Backpacking Sydney Australia
About Backpacking Sydney.
When most people think of Australia they think of Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are
two of the most recognizable images of the modern world.
While Sydney Harbour provides a perfect backdrop to the
white ‘sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, the Opera House
itself, with its distinctive silhouette, has itself become a
symbol of Sydney. This, however, is only one side of the city.
Sydney is a place of many layers, like the sandstone upon
which it is built. Backpackers from overseas can explore these layers to gain a deeper understanding of Sydney and its history. They can discover how Sydney grew from a penal colony of several
hundred people in 1788 to a modern city of over 4 million
people today.
When the First Fleet arrived in Sydney in 1788, Aboriginal people were already living in Australia. Aboriginal settlement in
Australia dates back at least 40,000 years. The Aboriginal people who lived in Sydney were proud, self-sufficient people.
Sydney developed as a maritime city and was a very busy port. Today many of the old inner-city wharves have been redeveloped and places such as the Walsh Bay wharves and Darling Harbour are
home to theatres, shops, restaurants and hotels. Historic areas such as the Rocks, Millers Point and Woolloomooloo which
housed the hundreds of workers from the wharves and the docks of Sydney are now great places for visitors to explore. Sydney’s eastern suburbs are to be found along the southern shores of the harbour and are easily accessible by bus or ferry. Oxford Street, the home of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, extends from the city to Paddington and there is much to see and do along the way. Nearby Kings Cross is Australia’s most densely populated area. It remains a popular destination for visitors. Around the northern edges of the harbour there are many interesting places to explore such as Mosman, Manly and, further north, the northern beaches.
In 2007 Sydney was voted number one city in the world at the US Condé Nast Traveler Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards for a record 12th time. Sydney’s world ranking can be largely attributed to the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics where the city established its presence on the world stage.
Backpacking Sydney; things to do.
Sydney’s beautiful situation gives a gilt edge to many of the city’s sights. For the history enthusiast, of course, the place is a dream from the aborigines’ maybe 60 000-year history to the arrival of the colonists just over two hundred years ago.
The red Sydney Explorer buses are a good way to get around in the city and to make sure not to miss any of the sights. The buses visit 27 of Sydney´s top attractions and have stops all over the city. You can hop on and off as you please.
The Opera House
Sydney’s Opera House at Bennelong Point is like the USA’s Grand Canyon in the way that mere pictures cannot convey its
magnificence. Where once there were tram depots, now stands one of the 20th century’s finest structures and Australia’s most renowned symbol. It was inaugurated in 1973, after a planned building time of five years turned into 16 years and a budgeted cost of eight million dollars became 102 million. The Opera House
comprises five principal auditoriums each holding between 300 and 2700 seats for opera, films, theatre and concerts.
Cruise Around Sydney Harbour
The magnificent Port Jackson is one of Sydney’s great assets, and it is best viewed from the seaward side. There are a number of midday cruises to choose from. Ferries depart from wharves 4 and 5 at Circular Quay.
The Rocks
The oldest part of Sydney; where the colonists settled in the 1780’s. What was once dark, dirty dockland is now highly picturesque and very much a tourist hot-spot. Several of the city’s best hotels and restaurants are situated here.
Art Gallery Of New South Wales
It is only in recent decades that the ancient culture of the aborigines has received serious attention, both from white
Australians and the rest of the world. Here is not only the first permanent exhibition of aboriginal art, but also an important collection of modern Australian artists.
Royal Botanic Gardens
The botanic garden stretches over 27 hectares with more than 400 species of tropical plants sloping down towards Farm Cove - a wonderful park with winding walkways among flowers and palms. One
of Sydney’s major sights. Perfect for picnics.
Sydney Tower
Also called AMP Tower Centrepoint. You can’t get any higher in Sydney - the tower stands a total of 305 metres high. A dizzying lookout point where you can see for yourself that the residential suburbs stretch literally as far as the eye can see.
There is also a revolving restaurant here.
Museum Of Contemporary Art (mca)
Australia’s leading museum for domestic and foreign contemporary art, housed in a magnificent art deco building. Large thematic exhibitions as well as individual exhibits, painting, sculpture, installations and multimedia.
Backpacking Sydney Accommodation
Sydney Backpackers
7 Wilmot St, Sydney NSW 2000
PH (02) 9267 7772
Funk House Backpackers
23 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point NSW 2011
PH (02) 9358 6455
Nomads Westend Backpackers Hostel
412 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PH (02) 9211 4588
Eva's Backpackers
6 Orwell St, Potts Point NSW 2011
PH (02) 9358 2185
Jolly Swagman Backpackers
27 Orwell Street, Potts Point NSW 2011
PH (02) 9358 6400
The Pink House Backpackers Hostel
6-8 Barncleuth Square, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011
PH (02) 9358 1689
The Original Backpackers Hostel
160-162 Victoria Street, Potts Point NSW 2011
PH (02) 9356 3232
Home Backpackers
238 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
PH (02) 9211 9111
Base Sydney
477 Kent Street 477 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PH 1800 242 273
Billabong Gardens
5 Egan St, Newtown NSW 2042
PH (02) 9550 3236
(Backpacking Sydney accommodation information sourced from google.com.au)
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Fruit picking near Sydney
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