Australia: Sydney weekender

 

Australia! The Land Down Under, known for beaches, blue skies, unique wildlife, a burning sun and red dusty plans all greeted with a friendly ‘G’day Mate’. No matter where you are traveling from in the world, it will take hours to come down to Straya, but it’s worth the flight. The hot dry country is approximately 7.692 million square kilometres in total, filled with adventure and charm.

One should know before visiting Australia, that Australian English, also known as Orka or Australian Slang, is very different to any other English you may know.

To help you out, below are some slang words to get you speaking like a True Blue.

Straya – Australia

Ta – Thank you

Hooroo – Goodbye

No worries – No problem

Brekky – Breakfast

Avo – Afternoon

A cold one – Beer

Thongs – Flip flops

Mozzie – Mosquito

Lollies –Sweets / Candy

Hot chips – Fries

Servo – Petrol / Gas station

Devo – Upset

*I have included more Aussie slang words throughout the article to help with your new vocabulary.

The huge country offers *heaps of things to see and do, BUT a must is a weekend, or longer, in Sydney!

*heaps, Australian slang for ‘lots of’

Sydney is one of the major cities in Australia located on the east coast. It is the capital of New South Wales, not Australia. Fun fact, Canberra is Australia’s Capital City.

I am a Sydney girl, so I might be biased, but there is something about the harbour views, coastal walks, sunny blue skies and Aussie banter that never gets old.

So let’s get straight into the ‘Must do’s of Sydney if you are here for a weekend (or longer)!  

DAY 1:

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Australia’? BEACHES!

Sydney being located on the coast, offers an abundance of beaches to discover.

A great place to start is the iconic Bondi Beach, located 7km east of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD).

Get up and moving by breathing in the fresh salty air, hearing the weaves crash on the rocks and watching surfers ride the deep blue weaves. The 6km Bondi to Coogee coastal walk will get you energetic, or for something quicker, the 3km Bondi to Bronte walk. These scenic coastal walk passes through some of Sydney’s well-known eastern beaches like Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly.

HOT TIP: Bondi is a great spot to watch the sunrise! Get up early to get a magnificent view of the sun spreading its rays far across the sky, Bondi cliffs and ocean.

10am calls for brunch! Australian’s love a good quality coffee and brunch, especially on the weekend after a long busy week.

A beloved brekky favourite is the classic Smashed *Avo. This is a must try dish if you are an avo fan, which is available at multiple cafes around Sydney.

*Avo, Australian slang for avocado

Some great cafes to choose from in Bondi include:

Good One Café Bondi Beach

Porch and Parlour

Speedos Café

The Depot

Lox Stock & Barrel

PERSONAL RECCOMMENDATION: Just a 20 minute (8.7km) drive from Bondi Beach, there is a charming brunch spot called The Grounds of Alexandria. Also known as ‘The Grounds’, was a former pie factory, now turned into an eye pleasing, organic garden and delicious eatery.

I have fallen in love with this place for it cafés Homestyle dishes, mouth-watering cakes and pastries, paired with a top quality coffee. These restaurants are brought to life with attractive gardens filled with bright flowers, vegetables, herbs and lushes foliage.

There is even a little animal farm for all to enjoy and say hello to the resident pig, Harry Trotter.

So be sure to come and experience this hidden gem! Now with a full belly, next up on your adventure is the much loved Harbour Bridge.

The unmissable Harbour Bridge, also known as ‘The Coat Hanger’, took 6 years to construct and opened on March 19^th in 1932. Today the bridge has become a cherished iconic attraction around the world.  

What is the best way to experience the bridge? The Harbour Bridge Climb. Yes, I said climb!

The unforgettable experience shows you a 360 degree view of Sydney, even seeing out to the Blue Mountains on clear days.

Depending on which tour you decide, the longest climb is 3 and a half hours, whilst the shortest is 1 and a half. Prices range from:

Adults: $268- $403

Children: $188-$293

**Pricing depends on time and day of the week, please confirm on their website for your exact offers **

Once you are debriefed and given your safety equipment, you are ready to go. Take your first steps out onto the Bridge, absorbing in the views and hearing about its amazing history and fun facts.

For me, this is still one of the most memorable experiences I have had, as I did the climb at the age of 16, and would highly recommend it to anyone. I will admit, I am a little afraid of heights but to my surprise, climbing the bridge wasn’t scary at all! I never felt uncomfortable or nervous but excited and invigorated.

If you are looking for another option to experience the Bridge, I have got you covered.

Walk or bike at car level across the Harbour Bridge from Milsons Point to the city (and vice versa), for FREE. You still experience the beautiful harbour and city views and is available to walk across 24/7.

