Grab an Opal card at the airport train station; the daily cap is AUD 17 on weekdays and AUD 8.50 on Sundays, making long ferry rides affordable. Use TripView or the official NSW Trip Planner to monitor platform changes.
Harbor Circuit
Begin at Circular Quay, ride the F1 ferry to Manly for breakfast at the Corso, then detour to Shelly Beach for snorkeling. On the return, stop at Milsons Point for the Luna Park boardwalk and cross the Harbour Bridge via the pedestrian path.
Bondi to Coogee Walk
Start before 8:30 a.m. to beat tour groups. Carry water; kiosks appear at Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly only. If the surf flags fly red at Bronte, swim at the ocean pool instead. Bus 333 links Coogee back to the city via Bondi Junction.
Blue Mountains Day Trip
- Take the NSW TrainLink from Central to Katoomba (2 hours); sit on the left for valley views.
- Buy the Explorer Bus pass or use local buses 686/685 to reach Scenic World, Echo Point, and Leura Village.
- Pack layers—temperatures drop 10°C compared with Sydney even in summer.
Evenings are lively in Surry Hills and Newtown; many restaurants are BYO, so pick up a bottle at a bottle shop if you plan to dine there.