Outside of central Sydney Australia, if there one beach to visit, it’s Bondi Beach. Pronounce it “Bond-eye Beach” to avoid being mocked by locals. This is a popular beach in the Eastern Sydney Suburbs. It was the location of the 2000 Olympics beach volleyball competitions.
When planning your Australian trip, Sydney Australia is mandatory and could consume your time entirely.
Sydney is world renowned for its breathtaking harbor, busy but laid back lifestyle and glorious golden sandy beaches. Sydney is very multicultural and a definite must for any traveler. There is so much more to do here than you could ever imagine. It does not matter what your budget is, you will still have the time of your life.
Here are my top ten things to do in Sydney:
1) Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in the world, and it does not matter how many pictures you have seen it will still wow you when you see it for the first time. Spend the morning walking around the opera house and takes great pictures with the glorious harbor as a backdrop.
If you would like to learn all about the history of
this famous landmark you can book to go on a guided tour. They offer two tours that can easily be booked online. The first trip is a standard one hour tour and very popular among tourists. The second tour is a very in-depth tour offering backstage access, but it is very expensive.
When you’ve seen everything you want to the opera house to take a walk around Circular Quay. Here you will find some great cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy your meal with spectacular views of the harbor. One of the best bars in the area is the Opera Bar. This is a great place to grab a drink, but it can be very busy at weekends.
2) Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains is a world listed heritage and here you will really feel at one with nature. These mountains are named so because of the evaporating eucalyptus oil leaving a blue haze.
There are a lot of tours operating from the city center, so you can choose the best tour for you and your budget. Most tours stop off on the way at the Featherdale Wildlife Park for about forty minutes. It’s not a huge wildlife park so 40 minutes is enough time to see everything.
When the Heritage Park you can go on rainforest walks and ride the steepest railway in the world. There is also a large cable car, so you can see stunning views of the mountains.
3) Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in Australia and well worth a visit. Bondi Beach is a great place for surfers, swimmers or for those who just want a day soaking up the sun.
Bondi Beach is very accessible from all parts of Sydney by train and should not be much more than a twenty minute trip. Once at Bondi Junction you need to catch a bus to the sea front, the fare is very reasonable, and you can buy a train and bus ticket at the same time.
If you fancy doing a spot of shopping before you head off to the beach there is a large Westfield shopping center at Bondi Junction. All the major Australian chain stores are there and there are some good places to grab lunch.
4) Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge is the world’s largest steel arched bridge is an amazing sight if you choose not to climb the bridge and then take a walk along the path is a definite must.
Booking to participate in the bridge climb is easy to do online, but it is a little pricy. The climb takes three hours when you include all the security preparations. The climb is not too hard so all fitness levels can participate. When you reach the top you will be greeted with stunning views of Sydney, and it makes the price worth it. You are not aloud to take cameras with you on the climb, but you get a souvenir photo of the whole group at the top of the bridge.
If finding out about the history of the bridge interests you then head over to the Pylon Museum situated on the Harbour Bridge. The museum is full of facts, and there is a short video about the making of the Harbour Bridge. There is a fee for entry, but if you have taken part in the bridge climb you will receive a free ticket.
5) Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is a great zoo opposite to the Opera House and is a great day for all ages.
To get to Taronga zoo you have to catch a ferry from Circular Quay. You can buy a joint ticket at the ferry terminal which includes return ferry trips and entrance to the zoo. It is worth doing, as you can avoid the queues to buy tickets when you arrive at the zoo.
The zoo is full of all different types of animals, and you can also participate in an animal experience for an extra charge. All information concerning animals meetings will be on your guide map along with costs. The zoo also has a great eatery offers a wide range of hot and cold food.
6) The Rocks
The Rocks is an old-fashioned part of Sydney with cobbled streets and tons of character.
The Rocks is full of quirky souvenir shops, great cafes and plenty of bars with great beer gardens. This is really one of the best places to spend a lazy afternoon in Sydney. On weekends you can also run around the area in a horse-drawn carriage.
The best time to visit the rocks is the weekend when they have local market. The market operates on Saturdays and Sundays between nine and five. You can pick up some really great handmade goods here and if space in your case is a problem for you some stalls will send your purchase to your home.
If ghosts and ghouls interest you then book to go on The Rocks Ghost Tour. You can book the trip from the tourist office is located in The Rocks, the trip can be busy, so you will need to book in advance. Take part in the tour is a great way to spend the evening, all hosts are actors so be prepared for a few laughs. The tour is great because you find out a lot of facts about ghost sightings, but also about the local area.
7) Manly
Manly is a perfect little beach town just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay.
The ferries run all day from Circular Quay and the prices are quite reasonable. Once there, you can swim in the sea, sunbathe, take a scenic walk, or spend the afternoon enjoying the sun in a great beer garden. Manly has a great laid back vibe and is a fun day out for all.
If you want to find out about marine life and reptiles then pay a visit Ocean World. This aquarium is not as great as Sydney Aquarium, but it’s still a nice way to spend a few hours.
8) Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a great place just a short walk from the city center and has tons of things to keep all ages entertained.
The port has all the hustle and bustle of city life, but in a much nicer setting. Here you can visit an aquarium, wildlife park, see a show at the IMAX theater, shop or just chill afternoon in a large café or bar.
The Sydney Aquarium is one of the top attractions of Darling Harbour. The aquarium is huge and could easily take you an afternoon to see everything. The aquarium is very instructive, which is great if you go with children. The Shark Tank is amazing, and they have touch pools, so you can get close to nature itself. When you buy your ticket, you can also buy a combined ticket for the Wildlife Park as well.
9) Pitt Street Malls
Sydney city center is an oasis of shops and a real must for any serious shopper.
You could easily spend a whole day looking around all the malls and not go in every store. Here you can find all the major shops plus a few quirky stores thrown in for balance. Shopping is not the only thing to do here, Chinese massage shops, beauty therapists and a huge selection of hairdressers.
Dining in the city center can be as up market as you would like. There are plenty of good restaurants offering all kinds of food, but for those on a budget head to the food court for some great cheap eats.
10) The Royal Botanical Gardens
the lush botanical gardens on a quiet morning where you really need to feel at one with nature after living the city life.
Take a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of what nature has to offer. The gardens are excellent and there are plenty of good places to have a picnic or sit and watch the world go by.
Mrs. Macquarie chair was carved in 1816, so you can soak up a little history at the same time. This is a great place to take pictures of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The area can be quite busy before and after work, as it is a popular place with the locals to go jogging.
Access to the gardens is free, but if you wanted to make a contribution there are donation boxes around the park. There are also free maps around the park, which is a good idea because it can be easy to get lost because of the size of the gardens. In the heart of the gardens is a great cafe, but it can be a bit pricey, so if you are on a budget bring your own food.
