There are so many different places to visit and things to do while on holiday in Australia. There is something for everyone, but if you like lists, we have compiled some of the best Australian travel destinations with the help of AustralianTraveller.com. Read on to find some of the winners of their people’s choice awards for best food and wine region, best outback adventure, best historical site, most scenic road trip, best walk, best annual festival, and best guided tour. In part one, we covered the first four destinations on our list. Now, for part two, will be covering the three best travel destinations from our list that all happen to be in or near Sydney.
Best Walk: Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Photo Credit: Australia.com
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Photo Credit: Waverley.nsw.gov.au
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk during Sculpture by the Sea Photo Credit: Australia.com
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Photo Credit: Sydney.com
View from Ben Buckler on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By JohnsonL623 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18279551
Bondi to Coogee extension of the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Photo Credit: Australia.com
The walk from Bondi to Bronte is one of the most popular walks along the New South Wales coast. The coastal walkway actually connects three beaches, Coogee being the third. The walk from Bondi to Bronte is about 4 km. You should allow at least ⅕ hours walking time. The full walk begins at Ben Buckler and goes to the Waverley Cemetery. There are shorter walks, so you can break it up into smaller segments:
Ben Buckler to Bondi Beach: about 0.5 km; allow 10 minutes.
Bondi Promenade: 1 km; allow 15 minutes.
South Bondi to North Bronte: about 1.5 km; allow 45 minutes.
South Bronte to Waverley Cemetery: about 1 km; allow 20 minutes.
In addition to walking, there is much to see and do and these two of Sydney’s most popular beaches including family fun, learn to surf, people watch, eat at one of the oceanside cafes, shop in the boutiques, attend the Sunday markets, swim in one of the pools, or just relax and take it all in. The walk itself features some amazing scenery and landscapes including dramatic sandstone cliffs, amazing panoramic views of the South Pacific Ocean, and Aboriginal ancient rock carvings. During April to December it is whale watching season and you might be able to catch a glimpse of the whales migrating past right off the coast.
Best Annual Festival: Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney is an annual festival that lights up Sydney each winter. It is billed as the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. In 2016, the festival had a record 2.3 million visitors. The 2017 Vivid Sydney Festival will take place from 26 May to 17 June 2017. Each night of the festival, you can see an outdoor ‘gallery’ of amazingly creative light sculptures, accompanied by cutting-edge contemporary music. The animated lighting of the Sydney Opera House’s sails are a highlight. Every year, they feature a different design. Last year, for 2016, the sails featured Australian Indigenous art that represented the interconnected sharing systems and trade routes that have brought all Australians together for years. Each of Sydney’s precincts participates in the award-winning winter festival of light with their own theme and style. There is definitely something for everyone; and on 2017 the music program will be expanded to include more genres of music. Then there are the creative industry forums, stimulating ideas from global thinkers, and a good time to be had by all who attend. The lighting part of the festival includes fascinating 3D-mapped building projections that illuminate the buildings all along the waterfront. The idea forums that are part of the festival are there to help inspire creativity, business, entrepreneurs, and more.
Best Guided Tour: BridgeClimb Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Photo Credit: Sydney.com
The Sydney BridgeClimb is a guided climb over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition to being exhilarating, it affords you amazing views of the city, harbour, ocean, and even clear over to the Blue Mountains. You can choose a climb anytime from early morning through evening. The climb is open to anyone in good health and over the age of 10. The experience includes all the safety equipment you need and a climb leader guides you along while pointing out interesting facts about the bridge, the harbour and the city. You even get a photo of yourself on the bridge as a souvenir included with your climb package. There are four different climbs to choose from:
The Express Climb: This is a faster climb to the top with less stops along the way. It only takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and is a smaller group of up to 14 climbers.
The BridgeClimb Sampler: This is a shorter version of the climb that only takes you half way up the inner arch. It takes only 1 ½ hours and is a maximum group size of 12.
The Bridge Climb: This is the full climb experience with 360 degree panoramic views of Sydney. This climb includes the upper arch, tower over the Opera House side, the Darling Harbour side, and allows you to reach the summit where a celebration is in order before descending back to the Climb Base.
The Wedding Climb: This is truly a unique way to tie the knot or renew your vows. Special ceremonies on the bridge summit are available for couples looking to be on top of it all.
If your timing is right, you can actually combine a Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb during the Vivid Sydney Festival and see the best of two people’s choice destinations at the same time. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is, of course, one of the most iconic sights in all of Australia and is recognised all over the world. It is one of the most photographed landmarks in the entire world. It is the world’s largest steel arch bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour. The locals call it the ‘Coathanger’. It connects the northern to the southern shore and took eight years to build beginning in 1924. The BridgeClimb tours began in 1998.
Hiring a Car in Sydney
Map of Sydney Photo Credit: Google Maps
Sydney Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
It’s convenient and easy to hire a car in Sydney at one of many convenient locations. If you flew into Sydney on holiday, you can hire a car right at the Sydney Airport. Other locations in Sydney where you can rent a car at a great price include Sydney east location in Alexandria, or the Sydney southwest location in Ravensby. Click through any of the links to get a quick and easy rate quote for the best car rental rates in Sydney. Be sure to let your car rental agent know your travel itinerary so that they can ensure you have the best vehicle for your trip. Our helpful car rental agents can also assist you with local maps, holiday tips and pointers, and travel safety information. While in Sydney, check out these other holiday ideas from our blog:
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: Greater Blue Mountains
Winter in the Blue Mountains
Bushwalking in Jamison Valley
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
Snow Valley Way: A Delicious Scenic Drive
Things to Do on Holiday in Sydney
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Free Things to Do in Sydney
A Spectacular New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Places to See in and Around Sydney
5 Day Trips from Sydney
Sydney’s Famous and Secret Beaches
Scenic Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Royal National Park
Enjoy the Diversity of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Walking through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Summertime is the Perfect Time for Sydney’s Outdoor Pools
Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney
5 Must Do Walks of Sydney
You’ll Love Yengo National Park – Campgrounds
You’ll Love Yengo National Park – Walking Trails
Kanangra-Boyd National Park
Explore the Unique Geographic Formations in Gardens of Stone National Park
Thirlmere Lakes National Park
Brisbane Water National Park: Flora and Fauna
Sydney’s Best Snorkelling Spots
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