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Tips for Visiting the Kruger National Park

September 4, 2013

The Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s star attractions. With hundreds of visitors each year, the park offers unparalleled game viewing. Here’s what every visitor needs to know when visiting Kruger.

What to Know Before You Go

It’s a sight that visitors from all over the world travel to see: the real Africa, up close and personal. The Kruger National Park offers tourists sights straight out of a National Geographic documentary: elephants ambling down beaten dirt paths, giraffes dipping their graceful necks for a drink at a waterhole, and herds of impala sprinting across the savannah. Located just 6 hours outside of Johannesburg, the vast reserve spans 218 miles in length, and is a mecca for game viewers.

One of Krugers enormous residents

The Holy Grail for anyone visiting Kruger, is to see the Big 5: lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant make up this coveted group. No animal, however, seems to elicit as much awe and excitement as the elephant. Once an endangered species in Kruger, the elephant population has bounced back and flourished, now numbering more than 14,000. In 2008, South Africa lifted a 13-year ban on killing elephants to keep numbers down, but this has not affected elephant sightings.

Despite the fact that they may seem slow and peaceful, elephant encounters in Kruger are no joke and visitors should exercise a good deal of caution around these animals, by keeping their distance. The park camps are filled with posters warning of the damage that an elephant can inflict on a car and its passengers.

Visiting the Kruger National Park in Winter

The best time to see elephants and other wildlife are the winter months (May – September). Sparse grass and bushes mean that animals are much easier to see without lush greenery to hide behind. Winter months are also drier in Kruger, forcing animals to come out of hiding and head to the waterholes to drink.

Malaria Risks

Winter months also pose the lowest risk for contracting malaria which can be a problem at Kruger. However, it’s mostly a danger during the rainy summer months (December – April) when mosquitoes are most active, so it is vital that visitors take anti-malarial prophylactics, at least several weeks in advance of a visit to the park. There are a variety of different kinds of anti-malarial drugs, with varying side effects, so it is best to consult a physician, before embarking on any course of medication.

Accommodation

Satara Camp rondavels

The park offers a variety of accommodation, just make sure to book ahead as space fills up fast. There are more than 35 lodges and rest camps to choose from, each with its own unique features and level of comfort.

Luxury lodges like the Imbali Safari Lodge give visitors a taste of Africa, without sacrificing comfort. And for those who would prefer to experience Africa at her most raw and natural, Balule Camp is rustic and electricity-free, suitable for only the most die-hard visitors. Each camp is enclosed by an electric fence, to keep out unwanted animals. Well, most of them. Monkeys come and go as they please, so keep food locked up when it’s not being used. Each camp has its own cooking, or “braai” (barbecue) area and many of the individual huts have their own braai. Most campsites also have a small shop where visitors can pick up the basics, but supplies are limited and selection can be sparse. Fortunately, many of the camps have their own restaurants.

Game Viewing

Dawn and dusk often prove to be the best time to spot game and tourists visiting the Kruger National Park often leave camp before the sun rises, to get a head start. Most camps offer early morning and evening game drives with professional (and armed) game rangers. Space is limited, so visitors must sign up the day before, to guarantee a spot. Nighttime game drives are often the best, as the park closes camp gates just before dark and visitors and their privately owned vehicles are required to return to camp before the evening curfew. The camp-sponsored drive is a great way to see many nocturnal animals, in particular the much sought-after, but elusive leopard.

For more information on the Kruger National Park, visit: www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/

Sources:

“Kruger – South Africa’s Crown Jewel”. AfricaPoint.com.  Retrieved from www.africapoint.com/newsletters/kruger.htm on August 25, 2010.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

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Hamilton Island – Gateway to The Great Barrier Reef

July 19, 2013

It was the dream destination for the “World’s Best Job” and with good reason – Hamilton Island is the epitome of a tropical island getaway. Located 16km. off the coast of Queensland and a short flight from Sydney and Brisbane, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most popular destinations in the country for Australians and tourists alike.

