Your Aussie Adventure Starts Here
Places to Explore Before and After Your Tour
Welcome to Sydney
You’ve made it to Australia! And while we can’t wait to show you around on Welcome to Sydney, we know you might be in Sydney a day or two before the tour kicks off…
We tick off so many bucket list items and hidden gems on tour, so we want to make sure you don’t double up! Once you’ve beaten the jetlag (our tip: stay up as long as possible!) you’ll be itching to head out and start exploring. Here are our favourite spots in and around Sydney that we don’t quite have time to see on tour.
Luna Park
Cross the Harbour Bridge and explore one of Sydney’s many icons – 🎡 Luna Park. A trip to this heritage-listed amusement park makes for a full day of good fun. It is incredibly unique in that it is the only one left of its kind in Sydney, so it’s definitely worth checking it out.
The best rides to look out for? We’d recommend Coney Island (who doesn’t love a fun house), the Ferris Wheel (a classic) and the Hair Raiser (a big drop with views? Yes please). If rides aren’t your thing, there is an impressive array of games to choose from, with endless prizes up for grabs. We’re talking Basketball, Knockers and Gone Fishing. The real ones will know, and if you don’t – all the more reason to go give them a whirl.
To get here from Circular Quay you have two options. Number one, walk over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge – how cool is that? Number two is arriving via a super quick ferry, another Sydney must-do ⛴️.
Manly
With some of the most beautiful beaches on Sydney’s coastline, Manly is a fantastic place to spend some quality time exploring.
Expect scenic coastal walks, great food and drink venues and magical sunset and sunrise spots. This is the Northern Beaches and you’ll soon see why everyone flocks here.
Grab a coffee and take the 10km walk from Manly to Split (remember you can turn around whenever you like!) watch the surfers 🏄 as you go and finish off with fish and chips. Now that’s how to spend a day in Australia.
But it’s the journey here that’s arguably the best part. Forget a harbour cruise tour, travel like a local for a fraction of the cost on the ferry to Manly and you get a harbour cruise included. Well.. practically. You’ll sail past the Opera House, so make sure you have your phones ready for a picture.
Our top tip? Take the return ferry ⛴️ at sunset for the best views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the sea. You’re welcome.
Darling Harbour and Chinatown
About a 20 minute walk from your hostel, you’ll find Darling Harbour, there’s always something to do at Darling Harbour – pop up events, art exhibitions, outdoor festivals, you name it. And with a stunning waterfront set amongst tall and sparkly skyscrapers, we get why it’s so popular.
To tempt you further, there’s a firework show 🎆 every Saturday evening. Grab a few mates and a few drinks and come on down.
While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Chinese Garden of Friendship. A beautiful, green oasis filled with lakes and lagoons (with Koi fish in them!), waterfalls, big drooping trees and exotic plants. An open green space like this, right in the middle of the city, is definitely worth a peek. Other stops to consider include the Harbourside Shopping Centre, the Powerhouse Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Once you’re done exploring Darling Harbour, make your way to Chinatown, nestled in the vibrant Haymarket neighbourhood. It’s the biggest Chinatown in Australia and boasts fantastic markets and an unlimited amount of restaurants with mouth-watering (and cheap!) food. Yum cha, seafood, ramen, Korean barbecue, bubble tea – Chinatown has it all. We suggest you come curious to try new things and with an empty stomach.
Newtown
Just four kilometers outside of the city lies the heart of Sydney’s multicultural, artistic and eclectic scenes. Take the train from Town Hall and you’ll be there in 10 minutes – the perfect distance for an afternoon wander. With just the right amount of character and charm, this neighbourhood has something for everyone.
If you’re a foodie, a vintage-store seeker, a people-watcher, an afternoon drink-sipper or a street art admirer, Newtown’s got you covered. There are enough thrift shops, restaurants, wine bars, beer gardens, quirky laneways and theatres to keep you amused, fed and inspired. The best thing you can do in a place like this is walk around and take in all of the sights, sounds and smells – it’s a true treat for all of the senses.
King Street is the place to hit up for a bit of window shopping and in-between snacking – it’s a food-lovers paradise with some cute little boutique stores thrown in the mix. Turkish, Italian, Korean, Thai, Egyptian – Newtown really serves up a delicious melting pot of wonderful cultures and cuisines on a plate for you. All that’s left to do is dig in. Once you’re done stuffing your face, go explore the colourful street art, catch a show/gig at Enmore Theatre, plan your escape at the Cipher Room or have a picnic and wind down at Camperdown Memorial Park.
Royal Botanic Gardens
You simply can’t visit Sydney without passing through the Royal Botanic Garden. The oldest of its kind in Australia and spilling out over 30 hectares, the garden sits beautifully in an ideal location in the city for a bit of quiet contemplation.
With not just a seriously breathtaking green space to leisurely walk through and admire, the Garden also has amazing views of Sydney’s skyline, the Opera House and the harbour. Looking for that perfect Instagram shot to make your mates and family back home jealous? Then make your way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the ultimate spot for a picture-perfect moment.
We hope that helps!
Naturally, there are about a million and one other places you can see and things you can do before you start your Welcome to Sydney tour with us. But this is where we suggest you start, so we don’t double up with the epic places we’re going on tour.
Don’t forget to check out the City of Sydney’s What’s On – Event Guide to see if there are any events, festivals or happenings going on while you’re here – this city always has something new on that’s worth experiencing!
Looking for even more recommendations?
If you have any questions leading up to your tour, or simply want more recommendations, get in touch and we’ll be happy to share!
