nancypants

The_Bouncer

This really is horses for courses. It depends on what you want.

You have indicated you like scenic views, nature and good food. In this case, I should in all conscience recommend the Great Ocean Road, which ticks every single box.

However, you only have 3 days, which is nowhere near enough. Given your interests, I would recommend leaving this for another trip when you have enough time to properly enjoy it. Rushing through it in 3 days would be a mistake.

Sydney is a nice city and a city break there is a great introduction to Australia for a first timer. The views over the harbour are great, the food is good, and there are plenty of open green spaces.

One tip, though. If you're into beaches,forget Bondi and head for Manly. It's a short, scenic ferry ride away, will be less crowded, and the food is better.

Source: lived 14 years in Melbourne and visited Sydney many times.

ft1984

I hate to say this but I'm one of those people that manages to pack and do a WHOLE lot in 3 days. I'm forever scared from childhood trips that lasted 2 weeks. For me I know relatively quickly if I ever want to visit a place again or if I'm just done with it. But I have my Google Maps and hit the ground running and start seeing the things that interest me the most. I should do better at writing up trip reports.

Funny you say this, nothing about the pictures of Bondi beach makes it look remotely great to me. To me the best beaches in the world are in Bermuda. Nice secluded, pink sand and you have them all to yourself in many instances. Thanks for the tip!

bensyd

Bondi is rubbish. I have no idea why it became so "iconic". The harbour beaches are much prettier (eg Nielsen Park), imo. For ocean beaches the ones north of the harbour are nicer than those south.

bensyd

Agree. If anything the lockout laws have fostered the proliferation of small bars because they have less draconian licensing.

number_6

Visit Sydney first and you can see most of its highlights in 3 days ... great tourist city. Then you will appreciate Melbourne more on your next visit
As for Bondi, while the beach is a mass of people (up to 100,000 on a good day), you can have a great cheap lunch with a view at the RSL at the north end of Bondi beach or a much more expensive meal at Icebergs. Both have an iconic view and maybe from that perspective you will see why Bondi is so famous and special. For actually getting in the water I too prefer Manly or even Coogee if you must be near Bondi (btw. a nice short walk from Bondi to Coogee beach along the ocean). If you like nature, the North Head and former Quanrantine station (now a very funky hotel) is astonishing, wilderness in the city.
Actuallly a fun day is to ride a dozen different ferry routes, quite fascinating. At a minimum take the ferry to Rose Bay/Double Bay and see all those $10-100 million dollar houses (at least last month, may be a few million cheaper this month).

CPMaverick

Sydney has plenty of good small bars, in certain areas, if you know where to find them. Yes I am not a local Sydneysider but that gives me an even better appreciation of what visitors experience.

Melbourne has these type of establishments on every corner. For a tourist, it makes a big difference.

All told, I do agree with others that for 3 days, Sydney is probably a better choice, as there are many obvious things to do that fill up 3 days.

Annalisa12

Probably boobs made it so iconic.

It doesn't do anything for me. To crowded and parking is a nightmare.

SFO777

Tasmania. Scenic, more nature over city, good restaurants.

bensyd

Plenty of white pointers anywhere. Although this late in the season they're not so white. White as I've explained to bensyd's female friend is good. Tan lines rock!

stockmanjr

I agree Sydney is good for a quick trip as you can see a lot in a short period of time. Personally overall I'm more of a Melbourne fan though.
Cheers
Howie

ft1984

Just got back from my 3 day weekend and did a TON or so it felt like.

Day 1. Walk to the bridge and took shots of the opera house/harbour. Walked to the Governors House. Took an inside tour. Toured the gardens. Had lunch at a pub @ the Rocks. Walked around the Rocks some. Went to dinner then hit the streets in Bondi Junction for some night life.

Day 2. Went to Bondi Beach. Did the Coastal Walk to Coogee. Had lunch at the Pavilion. Got on the bus and headed to the Ferry. Took the ferry to Manly. Went to the beach and walked up to Shelly Beach and did some snorkeling. Headed back after sunset to catch everything lit up at night opera house and bridge. Went out again for some night life.

Day 3. Took a tour to Blue Mountains. Went to the waterfalls. Swam in the waterfalls. Had a BBQ lunch. Went to a lake/river. Went to see some wild kangaroos. Got a Thai massage. Walked the CBD and went to dinner.

Day 4 flew home.

secondsoprano

Sounds like a great trip, great mix of things, glad you had such a good time.

Except .... nightlife? In Bondi Junction??! Are you sure you didn't get off two stops earlier and spend the night in Kings Cross?

ft1984

Uber driver suggested "The Junction". That's where I went.

florin

I live in Melbourne and I tell this to all my overseas friends: if visiting for a few days, to to Sydney. If you have 2 weeks, go to Melbourne.

Sydney is a place to SEE and it's beautiful, while Melbourne is a feeling to be had (the alleys, rooftops, all the spots that are completely different from each other).