48 hours in Sydney – Weekend Edition
Sydney In Less Than 48 Words
Often called the “Harbour City”, Sydney has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Much envied by its sister cities in Australia, Sydney abounds with innumerable wonder sites – a cauldron of scenic surf beaches, modern architecture, historic sites, and sandstone headlands.
Sydney Opera House at dusk (Photo by Barryspics)
First 24 Hours
You can reach the famous city of Sydney via the Kingsford Smith Airport, which is the busiest airport in Australia. From there, you can take a train to Sydney’s City Circle loop. The journey lasts around 15 minutes, after which you will arrive near the Central and Circular Quay stations. A one-way ride on these trains usually cost around A$11.60. Alternatively, you can try the Sydney Airporter bus easily found at the airport terminal. The ride costs A$8, and its route passes by most major hotels in the city. You can also opt to hire a taxi, although this may cost upwards of A$35.
Sydney is a very navigable city, although its sheer size makes it difficult to reach the attractions on foot. Learn more about the city and its transportation at the Sydney Visitor Centre (106 George Street, 00 612 9255 1788, website). It is open daily between 9 am and 6 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Sydney’s hotels
Stay can be arranged at Sydney’s excellent hotels. One of the finest is the Simpsons of Potts Point Hotel (8 Challis Ave|Potts Point, Sydney 2011, +61 0293562199, website). It may be very expensive but it has clean, large, and comfortable rooms, plus an excellent staff.
Another is the Quay Grand Suites Sydney (61 Macquarie St|East Circular Quay, +61 02 9256 4000, website ), which offers an excellent location near the Sydney Opera House and views of the harbor. A nice alternative is The Observatory Hotel (89-113 Kent St, Sydney 2000, + 61 2 8248 5220, website), with its relaxed atmosphere, helpful staff, and five-star quality rooms.
SYDNEY TOWER: Let’s take a view
Sydney Tower (Photo by John Davey)
At a height of 305 meters, the Sydney Tower (100 Market Street, 00 612 9231 9300, website) is the tallest free-standing structure in the city. Also called the “Centrepoint Tower,” it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sydney.
The tower has two main sections that are open to public access. One is the observation deck, which is perched at a height of 250 meters. You can reach it via the tower’s high-speed double-deck elevators in just 40 seconds. Once there, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the cityscape. You can also find there a revolving restaurant, as well as a small gift shop. The Sydney Tower Skywalk is located a floor above the viewing platform, and offers a much more exciting open-air view. However, you will have to sign up for a guided tour to get there.
BONDI BEACH: Have fun at the beach
Bondi Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sydney, and runs about one kilometer in length. Go for a swim, bake in the sun, indulge in water sporting and beach volleyball there. It is best to settle for the beach’s northern end, where the waters are generally safe for everyone. The southern end is considered dangerous, because of the rip current called the “Backpacker’s Express” that runs through it. It is only recommended for the experienced swimmers, as well as surfboarders.
The beach is also known for being the site of the world’s largest swimsuit photo shoot. You can also relax at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar (1 Notts Avenue, 00 612 9365 9000, website). It is a popular bar there with great views of the beach, as well as excellent cocktails. You can reach the beach via a bus ride from the Bondi Junction, which arrives every 10 minutes or so.
Locals flock to Bondi beach to cool off (Photo by betta_design)
ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Go for a cultural visit
One of the most important attractions in Sydney is the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Art Gallery Road, The Domain 00 612 9225 1700, website), which is one of the largest art galleries in the country. It features a collection of Australian, European, and Asian art dating from the settlement days. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission is free. You can reach it by a train to the St James and Martin Place stations, then a roughly 10-munite walk.
DINNER TIME: Recharge after sightseeing tours in Sydney with dinner at its posh restaurants
Becasse Restaurant (Photo from Google images)
You may move for a memorable dinner at the superb restaurants all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the Cafe Sydney (31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay, Sydney 2000, 92518683, website). It offers spectacular views and a romantic setting. A taste of Asia in Sydney can be experienced at Tetsuya’s (529 Kent Street, Sydney 2000, 61 2 9267 2900, website), offering exotic food presented in novel fahion. An alternative is the Becasse Restaurant (204 Clarence Street, Sydney 2000, (02) 9283 3440), which specializes in French cuisine, plus excellent service.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Sydney can be used to discover the city’s other attractions. A site you should never miss is the inimitaable Sydney Opera House (Royal Exchange, Sydney NSW 1225, +61 2 9250 7111, website). It is an icon not only of Sydney, but also of the whole country. There you can see its distinctive architecture, which has earned the Pritzker Award, the highest honor in the field. It is also a multi-venue performing arts center in which you can watch top performing arts companies in action. You can buy tickets and reserve seats at its website.
CIRCULAR QUAY: Relax at one of Sydney’s most exciting areas
The Circular Quay is one of the most popular tourist areas in the city, and is located by the northern edge of the Sydney central business district. It is mainly comprised of parks, restaurants, walkways, and pedestrian malls. The area is also known as a focal point for community celebrations, and if you’re lucky, you’ll arrive in time for such events. The area is home to the Museum of Contemporary Art (140 George Street, website). Inside, you can see a collection of contemporary art from all over the world. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. The quay is also a major transport hub, and is a terminal for buses, trains, and ferries.
HYDE PARK: A walk in the park
A perfect place to relax in Sydney is the Hyde Park, which is located by the eastern side of the Sydney central business district. It is a 16-hectare park comprised of landscaped gardens, trees, and historical sites. Take a leisurely walk through the park or take a picnic with friends and family. Don’t forget, though, to see the various monuments scattered all over the place. One of the most popular sights there is the Archibald Fountain, which commemorates Australia’s contributions during the First World War. You can also visit the Nagoya Gardens, where you can find an oversized outdoor chess set. Other attractions are the ANZAC War Memorial and an Egyptian obelisk that stands 125 feet high.
Archibald Fountain at Hyde Park (Photo by X_Pose)
Another popular park in the city is the Centennial Park, which is found by the city’s Eastern suburbs. It sprawls 220 hectares in area, and is known for its wetlands, ornamental lakes, pine forests, grass fields, tennis courts, golf courses, and monuments such as the Federation Monument.
SURRY HILLS: Shop till you drop
You can have some unforgettable shopping experience at Surry Hills, which you can find south of the city center. Its main street, Crown Street, features a line of chic boutiques and fashion shops, such as Marc Jacobs and G-Star. Another shopping hub is Castlereagh Street, which is considered as Sydney’s designer row. One of the most popular malls there is David Jones (86-108 Castlereagh Street), which has shops selling Australian and international fashion items. There is also Myer, which is located at 436 George Street, as well as Chifley Plaza (2 Chifley Square) and MLC Centre (19-29 Martin Place).
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