Sydney
SYDNEY….dynamic, cosmopolitan, exciting, inspiring, sophisticated, spectacular surroundings (setting) . No wonder it gets voted No 1 city in the world so often! Sydney is a must on every traveler’s itinerary to Australia.
The stunning natural harbor that sparkles in the sunlight is the unrivaled centre of Sydney. The 240 kms (150 miles) of shoreline includes gorgeous beaches, some national parks, as well as a number of islands. The habor divides the city into the north and south part of the city, and the area most frequented by travelers is the southern part.
The most popular section of Sydney to visit is The Rocks and Circular Quay (pronounced key). The Rocks is the historical center of Sydney and dates back to 1788 when the first convict ships arrived from England dropping anchor near where is now the Harbour Bridge. These 11 transport and supply ships brought 1480 people of which 759 were convicts. Huge blocks were made from sandstone by the convicts and used to construct warehouses for supplies, Victorian merchant houses and other colonial buildings. Thus the name The Rocks was born. Today this is an area of quaint side streets, boutique stores, art galleries, pubs, cafes and wonderful restaurants, and some great accommodation choices. Every weekend is the fascinating Rocks market where you can buy souvenirs and local crafts. There is also walkway around the harbor shoreline that goes under the Bridge and has some of the most spectacular views in Sydney.
Circular Quay is the hub of Sydney’s transport system and the starting point for all water transportation in the city. Many locals take ferries, jetcats and water taxis into the city to work, so the peak hours see a lot of hustle and bustle. There is a train station at Circular Quay which takes you to other parts of the city. Most of the ferries are included in one of the See Sydney and Beyond Passes and is a fun way to explore the city by water. Between Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge is the International Cruise Terminal and often in the summer months there will be a cruise ship docked here. The terminal building is quite modern and airy, and there are some wonderful restaurants and bars open to the general public that have spectacular harbor views.
The three historic harbor islands are a different way to experience the beauty of the harbor and some of Sydney’s history. Fort Denison was originally a prison for more dangerous prisoners. To escape meant swimming with the sharks…most didn’t make it. Later on it became a fort. There are one to two hour tours of the island. Cockatoo Island has self-guided tours where you can learn about the island’s maritime and convict history. Shark Island off the south side of the harbor has great views back over the city and is popular for picnics.
Even though the Opera House is the main icon of Sydney, the Harbour Bridge is usually to be found in most pictures of the city. This bridge was opened in 1932 and is the longest single span bridge in the world. For many years it was the only way to get across the harbor from north to south, but now there is a tunnel as well as ferries from certain locations. The most popular activity in Sydney now is one of the BridgeClimbs – either the original climb or the newer Discovery climb. This was about 10 years in the making but is so popular that it should be booked ahead of time. This is not for those with a fear of heights even though many who do have still manage to complete the climb.
Walking around the harbor from the Bridge and Circular Quay are numerous outdoor restaurants, which are especially popular with locals and tourists to sip a glass of wine and watch the sun go down. Underneath the apartment buildings are a number of boutique and tourist shops.
The Opera House is the most well known facet of Sydney. This fascinating building has had somewhat of an interesting history especially since it actually in the discard pile of designs and was mistakenly taken from there and eventually picked as the winner. The architect from Denmark who was living here during the construction eventually left in disgust and never came back to see the finished product. He died within the past couple of years and his son is working on remodeling that is being done. You can walk into the main part of the building but to get into any of the concert halls you must go on a tour. There are a number of choices of tours, including the most popular one hour Essential tour, the backstage tour which includes a continental breakfast, and the High Tea tour. Even though an Opera House, it is also possible to see ballets and modern dance, dramas, and classical or contemporary music. A highlight of any trip to Australia should be a visit to a performance at the Opera House. For an extra special evening make sure to have dinner at Guillaumes at Bennelong beforehand.
From the Opera House you can continue walking into the 30-hectare expanse of the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is a beautiful park to wander especially alongside the water’s edge around to Lady Macquarie’s Chair. Here you can sit in the favorite spot of the wife of the first governor of Sydney and watch the world go by on the water. Apart from open spaces, there are duck ponds, rainforest and palm groves, rose gardens and cactus displays. There are several tours through the gardens and a popular one is discovering Sydney’s Aboriginal lifestyles through their use of flora and fauna. The historic sandstone Government House Building is on the edge of the park and it is possible to do tours of the house as well as the beautiful gardens. On the other side of the gardens is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where you will see collections of Australian and Indigenous art, as well as different annual exhibitions. It is possible to do private tours of the gallery.
