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Locals suggestions for Sydney activities The Centre for Independent Studies staff have put together some of their favourite things.
AROUND THE CITY
Darling Harbour Catch the Monorail from the City centre (outside the Hilton Hotel) or walk (20–25 minutes) to Darling Harbour, a popular tourist, restaurant and entertainment precinct. There’s an IMAX cinema, Chinese Gardens, the Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, the Powerhouse Museum, and lots more. Buy a Super voucher Day Pass from Monorail and get discounts off many of the attractions at Darling Harbour.
The Tea Room, Queen Victoria Building Have a cup of morning or afternoon tea (High Tea) at The Tea Room in the QVB, which is across the road from the Hilton Hotel.
Swimming Boy Charlton Pool is on Mrs Macquarie’s Road in The Domain – not far by taxi from The Rocks. Overlooking the docks at Woolloomooloo and the harbour, it has a nice café for lunch. Or you may prefer to visit the famous 1940s pie cart, Harry’s Café de Wheels, on Cowper Wharf Roadway.
Sydney Opera House This iconic building has a place in every Sydneysiders heart. Apart from the beauty of the building, what goes on inside is just as great. If you have time, enjoy a theatrical production, a concert, or an opera at 'What's on October' Sydney Opera House
Crave Food Festival For the month of October we celebrate food, outdoors art, comedy and having fun. Visit their website to get an idea of the huge range of activities that you can do.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb The Harbour Bridge Climb is a spectacular way to see Sydney. There are dawn, dusk, evening and day walks. It is not hard on the body and most people will be able to manage the climb. It isn’t cheap but it is a great thing to do.
The Rocks This is where Australia was first settled so the area has a certain amount of old world charm. The shopping is aimed at tourists so you will find aboriginal artifacts and craft type shops. The Rocks Markets are open every Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Ferry to Balmain Getting on a commuter ferry (one of the old red ones!) from Circular Quay and go to Balmain (about a 15–20min ride). It is an old suburb full of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Walk around the City foreshores to the Art Gallery and back to the centre of the City Walk down to Circular Quay and follow the walkway along the edge of the harbour, which leads past the Sydney Opera House, through the Botanic Gardens, past the Boy Charlton Swimming Pool, and then up to NSW Art Gallery. After a walk through the Gallery and a coffee, continue on Art Gallery Road and you will end up back in the City. It is an easy walk that will take around two hours or more depending on if you go to the gallery.
Chinatown Sydney's Chinatown is the largest outside China. It is situated close to the Hilton on teh way down to Darling Harbour. For information about the shops, restaurants and activities go to Chinatown
CLOSE TO THE CITY
Luna Park A Sydney icon, this heritage-listed 1930s fun park has a version of Coney Island and lots of other rides. Take the ferry across from Circular Quay.
Taronga Zoo Set right on the harbour in the beautiful suburb of Mosman, the Taronga Zoo is spectacular zoo built in 1916 and is a great place to see many native Australian animals, reptiles and birds as well as a large variety of other animals from around the world. You can take the ferry from Circular Quay and then a funicular up the hill to the entrance.
Bondi to Coogee Walk Bondi Beach is an iconic Sydney tourist spot and there is a stunning coastal walk from here to Coogee Beach. You can catch the 380 bus from Circular Quay and be in Bondi in 45 minutes (it’s much quicker by car). The 6km walk takes about two hours and there are ample coffee shops at the end, as well as the opportunity for a swim. The 373 bus runs from Coogee about every 15 minutes and will take you back to Circular Quay.
Manly Beach to Shelly Beach Walk Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to the popular seaside town on Manly, and take the beautiful 15 minute walk from the south end of the surf beach to the sheltered cove of Shelly Beach. There is a lovely restaurant café there call le Kiosk if you fancy some lunch, and Shelly Beach is a great place to swim.
The Hayden Orpheum at Cremorne Located at 380 Military Road at Cremorne, the Hayden Orpheum is an opulent and beautifully maintained art deco movie palace with a Wurlitzer organ that rises from the floor. About a ten minute taxi ride from the CBD during non-peak-hour times. Plenty of good dining options nearby, especially Papaya Thai and Radio Cairo, which are both across the road from the cinema.
Glebe Point Road Market and Paddington Markets Glebe is a quirky, artsy village just out of the CBD with lots of great shops and cafes. Catch the 431 or 434 bus from The Rocks down the Glebe Point Road. 10am – 4pm on Saturdays.
Paddington markets are also open from 10am – 4pm and have an arts, fashion and design focus. Paddington is a fashionable, upmarket and sophisticated area full of boutiques, stores and restaurants. It’s a great place to shop. You can take the 380 bus from Circular Quay to the markets on Oxford Street (the bus will be en-route to Bondi Beach.)
Newtown If you are young or enjoy slightly scruffier, grungier areas you will enjoy Newtown. Great Coffee Shops, second hand bookstores, clothes shops, restaurants and pubs. King Street is fantastic I recommend it. I particularly like Berkelouw Books and Cafe (O Connell St) http://www.berkelouw.com.au/about/newtown if you want to sit, read and have coffee. If you want a good brunch go to Citrus or Urbanbites (King St).
Swimming MacCallum Pool is heritage harbour rock pool located on Milson Road at Cremorne Point, right on the harbour. You can reach it by taking the ferry to Cremorne Point from Circular Quay and following the Cremorne Point Walk – though a map might be handy. Free of charge but closed for cleaning on Thursdays.
The Olympic Pool at North Sydney (on the other side of the harbour) is right next to the Harbour Bridge and has views to the Opera House. It is also next door to Luna Park.
Church Christchurch St Laurence. An Anglican Church steeped in the Catholic Tradition (Oxford Movement/Tractarian tradition). CCSL probably has the best Sung liturgy and parish choir in Australia. It is a fully Priested parish. The church itself is old, beautiful and easy to get to right across from Central Station. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Daily Mass are all offered. Sunday Services are include Sung Eucharist, High Mass, and Evensong and Benediction www.ccsl.org.au
Out of Sydney
The scenic Blue Mountains
The Hunter Valley wine area
The beautiful beaches of the North Coast and the South Coast
For more tourist information about Sydney, visit these sites: |