Featured Writer: Christine Bernasconi

Close your eyes and imagine…That Bridge, The Opera House, Bondi beach, sophisticated food,  friendly people and a harbour that is TO DIE FOR…

Sydney really is the perfect city – I should know. I’m a born and bred Sydney sider who’s done a lot of travelling and this world class city really does have it all.

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate, with mild winters and more than 340 sunny days every year.

Throw in a vibrant music scene, fantastic accommodation that suits all budgets, good weather most of the year and, well, what are you waiting for?

If you’re an adrenalin junkie or want a 360 degree view of the harbour – try the Bridge Climb. This 3 ½ hour adventure will have you climbing the outer arch of the bridge – up ladders, along catwalks to the summit 134 metres above Sydney Harbour. I’ve climbed the bridge twice and both times found the experience incredibly exhilarating. You can also climb the 200 stairs to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout. Check out the museum and enjoy the spectacular views from the deck at the top.

Our Opera House is World Heritage listed and really is the most amazing building.

Check it out from afar at Circular Quay East, the harbour bridge or wander along circular quay to get right up close and personal.

Take a tour of the Opera House, or if the mood takes you, see an Opera or a play or just wander around ‘people watching’ from this bustling part of our city.

During May each year the 10 sails of the Opera House are lit nightly during Vivid  a festival of light, music and ideas – a must for all photographers!

My favourite thing to do is to watch the sun go down from the Opera Bar (chardonnay in hand of course)…The views from here across to the harbour bridge are sensational….

It really doesn’t get much better than this….

From the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens are right next door. These are a must. The gardens combined with the views over the harbour are just magic.

There is a cafe and plenty of places to sit, ponder and watch the world go by…or at certain times of the day – jog by!

Pack a picnic and sit and admire Fort Denison under a magnificent oak tree or stroll around farm cove to Mrs. Macquaries Chair, which arguably has the best views in Sydney.

The Rocks area of Sydney is awesome. Lots of laneways, stacks of history, markets, cafes and museums makes this one of my favourite areas of Sydney to explore. You’ll really feel like you’ve gone back in time when you see original terrace homes and old pubs that are hiding in the back Streets just waiting to be discovered. Also check out the night sky from the Sydney observatory which is in a beautiful parkland above the Rocks area.

If fantastic, historical architecture is your thing, visit Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral. This English gothic structure stands adjacent to Hyde Park, and in my opinion, is a must do – make sure you check out the crypt downstairs.