Sydney is the perfect counterpart to Australia’s other huge city Melbourne. Melbourne is like the artsy girl shrouded in mystery whereas Sydney is the bombshell cheerleader who knows they have it all (until they need to get a real job). Basically, Sydney is beautiful, there is no denying it and anyone in their arch rival city that says otherwise is utterly naïve or has never actually been there.
With so much to see and do in such a gigantic city, here are a few of our Must Do’s
1. Spend a night checking out the harbour from afar
The perfect little park to do this is the Royal Botanic Gardens. You get an awesome panoramic view of the entire bay which includes the beautifully lit central business district, the harbour bridge and the world famous Sydney opera house. Lit up and reflecting off the bay, it is a site to see and a perfect way to kick start a night on the town. Bonus if you are into photography, bring along a tripod and expect to be going through 200000 pictures at the end of the night.
Sydney harbour by night
2. Ice Cream at Manly Beach
Sydney is surrounded by a dizzying array of white sand beaches with perfect surf, two of the more popular options are Manly and Bondi. We went to both, and both are great in their own right, but Bondi has a tonne of little shops to carouse through when eventually get bored honing your skin into the perfect shade of lobster red. I recommend ice cream and there is more places to choose from than you can shake a stick at.
3. Ferry ride at Sunset
Public transit in Sydney is incredible, top it off with a fleet of ferry’s that are used to exclusively shuttle people to Manly beach from the downtown core and vice versa. Time it right so you are leaving manly and headed to downtown Sydney for sunset. You won’t regret it. In fact it may very well be one of the most beautiful scenes you will ever see, glass and concrete towers lit up by the natural rays of the sun while the backdrop of the sky shifts from blue, to orange, to pink, to purple. Get there early to get a good seat.
4. Harbour Bridge Pylon Museum and Lookout
So many of our must do’s are associated to the views, but once you get there you understand why. Anyways, you can do a Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk for a couple hundred dollars and be led up the frame of the bridge for a view of the harbor. Or, if you are a little tight on the budget, you can go to the harbor bridge museum and take in virtually the exact same view for a fraction of the cost. A great view and the historic aspects of the bridge are a neat little bonus to top it off.
5. Get a beer at Bondi
Bondi is a hot spot for anyone who thinks they are worth looking at. The boardwalks and beaches are filled with good looking people looking for other good looking people. If you are into people watching then come here. Grab a drink at one of the many establishments on the way, sit back, and watch the perfect microcosm of Australia unwind in front of you.
Bondi Beach on a Sunny Day
6. Wander the Rocks
The rocks is the ex-rough-area-where- sailors- went-to- do-their-business-turned-hip-part-of-town. So it used to be a place where rowdies and younguns would go to “unwind” now it is home to some of the hippest restaurants, bars and shops in the city. Although a little on the pricey side this place is a must do – even if you just wander around for the day.
7. Hike to the North Head
The North Head is connected to Manly beach by a series of semi carved out walkways. What I am trying to say is that its no cakewalk, in fact its downright challenging in some areas so come prepared. Although you are right outside the city we stumbled upon a snake while hiking here so be careful. What is the point of all this you ask? Strenuous exploring might not be on your to do list but the views are unforgettable, couple that with fortifications from WWII and you have a day that’s a little more eventful than kicking it on the beach.
One of the many viewpoints around the North Head
