Most Sydney youth hostels organize well-attended social events such as BBQs and pool tournaments for their residents. Go along! Treat it like the first day of school and introduce yourself. You will find one introduction leads to five more and a ready-made group of friends. The big hostels, including Wake Up! and Sydney Backpackers have great locations and reputations to match, but are probably better suited to those traveling with a companion. Slightly smaller hostels just outside the center like Glebe Point YHA, Glebe Village Backpackers, and Sydney Beach House YHA are perhaps better tailored to the needs of the solo traveler.


How to get around:

Sydney is practically a synonym for accessibility. Buy a Sydney transport pass ($165) and you’ll get seven days of unlimited access to buses, trains, and ferries. The pass will pay for itself within the first few days, and extensions to areas outside the pass’s zone can be bought separately. For those with time on their hands, the most enjoyable way to see the real Sydney is, of course, to walk. Put a map in your back pocket and see where your legs take you, you’ll almost certainly discover more about the city than a guidebook could ever teach you.


How to Fill your Time:

The Big Sights: During the day you can take in big attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Darling Harbour in a day or two. After that you can always head for the Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo. Both detours are wonderful experiences but can eat up the cash a little. Natural Attractions: The Blue Mountains are incredible and truly not to be missed. Major sites such as the Three Sisters, the Giant Staircase, the Jenolan Caves and numerous cliff walks are not too far from the city, and can be touched upon in a day.


If you don’t want to swap your sandals for hiking boots, the ‘Blue Mountain Trolley Tours’ provides a hop on hop off bus-route to the major sites. Easy optional walks on well-maintained nature paths provide alternate routes and beautiful scenery between stops. The more adventurous can enjoy guided bush walks, hikes, and activities from abseiling to horseback riding. Beaches: Both Manly Beach and Bondi Beach are just a short journey from the city. Generally, Manly is a more appealing option than the better known Bondi. Both are surrounded by lively neighborhoods, and have several excellent hostels in which to spend the night if you want to sit on the sand and watch the sun setting on the ocean.


Shopping: Those looking for a bargain should visit Paddy’s Markets or Glebe Markets (Saturdays only). The much-visited Rocks Market, whilst quaint, is a bit on the pricey side. Those not too strapped for cash will feel at home in the shops in the Queen Victoria Building and the nearby Strand Arcade. If your finances are tighter, the shops of Piccadilly can be richer bargain hunting grounds.


Nightlife: Sydney’s packed with enticing options when it comes to things to do after dark. Kings Cross contains a host of enjoyably sleazy clubs and bars, whilst each neighborhood comes equipped with its own sources of entertainment. Whichever Sydney hostel you choose, the staff will almost certainly have a range of recommendations for popular nearby bars and restaurants. If you’re lucky, they may even give you a list of happy hours, too!


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From the culture and elegance of the Sydney Opera House to the whimsy of that little clownfish, Nemo, Sydney is one of the most recognized cities in the world. Nestled in a gorgeous harbour, this cosmopolitan town offers all the luxuries you might expect from a seaside city. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you can also take in any number of water sports.


Sydney’s Beautiful Beaches


Because of Sydney’s shape and size, you’re never more than an hour from a beach. With 37 to choose from, it’s safe to say Sydney has wall-to-wall shoreline. One of the most popular is Bondi Beach. With glistening white sand and some killer waves, surfing is a top activity at Bondi. Sunbathing and swimming are high on the list, too. But the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Bondi has an awesome nightlife that doesn’t require formal dress. Jeans, t-shirts and sandals are the preferred attire for most beach front restaurants as well as for the Pavillion.



The Rocks

An entire district in Sydney (near the Sydney Opera House) is dedicated to its history. This area is referred to as The Rocks. With cobblestone lanes and buildings constructed out of the original stone The Rocks was named for, this section of town has a charming, old-world ambiance. Take in the attractions The Rocks offers including the harbor Bridge. In fact, for those who are physically fit and daring, you can climb the bridge! You and a group of 12, along with a professional guide, will climb to the top of the harbor Bridge – over 400 feet above the sea! At a length of 3.5 hours, your tour will have you traversing catwalks and ladders and being rewarded with the most spectacular views in the city.



Scuba Diving

With some of the most exciting sea life in the world, Sydney is a world-class dive site. If you’ve never tried scuba before, you’ll be glad to know there are numerous dive schools in the area who can teach you in as little as a day. Under the crystal-blue sea, you might discover underwater flora and fauna ranging from elegant sea tulips to mystical sea dragons to massive humpback whales. It’s an adventure filled with wonder and excitement.



Festivals

Depending on the time of year you travel to Sydney, you can participate in some of the many festivals held there. From yacht races to Sydney’s version of Mardi Gras to the Sydney Garden & Flower Show, there’s so much to see and do you won’t know where to start. One of the best ways to see Sydney and the surrounding areas is via cruise ship. The next time you plan a visit to the land down under, ask about tours that include exciting ports such as Sydney. You’ll find a world of exhilaration you won’t soon forget.



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