Sydney Stopover - Sights & Surroundings
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Five days in Australia's unofficial capital - Sydney, means you're not there for a long time, you're there for a good time! Make it your mission to pack in as much as you can even if that means very little sleep and lots of coffee. If you're on a tight schedule, it's probably best to come up with some kind of plan to cover all the 'must-see' spots. You'll be glad you did!
Day 1 - Getting acquainted
Make your way to Town Hall Station to check out the 'action' in the city centre. If you're partial to a spot of retail therapy it won't be long before you're sucked into the Queen Victoria Building - the city's most sumptuous shopping complex. After giving the credit card a lashing, however, get out and see the sights.
On foot head for Macquarie St. with its collection of early colonial buildings and after a few blocks, Circular Quay and the spectacular Opera House. This is the moment when you really know you are in Sydney!
Further on is 'The Rocks' - the historical tourist precinct full of narrow cobbled streets with the Harbour Bridge looming in the background. A stroll through Hyde Park taking in the Anzac Memorial ends a perfect day's sightseeing.
For an excellent, reasonably priced meal, venture to one of the many restaurants in Sydney's Italian Quarter - Leichhardt. And finally, a great introduction to Sydney nightlife is by way of the Backpacker Party Bus with Sydney Tours. It will pick you up at your hostel and transport you from one pub to the next.
Day 2 - Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
With sore heads guaranteed, compliments of the party bus, this is the ideal day to check out Sydney's two most famous beaches - Bondi and Manly.
Check out the Manly Half Day Tour with Sydney Harbour Kayaks, and take the early morning ferry over to Manly Beach. This journey will give you amazing views of the city and some swimming, snorkelling and gentle kayaking along the shoreline at Manly will clear your head in no time!
Back to the city to check out Oxford Street and Paddington for galleries, markets, designer shops and trendy cafés while en-route to the famous Bondi Beach - the ideal place to take in some sun, sea and surf in true Aussie style.
And for the perfect end to the day munch on the 'best fish and chips in town' from Bondi Surf Seafood whilst watching the sun set over the bay. Follow this with a few beverages in the Cock & Bull Pub in Bondi Junction (at least one visit is compulsory for all backpackers in Sydney!).
Day 3 - Mountain madness
Time to get out of the city for the day by booking a trip to The Blue Mountains with Oz Experience. This is a great way to see some Australian scenery, wildlife and nature, along with the famous Three Sisters and the beautiful mountain town of Katoomba.
You have the option of staying overnight in Katoomba which comes highly recommended. It's a great getaway from the crowds, yet so close to Sydney. A few 'schooners' of beer with the locals will be just the remedy to ease the aches and pains from the day's walking and climbing.
Day 4 - Sights, sounds and sessions
A pleasant morning bus-trip back to Sydney leaves you with a full day to check out the delights of Darling Harbour - the city's purpose-built waterfront park. Along with shops and restaurants, the real attractions are the stunning Aquarium (not to be missed), the National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, Chinese Gardens and Star City, which includes a casino, two theatres and nightclub. After a flutter on the Roulette Wheel make your way over to the Royal Botanic Gardens - a brilliant place for a picnic and an evening stroll.
After re-charging the batteries there, move on to Kings Cross to indulge in some serious nightlife activity- to name but a few, O'Malley's Irish Pub, The Soho Bar, Baron's and the Carwash (for some serious 60's and 70's sounds!).
A short distance away in Woolloomooloo is Harry's Café de Wheels, one of the few pie-carts in the world to become a tourist attraction. Open 18 hours a day, it 's the perfect place for a late-night fill-up.
Day 5 - Soap star for a day
What better way to enjoy the last day in Sydney than a trip to Summer Bay (or Palm Beach as it is known locally)? Join the 'Home & Away Adventure' compliments of Barrenjoey Adventures and spend the day mixing with the stars of the famous Australian Soap. You can even get to try your hand at surfing - 'try' being the operative word!
Back that night to get a complete panoramic view of the city from the top of Sydney Tower: a needle-like column with an observation deck and revolving restaurant. The view is out of this world and makes for a very memorable dining experience too!
And there you have it - five days in one of the most memorable cities on the planet.