Things to Do in The "City" Part of Sydney?

ego22 on 22/09/2018 - 16:06
Last edited 22/09/2018 - 17:42 by 1 other user

Me and my gf are traveling to Sydney for 4 days next month for our anniversary. She has never been there before but really wants to go, I would rather not, but it's just happening now.

We are staying near Darling Harbour. And just want to know what we should do or visit while there. Anything around the city area that is like 1 or 2 train stops away or better yet uber.

Some things we already thought of are the normal attractions.

Harbour bridge climb (maybe).
Opera house.
Walk around the rocks.
Taronga zoo.
Sea life.
Botanic gardens.
Want to do the Bondi to Coogee beach walk, Looks amazing.

Don't know what else to do, my sister said go to Sydney fish market? Should we go? Even though we don't… Buy fish?
recommendations for places to eat?
What are the good shopping places around? And there are alot of museums around which ones are worth going?

Travel New South Wales Sydney

Comments

          • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2018 - 20:33

            @John Kimble: The 3 year old looked like he wanted to kill himself!! Jesus John, lighten up.

      • MessyG on 25/09/2018 - 14:28
        +5

        What sort of man doesn't want to be stuffed with sambos, pies, scones, cakes booze all while his lady adores him for being there?! That's crazy talk.

      • ldt on 26/09/2018 - 15:55
        +2

        High Tea is awesome and every man should get to experience it at least once.

  • zrmx on 24/09/2018 - 15:14
    +2

    Desserts/Patisserie (even though some aren't in CBD; some may have multiple locations):

    There are many many more if you look up desserts and patisserie in Sydney online.

  • Mentallysick on 24/09/2018 - 15:23
    +1

    Hey No one mentioned about Parramatta.

    Do a ferry ride from Circular Quay to parra and thank me later.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 16:08
      +7

      the rivercat ride is nice, but then you end up in parramatta

    • John Kimble on 24/09/2018 - 18:21

      Surely you jest?

    • smuggler on 25/09/2018 - 18:19
      +1

      Yeah, don't.

      Take a ferry to MOsman and get off at Taronga Zoo. THank me later.

  • iversonjack on 24/09/2018 - 16:27

    Mrs Macquarie's Chair near the Botanic Gardens is awesome to get view of the City, Opera House and Harbour Bridge all in one. Suggest to go before midday as in the afternoon you'd get the sun shining at you while taking photos.

  • GourmetFoodie on 24/09/2018 - 17:56

    Not sure of budget but a boozy lunch at Catalina's is always memorable.
    Cockatoo Island can be a bit unique, especially if any special events on.
    QVB is most classy shopping and tea rooms enjoyable.
    Botanical gardens walk.
    Pizza at Hugo's manly

  • Marty-69 on 24/09/2018 - 18:27
  • Yummy on 24/09/2018 - 20:19
    +1

    Depend on when you are coming over, there are plenty of festivals happening in OCT, eg: Sydney Night noodle market, Leichhardt Italian festa, Parramatta Lanes, etc.

  • frostman on 24/09/2018 - 20:30

    Sydney (City) is boring as hell, been here many years now - useless.
    * Arrogant and uptight people (compared to Melbourne)
    * Ferris Wheel is an insult to 'City Ferris Wheels' like London Eye
    * Expensive food anywhere you look unless u go for takeaway franchises like Subway
    * Hard to find a café that can serve decent coffee (compared to Melb.)
    * If you're driving, good luck; half the roads closed due to constructions
    * City is dead beat after 6pm except Fri/Sat night
    * Too many annoying buskers and beggers roaming + drunktards on random nights screaming
    * Boring theme attractions; Wild Life World, Aquarium and Taronga Zoo - bland and bat-shit boring
    * Someone suggested The Rocks Markets, BAH! You'd find soap there for $5 a bar, and shitty home-made necklaces for $15

    Only few good tips:
    * Walk around Botanic Garden starting Mrs Macquarie Chair
    * Streets of Barangaroo as a nice vibe with great ice-cream

    • MessyG on 25/09/2018 - 14:25
      +3

      I've found Melbourne people to be waaaay more uptight and rigid than Sydney people (although I agree Sydneysiders are more arrogant). Melbournians also suffer this strange dichotomy of helping the starving kids in Africa but f*** everyone over the other side of the Westgate bridge.

