Theres more to Sydney than the CBD
If you actually take into account the suburbs Sydney is quite a big place and since the trains are easy to use and a fair(ish) price, you should get out of the CBD if you get bored and check out these places.
Cronulla
The first time I went exploring before I even saw the Opera house was to a beach called Cronulla. It's fairly far south of the CBD but I lived in Hurstville which is pretty much half way between the two.
This place pretty much set the stage for my remaining beach days and I think you'll agree, it's not a bad place to start. 😎
Cronulla has two main beaches - North and South Beach. The other beach is smaller but a more cosey beach south.
Cronulla North Beach
If your lucky, you may wittness a surfing competition here
Or even a marriage proposal ❤
Cronulla has a very relaxed beach town vibe to it. There's a jetty you can jump off at Gunnamatta Bay too which is pretty fun and you need not worry about the depth. It's deep!
Coogee
If you walk south from Bondi and keep followimg the coastilne, eventualy you'll come across Coogee. It's great place by day with a really alive and upbeat atmosphere.
You'll meet tones of people in the park nearby, locals and travelers alike.
The Coogee pavilion is the place to be, it's not too pricy either. In fact it's free entry and you'll feel like a member of the millionaires club when you go in since it's basically a mansion on the beach.
Manly
One of my favourite places to visit was Manly which is North Sydney and a great place to go on a Sunday since the ferry is only $2.50 return! The ferry trip alone is a scenic trip and a breath of fresh air. There's also the fast ferry which is well...faster but more expensive.
If you like beach volleyball like me you'll love this place since it has at least 6 courts all on the actual beach and the locals will let you join in. I ended up playing for about 2 hours...whoops 😅
The surf at Manly is great, good for beginners on low tide but the waves pack a punch on high tide as I found out. (during a surfing lesson at Manly Surf School. In fact, I caught the biggest green wave of my life which took me all the way in to shore.
Always be ready to stand up because sometimes the wave will catch you!
Me at Manly after a surf lesson
Manly is also the place to go if you want to come face to face with a shark in shark dive xtreme. A bit costly but you'll be freediving not stuck in a cage. There's also rays and I think turtles as well as other sharks in there so you get to see alot. What an oppertunity!
If you walk to the south you'll come across a pool as well as a smaller more cosey area called Shelly Beach.
This is a nice tucked away marine reserve so a great place for snorkeling as well as more relaxing place then the main beach.
North of Manly, there are many more beaches which unfortunately I didn't explore but I did see that particular coastline another way...
Helicopter flyby of Northen Beaches
One thing I would recomend if you want to get an overall look at Sydney and it's surroundings is a helicopter ride. It's worth paying extra to sit up front in the glass bubble with the pilot 🙂🤙
The view is pretty amazing as you'll see for yourself;
*The Chopper
And the views...
The Big Blue
all photos were taken by me
Tom's Tips
- If your gonna visit, make sure one of the days is a Sunday. It's $2.50 all day with an Opel card! 😉
- Opel cards are for ferries too and the Sunday $2.50 applies! Just getting a ferry is like your on a site seeing tour as they Dock next to the Opera house and many go under the Harbour Bridge.
- Every foughtnight on a Sunday's there's fireworks in Darling Harbour - Viewable from many of the bars and restaurants also.
- Helicopter flights are expensive but really worth it if you've never been in one before.
- Make use of public transport - Use the trains and ferries to get around.
- Go Decembember to Feb - (Summer) Sydney is full of beaches but they are much more enjoyable when the sun is out.
If you liked this post, please show your support because there's more...😉
Hello. It is great. I love it.
Thanks 🙂
Wow! You must've had a blast! Thanks for sharing your incredible aerial photos and travel tips.
I did! And thank you for the upvote/comment ☺
When you say expansive helicopter ride, what do you mean? I'm asking for a friend ;) riding in heli is a lifelong dream of mine. I remember on a trip to Cyprus the guide told us that if we're injured we'll get helicopter ambulance. I was excited by the idea, and he told me I will ride helicopter in the army (involuntary drafting sucks dude), alas, I wasn't a combatant, and didn't get my dream heli ride. Also luckily didn't get injured abroad so I came back in the old fashioned twin engine jet.
Tl;dr - how much are the heli tours?
Also wicked beaches, makes me miss summer
I can't remember the exact cost about $100 to $150 Aus. I was lucky, my family back home bought it for me for Christmas!
