A Long Weekend in Sydney
Once a year I embark on a girl’s weekend away with five of my girlfriends. We normally choose the long weekend for the Gold Coast Show holiday that occurs on the last Friday in August each year. This year we were minus one, but we decided to re-visit Sydney where we have previously been.
Our biggest challenge was finding an apartment that sleeps five people that was within our price range. We found the accommodation in Sydney to be a lot more expensive this time around. We eventually found two adjoining one bedroom apartments in the city near Darling Harbour.
DAY ONE
This trip to Sydney our aim was to do a lot of walking as we all feel that this is the best way to explore a city. We decided to undertake a free walking tour of Sydney and we also wanted to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Highlights of Sydney Walking Tour
A large group of us gathered at the Sydney Town Hall in George Street at 10.30am and our tour guides gave us an overview of where we would be heading on the tour. We learnt that the old City Town Hall sits on a cemetery and they had to move the bodies to another cemetery prior to building the hall.
The St Andrews Cathedral adjacent to the town hall was built in 1868 and is one of the city’s finest examples of Gothic revival architecture.
We walked through the elegant and architecturally splendid, Queen Victoria Building (QVB) which occupies an entire block on Sydney’s George Street, and has over 180 of Sydney’s finest fashion boutiques, jewellery shops and homewares, accompanied by delightful cafes and restaurants.
Onwards to Australia’s oldest park, Hyde Park contains the ANZAC Memorial building and visitor centre, the pool of reflection and numerous monuments and statues. The northern section features the iconic Archibald Fountain and various theme gardens.
The imposing St Mary’s Cathedral, a Gothic-style Catholic cathedral built of local sandstone from 1821-1928, stands adjacent to Hyde Park.
A walk down Macquarie Street, revealed many historical buildings commissioned by Governor Macquarie during the early 1800s, including Hyde Park Barracks, St James Church, Sydney Hospital and Sydney Mint.
We continued down Martin Place, a commercial precinct mall in the centre of the city and also the location of the Lindt Cafe, where the siege took place in December 2014.
We left the tour at Circular Quay and walked around the quay to The Rocks area looking for somewhere to have lunch and have a browse through The Rocks Markets.
It was time to work off lunch and walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to North Sydney and the Prime Minister’s residence, Kirribilli House and Admiralty House, the official house of the Governor-General of Australia. We were hoping to pop and have afternoon tea with the Governor, but unfortunately he wasn’t in! Then it was time jump aboard a ferry and back to Circular Quay for a well-earned glass of wine!
DAY TWO
Bondi Beach, Watsons Bay & The Gap
We got on a bus and slowly made our way over to Bondi Beach hoping to spot some celebrities on a spectacular Sydney Sunday. Firstly we took many photos of the surf which was pumping at Bondi Beach and then waltzed down to Icebergs Ocean Pool to take in the magnificent views over the ocean. A stroll along the esplanade took us past the historic Bondi Pavilion, followed by a browse through the Bondi Markets.
On the bus again and over to Watson’s Bay for a lunch of fish & chips at the famous Doyles Seafood Restaurant on the wharf. Afterwards we walked into The Gap National Park, perched atop the steep coastal cliffs and up the stairs to the lookout which had breathtaking views of Sydney Heads, the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
That evening we strolled across the bridge to Darling Harbour and the Lyric Theatre at Star Crown Casino to see the hit show ‘Matilda’.
Sydney is an extraordinary city with so much to do and see. I have lost count of how many times I have visited Australia’s most picturesque city, but each time it has been a different experience and an enjoyable one. We also had amazing weather which added to picture-postcard harbour views of the place.
I find Sydney to be a great city for walking around the sights. Love the photo of the Bondi pool with surf behind. We were there in winter which was a bit brrrr. I like the look of Watsons Bay. What was Matilda like?
Yes Sydney is one of the best cities for walking around. With thoese magnificent harbour views – is it any wonder? I also love Bondi (although it is always so busy). Watsons Bay is surrounded by green parkland and is a lovely spot to have lunch. Matilda was a little childish for my tastes but still very good. The kids performing in this show are amazing!
