With the arrival of British Convict ships intent on forming a settlement in 1788, the history and landscape of Australia was forever changed – and Sydney is where it all began. A town known for beaches, beauty and a “work hard, play harder” attitude, Sydney is a place you won’t soon forget.
Zoo Adventures
For a scenic arrival, get the ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. As you sweep across one of the world’s most breathtaking harbours, you can spot Sydney’s most iconic landmarks – the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Once at the zoo, you can see the amazing exhibits featuring more than two thousand animals. There are even accommodation options were you can see “behind the scenes” of the zoo and get up close and personal with the fauna. For more adventure-seeking visitors, there’s an exciting ropes course to tackle as well, giving you the chance to see the zoo from a whole new angle. Animal lovers also won’t want to miss the more aquatic adventures to be found at Sydney Sealife Aquarium – with six million litres of water in their exhibits and a wide range of hands-on experiences, the whole family is sure to be delighted.
Iconic Explorations
Of course no guide to Sydney is complete without mentioning the two biggest landmarks in town – the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are lots of exciting ways to explore these two titans in ways most tourists never get the opportunity to. The “Bridge Climb” over the harbour bridge is for those who relish a physical challenge, who are willing to conquer their fear of heights and do something extraordinary – the reward is one of the most spectacular views you could ever hope to see and the thrill of knowing you’re a true adventure seeker. The Opera House hosts more than two thousand events each year – whether music, dance, theatre or comedy is your thing you should take the time to check out a show or two while you’re in town. There are also guided walking tours of the surrounds, and even “backstage passes” where you can see the inner workings of an Australian Cultural stronghold like no other.
Colonial History comes to Life
As Australia’s first European Settlement, Sydney is rich with cultural history – and much of the convict-era and beyond can still be seen to make its mark on the city. The picturesque and historical suburb of The Rocks is the place to begin your adventure into history – take a walking tour to see what remains of the original British Settlement, as you are led by experienced guides through the warren-like laneways, unlocking the stories of the colonial era as you go. There are even tours through this area that focus on all the pubs and hotels, so if you’d prefer your historical discoveries to have regular beverage and snack breaks, this is a delicious way to explore this part of Sydney.
Harbour Blues
Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s largest and there are an endless number of ways to explore it. From the public transport ferries to every kind of charter imaginable, its worth spending time getting out on the water one way or another. In whale season, take a speedboat out towards open sea and have an unforgettable encounter with a friendly giant of the sea. In the evenings, you have plenty of options for romantic dinner cruises while you take in the sights, or for a more hands-on experience, join the crew of one of the Tall Ships on one of their interactive sea voyages.
