Classic Sydney Experiences For First-timers

Only a few cities in the world can rival Sydney’s beauty. ‘Cause such is its natural wealth, its rich history and heritage, its culture, cuisine and more. If you guys don’t know me, here’s the scoop. I’m Lionell, a 25-year old globetrotter with a passion for discovering new places and people. Being an Aussie, I’ve been fortunate to check off some of the most amazing destinations in the world–from the world-famous Sydney Harbour to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. This month, I’ve decided to introduce one of the most enchanting destinations on my list: Sydney. The city’s unique and charming feature make a city worth visiting. The Harbour City’s got it all and here’s a roster that covers a range of classic Sydney experiences.

Explore the harbour waters on a Sydney dinner cruise

It’s a great chance to see the country’s celebrated architectural wonders–Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge–from up close and in a different light. Of course, there are several ways to see these marvellous structures but a harbour cruise dinner stands a class apart as it promises a spectacle of the dazzling harbour and the city skyline. From stunning glass boats and yachts to a paddlewheeler and catamarans, the harbour flaunts a stylish fleet of vessels perfect for sightseeing in the area. The best thing about choosing a cruise is that it is quite affordable and offers a more comprehensive Sydney dining experience compared to the other waterfront restaurants and cafes in the area — a great option for an evening out with your mates.

Take a dip at Bronte Baths

This beautiful ocean bath is built into a rocky cliffside with its stairs leading down to a pool area. Overlooking the aqua blue waters on Bronte Beach, this pool is simply spectacular in all ways. Although the best time for swimming at the bath is at low tide, the place looks its best during high tide. The waves crash over the pool at high tide, making it a fun place to be. On one side of the pool, there are sandstone cliffs jutting out over the edge of the pool; wade underneath these cliffs to escape the scorching sun here in the afternoon.

Explore the hidden oasis at Wendy’s Secret Garden

This garden might be far from being a secret, but it surely is a wonderful place of enchantment. History says the garden once belonged to Wendy, wife to artist Brett Whitely. When Wendy Whitely lost her husband in 1992, she created the garden out of a disused train yard space in her attempt to funnel her love and grief for her late husband. This piece of land is now a beautiful oasis with many towering fig trees, curling ferns, bronze busts, wooden carvings, flowering lilies and plenty of other native plants.

Go whale watching or hiking in the Royal National Park

With its stunning coastal walks, natural rock pools and secluded beaches, the Royal National Park is abundant in Insta-worthy locations. Whether you’re looking for a place to go swimming, trekking, biking or any other outdoor activity for that matter, I promise you, the national park is the best place to have an adventure and fun-filled day in the city. Another great thing to look forward to at the park is the whale watching season (May to November) where you can watch the majestic creatures on their migration. Two other hotspots worth visiting while you’re here are Wedding Cake Rock and the Figure Eight Rock Pool.

There are some things that you just can’t avoid when visiting a city. And these were four of my topmost picks for my beloved readers. But clearly, this isn’t all there’s to see in Sydney. I’ll be back with more destinations and information for you. Till then, stay tuned folks!