Resort-style living

Hamilton Island harbor

Hamilton Island harbor

Hamilton Island prides itself on providing resort-style living to visitors. Each of the 5 hotels on the island is owned and operated by Hamilton Island Enterprises and almost any purchase made on the island can be charged to a guest’s hotel tab. This makes transactions almost seamless, especially if you left your wallet back in your room.

Only 30% of the island is developed, and the remaining 70% is bushland. Cars are almost obsolete, with the preferred mode of transportation being the golf cart.

There is plenty to do on the island to keep guests of all ages entertained. The Hamilton Island Wildlife Park is a great place to learn more about Australia’s fauna and flora. There is also the option to dine with the animals and eat breakfast or lunch, while watching koalas eat theirs!

Foodies are able to indulge their taste buds at a number of restaurants, ranging from simple fish and chip cafes, to 5-star dining.

The Hamilton Island Golf Club is a short ferry ride away on nearby Dent Island and features panoramic views of the surrounding islands.

A sight unlike any other

However, much of what makes the area so famous is located not on Hamilton Island, but just offshore.

Crystal clear waters of Hamilton Island

Crystal clear waters of Hamilton Island

Whitehaven Beach is a popular day trip. Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world, it boasts more than 4 miles of brilliant white silica sand. Long walks on the beach are definitely in order here!

But it’s the Great Barrier Reef that draws the most visitors. While there are several tour options, Fantasea Tours pretty much corners the market. It’s the only company with floating pontoons actually moored to the reef itself.

The ride out to the reef takes approximately 1.5 hours from Hamilton Island, and the open waters can get rough. Even those with stomachs of iron may find the choppy ride to be a challenge, so don’t forget to take sea sickness medication before leaving. Fortunately, once the boat nears the reef, the waves die down dramatically.

The reef is home to a variety of marine life

The reef is home to a variety of marine life

The first glimpse of the Great Barrier Reef is a sight quite unlike any other. Surrounded by miles of ocean in every direction, it emerges out of water that is pure turquoise – a color that rarely exists outside of glossy postcards.

Fantasea also takes guests on helicopter tours of the reef (for a price) where they have the chance to see the famous Heart Reef, a chunk of the Great Barrier Reef that is uncannily shaped like a heart. There is also a small semi-submarine attached to the pontoon, that gives short rides around the reef and a water slide off the back of the pontoon.

Heart Reef – Photo courtesy of Thomas Leplus

During the rainy season (January – April), boat trips out to the reef are often canceled due to inclement weather, but with temperatures hardly ever dipping below 65F Hamilton Island is a great place to visit year-round.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

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Exploring The Mother City – A Visitor’s Guide to Cape Town

March 4, 2013

When it comes to keeping yourself amused, Cape Town is literally bursting at the seams with things to do. With the ocean on one side, looming mountains on the other and the bustling metropolis somewhere in the middle, there is a smorgasbord of attractions to keep visitors entertained. Everyone has their own favorites when visiting iKapa, and this is just a small selection of not-to-be-missed sights worth checking out when visiting The Mother City…

Climb Table Mountain

Table Mountain

For many visitors, climbing Table Mountain is the number one attraction in Cape Town. However, actually getting from the bottom of the enormous granite base to the windswept top is another matter!

There are several trails to choose from, each with varying degrees of difficulty, steepness and length. The trails are narrow, rocky staircases that have been built into the side of the mountain. Bring plenty of water for the climb, as well as a jacket, since the weather can change very quickly up the mountain and while it may be sunny at the bottom, mist and clouds often lurk higher up.

While the hike up is an experience in itself, the spectacular view from the top is an even greater reward. The city of Cape Town lies far below, nestled between the mountains and the glistening Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Town from above

After reaching the top, there is the inevitable dilemma of how to get back down. There are two options: flit down in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, or hike back down the way you just came up. While taking the cable car is an inviting prospect, try to summon up your remaining energy and climb back down, since the route in reverse provides a very different experience to climbing up (and you’re probably better placed to enjoy it!)

