Sport travel blog: Seven alternative Sydney must-dos

Talk of the Ashes has begun with the first clash in November and the final Test in Sydney in January.

I love, love, love Sydney, used to live there, nearly moved there so I’m happy to share some of my favourite takes on the classics that you can head to in downtime away from the game.

Harbour-Bridge-Mrs-Macquarie's-Chair-Sydney

1. A super relaxing place to go, particularly if you’ve got jet lag. Head to Mrs Macquarie’s chair for this stunning chill out point.

Bondi Beach, Sydney

2. Yes, it’s Bondi Beach but you must see it. ‘Tis the rules but it’s busy, so once you’ve had enough, take off on the 6km coastal walk to Coogee.

Harbour-Bridge,-Opera-House-Botanical-Gardens,-Sydney

3. Another fabulous peaceful place with stunning views – the Botanical Gardens.

10-Cockatoos-Botanical-Gardens-Sydney

In the UK we have pigeons in the parks; in Sydney, it’s cockatoos (and bats in the bogs, but that’s another story).

Sydney Opera House, CBD, Sydney

4. Take to the water for an alternative view. Here the Sydney Opera House sits beside the Central Business District.

05-Sydney-Business-District-from-the-water

Catch a ferry, take a cruise, find a friend with a yacht – just get on the water.

Manly-to Spit Walk, sydney

5. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and stroll the 10km Manly to Spit walk, stopping to swim along the way.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney

6. Head out to the hot spots at different times to the masses.

03-Home-and-Away-Palm-Beach

7. Take a two-hour bus ride to Palm Beach and have a nosy at the Home and Away cast while they’re filming.

Palm-Beach-Sydney

Palm Beach itself ain’t half bad either and a walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse provides amazing views of the spit.

All photos taken by Jo Gunston (or Vic Crabtree if Jo’s in the shot!).

For more travel pieces you might like:
Bears claws and big cat paws – Canada winter sports just got interesting.
I go surfing and turtle saving in Costa Rica
Is there such a thing as an afforable luxury ski trip?

Author: Jo Gunston

Freelance sportswriter Jo Gunston works for the likes of Olympics.com and also publishes additional content at sportsliberated.com. A favourite personal sporting moment for the former elite gymnast was performing as a 'dancer' in the London 2012 opening ceremony.

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