You will never be short of things to do in Sydney and NSW. Thankfully, as the weather can be relied on most of the time, Sydneysiders spend most of their time outdoors. The beach plays an important role in people’s lives here as most of them have grown up with one foot in the surf!
In The Water
None of Sydney’s beaches is ever empty and from sunrise to sunset you will find joggers, sun worshippers, tourists and dog walkers enjoying the bountiful sand that Sydney has to offer. Where there’s water there are surfers, who can always be found in abundance, come rain or shine. The surfers’ preferred beaches are Bondi and Manly – which also offers good diving for all scuba enthusiasts. There are plenty of reserves as well which offer safe, calm swimming and are a pleasant alternative to the beach for non-sand lovers.
On The Water
If sailing is your passion or if you have always wanted to learn to sail then you have come to the right town! One of the first things you’ll notice when in the harbour and surrounds are just how many yachts and boats are on the water at any one time. As well as being the ultimate status trophy, boats are a way of life in Sydney and Australia in general.
Cruising in a
sailboat on a beautiful sunny day, taking in the incredible sights of the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge, truly is a magical and memorable experience that I can’t recommend highly enough. Should you be interested in sailing lessons then check out the listings in local papers and magazines or search the internet for classes. There are many companies in the Quay and harbours that offer cruises including sunset and dinner trips. Similarly there are opportunities to fish in and around the harbour, although you should be aware that there are restrictions and rules to be adhered to.
If you prefer to see your fish alive and well then the place to visit is the Sydney Aquarium. It is one of the world’s most impressive aquariums with more than 5,000 different Australian fish displayed in their natural habitats. Visitors can ‘walk on the ocean floor’ through 145 metres of acrylic underwater tunnels, including the infamous shark tank which is home to some of the world’s deadliest sharks. New attractions include a new seal sanctuary where both little and big kids can pass the hours watching the seals at play through the underwater walkway
Out And About
Parks are plentiful in Sydney, even in the city, and can be found at every turn offering a pleasant alfresco dining experience for office workers who escape their office confines to read the paper and have a sandwich with friends.
The largest of the parks is Centennial, in between Paddington and Bondi Junction, which is a popular venue for cyclists, walkers, rollerbladers, picnickers and horse riders. There is a large equestrian centre nearby which is open to the public for rides or lessons. In the summer months, this park hosts the Moonlit Cinema where they screen new and classic movies under the stars. People flock to the park after work to meet friends, armed with blankets and picnics, to enjoy their favourite flicks and have a glass of wine whilst the local bats fly overhead. Not a bad way
to spend the evening.
There is also an outdoor cinema during the summer at Lady MacQuaries Chair which is next to the botanical gardens close to the Opera House. This venue is nothing short of stunning as the screen literally comes up out of the water and the view across the city and harbour bridge on a warm evening makes the evening worthwhile, even if the movie isn’t up to scratch!