Sydney, Australia is yet another beautiful city. Australia just know how to create their cities right. We stayed here for four nights in total and felt this was enough to see the main sights of the city. If you want to add in a couple of day trips away from the city centre, you may want to consider adding in a few more nights.
How To Get Around:
- Just like Melbourne, from Sydney Airport you can get on the central bus to take you into the city.
- Or you can take a taxi from the airport which will cost around forty dollars one way.
- Once in the city purchase yourself an OPAL card for you to be able to use the local bus system and you can top this up as you go along. The starting adult fee for this is ten dollars.
What To See:
- Sydney Opera House
You can take a tour which will either take you around the outside of the Opera House, or inside, or you could organise to see a performance. Just wanted a photo? Head over the other side of the water to the Botanical Gardens furthest North point to get a great shot.
- Botanical Gardens
Right next to the Opera House, so easy to include both in one day. When the sun is shining, take a picnic to sit on the green. Have a look to see if the outdoor cinema is on while you are there, this has a backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
The best way to see this is either from afar such as the gardens above or to do the Harbour Bridge Climb. Most popular at sunset.
- The Rocks
The area I would always recommend to stay; The Rocks area. This area has more character than the rest of Sydney and gives you direct walking access to the main parts of the city (Circular Quay).
- Chinatown
Chinatown in any city is always amazing to wander around but Sydney’s is huge and beautiful with great food and stunning colours.
- Japanese Gardens
Just off from Chinatown, these beautiful gardens are smaller than the Botanical Gardens above, but they are filled with blooming flowers all year round.
- Darling Harbour
This harbour is to the West and hosts many great bars and restaurants along the waterfront. If you were boarding a cruise or a day trip this is the harbour you would depart from. Accommodation closer to this harbour tends to be more cost effective as the walk is longer to the Circular Quay.
- Bondi Beach / Manly Beach
The bus systems gives you easy access to both of these beaches, one North of Sydney and one South. With plenty of beach bars and a buzzing atmosphere. Younger travellers tend to gravitate to Bondi Beach more than Manly.
Outside Of The City:
- Blue Mountains
A beautiful National Park which is outside of the city, about a three hour drive, to the West. It gets its name from the Eucalyptus plants which grow there and give the trees a blue mist from the vapours.
- Hunter Valley Wine Region
If you are a wine lover this is one of the most popular wine regions in Sydney. Take a day trip from Sydney which will have your transport included (therefore no drinking and driving). You can choose from a range of tours; some you will get dinner or lunch included and some are just a wine tasting.
LEAH HANCOX 