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7-Day Sydney and Blue Mountains Itinerary

If you’re looking to spend a week in New South Wales, then this post will cover the highlights of a 7 day trip that includes Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Combining these two regions gets you a real taste of both city and nature. Whether it’s your first time in Australia or a return trip, this itinerary is designed to balance sightseeing, food, relaxation, and adventure.

Where to Stay in Sydney

Choose Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, or Paddington for a balance of charm and convenience, and to stay further out from the tourist hustle and bustle, appreciating the local experience. Here are my top tips for each hotel category (I personally stayed at the Ibis – it was no frills but centrally located!).

Days 1-4 in Sydney

I outline all the details of what to do on days 1-4 in my Sydney itinerary. The highlights for each day include:

Day 1: A city walking tour through Hyde Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Opera House, and across Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A must-see on any Sydney itinerary: Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge shine across the water on a clear, sunny day.
Sydney Harbour with Opera House and Bridge.
Brick entrance to a botanical garden, vibrant plants, and city skyscrapers—a must-see on any Sydney Itinerary.
Royal Botanic Garden.

Day 2: A day at the lovely Taronga Zoo and exploring the seaside town of Manly

Two giraffes stand side by side, eating leaves behind a wooden fence—a perfect stop on your 4 day Sydney travel adventure.
Giraffes at Taronga Zoo.
A must-see on your 4 day Sydney itinerary: a pedestrian street with palm trees, shops, and people strolling under a clear blue sky.
Walking around Manly.

Day 3: Walking the seashore from Coogee to Bondi.

Outdoor swimming pool by the ocean in Sydney, perfect for your 4 day Sydney itinerary; swimmers enjoy clear skies as waves meet the edge.
Icebergs Swim Club.
A seaside rock pool with people swimming, perfect for your Sydney itinerary, sits beside clear blue ocean water and a rocky shoreline.
Ocean Pools.

Day 4: Exploring local neighborhoods like Paddington, Surrey Hills, or Darlinghurst.

A cozy home library—perfect to plan your Sydney itinerary—with shelves of books, a red chair, small table, and patterned rug in natural light.
Bookshop in Paddington.
A wooden table with magazines, snacks, flowers, and drinks sets the scene for planning your perfect 4 day Sydney itinerary in a bright room.
Bill’s cafe in Darlinghurst.

    Day 5 – Drive to the Blue Mountains

    Pick up a rental car from Sydney Airport via DiscoverCars to avoid city traffic and head west for about two hours. Stop at the quirky Museum of Fire in Penrith if you need a break. Continue to Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains, and check into the Mountain Heritage Hotel, famous for putting on a Christmas in July celebration.

    Restaurant tables set by large windows offer scenic views, perfect for planning your Blue Mountains itinerary or Sydney itinerary.
    Views from the dining room at Mountain Heritage.
    A grand staircase with wooden railing and red carpet, perfect for starting your Sydney itinerary or dreaming of the Blue Mountains.
    The historical Mountain Heritage hotel.

    Day 6 – Blue Mountains Highlights

    Start at Echo Point Lookout for the most famous view of the Three Sisters, the main rock formation in the area. From here, walk part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk along the escarpment, taking in waterfalls and different lookouts.

    The Three Sisters overlook a lush valley in the Blue Mountains—a highlight on any Blue Mountains itinerary or 7-day Sydney trip.
    Echo Point Lookout.
    A rocky outcrop covered with vegetation rises above the vast Blue Mountains forest under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
    Views on along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
    A waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs covered with greenery in the Blue Mountains, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
    Katoomba Falls.
    Narrow stone staircase with a metal railing ascends a rocky cliff, perfect for your Blue Mountains itinerary and overlooking a forested valley.
    Furber Steps.

    If you want something more accessible, head to Scenic World for gondola and cable car rides that descend into the valley. In the evening, explore downtown Katoomba. Here you’ll find some cute thrift shops as well as many outdoor / mountaineering ships. Try dinner at the delicious and no frills Pho Moi before heading back to your hotel.

    Day 7 – Fortress Ridge or Alternative Hikes

    If you’re up for a bigger adventure, head to Blackheath and spend the day hiking Fortress Ridge. This moderate trail offers incredible cliffside views and ends at remote pools if you go to the very end.

    A person in a red jacket sits on a rocky cliff, perhaps planning a Blue Mountains itinerary while overlooking a vast, tree-covered valley.
    Hiking near Fortress Ridge.

    If you’d prefer something shorter, try Wentworth Falls near Leura, Govett’s Leap Lookout or the Victoria Falls Walking Track. For a non-hiking option, spend the day in Leura shopping and enjoying Korean food at Jiggle or incredible scones at the Wayzgoose Diner, or window shopping at the curious Leura Cabinet of Curiosities.

    A man sits at a diner counter with food and coffee, mapping out his 7-day itinerary while gazing out the window during the daytime.
    Just look at those scones!

    Logistics & Tips

    • Best time to visit: Spring (Sept–Nov) and fall (March–May), though we visited in June and had great weather (slightly cooler than usual).
    • Getting around: Use an Opal Card in Sydney; rent a car for the Blue Mountains
    • What to pack: Comfortable walking shoes, swimsuit, and layers for cooler mountain evenings. Browse REI or MEC for travel gear.

    Rebecca runs The Adventure Beckons, a travel and outdoor adventure blog based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As an experienced traveler to over 40 countries and counting, she provides her readers with practical travel itineraries from day trips to multi-week adventures. She strives to balance nature and hiking with the must-see tourist highlights that are genuinely worth your time and money.

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