Here’s a few tips to know before you visit Sydney. Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer daily flights from Hong Kong to Sydney, almost all of them are red-eye. Coming back, there’s only one red-eye offered by Cathay Pacific and that’s likely to be full unless you want to pay full price. Flight time is about 9-91/2 hrs.
Stay in an AirBnB instead of a hotel, there’s plenty of them in Surry Hills which is central to everything and is filled with trendy little cafes, wine bars, restaurants and fashion boutiques. I’d do this next time we visit Sydney.
Most people head to Bondi beach, to get away from the tourists, head to Manly Beach then walk over to Cabbage Tree bay for some snorkelling. Personally I wouldn’t go to visit Sydney for the beaches, but
Forget about the touristy and busy Sydney Tower, where you’ll find every Asian tourist visiting Sydney. Instead, check out the Blu Bar at the Shangri-La which is open to the public and has what some say are the best views of Sydney.
Also forget about the Sydney harbour Bridge climb, which is busy and slow as you’re attached to others and have to wait for the slowest person in the group. The lesser known Pylon Lookout has just as good a views and usually way less crowded. It’s only 200 stairs and you can go at your own pace.
Take the ferries to the beaches and other places out of the city. Get yourself an Opal card (free), top it up and away you go.
For shopping, QVB and Pitt Street Mall are must-do’s.
You’ll see locals wearing flip flops but take a pair of comfy shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking around the city. Don’t visit Sydney without expecting to do a lot of walking.
Like a lot of countries now, smoking is kind of frowned upon. In New Zealand and Australia, a pack of fags can cost around $20 and watch where you light up. Now is a good time to give up.
It’s not necessary to tip because the minimum wage here is decent, so don’t feel obliged to tip. Unlike most other countries, feel free to get in the front seat of a taxi, everybody’s equal here mate.
Like New Zealand, there’s not really any specific Australian cuisine, there’s so many different types of restaurants and foods that you won’t find it difficult to get something you like. Get yourself a meat pie and some fish n chips our of paper if you can though.
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