The itinerary
How to spend an action-packed day in Sydney, and how much you need to budget for it.
VISIT
Start your morning with a visit to Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, which is just over from Circular Quay. Australia’s equivalent to the Tate Modern, it houses more than 4000 pieces of Australian and international contemporary art. It’s free to enter, or for AUD$24 you can see the current feature exhibition of David Goldblatt’s photographs of apartheid-era South Africa. mca.com.au Cost: $24
BREAK
Have a coffee and cake break at the museum’s rooftop cafe — it offers stunning views out over Sydney Harbour. Cost: $10
SEE
From here, you’re in the perfect location to have a look at the Opera House and some of the Botanical Gardens, before your next excursion. Cost: Free
TRAVEL
Be sure to pick up an Opal public transport card on arrival. You’ll pay no more than $15 a day for train, bus and ferry rides — and what better way to make the most of it than by going out on the water? From Circular Quay, catch the ferry to Manly. On the way you’ll pass by the Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo — keep an eye out for the giraffes. opal.com.au Cost: $15
REFRESH
Have a swim at the beach and then head to Hemingway’s Manly for a spot of lunch. hemingwaysmanly.com.au Cost: $30
GEEK OUT
Catch the ferry back and head to the Powerhouse Museum — sci fi fans will be in heaven here, as it’s currently hosting the
Star Wars Identities exhibition. maas.museum/powerhouse-museum Cost: $36
DINE
For dinner, you can’t get better cheap eats than in Sydney’s bustling Chinatown district. Ho Jiak Haymarket is a Malaysian joint which recently won Time Out’s People’s Choice Award for 2018. The food is affordable and delicious — and you can even get your redang upgraded with actual KFC. hojiak.com.au Cost: For $40, you can enjoy a three course tasting menu with all the favourites.
NIGHTCAP
After dinner, finish your evening with a drink at the 1920s prohibition themed Palmer and Co — it’s like stepping back in time. The entrance is located down an alleyway and through a nondescript door, to add to the secretive atmosphere. The bar serves a selection of classic cocktails. merivale.com/venues/palmerandco Cost: $40 for two drinks. Total: A$195 (NZ$205)