The gateway to Australia is usually Sydney And although it is not the capital, it does concentrate, along with Melbourne, the bulk of the tourism that arrives from overseas. It is a modern, large, fresh city with much to do, see and enjoy.
Australia is a large and distant country, so since you travel there you have to travel it. Then, it takes about three or four days in Sydney before putting your backpack back together and starting to visit other destinations such as Melbourne, the Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef or Tasmania. What can't we miss in Sydney? Well consider these destinations and attractions:
Sydney Bridge
I put it first because I really believe that it's a phenomenal attraction. It is the icon of the city, the one that is not missing from any postcard. The good thing is that can be climbed on different tours And even if you fear heights a bit, it will be the unforgettable ride in Sydney.
There are five tours so you can do different routes at different times of the day and these include day, dusk, and night. The prices are not cheap but I think it is really worth the climb to the Sydney Bridge. They start in the Australian $ 158 for a simple and fast climb and end in a few U.S. dollar 388 if you want to climb when the sun goes down or at night.
There is even an option that turns on the lights of a kind of multicolored 70s dance floor, although it only takes place between May 26 and June 17. The reservation of the tickets is done on the Internet so you can book everything before traveling to Sydney.
Kayaking around Sydney Harbor
We are thinking of a very active vacation, but I think these activities will leave you a great memory of the Australian city. If sitting this close to the water doesn't scare you then a kayak ride is great. And rare in a city the size of Sydney.
The leading company in these tours is Freedom Outdoors and form groups of up to 30 participants. There are 18 tours to choose from in Sydney and around the city. One of the most beautiful tours takes you under steep cliffs dotted with colonial-era buildings, for example, all along the Hawkesburry River system of streams and canals.
The tour includes Calabash Bay with the ruins of a hotel built 130 years ago, and ends at the marina where it originally started to have a coffee and share the great experience.
Ferry rides and trips
Sidney is a city that looks at the sea with great kindness, so the best of the outdoor walks have to do with it. The bay and the port area can be traveled with Sidney Ferries so this type of walk you cannot stop doing it because the trip will be incomplete. The boats are yellow and green and have been in operation for a century and a half so they have their own history.
The ferry is used by 14 million people each year as this service connects Circular Quay with the west, north and east of the coast. Some for work and others for pleasure, the truth is that taking the ferry for tourists is an obligation. There are 28 ferries working, between old boats or super modern catamarans. You can get to the Cockatoo Island, former prison, for example, to Parramatta, Mosman , walk around Tawson's Bay or take the tour of Darling habrour y see from the water the icons of the city such as the bridge or the Opera.
La Manly Island It is a great destination to walk, stroll, go to the beach or spend the day. It's close to Sydney and the ride itself is lovely. Ferries to Manly depart every half hour from Circular Quay and the journey takes half an hour. It costs from 4 Australian dollars.
Walk from Bondi to Coogee along the coast
Bondi Beach is la sydney beach, the place to know when it is summer. Uniting these two destinations implies a six-kilometer walk along the coast. The path passes through Waverley Cemetery and offers beautiful views of Gordon's Bay.
You can end up with a cool drink at the Coogee Pavilion terrace bar, but first you have some beautiful beaches to lounge on, sunbathe, or dip your feet in the sea.
Eat and drink in style in Sydney
Sydney has a great gastronomic offer And there are really many interesting and recommendable places, but today I propose two: Spice Alley and Hacienda Bar. Spice Alley is like a small part of Singapore and concentrates restaurants and food stalls of this style. It's just behind Kensington Street in Chippendale.
There is an open area, a kind of patio, where you can eat Asian food with dishes from Vietnam, Thailand, Cantonese, Korean and Hong Kong. On the other hand, there is Hacienda Bar, a bar that belongs to a hotel and has a clear Cuban inspiration. This is the Pullman Quay Grand Sidney Habrour bar and from its tables and chairs the views are like a movie.
Indoor plants and flowers, pastel sofas, large windows. It seems like you are in Miami or Havana in the '50s. You can go for a drink any day of the week or enjoy cocktails and music on Friday and Saturday nights. It opens from noon to midnight. Prices? Well, a Heineken costs 9 Australian dollars and a glass of red wine 14.
Aboriginal culture tour
Finally, if you are interested in the Australian Aboriginal culture you can sign up for Splendor Tailored Tours to take a look at the life and culture of native peoples. The appointment is under the Sydney Bridge, there you meet Aunt Margaret Campbell who transports you to the time before the colonization.
This lady will tell you about the practices, rituals and customs of the Australian aborigines. You also visit the Botanical Gardens and at the end it all ends with a meal at Gardener's Lodge Café with a plate of crocodile, emu and kangaroo burgers.