down unda’
favorite part about Aussie culture: Aussies are so laid back and always come across as relaxed, chill, and looking for a good time. They are very welcoming, kind, fun to be around.
sydney harbour
Sydney Opera House
Go to an opera!! We saw Madame Butterfly. It was absolutely AH MAZ ING!!
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Climb it!!! It’s the largest single span arch bridge in the world & is the international symbol of Australia. It’s a very cool experience you won’t regret.
Go Sailing
We became besties with some locals who took us on their yacht (which was really a gorgeous sailboat) and was one of the highlights of our trip. We technically were in an Australia Yacht Club race but came in last…because we valued fun (and drinking) over competition that day 🙂 (head out late afternoon so you can see the scenery while it’s still light out — but watching sunset from the water and the opera house and city light up at night is unbeatable.)
BEACHES
Bondi Beach
Our favorite. Bondi has such a cool and funky Aussie vibe that you won’t want to leave it. There are graffiti art murals, gorgeous sandy beaches, shops, restaurants and very cool pools. (Yes, pools that align the ocean– it’s a thing and it’s awesome).
-Make sure you go to Bondi Icebergs Club (It’s a Bondi must).
-Don’t skip over The Bucket List Bar, either!
Walk Bondi to Coogee
It is a long (I would say very long) beautiful walk that is a must-do! There is a beautiful trail you follow that scales the coastline of stunning cliffs and sandy beaches. There are multiple beaches in between Bondi and Coogee that you can stop at and enjoy along the way.
–Coogee Pavilion: Once you get to Coogee, you will get to bask in great local beer, cocktails and food that you so very much deserve after that walk! The Pavilion is such a fun local spot right on the beach to hang for hours. There are also classic games spread everywhere in the Pavilion that you can enjoy. Scrabble anyone??
Manly Beach
You take a ferry that departs from Sydney Harbour that brings you to Manly. (Hey, you get a boat ride and a beach day right?!) Manly is a cool spot that also has a great beach, lots of shops and restaurants.
Blue Mountains
-The Blue Mountains are about 2 hours away from the heart of Sydney and they are worth the trip. It is a beautiful mountain range and you can soak up the breathtaking rain forest wilderness. learn about the history while you’re there – – it’s fascinating!
-See the Three Sisters: It’s a unique rock formation with a very cool legend behind it representing three sisters turned to stone.
–Ride the Scenic Rail Way: It’s the steepest incline passenger railway in the world. You descend 1,017 feet at a 52 degree incline thru a cliff-tunnel. It’s been an operating railway since 1945!
-Ride the Scenic Sky Way: Soak up 360 degree views of the rain forest canopy and cliffs from almost 1,000 feet up with a glass floor!
-Ride the Scenic Cable Way: Because you get to see even MORE views from different angles.
-Scenic Walk Way: You’ve seen it from the air at this point, so now it’s time to walk! Walk thru the rain forest on this beautiful Walk Way.
Featherdale Wildlife Park
-KOALAS, KANGAROOS, AND EVEN MORE ADORABLE NATIVE AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS – – NEED I SAY MORE!?
Go to an Aussie rules football game
My husband is an NFL Punter so of course this was on our list. In Australia, punting is how they get the football around instead of throwing it. If you’re into sports, this certainly is a cool experience. And if you’re into kicking, it’s a must.
Leaving thoughts…Vegemite is a thing and yes, you can buy a boomerang.
Where we stayed:
Where to eat:
Bondi Icebergs Club, The Bucketlist Bar, Coogee Pavilion, Cho Cho San, Rockpool Bar & Grill
Where to go:
Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Coogee, Blue Mountains, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Aussie Rules Football Game, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills
Where to fly into:
SYD
Thanks, great article.
I recently interned for six weeks in Sydney, Australia! This list is almost spot on to what I would suggest people traveling to Sydney should make sure to do!!