Sydney - my top 5

I've just said goodbye to my parents after a great two months of having them over here from the UK. To say this week has been stressful and very upsetting is an understatement. It seems to be much harder this time than it was when we left the UK seven months ago, but I suppose that is because I knew I would be seeing them again in just a few months plus we had lots going on when we first arrived in Australia.

Anyway, this post is not a depressing one I promise. We did so many wonderful things while they were in Sydney that I thought I'd compile a list of the best; it may just inspire you whether you live here or you're  just passing through.

1. Walk over the Harbour Bridge.

 

Of course you can just pay to do the Bridge Climb, but I am too much of a wimp to scale the famous structure, so we opted instead to walk from The Rocks to Milsons Point on a damp and grey afternoon after a lazy Saturday lunch. The other half and I had already done this walk one lovely bright and sunny Spring day (read about it here), but it was just as impressive in the drizzle! If you want to see the world's most famous harbour without having to pay for the Bridge Climb, or if like me you're just too scared, then I would recommend just getting your trainers on and pounding across the pedestrian path one morning before it gets too hot, or in the evening when the sun is setting.

Obviously taken on the bright and sunny Spring day!

The pedestrian crossing on the Harbour Bridge.

2. Explore the harbour from the ferries.

 

This is probably the best value for money; much better than paying top whack for a harbour cruise. A MyMulti day pass is AUD 22 and allows you  unlimited travel on all buses, ferries and trains for one day. We actually ended up doing the same thing the next week as we had so much fun the first time, but didn't have the time to get on all the ferries. We began at Milsons Point as this is close to our house, from here we got the ferry into Circular Quay and then back out to the Eastern Suburbs. This takes in Double Bay, Rose Bay and ends up in Watsons Bay. We had the famous Doyle's fish and chips by the beach with a cheeky glass of wine and then made it back on the ferry for the return trip to the city.

Double Bay from the ferry.

The second trip was down the Parramatta River as far as Abbotsford; this takes you under the Harbour Bridge and to places like Cockatoo Island and Drummoyne. The Sydney Rowers Club at Abbortsford is perfectly positioned next to the ferry terminal for a drink or bite to eat depending on how long you have to wait for a return ferry.

Going under the Harbour Bridge on the way to Abbotsford.

We ended our day on the ferries by getting one to Manly to enjoy early evening drinks on the wharf with friends (see more on Manly in number 5 below).

3. Balmain.

 

Balmain is by far my favourite place that I've been in Sydney. I really love the feel of the Inner West. Don't get me wrong, I also love the Northern Beaches but being a city girl and coming from London I feel more at home in the suburbs of Balmain, Rozelle and Glebe. This is ideally where we want to live, but lack of rental properties was a major stumbling block when we were looking. When I visit Balmain, I get the feeling that I wouldn't really need to leave for anything which is how I felt living in North London. There are plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to amuse us for a very long time. The buildings are beautiful, with lots of Victorian architecture and it's so easy to get lost in the back streets while having a nose at the houses. You could easily spend a day exploring round here, and from Circular Quay it is only a 10-minute ferry ride.

4. Lunch at the Kirribilli Club.

 

Or dinner, or breakfast, or just drinks... Regular visitors to Australia will know that they have a club system, similar to working men's clubs in the UK, as well as golf and country clubs. If you live within five kilometres of the club then you must become a member to be able to drink there. In the UK, working men's clubs conjour images of tatty, run-down community halls with a few unsavoury types propping up the bar. In Australia though, these RSL clubs are normally pretty modern and some have spectacular views. There is also the added bonus of subsidised drinks! Our local is the Kirribilli Club and we joined a few months ago. It has stunning views of Lavender Bay and the harbour bridge. We took the parents there for a New Year's Eve lunch - the sun was shining and we drank wine and beer while eating fresh fish and overlooking the sparkling waters. If you're ever in Milsons Point (and you live outside of the 5kms or have someone who can sign you in) then get yourself down there for drinks and/or food out on the terrace. A bottle of good Sav Blanc is only AUD 25...

5. Manly.

 

I couldn't finish my top 5 things in Sydney without mentioning a beach. Forget the Eastern Suburbs (or actually, keep going to Bondi as Manly locals really don't want an influx of tourists!); my favourite Sydney beaches are the Northern ones. Manly is by far the most famous, and I am quite biased towards going there as some of my husband's family live nearby so it's the most familiar place for me in Sydney.

Manly Beach.

Apart from the beach, Manly also had a fantastic number of great bars and restaurants, as well as a few good shops that aren't to do with surfing! Our favourite place to while away a few hours has to be Murrays. It brews its own beer, so the other half is happy, it has a fantastic wine list to keep me happy, but best of all it has the best terrace overlooking the beach. This is where we took my parents almost as soon as they had touched down at Sydney Airport. The best way to get to Manly is of course on the ferry, and one of my favourite things to do is to catch the fast ferry on a Friday evening with a glass of wine or a beer while watching the city fall away.

What would be in your top 5 things to do in Sydney? Drop me a comment below; I need some new ideas!

Details

Sydney Ferries website
Website: www.sydneyferries.info

MyMulti ticket info
Adult: AUS $22; Child: AUS $11; Concession: AUS $11.
Website: www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/mymulti-day-pass 

Doyles on the Wharf, Fishermans Wharf, Watsons Bay
Website: www.doyles.com.au

Sydney Rower's Club, 613 Great North Road, Abbotsford
Website: www.sydneyrowingclub.com.au/barsanddining.php

Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent, Lavender Bay 
Website: www.kirribilliclub.com.au

Murray's, 49 North Steyne, Manly
Website: www.murraysbrewingco.com.au/manly/manlyWelcome.php

Sydney Fast Ferries
Website: www.sydneyfastferries.com.au