Boulders Beach

Residents of Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is one of the few places in the world to see penguins in their natural habitat. The beach is home to a colony of African penguins that are given free run of the sand and surrounding vegetation. A wooden walkway down to the beach takes birdwatchers into the habitat of the penguins. Keep an eye out for stray penguins on the way out of Boulders, as they sometimes like to sit in the shade underneath cars!

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens

Located just 8 miles from the Cape Town city bowl, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit. The Gardens boast almost 90 acres of plant life native to South Africa and are awash with color.

Kirstenbosch is also home to a wide variety of animal and bird-life. Blue-headed Guinea Fowl and dazzling Sunbirds are common sights. Small antelope, foxes and the occasional porcupine roam the lawns at night and a host of frogs reside in the ponds and streams that run through the gardens.

Wine tasting in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch wine farms are known to offer some of the best wines in the world and there are plenty of local wineries willing to showcase the fruits of their labor. With almost 200 wineries crammed into the small town, choices are plentiful and many visitors choose to make a day out of wine tasting.

Tastings range from R15 – R30 and many wineries offer picnic baskets to enjoy, along with a glass of red or white wine.

Cheetah Outreach Program at Spier Winery

Outreach Program cheetahs

Just 30 minutes outside Cape Town’s city center, Spier Wine Estate is one of the largest wineries in the Stellenbosch area. The wine tasting is excellent, but it’s Spier’s Cheetah Outreach Program that’s one of the biggest draw-cards for visitors.

A small entry fee allows visitors to walk past the cheetah enclosures and take photos of the spotted residents. For a more up-close experience, visitors have the option of paying for a supervised visit inside the enclosure where they can interact with the cheetahs, one- on-one.

The program focuses on preserving hand-raised cheetahs born in captivity. These animals are not able to be released into the wild and so rely on their caretakers to survive. All money from the program is donated to the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Make sure you find some time for a meal at Moyo Restaurant, one of the eateries on the Spier Winery grounds. Moyo serves African cuisine with an upper class twist. The chain has several locations in South Africa, each with their own eclectic outdoor ambiance. The food at Moyo hails from all corners of the continent. North African couscous and curries are popular dishes, alongside local fresh fish from the Cape waters. Even South Africa’s favorite sausage, boerewors, makes an appearance on the menu.

Visit the Robben Island Museum

No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip to the Robben Island Museum. What was once a prison that housed many political prisoners during the apartheid era, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors to the island arrive by a ferry that departs daily from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The ride to Robben Island takes 30 minutes each way and the tour itself lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Tour guides are often former political prisoners who willingly share their experiences on Robben Island. The tour includes a visit to the prison and a 45-minute narrated bus tour of Robben Island. One of the main attractions on the tour is the cell in which Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life. The small, two-square-meter cell has remained largely unchanged since Mandela occupied it.

This piece was originally published on: MyCapetownInfo.com

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Top 5 FREE Things to do in Sydney

October 5, 2012

Sydney is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with a variety of things to see and do – for a price. But don’t despair! These are the top 5 free things to do in Sydney, that won’t break the bank.

1. Walk the Sydney Harbor Bridge

Sydney Harbor Bridge

While many visitors can spend up to several hundred dollars to climb the arches of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, there is a much cheaper option, with a view almost as good. Walking the pedestrian footpath over the Harbor Bridge won’t cost you a penny! The bridge spans more than half a mile and provides some of the best views of the Sydney harbor and the Opera House. The footpath is set away from the car lanes and railway tracks and provides an up-close view of one of Sydney’s most recognizable landmarks. While access to the Harbor Bridge is free, if you’re looking to go a little higher, there is also the option of climbing the Southeastern Pylon Lookout, for a fee. The Pylon Lookout takes visitors 87 meters above the water and houses a historical exhibition about the construction of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Click here for admission and opening times to the Pylon Lookout.

Cost: Free

Sydney Harbor Bridge
Circular Quay
Sydney, New South Wales, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9240 8500

2. Visit the Sydney Fish Market

A seafood lover’s delight, the Sydney Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere. The selection of seafood is staggering, with more than 100 species of fish, crustaceans and mollusks for sale daily. The Sydney Fish Market sits on the edge of Blackwattle Bay, so everything is literally “fresh off the boat”.

