What to See: Other Things to See in Sydney
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Table of Contents - The Rest of Sydney
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is Australia’s most famous beach and is one of the world’s best locations for surfing. The one kilometer long beach is also a popular place for sunbathing on the 300-plus acres of beautiful white sand. While many people wade into the water up to their knees, swimming is only for the extremely experienced. The rip current hazard rankings vary depending on the location. The northern end ranks 4 out of 10 while the southern end ranks 7 out of 10.
Getting to Bondi Beach from Sydney Harbour
Since I was staying in the Sydney Harbour Area it was somewhat difficult to get to Bondi Beach. The easiest way to reach Bondi from my hotel was to walk to Circular Quay and take the F4 ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay.
Upon arriving at Watson’s Bay, walk a few blocks to catch the number 380 bus to Bondi Junction. On the way to the bus stop, I highly recommend visiting “The Gap” lookout.
Once on the bus, it is about a 20 minute ride to the beach. There are multiple Bondi Beach stops. I chose to get off at the Campbell Parade bus stop as it was located near the middle.
From the bus stop, simply cross the street and you will be at Bondi Beach.
What to See: Bondi Beach
As it was the late stages of the Australian winter/early spring there were very few people sun bathing or in the water. Many of the beachgoers were wearing jackets or sweatshirts and long pants. I walked from one end of the beach to the other and enjoyed watching the people surfing. Using my zoom lens, I was able to get some great action shots of Bondi Beach surfers in action. While the waves were not especially large for Bondi Beach they were some of the largest waves I’ve ever seen.
After walking the entire length of the beach I walked up a set of stairs and walked back to the bus stop passing by numerous shops and restaurants. To return to Sydney Harbour, I backtracked taking the same route but in the opposite direction. As I departed towards Sydney Harbour, I witnessed a beautiful sunset view of downtown Sydney.
Bondi Beach Tours and Packages
There are many tours and sport packages available for tourists that are interested in Bondi Beach. I have listed six tour packages below that caught my eye. These include everything from surf lessons to arriving in a high-speed motor boat. Please know, that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. That commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
Private Sydney City & Bondi Beach Half Day Tour - $150.00 Visit Sydney's iconic & lesser known sightseeing locations |
Surfing Lessons on Sydney's Bondi Beach - $62.70 What better place to learn to surf than on world-famous Bondi Beach? Here you'll find fantastic waves, sunbathing beauties, year-round sun and the coolest beachside vibe anywhere. Join a two hour group surfing lesson, or for the ultimate experience, take a private surfing lesson with your own personal instructor. |
Bondi Beach Walking Tour with Optional Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk - $42.21 Discover Sydney's most famous beach, Bondi on a 1.5-hour easy walking tour. From its Aboriginal beginnings to the celebrity, hipster and tourist mecca it is today your local guide will take you on a journey to discover what makes Bondi 'Bondi'. Walk the beach and the backstreets as your guide gives insight into Bondi's beachside culture and shares local tips. The tour has options to be extended to include the famous coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte or further south to Coogee. |
Sydney Tower Eye
For a great panoramic view of the greater Sydney Area, head to the Sydney Tower Eye. At a height of 1,014 feet, the tower is the tallest building in Sydney. I enjoyed the stunning views of Sydney and Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Hyde Park area from the crystal clear windows of the 360-degree observation deck. The observation deck features 420 windows that are cleaned daily by a window cleaning machine named “Charlie.”
While the Sydney Tower Eye is the main attraction, the tower is attached to the Westfield Sydney Shopping Centre. Before I went to the top, I walked through the shopping centre and made a quick visit to the food court.
A general admission ticket costs A$26 for adults. Cheaper tickets can be purchased in advance by going to the following website.
After waiting in a very short queue to purchase my ticket, I entered a theater to watch the 4D Movie. This movie featured 3D images, simulated wind, water from the waves, and surround sound. Although I thought it was a little “cheesy” it was well done and had excellent special effects. I am sure the kids in the audience loved it.
Following the movie, we crammed into an elevator to go to the top. The ride took less than a minute to the observation deck. As stated earlier, 420 panoramic windows offer 360-degree views. Throughout the observation deck, there are pay binoculars that provide a zoomed-in view. I spent about 30 minutes walking around and taking pictures looking in each direction. The only disappointment was that the sun was creating a glare looking towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Below are some of my best pictures.
I love going to the top of the tallest building of every city I visit. The bird’s eye view helps me piece the map together in my head and makes it far easier for me to get around. I highly recommend anyone who visits Sydney takes the journey to the top of the. Sydney Tower Eye.
Sydney Tower Eye Packages
If you want to purchase your tickets ahead of time for the Sydney Tower Eye you can do so below. For those wanting to see multiple attractions, I highly recommend the Sydney Attraction Pass. Please know, that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. That commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
Sydney Tower Eye - $17.85 View Sydney in all its breathtaking glory from Sydney Tower Eye and the Observation Deck. At 309 meters (1000 feet) the Observation Deck is the highest viewing platform in the city, and boasts 360-degree panoramic views across the skyline. State-of-the-art multilingual touchscreens and the high-powered binoculars provide an interactive introduction to some of Sydney's famous landmarks. |
Sydney SKYWALK at Sydney Tower Eye Ticket - $40.84 This breathtaking 60 minute experience is not for the faint hearted. Dressed in protective clothing and tethered by a safety harness you’ll see the glittering sights of Sydney from a whole new perspective. Feel the high altitude breeze on your face and listen to the commentary from your expert guide. |
Sydney Attractions Pass: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Zoo and Madame Tussauds - $45.15 Visit your choice of two, three or four of Sydney’s most popular attractions at your own pace with this Sydney combo pass. Select from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Madame Tussauds Sydney. You can meet native Australian animals from both land and water; take in panoramic views of the city and harbor from the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck; or snap a selfie with wax figures of your favorite celebrities. Pass is valid for one month from date of first use. |
Queen Victoria Building
Completed in 1898, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is an internal shopping centre that covers more than a city block. I walked into the Queen Victoria building by accident when I was looking for a camera shop to buy a new cover for one of my lenses.
Since I entered on the opposite side as the facade, I did not see the statue of Queen Victoria. As I walked through the building, I thought to myself that this was an impressive shopping centre. It wasn’t until I exited the building, that I realized that this was the famous Queen Victoria Building.
I did not get any pictures of the inside as I was in a hurry to get to a camera shop that was soon to close. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking out the QVB.
St. Mary's Cathedral
Located directly across from Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral is a Catholic Church that is considered a minor basilica. The church is not the tallest, or the largest in Australia, but is the longest in total length. Originally built in 1821, the original building was destroyed by a fire in 1865. The current structure was completed in 1882.
During my visit to St. Mary’s Cathedral, there was an active worship service being held inside. Due to that worship service, I was only able to take one picture (with permission) of the inside of the church. The vantage point of my picture was directly inside the door and far away from the alter.
When entering St. Mary’s Cathedral, be sure to remember that this is an active house of worship. Visitors must be in proper attire, and hats should be removed. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. Neither are cameras with a flash.
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