While planning my trip to South East Asia trip, I have been thinking about making a stopover in Australia, but the cost of traveling in Australia seemed daunting and figured other readers may feel the same. Our Australia expert, Alex Pejak, wrote a guest post for AdriftAnywhere to show us how affordable traveling through the land down under could be just by planning ahead.

Sydney is known for its diverse culture, nature, history, design, cuisine, fashion and art. Beautiful sandy beaches along the coastline make it a popular holiday destination and two outstanding structures are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales promises to enchant and mesmerize with its beauty and things to do – from shopping, surfing, fine dining, adventure lovers paradise, clubbing, to Blue Mountain hiking.

Getting There

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport is where flights land and approximately 6 kilometres from city centre. 72 different airlines are hosted by Sidney Air, including Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Qantas and many more. Sydney is located 5 miles from the Kingsford Smith Airport with airport buses and taxis running constantly around the clock. Flights from around the world, but economical flights are always advised as flights to Australia are very expensive.

Transportation

Sydney boasts a myriad network of bus, ferry, taxi and train services and includes airport links,light rail lines and sightseeing buses for tourists. From around the city curb sides or designated taxi ranks taxis can be booked or hailed. The ferry services are across the world-renowned harbour of Sidney. Free city shuttle bus services are a handy option for tourists between the different attractions, restaurants and shopping malls. Another great idea when planning a short Sidney stay is to rent a car as you have more freedom to visit just your pre-planned destinations as opposed to a bus service with specific routes. Depending on the destination local taxi services can cost up to $30 and paid bus services $3.30 depending on destination. Train services can be a minimum amount of $2.20 from the airport to the inner city.

Lodging and Hotels

Hotels in Sydney are available in the hundreds and those looking for excellent service and ultimate luxury can go for places such as ADGE Apartment Hotel for the ultimate lifestyle on Riley Street, Surry Hills.

With the Park Hyatt your experience starts before you enter the hotel as the excellent service awaits you with a couple of staff members outside the main doors. If exclusivity is your aim those the excellent views of the Opera House and warm hospitality makes this hotel a must.

Simpsons Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel, quiet, yet central and the harbour is within a few minutes’ walk. There are amazing restaurants along the way to the harbour.

Tara Guest House is a quaint guest house with warm hospitality from gracious hosts and highly recommended. Verona guest house is a beautifully renovated house surrounded by excellent
restaurants with clean, spacious rooms and well stocked for all-day breakfasts.

Things to Do

Sydney has an amazing amount of attractions, activities, shopping and nightlife to enjoy, whether you prefer outdoor activities, cultural, museums or landmarks.

Sydney Amusement includes the Flight Experience where tourists can fly a Boeing 737 flight simulator. The open air Cinema is a great experience in beautiful weather as well as the Opera house to Botanic Gardens Walk with its magical views.

Westfield Sydney in the center of Sidney is the icon of lifestyle, fashion and food for all shoppers. With over 330 stores this upper class shopping mall should not be missed.

Flee market lovers must not miss the Paddington Markets with 200 stalls featuring authentic Australian goods. People looking for souvenirs will love Paddy’s Market and Gifts at the Quay.

Pitt Street Mall is also called a shoppers Paradise and jewelry lovers should not miss Opel Fields with their custom made jewelry.

Nightlife in Sydney is of the best in the world such as the Blu Bar on 36, which overlooks the harbor. The prices at the bar compliment the view however and very pricey, but it is the bar to impress visitors from other countries. A great Vegas club in Sydney is the Marquee Nightclub with over the top fun and loud, fabulous and pretty.

Adventure lovers will not go wrong with Lets Go Surfing, where they can learn to surf in a matter of hours in one of the world’s greatest beaches. Spending time on one of the world’s most stunning waterways, Sydney Harbour, you cannot go wrong with the catamaran charter from Champagne Sailing Sydney or board one of the cruises from one of the many sailing companies taking tourists out or renting their equipment.

Diners should visit Quay in its magnificent setting above the Harbor Bridge to the left and Opera House to the right, regardless of day or night time it is spectacular. A sensual dining experience with magnificent textures and flavors for all pallets.

Harry’s Fish Café for Seafood lovers with sensational views of Middle Harbour with all main courses served with potato fries and fresh salads. Their extensive wine list suits everybody’s pocket apart from their great seafood dishes.

Greek food lovers should not miss out on Apollo, which is classy and hearty at once. Contemporary dining ethic in combination with bentwood chairs and unclothed tables.

Moved Sydney in Surry Hills, Sidney is a great Spanish restaurant with innovative tapa dishes. Open every day except Sundays it remains a major favorite. Great prices and top cuisine makes it a favorite for locals and tourist.

Places to See

The peacefully floating great origami sailboat or that’s what it appears as, is the Sydney Opera House, which is a Must-See. One of the world’s most beautiful harbors is Sydney Harbor with soaring headlands, quiet coves and secluded beaches with a magnificent view of the Opera House. The Royal Botanic Gardens, The Art Gallery of NSW, Queen Victoria Building, Museums, Government House, St. Mary’s Cathedral and hundreds more to fit into your itinerary.

The Manly Scenic Walkway is very diverse with its three different walkways, Heritage Walk, Eastern Hill Walk and Spit Bridge Walk. The longest is Manly to Spit Bridge, which is a 3 hour one way walk leading to the coastal path across Manly Cove to Ocean world steps. Do not forget the two kilometers of high-end fashion and funky boutiques along Paddington’s Oxford Street. The best Australian labels are found here, apart from the hot-spots such as Darling Street, Crown Street, Military Road and more.

 

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