During our trip to Sydney and the Blue Mountains, I compiled everything you need to know to explore these destinations seamlessly! 

Inside, you’ll find detailed sections on:
🚌 Public Transport - Navigating the city and surrounding areas.
🛌 Accommodation - Discover the best places to stay.
🍽️ Food and Drink - Top recommendations.
📍 Activities - Explore must-see attractions.

Along the way, I share valuable tips, helpful recommendations, and cost, to make your trip planning a breeze. 

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney NSW, Australia

A Tourist Guide to SYDNEY & THE BLUE MOUNTAINS


Sydney offers a variety of public transport options, including e-bikes, trams, trains, and buses. All modes accept an Opal card (similar to London’s Oyster card) or a contactless card. With a consistent schedule, you shouldn’t wait more than 10 minutes for any service.

After considering pricing, accessibility to public transport and supermarkets, parking options, and distance from the CBD, we chose to stay at the Meriton Suites in North Sydney. 


Charlie and I enjoy good food and drink, but we usually minimise eating out to avoid overspending. We don’t do much research ahead of time; instead, we find nearby places with good reviews. While in Sydney, we discovered two standout places worth visiting.

We also recommend checking out 4 Pines Brewery Co. in Manly and the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks. 

Since we didn’t have a stovetop or oven, we tried two restaurants and one brewery during our stay. If you plan to dine out, be sure to book ahead, especially on weekends.

Here’s a breakdown of our daily travel costs in Sydney:

Day 1: Bus and train for a total of $6.44.

Day 3: Two trains, a bus to Bondi, a bus to Watson Bay, a ferry to Manly, and two buses back to North Sydney, totalling $18.70.

If you stick to the central area, travel is relatively inexpensive. However, venturing into other suburbs can add up. Fortunately, once you’re in the CBD, walking between attractions is easy, as the main tourist spots are conveniently located in a loop, allowing you to explore much in a single day.


The location was ideal, just minutes from a Metro station, bus stop, and train station, as well as a Coles Local and an Aldi. The journey to the city centre took a maximum of 20 minutes—two train stops or one bus stop away.


Travelling with our van, parking was crucial for us. Many places in Sydney cater to smaller vehicles, with most ‘secure parking’ having height restrictions of 1.8 to 2 meters. Hotels typically allow heights of 2 to 2.1 meters, but since our van is between 2.1 and 2.2, we had to remove the awning to fit. While it was annoying, it was better than having no parking options. The Meriton Suites charged $40 per night for parking, which seems standard for the area. I did find options for $38, but those were for smaller vehicles. 


Our nightly rate was $223, which exceeded our budget, especially with parking added. However, the spacious apartment featured an oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, and amenities like a pool, sauna, and gym—all in a fantastic location—making it worth every penny.

Diego and Co. - Just a six-minute walk east of Darling Harbour, you don’t want to miss out on such delicious sandwiches. Be prepared for queues and limited seating - arriving between 12 and 1 pm is best, as popular items sell out quickly. Expect to spend between $17-$24 per person. It’s pricey but absolutely worth it.

Marble Bar - Located in the Hilton and just minutes from Town Hall, this is the ideal spot for an evening drink. The atmosphere is the main attraction, thanks to the building’s restored Victorian style, featuring a marble archway and frosted glass ceiling, bringing the 1890s structure back to life. The stunning architecture is complemented by two bars, dim lighting, and live music.

Getting around the Blue Mountains is relatively easy by bus and train. While this may lead to longer journeys, it saves you from the hassle of parking. If you time it right, parking is straightforward, but after 12 PM, you might have to wait or circle the car park a few times. 

When choosing where to stay in the Blue Mountains, it's important to consider the areas you want to explore. For us, we aimed to visit Wentworth Falls, the Grand Canyon Track, and Echo Point, making Katoomba a central location. We stayed in an Airbnb just a five-minute walk from the centre, perched on a hill with a stunning mountain view. Our accommodation included a double bed, a dining table, a bathroom, a balcony, and a basic kitchen. Per night, we spent $192.

While researching, I found that Katoomba is the popular hub for visitors to the National Park, resulting in a busy tourist scene. Looking back, I would choose not to stay in Katoomba again. Instead, I’d recommend Wentworth Falls, which offers a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere, along with accessible public transport and charming cafes. 

Fortunately, being outside the main city makes parking much easier when searching for a place to stay, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Fortunately, buses venture to all the popular spots, including Scenic World and Echo Point (The Three Sisters). While trains stop at towns like Katoomba, Leura, and Wentworth Falls. However, for some destinations, driving can be more convenient; for example, the Grand Canyon Track is a 50-minute bus ride or a quick 15-minute drive from Katoomba. 

I highly recommend taking a bus to Echo Point, as parking is limited and expensive. The car park at the Lookout entrance charges $3 for every 15 minutes, and a New South Wales National Park pass doesn’t cover this parking, as it’s council-owned. If you prefer to drive, there’s free street parking on Lurline Street, which is a 15-minute walk to Echo Point and passes a cute cafe.

Rustico - Located on a corner in town, this small pizza restaurant was quite popular. Unfortunately, since it was Friday and the place was packed, we had to get our pizzas to go. Despite not having a dining experience, the pizza made up for it, costing us $55 for two.

The Bootlegger - This country-western-themed restaurant and bar is modeled after a historical speakeasy (a 1920-1930 illegal US bar). It offers great food, live music, and a wide selection of drinks. The atmosphere is cosy offering comfort food. We spent $101 on two main meals, two beers, and a gin.

Mountain Culture Brewery - This brewery quickly became part of our daily routine. Although it’s located on the main high street, it’s easy to miss—the entrance is around the side, leading you directly into the brewery/bar. Here, you can taste their craft beers, enjoy finger food, and enjoy the mountain views. Charlie enjoyed a pint of their "Cult" beer for $11, while I had a soft drink for $5. 

A Tourist Guide to SYDNEY & THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

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