Travel to Sydney

Australia is a vast country – almost as large as the contiguous United States – and it is impossible to experience everything that the country has to offer in one visit. Some attractions should not be missed. These include both man-made and natural wonders as well as the fascinating culture and traditions of the country’s very first inhabitants.

Most visitors fly into Sydney, which has one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the world. Sydney is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, although just visiting the city’s many beautiful beaches is a popular activity. It also boasts two of the most instantly recognizable landmarks anywhere – the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. If you have a head for heights, do not miss the opportunity to walk across the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge – it is a once in a lifetime experience.

One highlight of a visit to Australia is the chance to experience the culture of the native Aborigines. Plenty of places throughout the country have Aboriginal art and crafts for sale, especially in the country’s famous Outback. The isolated town of Alice Springs makes an excellent base for exploring Aboriginal culture; and to really immerse yourself, consider taking an Aboriginal Culture Tour – although you may be expected to eat traditional delicacies such as wasps.

No visit to Australia is complete without seeing one of the wonders of nature – the Great Barrier Reef. The reef’s statistics are staggering – it stretches for about 1,200 miles along the eastern coast of Australia, and is home to an estimated 1,500 species of fish. It’s supposedly the only living feature on earth visible from the moon. There are several ways to experience the reef – you can sail around it and fly over it; but to dive in the clear

waters is a memorable experience.

Australia’s other big natural wonder is Uluru, or Ayers Rock, which is located about 260 miles from Alice Springs. You can see the rock that is considered the world’s largest monolith by flying over it, driving around it or hiking up it. Various tours are available from both Alice Springs and the resort of Ayers Rock. If you visit this resort, make sure you see the rock at sunset – it is an unforgettable sight.

If you have the time, a three day journey by train from Sydney to Perth on the Indian Pacific is considered one of the world’s great rail journeys. It is fair to say that there are no sights along the way, other than the hypnotic spectacle of the vast emptiness of much of Australia. The trip includes the longest straight stretch of rail track anywhere, which is an almost 300-mile stretch across the Nullarbor Plain.

If you prefer to drive, a driving trip through Australia’s legendary Outback is a great way to see the country and appreciate its sheer size. You may not encounter much traffic but watch out for the so-called road trains - huge tractor-trailers up to fifty yards long; as well as Australia’s unique animals and birds. Broken Hill is a good place to soak up the atmosphere of the Outback. It is the home of the legendary Flying Doctor service, as well as a ghost town and an opal mine.

Most people imagine Australia to be dry and dusty, but the far north of the country is close to the equator and much of it consists of tropical rainforests. Townsville and Port Douglas both make good bases for exploring the tropical north, which contains some of the world’s oldest rain forests, as well as a huge variety of animal life. Take one of the many off-road guided tours that are available, or view the rainforest from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, near Cairns.

Located in Australia’s Northern Territories is the huge Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage Sight which covers over 4 million acres. A favorite activity is simply observing the wildlife and the park boasts an estimated 75 species of reptile and over 200 species of birds. The park is also one of the few places in Australia where Aborigines live off the land and exist much as they have done for centuries.

Australian wines are considered to be some of the best in the world and you can spend an enjoyable vacation visiting vineyards and sampling wines. Many people visit the well-known Hunter Valley wine region because of its close proximity to Sydney, although the nicest region for wine tasting is arguably the Barossa region, a German-speaking area about an hour away from Adelaide.

One activity you should not miss is simply getting to know the Australian people, who are friendly and outgoing. The language is the same – although you may be puzzled by references to mysterious things such as “sheilas”, “billabongs” and the ever-popular “shrimp on the Barbie”!

Anzac Day is a significant day, a significant cultural day for all Australians.It happens on the 25th of April every year, and it is marked by some memorial services, marches, some celebrations and some fairly unusual games of chance as well. So brief story of Anzac Day and the Anzacs. The word itself Anzac A-N-Z-A-C stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp. This is a name that was given to the combined forces of Australia and New Zealand in the First World War. Anzac Day itself is a commemoration of a very famous battle for the Australian and New Zealanders. It is a commemoration of the battle at Gallipoli that occurred on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

The battle itself was not particularly significant in the context of the entire World War I campaign. However for those forces involved, it was definitely a significant and quite a horrific battle and campaign that occurred. The campaign itself was a matter of the allied troops planning to land and take Istanbul. So on the 25th of April in 1915, the Australian-New Zealand forces part of the allied contingent landed at Gallipoli. It was intended to be a very bold aggressive move as part of the campaign to capture Istanbul, however the Turks fiercely defended the land and it pretty quickly became a pretty huge stalemate. And that stalemate endured for around 8 months. At the end of 8 months over eight thousand Australians had been killed in that campaign and two-and-a-half thousand New Zealanders had also been killed.

