Let me just say that two nights in Sydney is not nearly enough time to explore. In our defense, our Sydney visit was a side trip added on to our New Zealand vacation to visit family and friends. We were lucky enough to stay with our dear friend Jeanie in Sydney, so she was happy to give us a mix of local and tourist views of her amazing city.
We began our tour with Featherdale Wildlife Park, about an hour outside of Sydney. Holding a koala bear has been on my bucket list, and Featherdale allows its guest to experience koalas up close and personal.
Koalas are not the only attraction at Featherdale Wildlife Park, although they were obviously my highlight. I love that they provide such a hands on experience for guests. Many species of birds and wallabies roam the park freely and enjoy a nibble of food provided for a low price.
During our visit, a number of groups of school children roamed the park, their faces happy and excited to interact with the wildlife. Featherdale works with a number of other organizations in Australia to raise awareness of its endangered and threatened species. Situated on seven acres with over 1,700 animals, you will definitely want to plan on spending at least a few hours exploring Featherdale.
This dingo pup was adorable. I spent about 10 minutes watching him try to get Mom to play. No luck! Don't forget to take a peek at the kangaroos. We were lucky to be visiting in early spring, witness to many young animals tagging along behind mamas, or even hiding in pouches.
While Featherdale Wildlife Park was fun, interesting, and educational, we also wanted to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in person. Both are icons and instantly recognizable as uniquely Sydney.
I know you see the birds, too. They kept appearing in my photos that day...strange. The Opera House is a walkable distance from the CBD. A stroll through the city was definitely needed after our amazing lunch at the Feast. (In case you missed Eating our way through Sydney, be sure to check it out.) They quay also affords beautiful views of the Harbour Bridge. If you have time, I would suggest a stroll through the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, just across from the Opera House. We peeked in, but just didn't have the time to explore. Our "hostess with the mostest" kept us going most of our visit 😉
Jeanie is just lovely and so knowledgeable about her city. It always helps to have a local as a tour guide to find the best food and unique places. We can't thank her enough for her hospitality, and gin, and wine 🙂
Just a quick side note--did you realize the Opera House is actaully multiple buildings? Perhaps I'm naïve, but I did not. I've never seen photos other than the iconic shots that make it appear as one building.
G'day mate, as they say Down Under. We hope you enjoyed our brief Sydney tour.
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