Sydney, undoubtedly, is one of the most popular destinations Australia has come to be known for given that it is its largest city. Personally, the city had been on my list of the places I wanted to visit for approximately 15 years. When I, at last, got the chance to arrive in Sydney, I was thrilled as never before. First, I felt anxious in the city center because all of the places appeared to be constantly active, like a whirlpool. But the combination of factors that I became more familiar with the city of Sydney made me immediately forget about my doubts, the light rush in the streets and the active people made me feel that this place is alive. If you plan to pay a visit to this fabulous city, then certainly, you are going to get what you have been searching for.
Let me tell you that Sydney has many things to do and see and it will be nearly impossible to forget your vacations here. Further, below is the breakdown of the description of the top things to do in Sydney analyzing each experience as a guide to help you through the ideal trip.
Ferry to Manly Beach
Perhaps one of the best things to do in Sydney is the ferry to Manly Beach. Sydney is famous for its expensive boat tours that allow watching the main attractions of the city from the water for a quite expensive price; however, the ferry to Manly Beach is almost as enjoyable and much cheaper. In as much as 14 dollars one gets a return ticket; therefore, taking a ferry to view the beautiful sceneries of Sydney is not expensive.
The starting point of this ferry is the Circular Quay from where you get to see the spectacular Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sustaining the previous characteristics, these interesting landmarks are even more impressive if seen from the water. The journey by this ferry takes about a half an hour each way; plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. When on the boat, one is also able to see the skyline of Sydney with different buildings both the tall modern ones and the older ones that give a glimpse of the changes in architectural designs.
The darkness of the night and the quieter zones located in the suburban area significantly change the environment after throwing a glance at city center turmoil. The exciting city well lit environment is swapped with quieter and calmer areas by the beach. Such transition causes audiences to ‘navigate’ along the Mediterranean shore with its calm waters and beautiful scenery as the sequence brings the audience from modern city life. Sydney’s Manly Beach itself proves to be a lure in this expedition. Somehow or the other, it gives a distant feeling from the city life as the atmosphere is rather slowed down and the beaches are sandy. It is a famously known tourist area where people go to enjoy their vacations because the atmosphere is quite relaxed as compared to the busy and populated Sydney.
Going for a walk in the Sydney Botanic Gardens
The Sydney Botanic Gardens are rightly called to become a place of interest for all those who need a quiet escape from the cities’ bustle. These are large garden facilities, which encompasses a broad area with variety of plants combined with aesthetically designed compound. Getting down at Sydney, we thought it is better to begin the journey with the gardens. Fortunately, it was found to be the right decision to have opted for such a house because it gave the quiet needed to heal after the hustle and bustle of the city.
The gardens are sited in the central business district of Sydney, Australia, yet they provide a haven that doesn’t seem to belong to the city at all. Surely, one of the main attractions of the gardens is Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and this is a sandstone bench built for the wife of the Australian first Governor, who enjoyed a great view of the Sydney Harbour and the Opera House there. It is also good for taking pictures you get to take shots of the skyline of the city in the background and greenery of the gardens in front.
But what I found remarkable in the case of Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair is the ambience of secrecy. Perhaps because it is located near the central business district, the place was rather quiet with little visitors to be found. This made the experience even more enjoyable as I was able to enjoy the beautiful sceneries without people disturbing me. Even the gardens themselves are beautiful; there are different parts as a result of themes, including the tropical garden and Australia’s native plants. These beautiful gardens are best to be seen in a relaxed manner as a slow walk through gardens help in analyzing the kind of plants and the proper effort that is put into giving this place a wonderful Look.
Get the Most out of Sydney by Bike
At first, Sydney is an extensive city, and there is nothing better than a bike tour to cover many districts and attractions. Due to the large geographical spread of the city, cycling can get you through large distances in one day unlike when you have to adhere to the schedules of public means of transport. In most cases, prospective bicyclists opt for guided bike tours like Baja Bikes whereby; the client is not only able to tour the city, but also have fun at the same time.
Among the services provided by Baja Bikes are various kinds of tours that are available in Sydney and which focus on the diverse facets of the region. All these tours are conducted by professional local tour guides who have rich experience in revealing the various aspects of Sydney including history and culture as well as the best kept secrets. I have to explain that when a person is cycling throughout the city, such as Sydney, for example, he/she has a rather different view of the area than if he/she traveled by bus or car. The tours include several areas, the inner city as well as the outskirts making the act of exploring the look of Sydney balanced.
Biking also has additional benefits in that it can be made flexible by being able to come to a halt to check some of the attractions of interest on the way. Whether you need heritage and antiquity or modern art and sculpture, parks and gardens, biking gets you in touch with the character of the city. Also, cycling is a healthy means of transport and it is fit for promoting green way of life and as a result reducing on traffic jams in Sydney.
