Whether you have just arrived in Australia and are still occupied with settling in and getting used to all the new surroundings or you are already halfway through the semester with assignments and exam prep keeping you busy, sometimes you just don't feel like driving for hours to visit some of the stunning places Australia has to offer.
Luckily, you have chosen a great destination for your study abroad experience and there are a lot of amazing locations in and around Sydney that are ideal for a day trip or even just for a couple of hours to get away from the books and your daily grind.
Here are some ideas to get inspired!
Coogee to Bondi Walk
This stunning coastal walk in Sydney's eastern suburbs offers some seriously breathtaking views of the seaside. Bring some snacks for a picknick at the beach or try out some of the great cafés and bars in this area.
Tip: wake up early on a Saturday morning and experience a beautiful sunrise at Bronte beach before heading to Bondi for a delicious breakfast!
Blue Mountains
If you want to get out of the city and breathe some fresh mountain air, this is the perfect choice for your little weekend adventure. The Blue Mountains are located in the west of Sydney and you can reach them by train in about two hours from Central. Avoid the busy photo spots and go on one of the scenic hikes instead (wear comfy clothes and sneakers and don't forget your water bottle and some snacks)!
Tip: do this trip on a weekend (or public holiday) and save yourself some dollars because public transport is capped at $8.05 a day!
Royal National Park
Located in Sydney's south, Royal National Park, the second oldest national park in the world, offers a diverse set of views and activities you can do! For a day trip, take the train to Cronulla and hop on a short but scenic ferry ride to Bundeena from where you can choose from a number of different walking routes around the national park. Remember to take sunscreen, water and comfortable footwear :)
Royal Botanical Gardens & Opera House
If you just have a spare hour or two, consider a walk or even a quick workout in one of Sydney's most beautiful parks that is located only three stops away from Central station. You can see some beautiful flowers there and even spot some cockatoos and if you go at sunset, the views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are simply incredible!
Tip: If you like running, consider taking part in the Sydney Running Festival and you can run over the Harbour Bridge, through the Botanical Gardens and cross the Finish line right in front of the Opera House together with thousands of other runners!
I hope you can visit some of those places and enjoy your time in Sydney as much as I did!
Name: Dana Stoffner Kerschbaumer // @dana.stfkrs
Course of Study: Bachelor Business & Management
Country: Italy
Home University: Management Center Innsbruck, Austria