10 Things to Love About Sydney
Sydney, one of the most recognisable cities in the world, is one of my favourite cities to visit. Every time I visit here is reveals something new and interesting. I have come up with 10 things to love about Sydney.
Sydney Harbour
There is no better sight than flying into Sydney and seeing the enormity and the beauty of Sydney Harbour. Port Jackson – it’s formal name, is 19 km long with an area of 55 km2. There are small islands, bays and inlets everywhere with sandy little coves. There are boat marinas, harbourside yacht clubs, waterfront restaurants and magnificent mansions with spectacular harbour views.
Circular Quay is where it all happens. The semi-circular shaped harbour is where the ferries depart and arrive or a boat charter in Sydney. It’s where you get the most magnificent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It is also a great place to perch yourself to people watch, grab a bite to eat and drink and watch some very entertaining buskers.
The historical Rocks area, at one end of Circular Quay with it’s cobblestone streets and heritage buildings, is also worth a stroll.
Sydney Beaches
Believe it or not, there are more than 100 beaches in Sydney. Probably the most recognisable is the famous Bondi Beach with it’s heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion and Icebergs Ocean Pool. But others that come to mind are Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee, Gordons Bay, Manly and Palm Beach.
If the beach is not your thing, then there are also ocean or rock pools that are protected from the surf and are a great place to get some laps in. There are rock pools located at: Mona Vale, North & Surf Curl Curl, Freshwater Beach, Bronte, Bondi, South & North Cronulla and Manly.
On the harbourside there are lovely calm water beaches at Watsons Bay, Balmoral, Vaucluse, Point Piper, Double Bay and Rose Bay.
Sydney Parks
Sydney is a city of green spaces and parks. The Royal Botanic Garden is easily accessed from one end of Circular Quay and is particularly beautiful as it wraps around the harbour. The inner-city Hyde Park is a lovely oasis in the middle of the city surrounded by heritage buildings.
The expansive 220 hectares Centennial Park is comprised of massive grassy areas, paperbark forests, a large lake, a horse track, and Grand Drive which encircles the park. Queens Park is nestled behind Centennial Park and features shaded paths, wide lawns and multiple sports fields, all set in a natural amphitheatre with views of Sydney’s CBD skyline.
Sydney Walks
One of the most stunning walks that I have experienced, on more than one occasion, is the famous Bondi to Coogee walk. You can do the entire 6 km stretch or walk only a section of this breathtaking scenic pathway along the coastal cliffs and eastern beaches of Sydney.
Some others that are noteworthy are: The iconic Palm Beach to Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk at the Northern Beaches with rewarding views from the top; The South Head Heritage Trail starting from Watsons Bay and ending at Hornsby Lighthouse; Hermitage Foreshore walk from Nielsen Park to Rose Bay; and Barangaroo Reserve Foreshore walk.
But really there are hundreds of Sydney walking paths in and around the city where you can get your steps up for the day, including a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Ferries
A must do in Sydney is to jump on a ferry from Circular Quay and explore some of the other places on the harbour. One of the most popular is a trip to Manly on the ferry where you can easily wile away a day either at the beach, swimming in one of the ocean pools or taking a stroll around the foreshore.
There are also ferries that will take you to the leafy suburb of Balmain, to the historic Cockatoo Island, fun times at Taronga Zoo or Luna Park, Barangaroo Reserve for a picnic and Watsons Bay for fish and chips on the foreshore.
Sydney History
Sydney is steeped in history, being the place where the First Fleet of British ships arrived in 1788 and the first European settlement of New South Wales was created. On one of my trips I undertook a Sydney history walking tour that commenced from the Town Hall and took me through the city streets to learn the rich, vivid history of Sydney.
The world heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks is an extraordinary place to visit to discover the living legacy of colonial Australia. Embark on the Cockatoo Island convict prison tour, wander through the historic neighbourhood of The Rocks, or visit the Australian Museum and the Museum of Sydney to learn more about Sydney’s intriguing history.
Sydney Arts & Culture
Wherever you go in Sydney there is a cultural richness and a burgeoning arts scene. This is evidenced in numerous art galleries, theatres, the Opera House, international live music performances, live street entertainment and annual festivals such as Vivid Sydney, the Sydney Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.
For art lovers there is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Brett Whiteley Studio and the White Rabbit Gallery. But there is also some impressive street artworks at Bondi Beach Graffiti Wall, Bin Chickens of Chippendale mural, hidden down a laneway off George Street in Angel Place are 50 birdcages, or In Between Two Worlds suspended figures down Kimber lane in Chinatown.
Sydney Shopping & Markets
The shopping facilities in Sydney are the best. In the CBD there are exclusive designer brand stores and big department stores such as Myer and David Jones. The very upmarket and unique Queen Victoria Building is also a must see. The decor of this historical building is exquisite with stain glassed windows, a 3m high bronze statue depicting Queen Victoria, the great Australian clock, that takes you back in time to another era.
Take a stroll down Oxford Street in Paddington for some upmarket Australian designer boutiques or to Westfield’s Bondi Junction, that has a huge variety of stores.
Then there are the markets with the largest being Paddy’s Market in Haymarket, Chinatown Markets, The Rocks art and craft markets, and weekend markets in Paddington and Bondi.
Sydney Food Scene
I never know where to start in Sydney because the cuisine is not only internationally diverse, groundbreaking and somewhat quirky, but downright delectable. There are hundreds of fine dining restaurants, freshly caught seafood establishments, sizzling street foods, casual pub fare, small plates of food to share, beachside cafes and quick bites to take and go.
I am blessed to have the best “foodie” as a son-in-law, who always takes me to some of the most incredible eateries in Sydney. On my recent trip I was taken to a Sri Lankan restaurant in Darlinghurst called Lankan Filling Station, where the food was spicy and very tasty. The time before this, we sampled some mouth watering Thai street food at a hip restaurant called Porkfat in Haymarket.
Very memorable, was Chubby Cheeks, a modern Thai inspired restaurant in Paddington. I also remember a particularly enjoyable long lunch at the seafood restaurant called Doyles over at Watsons Bay. Apparently, it is a must do to catch a water taxi from Circular Quay to this popular eatery with the best harbour views.
For the most incredible Asian food it is always worth a trip down to Chinatown in Haymarket where there are literally thousands of restaurants serving up taste-tempting oriental delights.
Sydney Sightseeing & Attractions
So you’re holidaying in Sydney and looking for some excitement or things to see and do? Then there are absolutely hundreds of attractions in this city. The top 10 things to do in Sydney include:
1. Sydney Harbour Bridge climb
2. Sydney Tower Eye skywalk
3. Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
4. Sydney Harbour dinner or cocktail cruise
5. Sydney Opera House tour
6. Vivid Sydney light walk
7. Taronga Zoo
8. Luna Park
9. Jet boating on the harbour
10. Blue Mountains day trip
Sydney is a fantastic city to explore and should be on everyone’s travel bucket list of must see places in Australia. For a girl’s weekend trip it is the ideal location. I never get tired of seeing the magnificent harbour and the vibrant colours and atmosphere that is exudes.
