Bye bye Sydney (Sydney goodbye)

Trip Start Jun 01, 2010

Trip End Ongoing

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Flag of Australia Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Just like Frankie Valli or the Bay City Rollers sang to their sweethearts so too must we sing our goodbyes to Sydney. Sydney you've been wonderful for the last 6 and a half months, adieu.

We've worked, played, trekked, visited, drove, swam, shopped, drank, eaten and danced our way through as much as we could do (or afford) to do while we've been here. Highlights, the generous people we've met during our time here. Lowlights, getting sunburn on Curl Curl.

So here's a list of personal favourites, and Things To Do in Sydney.

Favourite things to do*

Christmas on the beach!
New Years Eve views from Kirribilli!!
Australia Day in Darling Harbour!
Muse in Acer Arena!
Good Vibrations Festival in Centennial Park!

Beaches: Maroubra or Curl Curl (can't decide which we prefer)
Restaurant: Rossini, Circular Quay (haven't tried many expensive restaurant but loved the food here!)
Bar: Anything in Darling Harbour or The Rocks.
Views: The view of the Harbour Bridge & Opera House from Milsons Point
Museum: The Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
Activities: Wildlife World, Sydney Aquarium. Go to a sports game/go to a concert, NYE
Drive: There is a fantastic view from the Roseville Bridge on Warringah Road. Also the drive up to Palm Beach is lovely.
Parks: Lane Cove N.P. is different and worth a visit
Bicentennial Park is great for a cycle
Centennial Park is lovely for a stroll
Hyde Park is good for a sit down & people watch
Botannical Gardens are very pretty
Ferry: Manly Ferry or Paramatta River Ferry
Walk: Manly Scenic Walk is a must do. Heaps more interesting than Bondi to Coogee (which is pretty as far as Bronte and unremarkable thereafter).
Suburbs: Kirribilli, quiet and pretty
Haymarket, Chinatown
Shopping Centres: Chatswood Chase, Westfield Bondi Junction & Maquarie Shopping Centre. All big, modern & have great foodcourts
Buildings: Not really a building as such, but Sydney Harbour Bridge is just amazing. Sometimes you forget how amazing it is until you see it from a new angle or in different light.

Overrated

Bondi to Coogee walk - there are many other options, such as Manly Scenic Walk which are much more interesing
We really disliked Scruffy Murphy's Bar off George Street, most guides recommend it.*
Kings Cross was a little too sleazy at night for us.*

Random Things We've Learnt in Sydney

Hearing Irish people say "grand" is a novelty here.
Aussies like to say "avo" instead of afternoon.
British people are referred to as "the poms".
"Too easy" is a term used as a reply when asked for something. Similar to the Irish "Not a bother" or "No problem".
The sun here is intense and it is so easy to get sunburn :(
The Pacific Ocean will try to drown you in a rip at any chance it gets.
"Yum Cha" is a form of Chinese restaurant here. You get little teapots of tea, hence "cha" and waiters roll around these carts of food and you can pick what you like and put it on the lazy susan in the centre of the table for everyone to share, hence the "yum". So much fun!
Nobody does fireworks displays like Sydneysiders!!!
Australian TV has too many commercial breaks...
The stereotype of Aussies and the "barbies" is true. They love em.
The stereotype of Aussies calling women "Sheila" is not true since the 50's.
Irish Bars get embarrassingly messy at night. Shameful.
World Bar in Kings Cross sells delicious "teapots" full of alcohol shots. Yum.
Sydneysiders spend a LOT of time complaining about CityRail.
Coffee is very awkward to order. Skinny low fat mocha decaf anyone?
Sydney has gotten the best monopoly on beautiful harbour, beaches, parks and lifestyle we have yet seen in the world!

Now, onwards to see the diversity the rest of Australia has to offer!!! We've packed the Tarago (Privia) with our stuff, bought WWOOFing books and maps, and are ready for road!!!

*This is simply our opinion, don't be going getting offended.*