My Top 3 Fave Spots in Downtown Sydney

I have been living here in Sydney for five weeks now and have found many unique places around this beautiful city. Some of the great things about Sydney are that it is very green, eco-friendly and there are tons of things to see! I have spent my free days on the weekends exploring and so far, all my trips have been successful! Here are three of my favorite spots in the city…

1. Darling Harbour

Darling Harbor is the first place I saw in Sydney during my orientation with TEAN. This harbor is the perfect place to spend a couple hours any day because there is so much to do! There are outdoor restaurants, including the Hard Rock Café, an IMAX theatre, aquarium, wildlife park, shopping center, and it is where most harbor cruises depart from. The view of the harbor at night is unreal and one of the many reasons why I enjoy spending my time there.

2. Hyde Park

I first saw Hyde Park while I was on a walking tour during my TEAN orientation. This park is right in the middle of the city, but when you’re there it doesn’t feel like it at all. There are grassy areas where people have picnics, play games, or simply enjoy the beautiful weather. On one side of the park, there is a war memorial to commemorate all of the Australian soldiers who fought in World War I. On the other side, there is a gorgeous tree-lined walkway to a huge fountain. At that spot, you can see the modern buildings and skyscrapers that make up Sydney’s Central Business District as well as historic buildings like St. Mary’s Cathedral. Apparently, if you go to the park in the evenings with an apple in hand, you’ll receive a friendly visit from some of the possums that live in the trees. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but my roommate has and she said it works!

3. The Rocks

The Rocks is a really cool section of Sydney. It is the oldest neighborhood in the city and has a strong colonial feel to it. The Rocks has shops, cafes, restaurants and outdoor food markets on the weekends. I was lucky enough to be there one day when the food market was open. I had the chance to sample different types of olive oils, watch candy being made from scratch and see how numerous types of international foods are prepared. The Rocks is also in a great location – it is right by the Harbor Bridge and only a few blocks from Circular Quay where the Opera House is!

Caroline Burke is a student at Clemson University and a TEAN Featured Blogger. Caroline is currently studying abroad with TEAN in Sydney, Australia.