Sydney —
opera, harbour and two trips to Palm Beach
Sydney is everything it's supposed to be — the Opera House, the harbour, the sunshine. We saw an opera inside the Opera House, walked Bondi, drove to the Blue Mountains and — most importantly — went to Palm Beach twice for Home and Away. Missed the cast on day one. Came back day two. Saw Brax. Delighted.
Sunshine, the Opera House and two trips to Palm Beach
Sydney is everything it's supposed to be — the Opera House is as magnificent in person as in every photograph, the harbour is stunning and the sunshine is relentless. The buzz of arriving in Sydney for the first time is something genuinely special.
Beyond the Home and Away pilgrimage and the Opera House moment, Sydney gave brilliant beach time at Bondi, the harbour walk, great food and that easy Australian warmth that makes the city feel immediately welcoming to Irish visitors.
Watch our Sydney video 🎬
Bucket list, ticked
Going to see an opera at the Sydney Opera House was a bucket list moment done properly — inside the building is as extraordinary as outside it, and the experience of being in one of the world's most iconic buildings for a performance is something that stays with you.
The Opera House is not just one venue — it holds several performance halls, and even if opera is not your thing there is usually a concert, ballet, symphony or theatre production running that lets you experience the interior. We strongly recommend doing more than a photo out front.
The Home and Away pilgrimage
Palm Beach is a beautiful spot in its own right — a long crescent of golden sand at the very northern tip of Sydney's Northern Beaches, backed by the pines and headland that anyone who has ever watched Home and Away will recognise instantly.
For Irish visitors who grew up watching the show, standing on Summer Bay in real life is a proper pilgrimage moment. Our determination to actually see the cast is exactly the level of commitment the trip deserved — and going back a second day to catch Brax was absolutely worth it. We can confirm.
Bondi, the harbour and the Sydney way of life
Bondi Beach is the beach every visitor to Sydney has to see — the crescent of sand, the iconic Bondi Icebergs pool at the southern end and the walking track that leads all the way to Coogee. It's busy, it's loud, it's iconic and it's exactly what a Sydney beach should be.
Beyond Bondi, Sydney is genuinely a city of beaches — Manly across the harbour, the Northern Beaches curving up to Palm Beach, the coves and inlets of Sydney Harbour itself. It's part of why Sydney feels so different from most other big cities.
Out of this world
The Blue Mountains were breathtaking — absolutely out of this world. Driving through them with the vast green valleys dropping away on all sides and the haze hanging in the eucalyptus air is one of those experiences that stays with you.
The mountains are an easy day trip from Sydney (roughly 90 minutes' drive west) and give a completely different side of New South Wales — sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, the famous Three Sisters rock formation and endless views out over the eucalyptus forests that give the range its distinctive blue haze.
Postcards from Sydney
Sydney highlights
See a performance if you can — the inside of the building is every bit as extraordinary as the outside.
Walk it, climb it or ferry underneath it — the harbour is Sydney's defining feature.
Iconic for a reason. Don't miss the Bondi-to-Coogee coastal walk.
The northernmost of Sydney's beaches and the real-life Summer Bay from Home and Away.
The 30-minute ferry ride across Sydney Harbour is one of the best-value scenic experiences in the world.
A stunning day trip west of the city — the Three Sisters, sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus haze.
Sydney's oldest neighbourhood — historic laneways, pubs and weekend markets right beside the harbour.
Right on the harbour behind the Opera House — brilliant walk with unbeatable views back to the city.
Sydney practical info
- Getting there: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is well connected internationally and one train ride from the city centre.
- Getting around: The Opal card covers ferries, trains, buses and light rail. Ferries are as much sightseeing as transport.
- Palm Beach: Roughly 1 hour drive from central Sydney. Palm Beach ferry and bus options exist but a car makes the day much easier.
- Blue Mountains: Katoomba is about 90 minutes by car or train. Many good day-trip tours from central Sydney include the Three Sisters and Scenic World.
- Best time to visit: Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) — mild, sunny and less crowded than summer.
Book Sydney experiences with GetYourGuide
Opera House tours, Harbour Bridge climb, Blue Mountains day trips, harbour cruises and more:
Disclosure: If you book through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Take a virtual drive around Sydney
Want another look around Sydney before you go? Explore the city virtually with Drive From Home, then jump into the Sydney drive and see the streets from the road.
Common questions
FAQ
What to pack for Australia
Australia packing essentials
A few useful essentials for an Australia adventure — especially for sun, changing weather and long travel days.
Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Planning your Australia trip?
This is just one stop on the huge Australian adventure. See how it all connects — the East Coast, the Red Centre, the reef, the cities and everything in between.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only share links we think may be useful when planning your trip.