Sydney 1-day itinerary

Start at Circular Quay for the iconic double view: the Sydney Opera House on your left, the Harbour Bridge on your right. Walk to the Opera House forecourt for close-up photos of Jørn Utzon's masterwork. Then wander through The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighbourhood, with sandstone buildings, cobblestone lanes, and weekend markets. Breakfast at The Fine Food Store on the harbour (flat white A$5.50, smashed avo A$19).

Bus 333 from Circular Quay to Bondi Beach (Opal card A$3.20, 40 minutes). Bondi is Australia's most famous beach. Swim between the iconic red and yellow flags, watch the surfers from the promenade, and have lunch at Bondi Icebergs Club (A$20–35 mains, ocean pool views). Then walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail (6km, 2 hours) past cliff edges, rock pools, Tamarama and Bronte beaches, and the Waverley Cemetery overlooking the Pacific.

Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset (free, pedestrian path on the east side). The views of the Opera House and harbour are spectacular as the sky turns golden. The BridgeClimb (A$268–398) is a bucket-list splurge but the free walkway is nearly as good. Then head to Darling Harbour for waterfront dining. The Street Food Markets have affordable options (A$12–18) and the harbour lights up beautifully at night.