WHAT TO DO IN SYDNEY IN 48 HOURS

What to do in Sydney if you only have 48 hours?

Great question, and to be honest, I wish you had more time because Sydney deserves longer than two days – I could spend two weeks in Sydney and not get bored (I grew up an hour north of the city).

But, if this is your first trip to Australia I understand the desire to see as much as possible, particularly if you are visiting from the US where most of you only have a standard two-week vacation. (Click here if you plan to visit Australia on two week vacation)

With so much to see in this vast land down under, many people only plan for a couple of days in Sydney before hitting the Reef and the Outback.

When I speak to foreigners their itinerary typically goes something like; Sydney to theGreat Barrier Reef, to Uluru and possibly the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne.

Considering two days is not a lot of time to explore a city with as much going on as Sydney, you’ll have to hustle a little and you’ll need two full days so try and fly in the night before!

To get yourself from the airport into the city, you have a couple of options; hop on the Sydney Airport Link Train which takes 15 minutes and costs $17. Get yourself an Opal Card which is a smart card you top up so that you can pay your fares on trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

But the best way, and the cheapest way to see Sydney is on foot. Several of Sydney’s highlights can be taken in for free or cheap simply by walking around.

Below are my suggestions on things to do in Sydney in 48 hours! Here are some of the best tours to do in Sydney in two days as compiled by our partner, Get your Guide.

And here are some excellent private walking tours of Sydney with Boutique Traveler that include professionally edited photos of you enjoying Sydney’s iconic sights. #pricelessmemories

Day 1 – What to do in Sydney

Morning

If your accommodation is in the Sydney CBD, which I recommend so you’re centrally located to make the most of your short visit, either have breakfast at your accommodation or consider Gowings Bar & Grill inside the QT Hotel, or the Alpha Gourmet Cafe and then head to Circular Quay!

Circular Quay

The best place to start your visit is in Circular Quay, and if you only visited one area in Sydney this is where I would send you!

The Quay is the main transport hub of Sydney Harbour and it’s here that two of Australia’s most famous landmarks reside; the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Wander around the Quay and take your “I was here” photo in front of these famous structures and feel the pulse of the city. There’s probably no other pace that will jolt you awake from your jet lag and have you saying to yourself “hey, I’m in Australia!”

On any given day, especially a sunny day, Circular Quay is a great place to walk about or just sit and watch the ferries come and go. And if you want to step inside and experience the interior of the Opera House, consider taking a 1 hour tour.

Being a busy transport hub you’ll also find many outdoor cafes and restaurants lining the harbour, so if you skipped breakfast you can grab a quick bite here!

Other places of interest around the Quay include Customs House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Sydnney's Royal Botanic Garden - one of the best things to do in 48 hours. — image credit: Royal Botanic Garden

From the eastern side of the Opera House, you have easy access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, in my opinion, one of the most impressive gardens in the world, certainly from a location standpoint.

You can’t beat the serenity and harbour views and this is a great place to spend an hour or two in Sydney. Take a walk around the gardens to admire the many different types of plants and city views. You can also take a free self-guided walking tour.

If you’re into art, the Art Gallery of NSW is one of Australia’s leading art museums with five levels of art and extensive collections of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and contemporary art.

Lunch in Sydney

There are several options to eat in Sydney around the Quay and CBD, but I’m going to suggest these two.

1. Picnic lunch in the Botanic Gardens

View of Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens — View of Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Image credit: avilasal

A cheap lunch option is to grab some takeaway supplies, and maybe a bottle of wine, and incorporate it into your Botanical Gardens visit.

Pick a spot anywhere, or walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for one of the best vantage points in Sydney with distant views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge (especially awesome for sunset).

2. Cafe Sydney

View of Sydney Harbour from Cafe Sydney. Image credit: Cafe Sydney

For something more formal I recommend Cafe Sydney. Its prime position on the rooftop of Customs House offers the best of both worlds – spectacular elevated views of the harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. And you can enjoy modern Australian cuisine and maybe a cheeky cocktail on the outdoor terrace.

Afternoon

Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

View of Sydney walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge — View of Sydney Harbour and Opera House from walking across the bridge

Now that you’re rested with a full tummy it’s time to stretch your legs again.

I suggest a walk across the bridge, but of course, if you want the experience of a lifetime by climbing over the Sydney Harbour Bridge you definitely need to book ahead. Don’t just rock up expecting to tick this off your list, it’s very popular. A sunrise or sunset climb would be magical.

However, a much cheaper option (free) is to simply walk across on the pedestrian path and take in the same panoramic views on a lower level. Or visit the Pylon Lookout where for $11 you get fantastic views plus 3 levels of exhibits to learn about the history of the Bridge.

Book your Sydney Harbour Bridge tours here.

Explore The Rocks District

The Rocks District is a historic area of Sydney near Circular Quay, and my favourite part of the Sydney CBD area.

There’s a story around every corner when you walk the cobblestone streets, browse the weekend markets, and stroll along the harbour.

Pop into the Rocks Discovery Museum and spend some time on the three floors learning more about the history of the area and the stories of those who lived there during the early years of white Australia.

Feely thirsty after all this walking? The Rocks is the perfect place to go on a bit of a pub crawl, as it’s home to some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Grab a pint at one, or all of my favourites:

The Observer Hotel – Listen to live music while downing a pint.
The Glenmore – awesome rooftop terrace with views over Sydney Harbour.
Australian Heritage Hotel – oldest continuously licenced pub in Sydney.
Harts Pub – great hand crafted beers.
The Mercantile – Australia’s longest running Irish Pub.
Lord Nelson -home of Australia’s oldest pub brewery.
The Argyle – huge drinks selection and live entertainment.

The Rocks District offers impressive views of Sydeny Harbour Bridge — The Rocks District offers impressive views of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image: Shutterstock.com

Dinner

You’ve had a big day so now it’s time to put the feet up for a bit.

I’d suggest either staying in the Rocks for some good pub grub, or taking the short walk back to Circular Quay for sunset drinks and a bite to eat from some of the world’s best waterfront dining locations.

In the Rocks, the Australian Heritage Hotel is famous for it’s Kangaroo, emu, and crocodile pizzas. So if you want to try real Aussie tucker this pub is where it’s at.

Back at the Quay, a top spot for a sundowner is the Opera Bar. What a way to end your first day than with a cocktail or cold beer and uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge.!

For fine dining and more of those famous views (you’ll need to dig into your wallet) book a table at either Aria, Quay Restaurant or Cafe Sydney if you didn’t do lunch. And there’s also the famous Tetsuya’s.

Opera Bar, Sydney — Opera Bar location and view. Image credit: Shutterstock.com