If you’re planning a trip to Sydney, Australia or thinking of studying abroad in the future, here are a few places that need to be on your itinerary. After spending a week in Australia, it lives up to every TikTok, Instagram post, and study-abroad fantasy you’ve ever seen. Sydney feels like a mix of the prettiest beaches, the cutest food spots, and the friendliest people. Everywhere you go looks like it was made to be photographed. Whether you’re planning your own trip, thinking about studying abroad, or just want to know what’s worth doing, these are the six spots I visited that you have to add to your list.
1. Coogee to Bondi walk
If you want the perfect mix of ocean views, a good workout, and the opportunity to see multiple towns all wrapped into one, the Coogee to Bondi walk is perfect for you. The hidden beaches, coastal cliffs, and clear blue water makes the whole walk Insta pic worthy. This walk is about 3.7 miles but the best part about it is along the way you can stop in towns and beaches such as Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, and Gordon’s Bay. These locations are perfect for a coffee, lunch, and even stopping to tan and swim for a little.
2. Paddington Markets
Every Saturday, Paddington Markets turn into the ideal way to start the weekend. A giant farmers market with pop-ups offering everything from handmade clothes and jewelry to art and small businesses is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are also a bunch of food pop-ups that have many items that are unique (meat pies, scrolls, lamington) .When going I recommend trying the scrolls (Australia’s Cinnamon Roll) from Bobo’s. This market is perfect when visiting to get a taste of the true Australian culture, from clothes to food, and a great place to pick up gifts to bring home for family and friends.
3. Ferry from Sydney Harbour to Manly
If you want a cheap way to spend the day and sightsee Sydney, get on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. For just $6.99 U.S. each way, you can take the ferry to Manly, a cute surf town with many shops and restaurants. On the ferry, you will get front-row seats and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This ride is only about 15-20 minutes and usually isn’t too crowded considering these boats come every 30 minutes. Once you get to Manly, wander around the surf shops, grab some famous fish and chips, or spend a day on the beach. Renting a surfboard is a great option as well, considering the waves are perfect learning size in summer (December-February). Manly shows the true beach vibe of Australia and is a good way to spend a day.
4. Eat at Bar Totti’s
Located in the heart of Sydney on George Street and in Bondi Beach, Bar Totti’s is the kind of restaurant that makes me think about it for days. Totti’s is known for its wood-fired flatbread that is meant to be loaded up with a lineup of antipasti like burrata, marinated peppers, prosciutto, and so much more. I tried it with tomatoes and burrata, and I’m still thinking about it three days later. It’s the perfect spot to go with friends or family because it’s the kind of food that’s worth being shared and mixed and matched. The vibe is busy, with big open windows and outside street seating that’s perfect for people-watching in the city. It opens at 12 p.m. and already has a line out the door of people getting their fix during their lunch break. If you’re staying in the city or Bondi, it’s walking distance and worth the experience.
5. Bondi Icebergs
Bondi Icebergs is an infinity-style ocean pool sits right on the rocks of Bondi Beach, where waves crash into the side while you swim. This pool is cold, refreshing and picture worthy. For the full experience, spend the $6.46 U.S. and swim a few laps, warm up on the deck and tan, then grab a drink and bite to eat at the Icebergs Club upstairs where you can get the famous Bondi view. This is the perfect place to go when you want a beach day worth bragging about.
6. Featherdale Wildlife Park
If seeing kangaroos and koalas is on your Australia bucket list, Featherdale Wildlife Park is the place to go. This park is interactive, easy to get to, and shows you all the animals that are unique to Australia. At the beginning when getting your ticket, I recommend buying a cup of food to be able to hand-feed the kangaroos. This is the kind of place that you’ll leave with over 100 pictures and videos. If you want a break from city life and beach life, spending a few hours here is the perfect wholesome way to spend your day.