I've had a few soft travel assignments so it's only fair I had a harder one - in this case one that was self-inflicted. AI seems to be the big buzz word of the moment, which had me thinking, what can I do with travel and AI?So this is what I asked ChatGPT:READ MORE: Apparently we're planning holidays like it's 1995 again - what's really going onThe prompt I put into Chat GPT the say before my Sydney adventure. (Supplied/John Walsh)I live in Sydney so I know the CBD very well and the results were a little ho hum.Then right down the bottom of the suggested itinerary I saw this: "How about a hidden Sydney CBD version".READ MORE: The tropical island paradise you can only visit eight months of the yearThe best Aussie 'hidden gem' places you may never have heard ofView GalleryBoom. I was in. I decided to follow the schedule in order, as is, no further research and see how it all turned out. Total estimated walking 2.5 kilometres.I arrived in the city at 9.45am and walked 15 minutes from the Domain Parking Station to the first stop on the AI's list:10am: The Justice & Police MuseumGreat. I've heard about this place but never been. Perfect spot to start. I'm peaking with excitement as I rock up the stairs and push on the glass front doors. Locked.I was excited for the Justice & Police Museum but it was closed. (Supplied/John Walsh)I thought at first I might have been early and checked the opening hours which said Open Weekends 10am-5pm.Today was Tuesday. I told Chat GPT on Monday I was visiting "tomorrow".Despite draining a lake every time you ask a question it didn't bother to find out the opening hours. So, Plan B. Right down the bottom of my schedule were some suggestions if I had more time, so I took off for The Rocks Discovery Museum about 800 metres away.  Look, it was OK. Some displays about pre-European settlement and some convict history including artefacts like old plates and utensils unearthed from archaeological digs around The Rocks and Circular Quay. Probably worth 15 minutes.Best thing was it took me into The Rocks which is always a good choice on any tour of Sydney. I ended up at The Rocks Discover Museum instead. (Supplied/John Walsh)10:40am: Secret laneway wanderThis was great. Really hit the Hidden Sydney brief.Turn down Angel Place opposite Wynyard station, just before Martin Place.  Most Sydneysiders don't know there's a 1,200 seat concert hall tucked away in here called City Recital Hall. Highlight though is Birdcage Lane as suggested by AI.Look up to see dozens of empty bird cages suspended over the lane representing bird species that were lost after European settlement. And despite a bit of noise in the lane from a school group I could still make out the piped birdsong which was a nice touch.Birdcage Lane was a highlight. And Ash Street a very Melbourne-like discovery. (Supplied/John Walsh)Ash Street has a run of very European/Melbourne-style eateries that are part of the Ivy precinct. In fact, the whole lane vibe is very Melbourne. From there it was a 10-minute walk to Bulletin Place, an historic laneway near Circular Quay that was named after the Bulletin newspaper which was published here in the late 19th century and featured a writer named Banjo Patterson.The old warehouses that make up the street are occupied now by a series of bars, restaurants and cafes.Old warehouses make up the street on Bulletin Place. (Supplied/John Walsh)11:20-11:50am: Outdoor 'hidden' oasis I'm guessing this is my outdoor activity although it also counts as a walk. I'm already behind because of my detour first up in the day and the gates to the Botanical Gardens are a 10-minute walk away... uphill.The recurring issue here is ChatGPT has not built in any travel time.Secondly, it's 27 degrees, I'm overdressed. I believe I've already done more than the total estimated 2.5 kilometre walking distance for the tour and I still have 2.5 hours to go.I'm wearing my reliable New Balance 574s, but they aren't enjoying pounding the pavement for this long.I would argue the Botanic Gardens aren't that "hidden". (Supplied/John Walsh)So, I get to the start of the Botanical Gardens near the Conservatorium of Music at 11:40am (20 minutes behind schedule).My Chat companion suggests wandering towards Mrs Macquarie's Chair but that is over 15 minutes both ways, so I blow off that idea and venture about 10 minutes into the Gardens.I take some happy snaps to show I've been there. Proof of life - which isn't far from the truth because I'm very hot and tired at this point.Next up is lunch and I'm very excited about my 40-minute break.I venture about 10 minutes into the gardens but am eager for my break. (Supplied/John Walsh)12-12:40pm: Cheap but excellent lunchTen minutes travel time was built in this time which was just about right to get me to the Malay Chinese Takeaway at 180 George Street near Circular Quay which I'd never heard of so big tick for "Hidden Sydney". It has been operating at a couple of different locations since 1987. As described there were office workers lined out the door but the queue moved quickly. Chat suggested laksa, Hainanese chicken and