Sydney in 3 days

Sydney is a must for visitors going to Australia, and a first trip to this city would deserve at least a whole week to better explore it. Having such little time, we concentrated on the most famous areas.

We actually managed to see and do quite a lot those 3 days (first tip: wear your comfiest sneakers...!), so hopefully this post will be helpful to other people short of time on their first visit as I was.

(Map / our walk)
(Small recap)

Wooloomooloo Ovolo Hotel

We stayed at the Wooloomooloo Ovolo Hotel, great value for money, well located, and the coolest design. We were at the “Wooloomooloo Wharf”, right next to many restaurants to choose from and on east side of town - only a few minutes away from the Botanical Garden and walking distance from the Opera.
https://ovolohotels.com.au/ovolowoolloomooloo/?_ga=2.105156036.690628220.1545592890-728765745.1545592890

This area has a reputation for good restaurants, cool bars, boutiques, theatres. Check the Ovolo website below for the wharf list of restaurants:
Alibi, China Doll, Manta, Kingsleys, Aki’s, Otto
https://ovolohotels.com.au/ovolowoolloomooloo/eat/?_ga=2.9970930.690628220.1545592890-728765745.1545592890
https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g255060-d258580-Woolloomooloo_Wharf-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html

Day 1

Daytime:

Botanical garden & Opera house

For our first day, we wanted to immediately check Sydney’s iconic Theater and Botanical Garden from our list. The walk up until the Theater from our hotel was easy - 15 minutes, strolling through well cared gardens and the peaceful Bay.

The Opera house is quite beautiful and much larger in person. It can host multiple simultaneous events and has been considered part of Unesco Heritage in 2007. It still looks fresh and contemporary, despite its 50s/60s project/construction (by Jørn Utzon, Danish architect):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Opera_House

Harbour Bar

We had lunch at this restaurant and enjoyed our fast but good food - you pick up your tray and serve your table. I love this system! Feels good to “help yourself”. It faces a great view of the Bridge and offers a breezy cool outside area to relax while enjoying the crowd.

The Rocks

This charming neighborhood is called “The Rocks” because of their peculiar sandstone buildings and cobblestone historic laneways. Located close to Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, it is famous for its weekend open-air Markets, street food, and handmade gift stores. Sydney’s oldest pubs are also located here along with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

Pitt Street Mall

Nice area for some easy shopping (Sephora, Uniqlo, Cotton On, Zimmermann, etc). It is only 200m between Market and King Streets, one block long and one of Australia's busiest shopping areas. Crowded and quite packed of tourists, but still worth it. David Jones is close by, along with some fancier boutiques.

...Evening time:

We walked to our restaurant of choice and through the Potts area, just to have an idea of the neighborhood.

Cho Cho San

We had dinner at this asian fusion delightful place. Small and cozy, dimmed lighting, cool atmosphere, good food. After that, we headed to the hotel for some Drinks @ Ovolo’s bar.
https://chochosan.com.au

Day 2

Daytime:

We had Brunch in front of our hotel, at the Marina xx, then followed the below itinerary:

Taronga Zoo

We bought opal day tickets for the ferry, and spent a few hours at this famous zoo. Easy solution to spot Australia’s unique animals, and also a great place to bring the kids.

Manly Beach & Manly Hotel

After the zoo, we took the ferry back and then again to this other part of Sydney. Manly is a famous beach and has a nice little town... on our way back we stopped at the Hotel for drinks.

...Evening time:

Rockpool Bar & Dining

We had dinner here - really good food, for a price. Australia is expensive, but some restaurants - like this one - are on the even higher side. Still worth it.

Establishment

We had after dinner drinks here, nice place, a bit empty though... it was a week day, but we felt like checking it out anyway.

O Bar

We were told this bar has an amazing city view, unfortunately it was a bit late when we arrived and it was closed.

Day 3

Daytime:

Be ready to walk 13km for this itinerary... I still cannot believe we did all this in one day. Only for the sportier ones :). Bondi/Coogee coastal walk a must do, though:

Beach Club & Hotel

Brunch here...! Again, with the same “come get your tray and serve your table” style. Loved it!

Watsons Bay: Beautiful houses by the bay, wild coastal nature.
Cove bay & Nudist beach: Just a peak - by accident - from far away and then headed to Bondi Beach by taxi.

Icebergs / Bondi

Iconic swimming pool, unfortunately it was not filled at this time of the year. Still a nice place to start from, and then walk all the way towards south until Coogee.

Bondi/Tamarama/Bronte/Coogee

The famous coastal walk, 4km long... breathtaking scenery and unique geology. We were quite exhausted at the end, and stopped for a pitch of Sangria and well deserved Happy Hour at the “Coogee Pavilion”:
Www...

If we had an extra day or 2:

Outside Sydney:
Blue mountains
Featherdale Park

In Sydney:
Hyde Park
Port Jackson
Darling Harbour (sealife and wildlife)

About this post's featured shoes:

Miu Miu slingback ballerinas

Slingbacks and bows are a current trend for pumps and ballerinas... both fashionable and comfortable. Just bear in mind that "patent" has a dressier feel vs plain leather (usually more rigid), especially the first times you wear it. Nice for a "calm" walk, not the best choice for field trips...!
Full price: 490€
NET-A-PORTER MIU MIU BALLERINAS

Nike Sneakers

These were a gift from my sister. They are actually running sneakers and fit like a sock. Not the most fashionable, yet were very comfortable for day use, sightseeing, and winery hopping.
Full price: 130$
Nike Women Free Rn Flyknit Running

Miu Miu Sandals

I loved the fact that these sandals look very cool, have a furry insole (which add to the comfort), and an 8,5cm heel. The satin straps are a bit too thin to my taste, but still ok.
Full price: 650€
MIU MIU FAUX PEARL AND SHEARLING SANDALS

Monse Slingback Pumps

This Monse 6,5cm heel style was launched for the Spring 2018, a collection inspired by references to sports uniforms - footballs jerseys, varsity jackets and track pants. The strap can be played in multiple ways, the plant is actually wider than the usual (loved the fit). Though it covers the arch of the foot quite a bit, I must say it still looks flattering and proportional on.
Full price: 853€
MONSE PUMPS