Sydney first timer looking for 3 day visit suggestions

We will be visiting Sydney from April 7-10 before sailing on the 11th. Never been there before and want to see as much as possible in the city and the surrounding area. Blue Mountains are definitely interesting but after that looking for what else is a "can't miss" for first timers. Would appreciate suggestions for tour companies or HOHO's as well as the sites themselves. We're staying at the Marriott Harbor at Circular Quay if that matters and we really enjoy walking as opposed to just riding a tour bus. Thanks in advance for any advice. :)

P.S.--what's the temperature/weather likely to be the first week of April?

Then are so many things to do in Sydney you 'll have a wonderful time. You might book a event at the opera house or just take the tour the Opera House. Afterward walk through the botanical gardens. If you want to spend $200 for the 3 hours sign up for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.

To see the wonderful Australian unique animals go to the Wildlife Park or tour the Taronga Zoo. For a free activity go to the Rocks Discovery Museum and learn about the early the 1st year of British life in Australia. Have lunch in one of the many great fun Rocks cafes. There many interest site to tour in the Rocks.

If the weather nice go to one of the famous beaches. Take a city tour.

It's a great city and you have a great time.

It is pricey, but the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb remains one of my favorite vacation activities in my lifetime. If you can afford it and are physically able, do it!

I've been to Sydney many times. My 3 favorite places are, in reverse alphabetical order, 1) Taronga Zoo, 2) the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and 3) the Botanical Gardens. In addition to my top 3 favorites, I'd recommend walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (cheaper and almost as good as the Bridge Walk); exploring The Rocks; admiring the view from Mrs. Macquarie's Chair; and touring the Opera House.

If you enjoy walking, I'd skip any HO/HO bus as the city is very walkable.

Do the Bondi to Coogee walk. Go to Coogee, have a meal at a seaside cafe and then go shopping at Westfield Bondi and take the train back to Circular Quay to your hotel.

Take the ferry across to Manly and enjoy a day out there. If you wish, instead, you could take a ferry to Watson's Bay and enjoy a swim at Camp Cove or walk along the headland (stunning views).

Go to Darling Harbour at night and have drinks and dinner at Harbourside.

Like somebody said, explore the botanical gardens and the rocks area and if fit, walk the Harbour Bridge instead of climbing it.

Go and seek the many restaurant hubs such as Newtown etc - see Tripadvisor for the best in your favorite cuisine and enjoy all that Sydney has to offer.

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Sydney is a really easy city to get around. Its easy to walk around Circular Quay, The Rocks, Botanical Gardens and Darling Harbour. You can catch a bus to Bondi or train/bus to Bondi. You can catch a ferries to Manly, Watsons Bay, Darling Harbour and Taronga Zoo. Your hotel is within walking distance of Circular Quay, the ferries, The Rocks and even Pitt St Mall, where you can go up Sydney Tower and get an aerial view of Sydney.

If you are in Sydney on a weekend, go to The Rocks markets. You can walk there from your hotel. The whole Rocks area has a great vibe on the weekend and the markets sell quality souvenirs.

The only organised tour you will need to do is to the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are beautiful and worth a visit.

Weather in April will be mild. Not hot, not cold, might be some rain.

What would suggest in the month of October? What would the temperature be like? Is this a good time of year to be in Sydney?

What would suggest in the month of October? What would the temperature be like? Is this a good time of year to be in Sydney?

Same as above. Temps are milder than January being spring time and a good time to be in Sydney. BTW also a good time to be in our tropical north - not so hot and wet.

if you want the aussie beaches then Manly is a great place to visit - there is a ferry from circular quay (right near your hotel) that takes you through the harbour, past all the attractions and past the heads that lead out to the sea. Just for the uninterrupted view of the bridge it is worth it.

when you get to Manly the trick is to cross the road in front of the terminal and just walk along that shopping strip (the corso) after 5-10 minutes you will find the main beach. there are lots of cafes etc to eat at. if you walk to the right on the boardwalk there is a concrete path that leads around the headlands, at the end there is a lovely sheltered beach (shelly beach I think) that is sheltered and a nice place to swim in. don't forget to stop at the cute little white store half way along if you like trinkets, jewellery etc.

+1 for the Rocks and harbour bridge walk. if you want to shop then get the bus out to Birkenhead point and also the Paddy's Market next to China Town. Queen Victoria Building in the city shopping district is also a great building to visit with a variety of shops. Darling Harbour area is great for dining options both sides of the water - either walking or a bus is the best way to get there. there is also a long dining district north of the aquarium as well.

Weather wise, in April it should be somewhere around the 20 degrees C and can get wet. you should be able to do short sleeves most of the time comfortably, particularly with the radiant heat in the city area.

With respect to the Bridge Climb, yes, it is expensive, but is simply a breathtaking, once in a lifetime experience. Walking across the pedestrian surface walkway is nice but not comparable. You can also visit the Pylon Museum (fee) and view the harbor from the pylons. Your hotel is very well located for easy access to many things and lots of lovely, leisurely walks.

It will be our first time as well and staying in Sydney 3 days end of September. Still have not booked hotel and wondering best location thinking of Intercontinental, Mantra 2 Bond Street or Holiday Inn Old Sydney. Suggesting on hotels and things to do. Thanks

It will be our first time as well and staying in Sydney 3 days end of September. Still have not booked hotel and wondering best location thinking of Intercontinental, Mantra 2 Bond Street or Holiday Inn Old Sydney. Suggesting on hotels and things to do. Thanks

Any of those 3 are great locations for a stay in Sydney. If your cruise leaves/arrives at OPT Circular Quay, the Holiday Inn is very convenient, literally a stones throw from the ship.

For a 3 day stay I suggest:

a day exporing Circular Quay/Rocks/CBD/Darling Harbour

a day in and around the harbour taking ferries to Manly, Watsons Bay etc

a day trip to Blue Mountains, incorporating a visit to Featherdale Park to see Australian animals

Have a great visit to our city. September is a great time to visit weatherwise.

It will be our first time as well and staying in Sydney 3 days end of September. Still have not booked hotel and wondering best location thinking of Intercontinental, Mantra 2 Bond Street or Holiday Inn Old Sydney. Suggesting on hotels and things to do. Thanks

Intercontinental is closest to Opera House and Botanic Gardens and Sydney Museum. Also a downhill short walk to Circular Quay. Mantra is condo style and slightly closer to downtown shopping and I think more affordable. Old Sydney as explained is ideally located within the Rocks precinct and very close to cruise terminal. Good views from rooftop. Hotel is a little more rustic but fits in with the ambience of the district, being the oldest settlement in Oz.

Enjoy.

Hugh