If you ask around, the overwhelming majority of people will say that Sydney, Australia is where you should spend your next holiday. The city has some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Tower, and the Sydney Opera House, all of which overlook one of the world’s most beautiful bays. More than 2 million people come year to take advantage of the city’s pulsating nightlife, Michelin-starred restaurants, glitzy fashion scene, and breathtaking mountains and beaches. Unsurprisingly, Sydney was recently ranked as the world’s fifth-best city to call home by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Don’t worry if you want to spend the holidays in Sydney with your loved ones. Before you book your vacations to Sydney using kkday, make sure you read our comprehensive list of no-nos.
• Enjoy Sydney’s excellent cuisine served with genuine warmth and kindness.
There has never been a more exciting time to eat out in Sydney. Everywhere you go in this city, you may find a restaurant offering international cuisine, generally with an Australian spin. It may be a touch trendy and too focused on celebrity chefs, but Sydney just wouldn’t be the same without them. Sydney’s dining scene, thankfully, successfully balances presentation and content.
• Trek, pedal, or ascend The Bridge across Sydney Harbour
Coathanger, Sydney’s massive landmark that debuted in 1932, is a fan favorite among locals. Stairs and elevators travel up the bridge from both sides to a pathway on the eastern side, providing the greatest view of this magnificent building (the western side is a bike path). The best view is from taking the rail to Milsons Point and then strolling back towards the city.
• The Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour
This amazing, eye-catching structure is the most well-known landmark in all of Australia, and it was designed by Danish architect JrnUtzon. It has five performance areas for dance, concerts, opera, and drama, and its design is reminiscent of the sails of a sailboat. The outside is free for exploring at will, and although seeing a performance is the most direct route inside the building itself, a guided tour comes highly suggested (available in several languages). There are tours catered specifically to children, tours that concentrate on cuisine, tours that highlight the history of the landmark, and tours that teach visitors how to sketch the landmark.
• Spend some time at Bondi, Australia, and bodyboard, surf, or just watch the icebergs.
Bondi is a world-famous beach known for its dependably pleasant water temperature and excellent surfing conditions. North Bondi is also home to a reputable surf school called Lets Go Surfing, where you may take lessons according to your skill level. Classes are provided for both young “grommets” (surfers) (7-15) and adults, as well as women-only groups. You may also split the cost of a private teacher amongst three persons; this option is more affordable when not in high season.
• Take the boat to the ancient Cockatoo Island.
Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) offers regular ferry services, a campsite, rental housing, and two cafe bars since it was opened to the public in 2007. The island is also on the Unesco World Heritage list for its attractive industrial remains, convict architecture, and artworks. The island’s history as a shipyard, a naval station, and a harsh jail for criminals is detailed on informational boards and audioguides.
• Go on a tour that focuses on female street artists.
Many guided tours such as on hotels.com focus on Newtown’s murals and street art, but you can also do it on your own with a smartphone and some research. However, beginning at Redfern station, Local Sauce has created a self-guided journey that goes the additional mile to highlight female artists who are too frequently neglected. They not only discuss the creative minds behind the masterpieces but also suggest places to refuel with caffeine along the road. The best “Newtown” restaurants in Newtown may be found on their street art and cuisine tours.
• Discover some ancient Aboriginal art
Sydney is constructed on top of a massive gallery for Aboriginal art, which may come as a surprise given the city’s contemporary appearance. Many works were either forgotten or destroyed because of this lack of interest in the past. Now that dot paintings from far-off deserts are considered works of art, Sydney residents are realizing they have a treasure trove right in their backyard. On the headlands around the port, the shore, and in adjacent national parks like Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, you may see rock art created by the original residents of this area.
• Stop into the Art Galleries of New South Wales and be amazed!
This popular establishment is a landmark and gathering place in Sydney, with a neoclassical Greek façade and a more contemporary back. Amazing new events and worldwide traveling exhibits are always being added. The highlights of the permanent collection include the modern Indigenous gallery located in the museum’s basement and the 20th-century Australian art collection, which includes some outstanding paintings by prominent names on the local painting scene.
• Explore the White Rabbit’s art collection in depth.
White Rabbit, hidden away below the Central Park building in Chippendale, is perhaps Sydney’s greatest contemporary art gallery. It is the brainchild of Judith Neilson, a philanthropist, and the millionaire who has accumulated one of the world’s most extensive collections of cutting-edge, modern Chinese art (works produced since 2000). There are just too many works for the gallery to show them all. You may expect to see artwork that is unconventional in its way as well as humorous, sexual, and provocative. There’s a café here serving you dumplings and exotic teas.
• Paddle to a hidden beach with your kayak
Store Beach, a lovely hidden gem not far from Manly, is only accessible by boat. To reach the 200-meter-long cove beach framed by trees, rent a boat or cruise around (the trip should take around half an hour to 45 minutes). When looking out over North Harbour’s dense vegetation, it’s easy to imagine that you’ve left the city behind.
After dark, when the fairy penguins arrive to nest for the night, the area is off-limits. Additionally, guests are asked to leave the beachfront in the same state they discovered it (or better). Bring along some food, some sunscreen, and a lot of water.
