Visiting Sydney

Are you coming to Sydney either before or after Convention as part of your trip to Australia?

We thought we could put together a few quick suggestions for what to do and where to go in the Harbour city.

If you happen to be in Sydney on the 19th June we are happy to welcome any fellow Zontians to our monthly meeting. Held at Club York in the CBD of Sydney please contact us at zontaclubsydney@gmail.com if you are interested to find out more and to let us know for our numbers. Cost is $55 for a two course meal.

Of course Sydney is blessed with many natural and architectural sights – The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, the sparkling harbour, beaches from Bondi in the East, to Palm Beach in the north and Cronulla in the south – these are always worth seeing, especially on a sunny day (which although June is in winter will hopefully still provide us some clear days). But what else? Try some of these!

The Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) are both free to visit for many of the exhibitions. Both also host an array of events including for families and are definitely worth a visit. The State Library of NSW, not far from the Art Gallery also has a number of exhibitions and events available.

Around the CBD you are also spoilt for choice for museums, and again many are free to enter for the regular exhibitions. The Australian Museum is definitely worth a visit – and while you are there you can admire the wonderful childrens play and learning areas which were made possible by a bequest from a Charter Member of the Zonta Club of Sydney, Patricia McDonald (read more at our post here). The Museum of Sydney is close to Circular Quay and includes a number of First Nations exhibitions. It is one of the Museums of History sites – others which are close by are the Justice and Police museum (very close to Museum of Sydney), Hyde Park Barracks and Susannah Place in The Rocks.

If animals are more your thing you are again spoilt for choice. Taronga Zoo is a highlight of any trip to Sydney – but be warned to see it all you need to allow a full day and take your walking shoes! The ferry ride over from the CBD also allows you to view the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the water – the best vantage point. If you don’t have so much time, the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour may cater to you – you still get to see the “Aussie Big 5” (koala, kangaroo, wombat, platypus and crocodile!) but without so much walking. Right next door is the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium – with large walk through underwater tanks you see a side of sharks and rays you may not expect. You can purchase combined tickets to the WILD LIFE and SEA LIFE sites, plus add on Sydney Tower Eye or Madame Tussauds for even more sight-seeing.

If taking in a show or watching theatre is more your style, we also have multiple options. For theatre lovers, check out Sydney Theatre Company or Belvoir St Theatre. The Opera House also holds many shows, from plays to symphony and opera under those famous sails. If musical theatre is more your interest, the Capitol Theatre (near Central Station), Lyric Theatre (within the Star Casino in Pyrmont) or the Theatre Royal (CBD) are always busy.

And of course we can’t forget parks! Drop by the Royal Botanical Garden at Circular Quay, or take a ferry across to Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavendar Bay. Further afield, the Australian Botanic Garden and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden also attract many visitors – you can see all the main gardens here.

But of course these are many of the well known places to visit – we would love to hear of any other favourite places to recommend to international tourists – feel free to comment and share more wonderful places across Sydney!