There's a famous song about Australia that includes the words: "But no matter how far or how wide I roam / I still call Australia home." The song was used by the country's national airline, Qantas, for many years.
I've spent many years roaming the world, but my home town is Sydney. Although I don't live here any more, when I return and see the Opera House from the Harbour Bridge once again, I realize that I do miss my city. I love Sydney - there's something very special about it.
Explore the waterfront
If this is your first time in Sydney, you should start with the Sydney Opera House. It's a symbol of the city and of Australia, and one of the most incredible sights in the world. It's therefore no surprise that the Opera House is Australia's number-one tourist destination, with more than 8.2 million visitors a year. Be one of them!
Since it opened in 1973, the Opera House (we usually drop the word "Sydney") has been host to many of the world's greatest artists. There's opera, theatre and dance, musical performances, classical and rock music concerts, comedy shows - and everything in between, performed in spaces inside, outside and on the harbour. If you possibly can, book tickets to a show: it will be a highlight of your trip.
As you approach it, the Opera House is a majestic sight. Set next to Sydney Harbour, with the Harbour Bridge nearby, the huge white sails of the Opera House shimmer in the sun. That view never gets old. Make sure you walk around the Opera House to the left and then behind it and around to the right. Taking a photo of yourself on the Opera House steps is a must for visitors.
There are guided tours of the Opera House, where you'll learn about the fascinating and controversial history of the building, including the renovations completed in 2022. You can also enjoy one of the many food options in and around the Opera House, ranging from fine dining at Bennelong, a restaurant set inside one of the sails, to the Opera Kitchen restaurant and the ever-popular Opera Bar, where you can eat outside and take in that beautiful view.
While you're in the area of the Opera House, explore the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden, one of my favourite places in the city. Established in 1816, this is the oldest botanic garden in Australia, with more than 27,000 plants native to the country and from around the world. The Royal Botanic Garden is located along Sydney Harbour, making it an urban garden right in the heart of the city. It's lovely to relax on the grass or eat in one of the restaurants or cafes.
Sail round the harbour
Another "must" in Sydney is to catch a ferry. The Opera House is only a short walk to Circular Quay, the city's main ferry terminal. You don't need to book an expensive harbour cruise: a ferry offers the ideal way to explore Sydney Harbour. Whichever harbour destination you choose, it will be a good one.
My favourite place to visit in the harbour is Manly, a beachside suburb that saw the birth of surfing in Australia. This is a great place to wander around; there's plenty to see and do - and eat! Another destination I recommend is Watsons Bay, home to Doyles on the Beach, a seafood restaurant directly by the sea that's famous for its fish and chips. It's a good idea to book in advance - the restaurant is very popular - although you can also take food away.
Also within easy reach by ferry is Taronga Zoo, home to more than 4,000 animals. This is a great day out, offering wonderful views of the harbour. I've been there many times over the years and each visit is a unique experience. At Circular Quay, another popular place to explore, you'll find the excellent Museum of Contemporary Art and the Rocks conservation area.
Full of history, the Rocks is where Sydney's early colonial settlers built their simple huts, perched among rocks on the hill above the harbour. While the village has now become a popular tourist destination, with many heritage buildings, markets and cafes to visit, it still retains its authentic character, with lots of highlights for a day out.
View the city skyline
Now to the Harbour Bridge (here, too, we drop the word "Sydney"). A trip to the city isn't complete until you've explored the grand old lady of Sydney - and there are numerous ways to do this.
But first, some facts and figures. The Harbour Bridge is the largest steel-arch bridge in the world. It's 503 metres long and hangs 134 metres above the harbour. Containing 53,000 tonnes of steel, it was eight years in construction before its official opening in 1932. The Harbour Bridge is the focus of the spectacular fireworks event that is among the first in the world to ring in each New Year at midnight.
Apart from a walk over the Harbour Bridge, which you should definitely do, you can reach the summit of the arch by having a guided climbing experience called BridgeClimb (bridgeclimb.com). Day or night, it's an unforgettable experience, and very safe. The views are extraordinary and you'll find out so much about the Harbour Bridge and Sydney itself. I recommend that you add this to your list of must-sees in the city.
Another way to experience the Harbour Bridge is to explore the Pylon Lookout and Museum (pylonlookout.com.au). Climb the 200 steps and take in a 360-degree view of the city, the bridge and the harbour from the outdoor viewing platform. It's hard to imagine that this was once the highest viewing point in Sydney.
There's an interesting museum housed on three levels of the building, where you'll learn about the history of the bridge, its design and construction - as well as hear about the famous white cats that used to live in the pylon. While you're here, you can also enjoy an impressive dining experience in the Pylon Lookout, created by world-famous Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan.
Be seen at Bondi
Let me tell you about my favourite aspect of Sydney: the beaches. A day at the beach - or a swim before or after work, if you're lucky enough to live close to a beach - is part of the spirit of Australia. Sydney has more than 100 beaches, from secret bays and popular beaches around the harbour, to surf beaches that stretch forever and, of course, the world-famous Bondi (we also drop the word "Beach").
When I used to live in Sydney, you'd find me at the beach every summer weekend (and often in winter). You wouldn't find me at Bondi, though. There's no doubt that Bondi is an icon of Sydney: it has so much history and is only eight kilometres from the city. A great number of people go to Bondi every day, for the beach but also for the strip of hotels, restaurants, bars and coffee shops right across from the sea.
The four-kilometre coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte is very popular and well worth doing, especially to see the international outdoor art exhibition held there every year for three weeks in Australia's spring (in late October and early November). The exhibition - Sculpture by the Sea - features artists from Australia and around the world. Bondi is also home to one of the most "Instagrammed" swimming pools in the world, an eight-lane, 50-metre-long saltwater pool at Bondi Baths that's built into the cliffs.
A lot of people go to Bondi to see and be seen, but if that's not your scene (and it wasn't mine), there are plenty of small beaches around. My favourites are north of the Harbour Bridge, including Balmoral Beach, a lovely harbour beach, as well as Whale Beach and Palm Beach, which are a one-hour drive from the centre of Sydney.
Even in winter, the beaches are beautiful, so do try to fit in a day at the beach during your trip. But a word of advice: if you plan to swim at a surf beach, please make sure only to swim between the yellow-and-red flags set up by the lifesavers. The flags show you where it's safe to swim, depending on the water conditions.
Taste the Sydney experience
After your long swim at the beach, you probably need sustenance, so let's talk about restaurants and bars. Sydney has some amazing places to offer. Whatever you want, from fine dining and busy markets to small cafes, you'll find it in Sydney. Some of my favourites include Bathers' Pavilion at Balmoral Beach (more than 350 wines); Jonah's at Whale Beach (fantastic views from every table, also a hotel); China Lane (stylish Asian, speciality cocktails); Mr Wong (modern Cantonese); Aria (Australian haute cuisine); and China Doll in the city (pan-Asian, Woolloomooloo Wharf). Sydney has a wonderful, lively bar scene. There are hundreds of bars, many with marvellous harbour views. You'll find hotel bars, small wine bars, bars on rooftops, craft beer breweries, secret cocktail bars and sake bars. But if you ask for the world-famous Foster's beer and get a strange look, don't worry: it's because hardly anyone in Australia actually drinks Foster's. They made some great TV adverts, though!
This has been a brief introduction to Sydney, to give you just a very small of taste of what you can experience here. I hope you get to visit my city soon!