Living in Australia

Sydney! Where do I start? Even though it's been a few years since I lived there, some things still stick out in my mind. Must sees--Circular Quay, The Rocks, Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Mrs. MacQuarrie's Chair, Botanical Gardens, St. Mary's Cathedral, QVB (for shopping), aquarium, Bondi Beach, Manley Beach, Blue Mountains.

Quick Tips:

Since I wasn't really there as a tourist, I'm not sure where to find specials, but traveling as a student with an ID and student discount cards can be very worthwhile. Hostels can be a good guide for adventures, outings and things to do (skydiving, scuba, outback trips).

Best Way To Get Around:

Bus or walking in the city. King George street is the main artery and the buses make it very easy to get around. Be sure to look right then left before crossing the street! All of downtown Sydney is accessible by walking. Bus tickets are cheap and tickets can be purchased in all of the corner stores.

This is the perfect way to see Sydney and experience a variety of local cuisine. In the rotating tower restaurant you can sample delicacies like kangaroo, pumpkin soup, emu, camel, cheeses and wines. The 360-degree view of Sydney and its outlying areas is fantastic. A photographer will take a picture of your table for a price. The buffet is all-you-can-eat. Definitely worth the money and time--dinner takes about 1.5 hours.

You can't go to Sydney without seeing a performance at the famed Sydney Opera House. The design and the engineering inside make it a truly unique experience. The acoustics are so innovative. I saw the Broadway musical Sweeny Todd in one of the performance halls after receiving a tour of the building. It's so much more than just a recognizable building on the harbor. Take advantage of the many plays and concert performances. Get tickets in advance.

Scubar is the place to go to meet young adults from all over the world. Centrally located between hotels and hostels, this is the place that everyone goes to meet other young tourists. They have many theme nights and free prizes and giveaways and drink specials. Open until 2am. Very friendly and safe environment, but go with friends or a group. But not a good place to go if you're interested in mingling with the locals.

The zoo is a great place to see Australian wildlife up close and in one location. The sky chairs take you from the front gates up to the zoo. Great views! Can be done in one day. I don't really remember the price of admission.