10 THINGS YOU MUST DO IN SYDNEY

As Australia’s largest city and the main gateway into the country, Sydney is a sparkling jewel on the water that can be comfortably visited year round.  In addition to being a very livable city, it offers many opportunities for unique activities and experiences.  Be sure to allow yourself enough time to enjoy the following highlights when visiting Sydney.

1.            Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.  This is a great, completely safe adventure with a fabulous view, which can be reserved for anyone at least 10 years old, who does not have mobility problems.  Depending on your preference, you can schedule the climb for early morning, daytime or evening.  Looking down on the Opera House and the harbor from the top of the bridge is a thrilling experience.  Did you see Oprah a couple of years ago when she did the bridge climb with some of the audience members she took with her?  They had an extended stay at the top, while waiting for the helicopter filming their climb to go back and refuel.

2.            Taronga Zoo. Just across the harbor from Circular Quay is Sydney’s zoo, a 12 minute ferry ride away.  It is in a very scenic area on the water and offers an excellent way to become acquainted with the unique animals of Australia, which are not found in other parts of the world.  A close-up look at some of the animals through the Animal Encounters program allows you to enter the enclosures with a ranger to take pictures for a small fee.

3.            Sydney Opera House.  This famous structure is one of the city’s most immediately recognizable landmarks, and yet it is still fascinating to see personally.  It is possible to tour the inside, have a delicious dinner at Guillaume at Bennelong Restaurant there, and enjoy an evening concert or play.  Some of the best places to take pictures of the Opera House are from a boat in the harbor or from a float plane  looking down at it.  Located in the Rocks area, the Opera House juts out on Bennelong Point and has many hotels and restaurants nearby.

4.            Harbor Cruises and Darling Harbour. You have to see Sydney from the water to appreciate the expensive waterfront homes and also how many Sydney-siders commute into the city by boat.  It is a pleasant two hour cruise and can be combined with morning tea, a lunch, or a longer more leisurely dinner.  The daytime and some of the dinner cruises leave from Circular Quay, while other dinner cruises originate in Darling Harbour.  In addition to also finding dinner cruises at Darling Harbour, it offers a large variety of restaurants and shops, including one specializing in aboriginal artwork and didgeridoos.

5.            Aquarium  and Wild Life Sydney Zoo.   These two entertaining attractions are located at Darling Harbour and allow you to see native fish from the Southern Hemisphere, as well as habitats for wildlife and birds in the center of the city.

6.            Bondi Beach and Surfing.  If you watched the Olympics and saw beach volleyball on Bondi Beach, the area may look familiar to you.  It is a beautiful beach, where you can watch the surfers or learn how to do it yourself.  You can be a part of the laid back Aussie life style here and also find some friendly cafes.

7.            Rocks Area for Dining and Partying. The area around Sydney Harbour is home to the Opera House, luxury hotels, fabulous restaurants, small inexpensive pubs, street fairs and many other diversions.  Although you can enjoy a gourmet dinner here, you can also find tasty pub meals that are not expensive.  In the evening, it is very easy to make new friends, as Aussies are extremely friendly and will always invite you for a drink.  Before you know it, you have become one of their ‘mates.’  Just go out and enjoy the wonderful hospitality— you will have a great time!

8.            Shopping for Opals.  If you have not seen Australian opals before, you will be amazed at their vibrant colors and beautiful stones.  In addition to treating yourself to some opal jewelry, you can take home stunning gifts.  Because opals can be purchased as a single stone or glued together as doublets and triplets, prices can be very reasonable.  Good opal stores will explain all of that to you and many have videos allowing you to increase your “opal education.”  Like all gemstones, you can also consider your opals an investment.

9.            Day Trip to the Blue Mountains.  A small group day trip to the Blue Mountains outside Sydney is a really fun excursion.  The 4WD vehicle usual seats eight passengers plus your driver/guide, who will make your day special.  Leaving the city early, you will soon stop for morning tea/coffee and typical Australian cookies and cakes served out of the back of your vehicle.  They are very good at this, and the food tastes delicious.  You may have your tea at a park where you will see wild kangaroos and very few people.

The scenery at the Blue Mountains is very nice, and you will be able to see the blue haze around the eucalyptus trees.  Depending on the route your driver takes, you will also see small, scenic towns, and he looks for other parks and areas where you will  see animals in the wild.  Lunch is included and will be at a good local restaurant.  You will return tired but really contented after spending an active day in the Australian countryside.

10.          Day Trip to the Hunter Valley.  If you are interested in tasting and learning about Australian wine, you can go on  a day trip from Sydney to the Hunter Valley.  Again, a driver/guide will take a small group in his 4WD vehicle to the wine area, where you will visit several vineyards to sample their wines and have lunch in the area.  It is a nice introduction to the wine in this part of Australia, as there are three additional main wine growing areas in the country.

Although these are some of the activities you will not want to miss on your visit to Sydney, there are many other enjoyable pastimes that you will discover on your own while walking around the city.  Be sure to pace yourself, so you will have time to be part of the evening scene as well.  It is a very friendly city, and I am sure you will have a great time.