A trip to Sydney is an
essential part of any Australian holiday, and the country's largest city is
often labeled as one of the most beautiful in the world due to its idyllic
balance of architecture, iconic landmarks, beautiful harbor, botanic gardens
and impressive skyline.
A truly vibrant city that is full
of a consistent buzz and high degree of energy, Sydney will have something to
captivate you regardless of whether you're an Aussie visiting from interstate
or an international visitor from overseas. The city is so large and full of
things to do that there are a wide range of so-called "must see"
locations and sights that, if you miss them, mean you will be missing out on
some of the unique features that give Sydney its own distinct personality.
Regardless of whether you're
exploring the city center and its metropolitan areas, the northern and southern
surf beaches that have gained their own fame, popular civic venues, landmarks
and scenic spots, there is seemingly a "must see" location around
every next corner!
Places
to visit in Sydney, Australia
Circular Quay
Begin here for a close-up gander
at the great steel arc of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House's splendid
sails. Here too, housed in a restored 1930s-designed building, is the Museum of
Contemporary Art, tel: (61-2) 9245 2400, and the Customs House Library, tel:
(61-2) 9242 8555. One block on, the Museum of Sydney, tel: (61-2) 9251 5988, is
set behind a starkly beautiful art installation that marks initial contact
between the British colonizers and the Cadigal people, the area's first
Australians.
Bondi Beach
Bondi seduces many a nomad into
staying put; chances are you won't hurry to leave. Swim, sunbathe or sign up
for a surf lesson — a two-hour lesson at Let's Go Surfing, tel: (61-2) 9365
1800, costs $90. Or take in the spectacular stretch of sandstone cliffs and
coves of the Bondi-to-Bronte walk along a one-hour, 2.5-km coastal path. And if
you dally past dusk, swing past the White Revolver, on the corner of Curlewis
Street and Campbell Parade, a bijou club where Bondi's style set converges.
Sydney Opera House
This is a visually stunning
structure inside and out, with six individual venues that stage spectacular musical
and dance performances. But you don't have to see a show to experience the
Opera House. "Everyone must take the 90 minute tour! The different size
venues for different performances makes this facility so alive." The opera
house gives tours in several different languages: The Essential Tour costs $35,
and the Backstage Tour costs $155. You can also buy tickets to a performance,
although you'll need to get those well in advance as the box offices frequently
sells out. You'll find the Sydney Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbor.
Sydney Harbour
Many visitors say that the Sydney
Harbour is the most beautiful natural harbor in the world, and they just might
be right. Blue water laps up to sandy shores over which landmarks like the
Royal Botanic Gardens and the Sydney Opera House preside. Also, nearly 150
miles of shoreline encompasses more than 30 square miles of water, adding
"humongous" to the harbor's list of superlatives as well. The Manly ferry for a trip right across the
harbor, and great beach-side restaurants.
Sydney Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are a
rarity in that they provide such a cavalcade of natural floral beauty while
also being so close to the Sydney CBD and the lovely panorama and landmarks of
Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to simply enjoy nature as the world passes
you by all within the midst of one of the the world's busiest cities, at the
Botanic Gardens you can absorb amazing views of the harbour while walking
through the immaculately-maintained greenery to view the endless array of
plants, trees and more all of which are accompanied by signs with detailed
information on each species of flora on display.
The trees of the gardens are also
often filled with birdlife such as cockatoos, as well as sleeping flying foxes
hanging from the branches, adding an extra layer of nature to what is already a
spectacular facility and a natural oasis with a size of over 30 hectares in
total. Divided up into a series of specialized gardens, each of which emphasize
a different area of the world of plant life, from Begonias to Palms, Roses to
Ferns, the range of displays on offer at the Royal Botanic Gardens is truly
spectacular and changes from season to season so that visiting multiple times
throughout the year will often produce a bevy of new natural sights to see.
Spot
sea creatures at Shelly Beach
The Sydney Aquarium is pricey but
you can see plenty of marine life in its natural habitat at Shelly Beach. Take
the Manly ferry and some swimming goggles. Other good places to spot sea life
are Clovelly and Gordon’s Bay.
Taronga Zoo
Sydney Harbour resounding with
lions' roars? Yes, really. Taronga Zoo, tel: (61-2) 9969 2777, lies on the
leafy north shore. Along with thousands of exotic and native Australian
animals, it comes with some dress-circle water and skyline views, and draws
more than a million visitors a year. An adult ZooPass, including the ferry fare
from Circular Quay, is $45; die-hards can sleep over in a luxury safari tent
with after-hours adventures for $225.
Jenolan Caves
While not technically
"in" Sydney, the Jenolan Caves network is another must-do and still
one of the major draw cards for those who are visiting the greater Sydney area.
Composed of an amazing mixture of 11 spectacular show caves, pure underground
rivers, and amazing rock formations. A remarkable cave system that ranks
amongst the finest and most ancient in the world, they can be reached within a
reasonable 2.5 hour drive from the heart of Sydney and are well worth the trek.
A true display of nature at its grandest, Jenolan Caves is an awe-inspiring
display that make for a wonderful place to visit with others, with numerous
different tour and cave options that showcase each of the individual caves' key
features.
The Queen Victoria Building
For an extremely high-end,
elegant and gracious shopping experience, you'd be hard pressed to find a place
in Sydney that beats the iconic Queen Victoria Building. While the huge range
of variety in shopping options is of obvious appeal, the building itself is an
architectural marvel that adds a touch of class to the proceedings with many
fine details in its craftsmanship that the discerning eye can appreciate.
Intricate tiling, facades,
metalwork, stained-glass windows and its amazing grand staircase are just some
of the things that make even simple window-shopping at the Queen Victoria
Building a satisfying experience. One of the "proud old ladies" of
Sydney architecture, it provides a venue where the old world ornate style of shopping
can still be experienced in the hub of a modernized metropolis, with the stores
on each level as you ascend increasing in both price and quality (i.e: if
you're looking for bargains, the basement is the level you want to be on!),
with the highest level having some truly impressive and lavish stores selling
suits, jewelry, brand accessories and many other expensive, high-end products
that most of us can only marvel at.
Coogee Beach
With its soft, manilla-colored
sands and gentle waves, Coogee Beach is a nice spot for sunning and swimming.
Plus, the eateries along the shore give beach bums several places to refuel. Although
many say Bondi is the best beach in town, others argue that Coogee Beach is
their favorite piece of Sydney shoreline. It is such a picturesque beach,
complemented by the lovely cafes and restaurants that line all the streets
leading to the beach.
