If you think travelling halfway across the globe all by yourself is scary, you're absolutely right. But as someone who has done it plenty of times, I can assure you, it is one of those experiences that will alter how you feel about yourself, and the world you live in. My first experience as a solo traveller began in Sydney. While I was hesitant at first to get out of my comfort zone, the warm, colourful and inviting energy of Sydney made me feel welcome and ready. If you ever set your heart out to visit Sydney all by yourself, check out this list of things to do.
Cruise The Harbour
Do people cruise alone? Is it weird to go on a lunch cruise in Sydney all by yourself? Is cruising alone boring? Cruising by yourself is a great way to unwind, rejuvenate, score some ‘me’ time and maybe even meet some new people, if that's you. What’s even more special about cruising alone is that you get to lose yourself in your own world while gently gliding past the mesmerising Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park and more! Vessels like the authentic paddlewheeler offer a lip-smacking buffet and houses a fully licensed bar to get your day going.
For a more entertaining route, you can hop on a Sydney dinner cruise. You get front-row access to some of the best night attractions of the city, before heading inside for a seated and served dinner and an hour-long cabaret show!
Critique Some Art
Mastering the art of hanging out alone is pretty challenging but calling all the shots by yourself and a little self-absorption can be highly rewarding. If you're an art lover, Sydney has plenty of joints to satisfy your soul, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This elegant building boasting five floors of noteworthy and rare artworks is one worth checking out. The collection here includes, Aboriginal art, Australian Art, Victorian artworks, modern arts, photography, fossils and more! You could spend hours here just switching between floors, admiring the art, learning more about the city and its culture and maybe even meeting fellow art lovers. With an in-house restaurant and casual cafe it's also a good place to have lunch.
Introspect At Royal Botanic Gardens
Being in the midst of nature all by yourself was one of my favourite things to do in Sydney and my go-to spot was the Royal Botanic Gardens. Situated on the harbour, the garden is spectacular to say the least, spanning almost 70 acres of lush greenery and rolling hills. I spent my time here reading a book or simply just admiring the surroundings which included quiet ponds, gentle fountains, immense variety of flowers, huge trees and foliage. The combined result is an oasis that gets juxtaposed by the towering skyscrapers and the sounds of cars in the far. It is the ultimate place in the city to relax and enjoy a solo picnic, while watching the boats go past you. And if you're keen to explore more about the indigenous history of the land, there is also the guided Aborignal Heritage tour, which was an eye-opener for me.
Bargain Hunting At The Rocks
Not gonna lie, this one actually took some effort from me. Going alone and snagging a bargain at one of the busiest tourist hubs in the city is terrifying, well, atleast at first. On Saturdays and Sundays, a huge number of vendors meet up at The Rocks market and set up their tents to sell their unique products. If you're longing to go home with that precious souvenir, then this is the place. Exploring The Rocks makes for a fun day out, especially on weekends when there is live music and street performers.
