There is no shortage of attractions to check out while in The Big Smoke, especially if you’ve made the ace move of procuring cheap car rental in Sydney. Want to know which attractions to prioritise? Read on to find out our favourite things to do in Sydney.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Getting up close and personal with Australian animals is a major tourist attraction for those visiting from outside of Australia. However, it can also be thrilling for those who call the land down under home. Sydney is the place to go to meet and greet your newest fun, furry friends.
Taronga Zoo
Your best bet for seeing animals in Sydney is the magnificent Taronga Zoo. The massive award-winner has enough going on that you could spend an entire day ambling from enclosure to enclosure. You can also sign up for a private Animal Encounter that brings you up-close-and-personal with koalas, giraffes, penguins or owls. Although you can definitely use your hire car to drive there, consider taking a ferry from Circular Quay. The ride only takes about 12 minutes and provides a refreshing alternative to driving. This mode of transport also gets bonus points for providing incredible photo ops of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House!’
Koala Park Sanctuary
If you’re looking for something a bit smaller and cheaper, hop in your hire car and head for the Koala Park Sanctuary in West Pennant Hills. About 30-40 minutes from the CBD in a more suburban part of Sydney, this little oasis of wildlife will scratch your itch for seeing cute and cuddly koalas up close.
Hit the Beach
Along with the Gold Coast and Perth, Sydney is home to a stack of beaches of various shapes and sizes. With cheap car rental in Sydney, you can pack up all your gear and head to the sunny shores at your own convenience.
Manly and Bondi
Perhaps the two most well-known beaches in Sydney, these hotspots feature more than just beachy landscape in which to soak up the sun. On balmy days, both these places can get absolutely rammed with those looking to work on their tan or splash around in the ocean.
Even if you’re adverse to crowds, the busy, buzzing atmosphere shouldn’t stop you from heading toward the coastline. There are plenty of other things to do in those areas. Bondi and Manly are populated with numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars, each of which don’t mind you shaking off a bit of sand onto their floors as you enjoy a cold beverage or some food along with the view.
As an added bonus, Bondi serves as one end of the breath-taking Bondi to Coogee Walk. This six kilometre (3.7 mile) along the coach takes you by a bunch of beautiful beaches, each with their own little bit of personality. The stops on this walk are also likely to be less crowded than the aforementioned Bondi and Manly.
Other Options
With cheap car rental in Sydney, you have the power to avoid the hustle and bustle of the larger, more well-known beach scenes. For something a bit off the beaten path, try Little Bay Beach in Randwick, just around the cape from Botany Bay. This spot is split into two smaller beaches and offers limited landscape, but if you can get a spot the crystal clear water will be your reward.
Camp Cove Beach, just down the road from the fantastic Watson’s Bay Hotel, is another small, secluded spot with some charm. The excellent Green Point Walking Track neighbours the beach, completing the package.
Penrith and Blacktown are other great spots to visit if your version of a relaxing holiday involves big waves, huge stretches of soft sand, and plenty of sun. Just don’t forget to slip, slop, slap – Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world.