There’s no doubt that Sydney is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and with good reason! With amazing weather, beautiful beaches, and friendly people, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that so many people flock to this amazing city every year. Of course, even those who really love Sydney can often end up overlooking a lot of the things that it has to offer. Sure, Bondi beach is amazing and everyone deserves the chance to enjoy it’s crystal blue oceans and golden sands, but it’s far from all there is to see and do in this amazing city. With that in mind, here are some of Sydney’s more overlooked aspects.
Take a relaxing stroll down the harbor
One of the real jewels in Sydney’s crown has to be Darling Harbor. Whether you’re looking to relax, do some shopping, get yourself fed a delicious meal, or just take in some of the sights, Darling Harbor has a little something for just about everyone! Things like the Carousel, The Maritime Museum and more offer any traveler something interesting and fun to do. Of course, that’s just during the day. At night the Harbour comes alive with restaurants and bars filled with excitement and energy.
Enjoy some culture at the Opera House
There’s a good chance that you’re pretty familiar with the famous Sydney Opera House. It’s one of the most remarkable and distinct structures in the world but it’s good for so much than just a great photo op. The Opera House itself is always home to fascinating and unique shows. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some opera, theatre, or something a little more modern, the Sydney Opera House is one of those places that you really do owe it to yourself to visit at least once in your life. Of course, once you’ve been, you’ll almost certainly want to go again before too long!
Hit the slopes
Yep, you heard right! You might think that the sun-drenched beauty of Sydney couldn’t be less well suited to enjoying some time on the ski slopes but you’d be dead wrong. The truth is that there are a ton of different resorts in and around Sydney with slopes for any skill level. Whether you’ve always wanted to try skiing but never had the nerve, or if you’re a seasoned pro looking for a serious thrill, Sydney’s ski resorts definitely have you covered! Of course, hitting the slopes isn’t exactly the lowest risk activity you can do when you’re traveling so make sure you have skiing or snowboarding travel insurance before you start carving up that snow. After all, the last thing you want is for your vacation to end up getting cut short.
Check out Paddy’s Markets
Paddy’s Markets are some of the most overlooked aspects of this city when it comes to a lot of travelers and that’s an absolute crime! These amazing markets have been a Sydney institution for more than 150 years and they’re still going strong to this day. With over a thousand stalls, this huge market is the perfect place to pick up all of the souvenirs that you could ever hope to get your hands on. Whether you’re looking for something to remember your trip by or you want to bring your family something home, you’re going to be able to find it at Paddy’s Markets. Not only that but you’re sure to find some seriously amazing food there as well. However, the true draw of Paddy’s Markets is the people. The folks working the stalls are going to be able to give you the true taste of what local life in Sydney is like in a way that few other places possibly could.
Climb the harbour bridge
Now, I know what you’re thinking, that sound dangerous and possibly illegal right? Well, the truth is that Sydney harbor is home to one of the world’s only climbable bridges. Of course, you’ll be fitted with all of the necessary safety gear and the whole process will be carefully supervised to ensure that you’re always in the best possible hands. Climbing the harbor bridge is probably not going to be everyone’s idea of a good time but for those looking to get a little extra thrill and excitement out of their vacation, there are few things more fun than making your way to the top. Plus, the view from up there is genuinely breathtaking
Get back to nature
The chance to enjoy some nature might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when a lot of people think about Sydney. After all, Sydney is usually prized for its exciting urban sprawl and thrilling nightlife. But if you want the chance to take it is easy and get back to nature then the city has plenty of places that you can take advantage of. In particular, somewhere like The Royal Botanic Gardens or Garigal National Park are perfect for those who want to get away from it all a little bit. Maybe you’re looking for some time to yourself or you want to take a romantic stroll. No matter what, these places offer a totally different, much quieter and refined side to Sydney that a lot of people tend to miss out on in the rush to see as many of the obvious sights as possible. Not only that but Garigal National Park is filled with traditional aboriginal sites, letting you get a glimpse at the rich and storied history of this amazing city.
Part of the reason that so many people find themselves coming back to Sydney time and time again is that it really is the kind of place where you could find yourself returning every year for the rest of your life and never run out of new and exciting things to discover. If you just see and do the same things every single time you visit any place, it’s going to start to seem boring. Don’t be afraid to get off Sydney’s beaten path and discover something more unusual, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
