What to do in Sydney?
Sydney, the city where I celebrated my 32nd birthday. This metropolis is on the east coast of Australia. We only had two days here to spend, which was obviously not enough. Sydney was our starting point for the road trip all the way to Daintree Forrest and fly back to The Netherlands from Cairns.
If you only have two days, you would want to see the big attractions and eat at the coolest places. That was exactly what we did and it was a good introduction to this city that got us wanting more.
So here are my recommendations for a quick visit in Sydney! Oh and a lil note, all brunch spots close pretty early, around 4PM, so always check the opening times beforehand to avoid dissappointments!
x Lily
1. Sydney Opera House
A must-visit when you’re in Sydney is the iconic Opera House, even if it’s from a distance. There are lots of viewpoints to choose from. We went on the opposite side, where there is a boulevard next to the Hickson Road Park. Here you can also take a good picture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2. Bondi Beach
What’s Sydney without its Bondi Iceberg Pools? These outdoor pools must be one of the most famous pools in the world. The water in the pools actually comes from the sea, hence every Thursday they close the pools in order to clean them from seaweeds. Swimming in the sea would be dangerous with the wild waves and sharks, but you can still enjoy the sea by being in these pools.
Other than immersing yourself in the saltwater, you can also snag a spot on the beach and have yourself some good sun while watching people passing by. Having a cocktail while enjoying the sunset can also be an option, as they have a bar at the terrace. Just keep in mind that since the Bondi Beach and its Bondi Iceberg Pools are very famous, you might have to share the spaces with a big crowd.
Personally I think the beach is a littttle bit overrated, because there are better beaches in Sydney. What is recommended by many is the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee. The walk features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools.
Address: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, Australia
Opening Hours: Friday to Wednesday (6 AM – 6.30 PM)
Entrance Fee: AUD 6.50
3. Manly Beach
Bondi Beach is not the only beach in Sydney that deserves a big spotlight. This one called Manly Beach is just as good, if not better. When I was there, the beach was definitely less crowded than Bondi Beach, well it was almost empty. The entrance to Manly Beach is also free, which adds to the list of the perks of going here.
Many Beach can be reached by ferry which can be taken from the Sydney Harbour for around 15AUD-25 AUD, depends on which ticket that you are getting. In my case, we drove in a car to get there and the view was also mesmerizing to be enjoyed during the ride. The pool pictured below is located at the side of Manly Beach, and actually, the pool is the safest way to enjoy the water as the sea is known to have dangerous sharks and jellyfish.
4. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Zumbo
Before I headed to the Sydney Harbour Bridge that is also known as the “Coathanger”, I went to Zumbo to get some cakes since it was my birthday! Zumbo is famous for their desserts, especially with the owner’s appearances on MasterChef Australia and the fact that he is specialized in sweet desserts.
Other than coming to the bridge for the view, you can also climb, yes climb the bridge to have the most spectacular view of the whole of Sydney.
5. Art Gallery of New South Wales
The gallery opens every day from Monday to Sunday from 10 AM ’til 5 PM, and it opens until 10 PM every Wednesday. Located at Art Gallery Rd, it won’t cost you that much to pay this gallery a visit and have some quality artsy time with yourself or with your traveling partner. In fact, it costs you nothing since they have a free entrance for the gallery and the exhibitions. The gallery is located in beautiful parklands and it will take you just 15 minutes walking to this gallery from the city center.
Where to Eat at Sydney?
6. Social Hideout
It isn’t hard to find Instagrammable spots in Sydney. Social Hideout is your flower paradise if you’re looking for a brunch spot. The dishes are beautifully presented and the taste was good.
Address:
2a/20 Victoria Rd, Parramatta NSW 2150, Australia
Opening Hours :
6 AM – 3 PM (Monday – Friday)
7.30 AM – 3 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
7. Cuppa Flower
Cuppa Flower was my favorite brunch spot. Not only the interior was on point with the flower corner, but the beautiful dishes also tasted as amazing as it looks. The Totoro cakes got my attention first (biggest Totoro fan). I couldn’t choose so I ordered both versions, the green one is matcha and the grey one is Taro. Furthermore, we ordered an avocado toast and a crab fried rice omelet, which was mouthwatering (especially the omelet) delicious.
Address:
1/15 Allen St, Waterloo NSW 2017, Australia
Opening Hours:
7 AM – 3 PM (Monday – Friday)
8 AM – 3 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
8. Two Sis Pyrmont
If you’re looking for a brunch spot with creative and appetizing dishes, I can definitely recommend Two Sis Pyrmont to you. They work with seasonal themes, which was Halloween when we were there. The salmon pasta with pesto looked like an artwork that was too pretty to eat. The brownie and matcha were decorated with “scary” cotton candy. After taking hundreds of pictures, I stared at it for a few more minutes, before I finally took a bite. The pasta especially was divine! They are proving that Instagrammable pretty can be combined with quality good food!
Address:
306 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Opening Hours:
7 AM – 4 PM (Monday – Friday)
7.30 AM – 4 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
9. Thai Pothong Restaurant
If you’re craving for Thai food, Thai Pothong is one with really good ratings. You will be welcomed with very randomly lifesize Transformers robots that you can buy for around 32.000 AUD. The restaurant is pretty big and the service is excellent. The food was authentic good. We ordered Padthai and crab nasi (I always order this when I see it on the menu since we don’t have this in The Netherlands). We really enjoyed our dinner here.
Address:
294 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia
Opening Hours:
12 – 3 PM, 6 – 10.30 PM (Monday – Thursday)
12 – 3 PM, 6 – 11 PM (Friday & Saturday)
12 – 3 PM, 5.30 – 10.30 PM (Sunday)
Website:
thaipothong.com.au
