Sydney is known for its friendly Aussie residents, who are quick to make new friends over a pint at the pub. The city itself is well-equipped for travelers and has many sights to see. It's easy to book a hostel or hotel there, and there's no shortage of restaurants and coffee shops that are perfect for eating and people-watching. Whether you're looking for a short stay or want to spend some time living Down Under, Sydney might just be the perfect place to start exploring solo.
If you don’t fancy venturing out of the city, Sydney’s zoos and aquariums are some of the best in the world and let you get up close with some of the most unique animals. You know you want to hold a koala.
Sydney has a nice chill weather during winter and fall is beautiful but in general is hot and sunny. An equally beautiful city but on the other end of the map to the USA, Sydney is famous for incredible buildings and monuments such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour. Can’t forget that it is a city in Australia, home to the kangaroo and koala!
Taking a walk, singing carols, shopping, those are just some of the activities you can do during the winter. Sydney is a car town. But in peak hour most people use the train. If you are on a budget get a train to the closest point to where you are going and then get an Uber. Nobody apart from tourists and business people in the CBD use Taxi’s in Sydney any more – they are rude, expensive and poor quality.
Avoid travel in Sydney at peak hours – it's a nightmare. You MUST see the Great Barrier Reef while you are here. It is dying. It may not even exist in 15 years. So do not miss the Whitsunday’s (2 hours by air from Sydney) or Port Douglas (3 hours by air from Sydney)and get out there by any means necessary.
Sydney is one of the most amazing cities in the world and a fine example of a successful fusion of cultures. If you are more a person for an urban romance, you will easily find an ideal place to dine and even propose in the city. With Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of the city, you won’t have any problem enjoying rich and flourishing nature among the tall buildings.
Sometimes it’s worth making a splash. Staying in Sydney and not shelling out for a harbor view should be added to a new list of 19 crimes. You’ll be sleeping with the curtains open in these stunning hotels. Top of the list is the Park Hyatt Sydney. Panoramic views of the harbor are the highlight of an already exceptional hotel. Breakfasts on a private deck overlooking the Sydney Opera House and hot tubs staring up at the Sydney Harbor Bridge are standard here.
For a lower price point but still with a great view, The Palisade is a wonderful choice. Once lodgings for maritime workers, the building has been renovated beautifully while retaining its old-world charm. Plus, the onsite pub is a winner.
Below we will give you top places to visit in Sydney during the holidays.
1. Bondi Beach
Surfing is an iconic part of Australian culture, and Bondi Beach is the preferred hotspot for both amateur and professional surfers alike. Don't worry if you don't have the right gear - you can hire what you need offshore. And if you don't know one end of the surfboard from the other, there are also surfing lessons available if you are willing to hit the waves.
Just don't be put off by the surfer dudes doing Eskimo rolls around you, because with a bit of practice, you will soon be kickflipping with the best of them!
While there are plenty of stunning beaches in Australia, Bondi Beach is one of the most famous. With great waves for surfing, white sands, and bright blue sea, it is easy to see why it would make a great spot for Instagram. Sydney's beaches are ideal for spending a hot summer day swimming or just relaxing on the dunes. Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Coogee are the most popular, although many others have their own beauty.
2. Royal Botanic Gardens
Another amazing day program would be visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, which is one of my personal favorite places in Sydney, especially during the Australian spring. It's an oasis in the middle of the metropolis with lots of greenery to relax you. So, if you want to spend a lazy day just strolling around, you will have a great time looking at all the different plant species this garden has.
3. Manly beach
The Harbour has always been an essential part of Sydney living and people use the ferries as day to day transport. Do not get on an expensive tour which will be boring and confining when you can do as the locals do and get the Ferry to Manly. Take the old Green and Yellow ferry and sit outside if you can. Smell the salt and get a bit wet it will be worth it.
Adventurers may board a boat to Manly Wharf and hire kayaks to explore the inlets of Sydney Harbor National Park or enrol in surf lessons at Manly Beach. Adventurous couples will probably find it boring to sit around all day and would rather try something exciting. Well, there is plenty of opportunity in Sydney to do exactly that, so if you find the idea of snorkeling enticing, you should definitely try it out.
