Who said getting to know a city costs an arm and a leg?
Some of the best first dates cost nothing more than a cup of coffee, and sometimes falling in love with a city comes absolutely free.
Case in point: Traveling to Sydney, Australia. This city on the sea offers a wealth of fun and adventure for travelers suffering from skinny wallet syndrome.
Not sure where to start? Let the locals be your guide.
Where to walkabout
Silke Elzner of travel blog Happiness & Things knows Sydney has plenty of adventure for those seeking a bit of fresh air.
“I am not a very sporty person but I do like a good walk,” she said. “This can be a walk around a new neighbourhood that I’m not very familiar with, or a visit to one of the museums, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A walk along the coast is equally nice on a warm and sunny day, or just a few relaxing hours by the beach. I used to live on the Northern Beaches, and the beautiful beaches never lost their magic for me.”
With Sydney taking home one of the spots on our 2017 Travel Hacker list of top-10 beach destinations, it’s easy to see what she means. Michael Shen, the food fanatic behind Sydney food blog I’m Still Hungry, certainly does.
“I’m a big fan of day walks, and with Sydney surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty on all sides, there’s no shortage of places to take a digital detox, breathe some fresh air and get that step count up,” the Sydney foodie said. “A personal pick would be Sydney’s world-famous Blue Mountains. It might be a bit of a touristy choice, but the clichés are cliché for a reason. With no shortage of walks to do here, you can just as easily mingle in with the tourists snapping away at the Three Sisters, or take on one of the more challenging – and thus less frequented but ultimately more rewarding – trails. Be sure to see Wentworth Falls, though – they’re worth going into full tourist mode for.”
Budget bites
All that walking is sure to work up your appetite. Have no fear – you can eat like royalty without breaking the bank.
“Brooklyn Hide bagels at 226 Commonwealth Street at Surry Hills, Sydney!” said Andrzej and Jolene Ejmont, bloggers at Wanderlust Storytellers. “Our kids Katie and Lily call them the healthy doughnuts. Well, not quite, but it is definitely a healthier option for sure! And it is super cheap as well. Salivating here right now. Happy bageling!”
According to the mastermind behind I’m Still Hungry: “When it comes to cheap eats, Sydney doesn’t skimp. If you’re in the [central business district], four food courts rule them all: Dixon House, Eating World, Sussex Centre Food Court and Hunter Connection Food Court. Name a dish, and one of these food courts will have it. Lovers of Asian food will be in a particular kind of nirvana here, with some seriously authentic choices with which to experience decision paralysis.”
Meanwhile, Silke likes a side of history with her meal.
“You can’t get past a scrumptious quick bite from Harry’s Café De Wheels when in Sydney,” she said. “This place is a real institution! Their history dates back to the days of the depression when nearby Woolloomoolloo dockyard workers would flock to this little caravan that was parked right in front of the gates for a cheap meal. Most people will try one of the famous pies, such as Harry’s Tiger, but personally I prefer the chilli dog. And while you munch away, make sure you check out the photos of celebrities that line the walls of the little stall.”
Looking to take a load off once you fill up on good grub? Head to Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. After you’ve reached your limit for immaculate greenery, saunter over to the world-famous Sydney Harbour to take in the sights. As we’ve said before, it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the city’s coastline.
Now it’s time to take all that money you saved and plan your next travel adventure. You can thank us later.