      And Melbourne CBD is a drug den these days, at least in Sydney you can walk over to Mrs Macquaries Chair, go for a swim at Boy Charlton then have dinner at one of the great restaurants on the wharf at Woolloomooloo. Try having a nice evening in St Kilda without getting hassled by a junkie. It's just not concentrated into a few blocks like Melbourne is. I moved back to Melbourne from Sydney a couple of years ago, I don't think Sydney is that much more expensive by comparison anymore, it was when I left 12 years ago but these days the two cities are very similar except Melbourne has no seabaths and everyone suffers really bad seasonal affective disorder from the crapola prolonged winters.

    • JTTheMan on 26/09/2018 - 10:43

      Yes, Sydney used to be awesome until all the outsiders (especially the one's from Melbourne!) moved here and ruined it!

  • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2018 - 21:24
    +1

    Hi Op,

    if gf has never been to Sydney before and wants to go would suggest the following for anniversary on a nice day. get yourself a picnic blanket 1 or 2 chiller bags from coles or woolies.. one morning let the gf sleep in head out get yourself some picnic supplies …. take an uber to blues point reserve and have a nice anniversary picnic

    https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-people-picnicking-on-the-l…

    im sure she will love it!

  • wtigers on 24/09/2018 - 21:42
    -4

    Sydney is boring that is all..Lockout laws have killed it

  • Freaksta on 24/09/2018 - 22:03

    Free walking tour (normally tip though) was really interesting in Sydney.

  • drfuzzy on 24/09/2018 - 22:16
    +12

    Take a free personality test at the Church of Scientology.
    Walk up Pitt st and accept a coupon for a special introductory rate of one month's parking for only $499.00.
    Say hi to the homeless man who sleeps in the middle of Pitt St outside ANZ bank.
    Walk slowly through Townhall station during peak hour and smile at everyone who yells at you to walk faster.
    Go to an open for inspection for any new 2 bedroom apartment in the city. Offer only $1 million and be quickly declined by the real estate agent.

  • Flanders on 24/09/2018 - 22:57

    Paddy's markets is good for shopping. Dont expect high quality, but lots of cheap stuff there. I quite enjoy looking round there every now and then. I Rarely buy anything besides $5 sunnies (about 100 pairs to choose from $5 each) , but enjoy walking round and looking round there.
    Also you have Chinatown accross road from Paddy's markets. Kind of interesting also. For something quirky, line up and try the 'emperor's puffs' in chinatown. Only served in the evening, draws such a crowd always. They are nice tasting fresh pastries filled with custard (3 for $1) .
    NAVY MUSEUM, in Darling harbour would be worth checking out. Also you have Maddam Tussad's wax museum and also aquarium (both Darling Harbour) .
    Ferry from Circular Quay that goes to Darling Harbour is nice . To go under harbour bridge in ferry is quite awesome. Ferry goes past Luna park, another cool thing to see. Free entry. Pay if you want to go on rides. Nice location just for a walk along waterfront .

  • cardboardbox on 24/09/2018 - 23:11

    Start the day at Brickfields Bakery for brunch (great 🥐 and ☕️ and 🍰)
    , then head down the road to the White Rabbit gallery (free and excellent private collection of contemporary chinese art). Sometimes the old brewery markets are on - they’re ok). Bring your swimmers and wander down to Victoria Park pool for a dip and lazing on the grass.

    Have a burger and drinks at the pop up Night Hawk Diner or to Ester for amazing food. Otherwise for Asian food, Spice Alley is a upmarket hawker style group of stalls. Pretty good hanianese chicken rice, roti, laksa etc. Koi Dessert bar to end your meal.

    Hm drinks.. head over to the Old Clare Hotel. Then walk back to Darling Harbour.