When you get to Manly walk through the Mall to the beach where you will find lots a great restaurants and locals sunning themselves. But also take the time to get a cocktail at one of the great restaurants on the wharf.
You can go for an organized tour in Manly, for instance, since this is one of the best spots in Sydney for seeing interesting underwater life, with Shelly Beach being at the top of the list. Manly beach in Sydney is only a 30 minute ride by ferry to get there from the city centre and it’s only one of 100+ surf and non surf beaches in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The beaches are soft white sand, have free entry, and most are accessible by public transport. In other words, anyone can access them. Most have volunteer lifesavers (lifeguards) and are safe if you swim between the safety flags. This is replicated all over Australia. That’s why Australian beaches are so highly rated. Nevertheless, you can also head to Gordon's Bay or Bare Island, too.
4. Shelly Beach
The venomous stonefish can kill an adult human in less than an hour. The sting of the infamous box jellyfish can end your life in as little as two minutes. This particular stretch of sand in Australia has sightings of both creatures. It's also not protected by lifeguards, so you're on your own. At least staying on land is safe.
5. Sydney Observatory
Is there anything more romantic than looking at the night sky with your loved one? If this is something that you’ve always wanted to do, you can head to the Sydney Observatory in Millers Point and explore the universe through the lens of a telescope. You can join night tours from 8.30 p.m. and enjoy views of the Moon and Mars, not to mention a nebula and countless shining stars.
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6. Chinese Garden of Friendship
For a completely different vibe, you can head to Chinatown in Sydney and soak in some of the buzz and energy from their amazing night markets. Organized every Friday, this evening market has everything you can imagine from delicious street food to clothes and accessories, so it can be a fun evening program for the both of you.
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7. Darling Harbour
Sydney is a picture-perfect city with a lot going for it. Sydney is a contemporary city with a rich history, characterised by its picturesque harbour. Ferries now transport tourists on cruises under the world-famous Sydney Harbor Bridge and past the landmark Sydney Opera House. Boasting the world's largest film screen, an array of shops and restaurants, and museums like the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Powerhouse Museum, Darling Harbour offers travelers plenty to see and do. If you really want to experience the Harbour like a local sign up for Wednesday afternoon sailing where you can join in on one of the “races” that happen every Wednesday afternoon as crew. Work as hard or as little as you like.
The crews take it semi seriously (after all there is a cheap plastic cup on the line) but it’s more an opportunity to have fun, meet new people and drink wine!
8. Glebe Markets
We all like to give and receive presents, and some people take a lot into consideration when buying a gift for family or friends. Fashion, art, food, all of that can be found in Sydney's Christmas markets. You can actually find everything you need in just one visit, but the colors and many stalls will make you want to go back.
A fair trade Christmas market in Sydney is a perfect place for ethically sourced gifts like toys, homeware and jewellery. If you enjoy an occasional drink, the Craft Drinks market is the place for you. Unusual and new tastes can be found here, going perfectly with the holiday spirit. Artisans Market Glebe is about local and handmade products, like plants, toys and furniture.
Whether taking a walk, buying stocking stuffers or enjoying a drink, your holidays can be amazing and full of new experiences. Making people happy and bringing fun is what Sydney is all about at Christmas, and you can surely feel that way. Get out of the house and go exploring different markets in search of the perfect tree, gifts for your family or, if you have different plans, shopping for new clothes for New Year's Eve parties.
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9. Art Gallery of New South Wales
Outside the major culture capitals Sydney has one of the best art collections in the world. Take a stroll through the Art Gallery of NSW, MOCA, or Sydney also has a thriving private art gallery scene.
10. St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Catholic cathedral is one of the most beautiful in the world and any fan of architecture, music (it has the largest pipe organ in the Southern Hemisphere), or culture should schedule an hour out of their visit to pop in.
The Federation Cliff Walk is a 5-kilometre (3-mile) long path that begins at Raleigh Reserve Park and offers magnificent views of the sea, harbour, and Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia's oldest and longest-running lighthouse.