If you ever find yourself traveling to Sydney, regardless of whether you are going on a business trip or on vacation, you will definitely be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding how to spend your free time. This amazing city offers so many different opportunities that it might be hard for you to narrow them down. Here is a little guide to help you.
Immerse yourself in the world of theater
Sydney Opera House is probably the first thing that you think of when we say Sydney. This World Heritage-listed building holds over 1600 performances each year. You can find anything from opera and ballet to contemporary dance and stage plays. However, there are many other venues that organize amazing performances. You can also visit the State Theatre, the Theatre Royal and Sydney Lyric. Moreover, there are some wonderful neighborhood theaters, such as the Belvoir St Theatre in Surry Hills. In Darlinghurst, in a basement of a pub, you can find the Old Fitz Theater that has only 50 seats. This way, you can experience everything up close.
Visit stunning art galleries
There are some excellent artistic places to visit while in Sydney. Located in the Rocks neighborhood, you should definitely visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. At the MCA, you can find over 4000 pieces by Australian artists as well as works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Additionally, you can visit the Art Gallery of NSW, Campbell Arts Centre, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, and White Rabbit, among others.
Explore the various museums
Sydney’s museums offer everything from dinosaurs to warships. If you visit the Australian Museum near Hyde Park, you can see dinosaur skeletons. Then you have the Australian National Maritime Museum which lets you climb aboard a submarine. There are even sports museums such as the Rugby League Museum and the Sydney Cricket Ground Museum.
Relax on beautiful beaches
Sydney has over 100 beaches so it should not be hard to find one that suits your needs.
If you are a surfer, Tamarama Beach might be the perfect choice for you. Fair warning: this beach is one of the most dangerous in Sydney. The two rips coming in from each side of the bay make it amazing for catching some waves but if you’re not an experienced swimmer, it might be tough. Maroubra, Manly or Cronulla are also heaven on Earth for surfers.
Probably the most famous beach in Sydney, Bondi Beach is amazing for those who want to swim, sunbathe and surf. It is one kilometer long which means that you will always find a spot on its golden sand.
However, there are so many other options to take into account. If you are looking for a kid-friendly beach, you can go to Coogee, Bronte or Clovelly.
Try out some delicacies
Sydney is also well-known for its wide variety of waterfront restaurants. Even if you only booked a short term accommodation in Sydney due to your business obligations, make sure you visit some of these amazing spots that offer healthy meals.
If you go to see the MCA at the Rocks and you happen to be looking for vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options, you can go to Graze MCA, Playfair Cafe or William Blue Dining. In the same neighborhood, you can visit Saké Restaurant & Bar which offers delicious Japanese food like the miso-glazed toothfish with pickles.
If you’re near Bondi Junction, you can go to Earth To Table which has an all-vegan menu with amazing pasta. Additionally, Bondi’s Best is heaven for seafood-lovers.
Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, the Malaya and the Glenmore will all provide you with outstanding food and breathtaking vistas.
Enjoy the natural wonders
Australia offers plenty of relaxing locations, and many of them are near Sydney. In case you’d like to explore some of the nature that this city offers, you can visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, located just a few minutes away from the Opera House. On the other hand, just 20 kilometers away from the CBD is the Garigal National Park where you can spend a lovely weekend. You can see some of the Aboriginal sites within the park, in addition to its interesting flora and fauna.
If you prefer an active vacation, you can go on some of the many walking tours that the city offers, like the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Additionally, you can visit the Blue Mountains and go on guided tours, explore the Jenolan Caves or engage in some thrilling activities such as bushwalking, rock climbing and canyoning.
For some family time, you can visit the Taronga Zoo. It has a diverse range of animals. The zoo is quite big, but you can easily get around thanks to the zoo train and the Sky Safari. You can also visit the magical Chinese Garden of Friendship with its exotic plants, hidden pathways, waterfalls and koi carp-filled lakes.
There are so many other things you can do in Sydney; this list could go on forever. You can visit the Cockatoo Island, go on a spooky ghost tour or amazing cruises. Find the adventure that suits you most, and no matter how short your trip to Sydney, you will have an unforgettable time.