Sydney, Australia – 10 Things To Do & See

So you are travelling to Sydney Australia. Great! Here are some things you should not miss when you are in the city.

1) The Rocks Markets – “The Rocks” is actually an area of the city centre known for historic buildings, and tourism. Here you will find hotels, dining and shopping. The Markets are open Fridays for foodies and Saturdays and Sundays for goods shopping. What can you find there?  Artists, designers, crafters – originality on sale. Plus the usual market goods. It’s nearby the Harbour Bridge for great views of the water.

2) You can’t say you’ve experienced Sydney without visiting Harbour Bridge – and climbing it! Tours are available for halfway up, right to the top and in daylight, dusk and night time. So choose your view, time of day, and enjoy Sydney from way up there.

3) Another “must see” is the Sydney Opera House. This uniquely designed structure is readily recognizable when an image of it is seen anywhere in the world. You may not be able to view a performance unless planned in advance but you can tour the building every day of the week or enjoy a spectacular dine & tour called a “Taste of the Opera House” once a month.

4) Gardening your passion? Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of the city. There are free guided walks morning and early afternoon with a knowledgeable volunteer guide, weather permitting.

5) For an unorganized walk in the park, try Hyde Park. Located in the city’s business district, it is the oldest public park in the country. This park is not all trees and grass (though it does boast nearly 600 native and exotic trees), but is also a cultural gathering spot. You’ll find various memorials including the Anzac Memorial, feature gardens, and from time to time, the park hosts cultural events such as a Food & Wine Fair.

6) If museums are always on your visit list, check out the Australia National Maritime Museum. This is also a great place to bring the children as there are exhibitions and a 3D Cinema.

7) Another place of interest along the educational line would be the Observatory located in Observatory Hill Park in Sydney centre. Originally this hill was named Windmill Hill and had a fort until the 1800’s. Tours are available daily and nightly, and the planetarium shows digital films on everything from the usual astronomy to the history of space flight. Another great place to bring your children.

8) If you can’t visit the one in London and just for pure fun, Madame Tussaud’s is also present in Sydney. See all your favourite historical, famous and popular figures in wax. This “museum” is located on the Aquarium Wharf.

9) The Sea Life Sydney Aquarium contains more than 700 species of marine life found mostly in the waters surrounding this continental country. Riding in a glass-bottom boat, feeding sharks, and more is the name of the game here along with self-guided tours.  It can get busy so it is recommended that tickets be purchased on line.

10) What’s Australia – and Sydney – without a beach? Try the Bondi to Coogee walk if you don’t mind lots of stairs. You can swim at various beaches along the way. A less strenuous walk is the Bondi to Bronte Coastal. Manly Beach is extremely popular and – bonus – you can take the scenic Manly Ferry from Sydney to laid-back Manly in 30 minutes. The beach is 1.5 kilometers long and parts of it are great for surfing.

Like to read more on Australia? Here is an article on Tasmania.  Feature image of  Sydney with a busy Bondi beach courtesy of Bigstock.