Entry is free and inside are a variety of shops selling almost every type of seafood under the sun. If you don’t feel like cooking your own food, there are several cafes and restaurants that will sell you your seafood selection and then prepare it to your liking. Not limited to just seafood, the Sydney Fish Market also has several specialty food stores, including a wine shop where visitors can pick up a chilled Sauvignon Blanc to go with their basket of king prawns.

Cost: Free

Sydney Fish Market
200/9 Bank St
Sydney, NSW, 2009
Australia

Phone: (02) 9004 1100

3. Picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens

Living up to its name, the Royal Botanic Gardens is fit for a king. The gardens span nearly 75 acres and house more than 45,000 species of plants and flowers which remain colorful year-round, thanks to Sydney’s temperate climate. Entry to the gardens is free and having a picnic on the lush green lawns makes for a wonderful afternoon, while providing stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and harbor.

However, it’s not all flowers and plants.The gardens’ also have an amazing variety of wildlife. Giant bats, known as flying foxes have taken up residence in a few of the trees where they hang upside down like large furry seed pods. When evening begins to fall, the mass exodus of bats on their nightly feed is a spectacular sight as they fly over the city. The gardens are also a haven for local birds. Large white cockatoos are some of the most endearing residents, however, despite being lovely to look at, visitors are discouraged from feeding them.

After the picnic, take a free guided tour of the gardens led by one of the volunteer guides, to get an inside look at what it takes to keep the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens maintained.

A map of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens can be found here.

Cost: Free

Royal Botanic Gardens
Mrs Macquaries Road
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9231 8111/ (02) 9231 8125 – Weekends

4. Visit Government House

Government House

Located within the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Government House has the distinction of being designed by Edward Blore, the same man who designed Buckingham Palace. The building is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and was home to 27 New South Wales Governors, until 1996 when it became an official site for the Governor to meet heads of state.

Entry into Government House is free and visitors have access to both the house and the beautifully manicured gardens.

Cost: Free

Government House
Macquarie Street
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Australia

Phone: (02) 9931 5222

5. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bronte Beach – one of the beaches along the trail of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

The Bondi to Coogee walk is nearly 4 miles long and starts on the cliffs overlooking Bondi Beach. It takes most people about 2 hours to complete the trail which has some lovely coastal scenery, along the way. In the summer months, the trail can get quite crowded, so going early in the morning, or in the evening, is advisable if you want to avoid the masses. Make sure to wear good shoes and put on plenty of sunscreen as there’s not a lot of shade along the trail. Overall, the terrain is pretty even, although there are a few hills and flights of stairs.

The walk takes you through Tamarama Beach, home of Sydney’s first seaside theme park, Bondi Aquarium. This was renamed Wonderland City during the late 19th century when a large wooden roller coaster took up much of the beach, along with other rides and swings and there was even an elephant giving rides to people on the sand.

Make sure to stop at Waverley Cemetery, arguably one of the best places to spend eternity. With a million dollar view that overlooks the Tasman Sea, the cemetery is a wealth of local history. It’s still an active graveyard, consisting of more than 50,000 graves, some of which date back to 1877.

At the end of the trail is Coogee, a trendy beach town similar to Bondi. Filled with cafes, restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great place to relax after the long walk.

Cost: Free

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

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Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

September 8, 2009

Bondi Beach from the trail

It’s one of the most famous beaches in the world; Bondi Beach is known for its great surf and bronzed bodies. However, there’s more to the area than just the beach. Bondi is also the start of one of the best coastal walks in Sydney.

The Bondi to Coogee walk is nearly 4 miles long and starts on the cliffs overlooking Bondi Beach. It takes most people about 2 hours to complete the trail and while it is guaranteed to be a good workout, it’s also a great way to see some of the Eastern Suburbs’ stunning coastline and beaches. A map of the route can be found here.

