12.11.2018 | Australia, Travel

10 tips for exploring Sydney by foot

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Hey my loves, at the beginning of our road trip we flew to Sydney and stayed in Sydney for 2 days without a car. We visited everything we could reach by foot. Two days later, we flew from Sydney to Alice Springs and started our road trip to Uluru, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. For our second visit to Sydney, this time with a campervan, we decided to visit places outside the city, like Bondi Beach and Manly.

10 Tips for exploring Sydney by foot

1. Our beautiful hotel and first impressions

From the airport, we took the train to the “Kings Kross” station. Sitting in the underground of Sydney felt like every other place in the world, but when we stepped outside the station, surrounded by palm trees and twittering parrots, we knew that we arrived in Australia. In general, I noticed that Sydney is a beautiful multicultural city and the people are extremely helpful. For example, if you are standing with a map and your luggage in front of a metro station, immediately someone will ask you if you need help. Also, there is a lot more small talk between the people, apparently Australian people find more time for each other. From the Kings Kross station, we walked a few roads to our booked hotel “Challis”. I highly recommend this hotel for Sydney! It is located in the center of Sydney on a hill, so you can walk through the botanical garden and the opera into the heart of the center and you will see the Skyline of Sydney from the hotel. Furthermore, this hotel is located in a nice calm residential side street and in regards to the high quality it was pretty cheap for Sydney. Our double room with bathroom cost around 80 AUS Dollar the night. The hotel was built in a Victorian style with a nice covered porch.

2. The way into the center of Sydney

The way from our Challis hotel to the center was amazing! From calm side streets, we walked a few stairs down with a wonderful view over Sydney´s skyline until we reached a nice little yacht harbor near the opera. Tropical birds were singing everywhere, we were surrounded by palm trees and even in May, we had tropical warm temperatures. It was simply wonderful and we felt home immediately. On the other side of the marina was a little café, where we bought some cinnamon rolls and coffee. We enjoyed it in the sun on a marina bench.

3. Continuing through the botanical garden

We then went from the marina through the botanical garden, which is located directly at the coast. From this point, we had a beautiful view over Sydney´s water landscapes and ferries. The botanical garden is so beautiful, very big and worth visiting.  There are lots of different areas with different palm tree gardens and you will see every type of Australian birds.

4. The opera and the view over the skyline of Sydney

From the botanical garden, we walked along the water and suddenly, we didn´t expect it yet, there was the opera of Sydney directly in front of us. So many times we saw this picture, but seeing it with your own eyes was very special. Behind the beautiful opera we saw the famous Harbour Bridge and on the left side was the harbor and the skyscrapers of Sydney. What a wonderful view! We explored the opera building and yes we also touched it :). Everything felt so big!

5. The harbor and the ice cream parlor

As always in a new city I want to be able to drift along – and stop and spend some time in the most beautiful spots I found by chance. The way from the opera along the water to the harbor is beautiful. Every ferry is stopping here and a lot of Australian people take the ferry going to work. At the ice cream parlor at the harbor, we found the best ice cream, although it is a little more expensive in Australia. Furthermore, you should walk the pathways from the harbor to the bridge next to the water – you will find the best street musicians here!

6. Strolling through the high-rise buildings of Sydney

I love Sydney´s center!! The winding streets between the high buildings, the hilly roads and the combination of old and modern buildings is absolutely lovely. I love exploring all the different and unexpected streets and everything is so clean and pretty. At first, we explored the high-rise buildings and then the well-known older buildings. Next stop was buying a SIM-card at the Optus store for our 2-month road trip through Australia.  Everywhere we went the people asked about our travel plans – just a little small talk here and there- for example exchanging travel tips with a nice guy in the camera store. In any case, you have to explore the little old shopping malls between the beautiful old buildings. There you can find the most beautiful cafés, specialties or even a hatter ;).

7. Picnic in one of the parks

We bought some Sushi and Scones (English impact) at Woolworth in the center and enjoyed it in the park directly in the inner city. You will see suit-wearer, taking a break from work, next to jogging athletes, next to construction workers or arborists. It then occurred to me that there were a lot of women doing the roadworks or in general heavy physical work.

8. Chinatown, the Chinesische Garden, and Paddy’s Market

In any case, you should walk through Chinatown and afterward take a look at Paddy’s Market. It is a really big hall with electronic, clothing and everything you can imagine.

9. Sunset at the Harbour Bridge

In the evening, when the sun sets, (in May around 4:30 pm), you should probably walk towards the opera, harbor and the Harbour Bridge. From the harbor you can easily walk along the water until you reach the bridge, passing some nice pizzerias and restaurants. You then take a few stairs to walk the bridge. It is easy to cross the bridge by foot and you will not be the only one :). However, in the coves of the bridge, you will find the perfect view to the opera in the sunset and the almost gaudy skyline and the harbor of Sydney. Wonderful! Also, the bridge is lighted in the darkness. If you are already on the bridge you should definitely walk to the other side of Sydney. You will find a totally new viewpoint.

10. The other side of Sydney and the ferry trip back

On the other side of Sydney, you can visit the big wheel and a leisure park. There are a few viewing platforms near the water, from where you have the most beautiful view to the brightly illuminated skyline in between the dark sky. I felt like looking at New York :). The best thing is you can take the ferry to Circular Quay back to the harbor. You are allowed to take the ferry with a normal ticket for short-distance traffic. The ferry slowly got closer to the harbor and the illuminated buildings and even the opera was lighted. An absolutely must-do!! *** Dieser Artikel enthält Werbung, da Marken genannt werden.