Visit Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is one of the most known places in Sydney; it is second only to the Opera House in terms of recognition. Shopping and dining at Darling Harbour is one of those historical and must visit places in Sydney that every tourist would love to explore. The place is said to have a lot of activities making it always busy, there very many places of interest that one can visit.Darling Harbour several important landmarks seven, shop, eat and the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Of course, the area attracts a lot of people and can be seen mainly as a tourist attraction; however, it is rather entertaining and engaging. More to it, the portion of the harbor is built along the sea, providing aesthetic views and wonderful areas for a stroll.
Nonetheless, Darling Harbour is considered to be one of the main attractions of Sydney, even though it did not influence me as many other areas of the city did.
The variety, abundance, and quality of shops and restaurants mean that the town offers all kinds of shopping and dining experiences from luxury fashion stores to the fast food joints. The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a scenic area within the commercial and industrial area of the harbor featuring conventional Chinese aesthetics’ touch and the famous water bodies. However, Darling Harbour really does feel quite touristy, meaning your Sydney experience is not quite as ‘off the beaten track’ as you might like.
This merit involves consuming coffee at the 10 Store.
Nestled in the midst of the CBD of Sydney, No. 10 Store should not be seen nor fancied as just any café since it does provide customers a beautiful contrast to the fast-paced life of the city. This café has a rather provincial feel to it with buildings’ architecture that does not fit the modern city. As soon as one enters, there is a familiar neighbourly homely feeling to the place that makes one feel welcome.
No. 10 Store is a perfect place for gaining a snack during the day or a cup of coffee with some sweets. The interior design of the café is proper for a rustic setting as it looks old with relaxed atmosphere and proper furniture. It is a perfect location for taking a break and walking around while avoiding the noisy and crowdedness of Sydney. The terrace will enable the client to get a feel of the activities in a business environment since the house is located in the business district.
Aside from its menu, the No. 10 Store also has other interesting items, and merchandise such as gadgets and other gift items. This adds to the décor of the café so that it becomes rather enjoyable to hunt and shop for those little interesting knick knacks. Coffee, food or a good place to sit back and relax, No10Store is a perfect for one located in the middle of Sydney.
Relax at Manly Beach
It is worth to visit Manly Beach while in Sydney as it combines a leisurely atmosphere as well as an energetic one. Once you board the ferry from Circular Quay which is the main terminal point, getting to Manly Beach is like transitioning to a different universe. Florida, in particular, has a relaxed atmosphere associated with a surfer’s town, which is a welcoming change from the bustle of Miami.
On its own the beach is also another major attraction for a number of activities. Depending on what you like as to adventure, food shopping or just getting a tan in the sun, Manly Beach has everything. There are numerous small shops, coffee places, and restaurants surrounding the area so people won’t be out of things do and places to eat. Everything about Manly Beach is rather laid-back and that means it is perfect to spend an afternoon chilling out.
Despite the recreational activities, Manly Beach has lots of locals profile that makes the beach unique from other neighboring beaches. It is a friendly place which is quite good as regards mingling with the people/locals and getting a glimpse into Sydney as a city. Vacationers have options of surfing, engaging in water activities, dining with an ocean view or simply sun bathing at Manly beach.
Wander Through Chinatown
Chinatown Sydney is also an actual city’s district that is always active featuring important parts of Asian cultures within the mid of Sydney. Being the fan of travels to different locations with different culture, I had to go to the Chinatown to feel the special atmosphere of that place. Business stalls line up the streets and one cannot help but gulp the aroma of the different products being sold in the restaurants.
However, like in many places, locating a good restaurant in Chinatown could be somewhat doubtful even if the place is full of life. A majority of the menus consist of dishes that are rather unfamiliar to those who are not big lovers of Asian food. However, the actual walking through of the Chinatown is quite an enlightening experience. The pulsing energy and cultural diversity of the place give a rather amusing insight into the Sydney’s demographics.
Unsurprisingly, the choice of restaurants can only be rated as average; however, it is still quite fun to wander around Chinatown. Shopping is a pleasant activity here as there are cool shops and markets where guest can buy anything they wish. Chinatown if one is seeking Asian products or just watching vendors and pedestrians, is exciting, and a fun area to explore in Sydney.
Surf at Bondi Beach
In terms of appearance and popularity, Bondi Beach is one of the most outstanding beaches in Sydney and surely one should not miss it. For me Bondi Beach was an eagerly anticipated experience and even though the beach is not as vast as it seems on the TV it is none the less a fine and much frequented.Surfing on Bondi Beach is also well developed, and there are many schools for learning how to surf or rent surfing equipment. Hence, as my partner was surfing the afternoon away I sun bathed on the beach and enjoyed the scenery. Off the coast of the beach, various cafes and restaurants are located such as Speedos Café in which I ate the best sweet potato fries and fresh juice that I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Thus, Bondi beach is not only about waves, surf and sunbathing. The tourism relation to the beach and its surrounding areas is very diversified, as there are many things to do and see. One of the most picturesque tracks is the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk as along the way you will get the fantastic views of the coast and can take a glimpse at Bondi Icebergs swimming pool. Having a toddler among us and since this walk is comparatively less arduous than the coast track, we thought it was a good time to have a feel of the walks around the Sydney beaches.
