P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way | Sydney, Australia

A trip to Sydney had been a long time in the making. It's a place that is so easily accessible but just never makes the cut. I guess it didn't really make the cut this time either - it was more of an extended transit location.

Rewind a few months, I was experiencing cabin fever so naturally began trolling through travel websites dreaming of the next trip I could add to my list and I had managed to rope in a girlfriend from work to come overseas with me (she had never been overseas - so the perfect opportunity!). We quickly locked in a cruise through P & O Cruises - "A Taste of New Caledonia". Departing from Sydney Harbour it was only fair to fly in a few days early to experience the city that never makes the cut!

I wasn't disappointed in this decision at all. In fact, I might just be planning another trip back to see more! In the 50 or so hours we were there we managed to experience quite a lot - many hits and a few misses. So let me break it down:

Hits

The Rocks at 6pm: the absolute highlight of the entire trip for me was this free walking tour that we stumbled upon. As the name suggests it leaves at 6pm every night from a meeting spot in the Sydney Harbour. The goes into Sydney's history as a convict settlement. The tour guide has a wealth of knowledge and if you're like me, where history and culture underpin all reasons for travel, then you will not be disappointed.
Sydney Harbour: generic AF tourist location but also everything it is hyped up to be. Try to go to as many lookouts as you can to see the bridge and opera house from all of their angles - it never gets old! The lookout at Mrs Macquarie's Chair is probably the best (or on the top deck of a massive cruise ship - that works too). Or, find a piece of grass on the harbour and people/boat watch - bliss. OR, order a wine at one of the many waterfront bars.
Hyde Park: a hidden gem that is a beautiful inner city retreat. I could have spent hours just laying peacefully on the grass. Next to the park is the beautiful St. Mary's Cathedral if church architecture is what you are in to.
El Camino Cantina: a very delicious tex-mex restaurant that I feel not many tourists would go to. Located in The Rocks we went on Taco Tuesday where tacos are $2 all day - and they were delicious. They also have amazing happy hour deals! A great place to go for a meal and a good night out.
Train Transport: the train is by far the best way to travel around Sydney. It is cheap and easy to use and can take you anywhere you need to go. Make sure you get an Opal card rather than paying casual fares each journey.

Misses

Bondi Beach: I hate to say it buuuuuuuttttt this place was a total anti-climax for me. Talk about just another beach. I don't see what is so special about it and what made it worse was that it was overcrowded with people. Not my cup of tea at all! (In its favour I have heard the walkway between Bondi and Coogee is great).
The Buses: nope, nope, and nope. Not user friendly at all and never arrived on time.

Good old Sydney, you definitely did not disappoint!