Sydney Sights & Attractions
Posted 25/03/2009 – 5:10 pm in: Backpackers Hostels in SydneyWhy most backpackers would want to visit Sydney is to see the city’s world famous attractions.
Logically, Sydney divides in to several regions, all areas are a must see for them tourists who are looking to getting a full view of the city and her history. Each area has unique local attractions along with plenty of things to keep the visitors continuously entertained.
The Airport
Sydney airport also known as the Kingsford Smith International Airport is the busiest airport in the country. Short stay visitors staying at an airport hotel can enjoy the nearby beach. The main road, General Holmes Drive passes under the runway, runs parallel to the beach past Brighton-Le-Sands and Monterey to Dolls Point. Sydney CBD is just 15 minutes away from the airport by train.
The City
In the city is where you will find The Rocks, Chinatown, the Town Hall and world famous attractions Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hyde Park and the Australian Museum. You can also visit Macquarie Street and Queens Square, take a walk through The Domain and visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mrs Macquarie’s Point and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Go shopping at major department stores and fashion boutiques in the centre of town, and get an eagle’s eye view from the AMP Tower.
The Rocks
This is where you will find more of historical buildings than anywhere else in Sydney as well as shopping, cafes, restaurants, pubs and entertainment. Towering above all this is the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Observatory Hill. If your budget permits, The Rocks has a huge range of five star hotels on the waters edge.
Darling Harbour
If you want to see popular Sydney attractions such as Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, the Chinese Garden and Imax Theatre, then this is the place you need to be. Here you will find a wide choice of restaurants and cafes and the China town, this place is packed with restaurants and shops selling Chinese goods from embroidery to jade carvings. The Chinatown is situated right next to the Sydney Entertainment Centre and close to Darling Harbour.
Darlinghurst
This place is famous for having many restaurants that serve mouth-watering cuisines. Many feature delicious Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The area around Taylor Square has many bars, discos, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques along with plenty of other different forms of entertainment that are geared especially to keep the Gay and Lesbian tourists entertained.
Kings Cross
Probably the next most popular tourist attraction after the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Kings Cross is the place for them backpackers seeking sexual pleasures. The popular nightspot is a ten minutes drive from the inner city when there is less traffic on the roads.
The Eastern Suburbs
The Eastern Suburbs stretch from the city along the southern foreshore of Sydney Harbour to Watsons Bay near the headland guarding the southern entrance to the harbour, South Head. In this area you will find attractions such as Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Paddington. You can visit trendy Double Bay and enjoy the views of Sydney Harbour on the way to Watson Bay. The well-known Bondi Beach is where the Eastern Suburbs meet the Southern Beaches
The Southern Beaches
The Southern Beaches stretches from Bondi to Cronulla on the Kurnell Peninsula. At the Botany Bay on the same shoreline is where Lieutenant James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for England.
The Inner West
Here there are an abundance of restaurants, cafes, and pubs. A short ferry ride from here will bring you to the historic Balmain, or you can catch the bus or a taxi to Glebe and Newtown.
Parramatta/Outer West
Parramatta, established just after Sydney was founded in 1788, was the food bowl of the then fledgling colony. Here is where they grazed their cattle and grew their food. Today, Parramatta is the business centre of the Outer Western Suburbs, and has a smattering of historically very important buildings.
North Sydney
This is where you will find the Taronga Park Zoo and its many exotic animals. Satellite commercial centre just across the Harbour Bridge is the gateway to the Lower North Shore. Enjoy great views of the city and try the cafes, pubs and clubs at Kirribilli, Milsons Point and McMahons Point. You can also drop into Balmoral for a swim and try the clubs and restaurants at The Spit and watch the yachts go by.
Manly
For all of you, who love water sports, manly is the place where you can have some serious fun! Manly probably has the finest stretch of golden sand, surfing beach in the world for swimmers board riders and wind surfers. You will find plenty of places serving great food and where you can enjoy a drink. If you want, you can even take a short drive to Palm Beach and enjoy superb ocean views as well!
The Northern Beaches
All you yachting and boating fanatics, you can have a superb time at Newport and Church Point on Pittwater, come and see for your selves! While you are there, dive in to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and smell the gum trees, which are the hallmark of the Australian bush.
Regions just outside of Sydney
The Hunter Valley
Want to see Australia’s oldest and one of its greatest wine areas? Then come to Hunter Valley. This place may not be the biggest wine producing region in Australia, but it sure has a long history behind it!
Initially established 150 year ago, Hunter Valley is home to some 80 wineries ranging from famous labels to very small ’boutique’ winemakers. The region is famous for its full-bodied white wines, ‘medium weight reds’ and some excellent ports.
Hunter Valley is a mere 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours drive from Sydney with a population of 3 million people. Hunter Valley is an extremely popular getaway for Sydneysiders, offering a quiet taste of the country with intimate guesthouses and cosy inns; many of these are converted from old mansions and cottages
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range that stretches from Gippsland region of Victoria in the south to the tropical rainforests of north Queensland. The foot hills are just a 60 km away from the Sydney CBD.
On this mountain is a huge eucalypts forest. Under the hot sun, these trees discharge a fine mist of eucalyptus oil from the leaves. This mist reflects light, which causes the blue haze you see when looking from distance, hence the name ‘Blue Mountain’
Stunning scenery and the rugged terrain attracts an abundance of tourists to this region. The area is dotted with waterfalls, and there is great variety in the vegetation as you descend into the valleys. Mountain biking (cycling) has become very popular; abseiling and canoeing with expert guides are also big attractions.
There are a plenty of things happening in the Blue Mountains even during the winter. With a light to medium snowfall Sydneysiders relish the opportunity to enjoy roaring log fires, eggnog, good food and wine, and outside winter walks and activities