It was not a successful campaign or attack by any stretch of the imagination, in fact it was something of a disaster. Which is yet another reason why Anzac Day itself is not about glorifying war, it is about celebrating the Anzac's spirits, the spirits that was showed by those soldiers. Today on average over ten thousand Australian & New Zealanders actually make something of a pilgrimage back to the Gallipoli Peninsula to celebrate the dawn service on the grounds at Suvla Bay, on that battleground where the Australian forces actually landed.

There are 3 main events that really characterize Anzac Day.

The first one is the dawn service. The Anzac's landed at Gallipoli at dawn and for that reason, a dawn service is conducted commemorating Anzac Day on 25th of April each year. There is a very large one that occurs in Martin Place in the city, many thousands of people attend it. There are lots of defense members supporting it, a Cataflaque Party providing an escort, there's speeches and the last post. As well as this large dawn service in Martin Place in the city, also all through Sydney and all through New South Wales and Australia there are many, many smaller dawn services. These are usually conducted at RSLs and RSLs sub-branches, a Return Serviceman's League club established by return servicemen.

Usually in the vicinity of most suburban RSLs, there will be a dawn service where as similar as they are in the city, but in a small scale. They are all equally solemn, all equally significant cultural activities. An Anzac Day march occurs in the city each year. It starts from a variety of locations, usually Hyde Park, a number of other spots in the city and finishes in Martin Place. Unfortunately, there is not too many of the World War I veterans, but there are World War II veterans still around, it is a fact that we're getting more and more younger veterans coming through the ranks and being involved in the march. The march itself is huge, there are many thousands of people in there recognizing the contribution of all these veterans and it's very humbling to witness.

Celebrations generally follow straight after the march. There are a lot of celebrations, lots of people will have plenty of drinks and food, and play some games. Particularly in Sydney city itself there is always marching bands that always been involved in the march, supporting that march. They will often then continue to just march around the city, in and out of hotels and bars and pubs, with playing their bagpipes or their drums, providing some entertainment to the people celebrating there.

Australians also play some interesting games on Anzac Day. The primary one that you will see, which can be a little bit bewildering, is Two-Up. Now this is a pretty unusual game. This is a game of chance, a gambling game. In New South Wales Two-Up is illegal except for on Anzac Day when it is legal to conduct Two-Up. It can be quite difficult to describe Two-Up. Essentially, "The Spinner", the person with a piece of stick something like a ruler, places 2 coins on it. 

The coins are flipped it up and people bet on whether the coins will land with 2 heads, 2 tails or 1 of each. That is about as simple as it gets. People get very passionate about it. Two-Up was played by diggers all through World War I, when the soldiers had some down time, they would often play Two-Up. The game has just flown on through the years, and now it is something that is enormous in and around the pubs and bars around Sydney and Australia on Anzac Day.

Do you want to hire a car when visiting Sydney? Thinking about Sydney, although it is fairly large, Sydney is quite a compact city. It is unique in the sense of there are very wide variety of things to do within the Sydney CBD, there are all sorts of cultural and urban attractions, museums, there are tourism icons such as the Harbour Bridge and The Sydney Opera House, things that people really want to see. Also, its beautiful beaches are one of the things that Sydney is very well-known for as well. While Sydney is a fairly compact area, there is a wide variety of attractions and things that you probably would want to see if you come here, so that is one thing to understand.

Secondly, public transport in Sydney. Now as a rule, it is quite a good standard. It is far from perfect and any Sydney local will tell you that. It is reasonably frequent, most of the major attractions are fairly accessible by public transport and it is a relatively inexpensive way for you to get around. Some other aspects of Sydney that are fairly important are parking. Within the Sydney CBD and in the city itself, parking is available but it can be quite difficult. Within the CBD itself you are really going to look at the parking stations to park your vehicle and they can get expensive. For an overnight stay, you can pay over $20 without any problems at all.

If you are staying in or around the city, I will really recommend that you do, especially if you are here for a short stay, it makes a lot of attractions accessible or within walking distance. I have recommend many people on a short stay that they should stay in the city, in which case parking could be quite expensive as well. So all those things are probably what you would be thinking about when you are determining whether you should hire a car?

