Sydney is a giant, stretching nearly 97 km (60 mi) from top to bottom and about 55 km (34 mi) across. The harbor divides the city into northern and a southern halves, with most of the headline attractions on the south shore. You'll likely spend most of your visit on the harbor's south side, within an area bounded by Chinatown in the south, Harbour Bridge in the north, Darling Harbour to the west, and the beaches and coastline to the east. North of Harbour Bridge lie the important commercial center of North Sydney and leafy but bland suburbs. Ocean beaches, Taronga Zoo, and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park are the most likely reasons you may find to venture north of the harbor.

Within a few hours' drive of Sydney are the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley vineyards, areas of spectacular scenic beauty. Although close enough for a day trip, to get the most out of these places you would do far better to plan an overnight stop.