Sydney | A Guide to the City’s Iconic Harborfront
Australia’s largest city has matured into a sophisticated tourism destination over the years, and with its great climate and mix of people, it’s not hard to see why. Full of fascinating history, intriguing architecture, and afternoon getaways, Sydney should be one of the first stops on any Australian itinerary.
Things To Know
As one of Australia’s premier international hubs, Sydney is not only an incredibly easy city to get to, but also extremely simple to navigate. The majority of the city’s major attractions are located along or near the harbor, with many of them well within walking distance of each other. For those that are not, Sydney offers public transportation in the form of trains, ferries, buses, and light rail. All of these transport options can be utilized by purchasing an Opal card at any of the city’s many convenience stores. Note that more funds can be loaded onto the card at any time.
Signature Experiences
How you choose to experience Sydney naturally depends on your interests. That being said, you would be remiss not to hit at least a few of the major sights on the harbor, starting with the iconic Sydney Opera House. While interior tours must be scheduled in advance, walking around the exterior is free and leads to some fantastic photo opportunities. Just a short walk away, the nearly-as-iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge awaits. While there is once again a free option to stand by and take pictures, paying for a bridge climb is well worth it for the views and the exhilaration you’re sure to experience on the way up.
Back on the ground, Darling Harbor provides a dining and leisure area that is a great place to grab a bite. The real attraction here, however, comes from the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Australia’s second best marine attraction following the Great Barrier Reef. The Aquarium is also your best bet to see a platypus down under, and the quirky little creature is worth the price of admission all by itself. The nearby Australian National Maritime Museum is another great option, as is the Chinese Garden of Friendship if you’re looking for a more relaxing excursion.
A few more areas of note before we move on: the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Luna Park Sydney. Both of these attractions showcase different sides of Sydney’s culture while providing their own delights. If local history is your thing, or if you just want to spend a carefree day exploring, be sure to check them out.
Beaches and Relaxation
Aside from the tourist crowd, Sydney’s beaches play home to both killer waves and locals looking to get away from it all. Some of the best places to soak up the surf are Bondi Beach, a major surfing locale, and Manly Beach, home to calmer waters and a promenade. Cronulla is a third option outside the city, and one that provides breathtaking ocean views.
Note that these beaches are not in Sydney Harbor proper, though they are close. Bondi is about a 15 minute drive from the city, while Manly can be reached by ferry within half an hour. For ocean beaches beyond Cronulla, you’ll either need to rent a car or hire a cab, as they are out of the range of Sydney’s public transit. While they are worth visiting as well, the beaches above are particularly noteworthy for being both fantastic and close enough to the city to combine with other harbor activities.
Header photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash
