48 hour Sydney travel itinerary
I flew up to Sydney a few weeks ago to catch up with lovely Jess of Jysla Kay and explore the city. We stayed at West Hotel Sydney and spent about 2 and a half days wandering about checking out some of the most beautiful places in the city. If you're thinking of planning a weekend escape or trip to Sydney, I've put together a 2 day jam-packed itinerary of a bunch places you should check out. You can do this as a 2 full day itinerary or if you have a little longer, spread it out into 3 days as well so you can take your time!
DAY 1
Morning: Cherry Blossom Festival
Start your day off with a little bit of zen wandering through a garden. In August, there's a stunning Cherry Blossom Festival which you can visit held at Auburn Botanic Gardens. It's the perfect way to get excited for spring. Keep an eye out for festival dates each year and plan accordingly!
If you're not visiting during August, there are plenty of other beautiful places to start your day including Centennial Park, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney or Chinese Garden of Friendship - to name a few.
Lunch: The Grounds of Alexandria
One of my favourite places to catch up with friends and explore is The Grounds of Alexandria. Pop by here for lunch at The Potting Shed. This gorgeous restaurant has an extensive menu of dishes that are both pleasing to the eye and stomach!
The Grounds of Alexandria also often showcases various installations, perfect for a photo opportunity. When we visiting we were able to catch the Garden of Sweets installation in the laneway and had lots of fun capturing images here.
Afternoon: Paddington Reservoir Gardens
With your stomachs full it's time to head to Paddington Reservoir Gardens! Just a few minutes ride by an Ola. This inner city garden isn't your regular type of garden, it looks more like a museum exhibit if you ask me! The 'ruins' at Paddington Reservoir Gardens are part of the original structure of the reservoir back in the day and have been preserved and adapted into a unique space where you can wander and watch the dancing sunlight.
Late Afternoon: Hacienda Sydney
Finish of your day with food and drinks at Hacienda Sydney, a stunning bar that sits right by the water. Get here early before the sun goes down so there is plenty of time to take some pics of the interior. It's one of the prettiest places I've been in Sydney and you can catch a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge here as well!
DAY 2
Morning: Bronte Beach
Early start this morning - we're heading to the beaches!
If you have a few hours, you should definitely do the Bondi to Coogee walk, which I did the last time I was in Sydney. Sydney's coastline is stunning and so close to the city and easy to access, with plenty of cliffside views to be had. However, if you just want to head out to one of the beaches, then Bronte is my favourite!
Brunch: Celsius Coffee Co.
Hungry? Take a ferry across to Northern Sydney, hopping off at Kirribilli Wharf. Right by the ferry terminal, you'll find Celsius Coffee Co. This picturesque cafe will have you munching on some delicious dishes from their curated menu whilst floating on water. You'll love it here, especially if you're a Melburnian!
Afternoon: Explore the northern shores of Sydney
Walk off your food coma with an afternoon adventure around northern Sydney. There are plenty of places to check out here including Luna Park, Lavender Bay and Balls Head Reserve. We brought a picnic rug along with us so we could laze about in the sun as well!
Night: Opera Bar Sydney
End the day on a high with sunset at Opera Bar, another water-side destination (can you see a pattern here? I love being by the water when in Sydney!). Opera Bar Sydney is such a stunning place to hang out - live music, seats literally by the water and the stunning backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to boot. The perfect way to end your trip in Sydney!
Photos by Jess Cheung & me