Sydney – one of the most beautiful, most relaxed, the sunniest and coolest cities I’ve ever been to. In my three weeks in Sydney, I almost got to know it as well as my hometown. If you haven’t been there yet, start saving money, now you know where the next trip is going. But also if you already stayed in Sydney, it’s always worth a journey.
So, there’s a lot to tell, where to start best?
At first, it’s of course important to think about a good time to visit Sydney. I was there in summer and autumn, but I think spring or autumn would be the best times to go there. Australian summers can be really, really hot and exhausting. Of course, there’s also Bondi Beach to chill at all day long, but if you want to experience the whole city, November/December and March/April would be best.
Where to stay. I’m still young and was in Australia as a backpacker, so I obviously couldn’t afford my own hotel room, as Sydney can be very expensive as well. I stayed in three Hostels: 1) Noah’s @ Bondi Beach. Apart from it’s great location and the roof terrace, it’s a very dirty hostel. The staff is not very friendly and there are extra costs hidden behind everything. There’s also no WIFI. It was about 35$ a night for a two bed room. Wouldn’t really recommend that one. 2) Wake up! on Broadway. Also had a two bed room for 45$ a night. It’s very clean and there’s a bar and many specials belonging to the hostel. But in my opinion, the atmosphere between the guests was very cold and many of them were quite arrogant.
So my recommendation is the Mad Monkey’s Backpacker Hostel on Broadway next to Victoria Park. It’s about 34$ for a bed in a four bed room, including a really great breakfast, clean rooms and bathrooms, hairdryers, straightening iron (very important!!) and a whole nice and friendly environment.
Top free things to do.
Culture is not expensive in Sydney. There are lots of museums for free, like the Museum Of Contemporary Arts or the Nicholson Museum in the University of Sydney in Victoria Park. There’s also a free guided tour through Sydney. It takes about three hours and you experience and learn about all of the great, important spots of the city. See here.
Sydney is a very green city. Chill in Hyde Park or take a walk from Circular Quay passing the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. You’ll have a awesome view there at the skyline, the opera and Harbour Bridge. It’s here on the map.
Another must-do is the Bondi-To-Bronte-Walk. You’re walking about half an hour and apart from the stunning view, it’s ideal for a small picknick. Go a little further to Gordons Bay for great snorkeling and swimming. Or stay at Bondi Beach for a relaxed afternoon, swimming, enjoying the sun and surfing. Watch the skaters in Bowl-A-Rama, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll run into Tony Hawk. 😉
One of my highlights in Sydney are the colorful food, vintage and street markets. There a so many in The Rocks, which is by the way also worth a visit even without the markets with its small shops and restaurants. My favourite are the markets in Central Park behind the Central Park Mall every first and third Monday. See handmade food, jewellery, decor etc. there. And by the way, the roof terrace of the mall is a great place to have lunch! Here
Top paid things
Be the real tourist for one day and buy a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off busses. You’ll experience Sydney from another perspective and see much more than you could by foot. Especially the included Bondi tour is awesome!
For those who want to go into the Blue Mountains, choose Sunday and take the train. Pay 2,50$ once and you can use all means of transport all day long on Sundays. So that’s the cheapest way to get into nature!
Tips
Buy an OPAL card as soon as you arrive in Syndey, you’ll save so much money when using the public transport, what you definitely will have to do in such a big town!
There’s a firework in Darling Harbour every Saturday at 8.30pm, for free of course! See here.
So have a great trip and always be open for new awesome things!
