Sydney Vacations, Sydney Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Sydney Vacation Guide

It might not be Australia’s capital, but Sydney is certainly Australia’s capital of culture. From the iconic Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge to the open-air cinemas and essential beachside BBQs, Sydney’s enjoyably loud and brash take on culture incorporates bring your own beer (BYO) restaurants, beach bums galore and plenty in the way of international influences.

The harbor is the perfect place to start out, admiring the sail-influenced architecture of the Opera House before heading inside to get involved in the art scene and catch a concert, or sitting outside and ogling the harbor with a glass of wine in hand. It’s best to stay off the booze before heading up the Harbor Bridge, though, where you can get strapped in and walk along the thin metal arches, eying the harbor from a massive height. Not one for vertigo sufferers.

Next up is the beach, and Bondi is the one everyone wants to see, famous for its expansive (and ever busy) white sands, eclectic artistic community, abundance of red skin on display and beachfront community of shops, restaurants and beer-swilling bars. The place to grab a flavor of old world Sydney is ‘The Rocks’, cobbled market streets full of old-world, handmade souvenirs and gastronomic delights. Glebe Markets are another hippie haven, and the place to pick up art supplies, second hand books and jewelry to die for amongst the laid-back atmosphere of a Bohemian community.

If you want an overview of it all, climb through the Botanic Gardens to Lady Macquarie’s Chair to stare at the Opera House and the seaside vistas, or contemplate life at Blues Point - all but under the Harbor Bridge - while watching the world and his tug boat float by before your eyes.

Sydney lies right at the heart of Australia’s fun-loving, sun-soaking, beer-necking society, yet goes much deeper in terms of culture and class, as well as being home to some of the world’s most memorable architecture. Come at Christmas, and experience a 30-degree BBQ in a Santa costume, before heading up the coast and enjoying the life of a carefree beach bum. Heaven.