Hyde Park, though a lot smaller than the Botanical Garden, is also in the center of the city and a popular lunchtime spot for local business people. Located in the park is the Anzac Memorial which is a tribute to Australian and New Zealand soldiers killed in world wars. As well is the Archibald Fountain with its beautiful sculptures. Next to Hyde Park is the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Built by convicts in 1819 and lived in by prisoners, these Georgian style barracks now house relics from the early days. This is highly recommended for those interested in Sydney’s beginnings.
Two other popular parks are located out of the center of the city. At 220 hectares, Centennial Park is a large and very popular park that opened in 1888 to celebrate the settlement of Europeans. Now it is avenues lined with palm trees, trails for cycling and horse-riding, lakes and a chic café. There are several buses that make the stop at Oxford Street to access the park. In 1988, Bicentennial Park opened in Homebush Bay, and of 247 acres, approximately 100 acres are from reclaimed land. This is a great place to see many local and migratory bird species.
The city center or CBD (Central Business District) extends from the harbor down to Central Station. Even though dominated by high rise business offices, there is quite a bit to see and do there. Apart from numerous cafes and restaurants, there are a number of quaint shopping arcades off the main streets. The Queen Victoria Building, or Queen Vic building as the locals call it, has some very trendy stores in a beautiful old historic building and is well worth a visit. On the ground floor is an extensive food court with small restaurants from all over the world. Smaller arcades include the historic Strand Arcade as well as the Imperial Arcade. There are the larger Centrepoint and Mid City Centre shopping areas, or the large but interesting to wander Myer and David Jones department stores. Martin Place, a pedestrian walkway, is famous for its annual decorated Christmas tree. Located on the edge are more high end and trendy boutiques and designer stores. Australia Place has a number of trendy stores and small eateries and the outdoor tables make it a popular lunchtime eating area and after work meeting place for drinks.
For spectacular 360-degree views of Sydney, visit the Observation Deck of the Sydney Tower, where you can even walk out onto a glass floor viewing platform 230 meters above the city. You can also experience Australia’s cultural history and geographical beauty in a virtual reality ride called OzTrek. There is an intimate and stylish restaurant at the top called the 360 Bar and Dining Room.
A fun way to explore the city is by the monorail, and you can get tickets for individual rides or a day pass. This loops around the city and is a good way to get down to Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is a horseshoe shaped bay known for its waterside restaurants and shopping areas. There are a number of museums down here including the Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum. Attractions include the Sydney Aquarium with its famous shark tank, and next door the Sydney Wildlife World which features over 100 species Australian plants and animals. Nearby is the IMAX theatre which has some wonderful screenings, and also the convention centre which also is the site of many of Sydney’s concerts.
Not too far from Darling Harbour is Chinatown. Apart from numerous wonderful Chinese restaurants, it is home to the largest Chinese garden outside of China. Allow 30 minutes to explore the garden designed by principles of gardening dating back to the 5th century.
Near Chinatown is Paddy’s Markets only open Friday through Sunday. The market is huge with hundreds of stalls selling everything from inexpensive clothing to food and souvenirs. Above the markets is Market City which has more specialty and fashion booths.
The inner city areas, once quite rundown, have been fixed up and are now lively and trendy. Close enough to the city that you could either walk or take public transport, they are now the place to be seen.
Kings Cross, about a 15-minute walk east of the city, is quiet and low key by the day, and once the sun goes down becomes the nightclub center of Sydney. Lively and flamboyant, the bars, dance places, and clubs are likely to stay open all night.
Paddington, about 2 kilometers from the city, is the most exclusive of these inner city areas. The main street in Paddington is Oxford Street and this is the fashion street of Sydney. As well as up-market boutiques along the 1 km boulevard, there are many smaller specialty shops and cafes. The houses are the classic Victorian terrace houses with the ornately designed wrought iron lattices. There is also a popular Paddington Markets on Saturday mornings.
Newtown, a short ride by cab or train south east of the city, is known for its numerous restaurants and cafes lining the main street. Not as sophisticated as Paddington, it has become a bustling area popular with alternative lifestylers, students, and the hip community.
The glamorous and elegant area of Double Bay, 3 kilometers east of the city, is where you come for designer clothes and fashion accessories. There are a number of high end gourmet food stores or you can just enjoy a meal at one of the European style (pavement) cafes.
