Sydney, Australia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FQzlpCYUxA
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I've been very fortunate to visit the wonderful city of Sydney for New Year's on two different occasions; once as a student in 2011 and then again as a co-instructor of ENES 472 in 2016.  Sydney is by far one of my favorite cities and I am more than happy to share some tips on many of the greatest things that it has to offer!

Things to Do in Sydney

Enjoy the Beaches
There are just so many beautiful beaches in Sydney!  Most of these beaches are surrounded by hills and rocks, and have tons of shopping and food right off the beach.  These are some of my favorite beaches!

• Bondi Beach – This is the most iconic beach of Sydney, and is accessible by bus via Hyde Park or Bondi Junction (which is accessible via a train from central station).  The beach is a bit more crowded and perhaps a little "toursity" but it is absolutely beautiful and is a must!
• Manly Beach – This beach is in Northern Sydney and is easily accessible via ferry from Circular Quay. The ferry ride to Manly is quite enjoyable and lasts a little over a half hour.  Be prepared to fight the crowds onto the ferry, but once you arrive at the beach you should have plenty of room as Manly beach is quite big.  The beach is also accessible via Bus, but the ferry ride is a must in my opinion.  
• Coogee Beach – Cool little beach south of Bondi that is not usually as crowded as Bondi or Manly.  This beach has more of a laid back surfer vibe to it than the others which are a little more developed.  
• Ballmoral Beach – More of a “locals” beach with less tourists that has very nice views of large hills in the distance and is accessible via bus to the Mosman district (Just south of Manly Beach)

Partake in Australian Activities

• Go see a Cricket Match – Go to see a Sydney 6’ers Big Bash Cricket Game ($15 general admission).  Whenever something good happens for the home team, giant flames erupt all over the stadium!  Food and drinks at the venue are are surprisingly affordable!
• Sydney Opera House Show – While the Opera House itself is a must see, I'd also recommend going to see a show.  There are always tons of options available, but I'd recommend seeing a comedy, circus performance or even a Cabaret.  
• “Let’s Go Surfing”- Take some surfing lessons or rent a board on the famous Bondi Beach.  https://letsgosurfing.com.au/ 
•  North Sydney Olympic Pool - $7, you can swim in a saltwater pool located just next to Luna Park or lounge about in the lounge chairs.  You are just beneath the bridge with a view of the opera house.  You can take a train or ferry to here, and return to darling harbor

Hang out with Famous Australian Animals

• Featherdale Wildlife Park – Everybody’s favorite place!  Take selfies with Kangaroos, wallabies and everybody’s favorite Koala Bears.  This is essentially a great Australian Petting Zoo, don’t miss out on going to the back to check out Emu’s which are located next to a larger and often less visited kangaroo petting and feeding area. 
• Torranga Zoo – The zoo has nice views of the city and contains a variety of Australian and other animals. The zoo is located North of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
• Cockatoo Feeding- In the botanical gardens, I believe if you go early enough in the morning and bring some food you can have cockatoos land on your head!  Located nearish to the water by some large trees

Enjoy some Special Summer Specific Activities

• St George’s Open Air Cinema – While this is only open in the summer, it is a unique experience.  Watch one of many movies in a lovely venue located in the Botanical Gardens overlooking the Sydney Opera House and the Bridge.  Because the Botanical Gardens doors close at 8 PM, you should try and walk through the park to get to the cinema before it closes, otherwise it is quite a walk to the cinema from Circular Quay.
• The Sydney Festival – Usually located in Hyde Park, there are cool events and food trucks / drinks to enjoy.  This is where we got the Gelato Ice Cream and had a street magician perform. for us.  

Enjoy the Natural Beauty of Australia on these day trips / hikes

• Blue Mountains – Take the train from Central Station to Katoomba (2 hrs) and then purchase a ticket for the red Hop on Hop Off Bus ($35). The bus runs every half hour and stops running around 5 PM, although in the summer there are sometimes extended hours.  Things you should definitely do include:
  • If waiting for the bus, take a stop into the vegan café and enjoy a delicious burrito!  The restaurant is just across from the bus stop about a half a block back next to a souvenir shop. 
  • Katoomba Falls –Spend about 1 – 2 hours at Katoomba Falls Lookout (See the Cable Car ride across the cavern). CLimb up the Katoomba Cascades, and hike down a bit to witches falls and then visit the actual Katoomba falls for some amazing views.  
  • Get off the bus at Honeymoon Lookout and hike from there to the “Three Sisters”.  You will be able to actually hike out and touch the first sister and can walk to echo point for an excellent photo opportunity (1 – 2 hours)
  • The last stop you should do is to check out the Leura Cascades and Falls.  Depending on how long you took with the other parts of your journey take a short walk to the Leura Cascades (reasonably neat to look at) or be a bit more adventurous and walk down to the Leura Falls (1 – 2 hours)
  • After the cascades board one of the last buses and take it to Leura, where you can grab a meat pie or some take away to bring with you on the Train back to Sydney
• Bondi to Coogee Coastal Beach Walk – Typically, the bus to Bondi Beach from the bottom of Hyde Park is relatively crowded so I generally take the bus to Coogee beach and walk from there.  The coastal walk has many nice sites and takes about 3 or so hours.  Feel free to shorten the walk by doing only the Bronte to Bondi portion which should take about 1 – 2 hours. 
• Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and make your way to Macquerie’s Chair which is a nice spot at the northern tip of the gardens that offers excellent views with the bridge and opera house as backdrop.  This is a great thing to do before going to the St. George Open Air Cinema (Described Below).  

