Quick answer: Land, get a SIM and a bank account, apply for your TFN, tap a contactless card on the train and base yourself in the CBD, Surry Hills, Potts Point or the eastern beaches. Sydney has Australia’s biggest job market for backpackers, and the harbour, Blue Mountains and Royal National Park are all within an hour or two.
Sydney is where most working holiday makers land, and it rewards people who move quickly. The city is expensive, but wages are high and the job market is deep. Here is how to spend your first two days and where to go from there.
First 48 hours
- SIM card. Buy at the airport or any supermarket. You need an Australian number before you can do almost anything else.
- Bank account. The big banks let you open online before arrival or in a branch with your passport. Bring your visa grant letter.
- TFN. Apply on the ATO website once you have an address. Do it today; it can take a month to arrive.
- Hostel. Book the first three or four nights only, then look around. Hostelworld
- Transport. Tap on with your bank card or phone, or pick up an Opal card at a convenience store.
- Walk. Circular Quay, the Opera House, the Botanic Garden and the Harbour Bridge are free and next to each other.
Our first week checklist covers the paperwork in the right order.
Where backpackers live
| Area | Feel | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| CBD and Haymarket | Central, noisy, hostel-heavy | First week, walking to interviews |
| Potts Point and Kings Cross | Historic backpacker hub, quieter than it was | Hostels, cheap eats, bus and train links |
| Surry Hills and Darlinghurst | Cafés, small bars, creative | Hospitality jobs on your doorstep |
| Newtown and Enmore | Student and live-music strip | Cheap share rooms, café work |
| Bondi and Coogee | Beach life, expensive | Longer stays, share flats, surf |
| Manly | Ferry commute, relaxed | Beach living with a job in the city |
| Glebe and Ultimo | Near universities | Share houses, quieter budget |
Share rooms are found through Facebook groups, Flatmates and hostel boards. Never pay a bond before seeing the room.
Getting around: Opal
Sydney’s trains, buses, ferries, light rail and metro all run on the Opal system. You can tap a contactless bank card or phone and pay adult Opal fares, with the same daily and weekly caps as a physical card. Fares are distance-based and cheaper off-peak; check Transport for NSW for current caps. The metro now runs under the harbour, and the ferry to Manly is the best-value harbour cruise in the city.
Where the jobs are
Sydney is the country’s biggest market for backpacker work.
- Hospitality: Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, the CBD, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Newtown, Bondi and Manly are all walkable café and pub strips. You need an RSA for anything licensed and an RCG for pubs and clubs with pokies.
- Construction: cranes everywhere, from the CBD to the western suburbs. A White Card is non-negotiable.
- Events: stadiums, the Showground, festivals, corporate catering. Peak from October to March.
- Retail: Christmas casual hiring starts in October.
Read how to find a job in Australia for boards, walk-ins and groups. CBD College (RTO 91399), which is owned by the same people as KoalaGuide and pays KoalaGuide a commission on bookings made through our links, runs its Sydney courses in the city centre.
Day trips and weekends
- Blue Mountains: two hours by train to Katoomba for the Three Sisters and bush walks.
- Royal National Park: the Coast Track and Wattamolla, an hour south.
- Bondi to Coogee coastal walk: six kilometres of cliffs and beaches, free.
- Manly to Spit Bridge walk: harbour bush and hidden beaches.
- Hunter Valley: wine country, best with a tour if nobody is driving.
- Palm Beach and the northern beaches: a long bus ride, worth it.
- Port Stephens: dolphins, sand dunes and wild koalas at Tilligerry, see where to see koalas.
Guided options for the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and harbour cruises are easy to book in advance. GetYourGuide
Sydney costs
Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the country for rent. Hospitality and construction wages are correspondingly high. Budget for a few weeks of hostel living while you find work and a share room, and check the deals page for the discounts we used on insurance, SIMs and money transfers.
What to do next
- Book your first nights: Hostelworld
- Sort SIM, bank and TFN on day one.
- Book the certificate your target job needs in your first week.
- Pick a suburb and start looking for a share room after you have a job.
- Plan the next leg: Melbourne or the east coast road trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which suburb should a backpacker stay in when arriving in Sydney?
For a first week, the CBD, Haymarket, Potts Point or Surry Hills put you near hostels, transport and job strips. Bondi, Coogee and Manly are the beach options and are popular with longer-stay backpackers sharing flats.
Do I need an Opal card in Sydney?
You can tap on with a contactless bank card or phone and pay the same adult Opal fares, so a physical card is optional. Get one if you prefer a separate balance or want to keep transport costs off your main card.
How do I get from Sydney Airport to the city?
The airport train is fastest but includes a station access fee. Buses and rideshare are alternatives. Check Transport for NSW for current fares and options.
Is Sydney a good place to find a first job?
Yes. It has the largest hospitality, construction and events job markets in the country. With an RSA or White Card you can usually find casual work within two or three weeks.
