How to Get Around Sydney- Smooth Sailing in the Harbour City
Whether you’re most enamoured by vibey upscale neighbourhoods, sparkling sapphire harbour, expressive heritage architecture, MasterChef-style eateries, or lush parks, there are plenty of hidden gems to chase in elegantly vibrant Sydney. Here’s all you need to know before exploring this classy and charismatic cityscape, from savouring trendy inner-city neighbourhoods and rustic farmer’s markets to discovering secret beaches and embarking on bucket-list-worthy day trips.
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Own an Opal Card
In an urbanized utopia of scenic bayside routes, undulating tree-lined avenues, and picturesque laneways, it's best to ditch the car and choose the user-friendly convenience of Sydney’s top-tier public transport system. Whether your wanderlust bug is making you itch towards surfing at Bondi Beach, a cinematic architectural tour of the Sydney Opera House, a splash-worthy jet boat escapade across the gorgeous harbour, or a delicious gourmet picnic at Wendy’s Secret Garden, your dreams for affordable and uninhibited adventuring in this stunning city can come true with a simple tap! This smart card is the best way to add value to your Sydney expeditions, allowing you to roam wherever you want without being charged more than a capped charge within the Opal network. You can purchase this savvy smart card from airports, train stations, and most retailers in the city.
Find the Nearest Bus Hub
A hop-on-hop-off bus tour is one of the most fun and intimate ways to siphon the diverse sensations of this city, especially if you’re lucky enough to board a Big Red Bus and claim a windswept roof seat! Unlike rail and water transport, no area of Sydney is overlooked by its comprehensive bus network, from Watsons Bay to Bondi Junction and Wynyard to Mona Vale, you’ll have plenty of interestingly offbeat routes to enliven your city chronicles.
Board the Light Rail
Your Aussie experience will not be complete unless you tick off the iconic tram ride from your travel checklist, and Sydney’s light rail is the next best alternative to walking if you want to truly immerse yourself in the gorgeous quirks of the city’s interior enclaves. Aussie trams are smoother on the road than buses and you can’t miss one as they are frequently on the go. Therefore, whether you’re headed from the CBD to ogle at the jaw-dropping sights of Circular Quay, to get your atmospheric fix of art, heritage, and mouthwatering food at The Rocks, to satisfy your craving for some regal ecotherapy at the Royal Botanic Gardens, or to take some Insta-worthy pictures when George Street lights up, the light rail is your best mode of exploring Sydney’s hidden powerhouses.
Get those Legs Pumping
If you’re feeling rejuvenated after a lip-smacking brunch and some perfectly roasted artisanal coffee, pull on those trainers and get walking! Melbourne isn’t the only Oz city with fascinating laneways and vibrant grungy-chic districts, and you won’t regret immersing in Sydney’s diverse ‘villages’, from the classy thoroughfares lined with designer boutiques at Paddington and the boho-style vibes of Newtown, with its vintage curios and authentic accessories, to the living museum of Surrey Hills, perfect for a dose of picturesque history, one-of-a-kind souvenir, and contemporary artisanship. It’s no secret that if you’re in Australia, things to do that entice every brand of thrill-seeker are plenty. Look no further than The Vacation Gateway for a customized adventure chasing authentic indulgences in this decadently ambient cityscape.
Hop on a Ferry
Whether it’s paddling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset with a flat white in hand, gawping at the dazzling harbourside neighbourhoods as you tear through the jewel-toned bay in the famous Manly Ferry, or getting the better of ferocious Sydney traffic by zooming to your business event, dinner date, or shopping expedition via water taxi, viewing the sprawling city from the water yields a rejuvenating perspective of its alluring dimensions.
