Top Ten Things To Do In Sydney Australia
In the past two centuries, Australia has changed from a colony to a traveler's joy. Sydney is the capital city of the south-eastern Australian state of New South Wales and with a population of just over 4.2 million, it is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. Sydney is known for being one of the most beautiful cities, brimming with historical associations and remaining vastly globally influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. Sydney is where East meets West and has diverse and beautiful people, arts, religion, languages, and traditions. Two of the most iconic structures on earth can be found there-the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
If you are about to travel to Sydney, take into consideration the following facts. The climate is oceanic with warm summers and cool winters and rainfall spread throughout the year. The warmest month is January, with an average air temperature range at Observatory Hill of 18.6 °C–25.8 °C, while the coldest month is July, with an average range of 8.0 °C–16.2 °C. The official language of Australia is English. Sydney is located within Eastern Standard Time (EST), which means that it is 15 hours behind New York. Changing foreign currency can be done quickly and efficiently at the Sydney International Airport, at most banks and at Bureau de Change outlets. There are a lot of things that you can do in Sydney, but some of them are an absolute must, therefore this article is dedicated to the top 10 things to do in Sydney.
1. Explore Sydney Harbour, ferry or cruise
The Sydney harbour is without a doubt the most beautiful harbour in the whole world, so exploring it is definitely on the top of the list of things to do Sydney. It is one of the icons of Sydney, along with the Opera house. This harbour looks equally amazing from the deck of a Sydney Ferry or a Sydney Cruise Boat, so whatever you choose, it is a win-win situation. The advantages of going on a Sydney Harbour Cruise are that it lasts longer than a ride on a Sydney Ferry and provides commentary. As you can guess, this makes the cruise option more expensive.
This cruise is perfect day or night. During the day it is a wonderful way to enjoy a unique perspective of Sydney and the working harbour while during the evening, the sparkling city lights and evening colors dance on the water.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge connects Dawes Point (in Sydney's Rocks area) and Milsons Point (in Sydney's lower North Shore area). The road across the bridge is 2.4 kilometers long, has eight lanes of road traffic, a foot and a bicycle path.
2.Visit the Opera House
The symbol of Sydney. When most people think of Australia, the Opera House is what comes to their minds. Going to Sydney without visiting the Opera House is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. It is located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, with parkland to its south and close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Opera House is Australia’s premier cultural centre for opera, ballet, theatre and music, and it also has four theatres and several fine restaurants. Most tourists attend it with little interest in the arts being performed in it, but just seeing the gorgeous spherical-sectioned shells that construct it is a unique moment and something that you will remember for the rest of your life. You can watch an opera, catch a show, or take a guided tour, no matter what you choose, a visit to this incredible building is an experience not to be missed.
3. Sydney Harbour Bridge climb
This is an absolutely amazing experience, that is well worth the money. It is much easier than it first appears, although you have to go through some preparation and training before you go up and no cameras are allowed. The best idea is to avoid doing it in the middle of the day, because those are the peak hours. The climbing does not depend on the weather and it is rarely cancelled, since if there are some bad conditions you can just wait for the storm or rain to pass.
The whole climb is a three and half hours adventure and an experience that will never be forgotten on one of the world's most modern wonders. It begins with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration to prepare you for the climb and at the end you get to see the magnificent view on top of the bridge. You will get a feeling of exhilaration and personal satisfaction once you have reached the top of the Bridge.
The standard rates for the climb (valid from 1 July to 31 March) are $169 for adults and $100 for children. If you want to catch the sunset or make the climb during the peak period (valid from 26 December to 10 January), you would have to pay double.
4. Watch a movie at the Open Air Cinema
St. George Open Air Cinema is close to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Have in mind that it is very expensive and hard to get into. Here you can watch a movie with a drink in hand at a big screen with the Sydney City Skyline, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop. Simply put, it will be a movie experience that is hard to beat, regardless of the movie you will watch.
As mentioned, getting tickets for this cinema is difficult, actually it is quite impossible without reservation. Therefore, book your ticket to the St. George Open Air Cinema well in advance and arrive as early as possible, because the first 100 customers who pass through the gates each night are seated in a special deckchair area. The film program is a festival of film featuring a different title each night, from art-house to mainstream, and including premieres, recent releases and classics.
