Sydney: A childhood dream come true

When my husband and I started planning our honeymoon, I knew that any trip just had to include Sydney as it had been a dream destination ever since I was a little girl. Sydney was the first stop to our honeymoon in July 2016; not exactly the best season to go there but we were lucky the weather cooperated during our 3-day stay. If you have the choice, try to hit Sydney during the warmer months from November to February, especially if you want to enjoy the beautiful beaches along the Golden Coast.

To be honest, I wish we had more time there and the city is without a doubt on my list of destinations worth going back to. With an amazing number of attractions and sights to see, from visiting the famous Sydney Opera House to walking along the 6-kilometer coastline stretch from Bondi to Coogee, there’s something for everyone. Here’s my take on the top things to do in Sydney:

Photoshoot at Sydney Opera House

Nothing represents Sydney more than the city’s famous sailboat-inspired architectural landmark. Danish architect Jørn Utzon oversaw the design of the venue which houses six halls with excellent acoustics under a roof consisting of four shells covered by more than a million tiles. Those with enough time can enjoy an opera performance or music concert while visitors on a budget can still visit the venue and learn about its history during guided tours taking place every half hour from 9am to 5pm every day.

Relax in the Royal Botanic Gardens

One of my favourite places in Sydney, the 200 year old Royal Botanic Garden is largely considered as one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. Open every day and accessible free of charge, the 30-hectare evergreen oasis is adjacent to Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House, making it an ideal stop during your visit of Sydney Harbor. The domain has survived numerous disasters including a flying fox invasion, uncontrolled cattle grazing, fires and efforts to turn it into a zoo, an aviary and a windmill. Today, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a welcome break from the stresses of daily life where visitors and residents alike can go for a picnic under the shade or a jog along its many paths.

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney’s second most recognizable landmark after Sydney Opera thanks to its centre-stage role in the city’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sydney Harbour Bridge is a must for adventure lovers. BridgeClimb offers visitors to climb to the very top of the bridge during tours lasting between 1.5 and 3 hours. Those that don’t want to go for the climb can still walk along the bridge’s pedestrian walkway where you’ll feel like inside a huge beast surrounded by hand-riveted steel and where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House (hint: great photo opp!)

Take a stroll at Darling Harbour

A quick taxi or ferry ride from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour is a mixed-use pedestrian waterfront development with activities for visitors of all ages. These include the Panasonic IMAX Theater, considered to be the world’s largest film screen, the Harbourside Shopping Centre and the National Maritime Museum of Australia. The city’s convention centre also hosts a variety of kid-friendly activities to keep the young ones busy while adults can take a break along the waterfront’s many restaurants and cafés.

Bar hopping at the Rocks

Named after the rocky coast that lines Sydney Harbour, the Rocks historical area was once home to the Gadigal aboriginal people and then became the country’s first site of European settlement. Today, 19th century homes and buildings line the streets, while pubs, galleries, restaurants and tourist shops are awash with both local and tourist activity. Visitors can use The Rocks as a starting point to other attractions such as the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Catch the animals at Taronga Zoo

A quick ferry ride from Circular Quay is the city’s famous Taronga Zoo (hint: don’t forget your camera, the 10-minute ride offers one of the best photo opps of the Opera House). The Zoo’s many snaking paths offer scenic views of the wildlife with the iconic backdrop of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The giraffes have it best, with one of the best views in town. The Zoo features platypus, koalas, komodo dragons and pygmy hippos. Stick around for the seal performance or marvel at the scary spiders being shown in the amphitheater.

Beach hopping along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Go for a 6-mile walk along the inviting coastal waters from Bondi to Coogee. Starting in Bondi and for only $7 you can have access to the most photographed ocean pools in Australia, the Bondi Icebergs pool, a Bondi beach landmark for over 100 years.

Along the way you’ll get a glimpse of the Waverley Cemetery, the Clovelly Bowls Club, Gordon’s Bay and finally down to Coogee, where you can reward yourself with a refreshing drink down at the rooftop bar in Coogee Pavilion. Halfway along the route just off Bronte Beach, take the time for a pit stop at Three Blue Ducks, a hip Australian café with gorgeous food (hint: the banana bread is to die for!)

 

Manly to Spit Coastal Walk

Another notable path where you get treated views of posh luxurious millionaire homes, lush secret beaches and indigenous rock art alternating between ocean and cliff top scenery. Start at the Spit Bridge and head towards Papi Chulo’s for a cold drink or cocktails

Admire the Queen Victoria Building

Originally built as a market hall between 1893 and 1898, and after years of neglect, it was restored in the early 1980s. Today this building houses more than 200 shops and, even if you’re not into shopping, is worth a visit to admire the building’s beautiful restoration, mosaic floors and stained glass windows.

Dine at Sydney’s Finest Restaurants

Australia is home to one of the world’s most vibrant culinary scenes and no visit would be complete without stops at many of the city’s foodie hotspots from its quaint neighborhood cafés to its signature gourmet hotspots. With only limited time in the city we booked ahead and indulged in three of the city’s most famous venues:

• Sydney Café ($$): Located atop the Sydney Customs House at Circular Quay, this is a great place to grab lunch after touring Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens. An outdoor terrace boasts scenic views during the summer months.
• Quay ($$$): One of Sydney’s best restaurant, Peter Gilmore’s Quay is a must try for all serious foodies. Don’t leave the restaurant before sampling its signature Snow Egg dessert which has been on the menu for more than 10 ten years.
• Aria ($$$): Chef Matt Moran is one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and offers a fantastic dining experience a stone’s throw away from the Opera House.

 

Hike up the Blue Mountains

Finally, if you have an extra day and for the adventure lovers out there, Blue Waters National Park is only a 90 minute drive outside Sydney. Keep an eye out for the Three Sisters rock formation, one of the park’s most famous and most photographed landmarks!