This is a fun place to hang around Sydney, Australia
Although we may be a little partial, we believe that Sydney has everything to offer. Its natural beauty, legacy, and history dating back thousands of years, and artistic, gastronomic, and cultural offerings by world-class experts make it unparalleled among cities throughout the globe. You might be excused for feeling a bit overwhelmed; there is so much to see, see, drink, and eat here. However, dear reader, you need not fret; assistance is at hand.
Just a select few cities across the globe have the rare and desirable combination of attractiveness, spirit, and way of life that makes them really outstanding. One of these cities is Sydney. As the socioeconomic and cultural center of New South Wales, it’s usually considered the capital of Australia itself, unsurprising considering its huge and glamorous image. This is a fun place to hang around, with its sunny climate, diverse population, and penchant for celebration.
Even among people who have never been there, its landmarks are instantly recognizable. Since the 1930s, the iconic Sydney Bay Bridge known as “The Coathanger” has connected the town’s downtown area to the North Shore. It is one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, and it has also served as a great vantage point from which to view the city’s most spectacular fireworks displays. The Bridge is a terrific site to begin your travels, not least since if you’re courageous enough to undertake the climb to its peak – a now archetypal Sydney encounter – the complete breadth of the city is spread out below, bays, beaches, and all.
Back at the ground surface, tour the legacy district famous as The Rocks, a tangle of ancient alleys on the site of Australia’s earliest European colony, before wandering Circular Quay to view that other postcard sight: Sydney Opera House. Make the most of the background by having a seafood feast on the harbourside, or push the boat out on a luncheon cruise.
One of this city’s best features is its coastline, which you can see after becoming enthused at the Art Museum of New South Wales or relaxing at the Royal Botanic Garden (which will turn 200 in 2016). You may get a wonderful sense of Sydney’s beach culture by doing the 6 km clifftop walk between the wave-battered communities of Bondi and Coogee.
The suburbs all have their own identities, from café-dotted Balmain and alternative Glebe to fashionable Darlinghurst and gastronomic hotspot Surry Hills.
In each, you’ll discover pubs, breweries, and high-quality eateries. The popular seaside district of Manly is separated from the rest of the city by a relaxing half-hour ferry journey, and it is home to some of the city’s best restaurants and cafes, as well as another wonderful trek, the 10 km long Manly Scenic Walkway. This goes through parts of Sydney Harbour National Park, which has natural vegetation, secluded beaches, and Indigenous rock art.
Join an Aboriginal tour of Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney’s finest port front park and a location of great importance to the nation’s oldest known civilization, as you return to the heart of the city and take advantage of a unique city’s newest features.
The proximity to many national parks is a major strength of the city. If you’re looking for a place to have a BBQ in a scenic setting, go no farther than Wedding Cake Rock and the undulating reserve of Royal National Park (gazetted in 1879). The huge Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is located to the north, and it has downhill bike routes, indigenous sites, and coastline vantage points. Both parks are close to Sydney and provide easy access to breathtaking natural scenery. The Blue Mountains, in New South Wales, however, are without a doubt the state’s most impressive natural feature. Located only 80 kilometers west of Sydney, the area gets its name from the eucalyptus trees that cover the surrounding hills. These mountains, which are on the World Heritage list, create a breathtaking scene of soaring peaks, deep ravines, and ancient caves, such as the 340 million-year-old Jenolan Caves. They’re great for journeys, with climbing, hiking, kayaking, biking, and 4WD trips all on offer. Scenic World has four attractions that are perfect for those who want to do nothing more than take in the breathtaking mountain scenery: a railway, an elevated walkway, a skyway, and a cableway.