  • Johnx on 25/09/2018 - 01:06
    +2

    Gumshara in Chinatown for ramen

  • MisterTee on 25/09/2018 - 13:23
    +1

    Ferry to Manly, as people have said, is great. If you do it, make sure you walk to Shelley Beach and back (south headland of beach). However another alternative is the ferry to Watsons Bay. Just as pretty, but no retail shops, so not the same crowds. Go for a walk around south head, and then get yourself a bucket of prawns and a beer at the pub (don't do Doyles).

    Sydney has a few "hipster" cocktail bars that I find fun to hop between for an evening. They are a bit busy on weekends, but nicer mid week. Go to places like Palmer and Co, Stitch, Baxter, Barbershop, Shady Pines. I'm sure there are more I don't know of… The cocktail bar at the top of the Shangrila Hotel is amazing, but not hipster, and busy at sunset, but has one of the best views in all of Sydney.

    A picnic at Botanical gardens is great (if the weather holds up). Go to Woolies metro near Town Hall or Wynyard to get your groceries, and then get an uber down there.

    Despite what the Melbournians may think, there is enough good coffee in the CBD. Get the beanhunter app to help with that. I personally like Gumption in the Strand Arcade.

    Definitely do the Bondi to Coogee walk.

    Taronga Zoo is great. I love it. Doesn't matter how much it costs. Do it. Never done bridge climb (SOOOOO expensive).

    Have a drink at Opera Bar at sunset (right near opera house) (get there before the city workers clock off, and there are HEAPS of seagulls so avoid food if you particularly hate them). Yes the beers are kinda crap, and yes they are expensive. But you're paying for the view, and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than renting an apartment in the toaster buildings for the same outlook.

    The walk around the rocks, Walsh Bay and Barangaroo is lovely. Have a drink at Lord Nelson, and then another at the Theatre Bar at the end of one of the wharfs in Walsh Bay. And then another at the top of Hotel Palisade.

    • kerfuffle on 26/09/2018 - 11:36

      there are HEAPS of seagulls so avoid food

      Can confirm; one stole a strand of pasta from my plate when I was moving from outside the restaurant to inside due to poor weather

  • citybargainhunter on 25/09/2018 - 20:48
    +1

    If you're into food:

    Crown St, Surry Hills
    Spice Alley, Chippendale
    Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
    King St, Newtown
    The area around Chinatown for Chinese/Korean/Thai/Japanese food

  • HoneyComb on 25/09/2018 - 23:20

    Take the train. stop at Milsons point. 1-2 train stops from city and about 2 minutes train ride from city.
    Go stop at North Sydney pool.

    Views are impressive

    https://assets.atdw-online.com.au/images/b50848a1252676bc8f6…

    Great if you are into the whole selfie photo social media thing. good for some drone photos of yourself in the pool with the bridge in the back. there is some drone restrictions around the city so you will need to look that up if you want drone photography.

    https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Recreation_Facilities/Poo…

    • ssjwill on 26/09/2018 - 17:18
      +2

      Take the train, get stuck on it for a few hours because something malfunctioned 10 suburbs away

  • brawndo on 26/09/2018 - 05:27

    Good food month is on in October. Check out what's happening when you're around.

    https://www.goodfoodmonth.com/sydney/

  • Cletus vandamme on 26/09/2018 - 08:30
    +4

    Visit Lakemba thank me later.

    • JTTheMan on 26/09/2018 - 10:46

      Ha, ha this is classic! :)

  • pantsparty on 26/09/2018 - 10:43

    Do not goto the fishmarkets - it is super slummy and you will have to fight through hundreds of Chinese tourists - not worth it

  • ssjwill on 26/09/2018 - 21:44
    +1

    go see the bin chicken exhibition at Darling Harbour

  • TransportPosters on 03/10/2018 - 22:45

    There was a good secondhand bookshop on one of the main streets from memory, if you're into collecting books.

    • kerfuffle on 03/10/2018 - 22:47

      If you're not into secondhand books, Kinokuniya and Dymocks are the big bookshops in town

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join