Tips to Know Before Visiting Sydney, NSW

Sydney is brimming with fun things to do and see. It’s a splendid city on the waterfront to live and play in and it's not just the beaches, cafes and skyscrapers, there’s many unique and exciting things like horse riding, escape rooms, art galleries, surfing and of course the diverse food and drinks scene. There are however some things you should keep in your mind before visiting such a sprawling city like Sydney. These tips will hopefully help you in getting the most of the city and discovering some of the hidden gems in Sydney.

A tip that would come in handy whenever you visit Sydney is that for the best views and a memorable dining experience, the harbour is the place to be. A popular attraction that always catches the eye is the harbour cruises, which is a doorway to one of the best sightseeing experiences you can enjoy in Sydney. Even if you're looking for a relaxing getaway from the daily grinds of city life, a lunch cruise is your answer. Pick an authentic paddlewheeler from the vast array of vessels and buckle up for a one-of-a-kind experience! Relish close up views of the iconic landmarks, the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and many more from its wrap-around verandahs, while you feast on a freshly prepared buffet. The Sydney Harbour cruise lunch also sets the stage for some of the most dramatic photos set against the incredible harbour backdrop.

One important tip you should keep in mind throughout your visit is that Sydney is not cheap. Australia was named the most expensive country to live in for several years running now and this is mainly due to its public transport, accommodation and the price of cigarettes. With real estate also booming, the median price in Sydney is almost double to what one would pay in other parts of New South Wales. So it is better if you opt for rental vehicles but be prepared to pay a lot for accommodation and even alcohol. But it is important to note that Sundays are cheap travel days so save your expensive trips on this day. The minimum wage here is huge compared to other nations so you don't have to necessarily tip your taxi driver or at a bar or restaurant.

Although Bondi might be the first name that pops up when a topic about beaches comes up, this is not the only best beach in Sydney. Besides, being a tourist hub, the afternoons here on a weekend are crowded, to say the least. Manly, Coogee, Milk Beaches are some of the best alternatives and you can even safely drink on some of these beaches. Another thing you might want to keep in mind is that beaches are not the only way you can spend a sunny day, there are various rock pools that have been carved out of sandstones, perched at the edge of the ocean, free of riptides and sharks! Most of these rock pools are open every day all year so you don’t need to time your visit.

Australia is all about its natural sceneries and some of them can be accessed from Sydney as well. There are numerous bush lands, national parks, waterfalls, mountain ranges, secluded beaches and much more within the city’s reach. Hopping on a bush walking trail is an ideal way to get to know what Sydney’s nature looked like hundreds of years ago. You can even bike or paddle through most of these bushlands so don’t make an excuse. Plus, this is also a great way to meet some of the friendly wildlife of Australia like the marsupials!