I suggest that if you are here for short stay, if just want to see some of the major attractions on a short stay, it is probably not worth your while to hire a car to get around. Most of these things are accessible by public transport. One of the things about Sydney is its heavily reliant on tourism, all major attractions are made accessible by public transport and those few that are not can be really worthwhile and very cost effective just to get a taxi to those locations. So as a rule, if you are staying less than a week, I would suggest that you probably will rely on public transport rather than getting motor vehicles.

I suggest the opposite though if you are looking to get outside of Sydney and to start looking at rural New South Wales, country Australia, because one thing about Australia is some vast open spaces. If you really want to get the most out of any trip to Australia, then driving can perhaps be one of the better ways to go about it. So, here are my recommendations, if you will be staying in Sydney for a relatively short period, you probably better off using public transport. However, if you are looking to get outside of Sydney, for a greater Australian trip, then you probably would look at hiring or driving a motor vehicle.

So if you decide to drive in Sydney, here are some things to keep in mind. The first one is licensing. In New South Wales, if you have an overseas license, you will be able to drive using that license and only that license anywhere in New South Wales. As long as you have a valid drivers license overseas, you can drive in Sydney and in New South Wales. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep your drivers license on you. It is an offense in New South Wales to not have your drivers license on you if a policeman asks you to produce it.

Some driving tips if you decide to drive in Sydney. Overall, Sydney and Australia is a very safe place to drive, it is not as chaotic as a lot of counties, people are fairly orderly and it is a pretty pleasant place to drive. There are a lot of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Australia, speed is largely responsible for these, people exceeding the speed limit and also the fact that Australia being so geographically large means a lot of vehicles are traveling at high speeds.

The first and most obvious thing to remember is you have to drive on the left. If you are from one of those countries that drive on the right-hand side, it is really important that you remember that. It could be chaotic and dangerous if you do not remember to do that. So always drive on the left, the easy way to remember is that you as the driver will be closest to the center of the road. It is a law in New South Wales and everywhere in Australia that you have to wear a seatbelt whenever you are driving a motor vehicle. If you did not wear a seatbelt, you or your passengers will likely to be fined by a police officer.

Alcohol is another one. Everyone likes to have a few drinks when they are on vacation that is for sure, but it can be very dangerous to operate a motor vehicle when you are on the influence of alcohol. The legal limit for adults is .05% alcohol, .05 means if you have 3 standard drinks in the first hour, you will be over the limit and you will not be able to drive a motor vehicle. There are very heavy penalties for people who drive motor vehicles whilst they are under the influence of alcohol, including fines and imprisonment.

Speeding. Speed limits vary a great deal in Sydney, and as a result you really need to keep an eye out, make sure that you are traveling within the appropriate speed limit for that area. There are plenty of highway patrolman out there that will give you a ticket or take some sort of action against you if you speed whilst driving. These are some of the things you might want to consider when driving in Sydney and Australia.

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Sydney is a popular place for people to visit when they arrive in Australia. The city, however, is large and it`s just not possible to walk everywhere and see everything. A rental car is the perfect solution, but many people worry about how and where to find one, with minimum hassle. Having a rental car from the very beginning is a useful way to go. You`ll find that it`s easier to get to and from your hotel and there`s no trying to find the rental company in a taxi that is charging by the minute.

Advantages of Renting a Car

There are quite a few reasons to rent a car, whether you are traveling for business or pleasure.

Get a Car at the Airport

The best place to rent your vehicle for the time you are in Sydney is right at the airport. It gives you full access to a car, right from the start and you`ll be free to go wherever you want from the airport, even if you choose not to head straight to your hotel. If you have friends or family in the city, this is the perfect way to reach them and avoid making them come pick you up.

By picking up your vehicle as soon as you get off the plane, you can load your bags up and head out without any hassles. There`s no waiting for a taxi or trying to find a hotel shuttle that will get you where you need to go, mixing up your luggage with other people`s. Instead, you can fit everything into your vehicle and head off, to wherever you prefer, even stopping to eat before going to the hotel, if you like, and unpack at your leisure.

Another advantage to this is lower costs. If you are going to drop a rental car off at a different location, you`d have to find a taxi to take you to the airport, or, if you chose to leave the car at the airport, you`d probably pay a fee for this. By picking up your car at the airport, you can return it there for no extra fees.

Tips for Arranging a Rental Car

It is always a good idea to call ahead and book a vehicle. The Sydney airport can get pretty full and there`s no guarantee that the car you want will be there when you arrive, so having it set aside before you arrive is best. If, for some reason, they are out of the vehicle you requested, you should get upgraded for no charge.

