Sydney Harbour National Park

As I arrive, i'm fatigued by cantankerous immigration staff, an extorionate chocolate milk and the sweetest (not neccesarily nice), most expensive do-nuts i've ever had the mispleasure of eating, all while waiting for the bus to the hostel on a bitterly cold Sydney morning. A half moon is still visible. There's not a cloud in the sky. I can see my breath. It's that cold. And i'm incredibly tired. After some sleep, I walk through Alfred Park, past Central Station and into the long spanning Central Business District along Pitt Street. I know i'm getting close. Suddenly, the sight i've been longing to see begins revealing itself from behind ...  Read the complete review

From September to December 2005 I was seconded to a suburb of Sydney, Australia which, as secondments go, was a pretty juicy one for a 23 year old to land. As readers of my other pieces will attest to I got out and about in Australia during my time there, but since Sydney was the place I was working 4 days per week, every week, I also got to spend a fair chunk of time in the city. Arriving in Sydney is generally by air on a domestic or international flight though some energetic souls may also drive in having road-tripped it from Melbourne and/or Canberra. The airport is not an especially noteworthy one but it does have one outstanding feature: Krispy Kreme ...  Read the complete review

I landed in Sydney on Boxing Day evening 2003 armed with only my backpack and my Lonely Planet guide book for company. I was on my own, (due to being let down by the friend I was supposed to be travelling with) and determined to have a good time. Needless to say I didn't find it too much of an effort. I had booked hostel accommodation as I was to be in Sydney until Jan 1st and knew it would be difficult to get anywhere on the day which from speaking to others proved to be a good decision. After clearing immigration I found the city shuttle outside ($8 au, refunded by hostel) I was at the Alfred park budget Hotel in Redfern, walking distance into the city in ...  Read the complete review

Sydney – somewhere I had wanted to visit from being a small child. I have no idea where the draw to this city came from but fixate me it did! Odd then that it took two trips to Australia to actually "get there", but at the beginning of this year I finally managed it…… ~HISTORY~ Sydneys story began in the late eighteenth century when the British Government of the day decided to establish a penal colony (to help with overcrowding in the goals back at home) in the newly discovered land of Australia, more importantly in the newly declared territory of New South Wales. The first fleet of eleven ships sailed into Sydney ...  Read the complete review

Australia's most celebrated city remains an obligatory stop on most itineraries around this vast continent. With a bulging population of 4 million this is a city that is going places. Many vistors are spellbound by the intoxicating mix of fine weather, superb natural environment and a cost of living that is attractive when compared to Europe's oft overpriced capitals. Many a working holiday has extended to much longer stays and for a considerable percentage Sydney eventually becomes home. Although one of Australia's oldest settlements, Sydney remains a relatively new city. Europeans first arrived here just over 200 years ago and rapidly turned a ...  Read the complete review