Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Travel Tips for Sydney


TEN TRAVEL TIPS FOR SYDNEY

Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world. No matter who you are, there is so much to do and see you should spend a minimum of 3 full days there and much more if you enjoy big cities and have the time. A few of the major sites of interest include the world famous Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Queen Victoria Building, Pitt St. Mall and of course there are so many incredible beaches to visit if you are there in their summer months. Extra time can be spent doing day trips to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley.


Here are 10 travel tips to help you enjoy this great city!


1. Sydney is a world class city offering pretty much anything and everything a traveller could want - great culture, nice beaches, beautiful parks, excellent dining, plenty of shopping and a wide range of accommodations to fit anyone's budget. If you love city vacations this is a place for you and don't cut your time too short as there is always something new to explore in Sydney.


2. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. This is an excellent way to get out in the harbour and take in the views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. As well, the ferry takes you to the gorgeous Manly area with a beautiful beach, great ocean sidewalks, cafes, restaurants and shops.


3. For a beautiful walk start at Coogee Beach and follow the path along the coast to Bondi Beach or vice versa. If it is the right time of year, you can enjoy the beaches at both ends and in the middle of the walk as well as taking in the beautiful views and ocean breeze.


4. No visit to Sydney would be complete without a trip to the unique, world-renowned Opera House. Book tickets in advance if you are interested in actually seeing a show at the Opera House. However, for most tourist just walking up to the Opera House, sitting on the steps and strolling around the outside of it with its unique roofline is magnificent enough. If you are interested, you can also book a tour of the inside of the Opera House.


5. For the adrenalin inclined tourist, you can climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge giving you great city views. For the less adventurous, who are still looking for views of the city, you can pay to head to the top of Centre Point Tower located in the middle of the Central Business District which also gives great panoramic views of the city and harbour.


6. If you love nature and the outdoors, take a stroll through some of Sydney's great parks. There is an abundance of green space to be enjoyed such as the popular Hyde Park and Botanical Gardens. Most suburbs also have great parks so find the green on a map, take a blanket and picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.


7. Spend some time enjoying Darling Harbour with its numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. There is also a nice park and of course being located on the harbour, some beautiful water views to take in.


8. The Rocks is a historical area of Sydney where the British set up the first penal colony upon their arrival in Australia. Today, it is a gorgeous little tourist area to wander around and explore. The Rocks make a great place to head to for a nice lunch or dinner or cold Australian Lager.


9. If you are staying in Sydney for a long duration try to book accommodations with kitchen facilities to make your stay more comfortable. It can also really help you save some money if you are on a budget.


10. Finally, plan your time according to what you enjoy. Sydney has so much to offer there is something for everyone. A world-class zoo, architectural walks, the Blue Mountains, the Aquarium, night clubs, museums, galleries and the list goes on. Do some research before arriving so you can maximize your time in this great city and do as much, or as little, as you would like to do.

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