I caught my first glimpse of Sydney in the early-morning sun after I stumbled off a 12-hour overnight sleeper train from Melbourne.
Utterly dazzled by the city’s beauty, I wondered if I was just sleep deprived, but by the end of my week’s stay I could confirm I was no less wowed by the views than at the start. Here’s how to make the most of Sydney’s famous skyline.
If you’re desperate to get straight to the iconic views of the city, the best and most dramatic way to see the Sydney Opera House is to go up the east side of the domain past Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – also worth seeing in its own right – so you come out directly opposite the impressive Australian landmark.
You can also pop inside the Opera House for a tour, which is really interesting and also gives you some great views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from a different perspective.
If that’s still not good enough you can take part in the Harbour Bridge Climb, which is expensive but absolutely worth the money for the breath-taking views into the distance. You also get to hear about the history of the bridge and some great stories from the guide who takes your group through the climb. Not one for those scared of heights!
If you’re looking for something a little more budget friendly, there are plenty of coastal walks which showcase the best beaches around Sydney. Bondi to Coogee is one of the most popular, and is about 5km in length.
The Spit to Manly walk is more of a challenge with lots of bush walking and steeper parts, and is around 10km in length. There aren’t many fountains along this one so bring plenty of water, and keep your eyes peeled for lizards.
If you can’t be bothered with the walks you could cheat and catch a ferry (no one will know!), with other popular destinations including Watsons Bay where the still-operational Hornby Lighthouse is located. It’s worth wandering along the edge of Darling Harbour, too.
The Sydney Tower Eye at Westfield is an excellent way to see the city from high up, even when the weather in Sydney is being unpredictable. But if you’re keen to escape urban life for a bit you can head a couple of hours away to the Blue Mountains in Katoomba for a day of valley walking and stunning views of the Three Sisters from Aboriginal legend.
A visit to Scenic World offers a (frankly, terrifying) trip on the world’s steepest railway and Australia’s highest cable car.
Where to eat
Sydney is known for excelling at Asian food and seafood in its cuisine, so why not combine the two in one go? Lotus Barangaroo offers a selection of delicious dumplings, seafood stirfrys, succulent prawns and the scarily named Moreton Bay bugs (which are actually a type of lobster) – all while overlooking Darling Harbour.
Heading towards Chinatown you’ll find some great restaurants including Mamak, which is Malaysian, and its staple beverage is its milky teh tarik tea which is apparently ‘stretched’ – I’m still unsure what that means, but I imagine it’s what butterbeer from the Harry Potter books would taste like.
If you’re looking for a special date night, Solander Bar in Sussex Street offers some fancier dishes in its hidden gem of an atrium filled with jungle-esque flora and fauna, which is perfect for al fresco dining during the summer. We had the crispy salmon served with clams and pork cutlets in a smoky sauce, which were both delicious, and couldn’t resist the melt-in-the-middle chocolate fondant for dessert. Oh, and the cocktails are great, too.
Finally, if you’ve got a sweet tooth – or missed the city’s bizarrely early closing time for restaurants – you may wish to take a side on the great ice cream shop debate among Sydney locals. Which is best, Rivereno or Messina? Metro.co.uk prefers to remain impartial and will leave you to investigate and decide.
Where to drink
We went on the hunt for the best skyline bar view of Sydney, and we found it on the 12th floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Zephyr Bar. Head up there just before sunset to catch the light changing across Darling Harbour, accompanied by some delicious cocktails. You may need to book, though, as it’s obviously very popular.
Other bars with great views of note include Untied, at the heart of the central business district and featuring a live DJ on an open-air rooftop. If you want a more relaxed vibe, Henry Deane has indoor and outdoor tables which provide views towards the Harbour Bridge.
Melbourne might be more well-known as a hipster city, but Sydney’s Inner West Ale Trail is a must-see for craft beer enthusiasts who prefer to gaze into their glasses rather than across the city. The area north of Sydenham boasts 13 independent breweries and hundreds of beers to sample. You can find more information and a helpful map on this website.
And finally, if you don’t drink alcohol or just want a sweet treat, pop to the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café and you won’t be disappointed by the smoothness of its classic hot chocolate.
Where to stay
Some of the best views from hotels across the city have to be from the Hyatt Regency in Sussex Street, which is also Sydney’s largest premium hotel. Pop on a fluffy white robe, indulge in a bottle of wine from the minibar and sit on the lounger by the centrepiece window as the sun sets to take in the views across Darling Harbour. The wide selection of food at breakfast doesn’t disappoint, either – particularly the home-made baked beans. Rooms cost around £250 a night.
If you’re looking for a hotel stay which is more intimate and cosy, the West Hotel also in Sussex Street is an excellent option. A smaller boutique hotel which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, a botanical theme brings a more luxurious feel to your stay with flower motifs echoed throughout the property. The Mr Smith miniature toiletries are some of the best quality I’ve seen in a hotel, and the efforts of staff to add personalised touches to rooms during occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day are notable. You’ll be set back about £200 a night for this.
A stone’s throw from Sydney’s Central Station, the Great Southern Hotel is within easy reach of many of the city’s main attractions. The rooms are comfortable, though with fewer amenities than luxury hotels. Rooms cost from around £100 upwards a night.
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