I then paid an extra $50 to sit up front
If its a lifelong dream don't let money get in the way.
Have a look on redballoon.com as that's where my parents got it.
Speaking of flying I wish I saw this when i was there. It would be amazing!
https://www.bookme.com.au/things-to-do/sydney/activity/tiger-moth-bi-plane-adventure-flight/3389
Hope this helps
Yes, thank you very much. Glad you got a lifelong dream come true :)
Wow that is very reasonable for a flight
Amazing photos! Congrats tomatom
Thank you! 😊
STUNNING!!!!! I WISH I COULD VISIT ANYTIME IN MY LIFE! :) GREETINGS FROM SPAIN! :)
Mate, you can!
Quit your job and go...that's what I did. You can do anything you put your mind to. You can change the world around you bit by bit.
I knew this already, but now I've travelled a little I am trully beginning to see what's out there.
I discovered the world isn't just a cruel place like I thought it was. There's people out there that you WILL meet and places which will change your perspective.
Book a flight!
P.s Spain is awasome! I'm from the UK
I did Oz., and I am retired...just go...end explore...skiied there (Skiing is crap compared to Alps) travelled way down the east coast...From the Gold Coast to Byron Bay to Melbourne... drunk loads of wine at every stop... climbed mt Kossiossgo and wandered over to Perth to sampe the Swan River wines...Just do it.
inspiring words mate! I hope I can do a little bit better in steemit so I can book a couple of flights hahaha! un abrazo amigo! :)
Upvoted,tnx for sharing
good shots. upvoted and followed.
this is my blog(please upvote and follow if you like):
https://steemit.com/@gnchmurat
I appreciate it thanks. I'll take a proper look when i have the time 👍
I am an avid fan of travellers..a lot of very organic spots has yet discovered...
Sydney looks fun! Definitely one of the places I would like to visit on day :)
If you love Golden beaches then yes...go. 🙂 It's seasonal though unlike Melbourne. But luckily the weather is normally very good. (In comparison to England anyway) 🤣
beautiful photos
Thank you
great shots. respect to you :D I love to take photos. I travel a lot, too.
You can view my photos on my blog if you want :D you have my follow.
Greetings from Thailand❀
Thank you ☺
I might visit Thailand on the way home if I have any money left
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What a views mate, look at that from helicopter you know how to live @tomatom
Cheers, yeh that experience in particular was amazing. I'm glad I got photos. People say that photos don't do it justice which is true...However they also create memories and I'll remember that flight as long as I live! 😊
Thanks for tips!:)
Wow! Beautiful photos. It makes me want to visit Sydney more.
There's an amazing photo/location coming up..just wait 🙂
I wish I could go there someday as well! Would love to follow your blog!
Do check out my new post as well.
https://steemit.com/poem/@timesedge/intution-original-poetry
Regards,
Ana
You can! What you see is reality from one real person to another. 🙂
Wow ...you know how to live...loved the ferry from Manly back to the Opera house
Yep, I worked in Greenwich baths as a lifegaurd so got the ferry and epic views twice a week 😎
Yes...I know when I got off that ferry ten years ago I saw a young guy, deaf and dumb, wearing a Sunderland strip (I lived 3 miles from there) about to go to the Opera house...amazing I could go half way round the world and meet some one from Home. Took delight in spending the rest of the day helping him
Anyway...thought this cheepie viral campaign might amuse you....https://steemit.com/funny/@godfatherofsalsa/naughty-elf-on-the-shelf-photos-go-viral-internet-sensation
HAPPY NEW YEAR...
Wow, nice trip buddy! I've been to Sydney and I have really loved the place. I actually consider Australia to be one of the best places in the world to have a family as standard of living is very high, amazing weather, beaches, exotic culture etc - Sydney has it all + a decent nightlife for younger guys as well, not as good as some states in US or some countries in EU, but it has many other aspects, that you could fall in love. I love your helicopter trip ^^ It must have been an really amazing experience. I never did that, but before I die I will definitely have to. Cheers ^
HAPPY NEW YEAR...
Thanks for your tips :D. i will go here
I miss sumer :S :S
Hi Tom, I'm a shire girl and just wanted to mention there is also a Ferry that runs from Cronulla across to Bundeena. This service is independent to the Govt transport net work, but is totally worth it. And IF you are lucky there could be Dolphins about. Awesome photos btw!
Hi @Tomatom, stopping by to say Hi and see your work! Come visit Australia sometime soon! Cheers Mate :)