5. Walk around the city and have dinner at one of Sydney’s restaurants
Sydney is an awesome city and there is no better way of getting to know it than on foot. Simply walk around the city and even get lost in it. The city lights at night provide an amazing atmosphere. Look up and around, check out the parks, wander on foot through the back alleys of the Rocks, you never know what you might come across.
What better way to finish a day full of emotions and adventures than at one of Sydney’s fine restaurants. Australia is known all over the world for the high quality of its food. For dinner, you will be thoroughly spoiled with a delightful feast consisting of professionally catered gourmet foods, accompanied by a complimentary bottle of fine Australian wine.
One of the best restaurants in Sydney is the Jordons International Seafood Restaurant in Darling Harbour. Tantalize those taste buds with a delicious 3-course meal and complementary bottle of wine.
6. Visit the Sydney Aquarium
Australians have a great love and respect for animals and the nature as a whole. That part of their culture is reflected on the Sydney Aquarium. Located on the eastern side of Darling Harbour to the north of the Pyrmont Bridge, the Sydney Aquarium is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. It is the living environment of more than 11,500 Australian aquatic species, featuring the most extensive collection of sharks in captivity, the largest Great Barrier Reef display in the world and more than 6,000 individual fish and other sea and water creatures from most of Australia's water habitats. Making this one of the ten things to do in Sydney, it will surely provide unforgettable moments for you and for you and your family. As life started from the water, this aquarium will give you a true possibility of exploring nature in various different shapes and sizes.
7. Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo represents the nation's leading zoological garden, known for having Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. The special thing about it, is the location-placed on elevated land along the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour overlooking Sydney Cove, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. You can reach it by bus, ferry (12 minutes) or car (a parking fee applies). It is opened every day, even on Christmas, from 09:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee for adults is $32, children (4-15) can enter it for $17.5, while children under for can pass for free. There are discounts for students and pensioners.
The zoo is laid out on a hill, so as you start off, from the top, you go down the hill. It’s a unique, picturesque zoo, and while the animals may seem cramped, the zoo is undergoing renovations to give the animals more natural habitats.
8. Check out Sydney’s beaches-Bondi Beach, Palm Beach, Coogee and Bilgola Beach
Bondi beach is the most popular beach in Sydney. It is only minutes away from the center of the city making it the “mecca” for local and international tourists that want to get a tan or simply have a good time. Due to its popularity, it is no surprise that Bondi does get overcrowded at times. There is a restaurant and cafe strip worth a visit.
The waves at Bondi beach are fantastic so you will see a lot of surfers in the water. There are surf schools as well, why not learn how to surf at Bondy beach? The atmosphere is friendly and professional and a fully-qualified staff can help you catch the wave of your dreams, whether it’s your first time setting foot in the ocean or you’re a surf fanatic. Three lessons per two hours cost $120. Walking from Bondi to Coogee Beach is a also a classic.
Palm beach is more distant than Bondi beach, as it is about 60 kilometers away from the airport. If you love beautiful beaches, then you don’t want to miss Palm beach. It is not overcrowded as Bondi beach, in fact it is more of a residence for millionaires, quite an idyllic location.
Bilgola Beach is a beautiful spot surrounded by bush and if you're lucky, it can be a very peaceful and quiet place.
9. Visit Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are just a few minutes away from Opera House and represent one of the most beautiful settings you will ever see. Gardens fill an area of land between the Sydney Harbour and the eastern part of the central business district. This is the best possible location to simply sit back and enjoy the nature while having lunch. Another great thing about them is that the access is free and they are open every day of the year.
10. Party on at one of the Sydney Nightlife venues
Sydney is one of those cities that never sleeps, it goes all night and boasts an impressive array of venues to keep you occupied at night. Luckily, night buses run right through the night so, if you get distracted there is an easy route back to your hotel. Most of the clubs are located around the inner-suburbs, but there is a very popular club called "Sublime" at 244 Pitt Street. The entrance fee is about $AUS 10 -15 on most nights, and it hosts reputable international DJs, playing House and Trance music.
Kings Cross is one of the main centers for the clubber with places that range from the sleazy to the more corporate. The "Underground Cafe" strikes a happy balance, located next to the Rhino Bar. Basically, Oxford Street, Kings Cross and the area around Darlinghurst is the part of Sydney keeps the party going all night long.
An interesting bar is the 360 Bar and Dining Room on the last floor of Sydney Tower. The name is no coincidence, since the bar is slowing rotating at 360 degrees, taking the experience to a whole new level. If you've only got one night in Sydney this had better be it.
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