Sydney, Australia in 3 Days - Day 1

Sydney in 3 days?  Even for us, that's pushing it.  But for those readers based in Hawaii, New Zealand, Or around LAX or SFO - it's entirely doable! The only problem with Sydney is that once you visit, you'll never want to leave.   Sydney is a clean, efficient and modern city.  Like New York, but you can swim in the water.  Like Chicago, but the weather is fantastic.  Sydney is a mixture of a tropical environment with a big-city feel.  The majority of our trip will be spent in the city center area, which will give us a great summary of the city itself as well as access to the rest of the area via ferry boat routes. Before You Go! Equip yourself with good walking shoes, your DK Guidebook and bring plenty of activities for the flight.  It's a long trip! When to Go 3DT visited in August.  This is the winter in the South Pacific, but the weather was spectacular.   65 degrees each day - short sleeve weather during the day and jacket weather at night.  I'm sure, though, that Sydney in all seasons is a great destination.  So, plan on going here when the deals allow. The Basics Sydney is located on the east coast of Australia.  Accessible via the Kingsford Smith Airport on the outskirts of town, Sydney is 14 hours non-stop from Los Angeles or San Francisco, 10 hours from Hawaii, 2.5 hours from Auckland or 10 hours from Tokyo.  From Europe?  With a stop in Asia - about 22 hours. While this sounds like a long journey, modern airline travel has given us plenty of activities to keep us busy.  And in planning ahead, you've brought things to do with you.  V Australia, Delta and Qantas all feature on-demand entertainment with plenty of options to keep you busy.  United Airlines is on the route as well, though their equipment is a bit more aged. Truth be told, 3DT's flights to and from the South Pacific were quick and easy.  The entertainment system kept us busy and we were able to nod off a few times.  Our carrier was Qantas on a 747-400.  Now you can fly the brand new Airbus A380 on the same route.  If you do not have elite status with any of the carriers making this trip, arrive at the airport early and get an exit row.  These flights are long and if you are over 5'10", you'll be happy. Arrival into Sydney is smooth.  Immigration here pays particular attention (as does New Zealand) to agricultural products.  Throw away all food products including water bottles in the quarantine cans or you may face hefty fines.  All bags are scanned via conveyor belt scanners upon arrival for food products.  This means the bags you check and your carry-ons - it happens after baggage claim. Transit from SYD to downtown Sydney is available via bus connections, train or taxi.  After 14 hours on a plane, a taxi is typically the easiest way to go.  The trip to downtown will take you about 20-25 minutes.  The train is also efficient, with a station being in the airport.  However, transit from the train station at Circular Quay to your hotel may be a taxi anyway, so its easier to just grab one at the airport. Australia is on the Australian Dollar, which recently has lost steam against the US Dollar.  Check xe.com for current rates.  Sydney is by far not the most expensive city.  5 star hotels have been available lately for just about $100.00 per night.  We recommend the Swissotel, its within walking distance of the Circular Quay and Darling Harbor.  Situated in downtown, its near shopping, restaurants and some hotels (pubs). Electric plugs are specific to Australia and New Zealand, so buy adapters.  And, finally, beware of traffic.  Cars here operate on the opposite side of the road, so LOOK RIGHT when crossing! Day 1 We will assume that you have arrived in Sydney via an overnight flight, arriving between 7am and 9am at SYD.  Get a taxi (or, if you are familiar, grab the train) and head into town.  If you take the train and are staying downtown, you'll either have to get another taxi or walk some ways to your hotel.  Since most hotels won't check you in this early, see about leaving your bags and then head out for a walk about (heh!) town. Introduction The best introduction to the sights of Sydney is with a walk straight down to the harbor.  The harbor really is the center of the city, with the iconic Sydhey Opera house flanking one side and the "Coat Hanger" or Sydney Harbor Bridge on the other.  You can easily spend a lot of time walking in this area - a good start would be to walk along the harbor front opposite the Opera House for some quick photos of the building itself and then a stroll underneath the harbor bridge.  On your way you'll pass the Cruise Ship terminal, which in the summer will house some of the world's largest ocean liners.  