Get Organized

In the summer months the trail can get quite crowded, so going early in the morning, or in the evening is advisable if you want to avoid the masses. Make sure to wear good shoes and put on plenty of sunscreen, as there’s not a lot of shade along the way. Overall, the terrain is pretty even, although there are a few hills and flights of stairs.

Tamarama Beach

Leaving Bondi, the first major beach is Tamarama. This beach has an interesting history, as it was home to Sydney’s first seaside theme park. In the late 1800s, the Bondi Aquarium was built. This was later renamed Wonderland City. A large wooden roller coaster used to take up much of the beach, along with other rides and swings and there was even an elephant giving rides to people on the sand.

Bronte Beach

Just beyond Tamarama is Bronte Beach which is a good place to stop for a drink and a snack. There are plenty of cafes to relax at, or you can take a breather in the beach’s oceanfront park. At the far end of Bronte Beach is Bronte Baths, a man-made ocean pool built into the base of the sandstone cliffs, back in 1887, and designed to provide an alternative to ocean swimming.

Waverley Cemetery

Waverley Cemetery

One of the most interesting stops along the route is the Waverley Cemetery, arguably one of the best places to spend eternity. With a million dollar view that overlooks the Tasman Sea, the cemetery is a wealth of local history. It’s still an active graveyard, consisting of more than 50,000 graves, some of which date back to 1877. They range from humble wooden crosses, to ostentatious marble mausoleums. There is even the grave of a pilot with an old airplane propeller for a tombstone.

Clovelly

Further down the trail is Clovelly, a favorite spot for families. The water in this area is calm and perfect for swimming. While some people do snorkel, the best spot for that is nearby Gordon’s Bay, which boasts a host of marine life.

At the end of the trail is Coogee, a trendy beach town similar to Bondi. Filled with cafes, restaurants and boutiques, it’s a great place to relax after the long walk.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

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Finding a Rental Apartment in Sydney

May 11, 2009

Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be tough, but knowing how to navigate the world of real estate agencies and rental contracts will make the process easier.

Waterfront homes in Sydney

The Sydney rental market is not for the faint of heart. It requires time, effort, and a lot of patience. Hotels and hostels are not long-term options as they can be expensive, so when moving to Sydney, try and find a place to live as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, rent is not cheap in this part of the country. Sydney is one of the more popular cities in Australia, and also one of the priciest. Renting a studio apartment can cost as much as a 2-bedroom house in another Australian city.

The rental market in Sydney is booming and estate agents and landlords have no trouble filling available accommodation. To top it off, the competition is stiff and it is not unheard of for potential renters to actually offer more than the asking rental rate.

Finding a Rental in Sydney – Private or Agency?

There are two main ways to find a rental in Sydney: either privately or through a rental agency.

There are plenty of private listings from people renting out rooms, apartments or houses that they own. These can be found in online classifieds like Gumtree.com, or in newspapers.

Going through an agency is more complicated. Most agencies have branches in almost every suburb in Sydney. Decide on an area to live and contact the nearest agency office. They will be able to provide a list of their latest rentals and put you on their mailing list for any future rentals. Renters can also visit the agency’s website which has a full listing of available properties.

Each week, rental agencies hold public showings of available properties. Be prepared to spend your Saturdays going from viewing to viewing, as most of them are shown only on that day. Each viewing lasts between 15 – 20 minutes, which means prospective tenants have to get there early to check it out. Viewings are open to the public, so you’ll be looking at a rental along with everyone else who is interested in the place.

Tips on Finding a Rental

Plan your day accordingly.

Many places have viewings that are at the same time, or 15 minutes apart, so know the places that you want to see ahead of time and try and see several in the same neighborhood.

Attend weekday viewings.

Sometimes a rental agency will have a viewing during the week. This is a good chance to gain the upper hand over other prospective applicants, as there are fewer people who are able to view a place on a weekday. It means that you have a better chance of getting your application in first.

Rent a studio.

If you are single, or a couple, the competition is not as stiff for studio apartments. Most renters are looking for larger places.

Come prepared.

Have a copy of your bank statement and passport or driver’s license on hand, to attach to your application. Many agencies require this and it helps you turn in your application sooner.