Take advantage of the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout. The pylon opened is on the city side, opposite the opera house and is 87 meters above the main sea level. Walk up 200 stairs while seeing little exhibits to reach the top and get a clear view. Adult administration fee is $19.00, prices decrease depending on age.  

After the Bridge, you should take some time to explore the area.

The Bridge is not only located across from the Opera House but also next to one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs, The Rocks.

The Rocks, is full of culture, history and charisma. Take a stroll around the old style suburb to discover the old buildings, different style restaurants, characteristic pubs (there are lots to choose from) and the markets.

There are bustling, fun markets are on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Take a peek at the stalls to discover your new favourite products and foods. The stalls are made up of locally-designed fashion, handcrafted jewellery and one of a kind homewares.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: If you are in the area in the afternoon or evening, there are some of my favourite old style pubs. The Glenmore Hotel is an alluring Aussie style pub with a great social rooftop bar, giving you the chance to relax with a great view of the Opera House. So get into the Aussie spirt and grab a *schooner or *stubby, meet some people and toast ‘cheers’ with your new found friends.

*Schooner, a large glass of beer

*stubby, a can of beer

Once you have enjoyed and explored the old suburb make sure you have left some time for the beloved Sydney Opera House which is only a 1km walk away.

he Opera House is a Performing arts centre, showcasing different genre performances from ballet, music, talks, magic and fun for the family and its location gives you a photo opportunity to see a front on view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The iconic landmark is also located next to the beautiful Botanical Garden which is worth having a picnic or walk through, if you still have the energy after a fun filled day.

I know it has been a jam-packed day, you either end your day by taking the evening slow or hit the town for a*big night, there is always something on!

*big night, slang for a good evening out with friends or a big party night out

At the end of the article I have included a ‘Other activates or seasonal events’ section which I hope will give you some awesome ideas.

DAY 2:

Have a big breakfast and be ready for another big day because it’s time to head to the Northern Beaches!

The Northern Beaches are made up by coastal neighbourhoods starting from Manly making its way up to Palm Beach.

I suggest making the Northern Beaches a day trip, as there is plenty to do around the area!

Growing up I would spend a lot of my weekends there swimming, *boggie boarding and meeting friends.

*Boogie Board: half sized surfboard which you lay on your stomach to catch the waves.

The buzzing beach, surf shops paired with the normal wear of swimmers, beach towels and being bare foot, will quickly have you experiencing the relaxed vibe. So head to the beach to spend a few hours in the deep blue surf.

How to get there you may ask?!

I recommend the scenic harbour route which also adds convince and simplicity to your journey. Simply take the F1 Manly Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay. If you have an *Opal card, an Adult fare is $9.10 and child’s $5.40 one way.

*Opal Card, this actually isn’t a slang word but is a contactless fare collection system which lets you travel around Sydney’s public transport. You can put money on your card online, ticket machines or at convenient stores.

The 30 minute coastal ferry will drop you off at the heart of Manly, on Manly Wharf.

In the mood to also do some exploring? There are activities available ranging from coastal walks, look out point and lots of water activities around the area, some include:

Walks and look outs:

• Manly to Shelly Beach
• Shelly Beach to *Barracks Precinct Walk
• Manly to Spit (approximately a 12km walk)
• Fairfax lookout

Activities:

• Hire a bike
• Surfing
• Boogie boarding
• Snorkelling around shelly beach
• Kayaking

* The Barracks are military fortifications from World War II, I would strongly recommend checking this out if you get the chance, especially if you enjoy History.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATON: one of my favourite walks, which is a newer one for me and shocked that I have never been there before, is the walk around North Head. You get a mix of being amongst the flora and coastal view, while also showcasing Sydney CBD from a distance as well as the cliffs of Watsons Bay (The Eastern Suburbs of Sydney).

HOT TIP: If you are planning to stick around the whole day come to North Head to watch the golden sunset cast over Sydney. Get there a little early to make sure you get a good spot. Be sure to bring some snacks and drinks, but no alcohol as drinking in public areas is illegal, so that you can hang out as long as you like.

It is easy to spend a whole day in Manly, I have done it many times myself, exploring, swimming, eating and relaxing. To make things easier, ferries and buses are constantly available to help squeeze in more.

Other activates or seasonal events I would 100% recommend going to if you have time:

Go to a sports event: Become a part of a raring, excited crowd, cheering on a team with a beer in hand at a Australian Football League (AFL), from March to September or National Rugby League (NRL), from March to October, game. Tickets can easily be purchased online.

