When most people think of Australia, one of the first things that comes to mind after the iconic kangaroo is the unique architecture of the Sydney Opera House majestically rising above Sydney Harbour. The Opera House is undoubtedly Sydney’s most famous landmark, but there is a lot more to see and experience in this bustling Antipodean metropolis! Located on Australia’s east coast, Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the capital of the state of New South Wales. A perennial favourite of both natives and tourists, this amazing city has a lot to offer all who have the pleasure of visiting there.
If you are planning to visit Sydney, it’s difficult to know which of the many, many attractions to view first, but don’t worry, we have some ideas we would like to share with you, and we think they are good ones! One very special recommendation we have for you is to utilize the excellent chauffeur services in Sydney whose friendly, expert drivers can whisk you around town in opulent style! You will feel like a million bucks, but it definitely won’t cost you that much, their rates are extremely reasonable considering the high level of excellence their service provides! Once you are riding in style, here are some of the exciting places and experiences we think you should take in during your Sydney sojourn:
The Rocks – The scenic sandstone rocks lining Sydney Harbour are the source of this Bohemian urban enclave of arts and entrainment. The quaint 19th-century colonial buildings and narrow cobblestone lanes lend the place a timeless charm that makes you feel as if you have wandered into the streets of yesteryear. The Rocks were the first area of Sydney to be settled by the British when they landed on Australia’s shores in 1788 and still maintains that old-time charm, a delightful counterpoint to the modern galleries featuring eye-catching works by the country’s famed abstract painting movement, and sophisticated, trendy cafes featuring some of the most amazing cuisines the world has seen! Come on the weekend for the mouth-watering food stalls, markets full of fascinating trinkets and art objects, and free live music, The Rocks has something to offer everybody! When you need a break from all the excitement you can gaze at the breathtaking views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
The Royal Botanic Gardens – This is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and rightfully so! A lush expanse of flowers, shrubbery, and trees surrounding wide lawns for sunbathers to lounge upon. The gardens opened in 1816 and boast an amazing collection of Australia’s unique flora in the Australian Rainforest Garden. The tallest tree in Sydney, a stately Queensland kauri pine, towers above the Palm Grove, and the Palace Rose Garden features thousands of roses of every breed and colour, all combining to make this fragrant, shady oasis in this busy city a must-see experience! It’s plain to see why the gardens are one of Sydney’s best-loved wedding venues, hundreds of couples say their vows beneath the leafy boughs every year! When you finally grow tired from all that strolling through the verdant grounds, you can take a rest in Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a seat carved right into a sandstone cliff! One of the garden’s favourite features, the chair affords you a beautiful view of the harbour while you sit down for a well-earned rest!
Sydney Harbour – We keep mentioning it, now it’s time to go see it up close and breathe in some of that fresh salty sea air! Everyone who gazes upon it agrees that the 150 miles of shoreline and broad, blue sea beyond rank among the most spectacular natural harbours in the world. You can drink in breathtaking views of the city’s many landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Be sure to experience a sunset ferry ride where you can marvel at a kaleidoscope of city lights and colours. The harbour is lined with a multitude of restaurants and shops, and music festivals and events are a regular feature, so there is plenty to do between catching glimpses of the harbour’s alluring beauty.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge – Another jewel in Sydney’s crown of iconic landmarks, the bridge’s stately expanse stretches across the harbour from the Opera House, towering over the many ships and small craft that ply the gentle waters. Built during the Great Depression in 1932, this government employment project was nicknamed the “Coat Hanger” by the local populace and still holds the title of being the world’s largest steel arch bridge. The more athletic among us can walk across the bridge to experience lovely scenic vistas, and the really adventurous can climb to its dizzying heights for even more fantastic views of the dazzling skyline!
The Sydney Opera House – We have saved the best for last! The crown jewel of Sydney’s spectacular skyline, the iconic white-shelled roof is an architectural wonder that required the invention of a unique and complex support system to make it happen! The eye-catching structure, its shape inspired by a sailboat, was submitted to an international design contest in 1956 by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, and it’s no wonder his striking design was the one chosen! The Opera House, which took fifteen years to construct and opened to the public in 1973, has over one million tiles covering its four roof shells and features six music and theatre venues with some of the world’s best acoustics. If you go to see a show, make sure to arrange for that limousine so you can feel like a movie star when you arrive in posh style! The first opera performed there was Sergei Prokofiev’s War and Peace, and a wide variety of world-class performances take place year-round. Over 8 million people visit the Opera House every year, and it’s an experience you will treasure for years to come!
If you are planning to visit Australia, splendid and sensational Sydney is an absolute must on your itinerary. We hope to see you here down under soon!