Traveling Solo In Sydney, Australia

Breanna Ruth
Jan 1, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Apr 7, 2020

Sydney has officially stolen my heart! I never thought I would love or want to live in another country in my entire life. I’m already planning my next trip to the land down under and it hasn’t even been a month yet.

Exploring a new place anywhere in the world is fun, but doing it by yourself is a whole different experience. You’re forced to communicate and enjoy conversations with others. You are more present in the moment and can see the world through a new perspective!

Did you know that Australia is one of the safest places to travel to by yourself?

I started my trip by flying from Phoenix to San Francisco where I visited my cousin for two days. Next was a 5 hour flight and a 24 hours layover in Hawaii. I highly recommend stopping a day or two in Hawaii if you’re coming from the US. Having this layover helped tremendously with time change and took about 4 hours off of the direct flight. I flew Hawaiian Airlines which provided me with a free meal, unlimited drinks, snacks, and plenty of shows/movies to watch.

After an 11 hour plane ride I finally landed in Australia! I lost about two days because of the time change, so recommend you plan for 10-14 days in Australia to settle in and sleep off the jet lag. During my trip I spent 5 days in Gold Coast then 3 days in Sydney.

I stayed in the cutest airbnb loft that was under $100 and had a perfect view of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor bridge. I woke up and went to bed every day mesmerized by my view. The host was extremely polite and considerate. She continuously checked in to make sure I made it safe and if I needed anything at all. I gave the experience a 10 out of 10! Make sure you save it to plan your trip to Sydney.

The location was near Elizabeth bay which was a few blocks from restaurants and shops. You can take a 5 minute uber to the Opera House or walk 2 miles tops to almost everything listed below! It’s extremely hard to do everything you can in Sydney especially within 3 days, so I created a list of all my favorite things I had the opportunity to do. Before we get started, one thing I will say is make sure you do your research and plan ahead unlike me! This way you can experience all of the best of Sydney.

Video of my time here in Sydney, Australia.

Some of my favorite things to do include: Visiting the Opera House: I stopped by this gorgeous architectural legacy multiple times during my trip. Waking up early and going before 8 am was the most peaceful thing I did in Sydney. I was able to capture photos with no interruptions besides a couple people exercising. All you need is a cup of coffee, a good book and a bench to overlook the harbor. If you’re lucky to find some affordable tickets to attend a show or tour, do it! So you can experience the insides of the Opera House as well. Just plan in advance.

The Royal Botanical Garden: With 74 acres to explore there’s plenty to see! Take a tour, learn about Aboriginal culture or relax and enjoy the views. So many people gather here for lunch and have their own picnic. It was so cute!

Hang out at Bondi Beach:

Get there early to lay your Sand Cloud towel out at this iconic beach spot. With lush clear aqua waters to swim or surf in it’s a must do when you visit. When you have had enough sun, walk down Hall Street and grab some local fish n chips or do some shopping.

Eat brunch at The Grounds of Alexandria: This is a gorgeous unique place filled with decor, a delicious cafe, a restaurant, and a cute flower shop. It is an extremely popular place, so I highly recommend going during the week or right when it opens.

The Sky Tower Observation Deck: Take in the sights of Sydney from 250 Meters above the city streets. This can be quick or hang out for a while. Learn more about the history of Sydney. Purchase tickets online to save money! You can even book a breath-taking 90-minute tour around the outside of Sydney Tower with two of our experienced guides.

The Rocks: The Rocks had me in awe! It is a little neighbourhood full of historic roads and buildings near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tourists and even locals mingle at the open-air Rocks Markets, purchasing street food and handmade items. This is where you can find some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Also in this area you can find the Museum of Contemporary Art which offers local and international exhibits. Super cool and free experience.