Flying to Sydney from Baku takes more than twenty hours, and that is the first thing to take into account when planning the trip. If you are going once, give it no less than two weeks. The city itself lives up to expectations: the opera house, the bridge and more than thirty city beaches are all in one place. Below I have written a four-day city route.
The opera house and the harbour
The roof of the opera house is covered with more than a million tiles, and close up you see they are not white but two different shades. You go inside on a guided tour. The building is at Circular Quay, and the Royal Botanic Garden next to it is free; from the point called Mrs Macquarie’s Chair the opera house and the bridge fall into one frame.
Climbing the pylon of the harbour bridge is the cheap option, while the walk over the arch is expensive and booked in advance. The Rocks is the oldest quarter, and a market is held there at the weekend.
The beaches and the coastal walk
Bondi is the most famous beach, but not the best. The coastal path from Bondi to Coogee is six kilometres, passes several bays along the cliffs, takes two hours and is free. It is the best walk in the city.
The ferry to Manly beach is thirty minutes from the harbour, and on the way you see the opera house and the bridge, which makes it a cheap harbour excursion. The ocean currents are strong, so swim only between the red and yellow flags — that is the zone the lifeguards watch.
From Sydney to the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are two hours by train and take their name from the blue haze that eucalyptus oil creates in the air. The rock pillars called the Three Sisters are the main viewpoint, reachable on foot from the town of Katoomba. The Scenic Railway is the steepest railway in the world.
The Hunter Valley wine region is two hours to the north. Along the north coast, Port Stephens is known for its dolphins. Taking the day tours in advance settles the transport question, because the distances are large.
Read more: An Australia travel guide: Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, the distances and the budget
Transport and prices in Sydney
An Opal card or a contactless bank card works on the trains, buses, trams and ferries, and the daily cap is calculated automatically. On Sundays a very low flat fare applies to all transport, so putting your day trip on that day is a real saving.
A three-star hotel is 150–250 Australian dollars and a hostel bed 40–70. Breakfast in a café is 20–30 dollars, and the coffee culture here is world class. Tipping is not compulsory. Official information is on the Sydney.com site.
The season in Sydney
The seasons are reversed. December to February is summer, with 25–30 degrees and full beaches. March to May is autumn and the most balanced period. June to August is winter, but at 12–18 degrees it is not cold. September to November is spring and prices are lower.
A last word
Sydney is a city worth the long flight, but planning the trip short is a mistake. Walk the Bondi to Coogee path, cross to Manly by ferry, and put your day trip on a Sunday. For a visa and a route, fill in the application form.
Note: the prices in this article are those at the time of publication and may change with the season.
