If our destination is the Asia Pacific region, there is a country that cannot be missed on the route: Australia. This huge island-continent is home to beautiful and varied landscapes, from snow-capped mountains and rainforests to red deserts, canyons and very tropical coral reefs.
The most popular city in Australia is Sydney. It is not the capital and yet it is the best known internationally and the one that attracts the most tourism. It will undoubtedly be your destination, your front door, so I think you cannot leave it without having lived these experiences, the best tourist experiences in Sydney:
Climb the Sydney Bridge
The Sydney Bridge is the emblematic bridge of this, the largest city in Australia. It is a typical bridge of arches that cross the harbor and carry cars, pedestrians, bicycles and trains between the north coast and the so-called financial district. Together with the Sydney Opera House, it makes up the most classic postcard in the city.
the bridge It was built in 1932 by an English company that was inspired for its design by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York. It is one of the longest arched bridges in the world.oy is 134 meters between the highest part and the water and almost 50 meters wide. It is supported by concrete pillars anchored with granite and the entire works took almost a decade. And there it is, waiting to be climbed by enthusiastic tourists.
There are several types of climbing provided by the same company called Bridge Climb. There are daily climbs, climbs for special events that accept a limited number of people and even more special climbs that have to do with birthdays, marriage proposals, and so on. The former are available all year round and in turn there are four subcategories: Bridgclimb, Bridgeclimb Express, Bridgclimb Sampler and Bridgeclimb Mandarin.
- bridge climbing: 360º panoramic views of the city and a walk that takes you along the outer ring of the bridge structure towards the top. It costs between 228 (204 euros) and 363 dollars per adult (325 euros), and 158 and 263 per child. Tickets include a group photograph, a windbreaker, a free pass to Punto Panorámico del Pilón and a climbing certificate. It lasts about three and a half hours and the groups are of 14 people. You climb more than 1300 steps and can be done at dusk, day or night.
- Bridgeclimb Express: quick hike to the top climbing the inner heart of the bridge between steel and rivets. It has the same prices as the previous one but it lasts two and a quarter hours and you climb a thousand steps and more. It is only daytime.
- Bridgeclimb Sampler: the climb lasts an hour and a half and you climb the internal arch of the bridge, which in the middle of it gives us magnificent postcards. It is the most recommended if you do not like heights very much and want to feel more secure. East it's cheaper: between 158 (141 euros), and 173 dollars per adult (155 euros), and between 128 and 143 per child. The tickets include the coat and the group photo. The climb lasts an hour and a half, the groups are of maximum 12 people and you climb 556 steps and walk more. It is day.
Walk across the Sydney Bridge
This is another option. Since you are on the bridge you can enjoy getting to know him in another way. The bridge has a walkway for pedestrians and further It is the most economical option since climbing the bridge is not. The views are not the same but they are panoramic and very beautiful. Cross it it doesn't cost an australian dollaror although if you want to access the Pylon Panoramic Point, the one on the pylon, you will have to pay 11 Australian dollars (12 euros). It's worth it because there are three levels of exhibits here and you can learn about the history of the bridge.
You climb 22 steps to reach this point, which is located about 87 meters above sea level. It opens seven days a week between 10 am and 5 pm although you can enter until 4:45 pm. General admission is AU $ 13.
Sydney Harbor Cruises
We continue with the fantastic views of the city. If you want to walk along the water and contemplate the urban skyline, you can sign up for one of the cruises. Some depart at sunset, they are small and private and each one carries a maximum of 12 people so you don't feel so much about being on a tour. There are several companies that offer these tours and some travel with larger groups and there are also night cruises with dinner included.
One of the companies, for example, is Captain Cook: it offers daytime lunch cruises, breakfast cruises, luxury cruises, and dinner cruises. He calculates that fares do not exceed AU $ 209 and that strolling while the sun goes down, music plays and Sydney lights up is priceless. You can also take sailboats and motorboats of those that go super fast.
Helicopter flights over Sydney
It is not a cheap option, but after all good things always cost more. Climbing the Sydney Bridge is not either, but if I had to spend money on experiences that left me something, I would undoubtedly invest in these that I am telling you today.
A helicopter flight over Sydney is going to give you a great view of the city, its urban center, its beaches, the port, the bridge and much more. Although it is a shorter experience, the flights last about 20 minutes, the views are superb and the impact of what you see is greater.
As well there are several companies that are dedicated to making scenic flights over Sydney and one of the most popular is Red Balloon, a company that offers everything throughout Australia. Another company is Blue Sky Helicopters. You can travel alone or join a group: alone and up to four people costs 150 Australian dollars (135 euros), each one in a shared flight, now, if you fly in your own group it costs 200 dollars per person (179 euros), and it goes lowering the price if the group is larger. No more than six people.
Flights last between 15 minutes and an hour, but if you include the Blue Mountains, for example, they can be longer. Also, if you add a lunch in a restaurant the prices are more expensive and you can easily pay $ 600 per person. I would go for the simplest and cheapest option, but maybe you really like to fly.
As you can see, you can experience Sydney in many ways and the images of this great Australian city that remain in your memory will all be unforgettable. For me these are top three experiences in Sydney. There are more, but these are the most special.