Located further out of the city, 8 kilometers west is the quaint suburb of Balmain. You can reach Balmain by bus or ferry, and it has become a very stylish area of sandstone buildings with numerous small cafes and ethnic type restaurants. It is also a great place to buy locally made arts and crafts at the Saturday morning markets. It is an area popular with writers, artists and actors.
Not only is Sydney famous for the spectacular beauty of the city, it is also well known for the gorgeous beaches that surround the harbor and the coastline. Many are quite accessible from the city and each has its own (flavor).
The most famous beach in Sydney is by far Bondi Beach. Synonymous with surfing and sunbathing, Bondi is also a well known people watching spot. It is only 10 kilometers from the city and is easy to reach by public transportation. Similar to Venice Beach in California, the promenade is popular with joggers and roller-bladders. Across from the beach is Campbell Parade where you will find many cafes and restaurants, with a very popular one being Nicks in the restored 1928 Bondi Pavilion. In 1906, Bondi Beach established the first life saving club in the world. Bondi is also known for those hardy Bondi Icebergs who put ice in the already freezing water during the winter months and swim.
Walking south around the headland from Bondi is a spectacular walk that eventually takes you to Coogee, where there is a marine reserve. Along the way you pass Bronte Beach, with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants and Tamarama Beach where all the beautiful people hang out.
Further to the south is Cronulla Beach, another popular local beach that can be reached by train from the city.
Heading to the other side of the city and the north side of the harbor, it is possible to take a short walk across the Harbour Bridge. This takes you to Milson’s Point, which apart from being a great spot to watch the NY Eve fireworks on the top of the Bridge, is also home to the Luna Park, Sydney’s amusement park. It is also possible to take a ferry over here, and many people like to walk the Bridge one way, and take the ferry the other way.
Going north from Milson’s Point takes you through the gorgeous suburbs of the lower and upper North Shore. After about 30 minutes, you will leave the Greater Sydney area and start heading up the coast where you will eventually reach Queensland.
Taronga Zoo, in Mosman, is Sydney’s main zoo and is a short ferry ride from the city. When you arrive, take the cable car to the top of the zoo, and slowly make you way back down to the bottom. Apart from seeing some fascinating Australian native as well as international species, the views back over Sydney Harbour are spectacular.
The main part of the suburb of Mosman, is a different stop on the ferry, and is a very trendy and upscale area. Known for numerous eclectic restaurants, bars and boutique stores, this is a very popular local meeting spot for lunch or drinks.
Nearby is one of Sydney’s harbour beaches, Balmoral Beach. There is a beautiful park alongside a netted beach, and lining the beach is a walkway with a fish and chip shop, alfresco cafes and the famous Bathers Pavilion Restaurant.
Further around from here, is the beautiful beach town of Manly, which can be reached by a 30-minute scenic ferry ride across the harbour. You arrive at an inner harbour beach but a short walk along The Corso through the town takes you to the gorgeous pine tree lined surf beach. A very local thing to do here is to sit on the promenade overlooking the beach and eat fish and chips. If that is not your thing, there are also quite a number of excellent cafes and restaurants to choose from as well as a couple of popular local type pubs. From here you can walk right along the beach past the Surf Life Saving Club and around the headland to a couple of sheltered coves for swimming or just relaxing. There is an ocean swimming pool built into the rocks.
On the weekends you can watch the life savers (life guards) in action as they patrol the beach or compete in surf carnivals. There is also a popular learn to surf school here. Apart from a number of tourist shops, it is fun to experience the weekend Arts and Craft Market which includes jewelry, paintings, woodwork, and glassware. Manly is home to Oceanworld where there is great display of the underwater world. If you are brave enough, you can even try extreme shark diving. For those who want to get some exercise as well as see some beautiful scenery can do the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk. This is an approximately 4 hours stunning walk along the harbour foreshore where you cross beaches, go through forests and walk around coastal cliffs.
Going north from Manly is a beautiful drive along Sydney’s northern beaches up to Palm Beach. Each beach has its own distinctive characteristics, and it is a very popular area of Sydney to live. Palm Beach is a gorgeous area – lovely houses set in the bush, with a surf beach on one side of the isthmus and a bay on the other side popular for boating. There is a rather strenuous walk from the beach to the lighthouse at the headland, but the views from the top are worth the effort. There are a number of excellent restaurants and cafes, and it is a favorite area for locals to come for lunch on the weekend.
