In this guide we are sharing the best walks and things to do in Sydney in one day. If you truly want to experience the city with all the senses, you cannot just sit in a bus or car and stare from the window. Surely, using public transportation means that you can cover a bigger area, which is just fine.

On the other hand, you won’t be able to feel the sand or concrete underneath your feet, the smell of the air, the sun on your skin or even to hear the chatter of the locals and ask them for directions. If you really want to breathe in the atmosphere of a city, you need to walk.

➳ Find all: Hotels in Sydney

Sydney has some amazing walking tours you can take to truly enjoy the many faces of this awesome city. Sydney might be one of the stops along your backpacking trip across Australia so make sure to enjoy everything this city has to offer off the beaten path. Make sure you see everything this destination has to offer with this ultimate itinerary for five days in Sydney.

If you are interested in visiting other places in Australia, a group of travelers blogger have a wonderful guide with their favorite places to visit in Australia.

The Coastal Nature and Art Walking Map:

How to Have Unforgettable Time Walking Around Sydney:

The most famous coastal walk in Sydney is the walk between Bondi and Coogee Beach. It is about 6 km long, so if you rush it, it will take you somewhere around two hours to complete it. You will see Bondi beach, followed by Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches.

There, you can find amazing people, BBQ spots, lovely restaurants and natural pools. You just need to take your pick. The final destination is beautiful Coogee, which is one of the oldest Sydney areas. You can continue your walk inland and explore it or you can continue to Maroubra beach if you have not had enough of the ocean.

This walk is not only about the oceanfront views, it is also about art. Every year, there is the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition, an open-air festival that displays over 100 pieces.

The Historical Heritage of the Rocks

If you want to learn all about the history packed Rocks, try an hour and a half free tour around the Rocks that starts every day at 6.00 pm in front of the Cadman’s Cottage. Built in 1816, it is considered the oldest cottage here. It is just around the corner from the George Street. Walking along it will take you to the Campbell’s Cove that offers numerous magnificent spots for taking photos of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

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You can walk up to the bridge, wander around the Dawes Point Park and go through the amazing Rocks Market. It is full of amazing artisan stalls, as well as fresh local fruits and delicious food. Go into the Playfair Street and you will stumble upon the Rocks Square, where the Rocks’ Centre is. Right across the Center is the Museum, as well. While strolling along this part of the city, make sure to take time to do some shopping at the Queen Victoria building and visit the Susannah Place Museum.

Discovering the Street Art Murals of Sydney

One of the best ways to feel the heartbeat of the contemporary art of a city is to take a look at its street art. Sydney has a lot of it. Go along the Enmore Rd, King St and Princess St, and wander from those main roads here and there. You will find an amazing Mona Lisa out on the open in the corner of the Erskineville Rd.

Additionally, an awesome ‘I Have a Dream’ Mural is right there, as well as the Warriors mural in the Elisabeth’s street and Sydney Morning Herald Mural in the Princess St. There is also a lot of breathtaking art on the walls of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre nearby.

Let Your Smell and Taste Take You through the Markets

Save on your trip and accommodation by looking for flatmates in Australia since this is the biggest expense here. They will show you all the right places for food, drinks and pub crawls. If you want to experience the best Asian food around, you could simply walk to Chinatown.

However, your best bet for some fresh food is to go to the great food markets all over Sydney. While there, do not forget to try some of the most famous Australian vintage and beers.

There are amazing places to spend a day wandering around, such as the Royal Botanic Garden, the Chinese Garden of Friendship or the Taronga Zoo. If you are into some more serious and longer walks, the Blue Mountains are just around the corner, but this requires a guide and some challenging bushwalking. However, it’s definitely worth the effort because the sights are amazing.

Article was written by contributor Nicole Noel.

Nicole Noel is an avid traveler and yoga aficionado passionate about healthy living, interior design and fashion. She is a contributor to several lifestyle blogs and editor at HighStyLife magazine.

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