Top Ten Things to do in Sydney Australia
The Best of Harbour Cruises, Great Cuisine, Adventure and Shopping
Aug 12, 2009
Sydney is an amazing city with more to offer tourists than just a few photo opportunities. The ten best things to do will keep all types entertained and invigorated, and there is no doubt you will come to love this beautiful city.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Climb the Bridge while attached by harness, and lead by a guide, up to the summit in this amazing journey. At the beginning there’s some challenging vertical ladder climbing, followed by a lengthy, but easy walk up one arch of the bridge to the top, then down the other side. There are great views of the Harbour and climbers have their photograph taken at the summit to show off to friends. The climb costs between $179 and $249, depending on time and day of the week, and takes 3 ½ hours from training to completion.
Get Close to the Sharks at Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is one of the world’s most entertaining aquariums, boasting, amongst other things, a huge number of sharks, so close they can almost be touched. Most visitors are guaranteed to see something they’ve never seen or even imagined before. The Aquarium is so full of things to see and do; it’s possible to spend up to four or five hours.
Eat the Local Cuisine: Kangaroo
Visitors shouldn’t be afraid to eat Australia’s most famous native marsupial; the Kangaroo can be found in many restaurants and is a popular delicacy amongst the locals. Kangaroo, when cooked well, is a tender, juicy meat, gamy in texture and similar to a medium rare steak. In Sydney Kangaroo can be found on the menu at many places, including at the ‘Meat and Wine Co.’ on Darling Harbour, or at the ‘Sydney Tower’ buffet.
Hit Some Famous Beaches
Two of Australia’s most well-known suburban beaches, Manly and Bondi, provide visitors a chance to sunbathe, swim and relax on golden sands in perpetual summer sunlight. Getting to Manly via ferry from Circular Quay is one of the most scenic ways to see Sydney, and takes a mere 30 minutes. To get to Bondi, take the bus and/or train, which takes between 30 – 45 minutes.
Shopping at the Paddington Markets
The Markets run every Saturday from 10 – 4 and offer around 250 stalls of unique arts, crafts and gifts for all types of shoppers. As with any big city market, part of the entertainment is to become immersed in the energetic bustle of shoppers, to soak up the colour and energy of the local culture. The Markets can be reached via the Watson Bay Bus from Circular Quay, which continues on to Bondi Beach.
Watch an Aussie Rules or Rugby League Game
Rugby League is traditionally the most popular form of football in Sydney, but with Melbourne eagerly promoting their favourite form of football Aussie Rules (AFL), the gap is closing. The local Aussie Rules team is the Sydney Swans, and with numerous Rugby teams competing in Sydney there’s no excuse to miss a game of football in season around February to September.
Ride the Monorail
When the crowds in Sydney get too much, glide above it all on the Monorail. While this is a great way to get around the city, the ride itself, which goes through eight stops and takes around 15 minutes for a full circuit, is a source of enjoyment on its own.
The Sydney Opera House
The unique design of the Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most recognisable and iconic images. You can wander the grounds of the Opera House, take a tour, or even see a show if tickets are available. The Opera House is located on the Sydney Harbour, alongside the beautiful Botanic Gardens; perfect for a scenic walk on a bright summers day.
Sydney History at the Rocks
The Rocks is an area located just south of the Harbour Bridge, and is an important part of Australian history. One of the first settled areas of Sydney, the Rocks has an historical feel about it and offers a great range of shops, restaurants, museums and is a great starting point for tourists. Of particular interest are the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Craft Markets on weekends.
Cruise from Circular Quay to Manly Beach
After a long, hot day of sightseeing, this memorable and scenic cruise is a great way to cool down and see Sydney at its best. Ferries run daily, every half hour during peak times and the rides takes 30 minutes on average. At your destination, you’ll find a great chance to sit on the beach and watch the sun set on another great day in Sydney.
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