Sydney: Finding Yourself In and Out of the City
With approximately 4.6 million residents, Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is Australia’s most densely populated. In addition to the 20% of Australians who call Sydney home year-round, a large number of tourists are booking flights to Sydney and jumping on the plane to take in the city’s many attractions.
Sydney not only offers an engaging travel experience in its own right but also provides easy access to the surrounding Australian Outback, a vast space throughout which approximately 60% of the remaining Australian population is spread — a space where adventure is never far away, and in which intrepid wanders can experience wild Australia and, in the process, maybe find themselves there too.
Out and About in Sydney
Sydney has a number of tourist attractions for visitors to enjoy. Individuals can climb to the summit of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world’s tallest steel arch bridge, for a panoramic view of the city. The Royal Botanic Gardens offers opportunities to observe plant life and wildlife, while the Sydney Aquarium is the ideal place to visit and interact with various sea creatures.
Many people like to experience a piece of Australian culture while they’re in the city. History, art, and science buffs can view various artefacts and exhibitions housed in establishments such as the Australian Museum and the Sydney Observatory. The Capitol Theatre and the Sydney Town Hall are among the many locations in which visitors can appreciate plays, concerts, films and musicals during their stay.
Of course, Australia isn’t just “Throw another on the Barbie!” While you’re in Australia, you’ll be able to try out cuisine of all sorts. Areas such as the Chinatown, the Spanish Quarter, Oxford Street and Darling Harbor all have plenty of restaurants, and are in themselves a testament to the diverse culture of Australia.
Hitting the Bush — Road Trips to the Outback
Road trips from Sydney to the Australian Outback offer visitors the chance to head out onto the open road and explore mines, dune fields, and wildlife. Depending on your schedule, you can plan them for one or several days. Favorite Outback destinations for travelers include
- The Blue Mountains, from which individuals can observe the Three Sisters rock formation, eucalyptus forests and animals such as koalas and kangaroos in the bush habitat.
- Hunter Valley, known for its wineries, vineyard restaurants, cheese shops, and chocolate. Hunter Valley is also home to wallabies, emus, and a host of other wildlife.
- Canberra, which features impressive architecture, the Parliament House, war memorials, and the National Museum of Australia.
- Jervis Bay, from which people can relax on the beach and observe families of dolphins.
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Sydney… you’ve got history, you’ve got culture, landmark feats of architecture, and, ultimately, diversity by the bucket load. Not only that, if the city gets too much and you want to broaden your own travel experience (and your horizons) you can go on road trips from the city and out into the Outback. It’s a great opportunity both to lose and to find yourself. Visit Sydney — you never know what you might discover.