Vivid Light Festival: In May/June the Sydney CBD comes to life at night with yearly lights festival, Vivid. Explore the city at night with interactive light masterpieces and spectacular light shows and the great news is, this event is FREE!

Luna Park: Visit the heritage listed theme park with the big welcoming smiling face. The theme park is located in Milsons Point, directly next to the Harbour Bridge. Spend a day with excitement and thrills, while enjoying a harbour side view. You can walk through the theme park for free but to go on the rides requires tickets, which can be easily purchased online or at a ticket booth.

Blue Mountains: If you are in Sydney for longer than a weekend, you must spend a day, or even stay the night, at the famous Blue Mountains. The rugged region is located in the west of Sydney, showcasing Australia’s beautiful national scenery of steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests and waterfalls. Visit the historical town Katoomba to get to Echo point. At this point you will see the iconic Three Sisters before taking one of the greatest bush walks around the area, such as the Grand Canyon Track which is a 6.3km loop guiding you amongst the landscape. There are also activates for you to choice from, like the Cable Car or the steep scenic Railway to add to the memorable experience. From Sydney to Katoomba it is a 90 minute drive, but if you don’t have a car you can travel by train or bus, however it will take longer.

Sculptures by the Sea: This is the world’s largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. The event is held along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama in October/ November. This event is FREE!

Palm Beach: Can also be known to fans of the television show Home and Away as Summer Bay. Hike up Barrenjoey Lighthouse and witness the beautiful scenery and parkland. Be sure to keep an eye out for Whales and dolphins in Sydney’s colder months because if spotted you will be blown away! It’s about a 1 hour drive from Sydney’s city centre, buses are available.

City 2 Surf: If you are a long distance runner, walks or even just want to be a part of an event rising money for a good cause, you should participate in the City2Surf ‘fun run’ event, usually in October, helps raise money for cancer research. Become part of a community in a 14km run/walk which starts in Sydney CBD and finishes at Bondi Beach. It will be so much fun you’ll want to come back next year to try and beat your previous race time. You purchase tickets online. 

Night Noodle Market: In October you much grad a bite at the annual food event in Hyde Park! Feast your eyes on delicious Asian inspired dishes ranging from burgers, noodles, dumplings, sweet treats and whatever else catches your eye. Eat great street food in a fun lively atmosphere. 

New Year’s Eve: Sydney is known for its amazing New Year’s Eve Fireworks! The first round of fireworks go off at 9:00pm, then continue the party until the stroke of midnight to be a part of the amazing 12 o’clock firework display to bring in the New Year’s! Depending on how big of a night you want, watching the fireworks is free but if you want to attend and event or party it requires a ticket.

If you are looking for inspiration for your next holiday, Australia will not disappoint you. Come down under and see for yourself! In such a big country, I know there is so much to see and do but visiting Sydney should be high on your list for places to go. Sydney’s charm and adventure will keep you staying longer than a weekend, I’m sure!  

Is there anything else you want to know about Sydney? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travelling and Hooroo

 

References:

Australian Government site on ‘The Australian Continent’: https://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/the-australian-continent

To find out more information and prices about the Bridge Climb Sydney, please visit:

https://www.bridgeclimb.com/

https://www.bridgeclimb.com/climbs-prices/compare

Sydney Harbour Bridge Information: http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/

The Rocks official website: https://www.therocks.com/

Bondi walking map and more details about the walk by the Wanderers and Warriors: https://wanderersandwarriors.com/bondi-to-coogee-walk/

The Grounds of Alexandria official website: https://thegrounds.com.aHarbour Trustu/

Harbour Trust, Visit North Head Sanctuary for more information visit: https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/see-and-do/visit/north-head-sanctuary/

Blue Mountains National Park, Grand Canyon Track information please visit: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/grand-canyon-track

Sydney Australian Tourist Guide, about the Northern Beaches:

https://www.sydney-australia.biz/maps/sydney-northern-beaches-map.php

About the author:

Monique is an Australian who is passionate about travelling, giving recommendations, learning and meeting people. As a child, she moved to Hong Kong but returned to Australia for her studies, finishing with a degree in Media and Communications. Her strong wanderlust has taken her too many countries including working and traveling in Canada for 2 years and returning back to Hong Kong to work for 1 year. Now, she is an aspiring blogger, continuing her desire to explore new countries and share her experiences with others to help them with their own trips.

 

• Australia
• beaches
• Blue Mountains
• harbour bridge
• New Year Eve
• opera
• slang words
• Straya
• surfing
• Sydney
• two days in Sydney