Museums, Culture and History

• The Australian Museum – This museum offers a wide variety of exhibits ranging from animal skeletons from Australia and around the world, as well as exhibits on the aboriginal peoples of early Sydney (the official "sorry letter" is displayed here), Rocks and minerals, birds, as well as early Australian explorers.  The museum is located near Hyde Park and is one of my favorites in Sydney. 
• The Sydney Museum – This museum explores the history and heritage of the City of Sydney.  Definitely worth a look to learn more about the city and how it evolved over time.  At one time it had a Lego Exhibit showcasing the many landmarks of Sydney built out of Legos. 
• Free Walking Tour – Free walking tours leave from the center of the city every day at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM.  You can go on about a 2 hour or so walking tour of the city and learn about various stories and history. Tips of the tour guide are pretty much mandatory, and $10 per person is customary. 
• Town Hall – The Town Hall Building can sometimes have cool exhibitions in their main theater area.  I would definitely check it out to see if there are any performances going on during the trip as these exhibitions or shows are quite unique! 
• The Powerhouse Museum – This museum offers rotating exhibits related mostly to Science, but sometimes it displays more grounded in culture.  

 
Shopping

• Paddy’s Market – Excellent place to buy affordable souvenirs (paintings, shirts, boomerangs etc.)  It is located near Darling Harbor, and is easily accessible via the light rail tram. 
• Weekend Street Markets – These usually can pop up all over the place, but you'll almost always find trade goods and food on the weekend in the Rocks District street markets.  Great to see local artisans and try some delicious snacks.  
• Westfield Shopping Center – This is just your standard shopping mall.

Bars / Restaurants
There are not too many “Australian Foods” but while you are in Sydney you should definitely try to enjoy some meat pies, kangaroo / emu / crocodile , and definitely try to track down some gelato donuts.  These are some of my favorite places:

• The Australian Heritage Hotel - This resturant is great because it offers Emu and Kangaroo Pizza, there is also one with Crocodile.  
• Blackbird Café – Try the Kangaroo Steak as well as Potato Wedges with Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream.  This is where our welcome dinner for the study abroad programs is most typically held and it is always good and is in a good location.  
• The Belmont Hotel – Cool Rooftop Bar located in the rocks with nice views of the city and the bridge. 
• Coogee Pavillion – Rooftop Bar at Coogee Beach, great views and excellent vibes!  There is a giant scrabble wall and some other games that you can partake in.  
• Cargo Bar – This restaurant on Darling Harbor offers $10 steaks between Monday and Wednesday Night, although they are cheap they are very good steaks covered in gravy and served with your choice of fries or mashed potatoes. 
• Sydney Opera House Restaurant - While this place is pretty pricey, it is really cool to eat in a building directly adjacent to the Opera House.  I believe that they usually offer discounts to those that are attending a show at the Opera House, so it is a good idea to try and combine the two.  

Quick Meals

• Harry’s Café de Wheels / Meat Pies (The “Tiger” Meat Pie is excellent and topped with mashed potatoes)
• FOGO – A fast food version of Fogo de Cao (Brazilian Meat House).  It's got great and tasty sandwiches.  
• Bar Pho – Get the Pho Burger!

Dessert / Sweet Treats

• Pancakes on the Rocks – This restaurant is open all the time and is famous for offering excellent and decadent pancakes.  
• Messina Gelato - Hot Dog / Corn Dog Gelato! It is very interesting to eat something that looks like a hot dog but is actually ice cream!
• Doughnut Time – A donut shop that at night when they are closing will give you free donuts to ensure that no donuts go to waste!
• Max Brenner’s Chocolate House – The Chocolate Pizza and the “Exploding Chocolate Shot” are most definitely worth a try!
• Gelatissimo – Gelato Filled Donuts!  This may just be the most delicious idea of all time!

Bars

• Scary Canary – Ridiculous Bar with tons of fun themed nights
• Sydney Opera House Bar – Drinks with excellent views of the bridge
• The Ivy – Poolside Bar
• 360 Bar – In the Westfield Tower enjoy drinks and some appetizers in the revolving bar with spectacular views of the city from above

Grocery

• Woolworths
  
• Coles

​New Year's Eve Fireworks
I have never seen fireworks as beautiful or splendid as those over Sydney Harbor on New Year's Eve.  While I am sure anywhere around the harbor is a great spot to watch them, these are two of the places that I have seen them before that afford you some nice views of the fireworks and the Sydney Opera House.  

• The “Domain”
• Lavender Bay

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places visited

Prague, Czech Republic