Sydney is the largest city in Australia and by many accounts, the most spectacular. As it sprawls along the East Coast and as far as the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Sydney offers a diverse landscape and activities for all. The Sydney lifestyle is very much open onto the outdoors and celebrates nature in every way. To ensure you don’t miss out on the essential sights, I have a list of the best things to see and do in Sydney.
Sydney is an expensive city, there’s no doubt about that. It’s expensive to live here and to visit as well. As a result, you may need to be selective about the fee-paying attractions you visit. There are plenty of things you can do for free but some things can be quite expensive. And there are very reasonably priced attractions not everyone knows about. The Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout is relatively unknown. Is this the most underrated tourist attraction in Sydney?
Sydney is a beautiful and spectacular city, however its colonial history is relatively recent. The British Penal Colony at Sydney Cove was established by Governor Phillip in 1788. The colony first settled at the north end of what is now the Sydney CBD, on a rocky promontory. The Rocks are an unmissable sight of Sydney and a very interesting visit, travelling back in time to the beginnings of colonial Australia. In a half-day, you can take a walk and discover the most interesting neighbourhood in Sydney.
In my search for spectacular views around Sydney, I have obviously come to South Head and a comparison is dawning on me… Which one of Sydney’s seven Headlands is the most spectacular? After Middle Head and North Head, I am taking you on a tour of Watsons Bay and will try and answer a most important questions: Is South Head the most spectacular Sydney headland ?
Sydney is entering winter, the night falls earlier and there’s a chill in the air. But now, Sydney is also graced with the Vivid Festival… A celebration of light, music and ideas, Vivid Sydney seems to be getting bigger ever year. Around the city and the harbour, the night walker is greeted by eerie and colourful creations. Sydney Harbour plays host to a range of wild creatures and thought-provoking installations.
How long do you have to live in a city before you can feel you’ve seen everything there is to see? I’ve been living in Sydney for fifteen years, and for a long while, I spent my weekends hungrily exploring and discovering everything: neighbourhoods, beaches, parks, markets… Recently, I have decided to look for new things to explore and I came across the Beaches Market, in Sydney’s North.
I love a good market, and I love anything handmade. To me, an object is so much more genuine and valuable when it has a background, a story. I love the way contemporary artisans are exploring textures and upcycling existing objects. Also, I always feel like I’m touching something unique, something carefully designed, that has caused sweat and tears, and also immense joy to the artisan. This morning, a notification popped up on my Instagram feed and what do I learn ? The Finders Keepers Markets are on this Mother’s Day weekend. I have a selection of twelve handmade things to buy at the Finders Keepers Market for you to do some last minute shopping !
Sydney is blessed with a beautiful climate and its people especially enjoy an outdoors lifestyle. If you visit Sydney in the long spring and summer months, you will notice how people live outside in parks, on beaches and outdoor cafes. As part of that lifestyle, Sydneysiders often enjoy a weekend visit to local markets. There is plenty to choose from, depending on your interests, and here is a selection of 5 cool and hip markets in Sydney this year.
Blessed with a very pleasant climate and a diverse community, Sydney has the food to match. Sydneysiders appreciate good food and make it a regular shopping experience. A lot of it is grown locally and very fresh. Every area hosts its food market on a regular basis and it’s a good opportunity for visitors to experience the local lifestyle. I have selected 5 essential food markets in Sydney this summer.
In almost fourteen years living in Sydney, I had never visited the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. So, this year, I decided to go on the first day. The coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama is spectacular and well worth doing, and this exhibition pays great compliment to the location.