Heading to Sydney for the first time can be overwhelming due to the number of things you can do there. When you visit such a spectacular city, you need to know what you want to get out of it. Enjoy Sydney for First Time Visitors – Guest Post By Olivia Bourke
As one of the world’s most loved cities, here’s a quick summary of the best elements of Sydney:
Sydney Harbour
A must-do when in Sydney is to see the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as they are considered the most famous of Australia’s landmarks. To enjoy the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you can simply admire the view from any point in the harbor or you can walk under it at The Rocks or at Milsons Point. You can go one step further and complete a bridge climb. This can be quite pricey so a great alternative is to go to the pylon lookout instead. The Sydney Opera House is a performing arts centre where you can catch dance, symphonies, concerts, theatre, and other world-class performances.
Packed full of great waterfront dining options and bars as well as family-friendly attractions nearby, Darling Harbour is great for a day out in the city. Check out the Chinese Garden of Friendship, explore the newly built International Convention Centre Sydney, head on a cruise of the harbor and experience Sydney’s finest attractions.
One of Sydney’s best annual events around the harbor is Vivid Sydney, a festival based on three core elements – lights, ideas, and music. Watch the city of Sydney light up with brilliant installations of light sculptures, light projections on landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, and a vibrant atmosphere like no other!
Beaches
Around Sydney is a bunch of beaches that are perfect for relaxing in the sun and surfing the waves. One of the most popular beaches is Bondi Beach. It is a worldwide-known destination and is the focal point of a reality television show called “Bondi Rescue” which revolves around lifeguards patrolling the beach, looking out for and rescuing people in trouble. Coogee Beach is a beach that is also quite close to the city center and though much smaller than Bondi Beach, it is a popular destination. Both of these two beaches are linked by a 3-hour long hike along the coast known as the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.
Art & Culture
For those who love their art and culture, make sure to visit the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), the Powerhouse Museum for all things technology and science, and the Australian Museum for all things to do with Australian history.
There are also a bunch of smaller museums located around Sydney which is part of the Sydney Living Museums network and can be accessed at an affordable price under a Sydney Museums Pass that grants access to 12 museums and historic houses.
Wildlife
Animal lovers need not to worry when it comes to wildlife around Sydney. There are plenty of places to visit such as Taronga Zoo for animals from around the world, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium for marine life, and smaller zoos such as Featherdale Wildlife Park and Symbio Wildlife Park for similar experiences.
Shopping
Satisfy your urge to splurge by heading to Pitt St Mall where you can shop at over 600 specialty stores within two city blocks. There are lots of shops around the city of Sydney. Check out the Queen Victoria Building aka QVB located at Town Hall, a Romanesque Revival building with 4 main shopping floors consisting of a broad range of stores.
So what are you waiting for? Draft up your list of things to do in Sydney this weekend now and get to know the best of this amazing city! I hope you enjoyed this great post: Sydney for First Time Visitors – Guest Post By Olivia Bourke
Author Bio
Olivia Bourke is a travel writer who loves exploring the great hidden gems of Australia and wandering around in other countries. She writes for Great Lost and other travel related blogs to learn, inspire and inform others of the beauty of the world.
