5 Bucket List Items For Sydney
Before we leave for any trip we do a little research into exactly what we want to see. We are very careful not to over plan our trip and turn it into a stressful list of to do items.
On our trip to Sydney, Australia we had our list of absolute musts… which were the Opera House, and a beach. Our list of “hopefully we can also see” was Vivid Sydney, and an ocean pool or bath. Now that we have been I want to give you my list of “must-see” for everyone before they head to the Land Down Under!
The Opera House
Of course you can’t possibly go to Sydney without checking out the Opera House! I know you wouldn’t dream of a trip without at least getting a glimpse of it. But don’t stop there. Don’t just stand back from afar and stare… climb up those steps and really take it the enormous “sails” of this beauty. We did this in the evening time and it couldn’t possibly have been more beautiful!
Photo Credit: Bradley Gann
Ferry Ride
I had seen that the ferry was a great way to see the Sydney Opera House. Our Airbnb was near Manly Beach Wharf, so it was the quickest way to get to Sydney. Our first vision of the Sydney Opera House (see video below) was at night from the ferry. The ride from Manly Beach to Circular Quay (Sydney) was only 30 minutes and only costs less than $9 a person. You will need an Opal card which you can purchase using a machine at the wharf. Children get a discounted ticket (age 4-14) and those under 4 ride for free!
Riding the NSW ferry is a far cheaper option than riding a cruise/tour boat and you get an incredible view. I would recommend riding in the day time and again at night to really get some great views of the Opera House.
Manly Beach
If I am being perfectly honest this was our family’s favorite part of Sydney! We came for the Opera House, but fell in love with so much more in the beautiful Australia!
I had read about various beaches in Australia. The tourist favorite being Bondi, but the local favorite being Manly. When we laid eyes on Manly we could see why! Despite it heading into cooler weather while we visited in May the ocean was peppered with surfers! I have gone surfing once in my life and was terrible at it and was absolutely astonished at how physical it was. So I sat in awe of those that have clearly spent a lot of time in the water perfecting their skills.
I was interested in all of the locals that were out on the beach so early in the day running, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. But as the sun came up they all seemed to dissipate and head about their day. We even met one lady that had showered and dressed in her business suit and was heading in to the office. Another Manly native told us of their swim groups and how every morning they meet and get their swim in and then head on about their day. Watching over 100 people swim together from Manly to Shelly Beach (which I hear is great for finding shells, but don’t plan to walk barefoot there) and then back again.
Ocean Pool
I had never heard of these ocean baths until I started doing research on Sydney beaches. The ocean pools are incredible. They have created a pool and it is filled by the ocean waves. So you get the fresh ocean water while swimming in a more contained area! Hello, this mom was ecstatic as my kids swimming in the ocean does still make me a little more nervous than swimming in a pool. There are some that have sea life washed up, and of course the sea weed. Some will have jelly fish washed into them at times and the one we visited housed a baby Great White Shark for a short time.
There are many ocean pools all around Sydney, but we had a look at the one near Manly Beach. My son dove right into the Fairy Bower pool and the rest of us were a little more shy of the icy cold water.
Royal Botanical Garden
I had read about the gardens, but wasn’t really interested in it. I can see gardens at home in the US. What could possibly be so special about this one… but it really was.
The Royal Botanical Garden is located next to the Sydney Opera House. It is a free garden. When we initially found ourselves here we were next to the Government House. It looked like a castle out of a fairy tale. All through our walk I was peeping through the fence to get another look.
We decided to have a picnic in the gardens and found a beautiful spot that looked out over the Opera House. Of course eating from a bag of chips with a 3 year old meant lots of spills, and it wasn’t long before a few birds came to join us for clean-up of our messes.
One bird in particular landed and was just sitting. My “way to brave for this mama” daughter walked over a pet the bird like it was a friendly little puppy. To add to our shock the bird just sat there, and then sang us her/his song. My wild child had pet a Kookaburra!
We bid our bird friends farewell and continued our journey. It wasn’t long and we heard this awful sound that we had heard at our Airbnb. It was LOUD! It was the sound of the beautiful cockatoos. The white parrots were wild there in the gardens. I had never before seen wild parrots, nor did I know just how loud they can be in such large groups.
Sydney is so much more than just these 5 things I think you should see! But if you are limited on time these are the things I recommend the most. Also, while you are out… talk with the locals! Of all the places we have visited in the world the people of Australia have been the most interesting and kindest group we have ever encountered.
Australia left it’s mark on my family and I hope you will also fall in love with this beautiful place and it’s friendly people.
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