It may take a while to reach but Sydney is well worth the journey once you get there. From the city lights to the city sights, luxury is just around every corner. Here are the five best things to do on any visit downunder.
The Sydney Opera House
The ‘sails’ of Sydney Opera house dominate the harbour skyline and no matter how many times you see it, the building will take your breath away. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Opera House is used as an entertainment centre made up of not one but six venues. From theatre halls to concert halls, there is always something on worth turning up for. Dine at The Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant underneath the canopy of the smaller sails and literally feel like you are on the other side of the world.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Iconic and majestic, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is synonymous with the Sydney Harbour skyline. Stretching across the water from the south shore to the north, it’s worth hiring a car just to drive across the impressive construction. Designed by a company from the north of England, the original design was based on Hell Gate’s Bridge in New York. Best seen from the top, visitors can embark on the popular Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and scale the steel steps to the top. Book ahead though as it’s very busy.
Taronga Zoo
There are very few zoos in the world with views as spectacular as those from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Stretching out across the harbour from Mosman in the city’s north shore, views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge make for a perfect photo opportunity. Arrive by boat from Circular Quay and enter the zoo aboard the fun-to-ride gondola lift. The zoo itself is a bursting with Australian wildlife from the Tasmanian devil to the Platypus. For a truly unique experience, camp out at the zoo in of their luxurious safari tents and watch the sun rise over the city skyline.
Darling Harbour
Lined with some of Sydney’s most exclusive luxury hotels, Darling Harbour is a vibrant mix of bars, clubs and entertainment opportunities. The Sydney Aquarium and the Maritime Museum can be found here as well as the IMAX cinema and Star City Casino. Evenings are buzzing with bars overflowing onto the promenade and clubs are open late into the night.
Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney can be found at the southern tip of the city overlooking the harbour. Stretching out over 30 hectares, the beautiful gardens are open to the public and free to enter. With some of the most impressive views the city has to offer, you can seek luxury hotels jutting out of the skyline in one direction and the harbour in the other. Grey-headed Flying foxes dangle from trees whilst plats and trees of all varieties spring up in all directions. During the summer months, head to Mrs Macquaries Point and watch a film on the open-air cinema.
Tom Ingrams is a travel writer who specialises in the higher end of the market, paying particular attention to boutique and luxury hotels.
