Have you ever wondered whether Egyptians visit the pyramids, Parisians climb the Eiffel Tower or New Yorkers wander around the Statute of Liberty? David and I have done all these things as well as countless other iconic activities around the world, but I have often wondered whether locals living their lives every day in the shadow of such massive tourist drawcards ever bother to visit them.
Mention Sydney and 'Things to do' to any tourist and I can almost guarantee which activity will be the top of their list. It has become so popular it is almost synonymous with the city. Yet I haven't done it, nor has David, our adult children, or most of our friends. I am sure you can guess what I am talking about: if you have been a tourist in Sydney you have probably done it yourself.
I am talking, of course, about the
Bridge Climb. The lack of enthusiasm most Sydneysiders have for our most famous activity got me thinking about what other things tourists have on their 'must do' lists which locals just yawn and wave at in passing so I drew up a list of my own - 'things to avoid' and added a few local tips just in case you intend do these things anyway.
1. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge -
Sydneysiders walk, drive and cycle across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We sail under it and we fly over it but most of us don't climb it. Why would we - it's a bridge! Do you climb bridges in your home city?
David and I have never climbed the bridge, nor do we have any desire to do so. A quick straw poll amongst our friends came up with the same attitude for all but a few, and those who have climbed the bridge were generally underwhelmed by the experience.
I am not saying you shouldn't climb the bridge. Try to do it on a fine day; take in the spectacular views, and love every minute of it, but don't imagine you are doing what the locals do. If you want to do that, buy a
train ticket from Wynyard to Milsons Point Station and ride across the bridge in a train.
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| I took this from a Helicopter - the absolute best way to get a great view of the harbour. |
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My Tips -
- Walk across the bridge - There is a walkway on the eastern side of the bridge with views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour. They are spoiled a bit by a safety fence built to prevent people jumping off but they are still good. Access the walk from Bridge Stairs on Cumberland Street in The Rocks or the steps near Milsons Point Railway Station. There is also a path on the western side of the bridge which is reserved for cyclists. Caz and Craig from 'ytravelblog' have written a great guide to walking across the bridge. Click - here - to read it.
- Climb a Harbour Bridge pylon - For $13.00 per adult (about a million dollars each less than the Bridge Climb) you can visit the lookout at the top of the south-east pylon. As well as the view, you get a series of exhibits on the history of the bridge. Access the lookout from the pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the bridge. Click - here - for the Pylon Lookout website. Paula Morgan of Sydney Expert has written a great post on the Pylon Lookout. Click - here - to read it.
- If you really want stunning views of Sydney Harbour, forget the Bridge Climb and take a helicopter flightseeing tour instead. It costs no more than a daytime Bridge Climb. Click - here - for my blog post on helicopter flightseeing over Sydney Harbour.
- If you absolutely must climb the bridge, my friends in the travel blogging world, Sue and Dave of 'Travel Tales of Life', have written a helpful post on what you can expect. Click - here - to read it.
Don't be fooled by all the hype about Australians celebrating Christmas Day at the beach. Like everyone else in the world Australians have homes, and at home with friends and family is where you will generally find us on Christmas Day. If however you hail from Northern Europe then head down to Bondi where you can join thousands of other temporary refugees from cold-weather Christmases. Be warned however, after celebrations got out of hand a few years ago there is a 'no alcohol' policy in force.
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| Manly Beach, in late autumn, because I have never been to the beach on Christmas Day |
My tip -
- Arrive early. Bondi gets crowded on Christmas Day. If you want the atmosphere with a few less people head to Coogee or Manly instead. There will still be crowds but they won't be quite as overwhelming as Bondi.
It is possible to
tour the Opera House in seven different languages. There is a standard tour, a backstage tour, a
Vivid Sydney tour, an adventure tour and a junior tour. I'm sure visitors to Sydney love them. Locals don't do them. They go to the Opera House for what it was built for - to see concerts, operas and plays.
I confess, I am not a great fan of opera but Sydney's most famous landmark is not just about opera. Ballets, stage plays, concerts and children's shows all make regular appearances. Click -
here - for what's on at the Opera House.
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| The Sydney Opera House |
My tip -
- There are two main venues at the Opera House - the Concert Hall and the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Operas, concerts and ballets are all staged in these venues and these are where you will get the full Opera House experience complete with stunning views across the harbour at intermission. The Drama Theatre, Playhouse and Studio are all underneath the main building. You could be anywhere. They just don't have the same magical feel. Click - here - for a plan.
4. Worry about being bitten by poisonous creatures -
Yes, we have some of the world's deadliest creatures but I have never known a single person who has been attacked by a shark, bitten by a snake or died from a spider bite. Just ignore the hype. Most Australians don't see a dangerous creature from one decade to the next.
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Crocodile warning sign
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My tip -- Respect warning signs, don't be an idiot and you will be as safe in this country as anywhere in the world.
5. Get sunburnt
I am stretching it a bit here. Plenty of locals do get sunburnt from time to time. Generation Y - I am talking to you! Sunburn is however endemic among tourists, especially Northern Europeans.
My tips -
- Don't underestimate the strength of the Australian sun. It isn't just the beach where you need suncream and a hat. You can get burnt just about anywhere outside.
- Be particularly vigilant on cooler, windy days. It is easy to get burnt and not realise it until hours later.
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No matter whether you are a tourist or a local, Sydney is a wonderful city and a great place to spend a few days - or a lifetime. If you have been to Sydney and done any of the things on my list, add a comment and tell us what you thought.
Do you live in a place with 'must-do' tourist attractions? Have you done them? What is it David and I should avoid in your city if we want to blend in with the locals?