Digging up the ultimate in Down Under discoveries, here is a guide to food, fashion and everyone’s favourite sights of Sydney that tourists won’t want to miss. From walking the white sandy Bondi Beach to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from lunching in the celeb-homed Eastern suburbs to shopping for Australia’s greatest fashion designers we have the ultimate way to design everyone’s perfect day.
First stop? The Sydney Harbour Bridge. Named as one of Australia’s most iconic structures, it really is a sight to behold. Built in 1923 the bridge is a pillar of celebration, which draws thousands of tourists worldwide. So, if you’re looking to recommend an adventure, then point willing participants to the steel structure, have them sign up and ensure early bookings because there’s a waiting list. On the day of the walk wanderers need to arrive at the climb base, which is situated at The Rocks and prepare for the three-and-a-half-hour experience. It’s not for the faint-hearted and there are a number of health and safety checks to pass. But the great thing is children can climb too and there are four climbs a day, which start from A$148 ($103) for adults and A$118 ($82) for kids. If you’re wondering if there’s a cheaper alternative, there is! At just A$13 ($9) there’s a route for the less adventurous, the pylon lookout climb, which has equally breath-taking views. Scaling 200 steps, views from the top provide a bird’s eye view of the bay, which takes in the Opera House, Circular Quay and the cruise liner terminal set against the city backdrop, which is unparalleled. History buffs will also enjoy the museum set up in the tower, which holds historical photos that hang on the walls. Next on the must-do list is to take the ferry over to Manly from Circular Quay. It’s a 45-minute journey and once there, a stop for lunch is essential. Highly recommended are the classic Australian fish and chips, which are best enjoyed on the beach. The ferry also goes to another popular Sydney destination, the Taronga Zoo. Cuddling a koala, feeding the kangaroos and getting up close with all of Australia’s other native animals are doable here. Insist on packing a camera.As far as sightseeing goes, if visitors do nothing else in Sydney then you can be sure they take the scenic oceanic walk from Bondi through to Bronte. The iconic path is built along the cliff top that overlooks the beach and depending on the time of year the visit is, whales and dolphins are easily spottable. Booking surf lessons is also advisable. Enjoying the Eastern Suburbs is easy and a stop for lunch at one of the cute cafes along the beach requires keeping eyes peeled for local and international celebrities including Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue, who owns a home here.When it comes to fashion, some would argue that Sydney is the fashion capital of the country. There are so many pockets of places worth splashing cash but some of the better-known shopping districts include the Central Business District, Bondi Junction, Oxford Street and Double Bay. On Oxford Street there’s a collection of cool and contemporary clothing stores including Australian designers Sass & Bide and Josh Goot. There are also side streets that spark shopper’s interests, thanks to the little boutiques that are littered along the sidewalk. One in particular, which has become a Sydney institution, is The Corner Shop. Another popular shopping spot is the upmarket Double Bay, which is home to Belinda, one of Australia’s chicest shops. In the Central Business District there’s David Jones and Myer, Australia’s only two luxury multi-brand department stores. Also instead of burning the credit card, a stop at the museums, gardens and art galleries is a must in the city for a culture fix. In particular, the Powerhouse Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens are all worth visiting. Then there’s Bondi Junction, which is a shopping mall packed with fashion and food. The food court even has views out to the Sydney Harbour. Speaking of food, The Grounds is a new trendy must-visit food market. It’s extremely busy on weekends so getting there early for coffee, cakes and a gourmet breakfast is the thing to do. For something a little underground in the Eastern Suburbs try The Spot, which has a great choice of restaurants and local cafes not known to many tourists. We recommend The Spanish Fly.So the next time you’re asked about Sydney, or if you’re planning a visit, know that this city has a spot for everyone. However this city is conquered, few are disappointed.By Shannon Wylie
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Australia’s Arabia
DID you know that in Sydney the second most spoken language is Arabic? With that comes a mouth-watering array of Middle Eastern, Lebanese and Turkish restaurants, which can be found across Sydney. Some of the most popular include the Middle Eastern bakery Kazbah at Potts Point, the mezza-inspired Almond Bar at Darlinghurst, the award-winning Al Aseel restaurant in Newtown, the belly-dancing Arabella in Newtown and Chahine Lebanese Cuisine at Bankstown. There are helpful halal maps available online too.
Also there are many mosques located across Sydney from the Central Coast to the City and inland to the surrounding suburbs. For a list of mosques in the various areas, visit idca.org.au.
Then if you’re tourists are looking to take a little piece of Australia home, look to the local Arabic fashion designers including Aheda Zanetti and Aida Zein, whose designs are available in Sydney. There are also a variety of shops selling modest clothing, abayas and thobes including Hijab House, Soiree and Arabian Style.