SYDNEY · 2026
Sydney Harbour at midday, the Opera House sails on the left, the CBD skyline on the right, and green-and-yellow ferries carving white wakes across the blue water.
TRIP PLAN № 01 27 JUL → 05 AUG 2026 NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

Sydney Nine nights, direct flights both ways, a base by the beach and a cabin in the mountains, and a friend who lives here to show us around.

9Nights
3Travelling together
DirectBoth ways
7h 35mFlight out
Scroll the plan ↓
Depart Mon 27 Jul 02:10 Changi T1 · Scoot TR10 · direct
Return Wed 05 Aug 20:35 Kingsford Smith · lands Singapore 6 Aug
Where we stay Eastern beaches One Airbnb for the whole group, near Coogee
Season Cool winter Sydney winter, roughly 9 to 17°C. Ideal for walking.
01 · Getting there The flights

Direct, both ways.

Singapore to Sydney and back on Scoot, no stopovers either direction. We fly out together on the same booking and land into Sydney around midday on the Monday.

SIN Singapore · Changi 02:10 Mon 27 Jul
7h 35m Direct · TR10
SYD Sydney · Kingsford Smith 11:45 Mon 27 Jul
SYD Sydney · Kingsford Smith 20:35 Wed 05 Aug
8h 30m Direct · Scoot
SIN Singapore · Changi 03:05 Thu 06 Aug
CarrierScoot
CabinEconomy
Baggage7kg carry-on
BookingBook together
02 · Where we stay Two homes, two halves of the trip

A base by the beach, a cabin in the mountains.

Eight of the nine nights are on the eastern beaches in Randwick, minutes from Coogee and our friend's campus. For one night, 2 August, we head up to a cosy home in Katoomba for the Blue Mountains hike. Both are booked through Airbnb.

The Sydney Opera House lit gold against a deep indigo night sky, mirrored in the still harbour water.
Home base · Sydney

Guest suite in Randwick

Our home for eight of the nine nights, on the eastern beaches. A short walk to Coogee, ten minutes from our friend's university, and an easy run into the city.

8 nights Walk to Coogee
View on Airbnb
The Three Sisters rock formation glowing amber above a wide, blue-hazed eucalyptus valley in the Blue Mountains near Katoomba.
For the hike · Blue Mountains

Cosy home in Katoomba

One night, 2 August, up in the mountains for the hike. In the heart of Katoomba, close to the Three Sisters and the cliff-top walking tracks.

1 night · 2 Aug By the trailheads
View on Airbnb
03 · The itinerary Five we are planning around

The days that matter.

The rest of the time is relaxed and flexible. These five are the anchors of the nine days.

The Three Sisters sandstone pinnacles glowing amber above a vast blue-hazed eucalyptus valley in the Blue Mountains. 01
PlannedLocal pick

Blue Mountains day trip

A full day out west with a night in Katoomba on 2 August: the Three Sisters lookout and the cliff-top walking tracks, with eucalyptus valleys stretching to the horizon. Our friend, who has done it, says the walks are the highlight.

By rental carOvernight 2 AugPack warm layers
A yellow Sydney ferry crossing the harbour beneath the steel arch of the Harbour Bridge on a bright afternoon. 02
PlannedBy ferry

Taronga Zoo, by ferry

Koalas and giraffes with the city skyline behind them. Part of the appeal is the ferry across the harbour from Circular Quay, so we plan to make the boat ride part of the day.

Ferry from Circular QuayOn the Klook pass
The Sydney Opera House sails under a vivid pink and orange sunset, warm lights glowing along the harbour promenade. 03
PlannedWith our host

An evening in the city

One relaxed evening out with our friend who lives here showing us around: dinner in Newtown, the harbour lights at Circular Quay, and a look at the Opera House after dark. We are with a local the whole time.

Guided by a local friendBack to one base
The Sea Cliff Bridge curving around a forested headland above the crashing Pacific on the New South Wales coast. 04
Planned

SEA Life & the harbour edges

The aquarium at Darling Harbour for a cooler day, then a walk along the waterfront: The Rocks market, the QVB, and Circular Quay. Easy, on foot, and plenty to photograph.

On the Klook passGood indoor option
Aerial view of the Bondi headland, turquoise water wrapping around sandstone cliffs and a tight grid of beachside houses. 05
PlannedLocal favourite

Bondi Beach & the coastal walk

The Coogee to Bondi cliff walk, roughly 6km of headlands, rock pools and sea air. Too cool to swim in winter, which makes it perfect for walking. Coffee at one end, the Bondi markets at the other.

About 6 kmStarts at Coogee
04 · Local knowledge

Recommendations from our friend in Sydney.

Our friend Mihika studies in Sydney and offered to show us around. Here is what she suggested, from the everyday spots to the places worth the trip.

can't wait to show you aroundMihika · lives & studies in Sydney

Beaches

  • Coogee 10 minutes from my campus
  • Bondi the famous one
  • Manly a short ferry ride, my favourite
  • Maroubra quieter, also lovely

too cool to swim in winter, but the Coogee to Bondi walk is beautiful

Eats

  • Drunk Dumpling my favourite, we have to go
  • Sydney Fish Market fresh seafood, worth it
  • Yochi frozen yoghurt
  • The fries at my campus a little tradition

In the evening

  • Dinner in Newtown lots of small restaurants
  • Darling Harbour lights over the water
  • Circular Quay the Opera House after dark
  • Live music around the inner city

Markets

  • Glebe Markets weekend clothes and crafts
  • Paddy's Markets the classic
  • The Rocks historic, right by the harbour
  • Bondi Markets on Sundays

Where to wander

  • Newtown cafes and a wander
  • QVB & the Opera House
  • Chinatown & Haymarket
  • Bondi Junction for shopping

the lookout points have the best views of the whole city

Blue Mountains

  • The walking tracks are the highlight
  • Give it a whole day

worth the early start, promise