Double check your booking the day that you leave for Australia, just to be sure. It also helps to check online to find out where the rental car company is and to head there once you`ve collected your luggage. Rental cars are extremely useful for getting around, particularly if you are used to driving and aren`t accustomed to the public transport in Sydney. It can save you quite a bit of money over taxis, as well.

Sydney is Australia's premier holiday destination and the first port of call for many international visitors. The good news is that many of its major attractions are free and with the Australian dollar at bargain basement, most are amazingly cheap.

Here are 7 suggestions to help you get the most out of your visit to Australia's largest city:

1. Circular Quay.

Circular Quay is the heart of Sydney and your introduction to the beautiful harbour. It is a great place to start your exploration and you will be fascinated by the excitement and buzz of this area. All ferries leave from this focal point and you are within walking distance of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It is great place to relax, enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants or stroll around and enjoy the ambience.

2. The Rocks.

Nestled alongside the south portal of the bridge is one of the first settled areas of Sydney known as "The Rocks" This historical and fascinating area filled with old buildings, pubs and shops is a great place to visit for souvenirs, a meal or a drink. Weekend markets are very popular for those looking for a bargain.

3. Walk over the bridge.

The entrance to the walkway over the bridge is just behind The Rocks and best of all it's free. This amazing walk will provide you with some of the most breathtaking views in Australia as you look down on the Opera House, yachts and ferries in the harbor and in the distance, the entrance to the Pacific Ocean.

4. Ferry to Toronga Park Zoo.

Toronga Park Zoo is one of the finest in Australia. You will be able to view all the Australian native wildlife including the elusive platypus. It is worth spending a day here and its location on the north shore of the harbor allows spectacular views of the Sydney skyline. Take the ferry from Circular Quay.

5. Ferry to Manly.

No visit to Sydney would be complete without taking a ferry from Circular Quay to the oceanside resort of Manly. The ferry ride is one of the most popular trips for visitors to Sydney and allows spectacular harbor views. I particularly love Manly. Its main beach on the Pacific Ocean is a mecca for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers and the main street is a popular place to enjoy a meal, go shopping or just soak up the ambience of the area.

Here's a suggestion. Try to time your return ferry trip to Sydney to leave Manly just before sunset. You will be rewarded with the golden glow of the late afternoon sun shining on the sails of the Opera House and the setting sun highlighting the black silhouette of the bridge. A magic holiday moment.

6. Take a tour of the Opera House.

Tours of the Opera House take place regularly during the day and this is the only way for you to experience the true beauty of this iconic Sydney landmark. Better still, enjoy a live performance in the main concert hall. It will be a holiday memory I promise you will never forget.

7. Take a harbor walk.

Sydney has many wonderful harbor walks, but my favorite is a walk from the Opera House to Kings Cross. It requires only a moderate level of fitness and there are plenty of places to stop and admire the views of the busy harbor as well as parks and gardens. Kings Cross is a perfect place to finish your walk. It is the city's nightlife and restaurant mecca, but late at night can be a seedy and sometimes unsafe area. During the day however, this cosmopolitan suburb is a venue to relax, enjoy a coffee and experience one of most vibrant areas of this great holiday destination.

Who doesn't enjoy traveling? Only very few people would raise their hands. In fact, traveling has become of the favorite activities of many people. When planning for a good trip, you may want to explore the land down under. Not only, they have an all-year round pleasant weather, you can also feed your visions with the best sights you can lay your eyes on. Going to Australia is never complete without making a stop at different Australian landmarks.

One of the most fascinating places in the world is the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is situated across the breathtaking Sydney Harbor. It connects the Central Business District of Sydney and the North Shore. Going to this place can also give you the opportunity to see the iconic image of the Sydney Opera House. Its arch design gave it the nickname "The Coathanger".

This bridge, one of the best Australian landmarks, was opened in the year 1932 and was built by Dorman Long. During this year, there were 799 homes and other buildings which were demolished to give way to the construction. The arcs of this bridge were initially constructed in the year 1929. The very first panel was built on the southern most end in the month of March which was a month after the first panel was erected.

A number of support cables were used to support the arch during the construction process. And they were also slowly released upon the completion of the arch. This momentous event happened on August 19, 1930.  The main road plus the tracks of the railway and tram were finished the year after the arch was completed. In that same year, the other utilities were also installed including drainage pipes, electric, water, and gas lines. The very first test train run was carried out on January 19, 1932 and it was a huge success. It was done safely and without any glitches.