What to See in Sydney?

My recommendation would be: take a “Free walking tour” in Sydney to get a first impression on what to see around the city.

I heard about these guys on my Indian Pacific train trip. Two Architecture graduates who love their city started up these free walking tours in Sydney & Melbourne. You basically show up at the meeting point and look for your guide in a bright green “I`m free” t-shirt. (No need for booking!) They work on a tips only basis.

Every day (rain or shine): Sydney Sights (3 hours) at 10.30 am & 2.30 pm and the Sydney Rocks (1,5 hours) at 6pm. For more info, check out: www.imfree.com.au

I`ve taken the Sydney Sights tour myself and it was one of the best city tours I`ve had. Even though it was 3 hours, I didn`t get bored or distracted like I usually do during city tours. You get to see so much more from the city because of a local guiding you. I also enjoyed the ‘free in Sydney map’ with tips on things to do for free by day & night as well as useful tips from the guide along the way.

A few of the highlights we saw

St Mary`s Cathedral

St Mary’s has the greatest length of any church in Australia and is located in Hyde Park, which is named after the original Hyde Park in London.

The General Post Office

The General Post Office (abbreviation GPO) is a landmark building in Sydney. It is located at No. 1 Martin Place. The building was to resemble the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Forgotten Songs

At Sydney’s Angel Place you’ll find a public art installation for you to see and hear. In 2009, artist Michael Thomas Hill created Forgotten Songs, an installation of 110 empty birdcages suspended high in the air that play the songs of fifty birds that used to live in the city before urbanization.

The Waiting Man

Waiting, a statue by Johnson, depicts a businessman reading a newspaper, installed at Australia Square in central Sydney.

And of course you can`t visit Sydney without seeing the two most iconic attractions of the city.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center, designed by a Danish architect named Jørn Utzon. He received the Pritzker Price – architecture`s highest honor – in 2003.

and Sydney Harbour Bridge

More interesting sights:

Above are just a few of the sights in Sydney, taking the free walking tour will give you a good impression of where everything is if you want to visit certain places for a longer time.

Free to enter: Sydney Rum Hospital, Art Gallery of NSW, The Mint, Museum of Contemporary Art (late opening on Thursday), Customs House (open till midnight except Sundays and offers FREE wifi!), Botanical Garden, …

A few tips from our guide

Views over the city

360 Bar and Dining at the Sydney Tower where you get a nice view over the city as the bar rotates 360 degrees. There`s a $ 20 AUD minimum spending, but you can enjoy a few drinks (drinks start from $ 7 AUD). Dress code is smart casual.
O Bar and Dining at Australian Square offers views over the city, with a minimum of $ 8 AUD to be spent at the bar.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Instead of doing the Bridge climb, which starts at $ 198 AUD, you can climb the 200 steps of the Pylon Lookout for $ 11 AUD. You can also walk across the bridge which is 1.3 km and takes about 30 minutes.

I didn`t have time to test these out, but they sound like good tips, so I thought I`d share them with you.

Places to Eat

This place came recommended through social media channels: the Australian Hotel at the Rocks, because of their special pizzas. You can order a pizza here with kangaroo, crocodile,…

The following recommendations came from Y Travel Blog. Make sure to check out their 33 Tips for Sydney:

El Loco in Surry Hills, a lovely Mexican place with delicious tacos for only $ 5 AUD!
Bourke Street Bakery. I loved this place! I`m addicted to bread and always have a hard time abroad finding what I like, but this place knows what they`re doing. Btw you won`t be the only one here, I went twice and there was always a queue.

Shopping

I loved the neighborhood of Surry Hills very much, there`s a nice vibe and great little boutiques as well. Of course you have more shops together at the Westfield shopping centers at the central business district and Bondi Junction. For another shopping experience you can visit the Queen Victoria Building which houses many shops from chocolate shops to jewelry to clothing, you can find it all here. (Shops are open until 9 pm on Thursdays)

Don`t forget to check out the Rocks Markets at the Rocks on Saturdays and Sundays.

Great Transportation Tip

There`s a FREE bus, number 555, that runs from Circular Quay to Central Station from Monday till Friday from 9 am till 3.30 pm (until 9 pm on Thursdays). Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am till 6 pm. Both directions every 10-15 minutes.

Had enough of the city?

Take a ferry to Manly (at wharf 3). Not only does it have a beach where you can relax and shops you can browse, the boat trip will give you the opportunity to see the city skyline from the water. (We paid $ 14.40 AUD/person for a return ticket)

TIP: Take the ferry around sunset and have an affordable sunset cruise in the harbor overlooking the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.