Oh what fun! Can’t think of anything better than a girlie weekend, lots of walking and (a bit of!) wine! So glad you all had a great time. The walking tour sounds a lot of fun. I’ll definitely look into that on our next visit. Hmmm, me thinks … wedding anniversary coming up soon.
It was a fun weekend and the walking and wining in particular were the highlights! Sydney is a wonderful city with a very interesting history. :)
Kathy, Sydney certainly turned on some beautiful weather for you all. Perfect for walking and what a lot of walking you did! Now that we’re home we’ve been doing a few touristy things too. One the weekend we walked through Barangaroo, the new harbourshore walk which looks across to Balmain. It’s fabulous.
We did so much walking! I loved it though because we actually saw so much of Sydney’s heritage and beauty. Last visit we went across to Balmain by ferry and walked around the area, however I haven’t heard of Barangaroo. I will have to put that one on the list for next time! :)
What a fantastic way to spend the weekend! You must have been exhausted when you got home – or is that just me :D I hadn’t been to Sydney in years until we had a 4 hour stopover between flights earlier this year – we caught the Airport train to Circular Quay & wandered around the Opera House & National Park areas before having lunch & heading back (the story is on my blog if anyone cares!). Now I’d LOVE to go back for longer – Pilchard is SO wanting to do the bridge climb, but I’ll be the photographer happily snapping away below. I love catching the ferries to anywhere – it’s another great way to see the harbour and explore the areas around it. Have a great day!
We had such a lovely weekend together and the walking tour was such a great experience. I actually learnt heaps about Sydney’s history. We walked across the bridge but not over it – but I think that would be an amazing experience. Sydney does has a lot to offer. I could easily return again and again!
Wow Kathy, you sure covered a lot of Sydney on this trip! I so miss the lovely old buildings, like the Queen Victoria Building, but I don’t miss the traffic and crowds! :-)
We did cover a lot of territory. It was great to actually see some of the historic buildings in the city and learn their history. Also the walk across the Harbour Bridge was a highlight. Like you, I love visiting Sydney – but couldn’t live there! :)
What a fabulous time it looks like you all had! I’m lucky to have a sister that lives in Sydney (near Manly) so I’ve been to quite a few of the places that you featured in this post! It’s an absolutely beautiful place but a bit too crowded for me! :-)
Us girls, WINOEs (Women in need of entertainment) had an absolute ball in Sydney. We always make the most of our trips away together and this was no exception. Sydney is a wonderful place for a holiday, but it is extremely crowded and expensive. :)
Sydney is a great city to explore on foot and it looks like you included all the top sites, well done.
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust this week
We certainly did a lot of legwork in Sydney, but as you say it is the perfect city for doing just that. I think I enjoyed the history most of all. :)
I have never been to Sydney, but it looks like you really saw and did a great deal. Very nice photos.
Sydney is probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its huge harbour and iconic bridge and opera house. However it being the first place in Australia that was discovered by Captain Cook, it is also very rich in history. Thanks for dropping by my blog. :)
I’m so jealous you saw Matilda- I have been dying to see it on stage. I’m hoping they will come to Brisbane as well.
Matilda was a great show, but maybe a little immature for my tastes. Kids would absolutely love it though. Most of these shows do tend to come to Brisbane. Thank you for visiting my blog. :)
I could so be a part of your group! I’d fit in perfectly! I’d walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge but I wouldn’t climb it. I would have loved Matilda too!
The walk across the harbour bridge was easy peasy and very picturesque. I don’t think I would climb it either. There is a museum and lookout in one of the bridge’s pylons that you can visit for around $10 entry, so I imagine you would get a bird’s eye view from there. You are very welcome to join my group of WINOEs! :)
Hello, good to meet you via the travel linky. Great to see you had a fab time in Sydney – I live here – I do envy you the girly weekend. I could so with escaping the city and enjoying the sights myself… and no washing up!
Hi Seana, nice to meet you too! I always enjoy my time in Sydney. Every time I’ve visited the weather has been perfect and I’ve done something different sightseeing-wise. Love your city!! :)
Sounds like a great long weekend! Im so keen to watch Matilda!
It was a very enjoyable girl’s weekend in Sydney. We have so much fun together and possibly will do until we’re all old very grey! Matilda was a fantastic show. Thanks for visiting. :)