Sydney is Australia’s famous harbour city and capital of New South Wales. We spent only 3 days in Sydney, but we were able to see the main attractions there. Sydney is a beautiful city and we explored it by walking everywhere. To me, there is no better way to feel a city’s atmosphere than by foot. First thing first, we started our journey by visiting Sydney Harbour with the gorgeous Opera House in it. That building is magical. I felt like I couldn’t get enough of it.
Sydney Harbour is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. The Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens are situated on the southern side of Circular Quay, which is the vibrant hub of Sydney Harbour. Circular Quay is also the major transport hub for water taxis, harbor cruises, buses, trains and taxis.
On the northern side of Circular Quay, a short walkway leads to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, an historic area of Sydney’s city center. Nicknamed “the coathanger”, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a great engineering feat, originally opened in 1932. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this vast structure that spans Sydney Harbour.
The harbor is very pleasant with various venues, boats and street artists.
We were there in November, which is spring time in Australia. These beautiful purple/blue blooming Jacaranda trees were all over the city.
More pictures of the Opera House from a different angle.
The bridge’s design was influenced by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City. It is the sixth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 m (440 ft) from top to water level (from Wikipedia).
Near the Opera House with the Harbour bridge in the background.
Such a pretty venue. No wonder everyone wants to take a picture next to it.
We caught a glimpse of a wedding near the Opera House.
The shells of the Opera House are made from numerous tiles. Even though it seems like tiles are all white, in reality they have different shades.
Another view of the harbor.
A street artist was painting his creation right on the sidewalk.
There are many venues with outside tables and benches to enjoy some food or just relax.
After that, we walked to the Sydney Tower Eye from Circular Quay.
The Sydney Tower remains the tallest structure in Sydney. Entrance to the Sydney Tower Eye is on level five in Westfield Sydney, a premier shopping center at the corner of the Pitt Street Mall and Market Street in the city center.
We started our Tower tour by watching a 4D film about Sydney. The film was short, but very well done and informative. The first thing we saw inside the Sydney Tower was this 3D model.
Nestled at the highest point of the city, the Observation Deck offers the ultimate view of Sydney’s beaches and neighborhoods, with vistas as far as the Blue Mountains. The multilingual touchscreens provide an interactive introduction to some of the city’s famous landmarks, and the high-powered binoculars help to get a closer look.
Standing on the Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck, 820 feet (250 meters) above the street, and enjoying 360-degree panoramic views as far as 48 miles (80 kilometers) into the distance.
While walking near the Tower, we spotted the cutest park. It was Hyde Park, the oldest public parkland in Australia in the central business district of Sydney.
While exiting Hyde Park we walked by the beautiful Archibald Fountain.
The Archibald Fountain, properly called the J. F. Archibald Memorial Fountain was a gift to the city. It was erected in 1932 to commemorate the association between Australia and France in World War I. The large basin is decorated with six tortoises which throw jets of water.
A view of Sydney Tower from Archibald Fountain.
Archibald Fountain with St. Mary’s Cathedral in the background.
It was near sunset time, which painted the street and St Mary’s Cathedral with beautiful pastel colors.
Sydney city street view.
We walked right by this interesting statue while passing George Street. 343 George Street is historically significant as the former headquarters of one of the leading banks in New South Wales, the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd., which had occupied this site since the 1850s until its merger with the National Bank in the 1980s.
We noticed that there were so many Asian restaurants in Sydney. I guess, Asian cuisine is very popular there. Dave and I like Asian food, so we visited many restaurants there. One of our lunches.
During our stay in Sydney, we visited the Town Hall full of purple bloom, pigeons and people.
St Andrew’s Cathedral behind the blooming Jacaranda trees.
Here is the Queen Victoria building down from the Town Hall. The Queen Victoria Building has been described by Pierre Cardin as “the most beautiful shopping centre in the world”. The building fills a city block bounded by George, Market, York and Druitt Streets.
