Sydney Attractions are the topic of conversation again during part 2 of the interview between myself and Marlene from world-travel-options.com.
During this episode, we discuss a lot of Sydney’s attractions including:
Luna Park
Manly Ferry


Marlene’s daughters also asked about some of my favourite bars and clubs in Sydney. So many to choose from, but I talked briefly about some of my favourites:
The Australian Hotel
The Lord Nelson
The Watsons Bay Hotel

There’s plenty more information about Sydney’s attractions in other episodes of the Sydney Visitor.

Sydney Attractions discussed include some of Sydney’s most famous and beautiful beaches:
Bondi Beach
Coogee Beach
Manly Beach

Marlene loves her shoping, so I did my best to suggest some great shopping destinations:
The Rocks Markets
Birkenhead Point Factory Outlet

We also talk about some great places to eat and drink in Sydney
Harrys Cafe de Wheels
Botanic Gardens

In this episode, we look at the 3 main types of public transport in Sydney, buses, trains and ferries, and talk about the pros and cons of each. There are a wide variety of “combo” passes that provide good value if you’re going to use public transport a lot. For details:
Sydney’s Combo Passes

I also talk about catching a taxi in Sydney – sometimes a more convenient if slightly more expensive alternative to a train or bus in Sydney.

You might like to check out:
Sydney Tower Restaurant
Sydney Tower 360 Degree Dining

When someone is visiting Australia, chances are, you want to keep in touch with people back home. We look at some of the option syou have available, for keeping a mobile phone service when you come to Sydney.

Mobile Telephone Links:
Telstra
Optus
Vodafone
Three

It this episode of The Sydney Visitor, we take a walk through Hyde Park, and talk about some of the interesting things to see there, including the Anzac Memorial, the historic Archibald Fountain, and some very unusual oversize chess matches.

Check out my Hyde Park Video

We also explore St Mary’s Cathedral, which is right next to Hyde Park, and so is well worth wandering across the road for.

You can see these and other Sydney attractions on a Sydney Walking Tour.

If you are an independent traveller, make sure you check out The Indie Travel Podcast.

Although it is quite touristy, I recommend spending some time on a bus tour of Sydney. The Sydney Buses “Sydney Explorer” is a very convenient and cost effective tour. It’s easy to arrange, and a good way to get “oriented” to the layout of the city.

A pretty unique alternative is a “hop on, hop off” harbor cruise tour of the city and harbor.

We also talk about some of the options for getting to and from Sydney Airport when you first arrive. Although there are a few options, each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Episode 8 Featured Resources:
The Double Decker Hop On Hop Off Tours
Hop On Hop Off Harbour Cruise
To and From Airport – Sydney Airport
Sydney Arrival Transfers
Sydney Explorer Brochure

The RTA website provides the best source of specific driving information for overseas visitors. Also available are overseas licence details for overseas drivers.

Bike Tracks in Sydney
There are lots of places to ride bikes in Sydney, and plenty of bike lanes on main roads. I talk about my favourite bike riding loction:
Centennial Park
As well as two of my other favourites:
Olympic Park
Faulconbridge Point

If you are looking to take a tour on a bike, you’ll do well with any of these:
Sydney Bike Tours
Sydney Olympic Park Bike Tour
Sydney and The Rocks Bike Tour

We also launch The Sydney Visitor Hotel Finder tool. A way of comparing all the major online booking engines, to ensure you get the cheapest price for hotel rooms anywhere in the world.

The Anzac Site has a lot more detail on the military campaign and it’s significance.

I also talk about the events that mark Anzac Day each year, including the memorial services, marches, and of course the tradiotional game of chance, “two up”!

Video Marching and Australian Two Up game on Anzac Day.

We also take a ride down the Parramatta River on the River Cat, and see the Opera House and Harbour bridge from another angle.

We look at our venemous snakes, and how to reduce the risk of snakebite when in the outdoors. I talk about the incidence of Shark attacks in Australia, and some simple precautions you can take to reduce the (unlikely) possibility of being involved.

Taronga Zoo has a daily Australian Animal Show that is a convenient way to see all our native animals, both dangerous and cuddly.

We also talk about Kangaroos, and I reveal my “fail-safe” location to see Kangaroos in the wild.
If you haven’t got time to see them in the wild, the best spot is probably Taronga Zoo.

But try to see kangaroos in the wild if you can.

Videos of wild Kangaroos

My favourite location is an easy 2 hours drive from Sydney CBD in the suburb of “Glenbrook” in the heart of the Blue Mountains.
There’s a small campsite on Bruce Rd, Glenbrook. Just follow Burfitt Rd, Glenbrook into Bruce Rd and into the Blue Mountains National Park, and you can’t miss the campsite. The link below shows directions to the site.

Detailed Map to “Never Fail” Kangaroo Location.

Open Air Cinema is just another example of Sydney residents wanting to do indoor activities whilst outdoors.  This can be witnessed every Spring without fail.  In this episode, we discuss open-air cinemas and entertainment, and how easy it is to be a part of it during the months October – April.

Photograph courtesy of bondiopenair.com.au

In episode 4 of The Sydney Visitor, I talk about three of the most popular open-air events:

http://www.stgeorgeopenair.com.au

http://www.bondiopenair.com.au/

http://www.moonlight.com.au/

Shakespeare bythe sea is another uniquely Sydney event that is well worth the trek to the northern suburbs.  Every Friday and Saturday during summer, the Shakespeare by the sea company gather at Balmoral beach, to perform one of the two Shakespeare plays featured that season.

Surprisingly, there is no admission charge, no tickets and it is free to attend and watch, however the actors ask that you make a donation when they come around at the end of the show.

The Shakespeare By the Sea Website contains more details including seasons and show times.

Photograph courtesy of http://www.shakespeare-by-the-sea.com/

More Beer Drinking Tips

One of the crucial pieces of knowledge in any new city, is of course how to order beer.

I discuss the difference between a “middy” and a “schooner” and how to mix and match beer names, glass sizes and quantities, so you’ll soon sound like a local when you slide up to order a drink.

It’s all in good fun, drink up.