botanic Garden by yourself, make sure to see the Rose Garden and stop by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
👉 Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Guided Walking Tour, book here
Sydney CBD
At around 6:00 pm, we headed out to grab dinner at The Star but we stopped by Martin Place, Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral.
We spent the night strolling around Darling Harbour, admiring Sydney’s night lights.
Sydney Day 2: Sydney CBD
Pancakes On The Rocks
I was out with my sisters while they met up with their friends. We had a very heavy but scrumptious breakfast at Pancakes On The Rocks.
Chinese Garden of Friendship
After breakfast, we visited the Chinese Garden of Friendship. As part of Sydney’s Bicentennial Celebrations, the Chinese garden opened in 1988 and is located at the corner of Day Street and Pier Street in Darling Harbour.
I never knew a place like this would co-exist with all the tall buildings around it. It looked like it was only occupying a small space from the outside but once we got in, the place is so spacious.
We ate lunch in Chinatown and after, we bought some milk tea. There were heaps of them near Chinatown and Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour
Other attractions you can visit around Darling Harbour are the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.
The SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium features over 700 species with over 13,000 aquatic creatures. The aquarium has themed zones that take you on an extraordinary underwater journey. It is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays and 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on the weekends. The last entry is one hour before closing time and it is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum displays realistic wax figures of famous personalities and celebrities in Australia and around the world. The wax museum is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday to Monday and the last admission is one hour before closing time. It is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
The WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo is home to some of Australia’s well-known wildlife like the koalas, kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and platypus. The zoo also has an interactive zone where you can see some of the world’s endangered creatures. It is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday to Monday and the last entry is at 3:00 pm. It is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.
👉 To save on your admission fees to the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium,
the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo,
purchase The Ultimate Sydney Attraction Pass here
Sydney Day 3: Sydney CBD
Check-out was at 11:00 am. The apartment let us leave our bags in the lobby office and pick it up just before heading back to Canberra.
Central Park Mall
After check-out, we had lunch at Central Park Mall. The mall is known for its green space with an open garden and its hanging vertical gardens.
KOI Dessert Bar
After, we went to KOI Dessert Bar to try out their cakes. The cake tastes very delicious!
Central Station
We walked back to pick up our bags and to the Central Station. Then, we waited for our bus to head back to Canberra.
Sydney In 3 Days Recap
We spent a short and quick 3-day trip in Sydney. We were able to wander around the Darling Harbour area and got to re-visit famous landmarks and explored new ones around Sydney CBD.
The Chinese Garden Of Friendship was an amazing place to visit. The garden is located in one of the busiest places in Sydney but inside the garden, it was so peaceful that I forgot I was in the CBD.
All the food we tried was delicious as well. Pancakes On The Rocks and KOI Dessert Bar were my favourites. I would go back when I visit Sydney next time.
I hope you find this 3-day Sydney itinerary helpful. This is a good travel guide for a long weekend trip in Sydney especially if this is your first time and only have a limited time visiting Sydney CBD. Enjoy your trip and have a safe travel!
Sydney In 3 Days Links
Australia Capital City Itineraries:
Canberra In 2 Days: An Exciting Travel Guide
Melbourne In 3 Days: A Great Long Weekend Travel