With all due respect, you cannot go all the way down under and not visit Sydney, Australia. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world (five million tourists a year), this sparkling city is worth every second you spend there.
Sydney, Australia is on the southeastern coast of Australia. Located in one of the world’s most iconic natural harbours (and the largest), its glitzy exterior belies its rough history. Famous icons include the Sydney Opera House, a feat of engineering, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also home to incredible beaches, unique restaurants, and plenty of green space.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s modern-day history lies in the convict transport from England in the 18th century but it has been home to Aboriginal tribes for 30,000 years. In 1788, the first fleet of convict ships arrived at Botany Bay before relocating to Port Jackson. Over the next 50 years, the city grew to a population of 35,000. In 1840, the last convict ships sailed. By then, Sydney was a bustling metropolis. When gold was discovered in 1851, thousands of people came to Australia to get rich. The population of Sydney swelled to 200,000 by 1871 and by the late 19th century the commonwealth was established.
Sydney’s dark past certainly helped it become the glamourous place it is today. Without the convicts to help build the Victorian era buildings, the facades of many would be dull. However, there are some interesting and controversial people on several of Sydney’s buildings, namely women and Aboriginals.
You might not have known that the Great Depression affected Australia, either. It was a turning point in the city’s history. The Harbour Bridge was built in the late 1920s and formally opened in 1932. Just as the politician was about to cut the ribbon, a man rode up on a horse and slashed it. He was promptly arrested and fined £5, but declared sane and sued the government for wrongful arrest. He won his case.
Did you know? The Japanese attacked Sydney Harbour during World War II
Sydney, Australia today
Today, there is plenty in the way of evidence of this tumultuous time. A walking tour is the best way to get the feel of the inner city core. The best tours show off the architectural history of the city, the cultural history, and the modern day life. Personally, I really like Welcome Walking Tours. Gino, a local Sydneysider, hosts them, and his grasp on both history, random facts, and local knowledge is excellent.
Sydney neighbourhoods
There are hundreds of little neighbourhoods in Sydney, Australia and all of them have something charming, unique, or interesting about them. Popular neighbourhoods include Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, Glebe, Darlinghurst, King’s Cross, Paddington, and Manly. Most of these have weekend markets that are popular with tourists, students, and locals. For beaches, I highly suggest Manly or Bondi if you are relying on public transport. Having a car in Sydney can be tricky, but if you have one or hire a driver, Freshwater is a great beach.
Virtuoso hotels are found in the city centre, most within walking distance of Circular Quay. Staying in the suburbs adds a little challenge to your trip, but public transport is very easy with the Opal card.
Outside the city
One of Sydney’s best attractions is well outside the city: The Blue Mountains. This vast region – only part of the Great Dividing Range – is full of sandstone formations, hidden waterfalls, eucalyptus forest, and charming villages. The main town is Katoomba, and it is located along the train line. This means that even if you don’t have your own car, you can still easily get to the Blue Mountains. Another way of seeing them is by helicopter. The birds eye view of the mountains is stunning.
Because Sydney is such a large city, I suggest at least five days to really immerse yourself in the city, although you can do the highlights in two or three days. If you are flying in from the States, having a day to acclimate before sightseeing is ideal.
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If Australia is on your bucket list, please reach out to me! It is one of my favourite countries and I love sharing it with clients and friends (and clients who become friends).
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