Passing the terminal, on the left you'll see some classic Sydney buildings that have been converted into restaurants.  Check out the menus as you'll probably want to come back here for a nice dinner later.  As you walk past the restaurants, you will then pass the Grand Hyatt Hotel - perhaps the most opulent hotel in town, with each room giving tremendous views of the Opera House.  Going around the pathway you will eventually end up under the Harbor Bridge, one of the crowning achievements in Sydney over 80 years ago. From that area, we will circle back past the Grand Hyatt, and beyond the restaurants on the right, you will see  a staircase headed up the hill.  Proceeding in this direction, you will be entering "The Rocks" - one of the oldest sections of the city.  Follow that path and on your left you will see the Ken Done Gallery - this is Hickson Road.  Ken Done is a local Sydneysider, an artist in a modern style who's work includes many sights as seen around Sydney.  There are a variety of products here for sale that are all uniquely designed and worth the premium price he's charging.  Ken Done's stores also appear up the street as well as in the mall located at Darling Harbor. The Rocks is also home to some of Sydney's oldest "Hotels".  Hotels are also Pubs - many of which serve food.  Check out Fortune of War - the oldest pub in Sydney - on George Street.  Local fare may include exotic food you have't experienced.  Kangaroo is actually a very tasty treat - try a Kangaroo Burger and if you are a beer drinker, try a Toohey's.  In Australia, only foreigners drink Fosters or even ask for it. After a lunch, work your way back down to the harbor area.  Here, you'll see some street performers including, during our visit, a very flexible woman who fit in a box...  See the picture for yourself.  Also performing are a variety of Aboriginal musicians.  Yes, it's touristy, but 3DT bought a CD and we still listen to it today!  For $10 AUD, it isn't that bad a deal. Now would be a good time to get a quick boat ride around the harbor to get a sense of our bearings.  From the Circular Quay, you can grab the ferry to Darling Harbor and the Aquarium.  Yes, we're going to spend the afternoon on the other side of town!  After all, 3 days in a city after traveling so far, we don't waste sitting around.  Taking the ferry ride, you will immediately be offered tremendous views of the Opera House, as well as be taken directly underneath the Harbor Bridge on your way across the harbor to Luna Park.  After a stop here, you will move in the direction of the aquarium where you will get off for your tour! Aquarium & Darling Harbor (Oops - Harbour!) The Sydney Aquarium is perhaps one of the premier aquariums in the world, and is touted as the #1 tourist attraction in Australia.  The combination of smaller displays along with large, freshwater tanks is remarkable.   Following the tour, you will enjoy the main display hall and then finish with entries into the three large tank areas, including the Shark Tank, where you will walk underwater (in a tunnel!) with the sharks as they swim by.  Concluding the tour is a large wall looking into the tank, where the music playing is "The Aquarium", from "Carnival of the Animals".  Very fitting! Take your time in the aquarium - it is definitely a Sydney highlight.  From here, we will walk around Darling Harbor - proceed with the harbor to your right down and around the water, and you will eventually arrive at the Harbourside Shopping Centre.  One of 3DT's mottos: Shop now, you may never get another chance! The Harbourside has some good shopping opportunities for tourists.  Our favorite is Gavala - traditional Aboriginal goods including Digereedoos, boomerangs and more.  Gavin will help you with all of your needs.  We found him very helpful, willing to negotiate, and best of all: they shipped a brand new Digereedoo back to 3DT's NJ headquarters by UPS.  We still have the box! After shopping and now hauling some bags of goodies, you're probably in the mood for some food!  Darling Harbor is luckily just the right place to be.  With more than 40 restaurants to choose from, you're sure to find something to taste.  Sydney has fresh seafood, great meat to choose from, and of course there is always Kangaroo - the Australian Venison! After a relaxing dinner, work your way back to your hotel for a good night's sleep.  Hopefully, your bags are in your room by now.  Either way, enjoy the rest because tomorrow will be a busy day, with a visit to the world-famous Taronga Park Zoo, as well as the cruise around the harbor to reach it.