This scenic walk passes through Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte beaches and others on the way and is one of the best places where the southerly surf will turn you green.
For those people who can dedicate only one day to the visit it is recommended to do the coastal trail Bondi to Bronte. This Four kilometer walk, leads the tourist along the cost where he or she enjoys the sea view and other scenery. It is not very strenuous and one can take a break at anytime they wish to take a glance at what the region offers.
Many geographical features add value to the coastal path such as the rocky cliffs and array of beaches along the coastal regions. On the way there, you will see several beaches and coves which are also rather beautiful in their own right. This part of the walk is the Bondi Icebergs Club where swimmers are provided with an open pool right along the sea. Picture taking and gazing at the scenery are the main attractions of this place.
Apart from the stunning views that visitors get to see during the walk from Bondi to Bronte, one is also able to see the wild life and feel the face that is fresh from the sea. This path is quite developed and friendly for a wide range of visitors; even if they do not have the outstanding physical shape, they will be able to enjoy the walk. For the hiking enthusiasts as well as for the lazy casual walkers this coastal walk is a well-visited activity in Sydney.
Newtown, a town that brings out the quirkiness within and around it.
Newtown is one of the most creative districts of Sydney, characterized byalternative stores, tolerant and nonconformist population and various bars and cafes. Our Airbnb hosts suggested we spend an evening in Newtown and we couldn’t be more glad at that decision. It’s fun to visit such a neighborhood with its unique characteristics and with spirit of free artistic creation.
When roaming through Newtown one is very likely to meet individuals dressed quite brightly, as well as stumble across graffiti that contributes to the liberal spirit of the place. Newtown still boasts a number of shops and as one would expect it, there exists numbers of specialty shops that deal in almost all sorts of products ranging from the clothes of the olden days to art and hand crafted items. It is also the precinct of street arts and small specialty shops that are also characterized by restaurants serving an assortment of dishes.
Newtown is also famous for its serving foods from different part of the world and this has been strengthened by the many restaurants that are found in the region. Regardless of which mood you may be in, this is the place to be if you want to taste Italian food or Thai food or something rather different. During our visit we recognised the different types of outlets serving foods and the buzz that is around the area. Sydney’s Newtown is an exciting area where youth and artists can unleashes their creativity while having a meal in a funky building.
Go on an Organized Tour of Australia
For those desiring to tour beyond Sydney, the tours available for the whole of Australia make it easier for you to tour the country. Such tours can be fully customized to provide personal guided tours or go as far as organizing a group one giving various choices based on the client’s tastes and pockets.
They are packaged in such a way that flights, accommodations and transportation factors are included hence leaving the traveler with no stress of arranging each bit. If planning to get in contact with the Great Barrier Reef or outback or the other large cities in Australia, there a many tour operators who will be able to assist one in planning on the best way. Such tours are good methods of visiting several place and getting a glimpse of Australia’s geography and different groups of people.
There are also specialized Sydney local tours that include and are not limited to food and wine tour, adventure tour, and cultural tour. Package tours are more exclusive which makes it possible for visitors to explore more on what Sydney has to offer. Given the seemingly inexhaustible list of attractions that awaits one in Australia, an organized tour can be of great help since the travelers are assured of getting value for their money through the provision of comprehensive services that lead to a quality experience.
Conclusion: Sydney welcomes a colourful and utterly captivating audience
Sydney is simply a city that caters for every individual with wonders of nature, excellent architecture, people and culture. The above described experiences are some of the things that make Sydney, be this city, stand out. Sydney tour is an opportunity to explore the city’s well-known points of interest, get the joy of sunbathing on gnarled cliffs, and maybe even enjoy the serene beauty of abysses and gullies that hide in the city.
The recommendations made in this article are as follows, provide various activities and attractions, which might interest all type of tourists. For example, a calm ferry trip to the Marly beach, the serene area of the Botanic Gardens or a night at the vibrant Darling Harbour or the bohemian character of Newtown makes Sydney a city of endless surprises. Thus, here are some recommendations and tips to follow and let you to be one with the experiences of Sydney.
Sydney is one of those cities that have an impressing combination between nature and a diverse culture combined with very specific landmarks. These are the types of destinations that no matter how many times a person has visited, there never will be a reason to get bored. Therefore, set up the traveling luggage, have the calendar planned, and prepare for one of the most alive and thrilling cities in the world. Sydney awaits, thus bring it on and Sydney will leave you with an experience that you will never forget.