The Best of Sydney 2022 Attractions
When I first set foot in Sydney back in ‘08, I intended to spend most of my time in the Royal Botanic Gardens, reading a book and taking in the scenic views of the surroundings. As a child, I’ve heard a lot about Sydney being a gorgeous city, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. But, I never got to my reading; I was too captivated by the stunning skyline and sweeping natural landscapes. Now I've visited Sydney a handful of times, exploring more with each visit, making local friends, and visiting attractions major, minor and everything in between. If you're planning a trip to the harbour city of Australia and don’t know where to start, take a look at these cool attractions.
A Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour
Sydney is known for its kick-ass nightlife, but did you know that the Emerald City shines its absolute best when the sun sets? The monuments, landmarks, towering buildings, the lively precinct of Circular Quay—everything comes alive at night, and there’s no better way to take it all in than from the outer decks of Sydney Harbour Cruises. A dinner cruise combines every element of a perfect night out–delicious food, fine drinks, roving views of the city skyline and a spacious deck to capture those special photos with your companions! I chose an authentic paddlewheeler and was blessed with an extra elegance of a live cabaret show as well! A Sydney dinner cruise is most often an overlooked experience; but believe me, it's an absolute must-do. It covers some of the best attractions not once, but twice in such a short amount of time, while treating you to a feast of dinner!
Learn to Surf
Sydney is brimming with beaches and swimming coves. It is also the place where most tourists bite the bullet and learn one of the nation’s favourite pastimes — surfing! There are many companies and operators across the city’s vast shoreline who teach you the art of catching a wave. You can actually find them on every beach so you don’t need to look that hard. Bondi is one of the popular surfing beaches, but as a beginner I thought I’d try a different approach, so I went with Manly. I was told the North shore of Sydney had the best waves, though you can find good waves almost everywhere down the coast. There are various types of classes from special individual lessons to group lessons, and they provide everything you need to confidently handle the waves.
Coastal Walks
Come to think about it, Sydney is far from shy when it comes to walking trails and coastal walks. While most people follow the famous Coogee-to-Bondi walk, I ventured through both the Watson Bay to Dover Heights and the Spit-to-Manly Walk. Both of them were much quieter and had better views in my opinion. Much to my surprise, two of my favourite spots to take a stroll were Centennial Parklands and the Royal Botanic Garden. The hoots and chirps from the fledglings, the earthy scent in the air and of course, the peace and quietness on both these strolls were second to none.
Be Part of a Cultural Event
Sydney is unrivalled when it comes to hosting mega events in the country. And, while Melbourne is often hailed as the cultural capital, Sydney hosts tons of events and festivals throughout its social calendar, which means no matter what time you plan your visit, you will always find something going on here. One such massive festival that kicked off last weekend is the iconic Vivid Sydney, a cultural showcasing of the city’s creative roots through the art of lights and technology. If you wish to witness Sydney in its greatest, then this is your time!
