3 Days in Sydney, Australia

Day 1: Sydney Drive-around

First impression of Sydney: They have an awesome outdoor cafe culture. My friend took me to The Grounds of Alexandria near the airport, and I was instantly hooked. The authenticity and liveliness of the place left me wanting more.

Since it was a little cloudy that day, I was able to experience an almost deserted Bondi Beach.

We walked along the coastline, chilled out, and hung our feet off cliffs. It was amazing!

We drove to Watson Bay afterward, but unfortunately, parts of it were closed due to renovation. So, we headed back and walked around China Town, Thai Town, and Korea Town (yes, these are all real). Afterward, we went for a German feast at the Löwenbräu Keller, which was awesome, to say the least (and EXPENSIVE!). We filled our stomachs with a knuckle, sausages, and beers. In order to digest all that, we had to walk. I was able to get a glimpse of the Opera House at night from the Circular Quay.

Since it was during Valentine's Day, Darling Harbor was very well decorated than usual with beautiful lighting, activities, and gatherings.

My friends and I parted ways as the night was ending, and I simply crashed at the hostel called the Hostel Wake Up! near the Central Station. This hostel really spiced up my stay because the hotel environment is catered to partygoers, and they have a great club down in the basement with activities like Speed Dating and Trivial Night every Friday. It was new to me and was an interesting and refreshing experience. I met so many fun people during my 2-night stay there.

Day 2: Sydney's Best Known Urban Walk

I started my second day with a morning walk across the Harbour Bridge. I took a train from Central Station to Milson's Point train station (2 stations away from Central Station) and walked across the bridge, seeing the spectacular architecture in person.

Enjoying the magnificent Opera House while listening to "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men.

I paid AU$11 to climb the Pylon Lookout to get the overall view of Sydney from one of the towers on the bridge.

I saw people climbing the bridge. To climb, you will have to pay around AU$ 250 - AU$ 360 to climb this bad boy. I chose to stay and watch people climb instead. :)

I walked across the bridge, turned left, and went through The Rocks, one of the most historic towns in Sydney. Since it was Saturday, The Rocks was turned into a flea market where people gather to sell all kinds of handcrafted products, from hand-painted boomerangs to handmade chocolate.

From The Rocks, approaching Circular Quay, you will get a pretty unique perspective of the bridge.

Approaching the Opera House after a 10-minute walk from The Circle, I enjoyed the street performances by the Aborigines. They mixed traditional instruments with digital sounds, creating a somewhat unique beat that I could see people dancing to.

Doing a few sketches of the Harbor Bridge, a travel ritual I acquired from my last trip to China.

I entered the Royal Botanic Garden from the Opera House's side and walked along the coastline, enjoying the view of both the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House.

The garden was peacefully breathtaking. I spent several hours just sitting and absorbing everything slowly.

When you are here, for one minute, don't talk, take no photos, and just look and see.

After spending a good amount of hours, I walked back from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, down through the city, and went into Hyde Park.

A final stop at St Mary's Cathedral. I was honored to be able to sit inside and listen to the prayers, even though I am an atheist. I always love to explore other religions. It was a beautiful experience.

And that concludes my second day in Sydney. I went back to the hostel, enjoyed many great talks with other travelers before I went to bed, and prepared for a takeoff to Uluru (Ayers Rock) the next morning.

Day 3: Bye Bye Sydney

My friend took me to the airport the next morning, one hour before the plane departed. I was surprised by the minimal security checks at the domestic terminal in comparison to when I was arriving (I had to go through 2-3 security checkpoints to enter the city). No wonder why my friend insisted that 1 hour before departure was more than enough.

And this concludes my brief trip to Sydney and our first part of the Solo Traveler's Journal #7. Stay tuned for part two where we will explore The Red Center together and discover why Uluru is not just a single rock in a desert like most people think.

Where to Stay in Sydney?

Budget

Base Sydney

Dorm | $

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

YEHS Hotel Sydney QVB

Twin Room | $$

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High-End

Hilton Sydney

Double Room | $$$

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Sydney Tours & Activities

What to Pack for Sydney, Australia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Sydney, Australia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Want to know where to go next after Sydney? How about Uluru?What To Do In Uluru And The Kata Tjuta