Australia is full of sights to see and places to visit, especially in Sydney. Sydney is probably one of the better-known parts of Australia to most foreigners, tourists or visitors. According to travel.usnews.com, the best times of the year to visit Sydney are anytime during September through November and from March to May. The tourist crowd is usually not as dense during these times of year and the weather is more moderate as well. Another perk of traveling to Sydney during this time is that the airfare usually drops, so flights will not be as expensive. There are many ways to experience Sydney like a local and still see all the sights that your inner tourist is dying to see.
The Manly Ferry is very well known, but it is very common for locals to take the Many Ferry from Circular Quay to the Manly Wharf Bar for a drink on the weekends. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes and you see many famous sights along the way including the Sydney Opera House, North Head and the Manly esplanade. Another fun ferry option is to take it to a little inlet known as Watson’s Bay. It is Australia’s oldest fishing village and it is popular for its fresh seafood and gorgeous coastline. There are two walking paths to really enjoy the scenery of this inlet. One will take you past the nude bathing beach called Lady Bay Beach and end at South Head with the view of Hornby Lighthouse. The other path will lead you along past the Signal Station and Macquarie Lighthouse. Either one will not disappoint you! Follow the walk with a nice meal or drinks at one of the gourmet restaurants along the inlet.
If you need a lazy day of exploration, try visiting Surry Hills. It is known for its hipster cafes and wine bars. It has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in the city, so it is perfect if you are a foodie at heart. Many locals rave about Single Origins Cafe, located on Reservoir Street, because of the unique blends of coffee they offer. It is usually a busy, but recommended to wait a little for a spot to sit and enjoy your coffee like a local. There is also a variety of designer shops and fashion boutiques to shop the day away. Another leisurely way to explore Sydney is to visit Centennial Park. Centennial Park is a large public park, taking up 189 hectares, that has lots of history for Australians. You can always find people going for a stroll, run or picnic on the park grounds. It even has horse riding facilities, which is rare of inner city parks around the world.
Shelly Beach is one of the best kept secrets in Sydney. It is only about a 10 minute walk from the Manly surf club and is popular among scuba divers and snorkelers. If you bring your own snorkel gear, you can see marine life up close and personal as you swim to where the bay meets the ocean. It is filled with beautiful fish and even some wobbegong sharks and stingrays deeper in the water. It is considered some of the best snorkeling in Sydney and one of the best parts is that it is free to the public. If you walk around the bush track, you can also see amazing views of North Head after your snorkeling fun.
Get a different view of the Sydney Opera House by enjoying drinks and lunch at the Opera Bar, located between the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Locals love to stop by this fantastic beer garden after work to unwind and enjoy the view and the daily live entertainment. Not to mention the renowned Chef Matt Moran runs the kitchen so you are guaranteed a delicious meal and all around pleasant experience.
Sydney has so much to offer whether you are a tourist or local, so regardless you will have a fantastic trip in the land down under!
