We recently read that Sydney will be visited by a staggering 10 million visitors over Australia’s pleasant summer months, comprising mainly Northern Hemisphere visitors on their winter travels,
Wow. That’s a LOT of people!
“So what’s so special about this city?” you might ask. While Sydney is a regular on global rankings as one of the best cities in the world, we’ve listed out some of the amazing things you can do, see, and experience that really make it an excellent winter travel destination.
It’s a City You Can Enjoy From the Water
Image via Dhinesh Manuel
Leaving from famous Sydney Harbour, you can take any number of ferry cruises. Whether it’s the scenically fabulous Manly Ferry, the history and art that surrounds the ride to Cockatoo Island, or others like Darling Harbour and Mosman, you’ll get to see iconic landmarks like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge without having to jostle with landlubbers and fend off selfie sticks.
You Can Bask in the Glory of Its Many Beaches
Image via Flickr CC – eGuide Travel
While Bondi has a reputation for its golden sands and turquoise waters, don’t forget the other beaches that make Sydney a beach bum’s paradise. Manly, Dee Why, Bungan, Long Reef, and Avalon are just some of the great stretches of beach that can be easily accessed from the suburb of Manly itself. Whether you want to lounge, surf, or dabble in other water sports, you’ll find that Sydney is the perfect winter travel destination to have some fun in the sun.
It’s Not Too Far From Wine Country
For the wine connoisseur, Australia definitely holds plenty of surprises. The wine country in Hunter Valley is only a couple of hours outside Sydney and is a welcome break from the bustle of the city. For the not-so-connoisseur among us (myself included), there’s tons of lush beauty, deliciously complex wines, and carefully crafted cheeses to complement them – so you really will be guaranteed a good time!
You Can Get Some History Served up on The Rocks
Right under the the Harbour Bridge lies a scraggly formation of rocks where the first Western settlers of Sydney arrived. As you may have guessed, this means there’s also a lot of history in and around “The Rocks.” You can take a self-guided tour of some of the oldest pubs and restaurants in the neighborhood, and also hear stories of rowdy sailors and violent gangs. Want to learn more about native Aboriginal history? There are plenty of tours that start off from under the bridge, covering ancient stone carvings in the area and Aboriginal whale watching spots.
TIP: Stand outside Cadman’s Cottage at 6 pm on any day to get a FREE historic tour by I’m Free Tours, where guides will share exciting stories and adventures centered around the historic buildings and alleyways of the neighborhood!
You Can Watch the Cricket at the SCG … or Just Drink Beer for 5 Days
image via Flickr CC – vijay chennupati
For most, watching a game of test cricket (a 5-day game) might draw the yawns (and you thought a game of baseball went on for too long!), but for sport-crazy Australia, watching the Boxing Day test at the historic Sydney Cricket Grounds against any team Australia plays is a biggie. Don’t understand cricket? No worries mate…just share a few VBs with the colorful crowd and soak up the December sun.
The Food Is Diverse and Pioneering
You might feast on emu skewers and kangaroo steak at an upscale establishment in Circular Quay, or just have some authentic Chinese, Vietnamese, and Singaporean fare in the more laid-back Spice Alley. From award-winning chefs who are blazing a bold path in fusion to tasty meat pies and sausage rolls for take-out, you’ll have plenty to savor in Sydney.
You Can Party Like Royalty at Kings Cross
While the area has a notorious history of crime, it’s also the liveliest part of town, especially during the summer, featuring great bars, clubs, and live music around every corner. Its bright lights and Vegas street vibe maybe exactly what some crave, but if you want other nightlife options you can always hit the trendy Newtown neighborhood as well.
The People Are Mighty Friendly
From all the “how’s it going mate?”s you’ll hear while you’re in the country, you can be guaranteed that Aussies are a super friendly bunch. The diverse communities that make up Sydney are no exception, and you’ll find that making friends over a few beers isn’t as challenging as you thought – fair dinkum!
Have you been to Sydney recently? tell us what you think about the city in the comments below!
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