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It’s difficult to get Down Under from most of the planet, including Jakarta. There is only one non-stop flight to Sydney on Qantas each day and, depending on the season, it could cost you upwards of $700 round trip. There are travel fairs in Jakarta in the malls and sometimes you can catch a deal at one of those. I was able to get a round trip for $350 with a stop in Singapore. Actually, the easiest way to get to Australia from Indonesia is via Denpasar Bali. There are dozens of flights daily to every major city in Australia from Bali, so combining the two destinations for a lengthier trip might be a great option.
It’s easy. Sydney is one of the coolest and most beautiful cities on the planet. That’s all that needs to be said.
The cost of a hotel room in the prime locations of Sydney, such as Darling Harbor, can be astronomical. Instead, I stayed in the outskirts in a suburb called Sydenham, about 8 km from the center. The General Gordon Hotel is across the street from a train station with five trains per hour to Central Station (about a 15-20 minute train ride), so it served as a great base for my visit, and the price was about 40% less than a centrally-located hotel. The General Gordon also has a great pub on the ground floor, which comes in handy for a late meal. As for transportation, use the metro and train system for all aspects of your visit, including your commute to and from the airport. The fares are reasonable, and the trains are clean and comfortable.
When I was a child, I attended the Expo ’74 World’s Fair in Spokane and was fascinated by the massive model of the then-brand-new Sydney Opera House that was the showpiece of the Australian Pavilion. Since that moment I had always dreamed of making a visit to see the place in person, lover of grand, monumental architecture that I am. Wow! My in-person visit didn’t disappoint. I would recommend seeing it from the water by taking a Harbor Tour and by also visiting up close on foot. In addition, I ate a scrumptious dinner on the Opera House Patio, which provided amazing views of the Harbor Bridge. And to top off my visit, I attended a modern dance performance at the Drama Theater, one of the smaller venues of the six theaters that comprise the full Opera House. Just go online and you can find an intriguing performance, but book in advance of your visit as the most desirable shows sell out quickly. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is definitely well worth your time.
The Harbour Bridge is one of the most beautiful in the world. If I hadn’t had knee surgery a decade ago, I would have definitely signed up for the Bridge Climb Tour. I could watch the climbers navigating the immense structure while I was eating dinner at the Opera House and it looked like a cool excursion, so give it a shot if you make it to Sydney. I also didn’t explore any of Sydney’s local beaches as I can get plenty of beach exposure if I choose to in Indonesia. But, if you’re from a beach-deficient part of the world and you’re visiting Sydney during the summer months, then Bondi Beach or Manley (or a few dozen others) might be wonderful places for you to enjoy.
There are dozens of companies offering boat tours of the Sydney Harbor. I don’t have any recommendations, except simply: take one! The views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and the city skyline from the water are incredible.
I had a few hours to kill at Darling Harbor before I took my boat tour from there. The Darling Harbor neighborhood offers several tourist attractions and the one I chose was the trio of very touristy places that are all housed in the same giant building: SEA LIFE Sydney, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo. The zoo is a great opportunity to see the famous animals of Australia such as kangaroos, venomous snakes, koalas, and Tasmanian devils. The aquarium is above average, particularly its large-tank exhibits of manta rays. I am not particularly fond of wax museums, especially their pop-music-centric notions of who is worthy of a wax figure, but it was (very) mildly entertaining. A little pricey and rather touristy, but getting to spend some time with koalas and ‘roos made it all worthwhile.
Make sure you go to Sydney’s oldest neighborhood, first established in 1788. Much of it has been demolished over the years, but there are still several streets remaining with classic old architecture, quaint shops, and trendy eateries.
This Romanesque Revival masterpiece was constructed between 1893-1898 and takes up an entire city block. It was established as a commercial center and remains one to this day. Lots of upscale shops and restaurants, so bring a full wallet if you plan to buy anything. Worth a stroll through, just for the architecture.
This park was established in 1816 and is the oldest scientific institution in Australia. A nice place for a picnic or to find a spot to relax in the shade.
Completed in the 1920s, it is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. A great example of Gothic Revival architectural style.
I visited three very worthwhile museums in Sydney, but there are dozens of others I missed. Research the Internet to find one or two you might enjoy.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is located near The Rocks neighborhood. I found it interesting, especially its contemporary indigenous art, but if avant-garde art isn’t your thing, then you should probably pass.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is the primary art museum of the State of NSW. It was established in 1871 and houses a diverse and comprehensive collection of Australian and international art. It’s a world-class museum well worth a visit.
The Australian Museum is the oldest museum in the country (from 1827) and contains an extraordinary collection of natural history and ethnology. If you’ve been forced to travel with children, then this museum would be the best bet for them to enjoy of the three.
Even after my visit Down Under, I am not sure I can define what Australian cuisine might be. Perhaps it involves vegemite. Perhaps it involves meat “hand pies.” Perhaps it involves lamb. Perhaps it involves steak and fries. The great thing is that a visit to Sydney doesn’t restrict you to any particular food, as almost every type of international cuisine is available in this cosmopolitan metropolis. Strangely enough, my most memorable meal in Sydney was at a Sri Lankan restaurant, Lankan Filling Station. Use your search engine to find the kind of food you desire. By the way, there are new blends of vegemite, which are, in my opinion, tastier than regular vegemite. I purchased a jar of vegemite blended with cream cheese, which I think is quite palatable, but the average person would probably disagree.
