Wander logo

Discovering Sydney’s Hidden Gems

Make sure you do your homework before you go to Sydney, and put some of these mesmerizing spots on your map.

By Marie NievesPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
1

Sydney is an Australian jewel on its own, and the little gems that it consists of are what make it the most beautiful city of Australia. When you first come to Sydney, it’s unavoidable to visit the most famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, feed the animals in Taronga Zoo, and also climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, a trip to Sydney won’t be as good if you don’t stick around long enough to search through some of the well-hidden treasures that it has to offer. Here are five secret places that you probably won’t stumble upon by coincidence, so make sure you do your homework beforehand and put some of these mesmerizing spots on your map.

The sharks of Sydney Harbour

You don’t have to worry about sharks on Shark Island (albeit its terrifying name), but you should worry about whether you’ve packed your snorkeling equipment. The waters surrounding the island are thriving with colorful sea life, so an underwater photo session is also a must. The island is only accessible by boat, and you can take a ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour to take you there. Kayaking is also an option for those more adventurous among you. Since the island is fairly small, you can go all the way around it and experience a 360-degree view of the Sydney coastline. This tiny island is the perfect place to have a picnic and relax with a glass of crisp Chardonnay after a long day of swimming among exotic sea life.

The secret Sydney greenery

Sydney has many pockets of greenery that it hides from reckless tourists. Hence, you have to put some effort into finding them. You will easily find Sydney’s Botanical Gardens, because it’s a 10 hectares long land in Auburn and you can basically see green flashing through the roof. Here you can find flocks of peacocks and colorful ducks roaming between the rich and versatile flora. Then, there’s Wendy’s Secret Garden, a lush part of land transformed into a wondrous garden by Wendy Whiteley who took it upon herself to make something of the land she was left with after her husband died. It’s also worth checking out the Paddington Reservoir Gardens hidden between the skyscrapers in the heart of Paddington, which feature hanging gardens, high walkways, and enormous echoing chambers.

Underground tank tours

If you truly want to explore a city, you need to go underneath it. Luckily, one of the most exclusive tours in Sydney offers you the opportunity to do so. The tank stream tour offers a one-of-kind underground Sydney experience, which will take you through the tunnels that used to supply water throughout the whole city, created at the beginning of the colonial settlement. However, there’s a catch, and the reason why this tour is extremely special is that it opens only twice a year. Getting a ticket for this tour is as exclusive as getting into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory—you can either score a golden ticket or participate in a draw and be the lucky winner.

The Bistro at Manly Pavilion

When you feel like getting away from the crowd, and enjoying a peaceful dinner with a great view of the ocean, then look for the Manly Pavilion. Not only does the restaurant here provide you with a full view of the Sydney Harbour, but it also offers impeccable service, and a wide choice of Italian-inspired dishes prepared specially by an exquisite Tuscan chef. You can also enjoy a vast choice of drinks from their cocktail lists, in addition their wine makes them the best waterfront restaurant in Sydney. Grab your perfect spot on the terrace lounge, and enjoy a glass of wine with a perfect view of the sun falling behind Sydney’s coastline.

Cockatoo Island

This little island located in the midst of Sydney Harbour offers a great camping experience. It’s also home to the most unique natural historical monuments of Sydney. Before it became a camping site, it was used as a convict penal establishment, so you can also enjoy an organized ghost tour by night while barbequing your worries away by day.

These are only some of Sydney’s secrets spots, and the rest is left to you to discover on your own. We didn’t want to take all the fun away by listing everything there is to see. Embrace your exploring spirit because Sydney has a lot more to offer than you might expect.

australia
1

About the Creator

Marie Nieves

A lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.