Sydney Getaway

I love my “Sydney Getaways” and now with so many airfare deals happening I can go more often! Depending on why I am visiting Sydney will depend on whether I stay in the city or whether I will stay with friends. Both are great and both will give me a different type of “Getaway”.  This time I will write about staying in the city. I usually choose to stay in the centre or down near Circular Quay and the Rocks. Sometimes when I stay near The Rocks I may not even venture uptown!

Old Sydney

Bridge Street and the surrounding area is full of history and great restaurants. Look out for the little street called Tank Stream, it was the stream that gave Sydney their fresh water back at the beginning of Sydney becoming the great city it is. When you walk from the centre of the city down to Circular Quay you will notice the slope and that is why.

Still in this area you will find lots of little alley ways with fabulous old buildings so be sure to explore. Some of my favourites are The Establishment Hotel, Mr Wong’s (one of my favourite restaurants) Ash St, and Angle Place. It is in Angle Place you will see the bird cages hanging from above, the title for these is “Forgotten Songs” and they play the songs of the birds that no longer live in the city due to development.  You will hear different songs in the mornings and evenings depending on whether the birds were nocturnal or not.

When you wander around this interesting part of the city make sure you look at the street art, statues and street names as quite often they will have a story attached.

Along Bridge Street you will see so many fine old buildings, some now restaurants, office blocks, art galleries and museums. This is where you will find the Museum of Sydney. If you happen to walk down this street in the late afternoon, the sun will hit a row of this beautiful old buildings and their beauty will stop you in your tracks! Yes, the camera will come out!

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The Rocks

The Rocks is also similar in so far as their street names often tell you what once was there. Of course this area is also one of the oldest parts of Sydney and is so rich in history and good stories about the early days! Make sure you visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, they have great exhibitions and a really good gallery shop. One of the great things about this gallery is on the ground floor at the front is a restaurant called Graze, which is not expensive but has one of the best views of the Opera House you will find.

I always settle in here with a glass of wine and watch the ferries and boats go in and out of Circular Quay with the Opera House as the background. This is one of my secret places!

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Best Sydney Jogging Track

Next it is off to Circular Quay and the surrounding area. I love just standing and seeing all the ferries come and go. I do jump on them and go exploring. I will tell you about those trips another time. I love walking up the steps of the Sydney Opera House and always do so when I am in Sydney. Also take the time to walk the whole way around the Opera House as you get different views of Sydney Harbour.

In the mornings I like to go for a jog around the Opera House and through the Botanical Gardens. As you approach the Opera House go to the right of it and head through the gardens making sure you stick to the sea edge as you will have a magnificent view as you jog along.  Head for Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and at one point you will have the perfect photo opportunity, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be in alignment, once again another perfect photo!

As you head back to the Opera House you will have another perfect photo opportunity, Farm Cove with the city as your backdrop, if you are early enough the light from sunrise will give it a perfect glow. Whilst talking about photographing Sydney, another good place to take a photo from is to climb the stairs opposite the stairs of the Opera House, it will give you a different perspective. No one told me about these wonderful spots, I discovered them for myself! That is what I love about exploring cities even ones you have visited often, there will always be new discoveries.

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Yoga at the Opera House

I have also noticed Yoga classes taking place early in the mornings at the top of the Opera House over looking Sydney Harbour. The timing coincides with sunrise, imagine exercising on one of the worlds most iconic buildings, such a magical experience. The classes are public and available to anyone.

Click here for information

http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/wellbeing/faqs.aspx

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