I’d never thought I would ever go to Australia. I’m so glad I did. The city absolutely captured my heart and it’s such a different vibe than what I have experienced. I did kind of walk into my trip blind. Besides the Opera House, there wasn’t too much I knew about Sydney. But that made it more of an adventure because it allowed me to get lost and just enjoy the city and find things as I did. Here’s my travel guide to find what to eat and see in Australia!
Travel Guide: What to Eat and See in Australia
What to Eat
One of the things I like from Australia is that there is a lot of local places. It makes it easier to try something new instead of sticking to what you know. I stayed about 30-40 minutes away from the city so I got to try out things in the hills but also in the actual city. A big thing to note is that some places tend to close early around early evening so check ahead of time. Here are some places I tried and some that are popular.
The Baron
I’m a big fan of a good cafe. The Baron is one of the nicest I’ve been to. They offer an all-day menu, tea, and obviously coffee. The food menu ranges from breakfast foods to lunch. I got a sandwich (pictured below) and it was delicious and filling. It’s also a very aesthetically pleasing location and quick service. Check it out here.
Messina
Everyone told me to go to Messina, yet it is the one places I didn’t go to. It’s a popular gelato place in the city. They have rich flavors and everyone I talked to was in love with it. So if you have a sweet craving, this is a go-to. Check it out here.
The Grounds of Alexandria
Another place I didn’t get to visit due to it closing early but one of the most popular. Here you can get specialty coffee and food. It’s such a pretty location with brick walls and greenery. Check it out here.
Pancakes at the Rocks
If you want to have a yummy breakfast, go here. It’s close to Sydney Harbour but there are other locations around New South Wales. They have a lot of pancakes with so many flavors, many topped with ice cream. You will 100% get full with just two. They also have other types of dishes in case you don’t want to eat pancakes. Check it out here.
The Soda Factory
This was an unexpected find my friend showed me. We were in the city on a Tuesday night and it was getting late but we were hungry. The Soda Factory is deeper in the city but it was worth it because on Tuesdays they have $1 hot dogs and they were so good. They’re all specialty hot dogs which are such a deal. It has a big nightlife so it will be crowded. Check it out here.
Where to Go
To be honest, I didn’t look too much into things to do in Australia and I’m glad I didn’t. This allowed me to just explore and encounter things instead of rushing or being disappointed I couldn’t do something on my list. Sydney and its surrounding cities have a lot to offer. There is a lot of history and landmarks. Here’s some to visit.
Sydney Harbour
A must-do since it’s the most recognizable landmark in Sydney. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are such a sight to see. Depending on what time of day you go, the Opera House will be full of people trying to take pictures but taper off as the day goes by. Visiting here is a must and it’s breathtaking to see in person. There’s a lot of ferries that take you around and you can see it all from the water.
Bondi & Other Local Beaches
Bondi Beach was the one place I did want to visit for sure. It’s one of the iconic beaches in Australia and it’s so beautiful! What’s really cool is that there is a trail that connects all the surrounding beaches. The Bondi trail is beautiful and not super crowded in the afternoon. You encounter a couple of beaches and it’s calming seeing all the water.
Other Places to Visit
I did a lot of walking and encountered things here and there so here are some I liked. The Queen Victoria Building is such a beautiful building with history. Although it’s mostly a shopping mall now, it’s still worth stopping by and looking at its architecture. I didn’t make it to the Blue Mountains but it’s another must-see recommended to me by a lot of locals. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers. Darling Harbour is another spot with a lot of water and places to shop. My favorite thing is that they have fireworks every Saturday night.
Transportation
Public transportation is so easy in Australia. As a complete newbie to public transportation, I got the hang of the Metro, trains, and buses so easily. Everything is digital and automatized so it is easy to find where and what you need to take and you just need an Opal Card for all of them. Google Maps is really good at giving you which buses or trains to take if you look for directions. As a Californian where it’s more limited, Australia’s public transportation was so easy and clear to use with so many options and on-time the majority of the time.
I hoped you enjoyed my travel guide for what to eat and see in Australia! Have you ever wanted to go?
And if you need more travel posts, read more here!
