Due to its status as Australia’s largest airport, the majority of backpackers travelling across Australia are likely to land in Sydney at some point, even if they haven’t planned a dedicated trip here. In some instances, Visa limitations or stopover times may, unfortunately, mean that the airport itself is about as much of Sydney as you’re able to see. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a few hours or even a day in Australia’s biggest city, it’s possible to have a whole lot of fun with this layover.
If you don’t have a long time during your layover, but you want to see as much as possible without carrying around a heavy backpack, it’s best to arrange luggage storage Sydney in advance of your trip. You can then drop off your bag as soon as you land, loosen your joints, and get stuck into an awesome stopover in Australia.
Feet Do Travel share a backpacker’s guide to a Sydney layover.
If you don’t have a long time during your layover, but you want to see as much as possible without carrying around a heavy backpack, it’s best to arrange luggage storage Sydney in advance of your trip. You can then drop off your bag as soon as you land, loosen your joints, and get stuck into an awesome stopover in Australia.
Feet Do Travel share a backpacker’s guide to a Sydney layover.
Refuel near the airport
Travelling anywhere around Australia takes time, meaning that you’ll likely be pretty hungry once you touch down in Sydney. Luckily, there are some great eating opportunities in the city, with a lot of them within reaching distance of the airport itself. Options including the beautiful Grounds of Alexandria provide you with an opportunity to enjoy some authentic local cuisine straight off the plane. If you have a slightly longer layover and can eat a little further afield it’s also well worth considering top Sydney eateries like Ursula’s, William Street, and Firedoor.
Travelling anywhere around Australia takes time, meaning that you’ll likely be pretty hungry once you touch down in Sydney. Luckily, there are some great eating opportunities in the city, with a lot of them within reaching distance of the airport itself. Options including the beautiful Grounds of Alexandria provide you with an opportunity to enjoy some authentic local cuisine straight off the plane. If you have a slightly longer layover and can eat a little further afield it’s also well worth considering top Sydney eateries like Ursula’s, William Street, and Firedoor.
The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge (known as the Coat Hanger locally) is in Circular Quay
See it all at Circular Quay
The more of Sydney you get to see during your layover the better, which is why it’s also worth heading to Circular Quay regardless of your time limitations. Just an 18-minute drive (or an easy train ride) from the airport, this hotspot provides fantastic views of Sydney’s two most iconic sites – the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge (known locally as “the Coat Hanger). Even if you simply sit on the shore and soak up the sights, you’ll be able to boast that you saw the best of Sydney with only a few hours to spare during your visit. At the very least, you will take some amazing travel snaps of Sydney to upload to Instagram.
The more of Sydney you get to see during your layover the better, which is why it’s also worth heading to Circular Quay regardless of your time limitations. Just an 18-minute drive (or an easy train ride) from the airport, this hotspot provides fantastic views of Sydney’s two most iconic sites – the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge (known locally as “the Coat Hanger). Even if you simply sit on the shore and soak up the sights, you’ll be able to boast that you saw the best of Sydney with only a few hours to spare during your visit. At the very least, you will take some amazing travel snaps of Sydney to upload to Instagram.
View the stunning Sydney Opera House from the water with a short harbour cruise
Don’t be afraid to take to the water
Unsurprisingly, considering that it’s home to both Circular Quay and one of Australia’s most spectacular beaches, Bondi Beach, Sydney also offers a great opportunity for tourists visiting briefly to see more by boat. There are plenty of ferry services which can take you around the city in no time. Top options to consider for even the briefest layover include a Captain Cook Harbour Story Cruise, the Pyrmont Bay ferry line. Some offer a short twenty-minute trip from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay, which takes you right up alongside the Sydney Opera House and the gourmet village of Balmain. Sydney really is your oyster at sea.
Unsurprisingly, considering that it’s home to both Circular Quay and one of Australia’s most spectacular beaches, Bondi Beach, Sydney also offers a great opportunity for tourists visiting briefly to see more by boat. There are plenty of ferry services which can take you around the city in no time. Top options to consider for even the briefest layover include a Captain Cook Harbour Story Cruise, the Pyrmont Bay ferry line. Some offer a short twenty-minute trip from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay, which takes you right up alongside the Sydney Opera House and the gourmet village of Balmain. Sydney really is your oyster at sea.
If you have time, a visit to the Blue Mountains is definitely worth the trip
Look beyond the city centre
While it does require a slightly longer layover, it’s also well worth stepping outside of Sydney’s hustle and bustle if you have the chance. After all, like most locations across Australia, Sydney has an abundance of natural beauty if you are willing to look for it.
The stunning Blue Mountains offer beautiful panoramic views, and are located only 50km west of the city. The Royal Botanic Gardens provide an opportunity to see thousands of different native plants, take an aboriginal bush tucker tour or one of the many guided walks. Choosing any of these options will give you a chance to take in plenty of fresh air before boarding your next flight.
While it does require a slightly longer layover, it’s also well worth stepping outside of Sydney’s hustle and bustle if you have the chance. After all, like most locations across Australia, Sydney has an abundance of natural beauty if you are willing to look for it.
The stunning Blue Mountains offer beautiful panoramic views, and are located only 50km west of the city. The Royal Botanic Gardens provide an opportunity to see thousands of different native plants, take an aboriginal bush tucker tour or one of the many guided walks. Choosing any of these options will give you a chance to take in plenty of fresh air before boarding your next flight.
