Posts Tagged ‘sydney’

With stresses in the workplace, stresses from family concerns, and other disastrous distractions in their daily lives, most people want to de-stress and take a well-deserved break!  Unfortunately, giving in to breaks and some recreation could also lead to a bit of stress because taking time off could mean extra expenses.Still, that is not like it–always.

People who want to get away from work can time a well-deserved break when their friends come in for a visit or they could just get on a car and explore their city to find new sites and adventures.  With a few hundred dollars from their cash loan, people can already have a great time with friends.  One great city to roam around in is Sydney, Australia.Many tourists, from everywhere, go to this exciting city annually.  Even Aussies from other places such as Brisbane and even as far as Perth, would find great things to see and experience in Sydney.  Here are some tips for the newbie visitors to Sydney, either from across the Pacific or just across the country, who want to get the best out of their trip.

Sports-minded visitors and local tourists, who want to get bush-whacked at the end of the day, should try Sydney’s awesome water sports!Visitors who plan to try surfing can go to Bondi Beach and sign up for the crash courses offered on surfing.  If surfing is too strenuous for some, they could try fishing and swimming to tucker them out.  Water lovers could get their fill of the sea by kayaking along Nielsen Bay.  In Nielsen Bay, they can paddle along some of the expensive coastline in Australia, as they take a look at the local real estate and admire the gorgeous yachts in the harbor.To take a break from kayaking, tourists can go to the Neilson Bay Park for a few drinks.  But, if they want more exciting, extreme-kind of sports to do, they could venture out to the Blue Mountain ranges for some hardcore mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

However, if the funds from the fast cash loan is getting a bit low, first-time tourists can do what Sydney dwellers do and take the ferry for more explorations.  They could jump aboard the Watsons Bay Ferry and go straight to the harbor suburb that was once a fishing village.  Of course, the place tourists don’t want to miss is the world-famous Sydney Opera House.Tourists that are looking for something fun and adventurous can visit Sydney.

Australia is probably not the first place that comes into mind if you think about swimming with sharks. But actually Australia is a great place to swim and dive with sharks.

You can do everything from a simple one-day aquarium shark dive to a several-day live-aboard shark diving tour. You can also do cage diving in Australia.

Do you want to try to scuba dive with grey nurse sharks and wobbygong sharks? Then you should go to South West Rocks, which is voted among the top ten scuba dive sites in Australia. Sheer walls plunge to an average depth of 30 meters in an area that is rarely affected by current.

But the greatest thrill of them all is a great white shark dive. And you do not have to go all the way to South Africa to do it. This special kind of scuba diving can also be done in Australia.

It is possible to go on a great white shark diving expedition from Sydney. But Adelaide and Port Lincoln in South Australia is more popular departure points from tour dive sites with great white sharks.

Those two places are the main departure points for live-aboard great white shark cage dives. From here you head out into the clear blue waters of the Southern Ocean to the Neptune Islands. The main attraction is the great white shark, but you will also see many bird species, dolphins, thousands of fur seals, and the beautiful and rare Australian sea lion.

So if you are on vacation in Australia and you have never tried a cage dive among great white sharks, Australia is a great place to try it for the first time.

If you are not into several days of shark diving expeditions, a more easy way to dive with sharks are in an aquarium. Australia has several places to do that; like Melbourne, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.

If you are not a certified diver you will normally be offered and introduction to diving in a pool (certified divers can skip this part). After the introduction to diving and the sharks, you can start the actual shark dive in the big tanks of the aquarium. Sometimes you can even feed the sharks. If they like, your family and friends can watch the dive from outside.

So if the thought about great white shark diving scares you a little too much, an aquarium shark dive is a great way to feel the thrill that a close encounter with sharks gives.

If you are going to Australia, you can have a great shark dive; no matter if you choose the ultimate great white shark dive or a more normal aquarium shark dive.

Morten Elm is writing about shark diving in the Shark Diving Guide. Here you can also read more about shark diving in Australia.

