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Random Observations from Sydney, Australia

Last Updated: December 1, 2015

Random Observations from Sydney, Australia

If you want a guide to seeing Sydney Australia, this post is not going to be very fulfilling. But if you would like to enjoy some random observations and tips I have from roaming the streets of Sydney for almost a week, then please, feel free to continue reading. (I’m pretty sure it will be mildly amusing, regardless of educational content).

Disclaimers aside, Sydney has been an interesting trip so far. After meeting up with @frank_in_oz in Melbourne for an iced mocha to die for and engaging conversation that could have lasted for days (thanks again, Frank!), I hopped on the overnight train to Sydney – an 11 hour journey.

Upon arrival in Sydney, I roamed the streets randomly and discovered the following:


Sydney people (Sydnites? Sydneyers? Sydcentrics?) love to run. Even if they’re not decked out in the latest fashionable running gear, you don’t go far before seeing somebody running. As yet I haven’t seen anybody chasing these people, so I must infer that they’re either in one heck of a hurry, or they’re just very fitness conscious.


King’s Cross is a section of the city that is popular for backpackers who like to party. Most Aussies I’ve come across have told me to stay away from it like the plague as it’s also considered to be the ugly underbelly of the city, so I didn’t stay there. However, I did walk through the area, and found it to have equal parts luxury and sleeze. Heroin addicts twitch outside fancy gated residences beside tattoo parlors across from fancy cafes beneath cheap backpacker hostels.


Wooloomooloo is quite possibly the most enjoyable word to say, and has more “o”s than any word I’ve seen before.


Sydney downtown (known as the CBD – central business district – in Aussie-speak) traffic reminds me of Toronto. This is not a compliment. I lost years of my life in Toronto traffic.


The Royal Botanic Gardens are free to browse through, walking on the grass is encouraged, and it has some of the best views of the city.


Shoot a flying fox, and somebody may shoot you. (I am, of course, referring to shooting with cameras, not guns). While wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens, I got a whiff of something familiar. Eventually it clicked – I was smelling bat poo. This reminded me fondly of our time in Evans Head when we camped under a few thousand of them. So while I was busy shooting these furry vampires, I had the distinct feeling of being watched. I reeled around to see a professional video camera on a tripod looking suspiciously right at me. I didn’t have the presence of mind to either take a picture of them shooting me (which would have been humourous if nothing else), nor ask what they were shooting. Don’t ask me why – maybe I was stricken with an uncharacteristic bout of shyness.


Speaking of uncharacteristic shyness, I was told by a fellow traveler in my dorm room that when she met me I was so extroverted I made her flinch. Maybe next time I’ll say “hello” with a little less gusto.


It will cost you $200 to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, which allows you to precariously teeter to the very top of the arch of the bridge. Or, for $0, you can just walk across the bridge on the footpath. If that’s not enough to get your heart racing, then just walk closer to the edge. (This advice is courtesy of Rachel from England. Thanks! I think this is particularly sound advice that could be applied in other areas of life. Not getting your kicks? Walk closer to the edge.)


I’m now staying near Sydney with my friends from the Black Queen who I met in Lightning Ridge shortly after we first arrived in Australia. Future adventurous posts will include the long (and wet) Manly Scenic Walk, how to catch a bus (or rather, how not to catch one), and other adventures. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Australia

About the Author: As a former CFP (Certified Financial Planner), Nora Dunn has been traveling the world full-time since 2006. Now a celebrated author, speaker, and freelance writer, Nora teaches people how to travel full-time in a financially sustainable way. Read More…

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anthony Feint says

    February 8, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    A train between sydney and melbourne? I guess it must mostly be used by tourists as I didn’t realise there was one.

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    February 9, 2010 at 3:26 am

    Sydneysiders, I think is the term. But you knew that.

    Reply
  3. Kevin says

    February 9, 2010 at 5:12 am

    Oh, the bridge climb is not precarious at all…even for someone who has a minor fear of falling. As a matter of fact, you have to be attached to the bridge at all times via a cable. Nothing you carry on the trip can fall from your hands. Everything is attached to you in some way, shape or form. I thought the views from the top were pretty fantastic.

    Reply
  4. Sky says

    February 9, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    I’m pretty sure the correct term for Sydney residents is “Sydneysiders”

    Reply
  5. Frank says

    February 9, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Ha! Ha! this bit is really funny – for those of us lucky to have met Nora, face to face, there is a high probability you would agree with her dorm mate.

    Speaking of uncharacteristic shyness, I was told by a fellow traveler in my dorm room that when she met me I was so extroverted I made her flinch. Maybe next time I’ll say “hello” with a little less gusto.

    btw, that’s not me, that’s my Dad. I took the picture.

    Reply
  6. theprofessionalhobo says

    February 10, 2010 at 10:38 am

    @Anthony – I’m pretty sure the train is used by commuters and tourists alike…with two trains daily, I’m pretty sure that tourists alone wouldn’t justify the service. The Indian Pacific or The Ghan – it is not! 🙂

    @Andrea & @Sky – Sydneysiders! Actually, I didn’t know. But I like it…..I came up with a bunch more the other day, but nothing really stuck.

    @Kevin – As somebody who loves heights and the occasional bout of vertigo, I would have loved to do the climb, and I imagine the views would have been incredible. I just got major sticker shock at the price!

    @Frank – Me? Really? Nah – couldn’t be! And yes – to everybody I can attest: this is Frank’s dad. Wink wink.

    Reply
  7. niamh says

    February 10, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    “The Royal Botanic Gardens are free to browse through, walking on the grass is encouraged, and it has some of the best views of the city.”

    That big sign near the gate saying Please Walk on the Grass? That was why I moved to Sydney! Well, one of the reasons! Looking at your pics is causing high levels of nostalgia! Enjoy

    Reply
  8. theprofessionalhobo says

    February 11, 2010 at 8:36 am

    @Niamh – Awesome! I’m so glad I’m not the only person who thought that sign was great. Glad I could trigger some great memories.

    Reply
  9. JJackson says

    February 18, 2010 at 3:20 am

    Nice Blog! Love it.

    Check out my blog at:

    http://yeslifehappens.blogspot.com/

    jcares01@gmail.com

    Reply
    • theprofessionalhobo says

      February 18, 2010 at 8:57 am

      @JJackson – Cool blog name! Did you know that the previous incantation of this blog was called Life Happens? Great minds think alike…

      Reply

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