This is a guest post written by fellow blogger and Sydney-expert Marie Nieves.
There are two types of tourists when it comes to experiencing foreign countries. The first group includes obvious tourists that go to brochure places, visit all the attractions, and experience everything as intended. The second group is the polar opposite. These people want to feel the real vibe of the city and to get to experience the place as a local would.
If you belong to the latter group, then we have a treat for you. Today, we have Australia on our menu, Sydney to be more specific. For all of you who want to get a real feel of the largest city in the Land Down Under, we have seven great tips. So, let’s not waste any more time and jump straight to the first one.
Table of Contents
Wining and dining
Food and drinks take a special spot in the Sydney culture. Sure, Australian cuisine is not as recognizable as Asian or Italian are, but trust us, they know how to prepare a marvelous meal. On top of that, Sydney is home to some of the best wines in the world. If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, then make sure you visit some of Sydney’s neighboring vineyards. Being just a couple of hours’ drive from the city center, these places have always been local favorites.
Beach spots in Sydney
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Sydney is Bondi Beach. Even though this is a beautiful place, most locals think of it as a tourist trap. If you want to get a feel of real Sydney beaches, then look no further than Redleaf Beach, Milk Beach or Long Reef Beach. These places are equally gorgeous, but you won’t have thousands of people around you at all times.
Moving through the city
Renting a car or taking a cab are both great ways to move around the city, but if you want the true Sydney treatment, then the subway is the only way to go. Locals love their public transport and why wouldn’t they when it functions perfectly. There are plenty of trains, so missing one will not result in a disaster. Just make sure you get a whole day pass; it is a lot cheaper than buying a ticket per ride.
Where to crash for the night in Sydney
Finding a place to spend a night that also gives you a real Sydney atmosphere is not that hard. There are plenty of hotels all across Sydney that are rich with tradition. For example, the spectacular Royal Randwick Racecourse is located in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney and it is brimming with genuine Aussie atmosphere. Locals love it for its 160-year-old horse racing history and tourists come to this hotel to see the world-famous racing events. Also, the food and accommodation are on par with the best hotels in the world.
Sunday fun on Cockatoo Island
There are a lot of places that locals like to visit over the weekend, but probably the most popular one is Cockatoo Island. If you want to escape the city buzz, then this small island in the middle of Sydney should be your next stop. You are only a short ferry ride from a whole day of cocktails and sunbathing. Nothing says more “I’m a local” than spending an entire Sunday strolling around Cockatoo Island with a beverage of your choice in hand.
It’s all about the brunch in Sydney
The brunch fever has caught Sydneysiders, too. It is hard to imagine a morning without having brunch with your friends. Sure, this might not be a tradition back in your home country, but while you are in Australia and especially Sydney, make sure that you go for at least one brunch. Just don’t mistake it for breakfast because meals are way more interesting. Avocados, poached eggs and espresso are a standard Sydney’s take on brunch.
Be an early bird
Lastly, we would like to recommend getting up early. This is not a local way of experiencing Sydney per se, but if you want to take in most of the city, early mornings are the way to go. Get out of bed as soon as possible and just go for a walk around the city. Sunrises are captivating and the streets are less crowded, so you will experience the city in the best possible light. After this, how you spend the rest of your day is completely up to you.
And that is about it. As you can see, Sydney has a lot to offer, and trust us, there is even more. These seven tips include just some of the most interesting activities that locals frequently enjoy. So, go for a brunch or visit some of the above-mentioned beaches, you won’t make a mistake with either.
About the author
Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels, she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favorite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. Most of her free time at home she spends walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences and regular author on High Style Life. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
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Lolo says
Would love to make it to Sydney one day! This is a great little guide full of spunk! Stumbled #feetdotravel
Agness of eTramping says
I’ve recently been to Sydney and I really enjoyed exploring it. It’s a pity I haven’t read your post prior to my trip there! Excellent tips, Ruth!
Australia zoo says
really enjoy in Sydney thanks for sharing this.
Britt says
Congrats! I saw you mentioned on the Social Buddy blog. Kepp up the great work.