Sydney is one of the world’s favorite cities. Set on a stunning harbor the shopping and dining variety are superb and you are within easy access of the great outdoors. Sydney was voted by the readers of Conde Naste in 2008. Sydney is a gay friendly city and its wide range of attractions encourages gay travel to this part of Australia.

The city has a full calendar of Gay and Lesbian events but the biggest of them all is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. This parade and celebration is held each year in late February and it is a Mecca for fun. The parade is such a part of the general Sydney calendar that it is an attraction for non homosexuals who want to watch the parade, and the parade is shown on commercial TV.

The beaches are endless and the best time to be here is from October to March, the Australian summer period. North Bondi is always a classic, but if you want to find a nude beach there are four in easy reach of the city center. If you are a little more energetic you can make the 30 minute walk from Bronte to Bondi to enjoy the coast.

Food and cafes are a way of life here. The range of cuisine is immense and you will be able to find an option that suits your budget. One of the highlights of Sydney must be sitting in the sun at a cafe on the harbor and watching the people and boats go by.

The main gay district of Sydney is centered around Oxford Street; affectionately know as the pink stip. Here there are many gay friendly bars and clubs and a wide range of shopping opportunities from start up designers to the much more high end range of shopping options.

Gay travel to Sydney Australia is a rewarding experience. The seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern hemisphere so if you are in need of some sun and fun, in a gay friendly environment, Sydney is a prime destination.

While you are in Australia, nose around some of the other spots.  You will find Queensland to be gay friendly, as well as a delightful, alternative getaway.  Plus, you’ll find gay resorts in Queensland as well.

If you are heading to Sydney during in November then make sure the Sculpture by the Sea is on your must do list. This is an important Sydney event and is only here for a short time. The last date is 15th November.

This unique event combines some of the most amazing sculptures with probably the best coastal walk in Australia. During the first two weeks of November, the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk comes alive with fascinating and often querky sculptures to delight all ages.

The competition is now in its 12th year and last year attracted over half a million visitors. There are over 100 different sculptures to appreciate with 9 different prizes on offer. All of the sculptures are designed to respond in some way to the beautiful coastal setting.

Last year the prestigious $30,000 prize went to Mark McCelland’s “She Thought” which was a large bronze sculpture with a key hole allowing visitors to see the ocean horizon.

A word of warning about this exhibition. It gets VERY busy and it makes the experience so much better if you can linger and admire the artwork on your own rather than part of a huge crowd. Get up early to avoid the crowds, especially if the weather forecast is for a sunny day.

Make a day of it. Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte all have BBQ facilities. Bring your own food and enjoy the views. Alternatively there are plenty of cafes in both Bondi and Bronte for you to take a well deserved rest. Some venues put on special events to coincide with the exhibition. Many run their own Sausage Sizzle and BBQ in hidden away terraces.

If you want to find the right place to enjoy the views and food, try the Bondi Icebergs RSL for some cheap eats with amazing views. Don’t forget to bring some photo ID with you otherwise you will be refused entry no matter how old you are. For something a little more sophisticated, try Icebergs Dining Rooms where you’ll be greeted with a sumptuous BBQ.

In Bronte the small row of cafes offers something for everyone. SWELL is a good choice for those wanting something more upmarket. Jennies is a good all rounder but particularly good for those of you who like coffee.

You’ll also be able to pick up brochures at key points along the walk, which will help explain a little more about the sculptures. Whilst you may be lucky and get free drink samples, make sure you take plenty of water with you as the walk is still strenuous in places with hills and steps. It makes it a difficult walk with young children or those of you with prams and strollers.

If you aren’t planning to be in Sydney in November but really like the sound of this event, don’t worry! You can catch the same event in Perth during the month of March. This one takes place on Cottesloe Beach and is almost identical to the Bondi version.

This is one part of the Sydney beach culture that you won’t want to miss. Make it an early start one day this week to really make the most of it. Avoid the weekend crowds if you can!

Jennifer Schellington has nearly half a decade of experience in travelling Australia and has recently become a new Mum. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers practical information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more details on Sydney and it’s attractions