Are you planning a trip to Sydney, Australia anytime soon? If so, check out these Best places to visit in Sydney by car to give you some inspiration.
Choosing to explore Sydney by car provides increased flexibility to go at your own pace, added comfort and saves time. Sydney is an exciting city with lots to see and do, if you wish to travel around by car, you will have the freedom to explore but there are some things to consider.
Regardless of the car you are driving, the amount of fuel you use will depend on how you plan your trip. However, for a city as big as Sydney, navigation may not always be easy to follow. Therefore, your planning must include factors like distances, estimated travel times, and even directions. These tips will help you save on gas and of course, hassle.
Preparing for your Sydney Sightseeing Road Trip
Don’t Ignore the Cost
Touring Sydney in a car can help save you time, but it comes with a price. Driving your own vehicle means paying toll-way fees that can add up to $7 per trip. The more you cross these tolls, the more you are likely to spend. This is another reason why planning the trip is essential.
To save money on road toll fees during your Sydney sightseeing road trip, don’t forget to purchase an electronic tag or pass. These passes allow you to travel within the city for up to 30 days and therefore are worth the extra cash, even if you plan to stay for only for a couple of weeks.
Great Money Saving Tip
Find free car rentals and cars to be relocated around the globe. Check out how to get free car rental around the world.
Plan the Trip Carefully
You get to experience so many things and witness the beauty of some of the best places to visit in Sydney during your road trip. The idea is to capture as much as you can without going overboard so that you can embrace your experiences fully.
Make sure you plan your Sydney road trip carefully. Choose your start and end destination well, and try to cover as many stops and beautiful locations in between, so that you do not have to deviate from the planned route. If you want to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the top places to visit in Sydney, use Google Maps to navigate and plan your route sensibly.
An idea for a route could begin with the Grand Pacific Drive that starts in the South of Sydney. It commences in the Royal National Park and covers some of the most beautiful rainforests and coasts on your way to your next destination.
You can plan a stop in Wollongong and enjoy the specialty food and their famous brewery. As you move all the way to the north of the city, you can find some of the most attractive villages and quaint towns.
So plan your road trips accordingly to save on cost and enjoy the attractions along the way.
Best places to visit in Sydney by car
So, now that you have planned your Sydney sightseeing road trip, it’s time to list the best Sydney attractions, be sure not to miss any of these free things to do in Sydney!
Check Out the Rocks
One of the top things to do in Sydney is to check out the free attractions, not only will this save you money while traveling, you will get to see some of the best spots that the city has to offer.
‘The Rocks’ is the oldest yet the most significant part of Sydney. With some of the finest architectural pubs, sandstone churches, colonial buildings, and narrow lanes, this neighborhood is one of the most cultural places to visit in Sydney.
The Rocks has its unique significance because it got preserved by the citizens after it was torn down in the 1970s. But that’s not the only thing that you get to experience here. The area is home to art museums, weekend markets, delicious restaurants, street entertainment, and of course, the spectacular view of the harbor.
Hit the Beaches
Another one of the top free things to do in Sydney, is to check out the beaches. Sydney has a spectacular coastline with some of the best beaches in the world. Taking a trip to the beach allows you to unwind from the mayhem of the city.
The best beaches in Sydney to visit include, Bondi beach, Bronte beach, Coogee beach, Manly beach and Balmoral beach to name a few. Be sure to check out the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, it is a great place to unwind and enjoy the sea breeze.
These beaches in Sydney each have their own feel and style, some are more family orientated, some are great for surfers and others are perfect for relaxing. Take a road trip along the coast and find your ideal beach in Sydney.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most impressive and iconic places to visit in Sydney. This beautiful building is probably the image that comes to mind when talking about Sydney. It is one of the most recognizable and admired buildings in the world.
Designed by Danish builder, it took 14 years for this building to be completed. The best way to find out more about this place is to visit it yourself. The iconic structure is one of the leading attractions in the city with its breathtaking interiors and historical essence.
There are over 40 performances and shows every week held at the Sydney Opera House, not only that but they host other events, activities and much more, there really is something for everyone.
Admire the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Whilst you are visiting the Sydney Opera House, be sure to admire the Sydney Harbour bridge too. You will not miss this world famous landmark, it is very distinctive and conveniently located in the Harbour, right next to the Opera House. So you can save time and effort by ticking off these 2 top places to visit in Sydney at the same time!
For those who like that extra thrill and excitement, you can even climb the Sydney Harbor bridge if you dare to face the 1000+stairs that take you to a height of over 40 metres.
Walk around the Sydney Harbour
The Sydney Harbour hosts more than the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, it is an area filled with fantastic shops, restaurants, and bars. This beautiful waterfront is a world famous area that has many activities on offer including sailing, swimming or diving and you can also enjoy a walk around the Harbour if you wish.
Catch an iconic Sydney ferry and head to Manly Beach, Darling Harbour, Sydney Olympic Park, or Watsons Bay, as well as many other destinations in and around Sydney.
Grab your opal card, top it up and explore the area on a Syndey ferry, check here for Sydney Ferry timetables, maps and other travel information.
The Blue Mountains
You are inevitably going to witness the beauty of the Blue Mountains if you are traveling around the outskirts of Sydney in your car. The spectacular scenery is more than an hour away from the busy city and is the perfect escape for anyone who enjoys serenity, scenic views, and beauty.
You can expect to witness magnificent waterfalls, adventurous walking trails, unusual rock formations, fascinating limestone caves, and colorful country towns.
Visit the Markets
Sydney has a wide variety of markets hosting vendors who sell arts and crafts, world-foods, vintage clothing, souvenirs and much more! The markets are one of those places to visit in Sydney if you enjoy shopping or like to have a mooch and absorb the atmosphere.
There are various markets you can walk through and enjoy the true colors of Sydney, from the Bondi Farmers Market to Paddington Market, the Flower Market, and tons of seasonal markets, the entertainment and experiences are endless.
Find an appropriate parking spot then enjoy your day shopping in these Sydney markets.
Author Bio:
We collaborated with Rachael Everly and together we came up with these tips for planning and preparing for a road trip and top places to visit in Sydney.
Rachael is an undergraduate student who loves to write on the topics related to business leadership, finance, technology and education. Her passion and flare for writing got her to write for topics that interest her such as recent technological trends and how it shapes the business world. Her thought-provoking and well-researched writing style has made her work to be recognized on well-known websites. She has been featured on some of the top blogs such as Inman, Forbes, Escape Artist and many others currently associated with Equip Sells It, a heavy machinery and equipment dealer in Sanford, Florida for their blogging operations. Follow her on Twitter @RachaelEverly, become friends on Facebook and connect with her on Linkedin for further updates.
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Really nice and informative blog!
Going to see my friend in Sydney next month
Will surely visit all these places 🙂