Sydney is Australia’s answer to New York: a cosmopolitan a hive of activity, which never
sleeps, but also boasts gorgeous beaches, fantastic weather and mild winters. Sydney
has over 4 million residents, making it Australia’s largest city, and is also the most touristed
destination in the country, attracting over 32 million visitors per year. The city is
very multicultural, so the food on offer is delicious, and it’s also a fantastic shopping
destination. The various suburbs have very different atmospheres, so you’ll find something
for everyone in this tourist paradise. 14: Go sports-mad at the SCG.
Sydney loves its sports, and you’ll notice how passionate the locals are about their
favorite teams. The SCG is the place to catch a game with
your new Sydney-sider friends: there’s something going on most weekends, and the venue plays
host to a wide variety of sports including cricket, rugby and AFL. Even if you’re not
into sports, it’s fun to breathe in the palpable excitement at a game, and you may
even want to buy some souvenirs for your sporty friends back home.
13: Check out Sydney’s famous nightlife. Sydney is known as one of the southern hemisphere’s
best destinations for nightlife, and for good reason.
In particular, Oxford Street (the centre of Sydney’s gay area) has many popular venues
that cater for gay, straight and mixed crowds; some popular venues elsewhere include Chinese
Laundry and Home. (There’s also plenty of bars and clubs in Kings Cross, but the area
can be very seedy at night, so it may be best avoided.)
12: Go museum-hopping. As you’d expect from Australia’s largest
city, Sydney is home to some world-class museums that offer a fascinating insight into the
city’s past, present and future, as well as interesting collections from all over the
world. The Australian Museum has a great natural
history collection – get up close with all of Australia’s scariest nasties, but without
the whole risk-of-death thing. The Powerhouse Museum has a focus on science,
design, innovation and technology, and the fun exhibits range from steam-engines, to
life in the 80s, to an awesome dancing robot that will fight for its right to party.
The Hyde Park Barracks Museum are a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site that provide an oft-depressing
step back into history, having previously been first a convict barracks and then an
asylum for women. It’s a reminder of a cruel way of life that
would be considered terrible by today’s standards; but it’s also wonderfully refreshing
and full of hope when you consider how far we’ve come.
11: Take a cruise or ferry around the lovely Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
Cruising past the opera house and enjoying the stunning views of the water is a wonderful
way to relax after a long day of pounding the pavement.
There’s various sightseeing cruises available, many of which are catered, but if you’re
on a budget, you can enjoy the same views at a much cheaper price via public transport:
a trip from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour is under $4.
10: Visit the picturesque seaside town of Manly.
Manly is a relaxed beachside suburb, a short (and gorgeous!) ferry ride away from Sydney’s
city centre. It’s extremely popular with locals and tourists
alike – a whopping 8 million visitors per year! – and it’s ideal for beach and water
activities such as beach volleyball, running, kayaking, scuba and surfing.
Manly also boasts excellent al fresco dining options, a lovely museum, a sea life sanctuary,
and even a shark-diving experience! Various guided walking tours by knowledgeable locals
are also available. 9: Get an adrenaline rush at Luna Park.
Luna Park is worth visiting for the so-kitsch-it’s-cool entrance alone; it makes a hilarious photo
backdrop. If you’re into amusement park rides, you’ll
have a great time here: the Wild Mouse is perfect for that terrifying-yet-awesome rollercoaster
thrill. On the other hand, if you’re in the mood
for a romantic dinner, then Luna Park is perfect too – you can actually enjoy first-class
dining inside a ferris wheel carriage on Sundays. There’s also a Coney Island area, inspired
by the actual Coney Island in the US: it’s an old-school funhouse with sideshow games,
a mirror maze, and traditional retro fun. 8: Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens were established in 1816, making them the oldest botanic gardens
in Australia, as well as the oldest scientific institution.
They recently celebrated their 200th birthday with a series of popular commemorative events
throughout the year. Various guided and self-guided tours are available,
and the Choo Choo express offers a quick, scenic way to get around the gardens.
You’ll learn many interesting facts about Australian botanical history, as well as being
able to enjoy plenty of gorgeous plant-life! The Royal Botanic Gardens are only a few minutes’
walk from the Sydney CBD and the Opera House, and are one of Sydney’s most touristed attractions
with over 5 million visitors per year. 7: Have dinner at Circular Quay
Circular Quay is known for its excellent gourmet dining options, and the views of the crystal-blue
Sydney Harbour waters are truly stunning. Some particularly delicious options include
ARIA, the Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, Yayoi Garden and Tapavino; there’s also budget options
such as Banh You Vietnamese Street Food, burgers at City Extra or the weekly meal deals at
the Ship Inn. 6: Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
This iconic bridge is another of the most well-known symbols of Sydney, and is one of
the world’s few climbable bridges. You’ll be prepared with health and safety
essentials, and any weather-appropriate gear that you’ll need for the climb, and venture
out on your climbing adventure with a group of other climbers and an experienced Climb
Leader. The view during the climb is exceptional,
and it’s a truly different way of experiencing the bridge!
5: Bondi Beach Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most famous
beaches, and a popular hangout for Sydney’s beautiful people, as well as local and international
celebrities. It’s always busy here, but usually not too
busy, and the atmosphere is exciting. The surrounding suburb has some great retail
and dining options. Bondi Beach is on the Australian Heritage
List, and is also noteworthy for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit
photo shoot, with 1010 bikini-clad women taking part.
4: Visit the iconic Paddy’s Markets These markets have been a Sydney institution
for over 150 years. Paddy’s is the biggest market in Sydney,
with over 1,000 stalls between the Haymarket and Flemington locations.
You’ll find very reasonably priced souvenirs, bric-a-brac and general fun items, as well
as a great atmosphere and tasty food. 3: Get a local perspective with a free walking
tour The “I’m Free” walking tours are a
great way to get to know Sydney. Guided by passionate volunteering locals who
want to share their love of the city with you, they’re a wonderful way to get a deeper
understanding of the sights that you’re seeing and the history and meaning behind
them. There’s 3 tours per day, and what you’ll
learn on the tour makes for a great starting point from which to explore the city.
2: Stroll Darling Harbour The Darling Harbour is a popular recreational
complex adjacent to Sydney’s city centre, with breathtaking river views and plenty to
keep you well-fed and entertained. There’s a massive variety of attractions
in the Harbour, but some favorites include the serene Chinese Garden of Friendship and
its lovely teahouse, the Carousel, the National Maritime Museum, and the beautiful Dockside
Pavilion. There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene in
the harbour, the excellent Harbourside Shopping Centre (including laser tag), an aquarium,
a Madam Tussauds and much more. It’s best to dedicate at least a day to
the Harbour to see as much as possible of this Sydney icon.
1: See a show at the Opera House The Opera House may be the first thing to
come to mind when you think about Sydney, or indeed Australia.
The world-heritage listed building is stunning in person, and it is illuminated beautifully
at night. There’s always plenty of events and shows
going on in the Opera House and the surrounding area, and you can also tour the opera house
or enjoy a tasty meal inside the premises. Let us know what you think about the list
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