I regularly meet and host first time visitors to Australia through work, and am always asked what to see in Sydney when time is tight. I’m a frequent commuter to Sydney, as many Australian corporate people are, so here’s my top picks if you have a weekend stopover, or overnighter.

I think Sydney has the best natural location and setting of any city in the world. The huge natural harbour gives way to a myriad of ferry routes to all parts of the city, the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge are perfectly poised at the gates to the CBD, and there are glorious beaches in every direction. Sydney should be on everyone’s list of must see cities.

Circular Quay (for the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Rocks and Botanical Gardens)

Sydney’s central tourist hub and for good reason: look right and you have the iconic Sydney Opera House, whilst a quick move to the left and the Sydney Harbour Bridge towers in front of you. It’s a great place to visit both, have lunch or dinner, or simply take a stroll. The quay looks even more impressive when one of the giant cruise liners is docked. If you keep walking past the opera house, you’ll reach the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Whilst if you go left, you’ll walk through the rejuvenated Rocks area, filled with boutique shops, bars and cafes. You’ll never forget your first visit here.

Coogie Beach to Bondi Beach Walk (best nature excursion)

No visit to Sydney would be complete without visiting Bondi Beach. The best way to arrive there is on foot, via the 6km Coogee to Bondi coastal walk. This is the walk with it all – cliffs, parks, beaches, bays, cafes, rock pools, and simply jaw dropping views all the way. It’s often advertised as the Bondi to Coogee walk, but I prefer to start at Coogee; that way, you end the walk coming round a headland with the spectacular Bondi Beach stretching out in front of you. The walk should take two hours, but with so many gorgeous views and swimming spots, you do well to finish it in half a day. You can catch the bus to Coogee from the CBD.

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Sydney Ferries (hop on to Manly)

You could view the Ferries as a means to an end – just a way, albeit an enjoyable one, of getting to your final destination. I prefer to look at them as an attraction in their own right. Book a day ticket, keep a full day free, and see where they take you. It’s a great way of delving much deeper into what Sydney has to offer. The number one route will take you to the surf town of Manly, and you may be lucky enough to be accompanied by dolphins, but equally there are some great islands and hamlets to visit if you head under the bridge and explore the inner harbour.

Newtown – aka ‘Eat Street’ (a quirky lunch stop)

Not sure how well this is known to tourists but this is the best place to grab coffee, cheap eats, drinks, and has a funky range of eclectic shops too. No wonder the locals have dubbed it Eat Street. The ‘Blossoming Lotus’ vegetarian cafe is worth checking out, where you can grab two mains with rice for just $9: the crispy soy, and the black bean tofu with veggies are excellent.

Queen Victoria Building (great stop for coffee)

Glorious building and arcade dating back to 1898 when it opened as a market. It’s now an upmarket shopping mall and although you’d be bonkers to shop here as prices are extortionate, the grand interiors and fine facade are completely free to enjoy! While you’re there pop into to have at look at the impressive St Andrews Cathedral next door.