Minimum time in Sydney?

I have a very basic question - what is the minimum number of days I should spend in Sydney to be able to enjoy all the usual tourist activities? I'll be there April next year after a few days at the Melbounrne Comedy Festival (I've got Melbourne sussed, I've been there before and love it ). Just combining the 2 to make the hop over from NZ a little more worthwhile thanks for any advice!

The absolute minimum is probably three days, but you'd basically be rushing from place to place just to check things off from a checklist. I'd say five days to see the city properly, and six or seven if you also want to head over to the Blue Mountains for a taste of that (worth it, but not essential).

I agree, 3 days is enough to see the sights but it would be a rushed experience. 5 days would give you a nicer length as you would be able to go to Sydney Zoo across the harbour, tour the opera house, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, look around Darling Harbour and the Maritime Museum. It depends what you are into really.

I would definitely agree with a trip to the Blue Mountains. Our tour took us to a wildlife sanctuary, the 3 sisters, wine tasting and then back by boat to Sydney city. It was a great day.

After doing 4 months RTW travelling I have based myself in Sydney for 2 months and have recently found work paying me a decent wage and therefore plan to stay for a further 6 months. If you only intend to fly through I think you need at least 5 days as the city is huge. If you are into beaches get the ferry across to Manly or visit Bondi Beach in the Eastern suburbs. Also check out the Blue Mounts and Hunter vally for some awesome wine tasting. Then you have all the attractions in the city aquarium / darling harbor / wildlife park / Opera House etc. I also reccommend you check out 'The Rocks' on sunday as there is a cool little market.

Just a few ideas...

JD

As a Sydney-sider ... definitely a week

Trips and travel times from Sydney approx (driving each way)

Bathurst : 3.5hrs
Mudgee (wineries): 3.5hrs
Katoomba/Leura : 2hrs
Southern Highlands :1.5hrs
Woolongong : 1hr
Central Coast : 1hr
Newcastle : 2hr
Hunter Valley : 1.5hr

Hope that gives you some ideas.

PS - don't know the wineries in the Blue Mtns ??

Brendan

thanks guys, these replies have been really useful seems like theres a few side-trips I'll want to take so I'll give Sydney a week. Seems like a fair amount of time for a city-break!