At Skyscanner, we’ve used modern technology to explore the world outside our front door. We’ve seen the great outdoors from African savannahs to the fjords of Norway, to the best national parks in the USA. For those who love culture, we’ve also taken a stroll through museums and tuned in to live performances – all without leaving home.
If you’ve yet to see Sydney, or simply want to explore while lounging on an armchair in your trackies, we have the perfect itinerary for you.
If you want an overview of what Sydney has to offer, enjoy this 360-degree video made by Sydney-sider Sam Evans.
Morning
You can’t visit Sydney without stopping at one of its many beaches. Start your morning at Bondi Beach, the most popular beach in all of Australia and home to the iconic reality show, Bondi Rescue. From here, venture on the Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk, a six kilometre walk that takes you past some of Sydney’s best beaches like Tamarama and Bronte.
If you prefer to spend your morning in the water, paddle out for a virtual surf. If you’re a beginner, check out the friendly beach break at Bondi. Otherwise, enjoy the perspective of getting barrelled at one of Sydney’s heavier waves. Coastal Watch hosts live webcams of many of the city’s best surf breaks.
Because life is all about balance, opt for a sweet treat from Grumpy Donuts, where a delightful time is just a box of donuts away. If you’re feeling spontaneous, click the ‘random assortment’ option at check-out. Most donuts can be made vegan, too. Can’t get Grumpy Donuts from where you are? Grab your own brand and pretend for now (we won’t tell!), then add it to your Sydney bucket list travel itinerary to have something to look forward to.
Afternoon
Feeling peckish? Place a takeaway or delivery order with Vegan Lebanese Street Food and enjoy plant-based wraps, shawarma and mezze plates. Or take inspiration and whip up your own replica plate.
Enjoy your meal while going on a virtual tour of Government House Sydney. While food and drinks aren’t typically allowed inside the buildings, they are willing to make an exception for your virtual run-through! From here, you can gaze out to the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens and a spectacular view of the city skyline.
Who needs planes, trains and automobiles when you have the advantage of internet teleportation? Keep your Opal (Sydney’s public transport pass) tucked safely in your wallet. You won’t need it as we explore more of Sydney’s cultural landmarks.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales has kept artists and art admirers busy through its Together in Art programme. Director of Art Michael Brand says, “Together In Art is our way of offering a daily boost of art and imagination to a world where we are all seeking meaning. And it is also a place where we will welcome in the voices of artists, performers, arts workers, Gallery staff and, of course, our audience.” Take a virtual tour of the museum and browse its exhibits. Take your time as closing hours are irrelevant this way.
The Aboriginal Heritage Office has published 360-degree tours of rock art and engravings. There are over 300 sites throughout the city, and it’s possible that you may walk past these sites in day-to-day life without realising that they are there. See if you can spot depictions of boomerangs, marsupials, spears, shields and more on your virtual journey.
The Australian National Maritime Museum offers virtual tours of the HMB Endeavour, a replica of the ship James Cook sailed around Terra Australis. Or, if you’d rather get a bit wild, the Taronga Zoo hosts Taronga TV, a station that shows wildlife exhibits and offers educational talks from its zookeepers. Don’t forget to check up on the mob of cheeky meerkats every now and then.
And because we’re travelling without limits, stop by the Illawarra Rainforest, typically a two-hour drive south of Sydney. Illawarra Fly will put your fear of heights to the test on a virtual zipline tour and treetop walk.
Evening
There are tens of restaurants throughout the city offering takeaway and delivery meals via Deliveroo, Menulog and Uber Eats. Some restaurants are offering frozen meals that you can happily heat up whenever hunger strikes like dumplings and noodles from Din Tai Fing, Sri Lankan dishes from Hopper Pan, and pizzas from Maybe Frank. The Central American restaurant, Panama House, has created meal kits to help you cook your own meal in under thirty minutes. If you prefer something ready made, chow down on comfort food from The Oxford Tavern. With all this on offer, you can even use their menus as inspiration to invent your own dishes at home.
After sunset, best seen from the 360-degree video from the Sydney Harbour, go to the Sydney Opera House and take a virtual tour. The Sydney Symphony has published an array of live performances from its past, no formal attire required.
Before tucking in for the night, stare at the stars with the Sydney Observatory. Their monthly sky guide paired with a stargazing app like SkyWiki, Night Sky or SkyView will reveal planets, constellations and galaxies just outside your own window.
Want to see more of Sydney? Flip through the photo gallery below. All photos are courtesy of Pexels, a high-quality stock image provider with a mission to empower creators. We’re partnering to help show you a little more of our beautiful world through best-in-class photography.
Photos from Pexels
When it’s time to explore again, Skyscanner will be here to help you find flights, car hire options, and hotel rooms. Until then, we’ll keep dreaming about where to go next.
Want to read more?
- We’re here for you: our regularly updated article on Coronavirus and travel.
- The perfect virtual day in New York City: how you can explore the best of The Big Apple, straight from home.
