Sydney

My Adventure in… SYDNEY

I would love to visit one of Sydney’s many beaches, especially Bondi Beach, because I enjoy surfing and relaxing by the sea. What impresses me most about Sydney is how it combines beautiful nature with a lively city atmosphere. I also know about famous places like the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour. I haven’t been to Australia yet, but a friend who visited said it’s amazing and the people are very friendly. I’d definitely like to go there in the future to enjoy the beaches, the culture, and the stunning views.

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, also known as “The Coathanger,” was completed in 1932 and remains the world’s largest steel arch bridge. It carries two railway lines and eight lanes of road traffic, and the direction of the lanes can change depending on traffic needs. Pedestrians can walk across the bridge using the pavements on both sides.

There is a museum in the southeastern pier where visitors can learn about the construction and engineering of the bridge. The bridge is also famous worldwide for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, watched on TV by millions of people every year.

QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING (QVB)

When visiting the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), one shop I highly recommend is the By Charlotte QVB Flagship Boutique. You can explore their collection at bycharlotte.com.au. This store stands out because it combines the elegance of fine jewellery with the historic grandeur of the QVB’s architecture. Inside this beautiful heritage building — with its stained-glass windows, vaulted domes, and ornate balustrades — the boutique offers a serene space to browse handcrafted, timeless pieces. They also provide very special services like a “Petal Bracelet Bar,” ear styling, and locket photo printing, making it perfect for beautiful keepsakes or meaningful gifts.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s best-known landmarks and a symbol of Australia. Its unique shape, similar to large white shells, makes it stand out on Sydney Harbour. Inside, the building includes theatres, studios, exhibition rooms, a concert hall, and even a cinema.

If you visit it, you can take photos, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, or join a guided tour to learn about the history and construction of this spectacular building.

Reaching the Opera House is very easy: it is just a short walk from Circular Quay, where you can catch trains, buses, and ferries. There is also a courtesy shuttle for visitors with mobility needs.

If my family joined the Official Guided Walking Tour, they would pay about 48 AUD per adult, although there are discounted tickets for families, students, and seniors.

The Sydney Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won a global design competition. The building was completed and opened to the public on 20 October 1973. Utzon is also known for other important works, such as Bagsværd Church in Denmark and the Kuwait National Assembly Building.

This extraordinary building became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List on 28 June 2007, thanks to its artistic value and engineering innovation.

Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It became the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901, when six British colonies federated. Legal independence from the UK occurred gradually, with the Statute of Westminster in 1942 and the Australia Act 1986, which ended most constitutional links with the UK.

Australia is both a country and a continent, with diverse environments including deserts, rainforests, and big coastal cities. Its multicultural society includes Indigenous Aboriginal cultures, British heritage, and immigrants from Asia and Europe.

Sport is very important in Australia. Popular sports include cricket, rugby, Aussie Rules football, swimming, surfing, and basketball. Australia is a top performer in the Commonwealth Games, regularly winning medals in athletics, swimming, and cycling.

LOOK, THERE’S A KOALA OVER THERE!

Taronga Zoo is one of Sydney's most iconic landmarks and a must-see for anyone wanting to get up close to Australian wildlife while enjoying spectacular views of the city skyline. Located on the waterfront, the zoo is easily accessible from central Sydney by bus from Wynyard train station or by ferry from Circular Quay.

Top attractions include the Lemur Adventure Park, the Koala Encounter, and the famous Seal Show, a favorite with visitors. Taronga Zoo also offers a wide variety of special events and experiences throughout the year.

According to the Hours and Rates section of the official Taronga Zoo website, a child's ticket (ages 4-15) costs AUD 33 at the ticket office, while online tickets are priced at AUD 29.70. This means each teenager saves AUD 3.30 by purchasing their ticket online. For a group of eight 14-year-olds, the total savings is AUD 26.40 if all tickets are purchased online. 

Yes, it is possible to spend the night at Taronga Zoo. In the Accommodation section, you can find two main types of accommodation. The Roar and Snore Experience allows you to sleep in safari-style tents inside the zoo and includes dinner, breakfast, guided night tours, animal encounters, and zoo admission the following day. There is also the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, a more comfortable eco-friendly accommodation with rooms surrounded by nature and local wildlife, which includes zoo access and animal encounters.

The Wild Australia Experience is an exclusive guided tour that allows you to get up close to some of Australia's most iconic animals. It includes behind-the-scenes visits with expert zookeepers, access to special areas of the zoo, and the opportunity to observe animals like koalas in a closer and more educational setting. A video detailing this experience can be found on the zoo's official website.

In my opinion, Taronga Zoo is absolutely worth it. Not only does it offer the chance to see amazing animals, but it also combines education, conservation, and entertainment in a spectacular setting overlooking Sydney Harbour. I would definitely recommend Taronga Zoo to friends and family, especially those visiting Australia for the first time.

My Mental Escape to Hyde Park, Sydney

You know that feeling? When you see a photo of somewhere and you can just  feel the sun on your skin? That’s what hit me with this picture of Hyde Park. I was scrolling, probably procrastinating, and then, bam. My shoulders just dropped.

I observe how people enjoy my trip as mach as I do. I see everybody with their friends of partners, and I just feel very good for them.

It makes me feel curious about them all. That woman on the bench in the big sunglasses, taking a careful sip from a paper cup… is this her sacred daily pause? Her twenty minutes of peace between spreadsheets and emails? I bet there are people who come here every single day. They must have their bench. Their tree. Their perfect spot where the sun filters through the leaves just so. You could lose a whole day here without even trying. Bring a slightly squashed sandwich and a book. Go for a run until your playlist runs out. Stand quietly for a moment by the Anzac Memorial, feeling the weight of history. Or just meet your mate, plant yourselves on a bench, and put the entire world to rights over a takeaway coffee.

I have always loved parks, the kids playing, the old people breathing the pure air... They feel like the city’s lungs—a place for everyone to just breathe. You’re part of a crowd, but you can also feel completely, peacefully alone with your own head. I’m not what you’d call sporty, but I’ve been dragged into more than one terribly uncoordinated football game when the evening light is perfect and someone produces a ball from their bag.