The Last Bit of Sydney

Today was my final full day in Sydney, and I have to say over the last 8 days my fondness for this city has grown. When I first arrived I have to say I wasn`t that big of a fan. Yes the harbor was beautiful, but I just found it hard to get around and navigate. But I have learned with a map and a will to get lost (yes to get lost) you can really learn your way. Making mistakes is when the greatest amount of learning happens.


This morning I headed over to circular quay to tackle the biggest (if not 2nd biggest) icons in Sydney, the Opera House. I took an hour long tour of the inside which was very informative, interesting and offered a new perspective of the this marvellous structure.
Some things I learned about the Opera House...

• It is situated on Bennelong Point 
• The construction of the Opera House was 10 years and $95 million dollars over budget (woops!) 
• The $95 million dollar deficit was paid off in only 18 months by the lovely gamblers of NSW in the Opera House lottery 
• The Opera House was opened in 1973 by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

There were many other things I learnt, but we`ll stick with those for now. Overall I`m very glad I did the tour. 

Inside the Utzen Room in the Opera House

After the tour I took a walk through Hyde Park and visited the ever so elaborate Anzac Memorial to learn a bit about the role Australians have played in many significant wars. 

This evening I took a fairy ride from Darling Harbor to Luna Park and then to Circular Quay. I got some great views of the harbor at night and it was nice to have a wander around the magical Luna Park. 

Ahoy Matey

Today seemed to be all about the Sydney ferries.

In the morning I headed over to Darling Harbor to have a brief stroll around before hopping on a ferry over to Circular Quay (the main ferry hub where the opera house is). Then I caught a ferry over to Manly, where I went to the Oceanworld aquarium. I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. It was really small and a bit run down, but they had a cool overhead aquarium where you could walk through and see sharks and sea turtles. They also had a little touch pool where you got to feel some creatures and urchins of the ocean. After the aquarium I went for a walk along Manly beach and through the main shopping area, before catching a ferry back to Circular Quay.

My next stop was over to Bondi Junction, a main shopping hub, to run a few errands. Then it was back to the hostel for a cool dip in the pool before dinner.

Only 1 more day left in Sydney :(

Sydney Day 5

Well what can I say another lovely day in Sydney. The sun is shining and I’m here!

Today I moved hostels, so this morning I took one final walk along Bondi. The atmosphere there is just amazing. Even at 9am the beach is full of life with surfers surfing, kids playing, people running; it really is one of a kind. With sand still on my feet from Bondi I headed into the city. I did some walking around George St. a very prominent shopping district, where I came this piece of artwork putting Louis Vittons to good use.

Next stop was to ‘The Rocks’ precinct where I had a walk around exploring some of Sydney`s oldest buildings. Wouldn`t you like a view like this from your front door…

The harbor bridge is probably the biggest (if not 2^nd biggest) icon of Sydney. So the next part of my day was spent learning all about it. The favorite tourist thing to do in Sydney is to climb the bridge on the ‘Harbor Bridge Climb’. But because I don`t have an extra $250 to spare, I decided to do the next best thing available and climb one of the pillars. This has been one of my favorite things I have done in Sydney so far. It gave a fabulous lookout from the top and was a great lesson in the history and building of the bridge!

After climbing the pillar I took the walk from the South side of Sydney to the north across the bridge. With more fabulous views along the way!

Tonight I ventured back to bondi to have share dinner with a friend at the delicious Bondi Pizza! Only 2 more days to go in Sydney and yet so much still to see and do! 

The Zoo With a View

Today was my 4th day in Sydney, and I decided it was time to venture across the harbor. So this morning I took the ferry over to the Taronga Sydney Zoo.

The best part about the zoo is that it is located on a hill, giving you a picture perfect view of the harbor (and all its famous landmarks) while roaming and looking at the animals.

Some of the highlights were getting to see the 3 baby tiger cubs born in October, watching the very funny seal show and seeing elephant playtime.

New Years Day

How lucky am I to be able to say that I got to spend my NY day on Bondi Beach.

After a nice sleep in, and a morning walk from the South all the way to the North end of the beach, I settled into a nice spot on the beach at about noon. And thank goodness I did...

By about 3 o`clock, you were lucky if you could find a morsel of sand that wasn`t covered by a towel or a bum.

It was a fun day reading on the beach, jumping waves in the water and checking out the Bondi Sunday market.

Could you ask for a better New Years Day?

Happy New Year!!

Since the beginning of my time here in Australia, it was always my goal to be in Sydney for New Years, to witness live the amazing harbor bridge fireworks display I have seen broadcasted on tv time and time again.

So yesterday was THE day. Many people had talked about going to clubs, or concerts, but I have always known I had to see the fireworks. There are a number of viewing points for the fireworks. Everything ranging from $1000 tickets for yachts to $400 dinner parties, to the public free viewing areas. Because my lottery numbers have yet to be called I stuck with the public viewing area.

Many people had said that the public viewing areas get very very full, so you have to go early. So I had planned to meet some other au pairs at the grounds at 9:00 (gates open at 10:00 btw) to make sure we got a good spot. I ended up getting there a bit later to the graces of this...

Only really about 1/4 of the line

3 hours of waiting in line later I finally got in! Which brings us to 1:00; a whole 11 hours until midnight. 

Lots of games, walks, reading, music listening killed 8 hours, when the 9:00 kids fireworks display went off. 

Then some napping and coffee carried us all the way until the countdown. Then it was HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

The fireworks were crazy coming from all directions. My favorite had to be the ones coming off the bridge. The finale lit up the whole sky, engulfing the whole harbor in color and light. 

And with a quick 10 minute blink, it was over. 2012 had arrived, and we got to witness one of the most amazing NYE fireworks displays in the world. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! And all the best for 2012! 

Day 1 in Sydney

Yesterday was my first full day here in Sydney. I started off the day by boarding the Hop on Hop off bus tour that departed from Bondi and took me around the city and gave me a better lay of the land. One of my first stops was the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbor. This garden transports you to another location, harboring beautiful Chinese architecture and plants. At the garden I enjoyed a lovely lunch of Jasmine Tea and Dim Sim. From there I did some more walking around Darling Harbor before getting back on the bus.

My next stop was Circular Quay which harbours the famous Sydney Opera House. I didn`t go inside today, but just walked past on my way to the Botanical Gardens. I had a nice wander around the botanical gardens, which have the most fabulous views of the harbour.

Then it was back on the bus to see some other cool sights, before heading back to Bondi.

Last night I met up with a friend and we had dinner on the harbour overlooking the bridge. And that just about completed day 1.