Sydney, Australia, has earned a reputation for being an unforgettable world-class city. Once a penal colony, Sydney is now considered one of the most desirable places in the world to live. Although not the country’s capital, Sydney is a thriving center for both business and the arts, with flights coming in from all over the world. It boasts a bustling, cosmopolitan scene that rivals even that of New York and London. This sun-soaked, beach-strewn metropolis has much to offer in the way of cuisine, culture, food, sport, and experiences. There are few places in the world that you can compare to Sydney.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights this great city has to offer. Below you’ll find a list of top attractions. Due to Sydney’s amazing cultural aspects and serene location, things to do can range from booking incredible tours and performances to taking in cheap, often free, excursions. These can be a beach trip, a walk around Sydney Harbor, or a simple nature hike.
Many of Sydney’s attractions can be found in and around the sparkling Sydney Harbor. Some of the top visitor attractions are as follows:
If you plan on visiting the most popular tourist spots, it may be a wise investment to purchase a Sydney Attraction Combo Pass, available from www.experienceoz.com.au or at the Sydney Aquarium. The pass grants you access to up to five places – it includes discounted fares to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary or Madame Tussauds Sydney.
Another good option to see several sites in one day is the Sydney and Bondi Explorer Hop On-Hop Off Buses. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offer 24 or 48-hour passes. Buses stop at all of the Sydney Harbor attractions and Bondi Beach. They also offer guided commentary in seven different languages.
It is a great idea for any traveler to book one of Sydney’s many tours. Travel up the Sydney Harbour Bridge for breathtaking views from a height of 440 feet (134 meters) on this iconic Australian landmark. You can choose between a 3.5-hour BridgeClimb with a guide in the morning or afternoon, or climb at sunrise, dusk or night. There are other options too, including a 1.5-hour Sampler Climb that takes you halfway up, or a 2-hour Express Climb for a rigorous ascent at a faster pace.
For those who have a more romantic call to visit Sydney then the cruise through Sydney Harbour departs from Circular Quay and King Street Wharf. Take in all the landmarks in luxury, including the floodlit Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, and watch the city glow during sunset. The buzz of the city hums in the distance as you sit down for a 3-course dinner with an array of global dishes. Enjoy the views from your table or the viewing deck, all while listening to live entertainment on this 2.5-hour dinner cruise.
The Australian Museum (established 1827) contains Australia’s most vital animal, mineral, fossil and anthropological collections. It takes pride in its unique research and discoveries of Australia’s environment and indigenous cultures. The museum offers exhibitions on the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa and the Americas, with items ranging from Aboriginal children toys to a tattooed chalk head from the Solomon Islands. The local stuffed animals are a must-see, and you’ll be sure to discover amazing facts about Australian mammals. If you’re at all interested in Aboriginal culture and beliefs, visit the Indigenous Australia section, it covers contentious issues as the ‘stolen generation’, deaths in custody and issues facing indigenous people today.
While most have a cover charge, one of the cheapest options is to take in one of the free museums. For example, The Rocks Discover Museum is a family-friendly museum where guests can learn all the stories of Sydney’s past in pre-European days to the present. It houses a collection of unique pictures and archaeological artifacts found in The Rocks. You can expect to enjoy interactive fun which brings the history to life. A great place for a family outing and holiday fun.
While barbecue remains the quintessential Australian food experience, expect to find a variety of other options. Sydney offers both casual and fine dining. Seafood is an integral part of the cuisine; Australia is one giant island, after all. Some specialties include rock oysters, Barramundi (a freshwater fish), and Moreton Bay bugs (a shellfish). Another food staple is “bush tucker,’ or Australia’s endemic flora and fauna. It is usually lean and quite delicious. Additionally, kangaroo meat has been growing in popularity in the past two decades. Steak and prawns are still the most prominently featured items on the menu. For your dining experience, expect to come across both self-service eateries and restaurants with table service. Bistros, cafés, family-style restaurants and pub lunches offer good food at reasonable prices. Most restaurants and hotels are licensed to serve alcohol. Some restaurants allow guests to bring their own alcohol and are called ‘BYO’ restaurants
As for drinks, Australia’s wine industry has blossomed in recent years. Some of the more popular wineries include Coonawarra, Clare Valley, and Barossa Valley. Beer is not hard to find in Australia and is served in either a ‘schooner’ of 425mL or a ‘middy’ of 285mL. You can probably find a classic pint in most bars, though. Coffee is a bit of a national obsession, so you will certainly be able to get a very good cup throughout the city. Incidentally, many wineries, breweries, and distilleries are open for public visits and tastings.
Tipping is not common nor is it expected in Australia. Additionally, no service charge will be added to your bill. In fine dining restaurants, though, a 10% gratuity is expected.
Sydney deals in many local wines. Common goods also include wool, clothing, leather, sheepskin products, precious or semi-precious stones, such as opals and black pearls, and modern art. Indigenous artworks and artifacts are also available. To ensure you are purchasing an authentic item, the best places to buy are outlets supported or owned by Aboriginal communities. Opening hours for most stores in the cities are Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1700. Corner stores, restaurants and snack bars are open well into the night.
For culture, Sydney offers a wide variety of very good theater and performance art as well as orchestras, opera companies, and live music. As for after hours, Sydney’s nightlife is wide and varying. Cafes, bars, and clubs can be found throughout the city. Kings Cross, The Rocks, and King Street are the epicenters of the action, though. Nightlife and cultural listings appear in “Metro,” the Friday edition entertainment section of the Sydney Morning Herald and in Time Out
As Australia is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. Winters are cool, but not intolerable. Summers can get very hot, but that is usually the best time to hit the beach. Major events during the summer, such as the Sydney Festival and Mardi Gras, tend to draw big crowds of international visitors. Consequently, prices for airfare and accommodation tend to be lower in the winter. The highest prices are usually found in the dates between December and March. Sydney is a long way to fly from North America and Europe. However many major airlines including Virgin, British Airways etc. have frequent flights making airfares vary. Flight time from New York is 21 hours, from Los Angeles is 13 hours, from Toronto is 22 hours, and from London is 23 hours.
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Excellent post over again! Thanks a lot:)