Friday upon arrival was a rather chill day, as the weather was extremely windy and stormy, but offered a good chance to catch up with some friends indoors.
Saturday myself and the 3 friends I was visiting with travelled into the city. First stop was Darling Harbor. This lovely smaller harbor offered a great place to grab lunch on an outdoor patio overlooking the water with fabulous sunshine and views.
After lunch and a walk around taking in the sights of Darling Harbor, we hopped on a ferry to take us to the main sights of Circular Quay. The ferry offered the perfect place to catch a glimpse of what one of the locals called ‘the money shot’, including the opera house and harbor bridge.
Upon reaching Circular Quay a drink was definitely necessary, and what a better place to do so then the Opera Bar directly underneath the Opera House. This was by far one of my favorite things on the short visit, giving me a perfect view of the iconic sites and allowing me to spend some time with magnificent friends.
After drinks it was time to head back to the accommodations and get ready for the evenings festivities. I was very lucky to choose one of the very few weekends where a fireworks display is set off over Darling Harbor at dusk. This was a wonderful treat for the weekend!
The next morning Taryn and I headed out on a 6km walk from Coogee Beach (where she lives) to Bondi. The walk took us just over an hour, but was a lot of fun getting to see everything the Sydney coast had to offer. Once in Bondi, lunch at a local café (Le Paris Go) was well deserved.
From Bondi we took a bus into the city to explore an area called The Rocks and the outdoor market that opens there every Sunday. Another walk around Circular Quay taking in other angles on the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge concluded my Sunday in Sydney.
Monday was my final day in Sydney and called for a trip over to Manly Beach. The half an hour ferry ride over gave some good relaxing time to take in the Sydney coastline. Although not swimming or beach weather, a short walk on the beach and a walk around the Corso looking in shops, concluded our time in Manly.
The ferry ride back to the heart of Sydney presented another great photo-op of the Sydney icons.
A final drink at my favorite Opera Bar and a good catch-up at a rooftop pub in The Rocks concluded my time in Sydney, before having to hustle to my plane which they informed me upon my arrival at the airport was leaving early.
Sydney is an absolutely gorgeous city and I am already scheduling my next trip to take in more of the beautiful sites. But I am happy to be back to my home Melbourne, all snug in my bed.
