Sure, it's not New York and it's not London ... but for one little backpacker, Sydney has way too many great things to enjoy for one little visit! If you only have a short time for backpacking around Sydney, or really only have the cash to experience the highlights of the city, here are the top 5 things to do in a city spanning 12,000 square kilometers and housing 4.4 million people!
Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is actually quite a cheap excursion. There are some completely awesome things to see, like:
Some of the world's only dugongs living in captivity
Shark feeding time ... you can see the sharks being fed from your own hands, in fact! If you aren't game, there is also penguin feeding time.
Sharks from above, in a glass-bottomed boat.
Exotic Aussie creatures that are difficult to find in the wild, like platypuses, fairy penguins and crocodiles.
Harbour Bridge Climb
The Harbour Bridge Climb takes a while, and is one of the more expensive things you can do in Sydney, priced between $150 and $250. But it is consistently ranked as one of the 'must do's in Sydney by both locals and tourists alike. It is conducted with the utmost care for safety, but is exhilarating nonetheless. There is just one company that conducts the Bridge Climbs, called (strangely) BridgeClimb. You have a choice of different climbs, at different times of day and taking different routes.
Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is the closest beach to the city centre, and as valuable for the people-watching as for the water and sand. Some days there are thousands of people milling about on the beach literally. The beach itself is about a kilometre long - just don't get off the bus and hop straight in the water; the bus stop sits opposite an almost perennial rip current taking people straight out to sea.
The Rocks pub tour
The Rocks pub tour costs around $35, and is a great way to help you screen out some favourite hangouts for the time you'll be spending at your youth hostel in Sydney! There is a historical component of the tour, and The Rocks is well known as one of Sydney's most picturesque areas - there are plenty of photo opportunities. Drinks are included in the price of the tour ... you're not wasting good beer money, don't worry!
I'm Free Walking Tours
The I'm Free Walking Tour guys operate on a tips-only basis. So yes, the title of the business isn't just a clever ploy to get attention, while there is really a mandatory charge! It starts at the anchor beside Sydney Town Hall and goes for about 3 hours. Starting time is 10.30am, and the tour runs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
There are plenty of different things to do in Australia's first city ... but if you're backpacking in Sydney on a budget, these are the activities that will let you say that you 'really' experienced Sydney!