Sydney, Australia
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Expedia video, freely available on Youtube.
We were surprised how much we loved Sydney! Sydney epitomises the Australian laid back lifestyle. A place to live and work, with beautiful beaches to relax and BBQ on nearby. It has flights to many different countries. It also has the world's largest natural harbour. The city has the Blue Mountains as a spectacular back drop to the west as well.
We were surprised how much we loved Sydney! Sydney epitomises the Australian laid back lifestyle. A place to live and work, with beautiful beaches to relax and BBQ on nearby. It has flights to many different countries. It also has the world's largest natural harbour. The city has the Blue Mountains as a spectacular back drop to the west as well.
The First British settlers arrived in 1788 where they formed a Penal Colony. It is now one of the largest cities in Australia and is the most populous in the whole of Oceania. It is named after Lord Sydney, the British home secretary when the first British ships arrived there. It is surrounded by National Parks, but lots of small city parks too and wildlife such as flying foxes, critters, possums and cockatoos. We didn't see any of the poisonous snakes and spiders I had been scared of, as they aren't common in the city centre, thankfully or I really would have freaked out!! Sydney has it all, the weather, culture, scenery, parks and lots of wonderful restaurants, catering for all tastes including vegetarians. It is the most vibrant and progressive city in Australia.
Things to do in Sydney
The Coastal Trail walk 3.7 miles from Bondi to Coogee.
The Sydney Opera House and Botanic Gardens Walk. UNESCO world heritage site. The Blue Mountains. Sydney Harbour and Bridge Ferries to the islands such as Manly and Cockatoo Islands.
Darling Harbour The Rocks Markets, views and restaurants. Art Gallery of New South Wales. Circular Quay. Centennial Park. Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tours such as Hunter Valley. Dolphin and whale watching cruises. Cockle Bay Wharf. Marrickville Organic Farmers Market. Hyde Park Royal Botanic Garden Street Art at Newtown Sydney has a temperate climate with average temperatures 16-26C. February being the hottest month with temperatures sometimes into the 30'sC. It has an average of 340 sunny days per year with most rain falling between March and June. |
The most famous beach in or near Sydney has to be Bondi Beach. A surfers paradise. We loved this beach as it was not just a pretty beach, but had a whole strip of cafes, restaurants and ice cream shops, public toilets etc. Yes it is a tourist area and there are quieter beaches, but we were tourists and wanted to see it! Be careful of the sun here though as I did get burnt, even using factor 50! There are lifeguards here which is good as the current is very strong. Below are some photos I took whilst there.
Where to stay in Sydney The city centre of Sydney isn't that big and so if it is in the city centre anywhere is really fine. We stayed in a hotel overlooking Hyde Park, which was a nice area, plenty of shops and restaurants near by. Near the Harbour would also be great, although more expensive. We were walking distance to that area too though.
When we got to the airport we bought an Opal card from the newsagents and loaded $50 each on it. This was enough to take the underground trains to and from the airport and our hotel and take the bus (There was a bus stop outside our hotel to Bondi Beach, which only accepted Opal cards, no cash), to and from Bondi Beach. We also had enough for a couple of more train stops too. |
Safety
Sydney is one of the safest cities in the world and the safest in Australia. The city centre and South and East Sydney are the safest areas with the following areas having the highest crime: Bankstown, Blacktown, Doonside, Liverpool, Claymore, Merrylands, Fairfield.
Most crime is gang related, but muggings do sometimes happen. Gun crime is very rare, due to strict gun laws. We felt safe apart from one incident with the drunks around Hyde Park, but on the whole it is a safe city.
Most crime is gang related, but muggings do sometimes happen. Gun crime is very rare, due to strict gun laws. We felt safe apart from one incident with the drunks around Hyde Park, but on the whole it is a safe city.
Eating out
Eating out is a pleasure in Sydney. We really loved the fresh, Organic food available everywhere there. Although not cheap it was a city with a great variety of food. The cafes were great too and of course I had to try the Australian classic flat white coffee. The words that still linger in my head are the words 'No Worries' , which the locals say to you all the time. I just loved that phrase.
Australian wine is another must try beverage and it didn't disappoint! We found some really good wines as cheap as fruit juice!
www.ester-restaurant.com.au/Below are some of the most popular restaurants
Nour Sydney
Cucina Porto
Bon Vin Restaurant
Thai Pothong
Ester
For more information on Sydney click on the link to the tourist information page below.
Tourist info
Eating out is a pleasure in Sydney. We really loved the fresh, Organic food available everywhere there. Although not cheap it was a city with a great variety of food. The cafes were great too and of course I had to try the Australian classic flat white coffee. The words that still linger in my head are the words 'No Worries' , which the locals say to you all the time. I just loved that phrase.
Australian wine is another must try beverage and it didn't disappoint! We found some really good wines as cheap as fruit juice!
www.ester-restaurant.com.au/Below are some of the most popular restaurants
Nour Sydney
Cucina Porto
Bon Vin Restaurant
Thai Pothong
Ester
For more information on Sydney click on the link to the tourist information page below.
Tourist info