Destination Sydney: Big Bus Tour, Sydney Eye Tower & Sydney Opera House

I couldn't believe it, I finally made it to Sydney! It was Day 2, and after a tiresome debacle at the airport in the previous day, I woke up excited and ready to explore Australia's most famous city. 

Destination Sydney: Trouble in Paradise, But I Finally Made it to Australia!

But first things first: clothes--warm clothes, specifically. It was winter in the "down under," and since I only had shorts and t-shirts I'd prepared for my failed trip to India, a vital trip to Target was needed before I froze. Done.  

Next up? A trip to Circular Quay (pronounced “Key”), home to Sydney’s Central Business District, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and coolest of all, the Sydney Opera House. Now that place was what I really couldn't wait to see.

And with so much going in one place, I wasn't surprised to find that Circular Quay was c-r-o-w-d-e-d. People here, people there, moving in and out of shops and restaurants, queuing up for cruises, taking in the sights, and entering and exiting Circular Quay Station, which sat right above the docks. 

This was the introduction to Sydney I wanted: People, water, cruises, bridges, cool-looking buildings, street performers, good food, historical monuments, and some of the sickest views you could ever catch at a harbour. 

And so the madness began. There were about 10 things that I wanted to do in Sydney: Visit Sydney Opera House, hop on the Big Bus Tour, explore the observation deck of a skyscraper, take a cruise, hit the beach, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, hitch a ride on a helicopter over the city, take a hot air balloon over Hunter Valley, go whale watching, and learn more about the indigenous people of Australia. Let’s just say that you’ll have to keep reading to find out what I actually did.

Big Bus Sydney

I shelled out $100 AUD for a 48-hour pass on Sydney’s Big Bus Tour, and before I knew it, I was riding atop an open aired deck of a bus and passing through downtown Sydney on the City Tour. That's one off the checklist! 

​I love Big Bus Tours. I try to take them anytime I travel. They’re just one of the best ways to get a thorough look at any travel destination, and that’s exactly what I did as I rode around Sydney.

​Within 20 minutes I hopped off, stumbled through Hyde Park, and made my way to the next star attraction: Sydney Tower Eye.  

Sydney Eye Tower

By the way, I love hitting the observation decks of tall structures around the world, too.

First, here are the facts: Sydney Eye Tower, opened to the public in 1981, is located in Sydney’s Central Business District. The tower stands 309 meters (1014 ft.) above ground and is the highest point in the city. Yep, all the more reason for me to go. 

And once at the top? Oh boy. A top-notch 360-degree view of Sydney. Closest to the tower? A bunch of skyscrapers, buildings, and parks belonging to the city’s central business district.

And further out? On one end, Sydney Harbour, a large body of beautiful clear blue water riddled with ferries, small yachts, cruise ships, and islets. 

And on the other? Lots of Hollywood-esque residential homes and apartments squeezed in-between small buildings. 

Man, Sydney just looked rich all over. It was modern, clean, orderly, vibrant, and had enough trees planted across the city to balance its ​heavily condensed commercial cityscape. 

Plus, one thing was for sure: Five days in Sydney just wouldn’t be enough to see and experience everything I wanted!

Sydney Opera House

By evening's time I landed back at Circular Quay and right in front of one of the most famous buildings in the world: Sydney Opera House. 

That building, oh boy, though far smaller than I imagined, was one of the most captivating pieces of architecture I had ever laid eyes upon, and that was from any angle I saw it.  

I'd come to find out out that the architect, of Danish descent, and his engineering team purportedly used an orange, or geometrical sphere, cut into numerous 'sails' as influence for the building's world-renown aesthetic design. Just take another look at the pics. See it now? Ain't it awesome!

Sydney Harbour Bridge

​And then there was Sydney Harbour Bridge, an incredible 134-meter steel arch bridge. I'll admit, it wasn't thee coolest bridge I'd ever seen, but considering its location and all the sweet views of the harbour surrounding  it, I'd say that makes it one of the best bridges to see in the world.

​And with that, I wound up sticking around Circular Quay to watch the sun set over Sydney, and I made sure to capture as much of it as I could on camera. 

​By 8pm I grabbed a bite to eat, made my way back to The Capsule Hotel, and capped the night of by watching War For the Planet of the Apes at a nearby movie theater. Day 2 in Sydney was officially a success, and I couldn't wait to see what adventures were in store for the next day. 

[CONTINUE READING] Destination Sydney: Cruises, Beaches & Sick Harbour-Side Views