This post may contain affiliate links. Every link is hand-selected by our team, and it isn’t dependent on receiving a commission. You can view our full policy here.
When we had the chance to spend a week — or, in Nate’s case, two — in Australia, we had to live it up. That meant going FULL TOURIST. And taking any excuse to grab a bite to eat. And, on occasion, using a selfie stick to document the whole darn thing.
And we’re unapologetic about it all.
We can’t claim to be experts (we’ll leave that to the locals — or anyone who’s spent more than 14 consecutive days in the continent), but after two weeks of eating, exploring and ruthlessly taking photos of everything, we wanted to share some of our favorite stops during our stay. This post focuses primarily on Sydney, Australia, but we’ve woven in a few stops in Cairns, just in case you want to sneak in a trip to see the Great Barrier Reef. [Full disclosure: You’ll need to take a three-hour flight — or 13-hour drive — to experience both cities. Australia sprawls out more than U.S. suburbs.]
Food:
Start the day with a Flat White and a Toastie (AKA toasted sandwich or slice of toast piled high with smashed avocado, Vegemite, cheese or other toppings. If you’re in downtown Sydney, don’t miss Bar Bellacino. The Spinach and Avocado Toastie includes ricotta, pesto and two poached eggs, all served on a thick slab of crusty bread.
Grab a meat pie. Just do it. You won’t be disappointed. We loved the ones at 4 Pines Brewing Company, where you can also sample an Aussie brew and take in the unbelievable shoreline at Manly Beach.
Take the ‘Mite Challenge, mate. You’ve heard of Vegemite, but did you know that Marmite and Promite are also popular in Oz? Try all three slathered on toast and see which one you like best.
Slurp up Soup Dumplings at Din Tai Fung. When asked what we absolutely must try while in Australia, Asian food came up again and again. These dumplings have been dubbed the “world’s tastiest” by chef Ken Hom — and we agree. Just watch out for the Soup Dumpling: The key is to gently bite into the dumpling, slurp out the broth, then eat the rest of the pork-filled pastry. That way you don’t wind up with soup squirting all over the table (and your clothes).
Admire a rump…steak, that is. Rump is a popular cut in Australia, and many places offer lunch specials that let you buy a massive steak, mashed potatoes and vegetables for less than a burger (Dunwoody’s, we’re lookin’ at you in particular).
Double down on dessert. Vacation calories don’t count, right? Sometime during your stay, visit a bakery for a Caramel Slice (they’re like Millionaire Bars, featuring a shortbread-like bottom, a thick, gooey caramel middle and a fudgy chocolate layer on top). Make sure you also try what’s arguably the country’s most popular cookie: TimTams. They’re available in all kinds of flavors, though we’re big fans of the dark chocolate variety.
Fun:
Watch the sun rise as you hike from Bondi to Bronte Beach. There’s a nice, easily walkable (nay, strollable) path that curls around the shoreline, taking you from one beach to the other. Depending on your path, you could choose to walk for as little as 10 minutes or as long as 1 1/2 hours.
Go on a winery or brewery tour. If you’re up for a daylong excursion, you can take a two-hour bus ride to Hunter Valley, where you’ll visit multiple wineries and sample local bottles. For something closer to home, you can take a 30-minute-ish ferry ride to Manly Beach and explore the aforementioned 4 Pines Brewing Company.
Pet a kangaroo. Okay, don’t try to just tackle one in the wild, but you could visit a petting zoo or take a select tour that includes the opportunity to feed a tame ‘roo (like the Hunter Valley trip above).
Wander The Rocks. This historic district is loaded with pubs, antique shops and other delights, though it’s just as nice for meandering down the cobblestone roads and people-watching.
Spend an afternoon at the Taronga Zoo. The ferry ride to the Skyride alone will make you feel like you’re headed to the island in Jurassic Park, but thankfully, you don’t have to worry about velociraptors here. Just wombats and camera-shy platypuses (platypi?), and the odd, OCD-wall-licking giraffe. And Rigby the Red Panda, but you already knew that.
Take part in high tea, specifically Katherine Sabbath’s High Tea at the Tea Salon. Yes, the very same baker we featured months ago has curated a tea service in the center of downtown Sydney. You can spring for a full High Tea, getting a three-tiered tray of Sabbath’s sweets (including a koala donut!), or enjoy an a la carte blueberry scone with white chocolate chips. The collaboration is only offered until Nov. 30th.
Fulfillment:
Spend a Sunday morning (or evening) with Hillsong. If you go to a Christian church, there’s a good chance your praise and worship band plays a few of Hillsong’s tunes from time to time. The church has sparked a movement worldwide, so why not visit the campus where it all started? The message will refresh you for the week ahead.
Go snorkeling around the Great Barrier Reef. Compass Cruises offers a daylong excursion, which includes lunch and snacks. You’ll have to fly to Cairns to visit the Reef, but if you’re dead-set on cramming as much as possible into your visit (like we were, despite the protests of our groaning wallets), go for it. While you’re there, tour the Esplanade near the marina — you can try ice cream made fresh in seconds using liquid nitrogen, or score a semi-sketchy 30-minute massage for just $15 AUD at the Cairns Night Market. Spending a lazy afternoon on Palm Cove, one of the local beaches, is another must.
Tour the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves. You’ll learn more than the difference between stalagmites and stalactites*, though that’s certainly useful; you’ll gain a whole new perspective on what cave exploration was like more than 150 years ago, when the area was first discovered, and how critical it is to preserve the caves, which scientists say is 340 million years old.
Take part in F45, a citywide Tuesday-morning group fitness class that will wear you out in the best way possible. But talk about the endorphin rush afterward.
*Stalagmites = they “mite” grow up to touch the ceiling. Stalactites = They hold on “tite” from the ceiling.
If you enjoyed this post, don’t miss our other Frontiers tours: