Australia has so many different things to offer to tourists – history, architecture, beautiful beaches, and wildlife. When planning the first trip to Sydney, people usually put popular tourist attractions like the Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Bondi beach, and so on. These are some places that everyone must see during their first visit however we are going to discuss some other, low key locations.
If you want to make sure that you experience Sydney in a completely different manner that others have, then you should opt for visiting places that are not so popular. Plus, if this is not your first trip to this exciting land, then for sure you want to see something new and different. There are two ways you can do this. Firstly you can opt for Sydney Private Tours.
By opting for this service not only will you go on a trip with an experienced local tour guide that will share with you all the intriguing details of each place you visit, but what’s more, you can also customize the whole experience. How? Well, you can simply contact the company, send them a list of locations you want to visit and they will organize a tour according to your wishes.
On the other hand, you can organize the whole trip on your own. This task can be a bit tricky since you will have to inquire about all the details, such as working hours of certain museums and the entrance fees, plus you will have to think about the weather and the location of each sight, just to make sure that you have the best experience possible. But, we are here to facilitate the whole process for you by telling you about some sites that you might want to include on your list.
Currently, there are many terrific parks and gardens all around Sydney, but we are going to tell you about the Paddington Reservoir. It was built in the 1860s as a water reservoir which was his main function until 1899. Throughout the entire 20th century it had different purposes, it was a service station and a workshop site.
However, it was completely renovated in 2006 and turned into a public garden while still preserving a lot of the original architecture. Today, this place is not only visited by tourists who want to spend a quiet afternoon, but also by many local and international artists who are looking for the location for their next exhibit. Since it is in the close vicinity of Oxford Street, you can stop by here to take a break and you might run into some art display or a show.
Another fairly new restored park is the Barangaroo Reserve. When Sydney became an international port in the 19th century, this location used to be a wharf. Still, a few years ago it was decided to completely reconstruct the entire area and convert it in a public place where people could spend some quality time.
Not only can you go on a walk or bike ride while enjoying the panoramic view of Sydney but you can also bring the food and drinks (alcoholic ones are allowed too) and have a picnic. What makes it even more interesting is that you can actually call in advance and order the picnic food that will be served to you by professionals. In addition, there are over 75,000 native trees, shrubs, and plants as well as over 150 bird species, one of which is Kookaburra.
Wouldn’t you agree with us that there is something both extraordinary and mysterious about lighthouses? It is maybe because they have been featured in many tales as a light that guides the lost sea travelers back home. If you are intrigued by these as much as we are, the vacation is Sydney is the perfect opportunity to see one of them up close.
Robertson Point Light which is also known as Cremorne Point Light is located on the North Shore of Sydney and it was built in 1909. Even though this 100-year-old lighthouse is closed for visitors, you can still visit the site, and go on a coastal walk and enjoy the view of the harbor. What’s more, it is placed near a harbourside McCullum Pool whose original architecture originates from the 1920s which makes it another hidden gem of Sydney.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a spot that will take your breath away, then our recommendation is to plan a trip in late October or early November. Why? Well, this is when Jacaranda Trees in Kirribilli are in full blossom. Although this is just another suburban street, this purple tunnel is for sure, going to provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What’s more, if you want to take some mesmerizing photos for your Instagram feed, then this one of the places you cannot miss.
Moreover, there are also some small adventures you can embark on while in Sydney. Why not go on a ferry ride? According to the locals, this is one of the best ways to explore and see different parts of the city. You can go on a ride from Circular Quay to Manly where you can spend a day sunbathing on a sandy beach or engage in different types of activities like surfing. You can also opt for visiting the area called Rose Bay and discover Shark Island.
Finally, if you are a history geek, then there is a place you have to visit and that is Cockatoo Island. Back in the 19th century, the island was used as a prison where inmates spent their time building silos out of rocks for storing the grain supplies. They also constructed Circular Quay’s seawall and Australia’s first dry dock, the Fitzroy Dock. One of the prisoners was famous Captain Thunderbolt who managed the escape in 1863 by allegedly swimming back to the mainland.
To sum up, in this article, we have discussed six locations in Sydney that might not be among the most popular ones but that are still worth your time. Depending on your personal preferences and the duration of your holiday you can opt for visiting all of these, or on the other hand, conduct a little online search and find some places that aren’t on our list.