Finding a rental apartment in Sydney can be a daunting process, but don’t give up. When you do find a place, you not only have a new area to explore, you’re also living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

More Sydney Rental Resources

Domain.com.au
Realestate.com.au

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile

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Sydney in Under $50 a Day.

January 14, 2009

While it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Sydney is certainly not the cheapest. And with the Australian dollar exceeding parity with the US dollar, visitors are looking for ways to make their money go further.

Fortunately, there are a variety of activities that won’t leave your wallet hurting.

Luna Park

The entrance to Luna Park is perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Sydney, second only to the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Located just a short ferry ride across the harbor, Luna Park is Sydney’s only amusement park.

Entrance to Luna park

The park first opened in 1935 and has kept its sideshow charm. Walk through the giant grinning mouth and visitors are surrounded by a carnival atmosphere.

Admission to the park is free, but you pay per ride. Indulge your inner child (or your own children) with everything from the Ferris Wheel, to slides, to carnival games.

After working up an appetite, head to the nearby Lighthouse Cafe for one of the meal deals. It’s a cheap and easy way to grab food on the go!

Cost Breakdown

  • Admission: Free
  • Rides: $10/ride
  • Meal Deal at Lighthouse Cafe (burger OR hot dog plus chips and a drink): $12

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Sydney Fish Market

Ranking up there with the top seafood markets in Japan and Pike’s Place in Seattle, the Sydney Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere.

A behind the scenes tour* of the market is a great way to see how seafood makes its way from the ocean to the plate. The tour takes visitors onto the auction floor of the market to get an up close look at the haggling and trading of seafood. There is also a stop at the Sydney Seafood School where visitors might get to watch a cooking class in action, or a demonstration of oyster shucking.

After the tour, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. The menu is extensive, offering everything from the standard offering of fish and chips, to Lobster Thermidor!

*Tours start at 6.55am and end at 8:30am.

Cost Breakdown

  • Fish Market Tour: $20 adults/$10 children 13 years and under
  • Lunch:: $10+

Darling Harbor

Darling Harbor is one of Sydney’s main tourist areas and a great place to take kids. Set along the harbor are a variety of shops, restaurants and attractions. Spend a couple of hours at the Sydney Aquarium and check out some of Australia’s marine animals, including crocodiles, the duck-billed platypus, and sharks. There is also an exhibit showcasing the marine life of the Sydney harbor.

Fish not your thing? Right next door is the Sydney Wildlife World, home to some of Australia’s most deadly inhabitants: snakes, scorpions, and one of the largest crocodiles in captivity.

The nearby Ice Cube Restaurant is a great place to grab a meal of fish and chips. Here’s a tip: the restaurant serves a wide variety of local seafood, but you’re looking at $25+ for a plate. Just around the corner is Ice Cube Ahoy, the restaurant’s takeaway counter. The two restaurants use the same kitchen and the same ingredients, but the take-away prices are about a third less. There’s less variety to choose from, but you can’t beat the prices.

Cost Breakdown

  • Wildlife World or Aquarium Adult General Admission: $34.99
  • Takeaway Lunch: $10+

Chinese Garden of Friendship

Located near busy Darling Harbor, the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a peaceful oasis in the middle of a bustling metropolis.

Picturesque view of the Chinese Gardens

The garden is filled with perfectly manicured landscapes, weeping willows and plenty of massive koi fish. One thing that you won’t find in most Chinese gardens are the large lizards that call the grounds home. They freely roam the area, sunning themselves on rocks and ignoring passersby.

The garden’s Teahouse is a nice way to end a visit. The menu features a variety of refreshments from traditional Chinese tea, to a more European fare of cream scones.

Don’t miss the life size replica of a traditional Chinese bridal carriage carved completely out of jade. The ornate carriage is the only one of its kind outside of China.

Cost Breakdown

  • Garden Entrance Fee with Tea Included: $11

To find other things to do in Sydney that won’t cost you a penny, take a look at the Top 5 FREE Things to Do in Sydney.

Please visit my Associated Content page for more travel articles: Hayley’s AC Profile