rice or roast pork and rice.I was too hot for laksa so I went with the chicken, $17.50, which wasn't too bad in a city where you can pay $15 for a sandwich.I managed  to find a table in the shade and the food was quick coming out and served with a little bowl of miso.It was very filling and tasty so great tip from my artificial tour guide. Hainanese chicken and rice from Malay Chinese Takeaway. (Supplied/John Walsh)12:40-1:20pm: Quirky shop to browseI'd made up time because I didn't take my full 40 minutes for lunch.But I'm still about 10 minutes behind schedule, then work out my next stop is a full 20-minute walk away with no travel time built in.I'm too hot and bothered to walk, despite reminding myself this is work, and jump on the light rail which takes me five minutes and $1 to get up to Sydney Town Hall. I decided I was done walking for the moment and took the Light Rail. (Supplied/John Walsh)Utopia Records is just around the corner in Bathurst Street. Despite living in Sydney for several (OK many) decades I don't remember seeing this record shop even though it opened in 1978 (this location in 2010).This was my quirky shop for browsing and again Chat GPT was spot on with its recommendation.    Utopia bills itself as Australia's largest metal and hard rock specialist and I've no doubt that's true. There are over 20,000 items in the store including metal merch, vinyl, CDs and DVDs.There's also a substantial range of non-metal recordings so no matter your musical tastes I can recommend a browse.If nothing else, it's got a striking, gritty look and the staff are happy for you to take photos even pointing out the best angles.Utopia bills itself as Australia's largest metal and hard rock specialist. (Supplied/John Walsh)1:20-2pm: 'Hidden' architecture walkAgain, no travel time but the QVB was only five minutes away and I only spent 20 minutes in Utopia so I was pretty much caught up time-wise.I wouldn't describe the Queen Victoria Building as "hidden architecture" considering it takes up a whole city block. But this is a stunning example of Victorian design dating back to 1890. The retail and dining galleria is spread over six levels and gets quieter and more high end the higher up you go. McDonalds is on Basement 1 and on Level 3 is Tea Room QVB famed for its Bottomless High Tea for $115pp.Again, I wouldn't describe the Queen Victoria Building as "hidden architecture". (Supplied/John Walsh)If you'd rather just window shop, the QVB is about as good as it gets. Elegance and style, stunning stained glass windows and two magnificent clocks that grace each end of the atrium. The Royal Clock at the southern end depicts scenes from English royalty and The Great Australian Clock at the Northern End, is the world's largest hanging turret clock.You wouldn't want to set your watch by them, though. Both are in need of repair and don't keep accurate time. Great to look at, though.But it is a stunning example of Victorian design and the clocks are something to look at. (Supplied/John Walsh)Ten minutes north along George Street is my final stop for the day, the Strand Arcade.This is like a mini QVB in many ways. The Strand was opened a year later in 1891 and both feature multi-level, cantilevered galleries or balconies in a light filled atrium. This is pretty much high-end all the way, retail and dining.No McDonald's here and again it gets more exclusive the higher you go. Another beautiful place to window shop and an absolute go-to on a rainy day.My final stop for the day is the Strand Arcade. (Supplied/John Walsh)The VerdictDone. With 10 minutes to spare. So how was it? Good question. Despite the extra steps (10,000 vs 3,500) and sore feet I really enjoyed it. It was weird and liberating at the same time just following exactly what AI told me to do. I did no prep in advance and followed the instructions pretty much to a T. Learnings: the individual attractions were all good but next time I would map out the walk ahead of time to consolidate some parts of the route and factor in where I parked my car.Four hours was more ambitious than it sounded so I would cut that back to three and properly factor in travel time. Also in four hours you needed more than one break for lunch.But to be honest, I would recommend it.Either in your own city to play tourist in your own backyard, or in a new destination as a fun way to see the highlights of a place in a fixed amount of time that can also be tailored to your interests.John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.Explore some of John's articles below:READ MORE: 'One of the world's best kept secrets': Travel expert's top 10 destinations of all timeREAD MORE: 'The life of a travel writer seems glamorous - but here's the truth'READ MORE: Thinking of doing a farm stay? You can expect a few 'surprises'READ MORE: 'I can't believe this country's most beautiful island is also the least visited'Sydney and Melbourne among world's most picturesque citiesView Gallery Share Mail Pinterest X SydneyTravel PlanningRestaurantProperty News: Australia's most expensive streets, and how much it costs to live in them.